Chapter 212 Please Cross Out My Name

In the 1970s and 1980s, the "Polish Iron Army" once dominated the world. They won third place twice in the 1974 World Cup in West Germany and the 1982 World Cup in Spain, and they also reached the quarterfinals in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.

The legendary star Boniek was undoubtedly the most dazzling Polish football player of that era. Boniek was also named the "FIFA Centennial Player" by FIFA for his outstanding performance in the national team and Juventus, and ranked 68th. However, after the Boniek era, the Polish team began to lose talent, and the Polish team rarely appeared in international competitions. This situation did not change until the 21st century.

According to the evaluations of many media, the reason why Poland is the favorite to qualify for the qualifiers, in addition to its performance in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, the most important reason is that they have produced a group of very outstanding players in recent years, many of whom have become the favorites of major European giants. This large group of young talents is undoubtedly the hope of the Polish team now and in the future.

After almost suffering a defeat in Vienna, head coach Eriksson also attached great importance to this game. The city of Wroclaw cannot compare with Vienna, so he will not give the players free time. The England team has been doing adaptive training for a few days after arriving at the hotel.

The weather in Wroclaw in September was a little cold, with an average temperature of around 10 degrees, which made most players uncomfortable. Fortunately, the accompanying staff had made some preparations for this. On the training ground, the players put on a white lining in their jerseys and slowly adapted to the sudden temperature difference.

However, even so, some players were knocked down by the sudden discomfort...

"Wayne, what's going on? The head coach asked me to tell you that you don't have to participate in the training match today."

In a room of the hotel, several players in blue training suits stood in a circle, all looking at Wayne Bridger lying in bed. Some of their faces showed concern, but most of them were gloating.

"I think you'd better return to London as soon as possible, otherwise it will be difficult if your condition worsens. After this game, there will be league games when you return to the club." Frank Lampard said with concern, and then a sly smile appeared on his face, and he continued: "Didn't you say that Furtado would come to London the day after tomorrow? It would be bad if this affected your 'ability'. Women have high requirements in this regard."

"Cough... cough..." Bridge, who was lying on the bed, looked a little weak, but he still smiled and retorted: "The great Wayne Bridge has been through hundreds of battles, and he is beyond your imagination in this regard. Frank, you don't have to envy me."

Wang Li looked at Bridget and said with a smile, "Okay, don't force yourself. Take the plane back this afternoon. Anyway, the team can win without you."

"Damn Wroclaw, the weather is so cold. London is still better." Joe Cole complained dejectedly.

"This is the home advantage. Poland just hopes that we are not in good shape."

"Anyway, we have Alan, so there's nothing to be afraid of. The great Wayne probably won't be able to play in this game. Alan, you must perform a hat trick for me to let those country folk know how powerful I am," Bridge said exaggeratedly while gesturing with his hands.

After hearing what Bridge said, Wang Li thought about his own situation again, and said helplessly: "I just don't know if Mr. Eriksson will let me start."

Lampard thought for a moment and said, "I think so. Your performance is obvious to all. I think you are most likely to replace Michael. He is not in a very good state right now, probably because he is not having a good time at the club."

"I hope so."

Although several members of the "Chelsea Gang" within the England team all hope that Wang Li can start and think that there should be no problem with this, in fact, head coach Eriksson does not think so.

In fact, after seeing Wang Li's performance in the European Cup, Eriksson thought about letting Wang Li start. This black-haired boy has an incredibly high goal efficiency. This kind of player will definitely be the team's main force in the future---

But not now

In Eriksen's tactics, Wang Li's position after coming on the field is undoubtedly a shadow striker, but if he starts on the field, one of Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Scholes must leave the field.

Michael Owen is the second biggest superstar in the England team after David Beckham. Regardless of his current fame, when Eriksson first took over the England team, he encountered numerous public pressures. It was Beckham and Owen who stood up and issued a statement of support, which greatly improved his situation. Moreover, putting aside personal feelings, Owen is only 25 years old now, at the peak of his career. Eriksson cannot deprive him of his starting position just because he is not in good form in one or two games.

What's more, no matter what, Michael Owen still had an assist in the last game.

