Was competition good or bad?
Ethan found it difficult to say, because the line between healthy and unhealthy competition was often blurred. Because of that, he could not precisely define whether the rivalry between Ishmael and Curtis was healthy or unhealthy. However, one thing was certain. Curtis's rising fame had put a lot of pressure on Ishmael, while also giving him motivation.
Did he still remember the match between Windsor College and Cambridge College?
Back then, Curtis had repeatedly fouled Ishmael. After provoking him, he had said, "If you're so good, why don't you score directly from a free kick?"
Because of that remark, Ishmael still remembered it to this day, and he had genuinely started practising free kicks diligently.
Was this a good thing or a bad thing?
Ethan did not know, but he knew that if he stopped Ishmael now, he would ruin him!
However, Ethan certainly could not let Ishmael continue down this path unchecked. He was worried that the relationship between Ishmael and Curtis would completely deteriorate. If it truly reached the point where their conflict could no longer be resolved, that was definitely not something he wanted to see.
"I think practising free kicks is a good thing, Ishmael. I'll ask Juninho to help you, but do you still want to hear my opinion?" Ethan tried to speak in a relaxed tone.
This was the first time Ethan had spoken to Ishmael alone in such a situation. Ishmael stopped and looked at Ethan, who had a kind smile on his face, as bright as if the setting sun in the distance had returned to the top of his head.
Ishmael nodded, and Ethan led him to a nearby spot to sit down.
"What is your favourite position to play?" Ethan asked, looking at the training ground in the distance.
"Striker!" Ishmael answered without hesitation.
Ethan nodded. Even without asking, he knew it was because Curtis played center-back. Playing as a striker allowed him to go head-to-head with a center-back, which perfectly matched the impression Ishmael gave Ethan.
"Then do you know what the most important thing is for a striker?" Ethan asked again.
Ishmael thought for a moment. "Scoring goals!"
Ethan nodded. "Not entirely, but there is some truth to it. You're a local Manchester lad, so you should know that over the past few years, even though Andy Cole has scored plenty of goals, Manchester United fans still have a lot of complaints about him. Why?"
In Manchester, even a ten-year-old child knew about football, let alone Ishmael, who was almost fourteen.
"He always wastes chances, even golden chances that should definitely be goals!" Ishmael said somewhat timidly. He knew that although he had scored plenty of goals, he had also wasted many chances.
"Exactly. You're very smart, Ishmael. Then do you know what that Dutch striker Van Nistelrooy, the one Manchester United are watching, is best at?"
"Scoring goals, boss!" Ishmael's tone had softened considerably, and he spoke more than before.
"Good, but his goal tally is similar to Andy Cole's. So why does Ferguson at Manchester United still want to sign him to replace Andy Cole?" Ethan asked with a smile.
Ishmael shook his head, but at this moment, he looked like an attentive fan listening carefully.
This attitude made Ethan very satisfied. At least it proved that Ishmael had accepted him and was willing to talk to him.
"Efficiency, Ishmael. Do you understand? The future trend of football will become increasingly pragmatic. In other words, every team will place more emphasis on defence than ever before, so the chances left for opposing strikers will become fewer and fewer. There might only be three or two chances in an entire match. You've seen our recent games. Do you think we give opposing strikers many chances?"
Ishmael recalled those matches. Before, he had only focused on Curtis, but after Ethan's words, he remembered that their opponents did not seem to get any decent chances.
"Very few, boss. The opposing strikers barely even face our goal."
"This is related to our strong defensive ability, Ishmael. I know you might not want to hear this, but I have to say it. Curtis has improved tremendously. He has even established himself in the first team. Perhaps to protect him, Mourinho won't let him start continuously, but he will be an important substitute this season, and in the future, a starting center-back, perhaps even captain!"
Ishmael was stunned after hearing this, his face full of shock. He also knew Curtis had made great progress, but he had not expected it to be this significant.
"Curtis's progress comes from his familiarity with the team, his familiarity with his teammates, and his familiarity with the tactical system. That is why he quickly integrated into the first team and established himself. Look at how well he partners Terry on the pitch, and how much understanding they have. Did you notice how they communicate? One steps up to press, while the other drops back. All of this requires communication and familiarity. In this regard, you are not as good as Curtis."
Ishmael did not dare refute Ethan's words and just listened quietly. He was not stupid and knew that he did indeed have such shortcomings. He did not even know the full name of his Nigerian teammate, who had already been at the club for so long.
"Football is a game of eleven players, Ishmael. You need to integrate with others and let others accept you. Only then can you play well. Have you ever seen one person defeat an entire team alone? Would Maradona have been so great without the support of his teammates?"
