Soccer Card System

Chapter 8 Recruiting Players

Chapter 8 Recruiting Players

"Is that Drinkwater?" John Aston was sitting next to Gao Bo.

This is a stadium of the Manchester United Youth Academy in Manchester. The Premier League season is over, but for the youth players, their season is definitely not over. Most of the seventeen or eighteen-year-old teenagers are in a critical period of their careers. They need to fight for their future.

At this time, it was a U18 game on the court. The two sides were Manchester United U18 against Southampton U18.

"That's right, it's him." Gao Bo looked around, except for the parents of the players and a small number of die-hard Manchester United fans, most of them were scouts like him who came here with the purpose of inspecting the players.

The Manchester United youth training camp is a major blood transfusion provider in the English league. Among the players who play in the Premier League, the players who come from Manchester United's youth training are the most.

Thanks to the reputation of Manchester United's youth training products, many small teams are often eager to get something in the Manchester United youth training camp.After all, not all players can play in the Manchester United first team.

Drinkwater is such a player. His strength seems to be pretty good so far, but it seems that he is too far away from meeting the requirements of a rich first-team player.

At this time, Manchester United U18 firmly occupied the advantage on the field. Before the end of the first half, Danny Welbeck scored the third goal for Manchester United, staged a hat-trick, and it was another star player Cleverley who gave him an assist.

John Aston's eyes have been on Drinkwater. He didn't find anything shining in this player. Although it can't be said that his performance is not good, it can only be regarded as quite satisfactory. Compared with another midfielder Cleverley, Drinkwater's light is completely covered by the opponent.

John looked at his new boss, wondering why Gao Bo would look at such an ordinary player like Shan.

"Have you noticed, until now, Drinkwater has not made a pass error." Gao Bo seemed to know what John was thinking.

John Aston really didn't notice this, but the assistant coach didn't think there was anything amazing about it. Although Drinkwater didn't make mistakes, he didn't have anything outstanding either
Gao Bo didn't think so. Even though Drinkwater was young now, he could already see certain characteristics of his future from him.

The first is the sense of position. In Gao Bo's view, Manchester United's U18s have not conceded a goal so far, which has a lot to do with Drinkwater.

Before a goal is shot into the goal, there is a process of development, but how to stop a goal?

Perhaps the goalkeeper's thrilling saves are very eye-catching, or the central defender's excellent interception and make-up, these are the places that directly attract people's attention, but sometimes, some players are often not so conspicuous, but quietly, they will nip some signs that may concede the ball in the bud.

Drinkwater's sense of position is very good, and John Aston, who has been paying attention to him, has also noticed this, especially when defending, his position often makes the offense uncomfortable.

When John let go of other thoughts and focused on watching Drinkwater's performance, he had to admit that he was a very good player. Although he didn't have the temperament of a star player, for Luton, such a player was already very enough!
Especially Drinkwater's calmness in handling the ball makes people forget that he is a mere player.

"Will Manchester United let him go for such a player?" If John Aston had some doubts about Drinkwater's strength before, now he wonders whether this good player Manchester United will loan him out.
"Yes!" Gao Bo is sure of this, because Drinkwater is a good player, but it is too difficult for him to gain a foothold in Manchester United's first team. In a giant team like Manchester United, if you don't have anything special, it is extremely difficult for young players to squeeze in.

And Drinkwater is not like Welbeck or Cleverley. After all, Drinkwater is a player with relatively average abilities in all aspects. In other words, average often means mediocrity.

Of course, this is for a big club like Manchester United, and for a team like Luton, Drinkwater can be a star player.

"Let's go, let's get in touch with this child!"

The game is over. Manchester United U18 beat Southampton U18 with five goals. Welbeck and Cleverley shined brilliantly. The Manchester United fans who watched the game were full of expectations for the prospects of Welbeck and Cleverley in Manchester United. These two players are full of talent.

And Drinkwater, like most other Manchester United U18 players, they are not Welbeck's type of players. At this age, they have already begun to think about their future.

Drinkwater doesn't want to give up the chance to play for Manchester United, but he also knows how fierce the competition for Manchester United's first team is.

