Walking up to the main stand was a middle-aged man who looked a little thin but had sharp eyes.
This man has a lazy, yet unique temperament.
He was wearing a blue sports jacket with a striking Manchester United logo embroidered on the chest.
All the scouts in the main stand, including Chelsea's Emenalo, stood up in awe of the man.
This is definitely not because of Manchester United's team logo. Few of the scouts from small clubs present like Manchester United.
The reason why he stood up was because this man himself was a well-known and important figure in the scout industry:
Jim Lawler, the global chief scout of Manchester United! Jim Lawler has rich experience and expertise, and is very familiar with the global football market and major leagues.
As one of the most highly paid professional scouts, he is extremely insightful and has a keen eye. He only needs to watch a player train for 10 minutes to see through the player's potential and the direction of his training.
He has discovered many outstanding players, such as Dong Fangzhuo from China, Park Ji-sung from South Korea, Pogba from France, etc. He was also responsible for investigating stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Vidic, Rooney, etc. for the club, and played a big role in their joining Manchester United.
It can be said that Jim Lawlor has made an indelible contribution to Manchester United's talent pool over the past decade.
What shocked the scouts from the small clubs was that such a top scout would actually appear in a national competition at the amateur level!
Emenalo's first thought was: ...Oh no! This guy is coming for Gu Ran! Oh no! Oh no! Lawler swept his sharp eyes across the main stand, nodded slightly to the scouts from the small club, and finally, Lawler set his eyes on the Chelsea logo on Emenalo's chest.
Emenalo quickly gave Lawler a friendly smile.
Lawler also smiled at Emenalo, and took the initiative to walk to Emenalo and sit down next to him.
Emenalo's scalp tingled, as if there was a lion sitting next to him that would open its bloody mouth at any time.
"Chelsea." Lawler's voice was a little lazy.
The tone was not contemptuous, but Emenalo still felt a little uncomfortable.
Emenalo kept a smile on his face, "Yes, Mr. Lawler, I am Chelsea's assistant coach and scout, Michael Emenalo."
The two of them shook hands briefly, then quickly let go, as if they were afraid of being photographed by others.
Lawler continued in a lazy voice, "I've been traveling overseas in recent years, and I don't know many of the scouts in China anymore. By the way, aren't you Chelsea very rich? Why do you also come to watch this amateur high school national competition?"
Are you trying to trick me? Are you trying to trick me? Emenalo smiled steadily, "Oh, I'm here to pay attention to the missionary team."
Lawler nodded as if he had suddenly realized something. "I've read the Missionaries' information. There are two guys who are U17 internationals. They will definitely become stars in the future, especially the midfielder No. 10, Josh McEachran. He has good footwork and is a good fit for you, Chelsea."
Emenalo thought to himself: If it's really that good, you would tell me? Why are you pretending! You Manchester United must be here for Gu Ran! Emenalo smiled and said, "Mr. Lawler, it seems that you must also be here for the two U17 internationals of the Missionary Team, right? Those two U17 internationals are so lucky to be favored by a top scout like you. We Chelsea will definitely not be able to compete with you Manchester United."
Lawler shrugged and said lazily, "No, don't worry, I'm not here for the U17 internationals - you may not believe it, I'm here for a kid from the Bucks Steelhorns."
Emenalo: Tell us the truth???
Emenalo asked tentatively: "Stag Horns? That's a...weak grassroots team! Not a single player on their team has ever been trained in a professional club's youth training camp."
Lawler sighed, "That's right! I don't know what the Manchester United executives are thinking. They want me to come back from Asia to scout a Chinese kid named Gu Ran. I've scouted Cristiano Ronaldo before! Don't you think this is nonsense?"
After hearing this, Emenalo finally understood.
It seems that this guy doesn’t know how strong Gu Ran is!
Good! Very good! Excellent!
Emenalo secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "It's indeed a bit ridiculous. Mr. Lawler, I suggest you pay more attention to No. 9 Connor Wickham. He is very suitable for Manchester United. Of course, No. 10 Hill McEachran is also good and worthy of Mr. Lawler's attention."
Lawler raised his eyelids and glanced at Emenalo, "Are you guys in Chelsea so generous?"
