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The match had been a resounding success, and word spread faster than a viral video. The other teams? They were in a state of utter panic, nervously checking their phones for the latest updates. They were probably wondering how in the world Leeds United had pulled off a 3-0 thrashing of Wolves. No one had seen it coming. And now? The headlines were coming in fast and furious, like a kid on a sugar rush.
"Young Guards! Assemble!"
"Detailed analysis of Leeds United's 4-2-3-1 formation"
"Magical Arthur Show! Crazy Leeds United!"
"Leeds United's average running distance reached a terrifying 9.3 kilometers"
Yes, you read that correctly. 9.3 kilometers. Apparently, the Leeds squad had been running around the pitch like they were being chased by an angry swarm of bees. It wasn't just a victory—it was an exhausting victory. A sweaty, relentless marathon that made everyone else look like they were stuck in slow motion.
The day after the game, the sports pages were flooded with stories about Leeds United's dramatic performance. The local paper, The Yorkshire Post, took things a step further, devoting an entire page to their newfound heroes. The victory was too big to ignore. It had to be celebrated. It was the kind of game that made you want to tattoo "Leeds United, Future Premier League Champions" on your forehead.
The Yorkshire Post didn't stop at just reporting the game—it also conducted an interview with Sneijder. You know, the guy who scored one and assisted the other in a game that had everyone talking. He was like the shining jewel in Arthur's tactical masterpiece. During the interview, Sneijder dropped some real gems about how the team had completely revamped their tactics under Arthur's leadership.
He explained that under the previous coach Blackwell, Leeds had been stuck playing defensive counter-attacks, probably thinking that getting kicked in the face by the opposition was part of the game plan. But Arthur? Arthur had come in like a breath of fresh air and was blowing the dust off the old tactics. In fact, Sneijder mentioned that they had almost completely ditched Blackwell's defensive playbook in favor of training on multiple tactical systems. It was all about being unpredictable. It was like being a magician—nobody knew what was coming next, and that was the secret to their success.
Sneijder even went on to explain that the first goal of the game was something straight out of Arthur's pre-match tactical playbook. It wasn't just a happy accident or a fluke. No, this was the result of careful planning, analysis, and probably a lot of coffee.
When the reporter asked Sneijder who he preferred as a coach—Arthur or the old guy—he didn't even hesitate. "Although I also respect Kevin," Sneijder said, "I have to say that I think Arthur's tactics are more suitable for Leeds United now." Ouch. Sorry, Kevin. Looks like you just got unseated in the "who's the best coach" poll by a guy who's been at Leeds for like, what, a week?
The fans? Oh, the fans had their own emotional roller coaster. Before the game, they were mad. Like, "throw your remote at the TV" level of mad. They didn't want Arthur. They didn't want this whole "new coach, new era" thing. It was like when your mom gets a new boyfriend and you're like, "Nope, I'm not having it." Fans flocked to Leeds United's official website and let loose. They criticized the management, they criticized the deal, they probably even criticized Arthur's haircut—anything to express their anger. Some fans went so far as to call Leeds' goal of returning to the Premier League a joke. "This team's going to collapse," they said. "They'll be lucky to avoid a second-half meltdown." Classic internet negativity.
But after that 3-0 win over Wolves? The fans did a complete 180. It was like the flip of a switch. Everyone who had once doubted Arthur was suddenly on the bandwagon. Leeds United had done something spectacular, and no one was left questioning whether they could get promoted. The doubters had been silenced, and all it took was one incredible performance.
And the statistics didn't lie. The average age of Leeds United's starting lineup? A mere 21 years old. 21. These were not seasoned veterans pulling the strings—they were young, hungry players, barely out of their teens, with the stamina of caffeinated squirrels. They were far from their peak, but that's what made them so dangerous. They were like a blender of talent, just waiting to be mixed together into something unforgettable.
And Arthur's tactical system? Well, it was working wonders. It was clear from the Wolves match that they had control over the game, something that was practically unheard of in the Championship, especially against a team like Wolves. Sure, Wolves weren't at their best, but Leeds didn't just sit back and wait for opportunities—they created them. They attacked relentlessly. They pressed high up the pitch. They ran. They ran a lot. They were like a bunch of Energizer bunnies hopped up on too much coffee. It wasn't just the win that was impressive—it was the way they won.