If he can't get a chance in the first team, Drinkwater will have to leave Manchester United's youth training camp and go to other teams to find opportunities. Perhaps going out on loan is an inevitable choice
Drinkwater frowned. It is said that some League One or League Two teams have already sought loan, but he is still hesitating.

It is an inflection point for players. If you choose carelessly at this age, you may have to take more detours in your career.
Drinkwater picked up his bag, turned and walked out of the gate of the Youth Academy.

"Hi Danny!"

When he saw Drinkwater coming out, Gao Bo went to meet him.

Drinkwater was at least a wealthy youth academy, and he was one of Gao Bo’s most difficult players to bring in. After all, Luton was only a small club in the second division, and with Manchester United’s status in England, they could always find some League One or even Championship teams to loan Drinkwater out. Compared with those teams, Luton did not have much advantage.

So the willingness of the players is relatively very important.

"Are you the Chinese coach of Chelsea U18?!"

Drinkwater quickly recognized Gao Bo. After all, in the FA Youth Cup final not long ago, Manchester United's U18s were defeated by Chelsea's U18s. That defeat made Manchester United's youth training director, Mr. Brian McClair, furious in the academy's office.After all, in terms of strength, although Chelsea U18 has networked many players in the past two years, their U18 strength has not yet reached the level of Manchester United U18.

"Yes, my name is Gao Bo!" Gao Bo showed a slight smile, "But I am not the coach of Chelsea now, I am the head coach of Luton now!"

Drinkwater nodded, he probably guessed what Gao Bo said.

"The purpose of my coming is to invite you to join my team, Danny!" Gao Bo said, "I am very impressed with your performance."

A burst of embarrassment appeared on Drinkwater's face. If the other party hadn't explained the purpose in advance, he would definitely think that the person in front of him was here to humiliate him.

After all, how can a defeated general speak bravely.

"I know Luton, a second-tier team that was deducted [-] points before the start of the game, you will soon be relegated to the non-professional league, Mr. Gao Bo." Drinkwater said.

"Yes, we were deducted [-] points, but it is too early to say that we have been relegated!"

The confidence revealed in Gao Bo's eyes made Drinkwater not know how to refute for a while.

"Young man, come to my team. I know you, I have studied you, and I know how to use you!" Gao Bo stared into Drinkwater's eyes, "You're going to be rented out anyway, aren't you?"

"I don't want to play in a non-professional league!" Drinkwater hesitated and continued.

Gao Bo was overjoyed, as long as you waver, everything will be fine.

"Well, we can sign a loan contract. As long as Luton is relegated this season, you can leave next season!"

Drinkwater thought for a while, and he would be rented out anyway, and the coach in front of him gave him a good impression, and the sincerity of the other team was much greater than that of some other teams - the head coach of the other team personally approached him, which is not a small affirmation for a young player.

"I promise you, Mr. Gobo. I have no objection to going on loan to Luton!"

Gao Bo laughed.

"You won't regret your decision today, lad!"

The loan deal with Drinkwater was simpler than expected.

Manchester United did not set up any obstacles for the loan of Drinkwater. After all, it is difficult for Manchester United's first team to give these [-]-year-old young people any chance. It is also a normal option to let them receive training on loan.And the will of the players dominates here.

Luton submitted a loan application to Manchester United, hoping to lease Drinkwater for two years. Of course, a clause was added in it. If Luton is relegated from the second division this season, the second year of the lease will not count.
Manchester United quickly agreed to the loan request after asking the player's wishes, and Luton only needs to be responsible for Drinkwater's salary.

As a young player, Drinkwater received a very ordinary salary for a youth player at Manchester United, with a weekly salary of only [-] pounds. This price is not high for Luton.

Gao Bo did not get involved in the specific details of the contract, and Luton has specialized legal counsel to handle the work in this area.

At this time, Gao Bo appeared in Basingstoke, a suburb of a small town in England.

This is a bricklaying field. If nothing else, Gao Bo can find the No.2 player he is looking for here——Charlie Austin!
It is now 2008, and in another year, Charlie Austin will be taken to the professional league by the British Championship team Swindon. In the British Championship, Charlie Austin performed very well. He scored 29 goals in 18 games, and his old club Poole in the sixth level had 43 goals in 48 games.

