Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 78

< 077. Going Together >

“Why do you even set an alarm if you’re going to be like this? Seriously. Do you even think you’ll be able to live on your own when you grow up? I doubt it. You’ll probably have to live with Mom and Dad forever.”

Kim Ra-hee grumbled, picking up Yo-han’s phone.

He sets alarms, but they’re useless as always. She always has to wake him up herself.

Usually, his brother wakes him up, but he had something to do and left early today.

“Oh, my?”

Kim Ra-hee’s eyes widened as she fiddled with the phone to turn off the alarm.

She happened to glance at Yo-han’s message list, and there were hundreds of unread messages.

Kim Ra-hee clicked her tongue.

“You can’t even be bothered to read your messages. How are you going to get a girlfriend later?”

As she said that, the corners of Kim Ra-hee’s lips turned up. He’s still a mama’s boy at heart.

Even if he leaves hundreds of other people’s texts unread, he immediately replies to his mom’s messages.

She doesn’t know how he ended up with such a lazy personality, unlike his dad or brother, but she raised him to be a lovable son.

But, who sent him so many messages?

“Oh, I shouldn’t read them. Even if he’s my son, he has a right to privacy.”

Kim Ra-hee was startled and pulled her hand away, realizing she almost read his messages without permission.

She told herself that she wasn’t such an insensitive mother as to read her young son’s messages without permission.

But, she was still curious.

Kim Ra-hee closed one eye and squinted as she previewed the messages.

It’s okay as long as I don’t read them all.

TimGordon

Hey, kid, it’s boring without y······

JacobBuckley

Come quick and give Capello some tough love······

M.Yenkinson

Yo-han, I re-signed thanks to y······

The names all sounded familiar.

They’re his teammates.

A smile appeared on her face just from looking at them.

Thankfully, it seems like the older teammates all adore him as the youngest.

She was worried that Yo-han’s teammates might dislike him for playing too comfortably, but it seems like she was worrying for nothing.

“They’re all so cute.”

Kim Ra-hee, who never cared when Ban Seok-ho cried and laughed because of West Ham, now felt like all the West Ham players were her sons, thanks to Yo-han.

Kim Ra-hee smiled contentedly.

“Look at me. This is no time for this. Yo-han! Wake up!”

“Ugh…”

She pulled back the blanket and sat Yo-han up, who was slumped over.

Oh, he’s so heavy. When did he get so much bigger than his dad?

“Hurry up and wake up. You have to go to the stadium.”

“Ugh…”

Kim Ra-hee massaged his neck to wake him up as he kept dozing off while sitting.

She could feel the thick muscles in her hands, but to his mom, he’s still a baby.

Honestly, Kim Ra-hee still can’t watch her baby bumping into adults on that rough field.

When she closes her eyes and opens them again, the opponent is always on the ground, but still, it worries her.

“Don’t keep your teammates waiting, you have to go quickly. Get up now.”

“I’m awake…”

Kim Ra-hee smiled and patted Yo-han’s back, and Yo-han groggily grabbed some clothes and came out to the living room.

“Are you going to shower?”

“Umm… no…”

“Okay. Get in the car. I started it.”

“Okay…”

Yo-han left for work with his dad without showering.

Kim Ra-hee nagged Yo-han to shower at the stadium,

“I’ll be back.”

“Do well! I’ll be cheering for you at the stadium. Promise Mom you’ll score a hat trick today.”

“Okay…”

In the end, she smiled and saw Yo-han off.

Kim Ra-hee smiled contentedly as she watched the car drive away.

Her youngest, who had caused her so much worry, had become someone needed by so many people.

And he’s receiving an excessive amount of love.

As a parent, what could be happier than this?

“They’ll win today, right?”

She was already excited at the thought of cheering for Yo-han at the stadium and shouting in a little while.

Look at her.

Even though her husband is a soccer player, she never even looked at soccer until Yo-han made it fun.

When she goes to the stadium and shouts as much as she wants, her stress just melts away.

Of course, there are times when she watches with bated breath.

Because of that, she feels like her relationship with her husband has gotten even better these days. The day of Yo-han’s game is like a date day.

“Hehe.”

