Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 36

< Super Joker >

There’s a saying: A needle in a bag.

A sharp awl [a pointed tool for making holes] will pierce through the bag and stick out, even when it’s inside.

It means that a person with outstanding talent cannot hide, no matter how hard they try.

That was Johan.

The talent Johan possessed and displayed was something that soccer fans couldn’t help but be interested in.

Eight goals in just four league games this season.

Johan was on a terrifying pace of two goals per game.

Moreover, he wasn’t playing for a top team, and he was only sixteen years old.

So,

Just like the reason Johan was on the pitch in the first place.

Even if Johan wasn’t interested in the world,

The world was interested in Johan.

However,

There were some people who weren’t exactly happy about that attention.

“Lanister…?”

“Yes. They’ve sent a message.”

“Damn it.”

A curse word escaped from Coach Schmidt’s mouth.

Jamie Coach said that Chris Lanister, the A national team coach [the highest level national soccer team], had expressed his desire to call up Johan during the A match week at the end of this month.

“He came to watch the Tottenham game in person.”

“Damn it.”

“If he saw it in person, it’s a done deal. He’ll definitely want to take Johan.”

“It’s not like we’re short on players, why already?”

“Hey. If you were the German national team coach and Johan was a German player, you would have called him up too, wouldn’t you?”

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

Tsk.

It’s true, but I don’t like it.

It’s not like England is so desperate for players that they have to take a sixteen-year-old prospect.

Well, Johan is a talent that you can’t help but pick, regardless of age.

But what’s the reason to take him already?

“The problem is that we can’t refuse the call-up.”

“There should be a system that limits the number of games for players under 20. What are they trying to do, work a sixteen-year-old kid so hard?”

“If you put it that way, we’re the worst ones.”

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

It was quite ironic.

I’m happier than anyone that Johan is doing well,

But that also creates concerns.

Johan, who is only sixteen years old, is having his first full season this year.

And because the role he plays in the team is so important, we have to put him in as many games as possible.

The Premier League is already known for its tough schedule.

That’s why physical management is so important, and injury management is also important.

But now everyone is starting to call him up.

This is…

“We have to cherish our baby Johan. I’m not happy about this.”

“It would be a big deal if it wasn’t soccer. Imagine making a student work.”

“It’s tiring to have too much talent. Sigh. That’s why I can’t quit coffee.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I want to rest too, but the coach trusts me too much, so I can’t rest. That’s why it’s tiring to be good at your job.”

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

As Jamie Coach said, the problem is that we can’t refuse the A national team call-up unless there’s a special reason.

Fortunately, the Nations League game at the end of this month is being held here in London.

In fact, there’s not much to worry about when it comes to Johan’s stamina. He’s the type who conserves his energy on his own during games.

But still, the fact that he’s playing games is a big burden.

“But, Coach.”

“What.”

“Isn’t it better to play for the England national team than for the Korean national team?”

“Korea?”

“Didn’t you see the article? They said Korea also wants to call up Johan.”

“…Ah. He’s eligible to play for the Korean national team too.”

Korea.

It’s practically on the opposite side of the world.

Thinking about it that way, being called up to the England national team seems like a much better option.

To play for the Korean national team… you have to be on a plane for hours.

And that’s not all. You have to adjust to the time difference, the weather, and the grass.

Ugh.

When you think about it, European players clearly have an advantage just by having European nationality.

“But then, it hasn’t been decided which national team he’ll play for yet?”

“Yes. That’s up to him to choose.”

“Hmm. Knowing his personality…”

Maybe, if Johan has the choice, he definitely won’t choose the Korean national team. He’s not the type to choose such troublesome and difficult things himself.

“Of course, Korean players are known for their strong patriotism, so you never know. Johan’s father was also a Korean national team player.”

“That’s true too.”

Hmm.

Ugh. I’m not happy about any of this.

Coach Schmidt clicked his tongue, thinking that it was fortunate that Johan was probably sleeping soundly with his training exemption coupon right now.

