long live football

Starting before Christmas, all players on loan from England have developed a new living habit, which is to carry their mobile phones with them and keep them turned on 24 hours a day.

Joe Hart is no exception.

Hart is 22 years old this year, goalkeeper, currently playing for the Premier League team Manchester City.

At the age of 17, Hart became the starting goalkeeper of Shrewsbury's first team in his hometown team. He began to represent the England U18 and U19 national teams at the age of 21. After transferring to Manchester City in 06, he was loaned out for training twice. Helping the League One team Blackpool upgrade to the English Championship, Hart was finally successfully recalled by Manchester City, and then worked hard to get the chance to become the main goalkeeper of the first team.

If we draw an end here, then this is a happy story of a talented and hardworking young goalkeeper struggling to succeed.

But life is not always smooth sailing.

The new twist in Hart's career came after the Manchester City club was acquired by the Abu Habi consortium.

Although Manchester City is one of the Manchester City duo, it was always a mid-range team in the Premier League before 08. They did not have the strength to compete for the league championship.

But mid-range teams also have the advantages of mid-range teams, that is, they are not financially rich, not as attractive as giants, and cannot afford or buy superstars, so young and potential players can always find themselves here. Position, you can also get enough playing time, and can grow slowly with the team.

However, in the summer of 08, when Manchester City was acquired by the Abu Habi consortium, which was ten times richer than the owner of Chelsea, Blue Moon immediately became rich in the transfer market, not only buying people without blinking, but also buying people without bargaining ——Manchester City spent 9818 million euros in the summer transfer period, and another 6000 million euros in the winter transfer period. They suddenly became the club with the most craziest signings in Europe.

The change of identity gave Manchester City greater ambitions. They wanted to become a member of the same championship group as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Therefore, the club began to dislike Hart's age, thinking that the opponent was too young. I'm afraid I can't take on the current goalkeeper task of Blue Moon.

So in the winter transfer period that just passed, Manchester City spent 900 million euros to poach the 33-year-old veteran Shay from Newcastle.

With the arrival of Shay, Hart suddenly became the team's substitute from the main goalkeeper who could start the game.

For Hart, who is still young, is in the growth stage and urgently needs the game to grow up, the bench is a disaster.

Hart wanted to stand up and snatch the No. 1 jersey from Shay.

But it takes an opportunity to stand up, and what Hart lacks most at present is an opportunity.

The news that Karl Alston was going to be selected for the England national team gave him a ray of hope.

Players all over England know that Oston is not like those national team coaches in the past, who only see stars in his eyes. This is a coach who is willing to give young people a chance from the beginning of coaching.

After knowing that the opponent has become the new coach of the national team, Hart has an urge to mail his game CD to the opponent and recommend himself to the opponent.

But he endured it in the end, because first, he didn’t know whether Orston would accept or dislike the player’s self-recommendation; Robinson of Tottenham, James of Portsmouth, Carson of Aston Villa, and Green of West Ham United, who were in the limelight this season, all looked better than the three main goalkeepers of the national team during the European Cup last year. I have a more national background.

Manchester City defeated Wigan Athletic 20-1 at home in the No.0 second round of the Premier League.

Shay's debut performance at the Etihad Stadium was outstanding, and Hart sat on the bench for 90 minutes, looking increasingly gloomy.

After the game, he changed his clothes and left the locker room early, calling a few friends to the bar for a drink.

In the noisy bar, Hart's friend comforted him: "You are the most promising young goalkeeper in England. Even if you don't make it now, you will always have a chance to make it in the future!"

With Ji Wen around, he can't even make it to the game, when will he be able to make his mark?The best result is that I put forward my desire to be loaned out, and then go to other teams to find opportunities.Hart drank a glass of beer bitterly.

At this moment, his muted cell phone vibrated "buzzing" in the pocket of his jeans.

Holding the wine glass in one hand, Hart took out the phone with the other hand, looked at the screen casually, and found that it displayed a series of numbers he didn't recognize.

The DJ in the bar changed to a more explosive music, and the men and women around walked into the dance floor in pairs. Friends called Hart to go down and dance together. Hart waved to them to indicate that he was not in the mood, and then he connected Phone: "Hi, this is Joe Hart."

A deep and clear voice came from the other end of the phone: "This is Auston. Hart, do you have time to talk?"

Hart felt that his heart had been hit hard, and then his whole body and mind burst into ecstasy and disbelief: "You, who are you?"

"Oston, Karl Oston. Maybe he will be your coach again, if you want to be a member of the national team."

"I am willing! I am willing!" Hart replied excitedly, and felt that the environment in the bar was too noisy, so he hurriedly ran out with his mobile phone.

He was so excited that he staggered and knocked down several people on the dance floor along the way, causing scolding from other guests, but Hart didn't care, his heart was full of joy, and his steps were brisk. flew up.

Who would have thought that, just when he was in a precarious position, a thick thigh suddenly appeared in front of him!

