Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 192

< The Idiots >

– [World Cup Qualifiers Final Round] England defeats Estonia, secures first place in group and direct qualification to World Cup!

– [2030 World Cup] Group draw tomorrow at 8 PM… What’s the best possible group for England?

– [2030 World Cup] Group draw complete! England confirmed in Group C… Round of 32 should be no problem

– World Cup Group Draw Summary! Which group is the Group of Death? ‘Groups A and F’

– Who will England face if they advance to the Round of 32?

Even without Johan, England successfully advanced to the World Cup finals without much difficulty.

Well, even in the era when 32 countries participated, England always made it to the finals.

In this day and age, with 48 countries participating, qualifying for the finals wasn’t difficult.

The problem wasn’t the finals, but the knockout stage that followed.

England’s goal in this World Cup was to win.

A victory after 64 years.

They saw this as the perfect opportunity.

Having won the Euros, with all the Euro-winning team members still in their prime, and with the stable management of manager Ranieri, who had been in charge of the team for a long time.

England was definitely a strong team heading into the finals and had the potential to be considered a contender for the championship.

However, these reasons were all secondary.

From the start, England was considered a favorite only because Johan was there.

Wasn’t the Euro victory also due to Johan’s carrying the team?

Without Johan, could England have achieved such an overwhelming victory?

So, when Johan retired, it was only natural that England fell behind Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and France in the list of championship contenders.

As the tournament approached, such assessments increased even more.

The real problem was the number 9, the striker.

└Why do you think Tottenham sold him? They noticed his form was declining and got rid of him.

└They shouldn’t have bought a player from a rival club so readily. They should have been suspicious.

└Everyone knows there was no other choice back then.

└Wouldn’t Kane be better than Maguire? Considering current form, Kane would be better.

└Kane is too old… It’s impossible to use him as a starter.

Mason Maguire, who transferred from Tottenham to West Ham during the summer transfer window.

Maguire was already a player with World Cup experience and was originally expected to be England’s striker until the 2030 World Cup.

However, after Johan appeared, Maguire’s place in the national team was relegated to the bench.

Was that the beginning of his decline?

Coincidentally, as Johan and West Ham rose to prominence, Tottenham’s performance began to decline, and Maguire’s form also deteriorated.

What about this season?

Maguire was having the worst season of his career.

Well, some argued that it was understandable.

Maguire was tasked with filling Johan’s void in both West Ham and the England national team.

The pressure was bound to be immense.

He wasn’t just any decent player; he was succeeding a legendary player.

It would take time.

However, most fans weren’t interested in Maguire’s circumstances.

The important thing was the result.

What kind of form he showed in the league, whether he could carry that form to the World Cup, and what results he could produce were all that mattered.

Most people agreed.

With the current Mason Maguire, they couldn’t win the World Cup.

Not only win, but even reaching the semi-finals was questionable.

So, the voice that was slowly rising was the voice that wanted Johan’s return.

└The answer is one… He needs to come back, even if it’s just for a short term.

└What is Ranieri doing? He should be visiting him every night, grabbing his pant leg and begging.

└He might already be doing that.

└There was a reason why the Germans and French were celebrating Johan’s retirement.

└If we only had Johan, we wouldn’t have to worry about anything.

└Please make a national decision…!

└Johan’s return prayer, day 97.

At first, it was just the fans’ voices.

West Ham fans had been hoping for a reversal of his retirement since the league title was within reach.

Other fans, while happy not to face Johan, saw England struggling and opposed ‘Johan’s return to West Ham’ but supported ‘a short-term return to the national team’.

However, the voice that only fans were making began to grow as the World Cup slowly approached.

– [Friendly Match] England 1 : 2 Sweden

– England loses to Sweden despite starting all key players, serious problems with goal scoring ability

– [Friendly Match] England, shocking draw with Hungary

– ‘Despite 16 shots…’ Mason Maguire, most shots in the team with 6, but no goals

– [Friendly Match] England 1 : 3 Netherlands

– 1 draw and 2 losses in friendly matches… More serious than expected

– [World Cup D-57] England, are they okay like this?