Emenalo thought to himself: Oops, I used too much force! Emenalo quickly smiled and said, "...Fair competition."
"Haha, well said." Lawler nodded at Emenalo with a wry smile, "Fair competition, fair competition."
The two of them didn't say anything more, each thinking about their own things.
Around 4pm.
Just as Lawler was leaning back in a chair in the main stand and dozing off, there was suddenly a violent commotion in the main stand!
Lawler was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened and he took a deep breath.
A more important figure than him appeared!
Southampton club's senior executive Les Reid was seen accompanying a silver-haired old man onto the main stand.
The silver-haired old man was the chairman of the English Football Association, David Bernstein! Everyone in the main stand stood up to greet him, including Lawler and Emenalo.
Lawler was no longer sleepy. His eyes were brighter than anyone else's, and his expression was more lively than anyone else's.
Although Bernstein was once the chairman of Manchester City Football Club, this did not prevent Lawler, a Manchester United scout, from shaking hands with him before anyone else.
Emenalo, who was standing next to him, called him a role model! Bernstein smiled and waved to the scouts and the media, then sat in the front row of the main stand with Old Rice.
As the chairman of the English Football Association, he must attend this national competition. After the game is decided, he will personally present the award to the championship team to show the Football Association's attention and support for young players.
"Old Rice, the player you want to apply for a work permit for is in this game, right?" Bernstein asked, tilting his head.
"Yes, David." Old Rice smiled and said, "His name is Gu Ran, and he is the left back of the Bucks Steel Horns."
Bernstein smiled and said, "I heard you asked Greg to go fishing?"
This is too jumpy!
But when the two sentences are connected, the meaning is very clear!
Old Rice laughed calmly, "It's not just fishing, we also talked about the labor permit issue - Greg said that this kind of thing can't be discussed privately and must be handled impartially."
Old Les's meaning was also very clear: Although Greg and I had an affair, and although Greg and I were on the boat, there was nothing fishy between us.
——Of course, this is not true.
To be honest, when it comes to the level of old Rice and Bernstein, something bad will happen.
The English Football Association has never been clean. The rules seem good, but these old guys have long since jumped out of the rules.
Applying for a labor permit is actually a "dirty job", but Old Rice would rather get himself dirty again and get a labor permit for Gu Ran.
