Ten minutes later.
The main stands were in an uproar—
Accompanied by the school board members, the seven top executives of Southampton Football Club arrived at the main stands.
The scouts from smaller clubs quickly stood up to greet them eagerly.
Even Chelsea's Emenalo hurriedly rose to welcome them.
—The only person in the entire stands who didn't stand up was Annie, who was wearing a sunhat and large sunglasses, with a Southampton High School team jacket draped over her.
Annie didn't know anyone, nor did she care about anyone. She only knew and cared about Gu Ran.
As for Emenalo, although his position at Chelsea was high, he was, after all, just an employee.
Even though Southampton Football Club had fallen to League One, these seven executives were the real bosses.
After introductions by the Southampton High School board members, Emenalo shook hands with each of the Southampton executives.
The leader was a plump woman in her thirties.
She wore a dark red coat, her blonde hair swept back, a hairstyle that made her round face appear even rounder—but she didn't seem to mind her appearance.
Although her aura wasn't as domineering as Chelsea's miss NO, nor was she as beautiful, her every gesture exuded the confidence of a wealthy woman with billions of euros in assets.
She was Southampton Football Club's new owner, Katharina Liebherr.
The previous owner of Southampton Football Club was Markus Liebherr, her father.
Incidentally, the German Liebherr Group, founded in 1949, is a construction machinery brand. China's Haier Group was also an early project introduced by Liebherr, with Haier's initial technology coming from Liebherr.
There's a famous Chinese cartoon character called the "Haier Brothers," and the blond boy in it is named Liebherr.
Markus Liebherr is now critically ill and bedridden, so he transferred all his shares in Southampton Football Club to his beloved youngest daughter, Katharina.
Katharina has no interest in football. She loves food, movies, and Hollywood stars, but for her father and her family, she had to take on this role.
As soon as she took over the club, she was urged by the board to fly to Southampton to watch this high school match.
This also left Emenalo puzzled:
What could possibly make Southampton Football Club so eager?
Even to the point of insisting the new owner attend a high school match while her family is dealing with serious illness?
Could it really be for the Chinese prodigy Lampard mentioned?
How good could a high schooler possibly be?
If he were truly a prodigy, he would have been scouted by youth academies long ago. Why wait until now?
Emenalo couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.
The second most important figure in Southampton Football Club was Les Reed.
Emenalo naturally knew Les Reed. This always-smiling old man was not only the former sporting director of Southampton Football Club but also one of the five giants of the English Football Association (FA), with influence second only to Greg Dyke, David Gill, and Anthony Fry.
If it weren't for the financial scandal in 2009 that led to Southampton being docked 10 league points and dropping to League One, nearly causing the club to dissolve, Les Reed might have united all the small and medium shareholders of Southampton to finance a takeover of the club.
The Liebherr family currently holds about 40% of Southampton's shares, while the Reed family holds around 20%.
Thus, Les Reed's position in Southampton Football Club is pivotal.
The next four executives were Finance Director Nicola Cortese, General Manager Mark Fry, Sporting Director Mark Wotte, and Executive Director André Villas-Boas.
These executives were the steadfast forces that remained after the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and three rounds of major restructuring.
Their influence was clearly less than Katharina and Les Reed's, but they were still very important figures within Southampton Football Club.
The appearance of the last person surprised Emenalo even more.
The last person wasn't a financial magnate or even an official member of Southampton Football Club—Nigel Adkins.
This tall, thin, 50-something man with thinning hair, wearing a blue suit and gold-rimmed glasses, with a perpetually serious expression and a downward-turned mouth, was the former manager of Scunthorpe United, a Championship team!
Scunthorpe United is a weak team, but they managed to avoid relegation in the highly competitive Championship this season, largely thanks to Adkins.
Rumors had it that Adkins had accepted a contract with Southampton Football Club after the season ended.
However, neither side had officially announced it.
Now, Adkins was openly appearing with Southampton's executive team.
This meant… a player from the Buckhorn Steelhorns was a key target for Southampton's first team.
Emenalo's heart skipped a beat—it must be that Chinese kid, Gu Ran.
