From Arsenal, Forge the Path to Football God

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The next morning, a gentle breeze swept across Colney Training Ground, fluttering the sleeves and hair of passersby.

Maël pulled his suitcase, carrying a Black Bag, and said his final goodbyes to his teammates and coaches.

Gilbert walked beside him, from today onwards, they would truly be in the same boat, living under the same roof.

The entire Arsenal U17 team and coaching staff had gathered at the entrance of the training base, including some players from other age groups.

Hearing that someone from the base had made it to the Championship Team, they naturally wanted to come and pay their respects.

"Be safe, and make sure to call when you get to Sheffield United."

Coach Hans waved to Maël and Gilbert, saying the usual farewells: "Be strict with yourselves, I'll be keeping an eye on you."

"Good luck, Gilbert!"

"Score a goal in the Championship!"

"Captain, goodbye!"

The other players also waved goodbye, but in truth, it was mostly to Gilbert.

Maël's powerful shots had convinced many, but their feelings towards him were more complex.

There was no pure admiration, and envy was mixed with jealousy.

Ian and a few others who had issues with Maël were also there, their faces the most complicated and sullen.

Even their goodbyes and waves seemed reluctant.

In an instant, their positions had reversed, and the words they had said before now seemed like jokes.

If Maël wanted, he could now retaliate with all the insults they had thrown at him.

But Maël didn't seem to have that intention.

"Coach Hans, the football boots."

He walked up to Coach Hans with a smile, handing over the Black Bag: "I forgot them the other day, here they are."

"You're rich now, I won't refuse."

Hans took the bag and patted Maël's back: "I hope you get opportunities there. The more valuable you become, the more valuable these boots will be to me. I hope they become part of my collection one day."

"I hope so too."

Maël gave Hans a fist bump and a hug, then turned to leave with Gilbert, pulling their suitcases.

There, Sheffield United scout Johansson was leaning against a Pickup Truck, hands in his pockets, in a cool pose waiting for them.

From his appearance, Johansson was in his thirties, in his prime, and could be considered handsome. The wrinkles on his face added a charm of maturity.

"Get in, boys."

Johansson flipped his sunglasses from the back of his head to the front, putting them on: "Don't complain about my old pickup, you'll be comfortable once we get to the High-Speed Train Station."

Maël and Gilbert nodded, placing their luggage in the back of the truck, then prepared to get in.

Opening the door, Gilbert suddenly stopped and turned to the people at the entrance: "Wait for my good news, and watch my matches live!"

"Sure!"

"Will do, Captain!"

"We're waiting for you to come back!!"

A chorus of cheers rose, and Gilbert looked back with a lingering gaze before climbing into the Pickup Truck.

After the cheers died down, the people at the entrance didn't leave.

They stared at Maël, their gazes still complex, but they seemed to expect him to say something.

Maël noticed their emotions and didn't hesitate.

His gaze swept over each face, not deliberately avoiding Ian and the others who had once disliked him, but treating them all equally.

After everything changed, his mindset was vastly different from before.

"Good luck, guys!"

He extended his right arm, clenching his fist: "See you in the Professional League!"

He laughed heartily, as if all the past was blown away, then climbed into the Pickup Truck and closed the door.

The people at the entrance fell silent for a moment, then the cheers erupted again.

"Maël! Good luck!"

"Make sure to perform well!"

"Show those old pros in the Championship what your long shots are made of!"

Maël watched them from the car window, smiling faintly. They were just a bunch of kids.

Time flies, and they would remember this day.

The car drove on the road, a bit bumpy.

It was an old Pickup Truck, with some parts likely malfunctioning.

Johansson drove with one hand, the other resting outside the window, feeling a certain indescribable sensation through the speed.

"Why don't we just drive to Sheffield?"

Gilbert, a native Brit, was born in Leicester City and was familiar with the UK: "It's only about a three-hour drive, right?"

"Ah,"

Johansson glanced back: "Aren't you worried about the bumps? It's quite tiring to sit in this for so long.

"I was planning to drive this old guy back to Sheffield, but I was afraid you wouldn't be able to handle it, so I decided to take you to the high-speed train."

"Aren't athletes tougher than that?"

Gilbert waved his hand and turned to Maël: "What do you think? Should we just drive there?"

"Sure."

Maël had no objections, smiling: "I'd like to see the scenery along the way."

Johansson laughed heartily and decisively turned the steering wheel, bringing his hand back inside: "Alright, sit tight, I'll try to get you there as soon as possible."

"Drive safely." *2

Maël and Gilbert said in unison, not caring about other things, but they did care about this.

The car sped up, and after some conversation, the three of them became more familiar.

Johansson used to be a football player, a member of Sheffield United in his youth, though he wasn't particularly famous.

From his introduction, Maël's deepest impression was that this guy was a die-hard Sheffield fan, with an unspoken love for the team.

"Sheffield's situation this season isn't great, with many players leaving. Only four from last season's starting lineup remain."

After chatting for a while, Johansson got to the point: "And two of them were among the weakest in last season's starting lineup.

"The team's goal this season is only to avoid relegation! I brought you two over to help achieve that goal."

Johansson had just turned to look back when he was met with a few worried "ahs" from the two, so he turned back to focus on driving: "I have two main points to make.

"First, the club's current difficulties are actually a good thing for you two, as it means you have a better chance of getting playing time, and there's a lot you can achieve.

"As for the second point, even though you don't know me well and I don't have much influence, "I still want to say, for my sake, if you ever get the chance to represent Sheffield, give it your all. I don't want to see the team relegated."

By then, the Pickup Truck had entered Sheffield city, with many classic British buildings in sight.

Gilbert was about to respond, but Johansson's voice interrupted: "In a sense, you two are the team's last hopes.

"I won't let you work for nothing, that would make me seem greedy. You can wait until you get to know me better before agreeing."

Johansson turned back, showing a mouthful of white teeth, smiling brightly.

Their destination was soon reached.

Maël and Gilbert had actually wanted to say that giving it their all for the team was a basic duty of a player.

But seeing Johansson's expression, it seemed he had some deep-seated commitment or concern, so they didn't say more.

The Pickup Truck finally stopped in front of a hotel where they would stay for the night.

"The room is booked, go up and rest."

Johansson got out first to help them unload their luggage, saying: "I'll find a rental apartment nearby and show it to you tomorrow."

"Thanks."

The two thanked him, and Maël reminded: "The monthly rent should be around 3000 pounds, and our current salaries aren't very high."

They had discussed it on the way, deciding to live together for mutual support.

They would split the rent, utilities, and other expenses, with the rent not exceeding their weekly salaries by much.

Of course, they also wanted to live in a luxury villa soon, but their current salaries couldn't yet support that.

Settle in first, and improve the environment once their salaries increase!