Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 136

< Episode 135 – Harder to Quit Than Soda >

West Ham clinched a victory on their visit to Anfield, marking their tenth consecutive win since the season’s start.

The difference between nine and ten consecutive wins might seem minimal, but the emotional impact was significant.

It felt much more overwhelming.

“Are we really going to pull this off? I mean, the championship.”

“Haha. Isn’t it a bit early to get carried away with such fantasies?”

“I don’t think it’s too early. It feels entirely possible. It’s already our tenth straight win. We’ve beaten Man U [Manchester United] and Liverpool, too.”

“There’s something I’ve forgotten lately.”

“What’s that?”

“The feeling of losing. What even is losing? Haha!”

“I’ve forgotten too, so I can’t answer. Should we call the Liverpool owner and ask?”

The three West Ham owners were gleefully intoxicated by the ten-game winning streak.

In fact, until the season before last, West Ham wasn’t even familiar with the concept of a ‘winning streak,’ let alone a ten-game one.

For such a team to achieve a ten-game winning streak this season…

It was no wonder they were overjoyed, as if living a dream.

Moreover, that wasn’t all.

They were also on a winning streak in the Champions League.

They had been worried during the group draw, but once the games began, they thrashed Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona alike.

Now, even the strong teams in other groups were doing their best to secure the top spot in their groups.

All to avoid West Ham in the round of 16 draw.

It was like a dream.

Therefore, the three owners were thinking, if this is a dream, let’s dream an even bigger one.

Although it was still early in the season, at this rate, it seemed possible.

The goal of winning the league.

No, perhaps even winning both the league and the Champions League.

A double, even.

“Just thinking about it is electrifying.”

“The club’s value will probably increase by hundreds of millions of pounds.”

Having already secured a Champions League spot by finishing second last season, West Ham had already seen many positive changes.

But if they were to win the championship, even more would change.

Just as Leicester City had gained hundreds of millions of pounds in economic value from their championship win [referring to Leicester City’s unexpected Premier League title win in 2016].

From the owners’ perspective, they couldn’t help but beam.

However,

“Haa.”

One of the owners, McManaman, who had been smiling brightly just moments ago, suddenly wore a gloomy expression.

“When you think about it, aren’t we quite pathetic?”

“Why?”

“What good is earning hundreds of millions of pounds from winning the championship? If we win, we’ll simultaneously lose the greatest star in the club’s history.”

“Hey, why are you suddenly bringing up depressing stuff?”

McManaman’s words suddenly cast a pall over the atmosphere.

If the team were to win the league, there would be no greater joy, but at the same time, it would be the saddest thing.

Because that day would also be Johann’s retirement day.

“I know, why did we make such a promise?”

“Surely, we didn’t think we’d actually get close to winning the championship back then. I still can’t believe it, to be honest.”

“How about changing the contract now?”

“Hey, do you want to get sued?”

“That would send the team’s image crashing to the ground.”

“Johann might get upset and leave.”

It was too late to go back on their word now.

It was a terrible thing to do as adults, and Johann might be very disappointed and leave for another team.

They might end up losing Johann while trying to hold onto him.

Because of unnecessary greed.

“These days, it’s like this. I wake up smiling and go to bed depressed.”

“Still, isn’t it good that we can at least smile? Until a few years ago, there was nothing but depressing things.”

“That’s right. Let’s not be too sad and instead send him off in good spirits. Let’s throw him a proper farewell party.”

“Yeah. We’ve received such a great gift. A lucky charm came to us on his own, and we’ve come this far thanks to that luck. We have to repay him for that.”

“What would be good? Let’s each make a championship pledge.”

Yes.

A promise is a promise, and if they couldn’t break that promise.

Wouldn’t it be right to help him leave in the best possible mood?

A championship pledge.

The owners stroked their chins.

McManaman spoke first.

“2 billion. If we win the championship, I’ll give it to all the players and coaching staff.”

“2 billion, and 2 billion more.”

“Then, I’ll go with 3 billion. But make sure my name comes first.”

“Okay, deal.”

“That’s 7 billion then. About 250 million per person.”

“250 million per person. It feels a bit lacking. How about we put the Champions League on the line too?”

“Champions League win is double.”

“Deal.”

The owners called out “Deal” generously.

But, but even so, something was missing.

They wanted to put something more special on the line than money.

“How about this? Whether it’s the league championship or the Champions League championship. Wouldn’t it be the first time in club history?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s do this. The player who is selected as the League Player of the Year or the Champions League MVP [Most Valuable Player]. Let’s erect a statue of that player. At the entrance of the London Stadium.”

“Oho.”

“That sounds good? We’re putting up honor that’s harder to obtain than money.”

A statue at the entrance of the home stadium.

It was a treatment that even most legends didn’t receive.

Especially for an active player.

However, if it was a player who led the club to its first championship, they would be qualified to receive such treatment.

It would be West Ham’s first championship in 130 years since its founding.

Man U [Manchester United] had also erected a statue of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, and Manchester City had also erected statues of Vincent Kompany, David Silva, and Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium.

If they were the main players in the first championship since the club’s founding, they would naturally be worthy of becoming the face of the London Stadium.

“I hope we can erect a statue.”

“I agree.”

Could a statue really be erected at the London Stadium?

If it were erected, who would be the main character?

It was something they would find out at the end of the season.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“A statue, huh. This is driving me crazy.”

“My statue will be erected at the London Stadium?”

“But if my statue is made, does that mean I can’t transfer?”

“Keep dreaming, everyone. Even if we win the championship, none of your statues will be erected.”