Kim Ra-hee laughed happily.

* * *

January 15, 2028, London Stadium.

West Ham welcomed Chelsea to their home.

This was the second league match against Chelsea this season.

In the 13th round, West Ham defeated Chelsea 3-2, thanks to Yo-han’s two goals and one assist.

The game was good not only in terms of results but also in terms of content, and this time it was at home, not Stamford Bridge.

West Ham’s home fans were hoping for a double, that is, two consecutive wins.

However, it seems that the game will not be easy to predict.

Chelsea is in a good mood with the recent return of injured players. In particular, Shay Bellamy, the core of the defense, has also returned and is named in the starting lineup.

Coincidentally, he was injured in the game against West Ham last November, so he will be making his comeback in the game against West Ham.

Chelsea, with its full strength, wants revenge for the last round.

It will be a difficult game for West Ham. In fact, in that game, Chelsea couldn’t play the game the way they wanted because an injured player came out early in the first half.

It could be different today. As the point difference between the two teams is not that big, a fierce game is expected.

Except for the Hammers [West Ham’s nickname], many experts predicted Chelsea’s victory today.

This is a result of reflecting the fact that Chelsea’s recent record in the last 5 games is very good with 4 wins and 1 draw, that Shay Bellamy, who had been out due to injury, is returning, and that the West Ham squad is generally experiencing a decline in physical strength.

These were valid analyses.

Chelsea is definitely a strong team.

Even though the squad was a ward for injuries due to a series of injuries until mid-December, Chelsea was maintaining its ranking. As the injured players returned and the team was fully equipped, they were on a winning streak again.

Meanwhile, the prediction that West Ham was starting to run out of steam was not wrong.

Although a promising player named Capello was signed, West Ham’s squad depth is not thick enough to be covered by just one player.

However, contrary to such external expectations.

“Waaaaah-!”

“Let’s win!”

“Barni! Just three goals today, please!”

The West Ham players who went out to the stadium with the cheers of the home fans looked bright.

Also, the sight of them putting their arms around each other’s shoulders, making a circle, and shouting fighting before the game.

The way they encouraged each other and scattered to their respective positions somehow felt like a solid force.

This team still had the strength to push forward.

“Beeeep-!”

The game started.

*

The game started with Chelsea’s kick-off.

The atmosphere in the beginning felt like it was flowing under Chelsea’s lead.

Chelsea started moving very quickly from the start.

They are developing the ball quickly. Chelsea’s midfield is taking the tempo very quickly.

The early fight will be important. Thinking about the last game, Chelsea was shaken by being pushed back by Yo-han in the early momentum fight.

They will want to show a different side this time.

Chelsea, who has already been severely punished by Yo-han once, wants to start differently from the last game.

However, that doesn’t mean that they have any intention of playing the game in a completely different direction.

It’s the same that they are trying to take control of the game from the beginning with speed and physicality.

Instead, the difference is Yo-han.

They will have to avoid that guy as much as possible.

Chelsea is increasing its possession by quickly passing the ball back and forth.

West Ham’s midfielders are actively pressing, but there is still no gain.

After all, Capello, one of the three midfielders, is not a player who can help in this situation. His strengths are escaping pressure and passing, not activity or defense.

Chelsea seems to be focusing on maximizing possession, lengthening the attack time, and shortening the defense time.

It is definitely a tactic aimed at Capello, who played as a central midfielder.

Although the degree is different, Capello is a player who shows his strengths in attack, similar to Yo-han.

Capello in defense is just an ordinary midfielder.

Because of this, when Chelsea has the ball.

Clearly, the number of midfielders on both teams is the same, but there was an illusion that Chelsea had one more player.

However,

That’s why there are players in West Ham who run one step further.

“Hey, give me the ball!”

“Stick closer! To the left!”

Jacob Buckley, Jonathan Nathan, and Tim Gordon diligently pressed their opponents and chased the ball.

With Capello joining, the role of the three became even more important, and they knew it.

Because of this, the three, who felt even more responsible, strongly pressed their opponents as if they were determined to play their part.

Thanks to that,

Paang-!

Nathan cuts it off! West Ham succeeds in pressing!

