England's Greatest

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Compared with the Premier League stars, the coaches of the Three Lions were more surprised by Tristan's volley pass.

They had studied Tristan's game videos and highlights countless times before, but this skill was something new.

Assistant coach Livington, standing next to Hodgson, couldn't hide his shock:"His judgment of the high ball's landing point is remarkable, and the accuracy of that volley pass—outstanding! I've never seen a young player control the weight and precision of a long pass like that, without stopping the ball. Maybe only players like Ronaldinho or Zidane can pull that off!"

"His talent is incredibly high!"

Hodgson, on the other hand, watched Tristan closely with a frown. The more impressive this 18-year-old became, the more difficult Hodgson's decision became.

The England national team's preferred formation, the 4-2-3-1, only had three midfield spots. With Rooney as the attacking midfielder and captain Gerrard a central midfielder, the remaining players—Tristan, Henderson, Lallana, Wilshere, and Milner—were competing for the last central midfield position. The question was, should they rely on experienced backbones like Milner and Henderson, or take a bold risk with this rising star, Tristan?

While Hodgson was mulling over the possibilities, Livington continued, almost to himself:"If he's pulling off such high-level passes in training, even if he hasn't used it much in matches, he'll definitely bring it out when it counts.But why haven't we seen him try this before?"

The team's physical trainer chimed in:"Maybe he just lacks the confidence to use something like that in a game. He's still new to this level, remember—only five months in. He's still just a kid."

Livington's eyes widened as he thought about it.

"That actually makes sense. Leicester's dominance in the Championship meant their opponents were too weak for him to need to use such advanced techniques. But when he gets to the Premier League next season, or on the World Cup stage, we'll see more of this from him."

The conversation quieted down as they focused on the rest of the training session. Tristan, now back in the mix with Vardy, continued to impress with his sharp passing, positioning, and decision-making.

As the session drew to a close, it was clear that Tristan's talent wasn't just hype. His sharp football IQ and seamless passes had erased any doubts his teammates may have had about him. He didn't hog the ball, his off-the-ball movement was smart, and his passes were always precise. It wasn't long before the national team players started recognizing Tristan's value as a teammate.

Vardy, too, earned respect for his work rate and strength, solidifying the pair as two key reasons why Leicester City had dominated the Championship and shattered records. Together, they had the ability to destroy any defense in the Championship.

After training, Tristan returned to his room, showered, and headed to the team's dining hall. As he entered the restaurant, though, he immediately sensed a different vibe compared to Leicester's united dressing room. The England squad was divided into cliques—Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea being the strongest among them.

Each faction sat at their own tables, talking amongst themselves.

Standing with his tray, Tristan scanned the room, unsure where to sit. His thoughts were interrupted when his club teammate, Vardy, waved him over to an empty table near the window.

"Hey, Tristan! Over here, the view's pretty nice."

Relieved, Tristan smiled, grateful for the rescue. He made his way over and sat down with Vardy.

"Thanks, Jamie," Tristan said, clapping his teammate on the shoulder. "If not for you, I might've ended up offending a lot of people today."

"No worries," Vardy grinned. "Just take me to Jufulou for dinner when we're back in Leicester, and we'll call it even."

"Deal!"

After finishing lunch, the two headed back to their rooms to rest, knowing there was no training scheduled for the afternoon.

Most of the squad made their way to the gym to lift weights or visit the physiotherapy room to relax their muscles. With the World Cup just under a month away, every player knew that the time to fine-tune their fitness had arrived. This was the final stretch before the biggest stage in football.

Tristan, still adjusting to the intensity of life with the national team, found himself at the gym with Jamie Vardy.Tristan settled onto a stationary bike for his recovery session, his legs moving in a steady rhythm as he focused on his breathing.

It had been a hectic few months since his stunning FA Cup triumph with Leicester City. Along with the glory, Tristan had received a special reward: a [Prop Treasure Box]. 

[Item name: Anti-injury card]

[Effect of item: When you are attacked by a malicious flying tackle, the damage will be rebounded to the opponent! ]

[Number of times the item can be used: 3/3]

You know, injuries are the biggest enemy of professional players.

With this [Counter Injury Card], he now has three chances to avoid serious injury!

It was an item that made him feel more secure, knowing he had protection against the kind of reckless fouls that could ruin a player's career.

While Tristan focused on his recovery, he couldn't help but think about the upcoming World Cup. He'd spent hours studying videos of previous England matches, trying to familiarize himself with the national team's tactical approach and how he could contribute.

The chance to represent his country on the world stage was a dream come true, but it also came with immense pressure knowing how much of a failure this team was.

After a solid afternoon in the gym, followed by a relaxing massage in the physiotherapy room, Tristan and Vardy made their way to the video analysis room.

The team had reviewed game footage from their most recent training matches, preparing for the intra-team competition scheduled for the next day. It was set to be an intense game, with players eager to impress the coaches.

Later that evening, when Tristan returned to his room, he found Luke Shaw already sitting in front of the TV, engrossed in a FIFA match on his PS4. Luke looked up, startled, when he saw Tristan.

"Tristan, do you want to play together?" he asked, gesturing to the empty seat next to him.

Tristan didn't hesitate. "Okay, let's do it!"