For the first time in a long time, Leeds United looked like they weren't just going to limp across the finish line in the Championship. No, they looked like they were going to charge, full throttle, into the Premier League. The excitement was palpable. The fans could feel it. Even the casual observers, who had previously written off Leeds as "too young" or "too unpolished," were now standing up and paying attention.
And who could blame them? Arthur had brought something new to the table. He had created a tactical system that was flexible, dynamic, and most importantly—effective. This wasn't the same old Leeds United that had been stumbling around the Championship in recent years. No, this was a team that was ready to fight for their place at the top.
The next few months were going to be a thrilling ride, that's for sure. But one thing was clear: under Arthur's leadership, Leeds United wasn't just going to return to the Premier League—they were going to make a statement. A big one.
And maybe, just maybe, they were going to be the ones to shake things up in the big league. Because, as we all know, the youth have the power to do anything. And Leeds United? They were about to take the Premier League by storm.
Carrington Training Base, Manchester.
The tea kettle whistled. The sound of crinkling newspapers filled the air as Sir Alex Ferguson, now sporting more white in his hair than he would care to admit, sat back in his chair. The weight of years in football management seemed to settle on him as he glanced over the morning's headlines.
He had seen it all—the triumphs, the heartbreaks, the deals that turned out to be gold mines, and the ones that nearly cost him everything. But this? This was new. The name on his mind was Arthur, or "The magician" as the papers liked to call him. Whatever the name, the result was the same—he'd caught Ferguson's attention.
The story went like this: Howard, a player Ferguson had seen potential in, had been sent off to Leeds United. Ferguson had let him go, sure, confident that the midfielder wasn't quite cut out for Manchester United's lofty expectations. But then, in a move that Ferguson could only describe as "strange," Arthur had swooped in, purchased Howard for a modest 3 million pounds, and—three months later—flipped him for a cool 15 million.
That, Ferguson had to admit, was a tidy profit.
But here's the kicker: Arthur wasn't just some businessman working in the transfer market. No, he had also turned Leeds United into a formidable force in the Championship. Ferguson had thought that the kid was a good dealmaker, but now he was beginning to wonder if Arthur was a bit more than just that. This young man had done something he had not expected: he had led Leeds United to victory in a way that had stunned pundits and fans alike.
Ferguson put down the newspaper, letting out a sigh. "This kid, Arthur," he muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he reflected on the rise of Leeds United under this new leadership. "Good business sense, good tactics... I'll admit, he's impressed me."
But then, with a characteristic shift in tone, he added, "Still, it's a brutal world. Football isn't kind to those who don't deliver year after year. Look at Wenger—one rough season, and suddenly he's selling off his best players just to keep afloat. If Arthur slips up, he'll find out just how unforgiving this game really is."
Ferdinand, lounging nearby, couldn't resist the chance to chime in. "Didn't expect this 'oriental' kid to be so good, did you, coach?" he asked, clearly amused. "His big moves have been a lifeline for Leeds, haven't they?"
Ferguson didn't smile, but a slight glint of amusement appeared in his eyes. "He's not bad, I'll give him that," he admitted. "But one mistake, and everything could go wrong. Just look at the competition he'll face next season when Leeds are back in the Premier League. It's a whole different ball game up there. He better be ready for it."
Ferdinand, who had seen the intensity of Premier League football firsthand, nodded. The competition at the top level of English football wasn't like the Championship. Here, mistakes were costly. A slip-up could be the difference between lifting the trophy or fighting relegation. And the Premier League wasn't kind to the inexperienced. It was a cutthroat world, where reputation and consistency were everything.
"Next season, we'll probably see Leeds back in the Premier League," Ferguson continued, his voice tinged with a hint of pragmatism. "Maybe you'll even get to play against them, Rio. It'll be interesting to see if Arthur can keep his head above water when he's swimming with the sharks. If he can, more power to him."
Ferdinand pressed on. "So you think he's too young for this level?"
Ferguson's face grew serious, and he shifted in his chair. "I think he's good. He's certainly impressed me. But in this game, you can't just rely on a good season. One bad game can change everything."
