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Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

Chapter 301 299: What Conspiracy? Just Mutual Respect~ · Nov 11, 2026

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Chapter List (401)

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301 Chapter 301 299: What Conspiracy? Just Mutual Respect~ 2026-11-11
302 Chapter 302 300: The League Cup, FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League—We Want Them All! 2026-11-11
303 Chapter 303 301: Guardiola and Mourinho Both Go Wild — The Eye-Catching Battle of the Blues 2026-11-11
304 Chapter 304 302: Guardiola’s First Time Truly Envious of Mourinho 2026-11-11
305 Chapter 305 303: Visiting Camp Nou Twice a Year, Each Time with a New Feeling 2026-11-11
306 Chapter 306 304: Chelsea and Barcelona Swapped Tactical Playbooks 2026-11-11
307 Chapter 307 305: Dear Camp Nou, This Is a Friendly Greeting from London 2026-11-11
308 Chapter 308 306: Shifting Shapes and Shifting Blows—A Dazed Barcelona 2026-11-11
309 Chapter 309 307: Once Again, the Heavily Backed Barcelona Falls... 2026-11-11
310 Chapter 310 308: Leon’s Ambitious Stats and the Golden Boot Battle Rekindled 2026-11-11
311 Chapter 311 309: Tottenham Will Not Have This Title—That, I Promise! 2026-11-11
312 Chapter 312 310: The Sword Stays Sheathed, But Its Threat Is Greatest 2026-11-11
313 Chapter 313 311: We’ve Already Achieved a Quarter of This Season’s Title Goals 2026-11-11
314 Chapter 314 312: A Day of Suffering for Barça Fans—The Birth of the “7-Up Massacre”! 2026-11-11
315 Chapter 315 313: The Second Title Challenger—Juventus 2026-11-11
316 Chapter 316 314: The Relentless Winning Streak That Crushed City’s Spirit 2026-11-11
317 Chapter 317 315: Master Allegri, Let Me Show You What I’ve Learned 2026-11-11
318 Chapter 318 316: At the End of the B2B Road—There Is Leon 2026-11-11
319 Chapter 319 317: By His Own Hand? No—This Was a Team Victory! 2026-11-11
320 Chapter 320 318: A Gift from Manchester United—Premier League Champions with Five Games to Spare! 2026-11-11
321 Chapter 321 319: The Lone Seed in the Dragon’s Den—The Premier League’s Final Hope 2026-11-11
322 Chapter 322 320: Facing Bayern in the Semis—A Wembley London Derby Awaits 2026-11-11
323 Chapter 323 321: Bayern’s Self-Sabotage—Heynckes’ Legacy Now Belongs to Chelsea 2026-11-11
324 Chapter 324 322: Call in the Flying Dutchman—Bayern’s Cry for Help! 2026-11-11
325 Chapter 325 323: Time Rewinds, the Demon God Descends! 2026-11-11
326 Chapter 326 324: Give United a Push—They’d Better Get Used to the Europa League 2026-11-11
327 Chapter 327 325: Stamford Bridge Blocks the Comeback—Leon’s 40th Goal of the Season 2026-11-11
328 Chapter 328 326: The Battle for a Place Among the Giants – The Most Iron-Blooded Champions League Final! 2026-11-11
329 Chapter 329 327: You’ve Given Everything for Liverpool — Bring Your Talent to London Now! 2026-11-11
330 Chapter 330 328: Against Arsenal, Chelsea Never Needs to Hide Their Tactics 2026-11-11
331 Chapter 331 329: The 30th League Goal — A New Milestone for a Midfielder! 2026-11-11
332 Chapter 332 330: Get Ready to Witness the First Domestic Treble in English Football! 2026-11-11
333 Chapter 333 331: Atlético Are Strong, But I Hope They Fulfill Their Champions League Dream Next Year 2026-11-11
334 Chapter 334 332: Heard You Guys Run a Lot? Funny, So Do We! 2026-11-11
335 Chapter 335 333: Don’t Tell Me Chelsea Really Wants to Play for Extra Time? 2026-11-11
336 Chapter 336 334: Milan Brothers’ Superstar Moment 2026-11-11
337 Chapter 337 335: The Fairy-Tale Summer of the Old Boys! 2026-11-11
338 Chapter 338 336: The End of a Legend, The Dawn of a New Era 2026-11-11
339 Chapter 339 337: Real Madrid Enters the Fray—Is Li Ang Going Home? 2026-11-11
340 Chapter 340 338: If We Offer the Highest Salary in Football, How Will Real Madrid Respond? 2026-11-11
341 Chapter 341 339: Brother Lion, Lead Us One More Time 2026-11-11
342 Chapter 342 340: Dribbling and Finishing Upgraded—Don’t Be Surprised, Li Ang Is Still Evolving 2026-11-11
343 Chapter 343 341: Six Titles Aren’t the Ceiling—We’re Going for Seven! 2026-11-11
344 Chapter 344 342: Lukaku Joins United, Gnabry Joins Chelsea—They Both Have Bright Futures 2026-11-11
345 Chapter 345 343: Trippier’s Brilliant Debut 2026-11-11
346 Chapter 346 344: A Hat-Trick Debut—Who Said Suárez Came to Chelsea Just to Be a Role Player? 2026-11-11
347 Chapter 347 345: Here We F*ing Come, Six-Trophy Champions!** 2026-11-11
348 Chapter 348 346: Two Six-Trophy Champions—The Undisputed Best in the World 2026-11-11
349 Chapter 349 347: Oh No—This Season the Premier League Has Two Unstoppable Flat-Track Bullies! 2026-11-11
350 Chapter 350 348: The Group of Death Is Born, and Li Ang Is Crowned Europe’s Best! 2026-11-11

