August 29th, Maël began planning a new training regimen, with the emphasis on continuous adjustments.
After three Premier League games, he had a clearer understanding of what he needed and which abilities could elevate his combat effectiveness to the next level.
Firstly, considering his existing abilities, his physique, shooting, and passing were already at an extremely high level, capable of contributing significantly in the Premier League.
Against any opposing full-back, no matter how formidable, he had the ability to create trouble.
It was merely a matter of a 60-40, 70-30, or even 80-20 split, depending on his and his opponent's characteristics and his form on the day.
"But it's a bit monotonous."
That was Maël's current thought. Whether it was passing or shooting, he only had two abilities for each.
Although each was extremely strong individually, the midfield and defensive lines of Premier League teams were very tight. With their deliberate precautions, he didn't have many opportunities to use these abilities in each game.
Especially shooting; having about three to four chances in a game was already quite good.
This was easy to understand. Historically, even those famous Cannons rarely scored more than five Long Shots in a season in top-level competitions.
Most wingers, even with super *Cut Inside Curved Shot* abilities, rarely scored more than five similar goals in a single season.
Modern football was constantly evolving, and the defensive systems were becoming increasingly sophisticated, which to some extent suppressed the display of strong individual characteristics.
Even though Maël also had a beast-like physique and was about to possess super Ball Control ability, allowing him to create more opportunities in matches and score more goals than those top Cannons and Cut Inside wingers,
it still wasn't enough! His goal wasn't just 20 goals in a single season, or even 30 goals; he was aiming to compete for the very best!
Therefore, he obviously needed even greater strength, the ability to score 50 or more goals in all competitions in a single season!
At this point, he needed to move towards being more well-rounded, striving to have the ability to create shooting and passing opportunities in various scenarios.
"Volley."
He recalled one of Van Persie's abilities, a very elegant and stylish skill that could be applied in many situations.
Of Van Persie's 30 goals each season, at least five or six were pure Volleys, and another four or five grazed the edge of a Volley.
It could be seen that this ability had high applicability in matches, with many opportunities and scenarios for its use.
Maël himself also felt that when Gervinho and Walcott on the other side made a Cross, if Van Persie didn't receive it, it was difficult for him to do anything about it.
Whether it was a header or a Volley, he couldn't execute it, wasting many potential goals.
Also, many times when he stood outside the penalty area to receive a second ball, after the opposing defender cleared it with a header or instep, nine times out of ten it was a half-high ball.
He could only choose to stop the ball and then unleash a Cannon, but a direct Volley would mostly fly into the stands.
Even if he could sometimes stop the ball and score, more often than not, by the time he stopped the ball, the defender would come up and tackle it away.
If he had a Volley, he would have more options in such situations.
He'd train this!
He decided that this was an extremely important ability. If he mastered it, his goal-scoring efficiency would increase again! "Outside Foot Curving Shot."
He quickly thought of another classic shooting ability. Portuguese star Quaresma was the representative of this shooting technique; Carlos and later Modrić also possessed this ability.
An Outside Foot Curving Shot seemed like a somewhat redundant shooting method.
But that was because this ability was difficult to master. Many stars had average Coordination and explosiveness, and couldn't generate much power when twisting their bodies to curl the outside of their foot.
If mastered, it would have the same effect as a *Cut Inside Curved Shot*, but without any pre-motion. Even if there were defensive players in front, he could suddenly curl it around their body while dribbling.
Unexpected and unprepared! This was the way Maël liked, and it was also the most troublesome for goalkeepers and defenders.
"Moreover, I already have the Speed to go to the byline and a Curved Shot with my dominant foot."
These were already two abilities that were enough to give defenders a headache. If his non-dominant foot could also produce an Outside Foot Curving Shot at any time, then he would be even more unpredictable.
Letting him go to the byline wasn't an option, letting him Cut Inside wasn't an option. Even if there were many defenders, blocking both of these options, he would just stand there and directly launch an Outside Foot Curving Shot towards the far corner! By then, he would have all the shooting options in a winger's Cut Inside arsenal! "That's it for these two."
Maël didn't get greedy. He had to take things one step at a time. He still had many abilities he was practicing. Once he felt more relaxed, he would train other abilities.
There was still a lot to train. The outside world often called him the new Henry, the new Ronaldo, but he himself wouldn't think that way.
The path he was going to take was one that no star had ever walked before! Presumably, when he truly became a superstar, on the day he had a phenomenal performance in the world's top football competitions, the titles on his head would all be removed.
He would only have one title—Maël!
This would become a new synonym, attached to other young players of a similar type.