That Chinese kid must have some extraordinary magic!
Emenalo suddenly felt that today's match was becoming more and more interesting.
When the school board introduced Emenalo's identity, the Southampton executives exchanged meaningful glances:
…Damn, Chelsea is here to poach!
…Go buy the golden boy Torres!
…Don't come messing around in our territory!
…I'm so hungry, the food here is terrible, and there's not even a Hollywood star in sight. The weather is awful too. God, let this end soon!
Both sides smiled politely and then sat down.
Emenalo took out his notebook and solemnly wrote on the first page:
[Scouting Report on Gu Ran, Left Back of Southampton High School's Buckhorn Steelhorns.
Target: Gu Ran.
Height: 181 cm (based on FA registration data).
Weight: 73.8 kg (based on FA registration data).
Age: 17 years, 9 months.
First Impression: The player is a left back, but based on his height and weight, his physique appears thin. He may struggle in physical duels on the flank and find it difficult to defend the left side effectively.
Additionally, the player has garnered significant attention from Southampton Football Club's top executives.]
…2:30 PM!
The local singers' concert on the field came to an end.
Immediately after, a rhythmic "boom boom boom" echoed around the stadium.
Emenalo looked up at the overcast sky, thinking it was thunder.
But as the thunderous booms continued in a steady rhythm, Emenalo realized it was the sound of Southampton High School's jazz drums.
Over 200 Southampton High students, led by the head cheerleader drummer, were beating the drums in unison!
As the drums sounded, the pre-match warm-up began.
First, the visiting team, Roselle High's Angels' Wings, took the field for their warm-up.
The Angels' Wings players obediently avoided the Buckhorn Steelhorns' emblem at the entrance of the player tunnel.
However, the 2,200 students and parents in the stands continued to boo them:
"Wings of crap! Pfft pfft~"
"Wings of crap! Pfft pfft~"
The Angels' Wings players' faces turned red with anger, their frustration building.
When the Angels' Wings players began their warm-up, the stadium's jazz drums grew even more intense—
The Buckhorn Steelhorns players took the field!
The entire stands erupted into a frenzy of excitement!
Everyone in the stands cheered for the Buckhorn Steelhorns players!
The makeshift steel stands shook violently as students and parents jumped up and down, leaving the security staff breathless with fear!
The scene was insane!
The craziest weren't the students but the parents!
On the main stands, old Les Reed smiled at the plump Katharina beside him, "It's been a while since we've seen such fanatical scene, hasn't it?"
Katharina took a sharp breath, "It's a bit scary."
Les Reed: …
Les Reed cleared his throat and pointed at Gu Ran, who was tying his shoelaces on the field, "That kid is our target today."
Katharina looked at Gu Ran from afar and nodded slightly.
Not just Katharina, but the other executives, including the yet-to-be-announced new coach Adkins, were all staring at Gu Ran.
Chelsea's assistant coach Emenalo was also intently watching Gu Ran.
And Annie was also excitedly staring at Gu Ran.
Seeing Gu Ran in the red-and-white jersey again, Annie instinctively felt that she was about to have a great time.
At this moment, Gu Ran was completely unaware that he was being watched by so many people.
Gu Ran was fully focused, squatting on the sidelines, tying the laces of his Messi signature boots, then stood up and jumped a few times.
The shoes felt great, and the pitch was in excellent condition.
The air was humid, and rain was imminent—this was the perfect moment for these expensive boots to perform at their best!
The stadium DJ began introducing the home team players.
Each player's introduction was met with cheers.
When the DJ announced, "Number 3, left back, Gu Ran," Gu Ran waved briefly to the stands and then focused on his passing and receiving drills.
The atmosphere in the stadium exploded!
Almost everyone in the stands was shouting at Gu Ran:
"Gu! Go! Go!"
"Hubby, look at me! Look at me! I want to have your baby!"
"My love, my parents are here to watch you play! If you play well, they'll agree to let us get married!"
"Gu, handsome boy, Auntie is rooting for you!"
The entire stands went wild, the steel framework of the stands shaking like noodles, the scene far more intense than before.
