The Young Lion

It should have been an extremely brilliant victory in the eyes of outsiders, but at the moment when the whistle sounded at the end of the game, Aldridge did not smile.

He hastily shook hands with France coach Santini as a routine and went to an interview.

In fact, this French team is not particularly strong in the eyes of Aldrich.

In addition to the aura of the defending champion, the strength on paper should not be underestimated, but in terms of the technical and tactical system alone, the French team has exposed many problems.

Moreover, the structure of the French team is not Aldridge's favorite.

That's all the weight on one player.

France with Zidane and without Zidane are two teams.

As for the French team with Zidane, his state also directly determines the overall strength of the French team.

Such an architectural model is slightly fragile.

After completing the last substitution at 3:0, Aldridge's mind left the court, and he was completely unhappy because of Southgate's departure.

He will be 34 in autumn, how long will he need to recuperate from this injury? When's the next time you're back on the court?

It may not only be the farewell of a captain of the England national team, but also the countdown to the curtain call for the ten-year legendary captain of the Millwall club.

When Aldridge was interviewed on the sidelines, he frowned slightly and his face was not good. The interviewer noticed his expression and asked curiously: From your expression, it seems that England's 3-0 victory over defending champion France in the first game is not good. Too satisfied?

Aldridge didn't look at the camera, and wrote lightly: We played well in the game, no matter in terms of player status or fighting spirit. We are stronger than what the French team has shown. So we deserve the victory. 3:0 , a score that satisfies me, but it doesn't mean anything, the European Cup schedule is frequent, and the interval between games is only 3 days, we have to turn our attention to the next game against Switzerland.

You seem absent-minded?

Of course, England have players injured, our captain. Gareth Southgate, I'm going to visit him now, goodbye.

After Aldrich finished speaking, he turned and left.

As for French team player Vieira's criticism of England's rough play in an interview,

Aldridge didn't care at all, and even his teammate Lizarazu didn't agree with Vieira's point of view.

I don't think the English did anything wrong, they just defended well. The reality is: it's not the England team we're used to, but they didn't do anything wrong, they just defended well.

The players returned to the locker room one step ahead, and they were celebrating this victory that should be proud and evaluated as great.

In the locker room, many players took off their clothes and prepared to take a bath. The floor was messy, and someone had turned on the stereo. Connected to the Walkman, playing lyrical music, which doesn't match the current atmosphere, but the title of the song matches it quite well.

The song Anything Is Possible hit the British music scene two years ago.

Ashley Cole, Gerrard, and Owen sat with their shoulders crossed, swaying their upper bodies to a soothing rhythm and singing softly in unison.

Because you have faith in me, everything is possible...

Aldrich originally passed by the locker room without intending to go in, but when he heard the singing in the locker room and the laughter of the players, he stopped and turned around, walked back, opened the door and entered.

His appearance did not cause the players to be nervous. Everything was the same as in the past. After winning the game, it was still a big victory over France. There were some celebrations and self-entertainment activities in the locker room, which was normal.

However, when he went to unplug the stereo, the locker room became silent.

The players subconsciously closed their mouths, and the sitting players also stood up, showing a trembling posture.

Aldridge closed his eyes, surrounded by the Three Lions internationals, and among the 23 players on the expedition, only one was missing.

His cold voice came out word by word.

I have my job, you guys have your job. I do my best to do my job well, and you guys should do your best to do my damn job well! Do what you can The best! Wearing the national team jersey is an honor, before the glory, it is his-mother's responsibility!

It's hard to say that Aldridge is a perfectionist, but he does have a work attitude of excellence, just like Millwall's mainstream state is to win and win, but what happens after the victory? Is it over after a happy celebration? No, of course not, there will still be coaches who will point out the shortcomings of the players when summing up the game, hoping that the players will learn from it or not be the best, and strive to improve in the future.

Normally, he would not disturb the players at this time, nor would he use such a sharp attitude, but he just couldn't hold back, or he didn't think he should endure it!

The surrounding England internationals, who played the game, lowered their heads and began to wonder if they made any mistakes in the game, and performed self-reflection.

Most of the players who did not play turned their attention to Beckham, because the only time Aldridge got angry was against Beckham when he was directing the game. The players on the bench could see clearly.

Aldridge ignored the silent international players, walked straight out, and slammed the door out.

Beckham chased him out immediately.

In the corridor outside the door, Beckham turned to Aldrich's back and said, Coach, I...

Aldrich suddenly turned around, without looking at him, he knew that the person in front of him was Xiao Bei, and he was very familiar with Xiao Bei's voice.

Seeing Aldrich's expressionless face, Beckham suddenly couldn't continue speaking.

Aldridge said to him: David, I don't know if you concentrated on being a commercial star after you left Manchester United. Maybe your physical condition is not at its best. Maybe the bad season in Real Madrid made you discouraged. Feeling cold, you used to be the hardest player. If you lost your hard work, you could only sell jerseys in Real Madrid! How much do you think of your performance today? Except for one breakthrough and one or two crosses, Do you have a sense of presence on the court? I didn’t finish what I said just now, I didn’t want to embarrass you! Today, you officially became the captain of England. The captain’s armband. It’s not a high honor, but a heavy sense of responsibility far beyond everyone’s imagination! If It's Gareth here, and he's going to allow his teammates to celebrate like no one else in the locker room? What if...