After a resounding 5–0 victory, all the online noise surrounding Chelsea and Leon vanished like smoke.

While fans surged to seize the high ground in public discourse, Leon offered a calm, direct response when asked by reporters.

”Fans naturally have their own opinions—who they like, who they don’t—it’s their freedom.

But for some of the more idiotic arguments, I have no interest in responding.

Plenty of people know I have a good relationship with Franck, with Thomas, Xabi, Arjen…

We’ve played against each other many times in the Champions League. I have friends at Bayern.

If people ignore that and speak purely from bias because they dislike me or my team—

that’s their freedom too. I hold no ill will.

As for my answer? Just look at how I play.

I let my football do the talking.”

With those words, Leon effectively stepped up to address the recent media storm directly.

He didn’t spark more drama, and his openness won over many neutral fans.

Debates over who’s better are a fixture of football culture.

Fans take sides—it’s only natural.

But for a global star like Leon, who had just won the Ballon d’Or Silver Ball,

remaining composed amid widespread praise and continuing to focus only on the pitch?

That’s rare.

And it wasn’t empty talk.

He’d just notched a hat-trick of assists in one match.

That kind of on-field response beats any Twitter clapback.

With the Premier League heading into a brief winter break,

Chelsea closed the first portion of the season with a clean, dominant 5–0 win—

their 21st league victory.

Leon remained top of both the goals and assists charts.

While other Premier League clubs were set to enjoy a much-needed breather—

some only playing one FA Cup match in late January—

Chelsea had no such luxury.

They were about to face Liverpool in the EFL Cup semifinals, a two-legged tie in short succession.

And the first leg?

Scheduled just three days after Matchweek 22.

Even the managers were swearing at the calendar.

Mourinho cursed, but at least his squad was deep.

The core players were still fit.

Brendan Rodgers wasn’t so lucky.

After surviving the holiday grind, Liverpool were battered by injuries from front to back.

Even Sky Sports had no idea what kind of XI Rodgers would field.

Could he even scrape together a team to stop Chelsea at Anfield?

Somehow, he managed it.

And on matchday, he surprised everyone—Chelsea included.

”What the hell… 3-4-2-1? Or is this 3-5-2? Damn, Rodgers really is a tactical madman.”

Leon knew the lineup well in advance.

But he hadn’t expected the formation to look like this.

Skrtel, Sakho, and Emre Can as a back three.

Henderson and recently-recovered Lucas holding the midfield.

Moreno at left wing-back, and Marković—usually a backup for Johnson—on the right.

Gerrard and Coutinho slotted behind Suárez.

Depending on how Gerrard dropped, the 3-4-2-1 could morph into a more traditional 3-5-2.

Say what you want about Rodgers, but he did manage to field a complete XI.

Sterling was injured, so Liverpool’s lack of wing pace was a problem.

Rodgers had patched it up the best he could.

Would it work?

Even Liverpool fans weren’t sure.

But on paper, the attack wasn’t bad.

Pushing Gerrard forward meant he could focus on linking up with Suárez—

and when those two clicked, Liverpool could be dangerous.

Chelsea noticed.

From the opening whistle, they gave Liverpool the respect they deserved.

After all, that midfield could swell to five or even six players at any moment.

And since Mourinho hadn’t called for an early press,

Leon and Kroos chose to play it safe, feeling Liverpool out first.

While probing back and forth, Leon noticed something:

Liverpool’s wing-backs hesitated.

Moreno was better.

With Sakho covering behind him, his forward runs didn’t compromise the left side too much.

But Marković?

He rarely ventured forward at all.

At first, Leon wasn’t sure why—

until he saw who was playing right center-back behind him: Emre Can.

If Rodgers hadn’t been so short on players, Leon was sure Can wouldn’t be there.

Emre Can was… unpredictable.

When he was locked in, he was a tank—solid, aggressive, reliable.