After winter passed, with the World Cup about two months away.

The England national team had an underwhelming record of 1 draw and 2 losses in three friendly matches.

In fact, the results of friendly matches aren’t that important, but this was serious.

Especially Sweden and Hungary, weren’t they the teams that were crushed during the last Euros [European Championship]?

Since they lost or drew against those two teams, it was only natural that public opinion began to boil.

And that public opinion spread throughout the country, eventually escalating the matter.

The ‘British Royal Family’ even released a statement wishing for Johan’s return.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“Lord.”

“?”

“You are a nobleman who received a knighthood from the British Royal Family, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, you also have a duty to obey the Royal Family’s orders.”

“Orders?”

Lohan suppressed a laugh at Johan’s change in tone when he mentioned nobility.

What a simple guy.

“Haven’t you heard yet? The Royal Family has issued a statement regarding you.”

“Recite it.”

“The Royal Family hopes that you will participate in this World Cup for the honor of the nation.”

“…What? Don’t joke around.”

“It’s true, sir. Take a look at this.”

“…It’s real.”

Johan scratched his head.

It’s real.

The Royal Family said they wanted him to play in the World Cup for England.

“What grade of medal did you receive?”

“Grade 3.”

“They say if you win this World Cup, they might award you a Grade 1 medal?”

“Grade 1…?”

They’re giving me a Grade 1 medal?

That’s a bit interesting.

Honestly, when he received the Grade 3 medal, he was happy.

But Johan later realized that it wasn’t as great as he thought it would be.

But if it’s Grade 1, wouldn’t it be different?

“Hmm.”

Johan stroked his chin and fell into thought.

*

Since things had escalated, it was difficult for Johan to remain silent.

Whether he should make a brief comeback as many people wished, or refuse and tell them to take care of their own problems.

He felt like he had to express his position.

There was no obligation to return at all.

Well, the Royal Family wanted it, but it wasn’t an order, just a request, so there was no reason to comply unconditionally.

The World Cup was only about a month away, but looking at it differently, it was also a long time.

It felt very bothersome.

But he was conflicted.

There were so many people who wanted him to return, and these days, he felt sorry for his dad and brother.

They didn’t have many days to smile because the team’s performance wasn’t good.

Of course, not only those two, but also his teammates and the manager.

Bellamy: Johan

Bellamy: Are you asleep?

Bellamy: I had a drink, bro…

Bellamy: I’m having a hard time these days…

Bellamy: I just suddenly thought of you…

Bellamy: Are you doing well?

He must be having a hard time if he’s sending messages like this.

Sigh.

“Ah, these idiots. Really.”

After much deliberation, Johan vigorously scratched his head and eventually gave up.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“What? Is that real? Really?”

“Is it true? Are you serious?”

“Really? He made up his mind? That guy?”

“He said he’ll play?”

“That guy…? Hmm. This is going to be interesting.”

“Yes! That’s it!”

Everyone couldn’t help but be surprised.

Lohan, Ban Seok-ho, Manager Schmidt, Manager Ranieri, and even his former teammates.

Also, all Premier League fans and soccer fans around the world.

The whole world was turned upside down by Johan’s decision.

– Johan Ban, surprise comeback announcement… “Only for the World Cup.”

– England national team manager Chris Ranieri, “Johan’s return is very welcome… All worries disappear.”

– Chairman McManaman, “If he wants, he can return to the team at any time. We’ll just make room for him.”

– What is the world’s reaction to Johan’s return? “As a soccer fan, I’m happy, but as someone who supports my own country, it’s a disaster.”

– Common reaction from countries in the same group who said ‘It’s worth a try’… “We’re doomed.”