Aldrich didn't want to talk anymore, he turned around and continued to walk away, cursing fiercely with a painful and hideous expression: f!

He almost blurted out If you were injured and Gareth continued to fight, it should be better!.

No matter how many people in the world admire Beckham, in the eyes of Aldrich. Given the choice between Southgate and Beckham, he would choose the former without hesitation.

Why?

Because ten years!

I haven't missed training for ten years!

For ten years, I have never said a word in front of the media that would cause trouble!

Ten years of hard work and hard work!

Southgate's strengths and weaknesses are clear at a glance, but he works hard every day, and after the age of 30, he works hard to maintain his state so that he can contribute more to the team!

To put it bluntly, if Aldridge was coaching Manchester United, Beckham would have been cleaned up long ago. In his eyes, there is no room for sand, and even the slightest challenge to his authority!

At this moment, he didn't want to hear any rebuttal from Xiaobei.

Was he unhappy in Madrid?

Is Real Madrid too much commercial activity?

go away!

That is your own choice!

in my team. If you can't do your best, that's your problem!

Not to mention the captain who should set an example!

When the game just ended. England players, both on and off the pitch, were exceptionally excited, with nothing but great joy in their heads.

Because they defeated the biggest favorite to win this European Cup, the defending champion France!

And defeated the opponent with such an impeccable score of 3:0!

It seems that every player has seen the great glory of replicating the French team first winning the World Cup and then the European Cup!

Because of this, they celebrated in the locker room with some glee.

But Aldrich's sudden reprimand and warning poured cold water on their heads, making them quickly realize two things.

First, Aldrich is not satisfied with them yet!

Second, this is not the time to celebrate!

Whether it is a Millwall player, such as Ashley Cole, or a player who played for Millwall in the past, such as Lampard, they understand Aldridge's outbreak very well after they calm down.

Southgate's injury dealt a heavy blow to Aldridge.

In addition to ten years of master-student relationship, there is also a major impact on the locker room!

Even the players who have left Millwall have to admit that Southgate's exemplary role in the dressing room has stabilized the interior. Only in the last season did Millwall's dressing room have signs of chaos, but , after all, it was Klinsmann who moved Larsson, another veteran veteran in the dressing room who must not be able to shake the status of a leader. It will end in a big crash, not the final regrettable failure to defend the league title at the last moment.

Southgate was taken to a hospital in the Portuguese capital after being injured during the game.

After Aldridge arrived, he learned of Southgate's injury. He was not very optimistic. The detailed diagnosis report will be later, but at least four months of recovery is certain. If it is more serious, it may be more than half a year. Farewell to 2004 …

Southgate's family also came to Portugal to cheer for him, but unexpectedly it was the picture now. Southgate himself has adjusted his mentality. The man who is almost 34 years old has never seen anything. Tears may have been caused by the sadness of self-knowledge of destiny, and I couldn't control it. When I arrived at the hospital, I completely resigned to my fate, and then in order not to worry my family, I had to force myself to smile.

When Aldrich came to visit Southgate, he definitely couldn't hang his face. He also tried to make his expression more relaxed. The first sentence he said to Southgate when he walked into the ward and sat by the bed was to say with a smile: Take care of your injuries, but I still have to wait for you to win many, many championship trophies.

Southgate smiled, was silent for a moment, and then said: Boss, even if I come back from injury, I will definitely not be worthy of Millwall's starting lineup. Give the young people the opportunity.

Aldridge turned his head to look at the wall, his eyes were moist, and he said in a deep voice, Gareth, don't say that, have confidence in yourself, trust me, you will always be worthy.

I am very satisfied to be able to dominate the main position for ten years. It is time for young people to replace me. Both Lucas and Andrea are good candidates. Lucas is 26 years old and Andrea is 23 years old. Ten years ago, I was 24 years old, hehe, of course, if the boss can bring a second world-class defender like Alessandro from the transfer market, I will definitely agree, because this will make us crazy lions become stronger.

Aldrich stood up, his tone became a little harsh, and he didn't look at Southgate, because he didn't want the other party to find his wet eyes.

Gareth, you can't command me, remember one thing, I am your leader, it is you, and you must obey me! Listen carefully, take care of your wounds, and don't think about it! I'm waiting for you to come back.

After speaking, Aldridge left the ward. He leaned on the wall with one hand outside the ward, covered his closed eyes with the other, and stood for a while before leaving.

The reporter who inquired about the news came, and the whole England team was also led by Beckham to visit Southgate.

The next day, Fleet Street focused on England's victory. At the same time, it also deliberately highlighted the news that Beckham led the whole team to visit Southgate, promoting the unity of England! (to be continued..) ()