Ferguson raised an eyebrow as he looked at his player. "He's not bad," he admitted, "but you know how this game works, Rio. One mistake, and it all comes crashing down. Leeds are on the right track now, sure. But the competition in the Premier League next season? It's brutal. They'll have to be perfect. If they're not... they'll be gone quicker than you can say 'relegation.'"
Ferdinand didn't respond right away. He mulled over Ferguson's words. The reality of football was that it didn't matter how good you were in one season—it was about staying at the top year after year. And that, more often than not, came down to luck, timing, and a good deal of grit.
"Next season, you'll probably see Leeds back in the Premier League," Ferguson continued, his tone a mix of pragmatism and mild amusement. "Maybe you'll even get to play against them. Who knows? It'll be interesting to see if this boy can keep his head above water once he's swimming with the big fish."
"From what you're saying," Ferdinand pressed, "you think he's too young for this, huh?"
Ferguson's face grew serious. The usual smirk faded. "I think he's good. But that doesn't mean it's going to last. Football isn't like playing a game of Monopoly. You can't just roll the dice and expect to keep landing on 'Park Place.' Arthur might have pulled off a big win, but the real challenge is staying on top once you're there."
It was a warning. And anyone who knew Ferguson knew that the man didn't waste words. He had a reputation for being right—more often than not—and when he said the competition was fierce, you knew it was.
***
Meanwhile, over at Bates's mansion, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different. The silence was deafening as Bates sat, glaring at the television screen. His usually expansive home felt eerily quiet, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath.
The only sound filling the room came from the TV, where Arthur's smiling face flashed across the screen, effortlessly talking about his recent victory, his tactical brilliance, and how Leeds United was back on track. To anyone else watching, it would have been just another coach talking after a big win, but to Bates? This was personal.
A few months ago, the man sitting on that screen had been a quiet, almost timid figure. Reserved. Uncertain. But now, the boy had turned into a confident young man—standing tall, talking about the future of Leeds United with a glint of self-assurance. It was almost as if he had never doubted for a second that his success was inevitable.
And Bates? Bates couldn't stand it. He'd thought he'd gotten the better of Arthur when he made the deal to sell him to Leeds. He'd watched him leave with a smug sense of superiority, thinking he'd gotten one over on the kid.
But now? Watching the young man on the screen, Bates felt a sickening sting in his chest. "Damn it, Arthur Morgan," he muttered under his breath, gritting his teeth. "You treacherous little villain. How dare you turn everything around like this? You play me like a fool, and I won't forget it. I'll make you pay for this!"
The anger simmered beneath his skin. He couldn't deny that he had underestimated Arthur. And now, that same young man was making waves in the world of football—waves that Bates never expected. His quiet smirk, the one that had once seemed so harmless, now felt like a dagger twisting into Bates's pride.
This wasn't over, not by a long shot. Bates had a lot of pride, and nothing stung worse than someone making a fool of him. He wasn't about to let this go.
"Just wait, Arthur," Bates muttered, staring at the screen with narrowed eyes. "I will make sure you regret this. It's not over."
But for now, the world—at least, the world of football—was focused on Arthur. The young man who had taken a troubled Leeds United and turned them into something that was starting to look very, very dangerous.
And Arthur? Well, he was just getting started.
·············
Arthur sat in his study, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. He'd just wrapped up an exhausting interview after last night's big win, but there was one thing he couldn't wait to get his hands on: the treasure chest. He had been eagerly looking forward to opening it all day. Unfortunately, after his interview, things didn't exactly go as planned.
As soon as he walked into the locker room to grab a moment of peace, the door swung open, and in came a flood of jubilant players, drenched in beer, spraying it all over him as they celebrated their victory. Adebayo and Tevez, in particular, were on cloud nine. Both had scored their first-ever goals since joining Leeds, and they were going wild.
Arthur didn't stand a chance. Before he knew it, he was swept up in the chaos. The players were practically lifting him off the ground as they danced and cheered around him. Arthur, ever the sport, joined in the celebration, laughing and patting backs, trying his best to keep up with the frenzy. It was a good problem to have, right?