– Bookmakers’ odds fluctuate with the news of Johan’s return! England, who was 7th, returns to 1st place

– ‘The championship favorite is back’ England, back as the strongest championship contender

Johan told Rohan about his decision to participate in the World Cup, and Rohan immediately told Manager Schmidt the news.

Manager Schmidt immediately spoke with club officials and said that if Johan wanted, he could join the team at any time to train and regain his game sense.

Even though it’s Johan, the club was willing to be considerate since he hadn’t trained or played in any games for almost a year.

Not only West Ham, but also other teams like Manchester City and Manchester United contacted him saying he could come.

But, well, he had no intention of doing that.

He also made his intentions clear to West Ham.

He would only play one game.

He didn’t need more than that.

Thus,

The news of Johan’s short-term return ignited the hearts of soccer fans who were already excited about the upcoming World Cup.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“But, I’m actually a little worried.”

“Worried?”

“It hasn’t even been a year, but he hasn’t played soccer or exercised at all. Thanks to that, he’s gained a lot of weight. It’s impossible to expect the same level of performance as before.”

“That’s true.”

May 15, 2030.

London Stadium.

With the stadium more crowded than usual.

Rohan and Ban Seok-ho are waiting for the game to start with nervous faces.

Today’s game is the 37th round of the league, against Everton.

It was a pretty important game.

After entering the second half of the season, the team had rebounded a lot compared to the first half, and the team, which had once fallen to 8th place, had succeeded in climbing to 6th place.

However, they had not yet secured a place in the Europa League [a European club football competition].

If they win today’s game, they will secure 6th place, but if they lose, they will have to watch until the last game.

In such a game, Johan is playing.

It’s his comeback after a year.

I trust Johan more than anyone else, but I can’t help but be worried.

It’s been quite a while since he’s been resting, and his physical condition has changed a lot during that resting period compared to when he was active.

He didn’t have time to rebuild his body because of his sudden decision to return.

No matter how good Johan is, considering his physical condition, which isn’t 100 percent, and his game sense, which is bound to be diminished.

It would be difficult to expect Johan to perform at his best today.

It would be right to see it as a success if he showed only half of what he used to, or even half of that.

“Still, everyone seems happy just to be able to see Johan again.”

“But, disappointment is greater when expectations are high…”

What Rohan is worried about is whether the fans will be disappointed with Johan’s performance.

If there is a big gap between the Johan they remember and the Johan they will see today.

They can’t help but be disappointed.

Maybe they will miss the old Johan even more.

To be honest, when Johan said he would go to the World Cup, I was thrilled.

But on the other hand, Rohan wondered if he should stop him.

If he had decided even three months earlier, there would have been no worries.

But the World Cup is only a month away.

Well.

He definitely won’t be the same as before…

Thus, with Rohan worried and Ban Seok-ho firmly believing in Johan, and the fans watching with half worry and half excitement.

“BEEEEEEEP-!”

Johan ran on the ground for the first time in a long time.

And,

When the game ended.

Rohan realized.

He had forgotten for a moment what kind of guy Johan was because he only saw him lazing around at home every day.

He was worried for nothing.

└I told you lolololol Even if he runs with that body, he’s better than Maguire lololol

└OMG It’s been so refreshing after a long time!!

└That’s it lololol That’s Johan lololol

└Just light… A ray of light that came down to save England…

└Did Johan play today? I couldn’t see him because he was so dazzling

└The Football’s Coming Home [a popular English football chant]

└Wow, how can he be so flexible and fast with that body

└I regret doubting him for a moment after seeing his uniform so tight… Shout! Ban God!

└No, how can he do better than the active players without training at all??

└Info) Johan hardly trained even when he was active

└Anyway, he’s always been playing soccer with his natural talent, so why would he go anywhere just because he took a break lololol

└Patience is a virtue lololol

└World Cup, just you wait lololol

What is innate doesn’t go anywhere.

Johan was Johan, and Rohan and Ban Seok-ho’s hearts started beating again.