The vote of FA Chairman Bernstein is particularly crucial.
Bernstein laughed and said, "Greg is pretty good. Do you think he will be the next in line after I leave office?"
Old Rice waved his hand. "What are you talking about, David? You are still young! You can work for another ten years without any problem."
“Hahaha! Old Rice, you—” Bernstein smiled and looked at the empty court, “I have to pay close attention to your Gu Ran today.”
More than 50,000 fans at the scene immediately cheered wildly! The pre-match warm-up session finally began!
MaxxRT重新上播！
直播间的人数瞬间就达到了8千人！
[卧槽！楼主终于又上播了！] [现场的呼喊声好大啊！] [那个顾然上场了吗？快点让我看看他帅不帅！] MaxxRT也很激动，“真没想到，在国内晚上11点多的时候，还有这么多水友等待着看中国天才顾然的比赛！我替顾然谢谢大家！虽然顾然现在还不认识我，哈哈！现在是两队的热身阶段，正在从球员通道走出来的，是身穿蓝色球衣的传教士队。顾然所在的雄鹿钢角队还没有登场，不过马上就快了。”
现场，5千多名来自伦敦的球迷疯狂的为传教士队加油喝彩。
但是，场内更多的是来自南安普顿球迷的狂嘘之声。
不少南安普顿的球迷大声的吼道：
“假赛队！假赛队！”
“顾然爸爸会把你们屁股打出花来的！”
在漫场的狂嘘声之中，传教士队的球员闷着头开始训练。
紧接着，身穿红白相间球衣的雄鹿钢角队登场！ 小伙子们个个精神抖擞，士气爆棚！ 现场的南安普顿球迷和卡迪夫球迷们全都从自己的座位上跳了起来，疯狂欢呼！
整个千禧球场仿佛都要燃炸了！气氛爆棚！
四万多个充血的喉咙齐声呐喊： “顾然！顾然！顾然！”
“顾然！顾然！顾然！”
MaxxRT冲着手机大吼道：“水友们！听到了吗！你们听到了吗？这就是全国大赛总决赛的现场！你们听到这些疯狂的外国人在喊的中国名字吗？这场面太燃了！太热血了！你们不在现场可以体会不到这种感觉，但是我真的快要哭了！我真的真的！快要哭了！”
[楼主！手别抖啊！] [看不清楚了！全是晃动的人影！] [快让我们看看顾然的样子！] [卧槽！还真是全场都在喊顾然的名字啊！我特么浑身疙瘩都起来了！] [我本来想看一眼就去睡觉的，这特么怎么睡得着！] [我还想再问一遍！顾然真的是中国人吗？不会是加入外国国籍的假洋鬼子吧？] [难说啊，就算顾然现在是中国籍，但是很可能将来会加入外国国籍吧？] [那还看个屁！老外的球星那么多，梅西C罗都看不够呢，老子何必熬夜看特么的业余高中生假洋鬼子踢球？] 一部分网友直接退出了直播间。
[卧槽，脾气也太暴躁了吧，再说，也没人说顾然就是外籍啊。] [先看看再说！] [楼主啊，拜托你别抖了！我们都了解你的手速了，你快好好直播吧！] MaxxRT努力稳住自己的双手，将手机镜头推近，拍摄顾然。
虽然画质非常模糊，但依然可以看到顾然英俊的东方人轮廓。
[平平无奇。] [平平无奇+1。] [平平无奇+10086。] [没你们说的那么平常，比起我来，也就只是差了那么一点点而已吧。] [你们啊，一个个的，真能吹牛逼。还是我来句实话吧——顾然只比我帅了一点点而已。] [我也是踢过球的，我看顾然的热身也没什么啊，就很正常啊，怎么现场球迷们对他这么疯狂？] [是啊，真奇怪。] [我告诉你们吧，现场五万人其实都是楼主花钱请的托……] [卧槽，富二代就是会玩啊。] [MaxxRT哥哥，你喜不喜欢弟弟啊，很可爱的那种？] MaxxRT本来想介绍一下现场的热身情况，不过现场的欢呼声实在太强烈了，整个西侧看台都在嗡嗡共振，MaxxRT对着手机喊了几声，结果自己都听不到自己的声音。
MaxxRT索性也就不说了，任凭水友们在直播间里海扯。
这个时候，千禧球场的DJ开始介绍双方球员的首发名单。
首先是介绍主场球队雄鹿钢角队。
每介绍一名球员，北侧看台就会爆发出阵阵热烈的欢呼声和口哨声。
当介绍到顾然时，现场DJ以极其隆重的语气喊道：“接下来是，雄鹿钢角队的3号左边后卫！来自中国的——顾！然！”
“嗷嗷嗷！嗷嗷嗷！”
“中国爸爸！中国爸爸！”
“黑头发的贝尔！”
“男神！啊啊啊！我爱你！”
北侧看台直接疯炸了！漫场都是尖叫声！ 穿JK的官方应援团直接把上衣脱掉，光着大半个膀子，大跳康康舞！ 索菲和父母也举着爱心灯牌，疯狂为顾然欢呼！
玛利亚老师则在看台的另一侧，激动的一波未平一波又起！ 有个女孩子直接激动的晕过去了！
这已经是她第4次还没开赛就直接晕过去了！
顾然这人气，无敌了！ 顾然停下训练，朝北侧看台挥手致敬。
直播间里的水友们也全都激动了起来：
[卧槽卧槽！太燃了！] [你们刚才听到那老外DJ的介绍了吗？他说来自中国的顾然！顾然是中国人！不是假洋鬼子！] [哈哈！可以放心的看了！] [妈的，这吊炸天的氛围啊！这真的是高中生的业余比赛吗？] [简直不敢相信啊！更不敢相信的是，老外们居然这么崇拜中国人！] [我要是顾然，我特么得爽死啊！] [就是啊！连MaxxRT那货都能跟着沾光泡两个金毛妹！顾然本人不得一天换一个啊？] [艹！羡慕死了！] [别拿你们的LSP思想去揣摩人家顾然，人家顾然一看就是正经人。] [不是吧？这谁请的水军？] [哪有什么水军，肯定是个清澈的妹子。] [是吗？来让哥哥鉴定一下……] [你们真的是来看球的吗？] [是啊是啊！] [我正经是正经球迷啊！] ——直播间的人数在快速增长，眨眼间就突破了上万人的大关！ 这个时候，就听现场DJ继续大声的介绍道：“顾然目前的总进球数是9球，跟金羊毛队的乔利并列射手榜第一！不过金羊毛队已经淘汰，所以顾然今天能打进1球，就可以跃居全国大赛射手榜第一名了！让我们一起，为顾然大声欢呼三次！”
"Gu Ran——"
“Roar! Roar! Roar!”
