Romantic on the Field

59.

“uh? Aren’t you Brian Lecca from our World Cup?”

“The dark horse of the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, Brian, the supernova of Belarus!”

“···please.”

After Brian was included in the national team, things got even better in Stoke City.

“Mutombo, stop it!”

“No matter how mutomba you are, you can’t stop World Cup members.”

“…it’s blocked. please.”

It could be said that it was closer to being in a good mood and genuinely delighted with the event that happened to his teammates.

His hiatus during the World Cup may not be small, but not many people are genuinely concerned about it.

The reason is very simple and clear.

“It’s a pity, but Jamie is there.”

Charlie’s head turned at Milo’s words.

“Isn’t everyone thinking like this inside?”

“ha ha ha.”

Charlie burst into laughter. I couldn’t deny it.

“By the way, I made a second playmaker at best, but Belarus is pulling it out.”

“Ugh. Yeah.”

Even so, the expressions on Charlie and Milo’s faces were perfectly calm.

The Europa Conference League and League Cup were eliminated.

The FA Cup, which is aiming for the championship, will be held only after the World Cup.

In other words, for the time being, we only have to focus on the championship game.

In the current league, they have no choice but to be optimistic as they do not have a single loss.

“I do think so.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Last year, even when I was playing in League One, the national team did not pay attention to our team players. But now it’s a championship. What’s more, it’s making unprecedented good results. After the World Cup, we may have to think about the issue of selecting the national team in earnest.”

However, at Milo’s words, Charlie’s expression suddenly darkened.

“…are you okay?”

“You mean that?”

“Then, who else is there to worry about?”

“it’s okay. It is the fate of a club team manager.”

It was a conversation that could make someone wonder if they heard it. After all, Stoke City’s manager was Charlie Adam, and Milo Conrad was just an assistant coach.

squash.

“Ahh! Jamie crazy bastard!”

“Who shoots like that in a practice game!”

Just at that moment, Jamie scored a 30-meter long-range goal.

“But, won’t you worry for the time being?’

“I think so.”

Charlie’s expression became calm again.

**

Time passed quickly.

Stoke City, who only had to focus on the championship until the third round of the FA Cup, continued to do well.

[Jamie Lee and Brian Recka exchange the ball. ]

[ The situation where Robin Price and Ned Keating infiltrate······. ]

[Ah, give it to Lecca again. ]

[Brian Recka·······! gool! It’s been a while since I’ve decided on my own! ]

1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

[ Lee, Lee······. ]

[I can’t believe it! Score a goal from 30 meters away! ]

[Let’s break Huddersfield from League One together with a wonder goal! ]

2-0 win over Huddersfield.

[Jamie Lee, it seems like you’re trying to break through yourself after a long time. ]

[ Two, three… ]

[My God, Jamie Lee! ]

[I beat four defenders alone and make a goal! ]

[This is Jamie Lee, who scores two wonder goals in a row! ]

Wigan Athletic also won.

[Ah, the game is over. ]

[Stoke City’s winning streak is broken here. ]

[But the unbeaten record is still Stoke City. ]

Draws with Sheffield United and Bristol City broke their winning streak, but they remained dominant in the league table.

“Do it, do it!”

And finally, the World Cup has begun.

“Are you Brian?”

“Yeah, but not the side.”

Unlike Stoke City, Belarus used him as a central attacking midfielder.

‘Oh, Brian, I don’t write like that.’

With the number of participating countries expanding to 48, only two matches will be played in the group stage.

Belarus had to face Morocco and Costa Rica in the group stage.

[ Battuta, Battuta·······. ]

[I’m in! Morocco scores a great goal! ]

Brian was not just a central attacking midfielder, but he was responsible for carrying out most of the main duties, from carrying the ball to developing and finishing the attack.

It can be said that it is similar to Jamie’s role in Stoke City, and although he has good kicking power, there are still many parts that are lacking to perform the role of ‘crack’ that destroys the opponent’s camp alone like Jamie.

In addition, Belarus lacked strikers to support Brian.

In the end, despite Brian’s struggles, Morocco lost 0-1.

[ Navas Cross·······. ]

[ goal! Costa Rica sinks Belarus! ]

The Costa Rica match, which took place a few days later, was not much different.

Belarus showed a frustrating performance throughout the 90 minutes, conceding an additional goal just before the end and was completely defeated.

“Ego… it’s a pity.”

The result was 2 losses from 2 matches and was eliminated in the group stage.

The result of the group draw was not bad, and it was even more regrettable because the probability of advancing to the tournament was high even with just one win.

“It would have been nice if Belarus only had one player like honey.”

“Well.”

“yes?”

“If there was one more player like me, wouldn’t the football world be too chaotic?”

“…”

It wasn’t just Belarus that needed Jamie.

[ Ryan Young, Ryan Young…! ]

[Gool! England’s Wonder Boy advances to the quarterfinals! ]

Thanks to the performance of Manchester City’s new star, Ryan Young, England succeeded in reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in 20 years.