But if he got bored or irritated, he’d start charging forward on reckless runs,

turning Liverpool’s back three into a back two.

Leon knew him well.

And sensing the chaos potential, he subtly began shifting Chelsea’s attack toward Liverpool’s left side.

This confused the Sky Sports commentators.

”Odd… you’d think Chelsea would target the right—Marković and Emre Can don’t exactly scream stability.”

But Leon insisted on hitting Liverpool’s stronger flank.

And as the pressure mounted, the results followed.

Leon combined with De Bruyne, and with Ibrahimović dropping deep to assist,

they had no trouble breaking down Liverpool’s left flank.

In the 7th minute, thanks to De Bruyne’s smart run creating space,

Azpilicueta received a precise through ball from Leon and broke to the byline,

delivering a dangerous cross from Liverpool’s vulnerable left side.

Ibra’s header, under pressure from Skrtel, went just wide.

The attack didn’t result in a goal,

but it was a clear message: Chelsea could and would break Liverpool’s shape.

And with Chelsea pushing hard down Liverpool’s left,

it was only a matter of time before Emre Can—who had little to do on the right—started itching to join the fun.

With Marković in front of him playing nervously and avoiding forward runs,

Emre Can thought: Might as well do it myself.

Rodgers had warned him pre-match—repeatedly—to stay back and focus on defense.

Can had nodded along like the good soldier.

But now, with the game not going to script, why not adapt?

He saw opportunity. And so, he acted.

In the 16th minute, Lucas and Moreno finally managed to dispossess De Bruyne.

Before they could even settle the tempo,

Can took off like a rocket and yelled for the ball to make sure they saw him.

Marković had no choice but to follow, and Henderson, seeing Can sprinting ahead,

hurried the pass toward him.

Can, energized and excited, surged upfield with Marković beside him.

On the surface, Leon seemed accommodating,

even gesturing for Matic to fall back and cover.

But it was bait.

As soon as Can dragged Liverpool’s entire right side past midfield,

Leon pounced.

Bertrand and Matic closed in on Marković the moment he received Can’s pass.

Panicking, Marković tried to send the ball back.

But Can had already over-committed deep into Chelsea’s defensive third.

Marković had no choice but to return the ball all the way back to Henderson.

That’s when Leon struck.

Reading the pass instantly, Leon darted between Marković and Henderson like a hawk.

The two clashed violently as they reached the ball—

but Leon got there first, nudged it ahead, and powered through.

Henderson was knocked off balance immediately.

Leon barely flinched, shifted his body slightly, and hit full speed chasing the ball forward.

The sudden counterattack silenced Anfield.

And then…

Leon’s signature long-ball stance appeared again.

He launched a stunning, low-arching diagonal pass over the top.

”Leon sends the through ball! Hazard’s through! No offside! HAZARD’S ONE-ON-ONE!!!”

Commentators everywhere were screaming.

Hazard, perfectly timed, raced into the space Can had left wide open.

Skrtel was too far away to close him down.

Once inside his favorite shooting zone, Hazard calmly read Mignolet’s position,

cut inside, adjusted his stride, and slotted it—a smooth finesse shot curling into the far corner.

Mignolet launched himself with every ounce of hope—

but the ball evaded his fingertips and buried itself in the top right corner.

Anfield went dead silent.

Except for the thousands of Chelsea fans who erupted in a roar.

Only a second or two of stunned silence passed

before the entire stadium rained down boos—

not for Hazard, but for the man they hated even more: Leon.

Hazard scored the vital away goal,

but Leon, again, was the villain.

Rodgers held his head in his hands on the touchline.

Emre Can stood nearby, looking utterly lost.

Mourinho, grinning from ear to ear, patted his own head and said to Steve Holland,

”I’ll bet you anything—Leon saw this coming at least ten minutes ago.”

Holland just shrugged and smiled.

Chelsea made a few quick tactical tweaks afterward.

Now in front, they dropped deeper and looked to hit Liverpool on the break.

In the latter stages of the first half, Chelsea came close to doubling their lead several times—

Ibra and Kroos both hit the post on counters,

and De Bruyne’s long-range strike in added time flew just wide.

Liverpool fans were getting restless,

but they were lucky to go into the break only one goal down.

But before they could regroup and mount a second-half assault,

Chelsea struck again—this time from a set piece.

Leon rose above everyone and powered a header past Mignolet to double the lead.

Sliding on his knees along the touchline,

Leon celebrated passionately, unfazed by the deafening jeers surrounding him.

A goal and an assist.

Leon had led Chelsea to another massive away win at Anfield.

After the final whistle, Leon and Suárez shared another secretive, hand-covered chat on the pitch.

When asked about it by reporters afterward,

Leon smiled and replied:

”Conspiracy? What conspiracy?

That’s not scheming…

It’s mutual respect~”

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 40 Chapters In Advance: /johanssen10

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