[Skill: Ball Control lv3]
[Proficiency: (1293/2000)]
[Skill: Judgment of Situation lv3]
[Proficiency: (1612/2000)]
[Skill: Stamina lv3]
[Proficiency: (832/2000)]
[Skill: Rhythm lv3]
[Proficiency: (503/1500)]
[Skill: Adhesion lv3]
[Proficiency: 481/800]
A glance at the proficiency of his other skills showed they had all improved to some extent, especially the Judgment of Situation.
Presumably, the two Big Six Battle matches had been extremely beneficial to his experience and football IQ.
Because he hadn't practiced it much recently, his Ball Control wasn't close to leveling up to lv4, but he figured it would be soon by the end of next month.
"Train hard, and strive to develop Ball Control as soon as possible, and also master the other two shooting skills!"
Maël cheered himself on, submitting his new training plan to José and Davis, asking them to help create a more detailed plan.
Mainly José, actually, since he was the technical coach. Davis, in this case, acted as an assistant, helping him design muscle relaxation exercises after special training, while also telling Harry and Safina how to massage and provide physical therapy.
This was very important. For example, when practicing the Outside Foot Curving Shot, the muscles in the groin and ankle would definitely be used frequently.
If he wasn't careful, he could easily suffer injuries due to wear and tear.
Although the two were puzzled when they received the plan, unable to understand why Maël often suddenly added new training programs, completely different from other players, they still did as he asked.
Because they had long realized clearly that every choice Maël made was right.
He was able to improve these points very quickly, without encountering any bottlenecks or defects that would affect his progress.
"It's good to be young."
Davis said with a sigh, smiling as he held the new plan: "You can develop anything you train. If this continues, I really think you can lead me to win all the honors."
José pursed his lips and shook his head after hearing his words, unable to agree: "It's not really related to youth. I used to coach young players, and even 8-year-old players have strengths and weaknesses in their talents, not to mention 18-year-olds."
"Maël doesn't. The training plans he writes out are not exploratory shots, but precise target practice."
"Once he decides, aims at these points and fires a shot 'bang', he can hit the target accurately every time."
"I was born different." Maël smiled, brushing it off.
After he delivered a super performance in the EFL Championship last season, he was crowned with the name of genius. When people subconsciously defaulted to him being a genius, then whatever he did became much more reasonable.
Time passed day by day like this, and Maël diligently worked on improving his abilities during the 11-day break for the National Team Match Day.
September 4th, Paris, France.
Stade de France, administrative area.
Blanc, the current coach of the French National Football Team, was sitting at his desk, chatting with an assistant coach. They had just finished a European Cup qualifier match yesterday.
They had narrowly defeated Albania in that match, and their performance could only be described as average.
"I've already told the U19 and other youth teams to not consider the player, the first team needs him."
After reporting to Blanc, the assistant coach asked: "But shouldn't we contact the player sooner rather than later? See what his attitude is and what his time plans are for this season? If you want to contact him, I'll go communicate with Arsenal and Mendes immediately, and try to talk to the player today."
"He hasn't been in the U17 or youth national teams?" Blanc frowned, asking in confusion: "Why hasn't the Football Association contacted him before? Now we have to ask the club and agent to talk to him?"
The assistant coach was also very puzzled, shaking his head and saying: "No, his player information was registered with an amateur club in Aix."
"Later, he only had a formal registration with the French Football Association after he went to Arsenal, and before there was time to leave contact information, he suddenly emerged from the EFL Championship last year, like he appeared out of thin air."
"Why didn't you contact him back then?" Blanc stared at him, still not understanding.
"I don't know."
The assistant coach shook his head, speculating, "Maybe he suddenly emerged and played amazingly. No one up and down thought he was a blank slate before, so it's been dragged on until now.
"The U17 thought the U19 was transferring him, and the U19 thought the first team was transferring him. No one paid attention until we discovered him."
Blanc nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Contact him first, and then observe him. There's no rush to transfer him. I might not even be in this position for long.
"This fickle French Football Association... Seeing how well I was doing in Bordeaux, they boldly appointed me.
"Now that they see Deschamps doing well in Marseille, they want to replace me with Deschamps. I want to see when they'll make a move, and where that Marseille madman can lead this team."
The assistant coach tapped the table a few times and nodded, "Anyway, we have Benzema and Ribery now, so we're not short of forwards.
"And I heard Nasri mention him before, and his impression of him was average, saying he's impulsive and could be a troublemaker."
Blanc shrugged, not paying much attention. He's just living in the moment in this position.
...
On the evening of September 8th, Maël finished a day of training on the training ground and opened the proficiency panel to check the progress of the two new skills.
