"Haha! Gu! You scored 2 goals and made 1 assist, making you the top scorer in the team!"

"Do you know what? Our school's internal forum is going crazy right now!"

"The news of our 1:3 victory over the Triangle River team has spread throughout the school forum!"

"The campus forum is full of posts praising Gu Ran!"

"Gu! You are already a big star in the whole school! Most of the posts are confessions to you!"

"Fuck! The forum can't be opened! Gu, you crashed the school server!"

"Gu, you bastard! Almost all the girls in the school are fascinated by you!"

“And there’s a female teacher!”

The players were talking a lot and expressing their envy.

This kind of grand occasion was something they had never experienced before!

After all, the last time the Milwaukee Steelers made the top eight in the country was when Coach Carter was playing.

Gu Ran himself was a little surprised.

Holy shit…

Now I'm afraid I can't even climb over the wall to get into the school...

It seems that I really need to learn from Anne Hathaway and learn how to maintain a normal relationship with fans.

Alas, I really don’t want to be a big star.

I really don’t want any female fans!

How many female fans understand football?

Of course there are, but they definitely don’t know as much as male fans!

Although this may sound a bit strange, I really would rather have men chasing me...

I really just want to play football in peace! And... don't ask me to pay for the campus server!

"No, no! Gu, you have to treat us tonight!"

"Yes! We're going to the best bar in London! We're going to drink the most expensive alcohol!"

"Fuck... No! Don't let Gu Ran treat us! He'll kill us!"

"That's right! Don't let Gu treat us!"

All the Bucks players couldn't help but break out in cold sweats when they thought of the horrific situation during training a few days ago.

Roll three times a day!

Who the hell can stand this!

Gu Ran looked puzzled, "What's wrong? I really want to treat you guys to a drink, don't always think about saving money for me."

Minato said angrily, "Who wants to save money for you? We are obviously afraid that you will retaliate against us by using crazy internal training!"

Gu Ran was stunned, and quickly explained: "I am not retaliating against you for spending too much money! There were more than a dozen of you, and you only spent two thousand pounds for a night of partying at the bar. I think you are too stingy!"

Minato was surprised and asked, "So, you're not cheating us just because we spend more money?"

Gu Ran smiled and said, "Of course not! I'm not short of money!"

"yeah!!!"

"Gu! Good brother!"

"Haha! I told you, my brother isn't that stingy!"

"Then we can rest assured!"

The players of the Bucks Steel Horns high-fived and cheered excitedly.

Then Gu Ran said seriously: "It doesn't matter how much money you spend in the bar. Entertainment is entertainment and training is training. Whether you spend 2,000 pounds or 20,000 pounds, I will train hard."

——When he first joined the team, Gu Ran had a fatal problem with his physical fitness, so the amount of training naturally could not be increased.

Now, Gu Ran's physical attributes, especially his physical fitness, have improved rapidly, so the amount of training naturally has to keep up.

Otherwise, how can he win the favor of more professional clubs in the next three games? How can he be worthy of a goddess-level star like Anne Hathaway?

Yes, I don’t want to be a big star, I want to match a big star…

When he thought of this, Gu Ran couldn't help but smile slightly.

Gu Ran's words, coupled with the upturned expression on his face, stunned every single one of the Bucks Steelhorns players present.

...This is fucking crazy!

Having just defeated Lampard's Triangle River team, Gu Ran is actually thinking about crazy internal competition again! It has nothing to do with how much money is spent on the dinner...

This volume still needs to be rolled...

And next time it might be even crazier...

...Oh my God!

This is really crazy!

The players of the Bucks Steelhorns were all groaning in their hearts, wishing they could glare at Gu Ran.

At this moment, Coach Carter walked in excitedly with a stack of technical statistics.

"Well done, my boys!"

As soon as Coach Carter came in, he patted the shoulders of each of the main players of the Bucks Steel Horns one by one, "Haha! We won! We are now in the top eight in the country! My boys, you are all awesome!"