Don't hold on to it at this time, when will it be!

And it must be hugged tightly!

Ten minutes later, when the friends who had danced two dances in a row came back to the bar, what they saw was Hart holding his mobile phone in his hands like sacred objects, and smiling like a fool.

Friends, you look at me, I look at you, and you can't figure out what happened——When they left just now, Hart was still drinking to relieve his sorrows, why in just a short while, the aura around him was bursting Bubbles of happiness?

After Hart explained to them over and over again as if showing off, those friends who were still sympathetic and comforting him immediately became envious: "Your luck is here! As long as you are selected for the national team squad, no matter you Whether or not he can start for the time being, it will definitely become popular in the hearts of the media and fans!"

There are also envious and jealous people who think Hart's smug look is too glaring, and can't help but sting sourly: "Didn't you find that Joe looks very similar to the German Koch? Maybe it's because of this." The reason was chosen by Auston!"

Others also joked: "Joe and Lambert Koch? They look a bit alike if you look closely - they are both handsome and have blond hair."

"They're about the same size, and they're about the same size."

"It's not the same, it's not the same. I've watched a lot of German games. Does Koch have eight-pack abs? Joe only has four now!"

No matter what others said throughout the night, Hart was smiling and not angry, because he choked everyone back with just one sentence: "For the sake of my special happiness today, I forgive you for being sour and envious. Hate it!"

……

In one day, what happened to Joe Hart was repeated to other players from Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton, Aston Villa...etc.

On the Manchester United training ground, just a few months after his 18th birthday, Danny Welbeck vented his excitement by running around the pitch.

Inside the Emirates Stadium, 17-year-old Jack Wilshere excitedly hugged one Arsenal team-mate after another.

Although the young players were ecstatic, the long-established star couldn't help but hold his chest and let out a long sigh of relief after answering the phone call.

After notifying all the players by phone, Carl announced to the media his first squad for the national team after coaching the England team: 3 goalkeepers:

Joe Hart (Manchester City), James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham)

7 defenders:

John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glenn Johnson (Portsmouth), Philip Jagielka (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Leighton Baines (Everton)

9 midfielders:

David Beckham (1860 Munich), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Joe Cole (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa) , Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)

4 forwards:

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Owen (1860 Munich), Daniel Sturridge (Manchester City), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)

One stone caused a thousand waves!

Although some well-informed media had already got a sense of the truth when Carl called the selected players, but after the announcement of the 23-man roster of the Three Lions, the media and fans all over the UK were still shocked!

A real shock!

Because the final result of the list is quite different from the previous media fans' guesses!

Having played in the 08 European Cup, Robinson, Richardson, Downing, Hargreaves, Crouch, Smith, Jermain Defoe and others who were the main players in the McLaren era have missed the squad this time. People generally understand this, after all It's an emperor and a courtier, but what about Joe Hart?Orston replaced the two goalkeepers that McLaren had selected in one go. How come the first place is a 22-year-old kid?

Although the players selected for the squad this time are all from the Premier League, the difference between them is amazing, isn't it?

Famous is really famous!There are all world-class stars, such as Beckham, Owen, Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard Terry and so on.

Obscurity is true obscurity.Those young players who were selected from the England U21 national team, although they are now members of the Premier League giants, how many fans have ever watched a game of them seriously?For example, Wilshere has played in the league and the Champions League as early as, and broke the record for the youngest player in Arsenal's history. Sturridge and the like have even only played for the England youth team. Never had a show!

Old is really old!Ferdinand Beckham James Lampard has already passed the age of 30, and the two Cole Gerard Terry Barry Carrick and others are also approaching their age.

Young is so young!Sturridge is 20, Welbeck is 19, Wilshere is 17!

What is even more surprising is that, in addition to the 23-man roster, the new coach of the Three Lions has attached a substitute list of about 10 people, stating that the England team's training roster is not fixed and will follow the national team. Adjustments are made for every training and game. On the substitute list are English players with great potential discovered by Karl. I hope these players will play impressive games and win tickets for the World Cup in South Africa next year.

The appearance of the substitute list made the young English players see hope, especially those young players who had their own list, they were even more elated, and their chests were filled with the blood of wanting to fight.

1989年出生的安迪·卡洛尔；1990年出生的凯尔·沃克；1989年出生的西奥·沃尔科特。1993年出生的加罗斯·巴克利；1991年出生的安德罗斯·汤森德；1993年出生的亚历克斯·张伯伦；1991年出生的康纳·亨德森；1990年出生的凯尔·沃克；1992年出生的菲尔·琼斯……

These unfamiliar names and immature faces made the English media have a bold guess: Is Karl Alston a pedophile?

……

"Why do you favor young players so much in the selection of the national team?"

At the press conference of the Three Lions' first training session after Carl coached, a reporter finally couldn't help asking.

The venue fell silent, and the rest of the media also stopped the commotion, waiting to hear Karl's answer.