A passing mistake was made due to diligent pressing!

Successfully stealing the ball.

Paang-!

Nathan, who stole the ball, immediately connects to Capello.

From now on, Capello must play his part.

However, Chelsea is not just watching.

Chelsea is pressing hard!

Ah, it’s a foul. It was an unreasonable body check right now.

Capello was pushed and fell, and the referee’s whistle blew.

As soon as Capello caught the ball, Chelsea players rushed in from all directions.

Clearly, they must have analyzed Capello as well.

Because of this, they will know that Capello’s weakness is not only in defense.

Chelsea is definitely coming out rough. They won’t be afraid of fouls. Unless it’s in a dangerous area.

Capello will be the main target of that rough play.

He shouldn’t be intimidated. He has to overcome it and play his game. From Capello’s point of view.

It won’t be easy though.

After that, Capello fell repeatedly.

Whenever Capello catches the ball, or even before he catches it, the bodies of the Chelsea players collide.

If this happens, he will inevitably become psychologically intimidated. In severe cases, he may even become afraid of the ball coming to him.

If his play becomes passive due to the rough pressure, it’s over.

That’s what Chelsea is aiming for.

To suppress Capello with their bodies so that he cannot play his game.

It’s a series of fouls. They are still focusing on checking Capello.

He shouldn’t be intimidated. He has to overcome it and play his game. From Capello’s point of view.

It won’t be easy though.

After that, Capello fell repeatedly.

Whenever Capello caught the ball, or even before he catches it, the bodies of the Chelsea players collided.

If this happens, he will inevitably become psychologically intimidated. In severe cases, he may even become afraid of the ball coming to him.

If his play becomes passive due to the rough pressure, it’s over.

That’s what Chelsea is aiming for.

However,

Capello, who stood up, dusting off his knees, had a slight smile on his lips.

‘Hardships always follow geniuses.’

Capello was actually in a good mood.

Capello was taking it as a sign that the only way the opponent could stop him was by fouling him.

Thanks to that,

Capello didn’t seem intimidated at all.

Rather,

“This body is here!”

He began to actively demand passes and actively roam the midfield.

While thinking.

‘Ah, is there no other way?’

This is not a situation where he can hold the ball for a long time.

Including himself, none of the midfielders are free from the opponent’s rough pressure.

The physicality of the midfield is definitely superior to the opponent, and these foolish British guys who are misinterpreting the beauty of soccer don’t seem to be willing to stop their disgusting body checking.

Then, in the end, there is no choice but to respond with an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

To deliver it as quickly as possible.

To the only guy who won’t be affected by the opponent’s rough play.

“Hey!”

Paah-!

The pass heads back to Capello,

Paah-!

Before the opponent’s body check could reach him, Capello passed the ball forward first.

A good movement to run in the direction the ball is coming from to receive the pass before the opponent.

And, good vision.

He gives a one-touch forward pass! Capello’s pass connects to Yo-han! Yo-han catches the ball outside the box! But if it’s Yo-han, that area is also a dangerous area!

The pass reached Yo-han’s feet.

Chelsea was forming a fairly high defensive line.

Because of this, Yo-han had no choice but to catch the ball outside the box in order not to be caught in an offside position.

However, anyway, as long as it’s a position that has crossed the half-line, wherever Yo-han catches the ball becomes a dangerous area.

Thanks to that,

Tatatat-!

The opposing players rush towards Yo-han in an instant.

However,

“…”

Capello, who was watching the scene from behind, clicked his tongue and smiled.

‘Why can’t you do what you did to this body?’

Although they surrounded Yo-han, none of the Chelsea players were able to push their bodies in first.

The guys who had been body checking so fiercely until just now.

When Yo-han caught the ball, they all started defending by waiting a step away.

Especially,

“…”

Niklas Ginter, who already had painful memories, had a pale face as if the blood had drained from his face.

Maybe it’s just his imagination.

“Go!”

“Son! A hat trick starts with the first goal!”

Along with the shouts of Ban Seok-ho and Kim Ra-hee somewhere in the stands.

Yo-han dribbled the ball up and slowly began to make the Chelsea players back away.