Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 70

< Cozy Winter - 069 >

“···!”

“···!?”

Yo Han’s opening goal made Coach Jamie and Director Schmidt stare at each other, eyes wide with disbelief.

Coach Jamie chuckled, still processing what he’d seen.

“I’m not seeing things, am I?”

“That’s what I want to ask.”

“Jenkins’ cross found Yo Han’s head! He got an assist!”

“Is that the Jenkins I know?”

Actually, the cross itself wasn’t anything spectacular.

It was quite ordinary. What was truly surprising was Yo Han’s header, an unbelievable display of striking prowess.

However, for those familiar with Jenkins, the mere attempt at a cross with such confidence was even more astonishing.

That simple act was something Jenkins usually struggled with.

Had he consistently played like this, his crosses wouldn’t be a constant topic of discussion.

The cross just now was extremely average, so inaccurate that any striker besides Yo Han would have struggled to reach it.

Regardless.

What mattered was that Jenkins attempted the cross without hesitation and secured his first assist.

“That kid…”

Director Schmidt smiled, watching Jenkins celebrate with his teammates.

The players were showering Jenkins with congratulations for finally getting his first assist.

Director Schmidt shared their sentiment.

Jenkins was never one to blame others; he was overly critical of himself.

This self-criticism led to a lack of confidence.

Brazen players keep trying, no matter how poor their crosses might be.

Many players deliver terrible crosses without a hint of apology.

It might have been better if Jenkins possessed that kind of personality.

If so, he wouldn’t have waited until the last game of the first half to record his first assist.

If he just passed it somehow, Yo Han would have created a forced assist like now.

Anyway, now that his blood vessels are open [idiom meaning he’s overcome his initial hesitation/block].

He should regain some confidence.

This was crucial.

Director Schmidt wanted to continue utilizing Jenkins as much as possible.

Because Jenkins clearly possessed the potential to become a great full-back.

“…”

Director Schmidt rose from his seat and approached the technical area.

He extended his hand to Jenkins as he returned to his position.

“Just like that.”

“…Yes!”

Jenkins shook his hand, his face radiating emotion.

He seemed brimming with confidence.

*

Certainly, Jenkins, now brimming with confidence, attacked the right side more aggressively.

Of course, not every cross found Yo Han’s head.

Some were intercepted by the opponent’s defense, while others bounced off in unpredictable directions.

But,

Even when such crosses occurred, Jenkins didn’t hang his head in self-blame as he usually did.

He kept trying, which was the important thing.

And the result 터져 나왔다 [Korean: burst out/exploded] once again in the 24th minute of the first half.

This time, Coleman, starting in place of Jonathan Neison, 주워 담았다 [Korean: picked up and put in] the goal.

While all the defenders were 비비는 [Korean: rubbing/jostling] bodies with Yo Han, Coleman found himself with a clear opportunity and finished it with ease.

“Damn it!”

Everton’s Mark Tierney, watching the game unfold, 까버렸다 [Korean: crushed/smashed] the water bottle in front of him.

The game had been flowing as planned until the 15th minute of the first half.

They had successfully stifled the opponent’s attack by establishing a solid defense in the center and on the right, just as they’d prepared.

He believed that if they could create one or two counter-attack opportunities, they could 충분히 [Korean: sufficiently] take the lead and 풀어갈 [Korean: unravel/develop] the game more comfortably.

But now this.

The opponent’s right-wing attack had suddenly sprung to life, and they 순식간에 [Korean: in an instant] conceded two goals.

It was 기가 막힐 노릇이었다 [Korean: an absurd/unbelievable situation].

‘What should we do, coach?’

‘Should we just leave it?’

Tierney bit his lip, observing the players’ questioning glances.

During the preparation for today’s game, he had emphasized one thing throughout the training sessions.

“Leave Jenkins alone!”

Opponent’s right-back, Michael Jenkins.

Even if this guy gets the ball, leave him alone.

He repeatedly emphasized to 신경쓰지 말고 [Korean: don’t pay attention] and just build up a thick central defense.

But, they’ve already 먹혔다 [Korean: been eaten/conceded] two goals through his attack.

He’s wondering what to do about this.

‘Actually, it’s right to leave him alone.’

To be honest, Jenkins’ cross was still worth leaving alone.

To call that threatening, it’s 자존심이 상할 정도 [Korean: an insult to one’s pride] to 강화시키는 [Korean: strengthen] that side’s defense.

