From Arsenal, Forge the Path to Football God

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"This kid has a shot, huh?"

Yellow Team's Center Forward Evans, who had just completed the assist, was the first to arrive, high-fiving Maël with a smile, "Great play! I didn't expect the team to get a Long-range Shooter in this summer window."

"Yeah, it adds another dimension to our attack."

Midfielder Janu Hans quickly joined in, giving Maël the usual high-five and hug, grinning, "We'll rely on you for the tough matches from now on!"

Most people don't naturally harbor ill will toward strangers. In many cases, they will even show friendliness.

Especially when they feel you have the skills.

"Thanks."

Maël thanked them with a smile, not being modest and deliberately maintaining a calm demeanor, as if the goal was no surprise to him.

In a new environment, when starting anew in competition and socializing, one must boldly display their strengths to make others see them as a strong player.

Only then can one earn equal treatment and respect in the future.

After dealing with the celebratory teammates, Maël turned and walked back to his half of the field. When he met Gilbert's gaze, he couldn't help but let out a suppressed laugh, feeling thoroughly relieved and elated.

There was the thrill of scoring in an English Football League (EFL) Championship level training match, and the joy and satisfaction of getting a good opportunity right from the start and capitalizing on it!

His confidence in his future prospects also grew.

"I need to showcase all my strengths as much as possible."

Maël had a plan. Since he had started off well with his new club, he aimed to take it to the next level.

First impressions are crucial. He needed to firmly imprint all his advantages in the minds of the coaching staff.

Whether it was the current head coach Kevin or the incoming Gary Speed, as mentioned by Johansson.

Of course, he wasn't overly confident.

Apart from Long Shot, his other skills were only at level 2, which wouldn't be an advantage against EFL Championship players.

For example, Strength and Step Over, which are often used in one-on-one situations, could often backfire if used carelessly, deviating from his goals.

But Crossing was definitely something he could use.

This skill could be linked to his teammates' performance.

As long as he found opportunities to pass into the box, even if the passes weren't perfect, his teammates might still score by chance.

If he could get an assist and achieve a 1 goal, 1 assist performance, This training match would be perfect for him!

"Maël, a product of the Arsenal Youth Academy U17."

On the sidelines, Sheffield United's head coach Kevin was reviewing Maël's profile, "No data in the youth league, brought back by chief scout Johansson after observing a friendly match."

He looked up at Maël, who had just scored, his interest piqued, "An interesting young man."

Gary Speed nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on his face, "When Johansson told me about him, I was a bit hesitant, but I ultimately trusted his judgment.

"Now it seems that the talent described in his scouting report is real and evident."

Kevin nodded in agreement, admiration welling up in him, "He hasn't even turned 17, and even if he doesn't perform this year, his future is still bright. It's a pity we only have a one-year loan deal."

Seemingly knowing what he was about to say, Gary Speed lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.

Sure enough, Kevin shook his head with a sigh, "It's also a pity that I'm about to leave this team."

This statement plunged the entire coaching staff into silence, which lasted for over ten seconds before someone broke it.

"The board might still consider your performance in the new season."

An assistant coach, with a complex expression, spoke up, "If we can hold on, they might not terminate your contract."

"Don't be silly."

Kevin shook his head, not holding out much hope, "The fans might not know, but we, as coaches, do. This group of players can't handle the EFL Championship.

"Besides Robert, Lorton, Evans, and Janu Hans, who else has the EFL Championship level?

"The professional league is a brutal and intense competition. You can't rely on reputation. Whether it's loaning players from Everton or Arsenal, or even Real Madrid's youth academy, it doesn't matter."

He wanted to say more, but a figure appeared at the training ground entrance.

It was Johansson, who had been assigned to organize files and had rushed over as soon as he finished.

"How's it going?"

Johansson glanced at the quickly moving players, observing Maël and Gilbert's conditions, slightly nervous.

"Yellow Team one to zero."

Gary Speed took over, giving him a satisfactory answer, "Maël scored with a Long Shot."

"Really?"

Johansson's eyes lit up with joy, and he clapped his hands, "Fantastic!"

"Bang!"

On the field, Maël found an opportunity, adjusting the ball to his right foot on the left flank and delivering a Crossing pass.

The quality was just about acceptable, but it was cleared out of the box by a red team defender who leaped up and headed it away, not posing much of a threat.

This was enough, though. He just needed to show his ability to create opportunities with Crossing.

Maël calmly ran back, moving quickly along the left flank, constantly weaving through the blind spots of the opposing midfielders.

Even though his teammates often didn't pass to him, he still ran forward at every opportunity, giving his all.

The proficiency panel had given him more than just skills; it had also instilled a habit of focus and full effort!

He couldn't yet use dribbling or speed to beat the opposing midfielders, so he had to create Crossing opportunities through constant movement and disruption.

This was an EFL Championship team, one of the best in England.

Maël had to take it seriously and give it his all.

Thus, he paid close attention to the movements of the opposing midfielders and the flow of the ball, constantly adjusting his position to create space for receiving passes.

[Skill: Observation Level 1]

[Proficiency: (21/300)]

[Effect: You start to try to read the game and observe the situation on the field, but due to limited match experience and lack of extensive video analysis, you are still at the initial stage.]

Maël, who was running, paused for a moment, then resumed his normal pace. Another new skill had awakened, and it was a particularly unique mental skill.

"Initial proficiency of 300, just like physical skills."

A hint of excitement flashed in his eyes. The ability to observe or read the game could significantly enhance one's performance.

Historically, famous master players were not only peak artists in their specific skills but also experts in understanding the game of football.

Moreover, this ability might not require deliberate practice like technical or physical skills.

As long as he played in fast-paced matches, he could constantly train it.

It was like automatically gaining proficiency.

"Based on the description, analyzing match footage might also help improve it."

Maël was quite invested in this skill. He immediately planned to watch more match footage and learn from other football masters' understanding of the game when he was tired from training other skills in the evenings.

Putting his thoughts aside, he refocused on the field.

Just then, the opposing team's forwards executed a brilliant Two-on-Two Combination Play on the flank, using smooth one-touch passing to break through the defense and deliver a Crossing pass.

"Bang!!"

A figure charged into the box from outside the penalty area, leaping high for a Powerful Header.

"Smack!" The team's starting goalkeeper Robert instinctively punched the ball back into the small box.

But the red team's forward didn't miss the chance for a follow-up shot, poking the ball into the net to equalize the score.

One to one!

Both teams were back on equal footing.

Maël smiled, not because he lacked team spirit.

It was because the one who had made the crucial header was Gilbert.

He could imagine that this goal would also leave a good impression on the coaching staff.

Could it be that Gilbert, who trained with him every day, had really improved his Positioning Ability?