The two quickly got comfortable and began playing, chatting about family, football idols, and their personal lives. Tristan discovered that Luke was a down-to-earth, well-behaved guy with a great sense of humor. They both shared a passion for music, and Tristan couldn't help but laugh when Luke mentioned his love for classic rock bands. It was a pleasant distraction from the high-pressure world of football.

The next day, the national team gathered for the closed intra-team competition. It was a 11-v-11 match where players could showcase their abilities in a live game environment. The match would pit Group A, made up of the starting XI, against Group B, which consisted of the substitute players, including Tristan and Vardy.

Both teams played with a 4-2-3-1 formation, but for Tristan, this match had a particular significance. It was his first time playing as a central midfielder in his career, and Coach Hodgson had decided to give him a chance to show his versatility. He partnered with Southampton's Adam Lallana in the middle, with Jack Wilshere playing ahead of them as the attacking midfielder.

From the first whistle, it was clear that this game would be a test for Tristan. As a midfielder, he was expected to contribute both offensively and defensively. His physicality, however, was a concern. He lacked the same level of defensive toughness as some of his teammates, often finding it difficult to apply pressure on opposing players in one-on-one duels.

But despite these challenges, Tristan's instincts on the field were remarkable. His positioning and anticipation were top-notch. He was able to read the game and intercept passes before they could develop, putting him in the right place at the right time.

By the end of the first half, Tristan had already intercepted four passes—an impressive statistic for a central midfielder, especially considering that his primary role was to contribute going forward. His passes were sharp, quick, and precise, with his success rate soaring to 97%. He completed 70 passes and only missed two, a testament to his growing confidence and technical ability.

In the 65th minute, the game was tied at 1-1 when Tristan made his mark. He collected the ball in midfield, surveying his options. With a sudden burst of energy, he broke forward, drawing defenders toward him. Just as he reached the edge of the box, he saw Vardy making a darting run toward the far post. Without hesitation, Tristan delivered a perfectly weighted through ball, slicing through the defense and landing at Vardy's feet. Vardy made no mistake, calmly placing the ball in the back of the net for the go-ahead goal.

Tristan's assist was met with cheers from his teammates, who were impressed with the precision and vision he had displayed. His ability to pick out Vardy in such a tight space was a sign of his growing maturity on the ball.

But Tristan wasn't done yet. Just five minutes later, he found himself in a similar position. This time, he was in the box, receiving a pass from Wilshere. With his first touch, he shifted the ball to the side and fired a powerful shot into the top corner of the net, giving Group B a 3-1 lead.

The crowd erupted in applause as the young midfielder celebrated with his teammates. His goal and assist had turned the game around, and his confidence was now undeniable. As the final whistle blew, Group B emerged victorious, and Tristan had undoubtedly solidified his place in the national team's midfield rotation.

"It's clear that Tristan has the vision and passing range to be an asset in the center of midfield," Coach Hodgson remarked. "He may lack some of the physicality we'd like to see, but his intelligence and technical ability make him an invaluable player. I think his best position may still be as an attacking midfielder, but he has certainly earned the chance to play in central midfield."

The match was a perfect showcase of Tristan's strengths—his awareness, passing, and ability to contribute to both offense and defense. As the players showered and went to rest, the coaches gathered in the tactical room to review the game, discussing how Tristan's versatility could play a key role in their World Cup campaign.

The tactical coach, analyzing the team's setup, spoke thoughtfully, "If we move Tristan to central midfield, we risk losing some defensive solidity in the middle, but the overall tempo could become much smoother."

Another voice chimed in, a bit more hesitant, "It's not that he can't play there, but I still believe his best role is as an attacking midfielder. In that position, he can truly showcase his strengths, avoid his weaknesses, and make the kind of incisive passes that can break down defenses."

From his elevated position in the stands, Hodgson, the head coach, leaned forward, sensing the importance of the discussion. "By the way," he asked, "how are the preparations with Ecuador and Honduras going?"

One of the assistants responded, "Ecuador has confirmed our invitation for a warm-up match. It's scheduled for next Wednesday. As for Honduras, their Football Association is still in talks, but we should have an answer soon."

The World Cup in Brazil loomed large, and England found themselves drawn into what was quickly becoming known as the "Group of Death." Their opponents included the South American powerhouse Uruguay, the defending World Cup champions Italy, and Costa Rica. With such formidable competition, qualifying from the group was a daunting challenge.

The first match would kick off on June 15th, and England had less than a month to prepare. The clock was ticking.

Hodgson's primary task was clear: how to bring together this squad of Premier League stars, each from different clubs with their own playing styles, and forge a cohesive strategy in such a short time.

In an effort to better prepare for the South American teams, the English Football Association had arranged three warm-up matches against teams from that region.

The first of these matches would take place in just two days, on May 30th, against the Peruvian national team at Wembley. The pressure was on, and the team's chemistry and tactical understanding would be put to the test.

Time passed quickly as the players continued their rigorous training. The atmosphere was electric as the date for the first warm-up match drew closer.

As May 30th arrived, the anticipation among the squad grew. After a brief adjustment period, the team was ready to step onto the pitch. For Tristan, the day felt oddly familiar yet foreign, as if he had been here before but under different circumstances - sitting back on the bench once again

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So Tiktok is getting banned here in the US, fucking hell. Decided to download Red Note just to spite the goverment, cause fuck you.