‘The problem is that guy…’

But the problem is, of course, Yo Han Ban.

It’s that guy.

The problem is that that guy can make even that 별거 아닌 [Korean: insignificant] cross look like a 택배 [Korean: delivery service] cross [meaning perfectly delivered].

Oh, come on. That’s why I can’t 강화하지 [Korean: strengthen] the left defense either. What can I do if my 자존심 상한다고 [Korean: pride is hurt].

If I keep leaving it alone, it looks like it’ll 들어가게 [Korean: go in] once out of every three times.

“Spread out!”

In the end, Tierney adjusts the defensive position without any choice.

At that 지시에 [Korean: instruction], Everton’s defense, which had been 쏠려 [Korean: leaning/biased] to one side, 벌렸다 [Korean: widened] the 간격을 [Korean: gap] normally.

But, that means.

In the end, the 중앙의 [Korean: central] space 넓어진다는 [Korean: widens].

Then, a more threatening attack was waiting for Everton.

For Everton, Jenkins’ awakening was 외통수 [Korean: checkmate].

In the first place, Everton’s central defense 통하고 있던 [Korean: working/effective] was because they 가져갔기 [Korean: took] the 수적 우위를 [Korean: numerical advantage] of the center while 버리면서 [Korean: abandoning] the left.

However, as the defense was 조정되며 [Korean: adjusted] to the normal position, they 더 이상 가져가지 못하게 [Korean: could no longer take] that 수적 우위를 [Korean: numerical advantage], and

동수로는 [Korean: with equal numbers] they couldn’t 막을 [Korean: block] the 공이 가는 [Korean: ball going] to Yo Han.

That’s how it became, and now they couldn’t 막을 [Korean: block] Yo Han 잡는 [Korean: catches/controls] the ball in the box.

In the 38th minute of the first half, Yo Han’s second goal and West Ham’s third goal 터졌다 [Korean: exploded].

Everton started to 무너지기 [Korean: collapse] easier than expected.

*

The game concluded with a score of 4-1.

Everton, who was 달리고 [Korean: running/competing] in 8th place, was a 만만치 않은 [Korean: formidable] opponent, and considering West Ham’s 상황 [Korean: situation], where three starters were 빠졌던 [Korean: missing], it was a 무척이나 고무적인 [Korean: very encouraging] result.

Of course, 숙제도 남은 [Korean: homework remaining/challenges left] game.

It was good that Jenkins 가져간 활발한 오버래핑 [Korean: took active overlapping], but because of that, the 수비 밸런스가 쏠리며 [Korean: defensive balance leaning] forward, exposing the right 뒷공간 [Korean: back space], 내줬고 [Korean: gave up] one goal to the opponent’s 역습 [Korean: counterattack] and 내줬다 [Korean: gave up] threatening 장면도 [Korean: scenes] several times.

If Everton’s 결정력 [Korean: finishing ability] was a little better, they could have 실점을 [Korean: conceded] more several times, and the game could have 흘러갈 [Korean: flowed] 박빙으로 [Korean: neck and neck].

Thanks to the central defense 중심을 잡고 [Korean: holding the center] without 잃지 집중력을 [Korean: losing concentration], they were able to 승리를 [Korean: win] a 3-point 차 [Korean: difference].

However, 떠나서 [Korean: apart from] that, it was a fact that the 수확 [Korean: harvest/gain] was a bigger game.

Jenkins’ 모습 [Korean: appearance], who seemed to have 얻은 깨달음을 [Korean: gained enlightenment] something, or 깬 듯한 [Korean: broken] his own 벽을 [Korean: wall].

That 모습 불어다 활기를 [Korean: appearance brought vitality] to West Ham, and it was a 활약 [Korean: performance] that 복잡하게 [Korean: complicated] the heads of the opponents they will 만날 앞으로 [Korean: meet in the future].

“Hoo!”

Jenkins’ expression after the game was brighter than ever.

He got 2 assists.

From the 개막 [Korean: opening] of the season to the 18th round.

Jenkins was 괴로워했던 [Korean: tormented] by the fact that he couldn’t 올리지 [Korean: raise/record] even one assist and didn’t 보탬이 [Korean: help] at all to the attack.

But today, it felt like that 괴로움 was 해소되는 [Korean: resolved] at once.

On Jenkins’ face, the 미소가 끊이질 않았습니다 [Korean: smile didn’t stop] in the 기분에 [Korean: mood] that he finally 도움이 [Korean: helped] to the team’s 승리에 [Korean: victory].

