Brain Storage...
When in doubt, parallel universe; everything is based on the book's settings, hehe...
July 20, 2010.
London.
Hertfordshire.
Colney Training Base.
A group of people in yellow and blue jerseys were freely sweating on the grass.
Among them, a mixed-race individual with distinct Asian features was dribbling past opponents.
The player in the blue jersey, upon seeing that the person dribbling was this Asian mixed-race individual, couldn't help but look solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Hi, Bro, relax, I'm not a monster, I don't eat people!"
The Asian youth looked at the British youth in front of him and teased.
"Fly, I am relaxed. Don't think I'm one of those softies whose legs turn to jelly when they see you!"
The British youth's words were insincere, and despite his very poor complexion, he didn't fall behind when it came to speaking harsh words.
"OK, OK, Bro, you know, I've always thought you were very brave..."
Before he finished speaking.
Fly feigned a shoulder drop and changed direction, throwing off the British youth's center of gravity, and easily completed the dribble and escape by cutting inside.
Facing the advancing defender, Fly changed direction and accelerated again, charging into the opponent's penalty area in a diagonal line.
The entire process was smooth and fluid; in just two seconds, Fly had already created a near one-on-one opportunity.
"Shit!!!"
The British youth behind him realized that Fly had tricked him again, couldn't help but curse under his breath, and immediately rushed up to interfere physically.
Facing the goalkeeper who was moving rapidly towards the near post, Fly used his hand to push away the small movements behind him, then kicked and curled the ball.
The football arced beautifully through the air, just barely clearing the goalkeeper's left hand, and finally plunged into the net, splashing white foam.
"Wow!!!"
"Nice!!!"
"Fly, you're too strong!"
Facing the teammates who swarmed to celebrate, Fly was very calm, making a downward pressing motion with his right hand, acting cool with effortless naturalness.
After all, this was already his third goal in this training match, which was truly uninteresting.
Just then.
Neil Banfield, the Arsenal reserve team coach who had been silently watching from the side of the training ground, said to an old man wearing a VENNGER shirt next to him:
"This kid is no longer suitable to continue playing in the reserve team. His existence is simply a nightmare for other youth academy players. If this continues, the confidence of the other kids will be completely crushed."
After a pause, Neil offered his suggestion: "It's time to promote him to the first team. He absolutely has the strength to establish himself in the Premier League! Arsène, what do you think?"
The old man was none other than the famous Arsenal football patriarch—Arsène Wenger.
He came to Colney Training Base today specifically for that uninhibited, goal-scoring Asian mixed-race youth on the football field.
At this moment, upon hearing his old friend's words, Arsène nodded, not refusing:
"Neil, you are right, this kid should belong to the Premier League, to all of Europe, to the whole world."
"I was only worried about his young age, that participating in top leagues too early would harm his body, and if he were to fall mid-career, it would truly be a regret for world football."
Sighing, Wenger seemed to be recalling something.
Neil next to him did not disturb him, but instead watched with great interest as the youth on the field continued to gallop.
"Beep beep beep, beep----"
With the sound of the final whistle, three short and one long, the training match ended.
The final result was a 6:2 victory for the Yellow Team over the Blue Team, with Fly performing a hat-trick and two assists, directly contributing to 5 goals.
As soon as the match ended, reserve team coach Neil Banfield called him over.
"Sir, is there something?"
As soon as Fly finished asking, he noticed Wenger nearby, and quickly greeted him: "BOSS, why are you here?"
Wenger looked at the Asian youth in front of him, his expression gentle, and slowly said, "Fly, Coach Neil just told me that he thinks you are no longer suitable to stay in the youth academy. The first team is where you should be."
"I think he has a point, and I called you over to ask for your thoughts."
"Son, do you think you're ready?"
Upon hearing this, Fly seemed to have expected it, his expression very firm, and he replied with extreme confidence, "Of course, BOSS, I've been ready for a long time. I just want to get on the field right now and kick Manchester United's butt!"
Wenger and Neil were not surprised by the youth's arrogant and unrestrained words.
Because this super genius in front of them had always been so 'arrogant', as if no one could catch his eye.
Oh, no... that's not quite right. After all, his sister, who is already famous throughout America and is gradually spreading her reputation globally, can make him transform into a "good kid" and sheath all his sharpness.
However, in Wenger's knowledge, there was only this one.
Even this child's father, Mr. Li, a world-class billionaire, was constantly troubled by this somewhat rebellious youth.
Perhaps thinking of this child's personality, Wenger spoke plainly, reminding him: "Son, your playing time in the first team depends on your own performance. I will not make you a direct starter because of your father."
"If your performance is not satisfactory, you will have to sit on the bench for a long time."
Fly was not intimidated by Wenger's serious tone; instead, he looked confident, saying, "BOSS, don't worry, I don't need you to give that old man face. Becoming a 'connections player' is an absolute disgrace to me. I have absolute confidence in my own strength!"
In reality, Fly had never considered using his father's connections.
Otherwise, given his father's acquisition of Arsenal in 2006, if he truly wanted to rely on his old man to get a starting spot, it would be incredibly easy!
In fact, when Fly first joined the Arsenal youth academy, many people thought he was a 'connections player,' believing that the eldest young master of the Li family was just there to experience life.
Fly still remembered how the Fleet Street media at that time spared no effort in hyping him up.
Fly's initial fame was also due to the damned Fleet Street clinging to his "connections player" label, as if a son of a super-rich family playing football had some ulterior motive.
They never considered whether this boy, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, possessed sufficient football talent.
Fortunately, after Fly tore through the various youth academy levels, the rumors of him being a "connections player" gradually disappeared, replaced by the title of "super football genius from a world-class wealthy family."
It could be said that as intensely as these media outlets initially slandered Fly, they later praised him even more fiercely!
However, for Li Yufei, who had experienced the information explosion era in his previous life, these were just normal media operations, nothing to be surprised about.
Wenger, on the other hand, seeing Fly's confident expression, also knew that this proud youth would not allow himself to be labeled a "connections player"; his previous words were merely to provoke him.
"Alright, then you pack up and report to the first team next week. You can rest these few days. Although the first team has fewer matches than the youth team in a year, the intensity is completely different. Your body and mind need to be prepared."
Wenger gave his final reminder before leaving.
"I've been ready for a long time, BOSS!"