Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 139

< Chapter 139 - A Field Where Romance Lives >

Manchester City, the only team that truly ignites Johan’s competitive spirit.

Having snatched the league title last season, thus robbing him of a chance to retire, Manchester City was smoothly sailing this season as well.

10 wins and 3 draws in 13 rounds.

It’s a bit of a shame that there are quite a few draws, but Manchester City is aiming for consecutive championships, remaining undefeated.

“They’re doing better than I thought.”

Rohan said, analyzing Manchester City’s performance indicators for this season.

Stefan Granach, the striker who newly joined this season.

He’s doing quite well.

He’s appeared in 10 games, 7 of which were full-time, and he’s recorded 7 goals and 2 assists.

Considering it’s his first season, it’s fair to say he’s exceeding expectations.

“But Manchester City fans don’t seem entirely satisfied.”

Of course, Manchester City fans don’t seem completely satisfied yet.

Well, it can’t be helped, because what they really wanted in the first place was Johan.

Since Johan has already scored 17 goals, Granach’s 7 goals won’t be enough to catch their eye.

In that respect, Granach is also in a tough situation.

He came as Johan’s replacement (?), and is being unfairly criticized.

It’s too harsh to be compared to an absurd monster who scores 17 goals in 8 games.

“So, we might need to be a bit careful.”

Considering that, it seemed necessary to be especially wary of Granach in this game.

He must feel unfairly treated, so wouldn’t he want to prove himself?

Let’s hope the unfair criticism stops.

He’s also a valuable striker, so let’s stop talking about signing strikers from other teams.

“I already feel sorry for him.”

However, Rohan thought that Granach would suffer even more mentally after this game.

Unfortunately, Johan is going to show them why Manchester City fans still want to sign Johan, even though Granach has arrived.

Rohan closed his laptop and went out to the living room.

Johan is eating in the kitchen.

“Hey, little brother.”

“?”

“What day is this Sunday again?”

“…”

Johan crunched on a carrot at Rohan’s question.

“The day to devour Manchester City.”

“That’s right.”

See?

He says he’s going to devour them.

Poor Granach.

I hope he takes good care of his mental state.

ㆍㆍㆍ

-Manchester City, what’s the biggest difference from last season? Increased scoring rate inside the box

-Manchester City earns 3 points with a dramatic extra-time goal… The problem solver is Granach

-Stefan Granach’s first season in the PL [Premier League], a faster scoring pace than expected!

In fact, Manchester City fans knew it well.

That signing Stefan Granach was a success.

Granach has already scored 7 goals in 13 rounds.

Moreover, the quality of those goals was high.

4 out of 7 goals were game-winning goals.

Goals that brought 3 points.

Wasn’t this exactly the striker Manchester City wanted?

Someone to step up when the game isn’t going well, when something is lacking by just a bit.

A problem solver who can resolve that.

Granach was clearly filling the role that the team needed.

If Johan Van didn’t exist, Granach would have already become the idol of Manchester City fans.

Yes, that’s the problem.

Having set foot in the Premier League, especially having joined Manchester City, he can’t avoid comparison with Johan.

It was actually a funny thing.

The very fact that City fans think of Granach as Johan’s replacement.

Johan is a player who has no connection with Manchester City in the first place.

The transfer rumors that circulated were just unilateral transfer rumors that Manchester City was trying to sign Johan.

There was never any indication that any mutual discussions took place.

Nevertheless, Manchester City fans have thought of Johan as if he were their own team player, as if he should come naturally if they call him.

Well, it wasn’t unreasonable considering their past successes.

Jack Price, who is currently the core of City, is a player who came over from West Ham.

Johan should be seen as a very unique case.

Well, some City fans applauded Johan, who is sticking to West Ham following in his father’s footsteps, as the last vestige of romance in this era.

Most of them were actually disappointed, saying they didn’t understand.

In the process, Granach had no choice but to be constantly compared to Johan.

“Tonight’s Midnight Football, key player analysis will be with Shearer.”