“Your statue won’t be erected either, Capello.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Who else but me would receive the MVP?”

“Are you serious? It’ll be the guy who spoons you all the assists.”

“You’re the one who’ll be feeding them goals. You don’t know anything about soccer.”

The players who heard the news of the championship bonus couldn’t hide their excitement.

It was no wonder.

Wasn’t it an exhilarating thing to imagine?

The face of West Ham.

The spiritual home of the Hammers [nickname for West Ham United].

To have their statue erected at the London Stadium.

Of course, winning the championship wasn’t an easy task.

The atmosphere in the squad was very positive, and the clear motivation injected vitality into the tired squad.

Thanks to that, West Ham won their 11th consecutive game with a 2-0 victory against Brentford in the 11th round of the league, a week after the Liverpool game.

On this day, after finishing the away games that felt particularly long and returning home.

Originally, it was the Brentford game where most of the starting players were scheduled to rest.

However, some players’ desire to play was so strong that manager Schmidt couldn’t stop them, so they played in the game that day.

One of them was Capello.

Capello was the player who was most affected by the special perks of winning the league or the Champions League.

Well, he was completely out of his mind.

Wasn’t Capello someone who wouldn’t lose to anyone when it came to self-love?

There was no way that such a Capello would want to give up the opportunity to have his statue erected at the home stadium.

So Capello had even quit soda.

To manage his condition even a little better.

For Capello, who had to have soda with every meal, to quit his favorite soda.

The statue construction pledge was huge.

Anyway, whether it was because of that effect, Capello received the MOM [Man of the Match] award in the Brentford game, taking a step closer to becoming the statue’s main character.

Of course, it remained to be seen whether he could catch up with Johann.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“Dad.”

“Yeah?”

“Every time I come here, I’ve envied that.”

“That?”

“Yes.”

“Me too.”

Arsenal’s home stadium, Emirates Stadium.

Ban Seok-ho and Rohan visited this place to watch the 12th round of the league.

Arsenal, who were in a good mood with 7 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses this season, were West Ham’s opponents in the 12th round.

What Rohan was pointing at was the statue of Thierry Henry, doing a knee-sliding celebration in front of the stadium.

“As a Hammer, I envied Arsenal for having a legend that everyone could envy. And as a player, I envied Henry for becoming a legend to the point where the club erected a statue for him.”

“I wonder what it feels like. To see your statue guarding the home stadium.”

“I don’t know. I’m not close to Henry, so I can’t ask him. Let’s ask Johann later.”

“I guess we’ll have to. I don’t think we’ll get a proper answer though.”

The owners’ pledge made Ban Seok-ho and Rohan’s hearts flutter as well.

Honestly, he had the highest chance.

If West Ham were to win the championship, the highest chance was that Johann would be the number one contributor to that victory.

It was like, Ban Seok-ho and Rohan had complicated feelings.

Winning the club championship was a scene they wanted to see more than anything.

But the fact that they wouldn’t be able to see Johann on the ground anymore made them depressed.

But, if Johann’s statue were to be erected at this London Stadium.

It would be a really big comfort.

Because they could always remember the brilliant moment when he roamed the ground, whenever they came here.

“Well, let’s enjoy the present for now. Today is the day we can see the living, breathing Johann on the ground.”

“Yes.”

Ban Seok-ho and Rohan smiled and headed to the Emirates Stadium.

Before this season, the atmosphere at Arsenal was very clear.

Arsenal had miraculously overtaken Chelsea at the end of the season to secure a Champions League ticket.

Thanks to that, Arsenal was able to spend this summer more fruitfully.

The young three-top, called the ‘Three Young Gunners,’ were getting closer to their prime as the season progressed, and defenders Danny White and midfielder Renato Echo, who were selected for the PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association] Team of the Year, signed long-term contract extensions, delighting fans.

In addition, Arsenal completed their squad by successfully signing Inter Milan’s key midfielder, Federico Chierny.

-The changed Arsenal, the Champions League ticket was not won by luck!

-Arsenal aiming for the championship beyond 4snal [a play on Arsenal’s name, implying they always finish fourth]… How did Arsenal become a strong team?

-Which team should we pay attention to this season? ‘He plays soccer differently alone’

-Return to beautiful soccer, Arsenal of memories has returned.

Other team fans may have laughed, but Arsenal was confident before the season.

That they wouldn’t be able to keep laughing like that when the season started.

And, in reality.

The performance that Arsenal showed for 11 rounds after the season started proved that they were right to be so confident.

A record of 7 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses.

Of those 2 losses, they were defeated by Man City [Manchester City] and Man U [Manchester United], but Arsenal’s performance in those games was also good.

“Everyone’s skills are good. It’s no exaggeration to say that they are comparable to Barcelona. However, the difference is that Arsenal’s pass tempo is much faster. It could be a more difficult opponent for us.”

Manager Schmidt’s words that Arsenal could be a more difficult opponent than Barcelona were sincere.

Both teams have very good technique for each individual player.

Thanks to that, they are very good at escaping pressure and passing plays.

However, Arsenal players tended to enjoy playing with their teammates much more than Barcelona players.

From the back to the front.

Scenes of continuing with only one-touch passes were quite frequent.

In order to keep up with such a fast tempo of passing play, you must not lose your concentration for even a moment.

From the opponent’s point of view, the fatigue is bound to be considerable.

Therefore, the point of this game was how to effectively cut off Arsenal’s fast tempo and bring the game to West Ham’s tempo.

“There’s no need to worry. I’ll take care of it.”

“Okay. Okay, Capello. Coordinate well.”

So Capello’s role was important in this game, and Capello was happy about that.