Bucks Steelhorns player: …

The Bucks Steelhorns team couldn't get excited at all when they thought about being swept by Gu Ran again.

Coach Carter's eyes widened in shock. "Hush... You guys are so calm about this victory? Good! You've all matured! I thought you guys would be so excited that you wouldn't know your own last name after defeating Lampard, tying the best record in school history, and reaching the top eight in the country! Haha! Not bad, not bad! This is great! You must be thinking the same as I was: What's the point of being in the top eight in the country? Our goal is-"

Coach Carter waited excitedly for the response from the Bucks Steelhorns players.

As a result, no one responded.

Coach Carter cleared his throat awkwardly, "Yes, our next goal is to create school history and reach the national semi-finals! As long as we win the next game, all of you will have the opportunity to be selected by the English Football Association to join a professional club, or you can enter the university's sports department as a sports specialty student!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of all the Bucks Steelhorns players lit up.

Indeed, they are now in the top 8, which is one of the best results of the school team in the past 100 years, but only by becoming the top 4 in the country can they obtain real benefits and advantages, and they are officially supported! You know, except for Gu Ran, the academic performance of the Bucks Steel Horns is quite poor.

But as long as they can make it to the top four, they will be admitted to university and get a university diploma. Alternatively, they can choose not to go to university and directly enter a professional club for a one-year trial training under the arrangement of the Football Association.

This is the rising channel.

If a system is not designed with an upward channel, then the system will collapse sooner or later.

As the birthplace of modern football, British football has been using the general selection method of national high school championships more than a hundred years ago.

It is for this reason that every high school in the UK attaches great importance to attracting and cultivating football talents, which is also a very important part of the admission rate index.

Over time, this forms a virtuous cycle.

This virtuous cycle ensures that they have a steady stream of football talent and that football develops better and better.

Youth training, of course, requires financial support, as well as professional equipment, professional coaches, and professional football concepts.

But these are just superficial conditions.

The real core is how to enable young people to have a path to advancement when playing football.

In China, if teenagers want to play football, ordinary schools do not have the conditions to do so.

Not only is the classroom pressure high and there is not enough time after class, but the school's lack of attention is also a big problem.

Chinese schools pursue the rate of admission to higher education, so if the youth football championship, high school football league, and cup competition are not linked to the rate of admission to higher education, no school will be willing to spend money and time on these things. Even if they do, they are just image projects.

In China, children who want to play football have to rely on their families to spend a lot of money to send them to professional football schools. The tuition fees of most of these football schools are shockingly expensive. Football has become a business, and every aspect of football is full of profits.

China's youth football system has never been truly established, and what it lacks is actually this upward channel.

This is also the reason why Gu Ran had never really come into contact with football before studying abroad.

Youth training is the key to the development of a country's football industry.

However, if the problem of upward mobility is not solved, if children from ordinary families are not allowed to realize that as long as they go to school and practice playing basketball well, they can also be admitted to prestigious schools or selected by professional clubs like those top students, and if the principals of ordinary schools are not allowed to realize that practicing basketball can also improve the school's admission rate, then the so-called youth training is nothing more than an image project that is just forcing things to happen.

...Thinking of this, Gu Ran couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart.

When Coach Carter talked about the benefits of reaching the semifinals, the other players of the Bucks Steelhorns immediately became excited again: "Go, go, go!"

“Reach the top 4!”

“We are going to set a record for Southampton High School!”

"Very good!" Coach Carter nodded with satisfaction, then turned back and tightly grasped Gu Ran's shoulders, "Gu! Your performance today was amazing! I was so surprised! You have proved once again that you are a once-in-a-century, no, you are a once-in-a-millennium football genius! I can't wait to introduce you to the world! Really! But..."

Coach Carter pressed Gu Ran's shoulders and applied a little force. "Don't be impatient, Gu, really don't be impatient. You have to trust me, okay?"