Not only were the regular stands in a frenzy, but on the main stands, Annie couldn't help but jump up, waving her fair arms, shouting at Gu Ran, "Gu! I love you! I love you!!!"
Only at this moment did Annie dare to boldly express her feelings.
After all, no one knew who she was!
The scouts and reporters on the main stands glanced sideways—there seemed to be a strange woman among them.
Emenalo casually wrote in his scouting report: [Gu has a good personal image and high influence within the school, easily stirring up fan emotions.]
After writing, Emenalo added a small note: [Especially among female fans.]
At this moment, the scouts from smaller clubs sitting in the back rows whispered among themselves:
"That Chinese kid from the Buckhorn Steelhorns is really good-looking."
"Hmph, good looks are useless. This isn't a talent show. With his small frame, he'd probably collapse after one shoulder charge from an Angels' Wings forward."
"I think so too. I really don't understand why the students and parents of Southampton High are so proud and excited."
"Hmph, what do these Southampton scabs know about football?"
"Hey, are you from Portsmouth? Don't sit next to us. If they beat you up later, don't splatter blood on us…"
The 20-minute pre-match warm-up ended, and both teams returned to their respective locker rooms for final preparations.
The atmosphere in the stadium grew even more intense. The 200-plus jazz drums hadn't stopped since the beginning.
Emenalo wrote in his notebook:
[Based on the pre-match warm-up, Gu's passing and receiving drills were average, below the level of Chelsea's U18 youth team. On a scale of 100, I'd give him 60, barely passing.
This is even a bit disappointing. So far, I haven't seen a young prodigy. I don't understand why Lampard is so high on this Chinese kid, nor why Southampton's executives came here specifically to watch him play.
Gu is not only physically thin, but his technique is also very average. In contrast, Angels' Wings' Ross Barkley has decent skills.
If I had to choose, I'd immediately recommend Ross Barkley to Chelsea's youth team, though that's not really necessary.
In my opinion, Gu would need at least a year of professional training to barely reach the level of Chelsea's U18 youth team.
Although the match hasn't started yet, based on his physical condition and basic technical training, Gu has no chance of making it into Chelsea's youth team.]
After writing, Emenalo closed his notebook and shook his head slightly.
His interest in Gu Ran had faded before it even began.
After all, as a key figure in Chelsea's player acquisitions, his standards were very high.
If it weren't for Lampard's face, he wouldn't have come at all. And if it weren't for Southampton's executives being here, he would have left already.
Meanwhile, in the home team's locker room.
Coach Carter spoke solemnly, "My boys, please put down everything in your hands and listen to me—"
"Today will be your last match on this field. If you lose, your football journey ends here."
"I'm not trying to scare you. I'm telling you the truth."
"If you lose this match, some of you might barely graduate high school, but you won't get into university, nor will you have a chance to go pro and become professional players."
"You'll continue living ordinary lives here in Southampton, getting married, having kids, occasionally finding time to play football, and occasionally going to bars to brag with friends."
"Yes, I'm telling you, most of the players who graduated before you ended up like this."
Coach Carter paused, his voice slightly choked, "…including me."
The locker room was silent. Every player was moved as they looked at Coach Carter.
This coach, who usually loved to scold them.
But at this moment, every player empathized with Coach Carter.
Coach Carter continued, "In life, there aren't many chances to change your fate. And today, this is the closest you'll ever get to changing your destiny."
"You don't need me to tell you this. If you win this match, you'll be in the national semifinals, you'll make history for Southampton High, you'll be heroes to everyone, you'll get into university, and some of you might even be scouted by the FA and recommended to League Two or League One clubs, becoming professional players!"
"Listen, the drums outside haven't stopped."
"Listen, the cheers from your classmates and parents haven't stopped."
"They, like me and you, are giving their all for this match!"
"This is the spirit of Southampton!"
"We may not be the strongest, but we're the least afraid of the strong!"
"Yeah!!! Yes! The spirit of Southampton will never die!" The Buckhorn Steelhorns players roared wildly.
The locker room was about to be turned upside down!