This is a striker with a keen sense of goalball, and then Charlie Austin was called up by Harry Redknapp to join Queens Park Rangers and start playing in the Premier League.

In the Premier League season, Charlie Austin also performed well, and he even once occupied the forefront of the top scorer list in the superstar-studded top league.

It's an inspiring story of going from amateur to professional, and for Kobo, Charlie Austin is one of the most suitable strikers for Luton right now.

First of all, of course, is strength. Charlie Austin definitely has the strength to play in the second division. You must know that when Charlie Austin goes to play in the British Championship next year, his scoring efficiency will already be very high.And the most important thing is that it doesn't need to pay too much to poach someone from an amateur team - Gao Bo's transfer budget is only 20 pounds
There is no fence, dusty, brick trucks come in and out, and workers are busy inside.

Gao Bo, who was wearing leather shoes and a suit, stood out of place here, and the drivers of the dump trucks who came in and out couldn't help but look at him.

19-year-old Charlie Austin, wearing a mask, laid bricks one by one. He did it very seriously and focused his eyes.

He has to move bricks here until three o'clock in the afternoon, and then he will rush to a local amateur league team to play. He is the team's main striker and scores goals for the team.

But this is not the life Charlie wants, he wants to be a professional player, he wants to go to the professional arena for a while.

Bricklayer Charlie Austin was not without professional training. In 2005, at the age of 14, he came to the Reading youth training camp.But soon, he was given up by the coach because he was "too small".Later, Charlie Austin came to work in the bricklaying factory opened by his father.Every morning at 6 o'clock, he got up on time, had a simple breakfast, met with his co-workers, and then went to nearby Basingstoke to lay bricks.

When I got home at night, it was already 6 o'clock in the evening.He didn't completely give up his hobby of football. After squatting in the big truck and having some dinner, he would rush to a nearby amateur club to play evening games.From 2005 to 2008, he played for Kimberley Rovers, Hungerford City and other amateur teams.

Seeing his son working so hard, Charlie Austin's father looked distressed.Just two months earlier, his father had allowed Charlie Austin to call off work early at 3 p.m. so he could take a break before going to a game.He went to Bournemouth to practice for a while, but failed to join in the end.But after going through professional training, he found that his speed had improved significantly, which made his dream of becoming a professional player even stronger.

The 19-year-old brick mover was earnestly working on his work. Bricks were piled up one by one, and a brick wall slowly appeared, just like the dream wall in Charlie Austin's heart.

As he was laying down the last brick of the wall, a worker ran in.

"Charlie!! A second division coach is looking for you!!"

In a shed in the brickyard, Gao Bo, Austin and his son sat facing each other.

Old Austin looked suspiciously at the person sitting across from him.

a Chinese?

A very young Chinese?

A very young Chinese who claims to be the head coach of Luton?
Can the Chinese play football?At least Austin has never heard of any great star from China. Perhaps Manchester City's Sun Jihai is a good defender, but if it is the head coach, old Charlie has never seen a head coach from China.

Old Austin, who has a wealth of experience in life, will not easily trust others, let alone this man who claims to take his precious son to play football in Luton?
Compared with the suspicion in the old Austin's eyes, the 19-year-old young Austin looked excited.

This is the Second Division!After all, it was a professional league, which was much better than the ninth and eighth tier amateur leagues where he hung out.

For Austin Jr., it was his strength that attracted the attention of the scouts, and the fact that the opposing head coach came to him in person showed that the team valued him!

Here's an opportunity!A chance to step into the professional arena! !A chance to catch your dreams!
The wall of dreams is quietly built in little Austin's heart, and no one can stop him from pursuing his dreams!
Little Austin looked at his father eagerly, but the old Austin still didn't seem to trust the Chinese in front of him.

And Gao Bo was looking at the No.2 player he was going to recruit, and he quietly opened his eyes to check the attributes of Charlie Austin.

Shots: 76
Headers: 78
Moves without the ball: 72
In terms of other technical aspects of forwards, Charlie Austin's attributes are not weak, and most of them can reach more than sixty.

What satisfied Gao Bo even more was Charlie Austin's rosy spiritual attributes.

