After saying goodbye to Carl, Ma'el, along with most of the team members, went to the side of the field to stretch their muscles. This is a necessary relaxation to reduce muscle fatigue.
The head coach Hans seemed to have left early, and Mr. Wenger was nowhere to be seen.
The trial match is brutal. Hans definitely doesn't want to announce the results on the spot and tries to avoid interactions with players who are not selected.
Going back and notifying each player by phone is more appropriate.
During the stretching, Ma'el began to think about his future.
Staying on the team should be basically no problem, but he doesn't know whether he caught the eye of Mr. Wenger or any scouts... Thinking about it, being selected after just one game is quite unlikely.
He's not in a hurry; at present, enhancing his skills is the key.
Without skills, even if he joins the first team and other professional teams, it will be of no use.
"A good training environment and sufficient time have already been secured. The new goal is to advance to the first team."
Ma'el adjusted his mindset, feeling a sense of security, which is also a kind of improvement. At least he doesn't need to worry about going back to a life of constant upheaval.
The first thing he thought about was, what skills should he practice next?
He certainly wouldn't put aside the practice of Long Shot and Power, but previously, he intensified the training of these two skills to prepare for today's trial match, hoping to have some standout techniques.
Now that the trial match is over, if he only continues to train these two skills in the future, it might lead to a feeling of imbalance.
From today's match, he already discovered that certain skills must be acquired as soon as possible.
Not to mention reaching the highest Level 5, he at least needs to reach the average Level 3 for professional players.
Otherwise, when he truly faces the intense competition of professional leagues, he won't even be able to adapt to the basic match rhythm or maintain possession.
At that point, even a Level 5 Long Shot would be powerless.
"Therefore, multi-faceted development is necessary."
Ma'el made a decision and began detailed planning… He first plans to practice all basic skills to Level 3, then select one or two from them for specialized upgrades to Level 4 or Level 5.
On the basis of ensuring basic skills, then develop his characteristics, which is the correct way to grow.
And as for basic skills, technically, there are essentially four types: passing, stopping, dribbling, and shooting!
Physically, it can also be broken down into four aspects: power, speed, physical ability, and coordination!
Don't think that abilities like stopping the ball or coordination aren't important. On the contrary, the more basic they are, the more they serve as the foundation for playing well.
If the foundation isn't well laid, if he can't stop the ball smoothly, or if performing a move is as awkward as about to fall over, then everything is in vain.
"Add the practice of inside cutting ability while dribbling, and also practice the crossing ability in passing."
Ma'el identified the two abilities he needs most, then considered the physical aspects: "For the body, I can practice power first for now. Once power reaches Level 3, I'll then add coordination."
Having thought through all this, stretching was basically done. He stood up, took a few sips of water, and headed to his dormitory.
Just as he arrived at the dormitory, Ma'el saw a text message on his phone.
The note showed it was from Mr. Hans' number – "Come to the office."
To make himself appear more formal, Ma'el suppressed the excitement in his heart, took a shower, changed clothes, and then set off.
......
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Korni Training Base, a few scouts were walking out.
Jorson from Sheffield United almost immediately dialed a number. The new season is about to begin; major clubs might not be in a hurry to strengthen, but smaller teams can't afford leisure.
They must seize every opportunity, even if that opportunity might not be a good one.
What Jorson wants to do is to recommend Gilbert to the club, while also strongly recommending number 31.
Even if doing so is a bit risky and hasty.
But he must do it.
The resource allocation mechanism of this world inherently determines that teams like theirs need to take greater risks when choosing players.
If there's a well-known, universally recognized, outstanding young player, clubs wanting him would surely not be limited to Sheffield United, nor just Leeds or Burnley.
At that point, their competitors would certainly include Dortmund, Benfica, Ajax, and other teams of similar standing.
The call quickly connected, and a voice came from the other side: "Any results? The transfer window is about to close. Once you decide over there, we'll immediately contact Arsenal. This is our last chance to strengthen."
Jorson didn't have the chance to speak as the voice on the other side continued incessantly: "Other scouts have gradually returned, and the people they brought along aren't satisfactory. Gilbert you're focusing on is considered our last hope."
However, there was no sense of blame. He knew what kind of anxiety the club management was going through.
Just as the Burnley scout said not long ago, after failing to promote last season, many excellent players in their team chose to leave.
Most of those remaining are either too old and are staying to run down their contracts and retire.
Or they couldn't play a leading role previously and now hope to play a season in the Championship to enhance their personal value.
They, undoubtedly, lack the competitiveness and motivation to make an impact in the Premier League.
If this continues, the team won't even think about advancing to the Premier League and might even face the risk of relegation!
"There's no problem with Gilbert. His skills rank among the top of his age group in the United Kingdom."
After waiting a long time, Jorson finally got a chance to speak: "But purchasing him is almost impossible. Wenger watched his game from the sidelines today. I think he will definitely take notice of this player."
"No need to buy! No need to buy!"
The voice on the other side was both frustrated and anxious: "I actually didn't have hope of buying an Arsenal player in the first place. As long as we can loan him for a season, to get through this season, we'll figure things out after."
"I understand, boss."
Jorson nodded and continued: "However, the best player in today's match was not Gilbert."
"... Then who?"
"Arsenal's number 31, a player we've never paid attention to before."
"Never noticed? Do you have the tape, send it to me to see."
"You should be able to find this match on Arsenal's official website, but I haven't found others."
The voice on the other side fell silent and after a long pause came a deep breath, "How good is he?"
Jorson stroked his chin, recalling the sharpness and fierceness of Ma'el's Long Shot, "He and Gilbert each have their characteristics. I believe they are players of the same level, with similar impacts."
The other side didn't speak for a long time, seemingly in hesitation, until more than ten seconds passed, and finally, as if a decision was made: "I trust your judgment. In fact, if I can't trust you, I have no one to rely on."
"I'll contact Arsenal. You don't have to worry about the rest. Come back quickly... oh no, just stay there and come back with the players!"
"If the players you recommended can really help the team, trust me, I will love you for a lifetime."
Jorson couldn't help but laugh, feeling a chill rise from his back, "Let's skip the last part, boss."
Putting down the phone, he looked at the entrance of the Korni Training Base, his expression slowly turned melancholic.
He doesn't know whether the players recommended to the team this time can help the team, nor whether the team can turn the tide this season.
No, first he should worry about whether the team's sports director can secure the loan of the two players from Arsenal...