“Jenkins, 좋았다 [Korean: good].”

“Hey, you can do it if you do it. It’s not a big deal, is it?”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The 동료들도 건넸다 축하 [Korean: colleagues also gave congratulations] to Jenkins.

In particular, Petrovic, who is the same 풀백 [Konglish: full-back], 안아 [Korean: hugged] Jenkins, 기뻐하며 [Korean: rejoicing] like it was his own 일 [Korean: thing/matter].

Even within the same team, players in the same position, such as the center-back duo, central midfielders, and 좌우 풀백 [Korean: left and right full-backs], have a 남다르다 유대 [Korean: special bond] between each other.

Petrovic also 고민해주었고 [Korean: worried with] Jenkins and 항상 같이 훈련했었다 [Korean: always trained together].

So, it’s only natural that Jenkins’ bright face 보기 좋을 [Korean: looks good].

Jenkins was also 고마웠다 [Korean: grateful] to such Petrovic.

However, there is a 녀석 [Korean: guy] who is especially 더 고마운 [Korean: more grateful].

Of course, it’s Yo Han.

Jenkins also 안다 [Korean: knows]. That his 크로스가 [Korean: cross] wasn’t 뛰어나서 [Korean: outstanding] today and that he 올렸다는 [Korean: recorded] 2 assists.

It’s just that, 전부 요한이가 만들어줬을 뿐 [Korean: Yo Han made it all].

“Yo Han!”

“?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Just, thank you for being on our team.”

Yo Han 갸웃였고 [Korean: tilted] his head when he said 고맙다고 [Korean: thank you],

Jenkins 웃으며 쓰다듬어 [Korean: smiled and stroked] the 막내’s [Korean: youngest’s] 머리를 [Korean: head].

This 녀석 [Korean: guy] is really a 보물 [Korean: treasure].

Jenkins was 기뻤다 [Korean: happy] that he could now 도움이 [Korean: help] to such a 녀석 [Korean: guy].

Also, just like now.

Jenkins 생각을 [Korean: thought] that he would like to 뛰었으면 [Korean: play] for West Ham’s 승리를 [Korean: victory] with this 녀석 [Korean: guy] for a long time.

ㆍㆍㆍ

The 장점 [Korean: advantages] of 홈 경기의 [Korean: home game] are several, but there are a few more that are 특별히 [Korean: especially] to Yo Han.

First of all, the 출퇴근 길 [Korean: commute] is 가깝다는 점 [Korean: close].

And,

Like today, after the game, he can 먹을 따뜻한 집밥 [Korean: eat warm home-cooked meal] that his mom 해주는 [Korean: makes].

Not the 식단 [Korean: diet] that his dad 주는 [Korean: gives], but his mom’s 밥 [Korean: meal].

On days like today, when he 승리 기분 좋게 [Korean: wins feeling good], it’s a 날 [Korean: day] that his mom 발휘하는 음식 솜씨를 [Korean: shows off her cooking skills].

“How is it? Is it okay?”

“It’s 맛있어요 [Korean: delicious].”

“Right? 역시 우리 아들 [Korean: as expected our son]. 당신도 좀 팍팍 먹어 [Korean: you too eat heartily] like Yo Han!”

“I’m 됐어 [Korean: okay]. 보기만 해도 짜다 [Korean: just looking at it is salty].”

“하여간, 증말 [Korean: anyway, really]. 당신은 참 오래 살긴 할 거야 [Korean: you will live a long time].”

“Yo Han, 너무 배부르게 먹지 말아라 [Korean: don’t eat too full].”

“무슨 소리야 [Korean: what are you saying]. 마음껏 먹어 [Korean: eat as much as you want]. 마음껏 [Korean: as much as you want].”

“···나트륨 덩어리야 [Korean: sodium bomb].”

“김치찌개보고 나트륨 덩어리 [Korean: calling kimchi stew a sodium bomb]? 당신 한국 사람들한테 돌 맞고 싶어 [Korean: do you want to get stoned by Korean people]?”

“이미 많이 맞았어 [Korean: already got hit a lot].”

“참 내 [Korean: geez].”

반석호 [Ban Seok-ho] was the one who 책임지는 [Korean: responsible for] the 식사를 [Korean: meals] of the 식구들 [Korean: family members] 평소 [Korean: usually].