After all that madness, Arthur decided to let the players have their fun. He gave them the day off to rest and recover, and, of course, he decided to take full advantage of the situation. He had a rare lazy day, sleeping in until noon and indulging in his favorite pastime—doing absolutely nothing.
Once he finally rolled out of bed, Arthur summoned the system, ready to open his treasure chest. The chest glowed a brilliant golden color, almost blinding him. He clicked it eagerly, and within seconds, a card appeared—one he had never seen before.
"Okay, what's this?" Arthur thought, leaning in closer to inspect it. The card was glowing with golden light, and his curiosity was piqued.
The system voice boomed in his head, cheerful as always. "Congratulations, host! You've received: Talent Redemption Card (applicable to any player), duration: 6 months."
Arthur blinked. "What? A Talent Redemption Card? What on earth is that?"
He stared at the glowing card, scratching his head. His mind was a bit slow on the uptake today, still recovering from the earlier beer shower and his well-earned rest. But one thing was clear—he had no idea what this was all about.
So, naturally, Arthur did what any sensible person would do in this situation: he clicked on the card to read the instructions. A small pop-up appeared with a vague explanation.
"Talent Redemption Card: Allows players to quickly redeem their talents and reach their peak state within the duration of the card. (Not activated yet.)"
"Uh…" Arthur stared at the text for a moment, thoroughly confused. "This is the most vague explanation I've ever seen. What does 'reach their peak state' even mean?"
His head was spinning, and he wasn't entirely sure what was going on. Was this like a power-up? A magic ability? He needed answers, and fast.
"System, come on, help me out here. I'm not understanding," Arthur said, half-expecting the system to give him more clarity. It took a couple of seconds, but then, as if the system was snapping into action, a new message appeared in front of him:
"Hello, host! After using the Talent Redemption Card, the peak of the target player's career can be brought forward to the time of activation, for a duration of 6 months. There are no side effects."
Arthur's eyes widened as he read the explanation. "Okay, okay, now we're getting somewhere…"
The system continued. "For example, Sneijder: his career peak will occur in the 2009-2010 season. If you use the card on him now, his peak will occur immediately, at the time of activation. The effect will last for 6 months."
Arthur stared at the message, his brain trying to process it all. A lightbulb flickered on in his mind. "Wait a minute. So, I can make players perform at their peak right now, no matter where they're at in their career? And it lasts for six months?"
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. This Talent Redemption Card was tailor-made for his plans—he had been planning to build a mini football empire, after all. And now, this was a golden opportunity to speed up the process and make even more money from the players he had.
He leaned back in his chair, grinning. "This is perfect."
Arthur's strategy had always been a little unconventional. He had signed players like Sneijder, Adebayo, and others to short-term contracts—mostly 2 or 3 years—because he wasn't planning on sticking around with them for long. Each of these players had a hefty release clause, especially the strikers and midfielders, who were valued higher than defenders and goalkeepers in the transfer market. For example, Chiellini had a release clause of 20 million euros, which was a steal compared to Sneijder, Adebayo, or Tevez, who had clauses of 27 million euros or higher.
But then there was Gareth Bale, whom Arthur had signed from Southampton. The 15-year-old had a whopping 60 million euro release clause, something that had completely confused the young player. He had spent the whole week trying to figure out why anyone would think he was worth 60 million, especially when Cristiano Ronaldo had only cost 14.33 million euros just the year before.
Arthur chuckled at the thought of Bale still scratching his head over it.
But the best part? He could activate this Talent Redemption Card on players like Sneijder and Adebayo—bring their peak years into the present moment. Imagine how much more he could sell them for! A player who's performing at their peak in their prime? That's gold in the transfer market.
Arthur wasn't just playing football—he was playing the market. By the time teams came knocking for his star players, he'd have already maximized their value, all thanks to the Talent Redemption Card. And if they happened to have passed their prime once they were sold? Well, that was none of his concern.
His mind raced with possibilities. This was a game-changer. It was like finding a cheat code for football. The perfect shortcut to make some serious cash, and Arthur knew just how to use it.
"Yeah, this is going to be fun," he said to himself, rubbing his hands together once more.
The world of football was about to change, and Arthur was ready to take full advantage. After all, who said you couldn't have your cake and eat it too?