[Skill: Volley lv2]
[Proficiency: (102/300)]
[Skill: Outside Foot Curving Shot lv2]
[Proficiency: (109/300)]
"Low-level skills are still faster to improve. It's satisfying to see the boundaries of technical skills being broken."
He sighed inwardly. After practicing physical and mental skills for so long, he felt a bit numb.
Starting with 300 proficiency points and often exceeding 1,000, it often made him feel powerless.
"Rest, continue tomorrow."
He replenished his fluids and went to the parking lot to drive his beloved Ferrari home with José.
José's help these past few days has been significant. You have to know that his Volley training all came from José's half-high Crosses.
If he didn't have some skill, he really couldn't Cross like that. Moreover, José had to accompany him for as long as he wanted to practice.
"The Champions League group stage draw is out."
On the way home, José held his phone and reported the draw news to Maël, "Arsenal is in Group F, with Dortmund, Marseille, and Olympiacos.
"We're a second-tier team, and Dortmund in the same group is first-tier, and Marseille is third-tier."
"Dortmund and Marseille?" Maël looked ahead, anticipating, "It seems this year's Golden Boy Award competition will be decided on the Champions League stage.
"Is Marseille's coach Deschamps? The French captain who won the 98 World Cup."
"It is."
José nodded. He usually watches football often and introduced, "I heard a rumor that he's going to become the French National Football Team coach. He might be your future coach."
"Haha..." Maël laughed twice, paused, and then said, "Before that, I'll try to destroy the team he leads."
José laughed along. He turned his attention back to his phone, "After the Champions League draw, your schedule for this month is like this... The 10th, Premier League Round 4 against Swansea; the 14th, Premier League Round 5 against Blackburn Rovers; the 17th, Champions League Round 1 against Dortmund.
"The 21st, EFL Cup Round 3 against Shrewsbury; the 24th, Premier League Round 6 against Bolton Wanderers; the 29th, Champions League Round 2 against Olympiacos.
"Three Premier League matches, two Champions League matches, and one EFL Cup match. A heavy task."
Maël nodded. Last season in the EFL Championship, six matches in a month was definitely a dense schedule, but in the Premier League, it's actually the norm. Most of the season is six matches in a month.
This is why Premier League teams need a deep bench. They have one more cup competition than teams from other countries. Teams that enter the Champions League are essentially fighting on four fronts. Without good rotation players, they are destined to win no honors.
"I really want to play in the Champions League."
Maël's eyes were full of longing. He had imagined countless times the Champions League theme song ringing in his ears, and seeing the black and white flags waving in the middle of the stadium.
...
On September 10th, the Premier League Round 4 match arrived, with Arsenal at home against Swansea.
In this match, Wenger basically used the same starting lineup as the previous match... It seemed that he felt Walcott's form was much better than the new signing Gervinho's.
Facing the old acquaintances from the EFL Championship last season, Maël didn't hold back in this match and went all out.
In the 41st minute of the match, Swansea, who had been defending deeply for the entire first half, suddenly launched an attack. The midfielders and forwards collectively charged towards Arsenal's backfield, and the defensive line was also brought forward to the midfield line.
"Bang!" With Arteta's wonderful interception, cutting off their counter-attack, Swansea's backfield suddenly became precarious.
"Boom!!"
Tata then made an accurate long pass, aiming behind the defense on the left.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Maël started at high speed there, instantly overtaking the opponent's defenders, Lan Heer and Caulker, and steadily stopping the ball to form a One-on-One opportunity.
Facing Vorm's decisive attack, he was very calm, not choosing a risky direct shot, but swaying his shoulders left and right, shaking the opponent's center of gravity.
"Bang!"
After the opponent fell to the ground, he kicked the ball to the side, and then finished with a push shot.
"Yeah!!!" The Emirates Stadium was immediately surrounded by cheers, with more than 60,000 Arsenal fans making a sonic boom-like sound.
Maël excitedly ran to the corner flag area, put his hands together on the side of his head, and closed his eyes.
'Good night' celebration! It was both hoping that Arsenal fans could have a good sleep, and telling the opposing fans in front of the TV to turn off the TV and go to bed.
"Maël!"
Arteta excitedly ran up, this was his first assist to Maël.
Maël gave him a heavy high-five, taking a close look at Arteta celebrating.
Somehow, as long as the other party didn't show his pearly white teeth, even if he was excited and happy, he would still give people a serious feeling.
Could this be a natural coaching physique, the god of leadership? He thought of these things with a wicked taste, smiled again, and focused his attention on the celebration.
The 6th Premier League goal! Almost double digits!
