Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 140

< The Field Where Romance Lives -140>

“Good game to you.”

“Likewise.”

The managers of both teams exchange handshakes before the game.

Manchester City’s manager, Jose Ernesto, sat on the bench and ran a hand over his dry face.

‘If I had met him when I was younger, I might have pissed my pants.’

Ernesto shuddered at the strange aura emanating from Manager Schmidt.

He was smiling, but the smile was strangely frightening.

He’s an amiable-looking white-haired old man now, but if he had faced Manager Schmidt when he was even a little younger, it would have been truly terrifying.

Frankly, it was a bit embarrassing.

And he felt sorry.

It was because of the story that had been circulating before the game.

The story that the club was targeting West Ham players.

The fact that the story came out just before this game made the intention clear to anyone.

No, even if that wasn’t the intention from the start, it was impossible not to think that way.

The purpose was to internally shake up West Ham, which was in good spirits.

That was true.

Ernesto had no intention of denying it.

But it wasn’t his intention.

It was the work of someone inside the club.

Frankly speaking, even if it wasn’t a violation of the rules, wasn’t it a bit of a cheap shot?

To take away players from a competing team with money.

Even if there was no intention of actually taking them, just spreading such stories was wrong.

No, that would be even more of a cheap shot.

Ernesto had no intention of eliminating competitors in that way and climbing to the top himself.

What? Why did someone with such thoughts beg so much for Johan’s recruitment?

No, that wasn’t to weaken West Ham’s power.

Johan was just the ideal player he had in mind, and that’s why he wanted him.

What manager in the world wouldn’t want Johan?

The reason he was getting criticized was simply because Manchester City was a team with a lot of money.

In fact, even the manager of Norwich City in the second division would want to sign Johan.

It’s just that the club doesn’t have the money to do so.

Manchester City has the money, so people are pointing fingers.

‘Anyway…’

Ernesto thought as he watched the players enter the field.

Ernesto’s gaze turned to Jonathan Neeson and Jacob Buckley.

Even though it wasn’t his intention, and he even felt ashamed of it.

He had no intention of denying what had already happened.

Those two would definitely have a slightly different mindset going into today’s game.

Because something unexpected had happened to them.

Look at the players who have been linked with Manchester City so far.

It starts at a base of 70 to 80 billion won [approximately 50-60 million USD, depending on the exchange rate].

It means that only the hottest items in the transfer market have always been linked with Manchester City.

To be honest, Neeson and Buckley aren’t at that level.

When West Ham signed them, their transfer fees were around 20 to 30 billion won [approximately 15-22 million USD].

Now, after a season, their value as determined by the transfer market is around 40 to 50 billion won [approximately 30-37 million USD].

It’s gone up a lot, but it’s still a small amount of money for Manchester City.

However, if they could bring in Johan by bringing them in.

The club was willing to pay much more than just 40 to 50 billion won.

Rumor has it that their transfer fees are set at 60 to 70 billion won [approximately 45-52 million USD].

Of course, that’s the obvious amount because of the buyout clause, but the important thing is that Manchester City is a team that can spend that without hesitation.

Manchester City is trying to sign Johan, whose market value is estimated at 250 million euros (about 340 billion won) [approximately 365 million USD], so would 60 to 70 billion won be a problem?

Of course, their salaries would also be at a level that West Ham couldn’t compare to.

It would be strange if they didn’t feel confused after hearing that story.

Players who were unknown until two years ago are receiving attention from Manchester City?

And so specifically that club reporters are talking about it directly?

The winter transfer market is only a few months away.

After a few more games, it will already be January.

It’s not something in the distant future, but something that’s just around the corner.

‘At least think about it, friends.’

Ernesto stroked his chin as he watched Neeson and Buckley.

*

“Cheap bastards.”

“They think they can get away with anything with money.”

“Money isn’t everything in the world.”

“Well, it is most of it, though.”

“Ahem.”

Ban Seok-ho and Rohan, father and son, visited the stadium again today.

Manchester City is a team that you just can’t bring yourself to like.

As a West Ham fan who has consistently produced excellent promising players, it’s even more so.

There’s Jack Price, who’s wearing a Manchester City uniform and playing there, and it’s not like they’ve only been robbed of one or two players.

Since Johan’s debut, they’ve been constantly drooling and flirting with him.

Well, but it was also the inevitable reality of this world.

Of course, it’s right to be able to curse from a fan’s point of view, but isn’t that so?

There’s no reason not to use it if you have a lot of money.

All teams want to sign good players, and it’s up to the players to choose.

It is perfectly natural and very normal for players to go to teams that offer better conditions.

But the story that’s circulating this time is a bit different.

The fact that Manchester City is targeting Neeson and Buckley at the same time was a very intentional thing.

Isn’t that saying that they can’t buy Johan with money, so they’re taking his colleagues hostage?

The wording is a bit harsh, but it’s not wrong.

West Ham fans couldn’t help but be outraged.

“Do they think that’ll work?”

“Neeson and Buckley’s loyalty can’t be shaken by money. They’re players who like playing with Johan more than anyone else.”

“Hmm. Is that… so?”

“I guess so.”

Most of the fans were reacting by saying they believed in Neeson and Buckley.

Would they really leave?

Of course, both players had only joined West Ham recently.

Neither of them were youth academy-bred players, nor were they players whose dream club was West Ham.

In fact, if you think about it, it wouldn’t be strange if they left for Manchester City right away.

No, rather, that’s the obvious thing to do.