Wayne Rooney is the first young player promoted by Eriksson after he took over the national team. His ability is beyond doubt. In the past two years, whether in the league or the national team, Rooney has gained Eriksson's absolute trust with his performance. Rooney's advantage is that he has more experience in the national team than Wang Li. They are both England's double stars. Even if Wang Li scores a few more goals, he can't replace Rooney in the head coach's mind.

In Eriksson's mind, Paul Scholes, who is already 30 years old this year, will undoubtedly be the best candidate for Wang Li to replace him. No matter from the three aspects of strength, age and status, Wang Li replacing Scholes in the game will make people speechless. However, in Eriksson's tactics, Scholes is a left winger. If Wang Li replaces Scholes, the positions of the players on the field will change greatly. For the sake of one player, the positions of multiple players will change. Under the last resort, Eriksson will not take risks.

Therefore, as long as Eriksson is still coaching the England team, at least in the short term, Wang Li will still be a substitute player, even though he has outstanding strength and performance.

The day before the game, at the end of the afternoon training, Eriksson announced the list of players for this game: "Goalkeepers David James, Paul Robinson, defenders Gary Neville, Philip Neville, Sol Campbell, John Terry, Jamie Carragher, King, midfielders Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Jermaine Pennant, Hargreaves, Joe Cole, forwards Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Alan Wong."

When he said the last name, Eriksson seemed to look at Wang Li intentionally, then raised his head and continued: "The Polish team is much stronger than the Austrian team, so we must give our all in tomorrow's game and strive for victory."

"The opponent's attack speed is very fast. In the European Cup, the Polish team played very well together. We must be careful of the opponent's quick counterattack. Defenders should pay more attention to Poland's No. 11 Maciej Zurawski. He is the Polish team's sharp striker and is very fast..."

After Ericsson arranged the tasks for tomorrow's game, he closed the notebook in his hand and said, "Okay, that's all I have to say. If you have any questions, you can come to me alone. Dismissed."

After Eriksen finished speaking, the players returned to their rooms individually. In fact, the roster announced by Eriksen still made many players present dissatisfied. It can be said that almost every player who was not on the roster was dissatisfied. They followed the team from London to Vienna, and then to the slightly cold Wroclaw. It can be said that they had traveled a long distance and fought thousands of miles, but it was all in vain. Many of them did not even qualify to sit on the bench.

However, since Eriksson is the head coach of the national team, these young players do not have the courage to offend him. Joining the England national team and being able to play means fame and money will come with it. This opportunity is absolutely rare.

In fact, the reason why Eriksson called up so many players before the game was because he underestimated the strength of his opponents. The Swede actually wanted to let the main players of these teams play one less game, and give these future stars of the England team a chance to play in the competition.

However, the difficult victory in the last game has made him change his mind. Before the points in the group stage can guarantee the team's qualification, he decided to play it safe and strive for more points first, and then make other considerations---

If the England team's performance is not satisfactory because of the need to train young players, it would be a case of losing sight of one thing while focusing on another.

Most players dare not offend Eriksen, but that doesn’t mean all players are afraid of this Swede. Wang Li is an example.

Although Wang Li was also included in the team's roster, he knew that he would still sit on the bench. Maybe he would have a chance to come on as a substitute, or maybe he would sit out the entire game. In any case, these were not what he wanted to see.

Wang Li is very confident in his own strength. After the breakthrough of Xiao Wuxiang Gong, he is sure that his strength is definitely not worse than any football player. With this confidence based on strength, Wang Li has great resistance to his current position in the England team.

In the England team, Wang Li is a substitute in every game and is only allowed to play when the team is facing a crisis. If this happens once, he can be said to be the savior, but if it happens several times in a row, it makes people feel uncomfortable.

'Is it that the team only thinks of me when they are in crisis? Why do I always do this? If I play, I can definitely score a goal and help the team win.'

"With my performance, I should definitely be in the starting lineup. Why am I still on the bench? I've had enough."

Yes, Wang Li has had enough. His performance has always been good, so why should he be content to be a substitute?

But since March this year until now, except for being an absolute main player in Chelsea's games, he has always been a substitute player. Life on the bench is definitely not comfortable, and he has no need to prove anything.

So, that night, Wang Li walked into the office of head coach Eriksson---

"Sir, if I am not a starting player, please cross my name off the roster." Wang Li looked directly into the Swede's eyes and said sincerely.