Carl was a little dumbfounded.

Because the selection of England coaches is too different from the previous England coaches, there has been a lot of excitement in British newspapers recently.

I think when he sent three or four underage players in a game in Munich 1860, the German media did not call him "pedophile". Now, in the minds of a considerable number of England fans, "pedophile" is mentioned With this word, they quickly thought of two head coaches, one is Wenger and the other is him... This "honor" is really unbearable.

In the blink of an eye, he turned what he wanted to say twice in his mind. Carl pulled the microphone closer and said, "I think England's selection of talents should be based on who is the most suitable, not who is the most famous."

Although under the touting of the English media and fans, the worth of British stars is a bit low, but the strength of Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard and others is still not to be said. They are all world-class superstars, but since these players are in the They can perform well in the fiercely competitive Premier League. Why do they generally fail to perform at the level of the club when they arrive at the national team?

A football joke probably explains the problem well:

England fans asked Zen master: "Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Beckham... These stars take out one at random, either the leader in the same position, or the pillar of the club, why are they squeezed together to form a ball? team can’t be successful?”

Zen Master took out sesame seeds, peanuts, melon seeds, walnuts, and almonds for the fans to taste one by one, and asked him, "Is it delicious?"

The fans nodded.

The Zen master took out another five-nut mooncake for the fans to taste. After the fans vomited, they suddenly realized that the Premier League is the world's number one football league, with the highest exposure rate and the fiercest competition. Rooney and other players performed well in the club, not only because they played their most suitable positions in the club, but also because they were surrounded by high-level players like Ronaldo, Ballack, Makelele, and Drogba. Level teammates.

In other words, the success of English players in the club is inseparable from the club's tactical system and the blessing of big-name foreign players. When they are in the national team, they will not have these high-level foreign players around them. The performance of the game is natural. To make a discount.

In addition, the English people are superstitious about big names. In the past, the English coaches recruited into the national team were all big names. They usually don’t have a close relationship. , The locker room has never been twisted together. It is strange that the England team can have outstanding results in the competition.

Kaldor recruited young players, one is to put on the appearance that he wants to reuse new players, suppress the aura of those big-name stars, let them behave cautiously in the locker room, and the other is to resolve the stubborn illness of the Three Lions from within.

The big-name stars are not convinced of each other, but the young players are different. Even if the young players come from the youth training of the rich, they still lack confidence before they become popular. On the court, I am afraid that in order to gain more game time and gain more favorability, he is willing to consider the collective, not sticking to the ball and assisting others.

First reduce the smell of gunpowder in the national team to the greatest extent, and then work hard to adjust. Carl believes that he will be able to make this England team reborn before the World Cup in South Africa.

But these calculations cannot be said in front of the media.

The British media is famous for taking things out of context, exaggerating the facts, and entertaining until death.

If Karl explained his plan to the British media directly, the headlines all over the British Isles tomorrow would be: "Auston reveals the inside story of the national team: England has never been united".

So when facing the British reporter, Carl thought, he should play more mysterious.

"If you have doubts about my selection criteria, you might as well wait for the national team to finish their first game before commenting. After all, practice is the best way to test results." One sentence dismissed all British reporters.

Carl's serious uncooperative attitude made the British media feel the sadness of the balls: asked countless questions but was KO'd by one sentence, the point is that this sentence is quite reasonable, so that they can't even vomit... Tomorrow How do you write your news?

Gary Jeb racked his brains to come up with a question: "Will the captain of the national team be replaced? For example, let Beckham regain the captain's armband?"

"No, England's captain is still John Terry."

not change?Well, finally came a piece of news that could use their imaginations.

"Beckham is abandoned, Auston prefers the Blues Terry"

This news from "The Sun" has caused many fans to make up their minds, "Seeing a new love and throwing away an old love, the England coach is staying with Terry in London, and I don't know if the heartthrob is crying in Munich..." bloody drama.

Actually the truth is:

Carl: "Go ahead and be my captain."

Beckham: "If I take over the captain's armband now, the locker room will still be suppressed for the time being. After all, the residual heat of the five championships has not passed yet, but when I go to Los Angeles next season, there will definitely be more and more players." People don’t agree with me, do you think they will let a veteran who is far away from the mainstream European league be pressured on their heads for a long time? In order to avoid such a situation, I still don’t want to be the captain anymore.”

"You don't do it, Michael doesn't do it, if the captain doesn't change, I have to think of other tricks to avoid Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United or Manchester City in the dressing room."

"any solution?"

"Let the manager become the absolute authority of the team. There must never be a second powerful person in the dressing room, just like Ferguson did at Manchester United. When the team only obeys orders from one person, it becomes one. collectively so that we can pursue greater goals."

Beckham smiled sincerely: "You don't need to look for Sir Alex Ferguson as an example. Didn't you always do this in Munich 1860? I, the captain of the Lions, have always been very transparent."

"..."