Also,

If he were to be called up to the national team.

He also thought that England would be much better than Korea.

ㆍㆍㆍ

Seated on the sofa, Ban Seok-ho was lost in thought.

There had been no contact from that side yet.

But,

Looking at the way things were going, he thought he would be contacted soon.

From England or Korea.

“Hmm…”

Under the current regulations, Johan can play for either the England national team or the Korean national team.

Depending on his choice.

That was the important thing.

That it was up to him to choose.

What Ban Seok-ho wanted was for Johan to play for the England national team.

No matter how you look at it, that side has far more advantages.

Wasn’t that why he brought the children here in the first place?

There’s practically nothing to gain from playing for the Korean national team.

At best, the honor of representing your country.

That’s all.

On the contrary, there’s much more to lose.

Ban Seok-ho knew that better than anyone, so he didn’t want to burden Johan with that.

‘It seems like it’s time to let him know.’

The time seemed to be coming.

More and more places are in need of Johan.

It seemed like it was time to give him the choice.

“Did you call me?”

“Oh, yes. Sit down for a moment.”

At Ban Seok-ho’s call, Johan came out to the living room and sat down.

His face was swollen from a good night’s sleep.

To Ban Seok-ho, it was still amazing that this baby-like kid was receiving the call of the nation.

“Me…?”

“Yes.”

Ban Seok-ho explained to Johan in detail about the things that would happen in the future.

If,

England and Korea.

If both sides want you, the choice is yours.

Whichever side you choose is entirely your decision, and there’s nothing wrong with choosing either side.

However,

He explained in more detail how difficult it would be if he chose Korea.

After listening to the explanation, Johan yawned and scratched his head.

“Can’t I just not go to either?”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t want to go to either…”

Ban Seok-ho scratched his head.

Under FIFA regulations, if a player refuses a national team call-up, there are regulations such as a ban on appearing in n club games.

There are many complaints that this is an unreasonable regulation, but since the regulation is still in place.

Responding to the call-up is practically an obligation.

“Is there such a thing…?”

“Well, there is.”

“Then…”

I respect your choice.

But I hope the answer I want comes out.

Johan answered.

“I’ll go to England. Korea is too far…”

“Will you?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Ban Seok-ho nodded and patted Johan on the shoulder.

Yes.

Good choice.

Johan chose the Three Lions [nickname for the English national soccer team].

ㆍㆍㆍ

West Ham, who had won four consecutive games with their victory over Tottenham, continued their schedule with AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City.

Bournemouth was a team that belonged to the Championship League [second tier of English football] last season, and was promoted this season.

In fact, it’s a bit strange,

Teams that have just been promoted and come up to the Premier League tend to show either a hit or miss performance.

They either cause an unexpected sensation and continue the momentum of promotion, or they stay in the lower ranks and go back down.

Bournemouth was a team that belonged to the former.

With 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the last 4 games.

Bournemouth showed a tenacious soccer that was hard to believe was the record of a promoted team, bewildering Premier League teams.

That sensation did not continue in the game against West Ham.

Starting with the score, it was 3 to 1.

West Ham defeated Bournemouth by 2 points and took 3 points.

With this game, West Ham continued their unbelievable momentum of 5 consecutive wins after the opening.

Along with that, there was a encouraging achievement,

Two of the three goals scored in this game came from the feet of players other than Johan.

Well, it may not be encouraging for Johan himself.

It was a good thing for the team, and in the big picture, it was something that could work out well for Johan.

Anyway, if other players also score, the opponent won’t be able to focus their defense only on Johan.

The scorers were Team Gordon and Jacob Buckley.

Gordon connected a poorly cleared ball from the opponent’s defense with a long-range shot in the 7th minute of the first half, shaking the goal net.

Buckley became the second scorer in the 13th minute of the first half, kicking the ball into the net during a scramble in front of the goal during a corner kick situation.