Korea had already been eliminated from the group stage when it faced championship candidate Spain and difficult foe Uruguay, and Jamie and Hannah empathized and the only team left to watch was England.

But England was just there.

In the quarterfinals, Ryan Young, who was isolated from the opponent’s defense, did not show a clear performance, and eventually was eliminated in a 0-2 defeat to Spain, which had Natal Munoz at the fore.

“Kikyaaa-!”

Jamie and Hannah watched the match live from their living room. Should I say it’s over, the moment the referee announces the end of the game, Kai bursts into laughter.

“Oh, look at him. The motherland was eliminated, but what makes you smile?”

“Hey, my son’s throat is also good. I can do the Stoke supporters later.”

“What kind of supporters, you have to run as players. If the 3 generations play for Stoke City… Wow. It’s not really a popular joke. If there is an election in Stoke-on-Trent, you will be elected right away?”

“ha ha ha.”

Jamie also burst into laughter at Hannah’s next words. However, at this point, Kai Lee’s career was a very distant story.

“Aren’t you putting pressure on me like this? Hurry up and join the England team.”

“hahahaha, well.”

Even so, such articles were already appearing.

Since England showed a disappointing appearance in the quarterfinals and was eliminated, there was a high possibility that the story would come out in earnest.

“Oh right. How is the team atmosphere these days?”

“yes?”

“I mean Brian. You went to the World Cup with great expectations, but you got eliminated in the group stage. You don’t have to worry about competition or motivation, but you know that. Stoke players are too masculine. I don’t think I’m good at comforting my colleagues…”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Eh?”

Hanna tilted her head at Jamie’s next words.

**

“Pass it to Jamie!”

“yes? who? Jamie from Belarus? Or the real Jamie?”

“You idiots, don’t joke around during the game!”

A flimsy consolation can have the opposite effect. So the Stoke players rather chose to actively tease Brian.

Perhaps thanks to that, Brian worked hard in the game with a look no different from before the World Cup.

Took. In the 40th minute of the second half, Brian, who received the ball outside the penalty box, passed it to Jamie, who was next to him, avoiding the rushing players.

Jamie lifted his left leg and right arm high.

“come out!”

“Reduce angle!”

However, Jamie stabbed a through pass to Robin going into the right without shooting.

squash.

That’s how Stoke City’s second goal broke out.

The result is 2 to 0.

It was Stoke City that continued to win against Reading.

“Jay, press conference.”

“Ahh.”

After the game, Jamie, who was selected as MOM, attended the press conference with coach Charlie.

“This is Kobe Rogers from Sport TV. In this World Cup, England unfortunately failed to advance to the semifinals. As a result, many are talking about the need for a second-line resource that can give Ryan Young more passes. Not a few of them are referring to Lee.”

After hearing the reporter’s question, Jamie fell into a short thought.

[Jamie Lee, who is showing great momentum in the championship, will be the new ‘answer’ for the England national team? ]

[There is a lot of interest in Jamie Lee, who is ranked first in the championship scoring and assist rankings. It’s no exaggeration to say that Jamie Lee has been creating most of Stoke City’s decisive chances this season. On the other hand, England has often seen its front striker become isolated in World Cup tournaments. As a result, many experts are now citing Jamie Lee as the player the England team needs… (cutaway). ]

In fact, there were quite a few articles like this coming up after England was eliminated. Considering that Jamie is now a member of the championship, it was very unusual.

However, Jamie’s selection for the national team had nothing to do with today’s match against Reading.

“Mmm.”

Should I give you an answer? Yeah, let’s do it roughly. The moment I made that decision and tried to open my mouth…

“Please refrain from asking questions outside of the game.”

said Charlie, turning the microphone towards him.

“…”

There was silence in the press conference room for a while.

“This is Kevin Baker from Golcum. Lee showed a good performance today. Aston Villa have been drawn for the FA Cup third round. Do you think you can carry this momentum against a Premier League team?”

The one who broke the silence was a journalist who had shown a favorable attitude towards Stoke City.

This question was also not directly related to today’s game, but since there was an appearance he usually showed, Charlie didn’t particularly sanction him.

“Last year, even in League One, Stoke City beat Premier League teams. Although the opponent was not a full-time starter, Stoke City has also improved incomparably from then. I think I can do well enough against Premier League teams.”

Jamie replied with a smile.

“I’m Jackson Black of Fortwo Four. He said he showed a ‘good look’ in the FA Cup. Do you have any goals in mind? Oh, the director can answer, or Lee can answer.”

This was the first question the reporter had ever seen.

“this. No one seems to have any questions about today’s match.”

At this, Charlie laughed and shook his head, and the reporter who asked the question smiled shyly.

“Well, I still have to answer.”

Charlie passed the microphone to Jamie.

1 second, maybe 2 seconds. Jamie looked briefly into Charlie’s face.

yes you answer Charlie nodded in that sense.

“The goal is to win.”

But Jamie took it differently.

“…”

The moment Stoke City’s FA Cup goal this season, which had only been floating around inside the team, was openly opened.

Silence fell again in the press conference room.