반석호 [Ban Seok-ho] was a 사람 [Korean: person] who 잘 알고 있는 [Korean: knows well] how important 식습관 [Korean: eating habits] is to a 선수 [Korean: player].

반석호 [Ban Seok-ho], who had 생활하다 [Korean: lived] in Korea until 성인 [Korean: adulthood] and then came 해외로 [Korean: overseas], felt 뼈저리게 [Korean: deeply/to the bone] after 부딪혀보곤 [Korean: bumping] bodies with 외국 선수들 [Korean: foreign players].

Of course, he grew up without 걱정 없이 먹을 [Korean: worrying about eating] himself, but these 외국인 놈들 [Korean: foreign guys] who grew up 먹고 고기 [Korean: eating meat] since they were 어릴 때부터 [Korean: young] are 확실히 차원이 다르다는 피지컬 [Korean: definitely different level physical].

Because of that, 반석호 [Ban Seok-ho] had 철저히 관리해온 [Korean: thoroughly managed] the 식단 [Korean: diet] for his 아들들 [Korean: sons], and 김라희 [Kim Ra-hee] was 못하게 들어오지도 [Korean: not allowed to enter] the 부엌 [Korean: kitchen].

However, perhaps because of that, Yo Han and Ro Han 가끔씩 더 좋아했다 [Korean: sometimes liked more] the 밥 [Korean: meal] that their mom 해주는 [Korean: makes].

To be honest, anyone would do that if they only 먹다가 닭가슴살 샐러드랑 찐 생선 [Korean: eat chicken breast salad and steamed fish] and then 먹으면 김치찌개 끓인 넣고 돼지고기 듬뿍 [Korean: eat kimchi stew with lots of pork].

Just 눈이 돌아가는거지 [Korean: eyes turn over/go crazy].

The 감칠맛과 자극적인 염분 퍼지는 온몸으로 타고 혀를 [Korean: savory taste and stimulating salt spreading throughout the body and tongue].

크으 [Korean: sound of satisfaction].

This is 진짜 저녁 식사지 [Korean: real dinner].

You can’t 따라온 [Korean: follow/match] this 맛 [Korean: taste] even if you go to 어느 고급 호텔 [Korean: any luxury hotel].

“I was 다 기쁘더라 [Korean: all happy] today because of 킨슨이 [Kin-seon, diminutive form of Jenkins’ name], 걔 [Korean: that kid]. I was 안쓰러웠는데 [Korean: felt sorry] if I only see 걔 맨날 [Korean: him everyday], but I feel 마음이 놓이더라구 [Korean: relieved] when I see him 활짝 웃는 [Korean: smiling brightly].”

“He did well today for 웬일로 [Korean: what’s the matter]? I was 찾고 대체자를 [Korean: looking for a replacement], but if he does as much as today, I don’t think I’ll need to do that.”

“어머, 정 없어라 [Korean: oh, no affection]. Even if it’s 아무리 그래도 그렇지 [Korean: no matter what], are you going to 구해 딴 사람을 [Korean: find another person] right away just because he’s a little 모자라다고 [Korean: lacking]?”

“Mom. That’s the 세계 of 프로 [Korean: world of professionals].”

“다 사람이 하는 일이야 [Korean: it’s all people doing it]. Ro Han, 너도 그러면 안된다 너무 정없이 [Korean: you shouldn’t be too heartless].”

“제가 뭘요 [Korean: what am I doing]?”

“If there’s a 애 [Korean: kid] who’s 좀 쳐지는 [Korean: falling behind], you can 서로 더 도와주면 [Korean: help each other more]. It’s too 야박하잖니 [Korean: stingy] to 갈아치우는 바로 바로 [Korean: replace immediately].”

“Mom was the one who 욕 제일 많이한 옌킨슨 [Korean: cursed Jenkins the most]?”

“됐고 [Korean: enough]. Hey, Yo Han. Take 킨슨이 걔 [Korean: Kin-seon that kid] to your 집에 한 번 나중에 [Korean: house once later]. Mom will 해줄 맛있는 밥 [Korean: make delicious food].”

At 김라희’s 말 [Korean: Kim Ra-hee’s words], Yo Han, whose 볼이 빵빵해진 [Korean: cheeks puffed up] with 밥 넣은 가득 입안 [Korean: rice filled in his mouth], 끄덕였다 [Korean: nodded] his head.

“Anyway, I think things will 풀릴 잘 [Korean: work out well] thanks to Yo Han’s 인터뷰 [Korean: interview] today.”

