"Look at you lot! Absolutely savage, kicking a manager right out of his job!"
During the following day's training session, David Qin's voice rang out in mock scolding.
"Give it a rest, David!" Ivan Perišić retorted with a smirk. "You're the last person who should be talking. All three of those opening goals were down to you!"
"I'm just a kid," David shot back, playing his trump card. "What's your excuse?"
Perišić: "..."
The Croatian was left speechless, deciding it wasn't worth the breath to keep bickering with the teenager.
"In six days, we face Krasnodar in the Europa League," Dieter Hecking said, clapping his hands to gather the squad. "We'll stick to a semi-rotation. We need to preserve our strength for the league—remember, Hamburg is waiting for us."
As the season transitioned from its opening act into the grueling middle stages, various issues began to surface. Chief among them: injuries. Ricardo Rodríguez, having initially dealt with the flu, was now sidelined with groin inflammation and was currently in Munich for treatment. His specialist was none other than Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt, the legendary "healing hand" of Bayern Munich.
"How is Ricardo doing? When can we expect him back?"
David was the most anxious member of the squad. The chemistry he shared with Rodríguez on the left flank was immense; together, they formed a lethal partnership that he simply didn't feel when playing alongside Christian Träsch or Marcel Schäfer.
"Early December, hopefully," Hecking replied with a helpless shrug.
Injuries weren't the only headache. The vultures at Bayern Munich were already circling, looking to dig their talons into Rodríguez. The Swiss international had already attracted interest from Real Madrid over the summer, with Chelsea and Manchester United also monitoring his situation. At twenty-two, his early-season performances had solidified his reputation as the best left-back in the league after David Alaba.
Fortunately, Rodríguez had already entered talks with the club. He wasn't asking for a move—just a salary that reflected his value. He was smart enough to know that a move to Bayern likely meant a seat on the bench behind Alaba; staying with The Wolves, especially with a partner like David Qin, was far more appealing.
"David, injury rates are climbing across the league. Pay attention to your body," Hecking warned. "If anything feels off, tell us immediately. Kevin, that goes for you too. Don't try to play through the pain."
In the world of professional sports, hiding injuries is common. The competition is cutthroat; one missed match or training session can mean losing your spot in the starting eleven. Hecking had seen many youngsters try to "tough it out" just to stay in the first team.
"Got it, Boss," David said, reclining back into a lazy slouch. "If I feel a twinge, I'm taking a nap. The club is paying the bills, after all."
"Oh, stop it. You're the hardest worker here," Hecking countered, pointing toward the security cameras. "This isn't thirty years ago. Lockhoff has spreadsheets of exactly when you arrive and when you leave. You're out there putting in extra hours every day."
"I... I just can't sleep," David muttered, his tone dropping. While he followed his training plan, he felt a bit sheepish about his "overachieving" habits becoming public knowledge.
"Which is why you're moving out of the dorms. Kevin has a spare room; you're staying with him." Hecking decided David needed a minder. "Don't say no. You're a minor, and the club holds guardianship. You have no choice."
"Kevin, tell me you don't bring women home every night," David teased. "I'm a very light sleeper."
De Bruyne's face darkened. Between his single-minded focus on football and past relationship drama, women were currently the last thing on his mind.
"I'm a light sleeper too," De Bruyne grumbled after a long silence.
The squad erupted into laughter, clutching their stomachs at the Belgian's dry response.
Six days later, the Volkswagen Arena was buzzing.
UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Round 4.Wolfsburg vs. FC Krasnodar.
Unlike their trip to Russia, The Wolves settled into their rhythm instantly on home soil. In the 14th minute, Aaron Hunt's long-range effort took a deflection and spun out for a corner. De Bruyne whipped the ball toward the near post.
Josuha Guilavogui! The powerhouse French midfielder rose above the rest and hammered a header into the net.
1-0!
On the bench, David high-fived his teammates. "I heard Transfermarkt updates their values on November 10th. What do you think your price will be?"
"Me?" Ivica Olić said with a shrug. "It won't be high. Look at my age. There aren't many players my age still starting in a Top 5 league."
Olić knew his career was winding down. If it weren't for the upcoming Euros in two years, he might have retired at the end of this season. "But you... get ready. I suspect yours is going to skyrocket."
"I don't really care about the numbers," David replied. He wasn't being falsely modest; he knew Transfermarkt's algorithms were based on stats, age, and commercial value. They were a fun reference, but they weren't a true measure of a player's worth.
As they chatted, Wolfsburg's attack went into overdrive. By half-time, it was 3-0. The entire squad was playing like men possessed. Having a "training demon" like David Qin in the ranks had made the veterans push themselves harder; no one wanted to be outshone by a teenager.
The match ended in a 5-1 rout. Krasnodar, already struggling for form, were simply dismantled by a relentless Wolfsburg side.
However, a shadow fell over the victory post-match. The "Iron Man," Kevin De Bruyne, finally showed signs of wear. He was diagnosed with muscle fatigue and minor inflammation. He had been the engine of the team, starting every vital match and playing nearly every minute. Even the strongest engine eventually needs maintenance.
"David, Kevin's role in the midfield is too significant to lose," Hecking said, rubbing his temples in the manager's office. "Neither Maximilian Arnold nor Aaron Hunt can replicate what he does. I want you to try playing as the Number 10."
It was a desperate measure. Hecking knew Arnold and Hunt couldn't carry the creative burden alone. David Qin, while having a completely different style than De Bruyne, had the technical ability to hold the ball and pick a pass.
"Boss, I've never played as a central playmaker," David said, looking hesitant. "I tend to stay on the ball too long. In the middle, I'll get swarmed."
"I know, I'm asking a lot," Hecking sighed. "Fine. We'll start Aaron Hunt in the hole, but I want you two to rotate constantly. He'll look to protect you and cover the space."
-------
If you want to read ahead, head over to: [email protected]/HappyCrow
As always, thank you for the support, the comments, and those precious power stones!