“Since when did I become ‘Shearer’?”

“Since yesterday. Anyway, the production team was divided on whether it was right to have Shearer on at this time.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t Shearer a hardcore Johan fan?”

“I’m more objective than anyone else.”

“Isn’t Shearer the one who compares all strikers to Johan and spews harsh words?”

“What can I do if that’s an objective fact?”

Granach was in a harsh situation even on a football-specialized broadcast ahead of the 14th round.

“Anyway. The main big match of this 14th round is the game between West Ham and Manchester City. And the two players we’ve selected as key players for this game are Johan Van and Stefan Granach.”

“If Granach is watching this broadcast, please turn off the TV now.”

“You’ve prepared some tremendous harsh words again.”

“Rather than harsh words, it’s a fact bomb. I only speak facts based on records.”

“Then, shall we take a look at the records?”

As the host gestured, the records of the two players appeared on the screen.

Several items were aligned in the center, with Johan’s record on the left and Granach’s record on the right.

The record of the one who is ahead is marked in red, and the side with overwhelmingly more red was the left.

“Let me say again, Granach. Please change the channel now.”

“Let’s look at the scoring record first. Johan has 17 goals, Granach has 7 goals.”

“It’s an embarrassing difference.”

“But there’s an important point here. The number of shots by both players. Johan has 41 shots, 31 of which were on target. Granach has 50 shots, 21 of which were on target.”

“Granach actually has more shots. But Johan has 10 more shots on target.”

“It’s an amazing ratio. If you take four shots, three of them are on target, and two of them are goals. Johan is literally a one-shot, one-kill, an assassin.”

“Actually, Granach’s shooting record isn’t bad, is it?”

“It’s rather good. Johan’s is just ridiculous.”

The harsh comparison to Granach continued.

“Two of Granach’s 7 goals were from PKs [penalty kicks]. On the other hand, all of Johan’s goals were field goals. Of course, we shouldn’t underestimate scoring with a PK. A PK is also a clear goal. However, it’s easier than a field goal anyway.”

“The ratio of goals scored with both feet by the two players is also noticeable.”

“It’s a pretty important point. Granach is a left-footed striker. It’s a pretty unique type. However, there’s been some criticism that he’s too dependent on it. In fact, he scored 5 of his 7 goals with his left foot, including PKs. It’s quite extreme. On the other hand, Johan scored 7 goals with his left foot, 8 goals with his right foot. The remaining 2 goals were headers.”

“Perfect ambidexterity.”

Granach’s left foot, which is considered his strength.

However, Johan scored more goals with his left foot than Granach, and even more with his right foot.

He uses his left foot better than a player who is a left-footed specialist, but he uses his right foot even better.

“Let’s look at the xG value, the expected goals. Granach has 7 goals from an expected goal value of 9.4. Johan has 17 goals from an expected goal value of 10.7.”

“Is that why most of Johan’s goals feel like he’s ridiculously forcing them in?”

“That’s right. If Granach missed about two chances in scenes where he should have scored, Johan scored 7 more goals in situations where he couldn’t expect to score. He literally forced them in.”

After finishing the comparison, the host let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.

“If I were Granach, I’d feel wronged. The comparison target is ridiculous.”

“That’s why I told you to change the channel. Anyone can look bad when compared to Johan. But Granach is definitely a player who is doing his part. City fans will admit that part.”

“But it’s also true that they’re not 100 percent satisfied. Because what they wanted was Johan.”

“Isn’t it a wonderful thing? City fans will curse at me, but I have to say what I have to say. It’s an era where everything can be done with money. But Manchester City couldn’t buy Johan with money. I think Johan is showing that there’s still romance alive in football.”

“A player whose goal is to make his father’s team, West Ham, champions. That’s romantic.”

In the end, the broadcast was flowing into a eulogy for Johan.

And the TV in a hotel room in Manchester, where that broadcast was playing, was turned off.

‘I should have listened…’

I should have changed the channel when they told me to.