Coach Carter's tone even had a hint of a request.

Gu Ran immediately said, "Yes, coach, I'm not in a hurry."

Gu Ran is very clear about his position.

Right now, his physical attributes are at best semi-professional, and he may not even be able to make it to the lowest level of the professional league.

Moreover, his technique was also very rough. The reason why he was able to win these games so easily was, on the one hand, because the star players had powerful skills and used them just right, and on the other hand, because Coach Carter's defensive counterattack system with Gu Ran as the core was very suitable for Gu Ran's current situation.

Therefore, Gu Ran is very clear about the gap between himself and professional players.

The most urgent task is to proceed step by step, continue to use the remaining few elimination games to enrich ourselves, consolidate the foundation, and move forward in the right direction step by step.

So, we really can’t be impatient.

Coach Carter was very happy to see Gu Ran so calm.

"Okay! Now I have something to announce: our next semi-final match will be held in 6 days, that is, on June 15th. The Football Association has not yet announced the specific schedule and matchups, so everyone can just go and party today. Tomorrow morning, I will have the drummer send the specific information of the opponent to your email. Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, the whole team will have a day off!"

"yeah!!!"

The players of the Bucks Steelhorns cheered happily: "It's holiday time! We can go to the bar!"

"Haha! Gu Ran's treat!"

"We're going to drink as much as we want today! We're only going to drink the expensive stuff!"

"That's right, we're all going to be robbed by him anyway! We're going to find the most expensive bar in London today! We're going to spend tens of thousands of pounds!"

"Hahaha……"

Gu Ran shook his head and laughed secretly: Look at how little you have achieved! Coach Carter frowned upon hearing this, "I don't mind you going to the bar to party, but you can't go to London. You must come back to Southampton with me. I have booked the train tickets! No one is allowed to leave the team without permission! Otherwise, don't come back to the Bucks Steel Horns!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the players of the Bucks Steelhorns team suddenly wilted.

Everyone can only obey.

Gu Ran couldn't help but feel a sinking sensation in his heart.

If you are not allowed to leave the team without permission, how can you have dinner and get a room with your goddess at night?

Gu Ran opened his mouth, wanting to say something but stopped himself.

Coach Carter quickly asked softly, "Gu, do you have anything to say?"

Gu Ran quickly said, "It's okay, coach. I was just thinking... forget it."

Coach Carter said, "It's okay, Gu, just tell me what's going on!"

Gu Ran smiled sheepishly, "Coach, I wanted to ask you for leave to stay in London, but since you don't allow it, forget it."

Coach Carter's brows suddenly tightened. "Gu, you want to stay in London? You don't want to... be with Lampard?"

Oh shit!

Coach, how could you think that way?

I actually did it for Anne Hathaway! Gu Ran quickly explained: "No, no, no, coach, I assure you, I am no longer interested in Lampard. I actually want to have dinner with... ahem, my personal assistant in London."

"Oh!" Coach Carter breathed a sigh of relief and grinned, "So it's the beauty who has an appointment! Haha, good! That's fine, you can leave the team directly and return to the team for training after the holiday the day after tomorrow - during the holiday, you must pay attention to safety, maintain physical fitness, and don't overdo it."

What the hell?

Coach, you actually agreed?

Didn’t they say that anyone who dares to leave the team will be fired?

This, this, this... I feel a little embarrassed that they specially gave me a privilege! And... what does excessiveness mean?

Coach, you may have misunderstood! I am not that kind of person!

Gu Ran quickly said: "Thank you, coach!"

Coach Carter smiled as brightly as a flower, "You're welcome!"

Minato said angrily, "Coach! Why can Gu Ran leave the team!"

Coach Carter frowned and shouted, "Because he is Gu Ran! Because he scored two goals and made one assist today! Because he single-handedly dragged the Bucks Steelhorns to the top eight in the country! Are you satisfied with this answer?"