Work Engagement: 80
Teamwork: 76
Willpower: 88
Bravery: 86
Calm: 83
If you ignore Austin's speed and his technical shortcomings, and just look at his mental attributes, this is definitely a world-class player. In fact, Charlie Austin's final development is also limited by his technical shortcomings, so that he can only become a shooter in the middle and lower reaches of the Premier League, and it is difficult to go further.

What a hidden gem in the amateur arena
Even so, Gao Bo is quite satisfied with this attribute. After all, Luton is only a team in the second division. Charlie Austin playing in the second division can already be regarded as a bug-level killer!

"Are you Luton's head coach?"

"Yes, I have watched Charlie's game video, and I think he is a striker with great potential." Gao Bo said directly.

"Are you really Luton's manager?"

"That's right, you can think about it, I'll be waiting in Luton anytime, but I have to remind you, try not to miss the registration time for the league!"

Little Austin was a little anxious, "I am willing, I am willing to play football in Luton!!"

"Charlie." Old Austin rubbed his forehead.

Gao Bo smiled: "Uncle Austin, you don't have to believe me, but Luton is not far from here. You can go there to verify it yourself. Maybe you don't believe in the existence of a Chinese head coach named Gao Bo, but at least there is a club like Luton!"

"Dad." Little Austin looked at his father eagerly.

"Okay, I'll take Charlie to Luton." Old Austin agreed. After all, compared to moving bricks in the brickyard, becoming a professional player is obviously a brighter future.

"How about today, it's not very far from Luton." Gao Bo was worried about having long nights and dreams.

Old Austin hesitated for a while, and finally nodded in agreement under the eager eyes of young Austin.

Gao Bo laughed. At this point, the matter was basically a success!

In fact, this is also the case. After confirming that Gao Bo is not a liar, Charlie Austin and Luton signed a four-year contract with a weekly salary of [-] pounds!
In addition, the Luton Club also paid a price of [-] footballs-this is for Charlie Austin's current home team, the ninth-tier team Poole City!

After finishing Charlie Austin, Gao Bo immediately came to Sheffield, another city in England.

Here, Gao Bo saw the future Premier League champion, Jamie Vardy! !

There is no need to repeat Vardy's story. The future Premier League shooter is a model of an amateur player's successful counterattack.

At this time, Vardy was 21 years old. He worked as a mason in a construction company, and then played part-time in a local amateur team. He trained twice a week and could get a bonus of [-] pounds a week.

So when faced with Gao Bo's solicitation, Vardy agreed without hesitation.

"Jamie, you will create your own miracle, I promise!"

Gao Bo knew what Vardy would achieve in the future. Perhaps out of guilt for changing Vardy's future without authorization, Gao Bo put his hand on his shoulder and said to Vardy.

Premier League champion?I will definitely get it!
Gao Bo, who was still in the Second Division at this time, said to himself in his heart.

Vardy only thinks that the coach is encouraging himself: "I will work hard, coach!"

N'Golo Kante, a 17-year-old Frenchman, met Kobo on a field in Paris.

This Chinese man who claims to be the head coach of the England Second Division team wants to take himself to England?
To play football in England?

The 17-year-old Kanter is a little uneasy, but for a 17-year-old boy, the temptation to play in the professional league is too great
Gao Bo looked at the little black man opposite him with great satisfaction.

Steals: 82
This attribute alone is enough to make Gao Bo admire. This is only a 17-year-old player. If it takes another two or three years, Kanter's stealing attribute will definitely be greatly improved.

Worthy of being the future Premier League steals king!
In addition, Kanter has several attributes that Gao Bo admired.

Defensive Positions: 76
Prediction: 77
Stamina: 80! !
A 17-year-old player already has such qualities, no wonder the short little man is such a powerful midfield cover in the future!
The 17-year-old Kanter did not resist the temptation from England after all. He signed a four-year contract with Luton!

Having recruited four players who can make a big splash in the Premier League in the future, Gao Bo is full of confidence in the English Second Division next season.

If it wasn't for being deducted [-] points, it would not be impossible to win the league championship!
Gao Bo thought with some regret.

(End of this chapter)