Coach Carter raised his hand to calm them, then continued, "I said earlier that this will be your last match on this field—yes, if you win, the semifinals and finals will be held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. So, whether you win or lose, this is our last home game."
"We have such a great home advantage, and this is our best chance!"
"Today, I'm not asking you to win—really, I'm not asking you to win."
"Our opponents are semi-professional players who've been training since they were kids. Objectively speaking, beating them is very difficult."
"Even if you lose today, I won't blame you."
"In my heart, you're already amazing national quarterfinalists!"
"I only ask that you play with the spirit of Southampton, giving it your all! I only ask that you bravely step onto the field and show everything you've got in front of your siblings, parents, and friends! I only ask that… one day, when you look back on this moment, you can proudly say—I gave it my all!"
"When you're this close to changing your fate, you must give it your all to seize it!"
Coach Carter said passionately, "Tell me, who can control their own fate?"
"Me! It's me! It's me!!!"
The Buckhorn Steelhorns players roared like thunder, the entire locker room vibrating.
Coach Carter nodded in satisfaction, "Good—now, go line up in the player tunnel! Your moment has arrived!"
"Yes, Coach!"
"Buckhorn Steelhorns—"
"Fight to the end!"
The players stacked their hands together and cheered in unison.
At this moment, Gu Ran'spassion was boiling over!
"Gu, stay back. I have something to say to you alone," Coach Carter waved him over.
"Yes, Coach." Gu Ran stayed behind.
After everyone else left the locker room, Coach Carter said solemnly, "Gu, you need to perform well today."
Gu Ran immediately replied, "Coach! I know!"
Coach Carter shook his head, "No, you don't really know. Today's match isn't just a quarterfinal for you—it's a turning point in your life. Right now, seven top executives from Southampton Football Club are sitting in the main stands, here specifically to watch you play."
Gu Ran was stunned.
This… new form of PUA?
Bringing the entire Saints' executive team to cooperate in PUA-ing me? That's some serious commitment!
Coach Carter said gravely, "I've done a lot of work behind the scenes to get them here to watch you play—of course, those are insignificant things. What I really want to tell you is that they will decide today whether to activate the Special Talent Clause for you and help you obtain a work permit."
Gu Ran was completely shocked.
He had thought Coach Carter was just PUA-ing him, but he hadn't realized that Coach Carter had quietly done something so important for him!
A work permit…
With a work permit, he could play in professional leagues!
Even if Southampton is currently in League One, it's still a professional league!
This is much better than being stuck in a big club's youth team, unable to play professionally!
Moreover, this means that if he performs well today, Southampton Football Club will immediately offer him a professional contract!
Not a semi-professional youth team contract, but a first-team professional contract!
This is truly a life-changing moment!
Gu Ran suppressed his inner excitement, took a deep breath, and said, "Coach, I… I really don't know how to thank you for everything you've done for me."
Coach Carter patted Gu Ran's shoulder, "Don't thank me yet. We might lose today, but no matter what, you must fight desperately to show your strongest side—this is your chance! What makes a player a true player? A true player is someone who seizes the opportunity when it comes!"
Gu Ran felt the excitement in his veins surging, his passion barely contained, "Yes, Coach!"
Coach Carter gripped Gu Ran's arm tightly, "I know you're a once-in-a-millennium genius, but they don't know, the students' parents don't know, the scouts from small clubs don't know, the local media doesn't know, Chelsea's assistant coach Emenalo doesn't know, and Southampton's executives don't know!"
"So… Gu, today, I'm giving you unlimited shooting rights!"
"Yes, this is probably the first time in my life I've given a left back unlimited shooting rights!"
"But, screw it! What matters is that I believe in you, I trust you 100%!"
"You have my full support! You have the full support of the entire Southampton High Buckhorn Steelhorns!"
"Gu! You're not alone!"
"What you need to do is—let them know who you are!"
"Yes, Coach!" Gu Ran's face turned determined, "I won't let you down!"
"Go! My child! God will be with you!"
Coach Carter hugged Gu Ran.
Gu Ran walked out of the locker room and lined up with his teammates in the player tunnel.
2:55 PM!
Led by the head referee, both teams officially took the field!
…
(End of chapter)
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