Minato retracted his tongue and smiled awkwardly: "Satisfied, satisfied."

Coach Carter swept his sharp eyes across the field, "Who else is dissatisfied?"

The entire Bucks Steelhorns team nodded: "Satisfied!"

Gu Ran said quickly, "I'm sorry, everyone. I really need to stay in London for one night. This is very important to me. Although I can't go back to Southampton with you, and although I can't go to the bar with you to drink, you can still spend money. It's my treat. Just remember to give me the bill at the end."

Minato frowned and said, "Gu, are you really willing to leave us brothers behind?"

...I'm willing to give it up!

Gu Ran sighed, "I don't want to either."

Xiu Tiao asked in confusion: "Gu, there are so many beauties in the bar. You gave up such a good opportunity to pick up girls?"

Gu Ran shrugged, "I don't know how to pick up girls, Xiu Tiao, you should try harder."

Rusty nodded vigorously, "Okay!"

Coach Carter waved his hand, "Okay, everyone hurry up and take a shower and change clothes, let's get out of here as soon as possible!"

"yes!"

The players rushed to the showers.

While taking a shower, Gu Ran briefly summarized today's collection:

There is 1 pickup left, and 1 talent point is still unused.

Seeing that half of the day has passed and the football game is over, it will be difficult to pick up football-related bubbles in the remaining picking opportunity.

Is it going to be used on Anne Hathaway?

No, no.

I still hope to give Anne happiness.

…

Ten minutes later.

All the players of the Bucks Steel Horns team walked out of the gate of St. Paul's Boys' School with their heads held high.

Annie followed Gu Ran closely. Although one couldn't see the expression on her face, one could tell from her body movements that Annie was very happy.

Taking Annie to watch the game is really a better way to relieve depression than asking her to lick the plate.

"Gu, bye! Don't overdo it!"

"See you the day after tomorrow! Don't overdo it!"

"Gu, let's go! Don't do that too much!"

"Gu, remember not to overdo it!"

"Hehehe... when you do that, don't overdo it!"

Before getting on the bus, the Bucks Steel Horns team's bad friends all winked at Gu Ran.

Gu Ran really wanted to punch them one by one.

The Bucks Steelers bus drove off and headed for the London train station.

Annie breathed a sigh of relief and asked curiously, "Gu, why do they tell you not to do that thing excessively? What exactly is that thing?"

So what is it?

Gu Ran cleared his throat and said seriously: "...training."

"Oh!" Annie suddenly realized and said seriously, "They are right. You just finished the game and you really can't train. As your life assistant, I will supervise you."

Gu Ran: ...

"Let's take a taxi too."

"Yeah! Okay!"

"But it's not time to eat yet, why don't we go shopping first?"

If we eat so early, won't we still have time to go back to Southampton after dinner? How can we get a room then? Annie nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I seldom go shopping before, and my assistant always buys it for me. It's great that you can go shopping with me today! By the way, Gu, are you tired?"

Gu Ran smiled and said, "Of course not. Let alone shopping, even if it's... ahem, anyway, I'm not tired at all."

Annie said happily, "Then I feel relieved."

Gu Ran hailed a taxi and told the destination...

Half an hour later.

Frank Lampard, who lost his first coaching match in his life 1:3, drove back to the club on Fulham Road.

Lampard parked the car and walked straight to the assistant coach's office.

"Hey, Frank?!"

Inside the office, a black man wearing glasses and a slim blue suit stood up with a surprised look on his face to greet me, "I heard that you are going to coach the high school team? How does it feel like to coach for the first time? Did you feel great to win?"

This person is none other than the current Chelsea club’s first-team scout and assistant coach – Michael Kevin Emenalo!

Lampard sat down on the sofa and smiled awkwardly, "Don't mention Michael, I lost 1:3."