The third goal was Johan’s.

In the 21st minute of the first half,

Johan, who received the ball in front of the box, shot as it was with the opponent’s defense in front of him, and it was sucked into the corner of the goal, creating the team’s third goal.

West Ham, who had secured the victory early on, used all three of their substitution cards around the 60th minute, managing the stamina of their starting players.

Johan was one of those three, and thanks to that, he was able to spend the rest of his time comfortably on the bench.

The disappointing thing was,

The next game against Leicester City.

Starting with the result of this game,

It was a 1-1 draw.

It was the moment when West Ham’s winning streak was broken by a draw.

It was a disappointing draw.

In fact, West Ham led the game itself, but Leicester’s fierce defense and quick counterattacks created a draw.

In this game, Johan was subjected to Leicester’s intensive defense, and played his first game without scoring a goal.

Instead, he recorded a consecutive attack point by recording one assist, but no matter how talented a player Johan is.

It was a game that confirmed the truth of soccer that you can’t score a goal in every game.

And,

Thanks to them, Leicester City ended up on Johan’s blacklist.

Following Burnley last season, it was a blacklist that had to be destroyed unconditionally when they met next time.

Because thanks to them, he only got one training exemption coupon.

Anyway,

It was West Ham who played 3 games in September like that.

And,

The next thing was the A match week.

ㆍㆍㆍ

In the end, an official letter was delivered to West Ham.

The English Football Association was an official letter saying that they would call up Johan to this call-up list.

“Sigh.”

“Wouldn’t it be a good experience anyway.”

Coach Schmidt, looking at Johan who participated in the last training before joining the national team, had a worried expression.

It was the expression of a parent looking at a child out on the water.

Coach Lanister, I know he’s a capable coach.

Johan is such a unique guy.

That guy is not easy to handle.

Should I write and send Johan’s user manual?

“Coach Lanister is still a meticulous coach. I also want to be under that coach for the next World Cup…”

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

Coach Lanister was also aware that it was a fairly early call-up, and he was quite considerate.

Coach Lanister, who had no obligation to do so, came to visit Coach Schmidt in person and talked to him.

Coach Lanister, who was sorry for calling up a very young player, who was also a key resource of the team, even made a few promises before leaving.

First of all, Coach Lanister revealed that the intention of this call-up was not to put him in the game right away, but to train with him, see him in person, and give him experience.

He promised that he wouldn’t necessarily put him in the game.

Anyway, it was the England national team with an abundance of players.

In addition, the opponents for the two games to be played this time are Spain and Italy, which are quite strong teams, so he is thinking of operating the existing best eleven [the starting lineup].

Coach Lanister reassured Coach Schmidt that Johan would probably only watch the game from the bench.

But.

“How can I believe that?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the words that he won’t put that guy in the game.”

Coach Schmidt shook his head.

Well.

I couldn’t believe Coach Lanister’s words.

I was talking about the possibility that he wouldn’t put him in the game.

Because,

Coach Lanister will also feel it when he sees him training.

Johan, that guy’s talent.

That guy is a talent that you can’t help but use once you see it.

“Hey, tsk. I don’t know. While you’re there, score your A match debut goal.”

“Anyway, doesn’t it save the club’s face a bit? Our team’s striker is an England national team player.”

“What’s so 자랑스러워 [jarangseureowo – proud] about that?”

“Yes? Then aren’t you 자랑스러워 [jarangseureowo – proud]?”

“It’s only 자랑스러워 [jarangseureowo – proud] if it’s a German representative. What’s an England representative…”

“Yes, yes. You would say that.”

“You little rascal, are you being sarcastic right now?”

“Oh, no way. How dare I.”

“Ehing, tsk.”

Anyway,

I just hope he doesn’t get hurt and comes back safely.

Coach Schmidt’s expression looking at Johan was like looking at a son going to the army.

That’s how much,

Johan had already become an indispensable presence for Coach Schmidt.