"Gu Ran——"
“Roar! Roar! Roar!”
The Southampton fans and Cardiff fans at the scene all waved their arms in unison and cheered passionately! The English-speaking fans in the live broadcast room were all shocked: [What? Did I hear it correctly? ] [I was shocked too! My English Level 4 seems to have been given as a gift when I bought erasers. ] [Those who know English, stop pretending and tell us what the DJ said? ] [If I heard it correctly, the DJ seemed to say that Gu Ran was tied for first place in the national competition scorer list, and as long as he scored one more goal, he would be able to secure the top scorer. ] [What? Isn't Gu Ran a defender? A defender ranked first in the scorer list? ] [Did he hide a knife in his trouser pocket, or a gun in his crotch! ? ] [You must have heard it wrong! ] [ I also think I heard it wrong, but this DJ took the lead in cheering for Gu Ran! ] [Fuck... Could it be... ] [This is fucking awesome! ] [666! [ OP! After the game, you must interview Gu Ran! You must! Ask us the questions we care about!] MaxxRT shouted loudly: "Okay! After the game, I will definitely find a chance to interview Gu Ran! Aaaaaa! Aaaaaa——"
At this time, on the main stand.
Manchester United scout Lawler was surprised. "I didn't expect that Gu Ran is so popular? No. 1 in the full-back scorer list? Unbelievable!"
Emenalo next to him looked tense and said quickly, "It's normal. After all, it's an amateur match and everyone is just kicking randomly."
Lawler nodded. "What you said makes sense. Maybe it's because we are too amateurish that the full-back got the top scorer."
Lawler yawned in boredom, "By the way, you must have seen Gu Ran's matches before, what do you think of this guy?"
Genius! God's vision! Once in a million years! The future of our Chelsea! The peerless star that Sister NO must get personally! Emenalo took a deep breath, subconsciously covered his scout notes, and said: "...Gu Ran, I didn't pay much attention to it."
"Oh." Lawler closed his eyes expressionlessly and leaned back in his chair to rest.
Emenalo secretly breathed a sigh of relief and thought:
In today's game, no matter how shocking Gu Ran's performance is, I must hold it in. I must not let Lawler find out that I am interested in Gu Ran! I must hold it in! I cannot draw Gu Ran's tactical diagrams or write comments about Gu Ran! For the future of Chelsea! I must hold it in...
Ahhhh! It’s so hard for me! The half-hour pre-match warm-up is over.
Players from both teams left the field amid the cheers of 50,000 fans and returned to their respective locker rooms to make final preparations.
At this time, four staff members escorted the sports representatives of Westminster School to bring the championship trophy with a blue ribbon to the field and placed it in the middle of the player's tunnel exit to ensure that when the players from both sides officially came on the field, every player could pass by the trophy.
This trophy is modeled after the Premier League Trophy, the only difference is that the Premier League trophy is made of 925 sterling silver, while this "Young Talent" trophy is made of pure copper, and there is no lion crown logo on the football on top of the trophy.
The trophy weighs 12.5 kilograms and is half a person's height. The name of the championship team and the year of victory are engraved on the base of the trophy.
The blue ribbon on the trophy is not original, but is replaced with the ribbon in the color of the winning team.
Once the game is over, a sculptor will carve the name of the winning team on the spot, and the trophy will go home with the winning team until this time next year when they will be brought to the stadium for another competition.
When the trophy was placed in the middle of the player tunnel, the fans at the scene once again went wild! Especially the fans from Southampton, this was the first time in their history that they were so close to this youth talent trophy! The final of the National High School Football Championship was about to begin!
…
(End of this chapter)