From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Gilbert’s Realization and Crossing Level 1

July 2, Sheffield city center, Cherry Street.

After a period of selection, Ma’el and Gilbert finally settled on an apartment in the center of the street.

It’s a nine-story English-style building, conveniently located with complete living facilities, including a large gym on the first floor.

Their apartment is on the sixth floor, about 115 square meters, with two bedrooms, one living room, and two bathrooms, modernly decorated and fully furnished.

It can be said that this meets all the requirements of Ma’el and Gilbert.

They spend most of their time at the club, only coming back to rest at noon and night, so convenience and comfort are all that matter.

Settling everything, Ma’el and Gilbert lay on the soft sofa to rest.

Jorson is also there, he has been helping them all day.

”Thanks, Jorson.”

Ma’el expressed his gratitude to him, and Gilbert also waved to him.

Jorson shook his head to indicate it was nothing, then got up and walked to the window, pointing to a place: ”See Bramall Lane Stadium? You can see the top architecture from here.”

”Is that Bramall Lane?”

Ma’el was somewhat surprised as he came to the window, he hadn’t noticed the scenery outside.

Bramall Lane is the home stadium of Sheffield United, capable of accommodating thirty thousand fans to watch simultaneously.

On match days, the area is always bustling, filled with the red elements of Sheffield United.

”Yes, it’s a stadium built in the city center.”

Jorson smiled proudly, and a wave of emotions crossed his eyes, ”I served there for seven years, made ninety-two appearances.”

Gilbert also came over at this moment, his eyes filled with aspiration: ”I hope I can also make appearances there, not too many, just ten times would be enough.”

”Because of the 8k weekly pay?”

Ma’el turned his head to crack a joke, then refocused, his eye corners showing a hint of eagerness, he too looked forward to playing in a large stadium.

That must be a completely different experience.

Crowds of fans chanting loud songs, every confrontation and exciting moment bringing a roar that echoes to the sky!

Emotion from tens of thousands gathers together, waiting for the goal that ignites their passion.

And ultimately, it bursts out in hysteria.

”No matter what, you’ll have your chance.”

Jorson moved away from the window, picked up the keys from the tea table, ”Let’s go, I’ll take you to see the training base, familiarize yourselves with the place in advance.”

The two returned their gaze, but deep down they’ve already planted the seeds, they’re determined to make it to Bramall Lane Stadium.

As they were about to leave, Ma’el suddenly called Gilbert, seemingly remembered something: ”Why not bring your boots, and shoot a few?”

Gilbert hesitated for a moment, looked at Jorson, ”Is it okay?”

To those who deal with football every day, not playing for one or two days makes them really itchy.

”Of course it is.”

Jorson nodded with a smile, how could a professional team restrict players from playing, ”The team assembly day is July 10th, before that, you can use the first team’s training field anytime.

”Even after that, if you still want extra practice, there’s no real restriction, just go to any field without training tasks.”

Ma’el and Gilbert exchanged smiles, and both started rummaging through their luggage for boots.

”By the way.”

Just as he reached the suitcase, Ma’el slapped his forehead, ”I’ve been so busy these days, I haven’t even had time to buy boots.”

He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten about it, it’s been on his mind for a long time.

”What do we do now?” Gilbert squatted in front of his suitcase, turning his head to look.

”Buy them?”

Jorson suggested to them, ”Two miles away is a street that specializes in sports goods.”

”Let’s go!”

Ma’el waved his hand, and the three set off briskly, arriving at the shopping street.

Half an hour later, they walked out from the shopping street, each holding at least four shoe boxes, walking awkwardly like shoe merchants stocking up nearby.

Gilbert thought that if he knew this would happen, he’d have loaned a pair of his shoes to Ma’el first.

Jorson also regretted mentioning the nearby sports store, he didn’t realize Ma’el was such a collector?

”Hurry up.”

Ma’el was always in the front, leisurely walking with a warm smile on his face, occasionally urging the other two.

He seems to never worry again about his boots falling apart or whether he has money for new ones.

......

2:30 PM, Sheffield Training Base.

With not many people around, Jorson talked to the guard, then drove directly beside the first team’s training field.

Ma’el and Gilbert got out of the car, carrying their boots and looking around the new training base where they would spend a year.

In terms of size, Sheffield United Training Base can’t compare to Korney Training Base, and the facilities aren’t complete.

Thankfully, the environment is beautiful, rich in greenery, giving a sense of tranquility.

”Nice, it’s close to where we live.”

Ma’el closed his eyes and took a deep breath of fresh air, then stepped into the training field and onto the grass.

Gilbert’s warm-up activities were more comprehensive, he first withdrew his right foot about to step on the grass, awkwardly adjusted to step with the left foot, then touched the ground with his right hand and made a cross.

”What do we practice?”

During the warm-up, Gilbert curiously looked at Ma’el, ”I realized on the way here, once we join the club, I definitely want to follow you for extra practice every day.

”I’ll follow your instructions completely, after all, your extra practice results are evident.”

Ma’el thought for a moment, mischievously glanced at Gilbert’s earnest face, ”Alright, I’ll cross, you head it; one-on-one, I’ll attack you defend.”

Gilbert nodded and added naively: ”Swap after a few sets, right?”

”No.”

Ma’el denied him, ”No swapping.”

Gilbert furrowed his brow, seriously thinking for a while before saying: ”Is it because focusing long-term on training a capability makes progress faster?

”I get it, you really have your method.”

Ma’el’s eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at him, not speaking further.

”Boom! Boom! Boom...!”

The sound of passing soon echoed throughout the training field, but there weren’t many occasions where Ma’el’s crosses allowed Gilbert to head accurately toward the goal.

Most of the time, he could only turn sideways for airborne shots, or jump up to catch them... truthfully, the quality wasn’t high.

Half an hour passed, Gilbert couldn’t hold back anymore, ”Why not let me cross for a bit?”

”Incoming!”

Ma’el responded with a shout as the football came whizzing in.

There was no choice but to resist the monotony and keep persevering, using all his skills solely to ’catch’ Ma’el’s cross ball.

Gradually, Gilbert found that as long as he judged Ma’el’s body posture and foot shape, he could roughly know where the final cross would land...

Eh?

At a certain moment, a flash of realization crossed his eyes, followed by disbelief and anxiety.

He seemed to be able to judge the landing point?

”Don’t just stand there.”

Ma’el sent another cross, he was about to ask Gilbert what’s up, but saw familiar words before his eyes.

[Skills: Crossing Level 1]

[Skill Level: (29/100)]

[Utility: As a winger player, you gradually feel that having a good cross is essential, you’re starting to train day and night, but the precision and quality are still lacking.]