At dusk, the entire training ground looked a little dark under the cover of the surrounding trees.
Under a dim light, the pitch, which should have been empty for a long time, was filled with the sound of striking a ball, followed by the hiss of the ball skimming the grass.
"Strange, who is still training so late?" Ethan walked out of the office when he heard the noise.
He went to the training ground out of curiosity and saw three people there, one tall, one slightly shorter, and one the shortest. Two were practicing crosses and headers in front of a goal, while the shortest was juggling and occasionally feinting to dribble past an imaginary opponent.
"Hey, Patrice, control your power. With a difference like that, how am I supposed to meet it?" Curtis complained loudly.
Evra raised his right hand and waved apologetically, then retreated toward midfield, dribbled silently, and suddenly whipped in a cross. It swerved erratically, as if it were meant for a different planet.
"Hey, Leo!" Ethan stepped onto the pitch and walked over to the nearest, Messi.
"Hello, boss!" Messi ran over while juggling the ball.
Although players in English clubs like to call head coaches boss, at New Manchester United they all called Ethan boss, while Steve Bruce was sir.
"Aren't you going back to rest?" Ethan asked with a smile.
"Yes, boss." Messi nodded and pointed at Evra. "Patrice needs to practice a bit longer. We all live nearby and had nothing to do, so we came to keep him company."
Ethan understood immediately.
Since starting in the first game, Evra had been frozen out by Bruce. Players like Carl Makinson, Jonathan Maten, and Stephen Smith had returned to the starting lineup in the next few games, but not Evra.
This was also because Roy Williams, who replaced him, had played well. He was stronger defensively than Evra. His presence let Bruce use Richie Wellens boldly, so whether Evra played became less important.
"By the way, boss, Curtis and I have both joined the school team, and we have a match in a few days!" Messi looked at Ethan with anticipation.
"Really? Let me know when, and I will definitely come to watch." Ethan could see what he was thinking.
"Really?" Messi was suddenly overjoyed.
Ethan nodded solemnly.
"Has Jim been taking you to the hospital on time these days?" Ethan asked with concern.
The medical fees had been paid in advance for three years. Messi had to go for treatment and tests almost every day. Sometimes Ethan felt sad for the poor kid, but he seemed strong and optimistic.
"Yeah, he has. He drives me and Curtis to and from school every day." Messi was clearly still immersed in Ethan's promise.
Since Jorge had gone back to Argentina to deal with family matters and had not yet returned, Messi was essentially on his own in Manchester. Instead, Ethan had become his closest person. After all, he was the one who brought Messi from Argentina.
"That's good. You don't need to worry about anything now. Take care of yourself, and take training step by step. There's no rush."
"Yeah, that's what Mr. Bruce told me too. But I usually have nothing to do after school, so I just play football."
Ethan immediately cursed himself for miscalculating. He had thought that arranging a school and treatment for Messi would be enough. But children do not like being alone. They like to get out and see the world.
"How about this. On Sunday, after the match, the team has a day off. I will ask Walsh to borrow a car from Steve and take you, Patrice, and Curtis out for the whole day."
"Really?" Messi could not believe it. He had been in Manchester for so long and had never really gone out to play.
"Of course. I never lie." Ethan answered with certainty.
Small clubs have their advantages.
If New Manchester United were a wealthy club with dozens or even hundreds of academy players, it would be impossible for Ethan to take them out one by one. But there were only two now, so he could do it.
Messi's cheers immediately alerted Evra and Curtis. Seeing Ethan, they stopped and ran over, shouting, "Boss!"
"Stop training. Time to rest. You are still young and growing. You are not as big and strong as Carl," Ethan joked.
Among New Manchester United's players, Carl Makinson had the best physical attributes.
Evra and Curtis could not help laughing.
"Go shower and get changed. I will take you out to eat," Ethan said with a smile.
The three were still young. Hearing this, they were overjoyed and rushed to the dressing room.
Evra was first out. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Ethan waving to him outside the dressing room and walked over.
"I heard from Leo you have been coming here for extra training every day," Ethan said lightly.
Evra stopped and looked at Ethan with some concern. "I know this goes against Mr. Bruce's rules, but I..."
"Do not be nervous, Patrice. I am not Steve. I am not as strict as he is. I just want to tell you that training blindly like this will not help." Ethan patted his shoulder to reassure him.
"I know. But I also know my shortcomings. Like the cross in the third minute against Leek CSOB. Even if you gave me ten more chances, I might still not deliver it right. Every time I play, I waste too many opportunities." He walked to the side of the pitch, squatted down, and touched the grass.
"I have been on the touchline watching the last few games, and I noticed Roy and Richie work well both in attack and defense. Richie's crosses are more efficient than mine, and he creates more danger."
"But his speed is not as quick as yours, and his dribbling is not as sharp, Patrice," Ethan replied.
"You are only 17. You are still raw, while Richie is already a finished article. Maybe for now you are not better than him, but if you work hard, you will definitely surpass him in the future. Did Steve not say it? Your target is Gary Neville. Who is he? He is one of the best full-backs in England and even the world."
"But sometimes I doubt I can ever reach Gary Neville's level," Evra said, lacking confidence.
It was understandable. He had started brilliantly in the first match, then did not get a minute in the next games. That was a huge blow for a 17-year-old. No wonder he was upset.
"But you are not willing to give up, are you?" Ethan smiled.
If he were, he would not still be training after the team had finished.
"I still remember when I found you in France. You had just left PSG's academy. I believe you did not think about turning professional then. But look at you now. Although we are a small club, you have a full-time contract. You are already a professional in the truest sense."
"Patrice, have you heard the club is planning to buy a stadium?" Ethan asked suddenly.
Evra nodded. "I know. People are talking."
"It is true, but not finalized. I want to tell you, we are not a club content to stay amateur. I love this club. It is like my son. What father does not want his son to succeed?"
"Many will think it is ridiculous. They will say, that guy named Ethan is too arrogant. He wants to take a lowly English club to Europe and turn it into a rich club. That is pure fantasy."
At this point, Ethan suppressed his smile. With a serious face, he spoke slowly. "But Patrice, this is how I set my goals. In the next ten, twenty, even fifty years, I want to make my team the top club in Europe. And you, Patrice, if you stay and grow with the team, you will become the most legendary left-back in the history of world football, and your name will be recorded forever."
Evra was clearly shocked. He stood there, staring at Ethan, unable to say a word.
"Go and ask Darren for help tomorrow. His crosses are special. You should ask his advice."
Ethan patted Evra's shoulder and turned to see whether Messi and Curtis had come out. Unexpectedly, they had been standing behind them without him noticing. He was immediately embarrassed.
It was a pity he had gotten so carried away, bragging so shamelessly. Truly embarrassing.
After he calmed down, Ethan took the three to a restaurant near Newton Heath, ordered a few specialties, and fed them well. Then he sent them back to the homes of fans near the training ground. Naturally, he chatted for a while. By the time he returned home, it was already 9:30 in the evening.
"Hey, what a coincidence, dear reporter!" Ethan's mood became very good the moment he saw Scarlett Elan at the doorstep. "I did not expect reporters to work overtime too."
Scarlett stared at Ethan, glared at him through gritted teeth, snorted coldly, ignored him, and went upstairs.
Ethan was in high spirits and laughed, almost humming as he entered his room.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)