Emenalo adjusted his glasses and grinned, "Haha, this joke is really funny. Look, I'm almost laughing."

Lampard shrugged. "This is not a joke. I really lost."

Emenalo opened his mouth in astonishment, "...Well, it seems that the opponent is a strong team."

Lampard said: "No, they are a weak team. They have only made the top eight in the country once in 100 years. Today's game is the second time."

Emenalo: ...

I don't even know how to save my dignity.

Lampard smiled and said, "But I'm not disappointed at all, really. After the game, I should have gone home to rest and prepare to go with the national team tomorrow, but there was an idea in my mind that I couldn't calm down, so I came to you."

Emenalo was confused, "What...thought?"

Lampard said seriously: "The school team that defeated me was very inconspicuous. I almost couldn't even remember their team name, it was Bucks Steelhorns. They had a left-back named Gu Ran, a young Chinese man. He has only been in football for less than a month, but he has very good awareness and high football IQ. When he sprints, he is like Bale - although he is still far from Bale's speed now, I dare say that when Bale was 17 years old, he might not be able to beat him in a sprint."

"Also, what amazes me even more is that Gu Ran can make very beautiful long shots and can also send very beautiful and decisive through balls to his teammates! I think his playing style is very similar to mine. Yes, I am his fan - no, I mean, he is my fan. He is the key man who single-handedly dominated the entire game!"

Lampard became more and more excited as he spoke! Emenalo was a little amused, "Frank, you are just talking about an amateur game between high school students. There is no need to be so excited, right? Besides, you have only been in contact with football for a month? This is impossible."

Lampard said: "You don't have to get excited when you see a pile of rotten stones, but when you find a gem among the rotten stones, you have to get excited! Michael, believe me, Gu Ran has a big picture and vision beyond his peers. He is a talented engine player, and he will grow into the rarest B2B defender in the world!"

Emenalo smiled and said, "Well, Frank. If he is as good as you say, you should invite him to try out for our Chelsea youth team."

Lampard sighed, "I invited him. But..."

Emenalo was surprised and said, "No way? He would actually reject you? Reject Chelsea?"

Lampard said: "No, he didn't reject me directly, but he didn't seem to be particularly excited about my invitation. Moreover, when I invited him, his school team coach, a very annoying guy, suddenly ran over and interrupted our conversation. I could feel that the school team coach obviously didn't want me to contact Gu Ran - maybe the coach wanted to introduce Gu Ran to another professional club."

Emenalo nodded solemnly.

Lampard is indeed a player with high IQ, and this analysis is reliable.

"So," Lampard continued, "my invitation may not be formal enough, and Gu Ran may not want a trial contract with the youth team. I want you to convince that woman to go through Chelsea's official channel and give him a formal youth team professional contract."

...that woman.

Emenalo, who was born as a rugby player, hugged his head subconsciously, and then smiled helplessly: "Frank, you know that woman will not pay attention to a Chinese boy who has only played amateur games. She only likes to dig out famous players, because when Abramovich hears that a famous player has been recruited to Chelsea, he will be particularly happy. You let me tell her that there is an amateur player, and before I can say the second sentence, she will directly say NO to me, and when she says NO, the whole Premier League knows that it is a real NO."

Lampard also smiled helplessly, "Yes, I know, that's why we call her Premier League No. But, Michael, your words still carry weight with her. Sooner or later you will become Chelsea's technical director, and No will listen to your advice to recruit people. Michael, I think you can keep this from No. 1 for now. Go watch a game of that kid in person and do a background check. If you agree with me, you can issue a professional scouting report to No. 1. If you still think that kid is nothing after watching the game, then just pretend I never said anything."

Emenalo smiled and said, "Frank, take my advice, this is a futile effort."

Lampard smiled and said, "Brother, just do me a favor."

Emenalo pondered for a moment, "...well, for you, Frank."

"Thanks."

The two hugged each other.

…

(End of this chapter)