Ethan's words clearly convinced Ishmael. The latter nodded solemnly. It was clear that he would correct himself, but he would not admit he was wrong. He was just that stubborn.
But stubbornness was good. Stubbornness represented persistence, determination, and tenacity.
"Also, I think what you should improve most isn't your free-kick technique. Of course, that is very useful for a player, but the prerequisite is that you must first do your main job well!"
Ethan paused, then continued, "Precisely because defence is receiving more and more attention, the chances left for strikers are becoming fewer and fewer. At such times, the demands placed on strikers also become higher and higher. It is not just about scoring goals, but also about efficiency and contributions beyond scoring."
"Efficiency? Contributions beyond scoring?" Ishmael was a little confused.
"Simply put, you must seize every chance. Your current flaw lies in your finishing in front of goal. You always deliberately chase flashy moves, which is unreasonable, because you might miss sure goals because of it. Modern football requires strikers to take every chance by using the most reasonable and simplest movements to send the ball into the net and help the team score. As for being flashy beyond that, you can do it, but that is outside your main duty."
Ishmael lowered his head after hearing Ethan's words. Cassell had reminded him many times as well, but he had never improved. But for some reason, after Ethan's talk, he deeply realized that if he wanted to progress further, he had to get rid of this habit.
"Perhaps I can help you, Ishmael!" Ethan said with a chuckle.
Ishmael looked at Ethan with a hint of surprise.
"You know, I've collected a lot of videos of star players. For example, I collected videos of center-backs like Cannavaro, Nesta, and Stam for Curtis and Terry. I also collected many videos of powerful wingers for Messi. I'll collect videos of several strikers with excellent finishing for you. Watch their match videos more often, and you'll find that scoring goals is actually that simple!"
Ethan's last sentence had a deeper meaning. Ishmael pondered it after hearing it.
"Thank you, boss!" Ishmael said, nodding heavily.
"If Van Nistelrooy really transfers to Manchester United next season, I'll give you a free season ticket to Old Trafford. You can go there and observe the finishing of this king of the penalty area. In the next few years, he will be the most sought-after striker in the world. You should not only learn his shooting skills, but also make yourself more well-rounded and more outstanding than him!"
Ishmael was deeply moved after hearing this. He was only a thirteen-year-old child, but Ethan took such good care of him, which made him immensely grateful. At the same time, he secretly vowed in his heart to work hard and improve his ability.
After Ethan left, Ishmael threw himself back into the great task of practising free kicks with immense enthusiasm. This time, the balls he struck carried even more power and speed.
But the accuracy was still terrible!
...
The next day, after training, Ethan found the team's vice-captain, Juninho, and spoke to him about Ishmael from the youth team. Juninho naturally gave him his full assurance, as this was exactly the role he should play as a senior player.
From then on, at New Manchester United's youth academy, except on match days and rest days, Ishmael and Juninho could be seen practising free kicks almost every day. Later, Messi and Michael Johnson also became interested and actively joined this extra training group.
Every day, when Ethan passed by the training ground and watched the young players practise free kicks so seriously, he could not help but chuckle to himself. If, in the future, ten of New Manchester United's eleven starters were all free-kick specialists, he wondered whether their opponents would end up complaining bitterly about it.
The more Ethan thought about it, the more amusing he found it.
When he used to play Football Manager, he had once had some strange ideas, such as collecting ten butcher-type players specifically to cripple the opponent's core players, or collecting ten physically powerful players and sending them onto the pitch to crush opponents like tanks charging into a busy market. Just imagining it had felt incredibly satisfying.
Now, he was thinking about what a magnificent sight it would be if ten free-kick specialists all performed on the same stage, each stepping up to take a shot.
However, in reality, everyone knew that this was absolutely impossible. Every team would have one or two designated set-piece takers, and once they were chosen, there would not be casual changes. Instead, set-piece tactics would be arranged around those players.
Therefore, even if all ten outfield players were set-piece experts of Beckham's calibre, only two or three would definitely have the right to take them. The others could only sigh at being born at the wrong time and humbly play supporting roles.
But no matter what, the players' enthusiasm for learning still made Ethan happy. At least it proved that they still had strong ambition.
As the learning atmosphere in the youth academy grew stronger, New Manchester United suffered another defeat. This time, it was in the second round of the FA Cup. They were eliminated by a League Two side, failing to reach the third round of the FA Cup for the third consecutive year.
However, this was not important, because New Manchester United's main mission this year was the league. After all, their current third-place position in the league was not yet secure. Therefore, Mourinho decisively gave up on the League Cup, the Pioneer Cup, and the FA Cup, focusing wholeheartedly on the league.
(To be continued.)