Granach gritted his teeth in regret.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“Yo, who are these guys? Aren’t they the big prospects who are being linked to big clubs?”

“Is today your showcase? If you’re going to do it, make a strong impression. That’s how you get paid more.”

“Hey. Don’t say ridiculous things.”

On the day of the 14th round match against Manchester City.

West Ham players laugh and tease Jacob Buckley and Jonathan Neason.

Linked to big clubs?

What they’re talking about is the transfer rumors that have been circulating for a few days.

That is, Manchester City is aiming for both Neason and Buckley at the same time.

-Manchester City, aiming for West Ham duo this winter··· Neason and Buckley in the running for acquisition

-If Johan doesn’t work out, at least his teammates? Why is City aiming for Neason and Buckley?

-If the two go to City, how much will they receive? Salary multiplied several times

-[Photo] Jacob Buckley arrives at the training ground, with a worried look on his face?

-In response to transfer rumors··· Jonathan Neason remains meaningfully silent

Neason and Buckley laughed when they first saw these articles.

Honestly, they thought it was ridiculous.

Manchester City wants them?

How many good players does Manchester City have?

They just laughed, saying that there’s no such thing as this kind of tabloid rumor.

But.

-[Darren Chambers] Buckley, Neason acquisition stories are true. The club wants to acquire them as much as possible this winter.

-[Bill Tatum] A specific amount has also been set. A winter offer will come in.

-[Nick Dyson] The club has set a higher amount than expected. They are determined to bring them in.

The story began to come out of the mouths of Manchester City reporters, not just third-rate tabloids.

The atmosphere was no longer one that could be dismissed as a joke.

It was a story that couldn’t help but make the atmosphere feel uneasy.

Interest from Manchester City.

They were both virtually unknown until two years ago.

They didn’t receive much attention even when they came to West Ham.

But Manchester City, which wins championships like eating meals and signs only the best players in the world based on huge financial resources, is seriously considering signing them, so isn’t it inevitable that their hearts will be shaken?

Of course, they still had doubts.

Why they are trying to sign them.

Manchester City already has many good midfielders.

In particular, the left and right midfielders, which are the positions of these two, are world-class.

Even the starters and backups.

No matter how you look at it, there was no place for them to fit in.

Then, it was necessary to think about it the other way around.

Instead of strengthening Manchester City’s power by signing them, is it to weaken West Ham’s power?

Then it was worth nodding.

Neason and Buckley are sure starters for West Ham.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that they are even the core.

Because these two are the best at implementing Coach Schmidt’s football, which demands relentless effort.

Moreover, these two are the only ones who can cover Johan’s activity.

In the end, the story could lead to that.

That signing these two, who are essential core parts to utilize Johan to 100 percent, is a stepping stone for signing Johan.

That Manchester City still hasn’t given up on Johan.

A stepping stone for signing Johan.

“I heard it’s a huge amount.”

“That’s right. What kind of team is City?”

“If you endure it for even just two years, you’ll have enough money to live on for the rest of your life.”

Putting aside all sorts of reasons, it was definitely a tempting story.

Whether they intend to use them as starters, backups, or even not as backups, if they accept City’s offer, they will be able to secure a huge amount of money.

Moreover, having a big club called Manchester City in their career would also be of great help.

Even if they don’t play in the game, just being from Manchester City will result in a different price tag than before.

“Hey. If it were me, I would have gone without looking back.”

“Go when they call you. Do you think you’ll be able to receive an offer if it’s not at a time like this?”

“In the end, all that’s left is money. Loyalty doesn’t feed you. Money feeds you.”

Colleagues talking while chuckling.

It’s a joke, but it also contains sincerity.

However, the reason they can say that is because there is faith.

“Hey, don’t say such dog-like things. Where are we going? Do you see us as pushovers?”

“I’m not stupid.”

Buckley and Neason knew better than anyone else where they should be and where they can shine the most.

“Damn it, if we don’t do well today, it’s going to be really noisy, right?”