Moreover, it can also eliminate some of the hatred of the Queen's Park Rangers fans towards him. He only learned not long ago that Queen's Park lost to Swansea in the playoffs and failed Promotion to the Super League.
In the second half, Walcott on the other side received a long pass from Vermaelen and broke into the penalty area to hit a small-angle blast.
Two to zero! Professor stood proudly on the sidelines, with his hands on his hips, his face extremely relaxed.
"Click!" A media reporter took a picture of him like this and put it on the cover of the game.
"Arsenal easily beat Swansea two to zero at home! Maël 1 goal, Walcott 1 goal, Arteta was named the best after the match!" - The Guardian of the United Kingdom
On the 13th, the day before the 5th round of the Premier League, Maël and Mendes came to the London headquarters of Puma together.
This was a new endorsement prepared for him by Mendes. After countless rounds of negotiations, the contract was finally confirmed.
The basic endorsement fee is 850,000 pounds, and the term is 3+2, which is automatically renewed when the renewal clause is triggered.
However, if it was just such conditions, it would definitely not be able to impress Mendes.
As one of the most important and largest sponsors of players, sports brands must be carefully selected, especially when the contract period is 5 years.
After a player endorses a brand, they cannot endorse or contact other sports brands, otherwise they will face high liquidated damages for breach of competition.
Even wearing other brands of shoes or clothes in daily life will be amplified by the media and create various scandals.
"Layered bonus."
Mendes was radiant, and introduced to Maël as he went upstairs: "Puma has set up a layered bonus clause based on the league you are currently in.
"For example, this year is the first year of your endorsement. Leaving aside the endorsement fee of 850,000 pounds, you also received a bonus of 1.15 million pounds.
"Then starting from next year, your basic endorsement fee will be 2 million pounds, and it can continue to be layered next year."
"That is to say." Maël understood what he meant and said, "If I perform well, the basic endorsement fee in the following years may be a very terrifying number?"
Mendes nodded and smiled: "Yes, and there are only layers, no gambling agreements such as downgrades. Puma is very sincere."
"Not bad, but why is Puma willing to offer such a generous contract?" Maël nodded in satisfaction, and then asked.
"It's very simple."
Mendes took Maël to the door of the Puma EFL Championship branch general manager's office, paused, and whispered: "Nike and Adidas are putting too much pressure on them, and both companies have a leading football star.
"And their top priority is to find the next Messi, the next Ronaldo.
"In recent years, they have given similar contracts to many young players."
Maël completely understood and joked, "If I become Puma's top star, would you feel conflicted for Ronaldo?"
"Hahaha."
Mendes laughed, thought about it seriously, and then gave an example, "If you were Leonardo's agent, would you mind also being Brad Pitt's agent?"
"But Brad Pitt is American." Maël pointed out the nationality issue. Both of these film stars are American, a different situation from him and Cristiano.
"You're very considerate."
Mendes first flattered him, which also bought himself some time to think about an answer.
This question wasn't easy to answer. He could feel Maël's inner strength and his desire. He didn't just want to be a star; he wanted to be the best.
"Okay."
Mendes finally spread his hands, raised his eyebrows, and smiled, "I must admit, as a Portuguese, my love for Cristiano surpasses everything. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today.
"It's a rare and precious relationship, my greatest luck in this life.
"But, relationships are relationships. Character and career are my foundation, the two things Mendes needs most to live in this world.
"If you're worried that I might make unfair decisions in the future, or any biased actions, I'll immediately pay the penalty to end our cooperation and apologize to you."
He smiled sincerely, "But thinking about it, if that day really comes, it would be a happy problem."
"I'm good at creating happy problems for people, because I often work with the best."
Maël smiled slightly, finally looking at Mendes' face and said seriously, "Don't worry, I'm just joking. I won't create happy problems for you."
Mendes was stunned for a moment. These words confused him again. It wasn't like he wouldn't compete for those awards, was it? His expression tightened. Did Maël mean that when he officially challenged for the top spot, he would appear on the center stage in a destructive state, winning those personal honors?
This young player's ambition was even greater than he imagined!
"Please come in."
Mendes pointed to the door, forcing a smile, "Now, it's time to hear Puma's bonus terms. You must be very interested."
"Of course." Maël pushed open the office door and walked in first.
ps: I received the news of my grandmother's death at noon, and I was heartbroken. I endured the pain and hunger to type out 13,000 words, and I'm rushing back to my hometown now.
In the next 2-3 days, the updates will be reduced to two chapters of 6k+ words per day, around 13,000 words.
Please don't leave or put the book on hold, please understand. I will resume updating 20,000 words per day at the beginning of next month.
Today's update is 13,000 words, and this month is already 405,000 words.
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