However, the loyalty and dedication that the two players have shown to the club so far has been as good as any youth academy player.

Haven’t they always revealed it through interviews?

They both said they wanted to lift the championship trophy at West Ham and retire at West Ham.

No matter how much money Manchester City gives them, there was a belief among the fans that they would stay with the team.

“Actually, Jack Betrayal was also a more loyal player than anyone else…”

“Ahem.”

Well, if you think about the fact that Jack Price was also a more loyal player than anyone else until he left the team.

It may be closer to a wish than a belief.

“Beat them! Show them that there’s no need to go from West Ham to a team like Manchester City!”

“Yeah! Why would you go to a team that’s lower in the rankings?”

Anyway, the fans wanted them to show it through today’s game.

That there was no reason for them to go to Manchester City.

*

The game has begun.

Today, for various reasons, the players of both teams are motivated.

It’s natural because they are the most concerned about each other in the league championship.

In particular, Granach was looking at Johan intently and was determined to do his best, and Neeson and Buckley were ready to give their lives for the team’s victory today so that no other voices would come out.

Of course, Johan also looks a little different today.

The reason why he is standing here, the reason why he still has to go to the training ground is because of Manchester City.

He can’t just do it moderately.

As expected, the game was on fire from the beginning.

The game between the two teams was always in the form of Manchester City taking the initiative and playing the game, and West Ham aiming for counterattacks after defending first.

But today was different.

Perhaps the games against Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona gave West Ham a lot of confidence.

They realized that there was no reason to just defend and endure even when facing mega clubs that are classified as tier 1 throughout Europe.

Of course, Manchester City is the same, but the feeling of domestic teams in the league and overseas teams that you only hear about is different.

They played equally, or even superiorly, against teams they only saw on TV.

Why would they be afraid of Manchester City?

West Ham pushed hard and put out a counterattack.

“Pass quickly!”

“Don’t drag the ball! Speed up the tempo!”

Manchester City seemed a little embarrassed by West Ham’s momentum.

Before today’s game, Manager Ernesto ordered the players to play with the mindset that they were underdogs.

Of course, it meant not to be complacent.

But when they actually entered the game, it was to the point where they wondered if they were really the underdogs.

That’s how fearlessly the West Ham players were running towards the ball.

Of course, this may make it easier for Manchester City to play the game.

The side that is easier to score is the latter, between the side that is determined to crouch down and the side that rushes to fight.

West Ham’s back space was quite wide than usual.

“Hey!”

Ppeoeoeoeong-!

At the shout from the front, Jack Price stabbed a lobbing pass.

The target is Granach.

Granach tries to break the line and runs towards the pass.

But,

“Bbiiek-!”

The assistant referee’s flag was raised.

Offside.

“Good!”

Shay Bellamy shows a thumbs up to his teammates.

It is West Ham’s defense that can use bold offside traps thanks to Bellamy.

Of course, it is a dangerous method, so you can’t use it all the time.

However, Granach was not a fast player. Even if the trap failed, they judged that they could catch up enough.

Moreover, Samir Rishard is not here today.

“…”

Granach kicks the grass and turns around at the offside decision.

His pride was quite hurt.

Because Granach also knows.

The reason why West Ham can use bold offside traps.

“…Tsk.”

Granach spat as he looked at his fellow defenders who were far away in the back, unlike West Ham.

*

Manchester City is a team that unconditionally raises the line and plays the game.

No matter who the opponent is.

That’s how it was last season, and that’s how it was the season before last.

This season was no exception.

However, today was an exception.

Raising the line against Johan was an unbearable gamble.

Of course, if you do well, you might be able to trap him in offside hell.

But if you miss it even once.

The price afterwards is obvious.

Therefore, Manchester City was playing with the line down, even if it meant giving up the advantages that could be gained when raising the line and playing the game.

Of course, it’s just a relatively lowered line.

From Manchester City’s point of view, they lowered it a lot, but from a general point of view, it’s just a textbook positioning.

But that was something that gave West Ham a lot of confidence.

Manchester City moved the line back.

What’s the reason?

They’re afraid.

Of being beaten by Johan.

The sight of the opponent being afraid was enough to give them confidence.

The West Ham players, who were full of confidence, pressed Manchester City even harder.

Especially Neeson and Buckley.

Due to their active pressure, Manchester City is not showing a smooth build-up.

In addition, West Ham’s defense line is also high, so Manchester City’s attack continues to be made with long passes that skip the build-up.

Granach’s slow speed is holding them back, and there are no good chances.

In the end, it was enough for Manchester City to think that this wouldn’t work.

Even if pressure comes in, overcoming it and solving it is Manchester City’s original style.

Paang-

Paang-!

Manchester City is passing the ball back and forth from the rear.

It seems like they are trying to attempt Manchester City’s unique build-up through short passes this time.

Tatatat-!

Buckley runs in without fail.

‘Already?’

Manchester City’s defender, Juan Milito, who caught the ball, was momentarily embarrassed.

Milito had clearly checked Buckley’s position before receiving the pass.

But when he raised his head again after receiving the pass.

The guy was running in from a much closer position than he thought.

What the hell is that guy running around like there’s no tomorrow?

Paang-!

Milito hurriedly turns the ball to the side.

But that pass was too hasty.

At the same time as Buckley put pressure on Milito, Neeson was also running, grasping the route that the pass could go.

Paang-!

Neeson cuts off Milito’s pass.

As soon as Neeson cut off the ball,

“…”

He checked Johan’s position first.