From Arsenal to the Ball God

Unlike before, after gaining the Mid-Season Best Player achievement, those who were previously hesitant to praise him were now ready to do so openly.

All sorts of new terms were coined, such as demon, lizard man, monster, all attributed to Ma’el, giving those who hadn’t watched his games a sense of mystery.

Especially when they looked up Ma’el’s statistics, they found him even more unfathomable, as if he was born to play football.

23 matches, 15 goals, 14 assists!

Who wouldn’t be confused seeing that?

A large number of people found his account, clicked to follow, and left comments expressing their anticipation for the day he joins the Premier League.

Because the player has yet to enter the top league, fans lack understanding of him and mostly don’t watch his matches, so there is relatively little doubt at this time.

The comments section is harmonious, as if everyone has become gardeners nurturing a young plant, hoping it would grow strong.

...

At the Korni Training Base, winter had arrived, and there were few people outdoors.

Hans, wearing a dark black suit coat, walked along the pine tree-lined road, shivering with cold, constantly rubbing his hands together, but his steps were brisk, suggesting some good news has occurred.

In fact, he didn’t need any good news to happen, as he had often maintained a good mood over the past six months, and his temper had become much more gentle.

This was one of the few highlight years in his life; the last time he felt like this was when he just joined Arsenal.

The reason, of course, is related to Ma’el and Gilbert.

As a youth coach, nothing is more fulfilling than watching your former students achieve major success step by step.

Especially Ma’el, the Championship Mid-Season Best Player, he went from obscure to recognized as a monster-level talent!

Hans stood a little straighter, and at home, when his wife asked him to do chores, he could finally reply with confidence: ”Just a moment, I’m watching Ma’el’s game, doing analysis, and will discuss tactics with him later.”

To be honest, he always felt there was some bond between him and Ma’el, connected through a pair of football shoes.

It wasn’t that he was trying to boast about connections; he didn’t think he was that important to Ma’el, only hoping Ma’el wouldn’t forget him.

That was enough. When Ma’el returned, he would definitely invite him to his home.

On that day, he would call his family and friends and proudly show off!

The phone rang, pulling Hans back to reality, and he answered: ”Mr. Wenger, I’m on my way.”

”Hurry up, Mendes will arrive soon.”

The voice on the other end was anxious and worried, pausing before instructing, ”Remember what we discussed before, only speak when I ask you, don’t interrupt, no mistakes.

”Mainly talk about his time at the youth training camp truthfully, and if necessary, you can exaggerate a bit to our advantage, you understand.”

”Remember, no problem, sir.”

Hans nodded; he received the news yesterday that Mr. Wenger invited him to attend the final round of negotiations between the club and Mendes.

He went to great lengths, finally buying a suit coat with his wife, after all, it’s an important occasion.

”If I don’t ask you anything, just don’t speak, just sit by the side.”

”Okay.”

Hans quickened his pace, afraid he would be late and affect the negotiations; he had no intention of speaking just to gain presence.

Seeing the top agent and first-team manager negotiating was also quite interesting, especially when it concerned Ma’el’s contract.

...

Fifteen minutes later, in the first-team manager’s office, four or five people in suits were present.

Even though Hans had dressed meticulously, his appearance was still highlighted as quite stiff amongst this group of charismatic elites.

”Mr. Wenger.”

Mendes sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and handed out cigars to everyone, ”If we could have signed this a few days ago, perhaps I would have accepted the offer of a £50k weekly pay and a £650k signing fee, but unfortunately, it’s too late.

”Now, my player’s value may have increased, which is well-known, he received the Best Player award two days ago.”

He lit a cigar, sniffed it close, and smiled: ”What an astonishing achievement, only 17 years old. You are a man who recognizes talent, as I’ve said many times, I’m sure you wouldn’t be stingy in such circumstances.

”If I were to stand from the club’s perspective, the most important thing now is to maintain a good relationship with the player, well…oh, of course with his agent too.”

He had the upper hand, expressing his viewpoint, ”After all, he can be developed as the future core, even if you say to use him to replace Fabregas, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Wenger sat with Philip, similarly crossing his legs, quietly listening to Mendes speak.

Due to their professional relationship, he certainly had no good feelings towards people like Mendes, perhaps even dislike.

He didn’t want to discuss this topic after the other had spoken extensively, that would be too passive, so he diverted the topic: ”Let’s discuss this later, first, let’s talk about whether the player will return during the winter transfer window.”

Recently, his days had not been great; the team had just been equalized in injury time by the Premier League underdog Wigan Athletic, losing 2 points.

In such circumstances, watching a loaned player achieve honors in a lower league, progressing triumphantly, can easily stir complex emotions.

Likewise, it’s easy to develop a keen desire for the player, wanting to call him back for training, keeping him close at hand.

”We’ve discussed this.”

Mendes noted Wenger shifting the topic but wasn’t rushed: ”If Arsenal can guarantee 50% playtime, I’ll try to persuade the player.

”I don’t think it’s an excessive demand, remember many years ago? Why did Cristiano firmly choose Manchester United, besides the price, it was mainly because Sir Alex Ferguson promised him….”

He was touching a sore spot for Wenger, causing his emotions to fluctuate sharply, interrupting: ”Don’t mention those days anymore.”

Mendes raised his hands, showing he meant no harm, then leaned forward to flick the ashes of his cigar, ”Cristiano didn’t sacrifice anything, and was promised 50% playtime, while Ma’el would sacrifice a lot.”

Wenger’s hand in his left pocket slowly clenched; if he were leading another club, not to mention 50% time, he would even agree to 70%.

But alas, he leads Arsenal, where a top-four league finish is crucial.

If they have a season without entering the Champions League, failing to accumulate Champions League points and garner substantial dividend rewards, the club would be plunged into a debt crisis.

His mood was very complex; the more he favored Ma’el, the more he wanted to keep the club stable, as only then could it be attractive enough to the player in the future, providing a good training environment.

The more he thought of stability, the less he could rashly call the player back and promise 50% playtime.

A deadlock!

Wenger frowned, displaying one of his usual expressions, but no one knew the inner turmoil he faced, always bearing immense pressure to make decisions.

”The club will forgo recalling him.”

After a long time, he made a decision, taking a hard puff of the cigar, then smiling with relief, ”We will continue to monitor him and look forward to him achieving success at Sheffield United and returning to Arsenal in better form.

”Hope that when we meet at the end of the season, both sides will be better, reaching a wonderful cooperation.”

He was still opting for stability, hoping this time it wouldn’t result in a regretful miss like before.

”On this point, we agree.”

Mendes smiled and extended his hand, shaking it before getting serious, the important part was next.

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