Reborn in Football to Build Top Clubs from English League Two

107: The growth curve of the ”monster”Lin Feng picked up the autographed photo from Los Angeles on his desk.

The handwriting on the back of the photo was elegant and confident, carrying an undeniable challenge. He glanced at it, then pulled open the bottom drawer of his desk and casually tossed the photo in, where it joined a pile of old financial statements and equipment manuals.

Closing the drawer was like sealing off another world.

There was a knock on the office door, and Sports Director Richard Arnold and Youth Training Director Tony Pulis entered one after the other. Pulis’s weathered face showed an irrepressible excitement.

“Boss, the first monthly report is out!” Pulis placed a thick folder on Lin Feng’s desk, his voice booming, “You have to see the changes in these lads, it’s a miracle!”

Lin Feng opened the report. Inside were physical data records from the Phoenix Training Center’s most advanced equipment, combined with performance analysis from matches, each item clearly marked with charts.

【Player: Jamie Vardy】

【100-meter sprint (with ball): -0.08 seconds】

【Penalty area shot conversion rate: +5%】

【Player: Jordan Henderson】

【High-intensity running coverage: +8%】

【Pass completion rate under pressure: 91% (stable)】

【Player: Chris Smalling】

【One-on-one confrontation success rate: 75% (first in team)】

【Header aerial duel success rate: 81% (first in team)】

In his mind, the system interface appeared synchronously, with streams of data flashing by, precisely matching the content of the report.

“That kid Kyle Walker, he’s a monster.” Arnold pointed to one page, “His right-flank shuttle run data is already close to the level of top Premier League full-backs. And Ryan Shawcross, how long has he been here? He’s already the aerial commander of the defense.”

Pulis nodded vigorously; he felt the significance behind these data even more deeply: “Boss, this training system and nutrition plan you brought, I never even dared to dream about it before. It’s scientific, it’s damn scientific!”

“Data doesn’t lie.” Lin Feng turned a page, his tone calm, “This proves that our direction is correct.”

He paused, then looked up.

“But it’s not enough.”

Pulis’s smile stiffened slightly.

Lin Feng ignored his expression, his finger pointing next to Henderson’s name in the report. “Jordan’s running and interceptions are excellent, but there’s a problem with his long-range shot mechanics. Look at the data model here; his supporting foot’s ankle isn’t stable enough when he shoots, leading to dispersed power and affecting accuracy.”

He turned to the next page, pointing at Smalling’s data.

“Chris’s frontal defending and heading are top-notch, but his turning speed is still a weakness. When we faced Birmingham, he was twice beaten by the opponent’s striker with a turn, but they didn’t capitalize. This is a hidden danger.”

“And Walker, in his transition from attack to defense, his recovery speed is very fast, but his initial defensive positioning is still stuck in youth team habits, easily giving opponents space to cut inside.”

The meeting room was silent.

Arnold and Pulis exchanged a look, both seeing the shock in the other’s eyes. These details were issues that even professional coaches, who spent every day on the training ground, might overlook or only discover after repeatedly watching replays. Yet Lin Feng, with just a data report, pointed them out incisively.

Pulis picked up the report, leaning in to examine it closely, muttering to himself: “Supporting foot ankle… turning speed… My goodness, how did he see that?”

He felt as if he wasn’t facing a young man in his twenties, but a humanoid supercomputer, cold, precise, and all-seeing.

“Devise new individual extra training plans for them.” Lin Feng’s voice interrupted Pulis’s thoughts, “Henderson needs 50 extra long-range shots daily, with the fitness coach and medical team monitoring his ankle’s force application. Smalling, use resistance bands for turn-and-resist training. Walker, spend half an hour daily specifically practicing positioning from attack to defense.”

“The intensity must be within a scientifically controllable range. I don’t want to see any non-combat attrition.”

“Understood!” Arnold immediately scribbled notes in his notebook.

Just then, the office intercom rang. Lin Feng’s assistant said on the phone that there was a long-distance call from Los Angeles, specifically asking for him, and the caller claimed to be Miss Keira Knightley’s agent.

Lin Feng gestured for his assistant to put the call through.

He pressed the speakerphone button, and a smooth, professional male voice came through the receiver, with the distinct accent of American English.

“Is this Mr. Lin Feng? I’m Simon Hall, Miss Keira Knightley’s agent.”

“It is.”

“Mr. Lin, Keira is very impressed with you and your club. She’s absolutely fascinated by the miracle story Hartlepool United is creating.” Simon Hall’s tone was full of enthusiasm, “She herself is also a devoted football fan.”

Lin Feng didn’t respond, listening quietly.

“Well, you see, during the international break next month, Keira will happen to have a promotional event in London. She’s very much hoping to have the opportunity to visit the club in Hartlepool, and… privately visit you, the gentleman creating this miracle.”

“Privately visit?” Arnold and Pulis exchanged a subtle look.

“The club welcomes any friend who cares about the team.” Lin Feng’s tone was polite, but no emotional fluctuation could be detected, “If Miss Knightley wishes to visit, she can contact our public relations department, and we will arrange a standard tour process.”

Simon Hall on the other end of the line was clearly taken aback; perhaps he hadn’t expected such an official reply.

“Uh, of course, that’s very kind. But Keira is more hoping for a deeper exchange with you, about your football philosophy and business ideas, you know, something more private…”

“My philosophy is all on the pitch.” Lin Feng interrupted him directly, “The team’s schedule next month is very tight, every match is a tough one, and I’m afraid I don’t have any time to be distracted.”

“I imagine Miss Knightley, as a top professional actress, should understand the importance of focus for a career.”

These words were like a closed door, made of steel. Polite, courteous, but firm.

There was silence for a few seconds on the other end of the line, and Simon Hall could only dryly reply: “…Of course, of course. I completely understand. Then I’ve bothered you too much, Mr. Lin.”

The call ended.

Pulis couldn’t help but whisper, “That was Keira Knightley…”

Lin Feng, however, seemed not to have heard. He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the young players on the training ground, sweating profusely. Vardy was practicing shooting, Henderson was doing shuttle runs, and Smalling was doing heading drills with the assistant coach.

In their world, there was only football.

After a while, Lin Feng turned around and spoke to Richard Arnold.

“Richard, notify the public relations department.”

“For the next home League match, we want to invite some special guests to Victoria Park to watch the game.”

“For example… children from local orphanages, and elderly people from nursing homes.”