“What does that mean?”

“This is also 사람이 하는 일이라 [Korean: people doing it] as Mom said. When 선수들도 볼 [Korean: players look at] the team, they 볼 거기 누가 있느냐를 [Korean: look at who is there]. Since Yo Han 확실히 밝혔으니까 [Korean: clearly stated] today, it will 도움이 [Korean: help] to 데려오는데 새 선수들을 [Korean: bring new players].”

The 인터뷰 [Korean: interview] that Ro Han 말한 [Korean: said] was the 인터뷰 [Korean: interview] that Yo Han 했던 [Korean: did] after the game with Everton.

The 기자들이 [Korean: reporters] were 물었던 [Korean: asked] about the 무성한 소문들 [Korean: rampant rumors] 두고 Yo Han’s 거취 [Korean: whereabouts] 다가오는 겨울 이적시장 [Korean: upcoming winter transfer market].

But, Yo Han 정리해버렸다 [Korean: cleared away] those 소문들 싹 [Korean: rumors completely] with one 마디 [Korean: word] today.

“I’m 귀찮아요 [Korean: annoyed] to 이사 [Korean: move]. I like 전 집 [Korean: current house].”

If another 선수 그렇게 말했다 [Korean: player said that], the 기자들이 [Korean: reporters] would probably 그랬을 [Korean: have done that].

If you don’t want to 대답하기 [Korean: answer], just say no comment, why are you 대냐 그런 이유를 [Korean: giving such a reason].

But when that 말 나오니 [Korean: word came out] from Yo Han’s 입 [Korean: mouth], the game was 끝이었다 [Korean: over].

귀찮다 [Korean: annoying]? There is no more 강력한 이유 [Korean: powerful reason] than this for Yo Han.

Because of that, 기사들이 [Korean: articles] started to 쏟아져 나오기 [Korean: pour out] right after the 인터뷰 [Korean: interview].

The 기사들이 [Korean: articles] that Yo Han’s 잔류할 확률 [Korean: remaining probability] is close to 99 percent in West Ham for at least this 겨울 동안 [Korean: winter].

“So, 선수들이 [Korean: players] will come because they want to 축구하고 [Korean: play soccer] with Yo Han?”

“Yes. There are 선수도 [Korean: players] who wouldn’t come if Yo Han wasn’t there, but there are 선수도 [Korean: players] who will come if Yo Han is there. 얼핏 듣기로 [Korean: I heard], the 선수들이 [Korean: players] that the 프론트 [Konglish: front office] 접촉한 [Korean: contacted] are 묻는 연봉보다 먼저 [Korean: asking before salary] whether Yo Han is 남느냐 [Korean: remaining] in the team? Everyone wants to 뛰고 같이 [Korean: play together] with Yo Han.”

“Wow, our 아들 [Korean: son]. You’re the 최고 인기 [Korean: most popular]? 역시 300만 팔로워 다워 [Korean: as expected 3 million followers]. 절반 중 is Mom 팬이지만 [Korean: half is Mom’s fan].”

“Hey, 절반 [Korean: half] is too much. Mom.”

“···삼 분의 일 [Korean: one third]!”

Ro Han’s 말 [Korean: words] was 사실이었다 [Korean: true].

동료 [Korean: colleague] is what 역할을 더 큰 [Korean: plays a bigger role] than 조건 같은 연봉 [Korean: conditions like salary] in 선수들이’s 결정하는데 이적과 잔류를 때론 [Korean: players deciding transfer and remaining sometimes].

만약 그 팀에 가게 된다면 [Korean: if you go to that team], 어떤 선수들이 되느냐 자신의 동료가 [Korean: what kind of players become your colleagues].

중요할 수밖에 없는 문제 아닌가 [Korean: isn’t it an important issue]?

In that 면에서 [Korean: aspect], West Ham is 볼 수밖에 덕을 요한의 again [Korean: can only see Yo Han’s benefit again].

현재 유럽에서 가장 핫한 공격수와 한 팀으로 호흡을 맞출 수 있다 [Korean: currently can play with the hottest striker in Europe as a team].

이건 [Korean: this], 선수들에겐 엄청난 메리트가 아닐 수 없었다 [Korean: couldn’t be a huge merit to players].

특히 [Korean: especially], 몇몇 선수들에겐 더더욱 말이었다 [Korean: it was even more so to some players].