Chapter 46: The Crazy Guy and the Handsome Guy

Even after signing me before the transfer window closed, Manchester City’s spending spree didn’t end, and they made many more signings.

[Manchester City succeeds in signing Flamengo’s iron-clad defender, Castillo]

[River Plate’s fighter Guerrero, Peñarol’s sniper Sanchez successfully signed]

[Manager Peter Guardian begins rebuilding Man City with the signing of young prospects like Jeong Tae-woo, Castillo, Guerrero, and Sanchez]

Manchester City heavily promoted these articles.

And the local fans began to feel a sense of anticipation for the next season.

“Hey, are we going to win the title at this rate? Hahaha!”

“Hey Jace, Peter Guardian is always right. Besides, didn’t you see that goalkeeper’s interview? He said we only have room to go up.”

“Hahaha, should we go buy that bold kid’s jersey?”

“Yeah, let’s go!”

The excited voices of the fans echoed through the streets.

Amidst the hope and anticipation for Manchester City’s future that enveloped the entire city, I was finally on my way to the training ground for my first training session with Manchester City.

“Tae-woo, ugh… I’m getting more nervous for some reason. Are you okay?”

Chan-gyu hyung asked from the driver’s seat.

“Well, I just have to do what I always do.”

‘There’s no way I’d be nervous.’

Among the current players, I probably have the longest football career.

If I got nervous for the first training session, even the God of Football would laugh at me.

‘I’m going to have a serious talk with that guy for a while. Did he really have to blow all those precious points on gambling?’

Ah, the person driving right now is Chan-gyu hyung, who became my manager on Gayoung-nuna’s recommendation.

Chan-gyu hyung is an incredible elite who can help me focus solely on football, handling cooking, driving, chores, and studying.

‘Didn’t he say he went to Harvard?’

I don’t know why someone who went all the way to Harvard became my manager, but he’s such a good person that even though we’ve only known each other for a short time, my affinity with him is at its MAX.

“Hyung, what are you making for dinner after training today?”

Chan-gyu hyung smiled and replied.

“Today, I’ll make your favorite steak. It’s a party to celebrate your first training session.”

“Kuh, it would be perfect with some beer.”

I said playfully.

If I had to pick a downside to being Jeong Tae-woo, it would be not being able to drink alcohol.

‘I can’t put into words this feeling of having to drink coke instead of beer with chicken. And not being able to drink soju with sashimi, too.’

“Ahem, you’re still a first-year in high school. Let’s drink together when you’re an adult,” Chan-gyu hyung chided maturely.

As I had a fun conversation with Chan-gyu hyung, the scenery of Manchester was already passing by outside the car window.

“Alright, we’re here. Tae-woo, don’t be nervous… and if you experience any racism, you have to tell me.”

Chan-gyu hyung’s voice was laced with genuine concern.

Of course, it’s gotten a lot better than before, but he seemed worried because there are still some people without common sense who are racist.

“Don’t worry, hyung. I’m Jeong Tae-woo. I’ll shut them up with my skills.”

‘Damin worried about the same thing last night.’

– Tae-woo, if any kids bully you or discriminate against you at the training ground, you have to tell me.

“Yeah, I’ll definitely tell you. But what are you going to do if I tell you? Are you going to scold them yourself?”

– …I’m hanging up.

Thinking of Damin, a smile unknowingly spread across my face.

‘Why is she so cute… makes me miss her.’

Getting out of the car, I looked at the Manchester City training ground.

‘I’ve returned, City. Bow down.’

The God of Football, who reigned as the king of Manchester City in another world, has now returned to become a legend for City in this world as well.

“…”

Ugh, is that too cringey?

“Hyung, I’m heading out.”

***

On the way to the main gate after parting with my brother.

The view of the training ground barely visible beyond the main gate, every little detail was so familiar that I felt inexplicably good.

It felt like meeting an old friend.

It was then.

A man with dreadlocks, who looked as young as me but was built like a bear, approached me.

“Hey~ Is this City’s training ground?”

‘Ah, it’s this guy.’

He was one of the three players signed shortly after me.

Guerrero, known by the nickname ‘the fighter’.

This player, whose name means ‘warrior’ in Spanish, was a character mentioned in the novel.

‘The nickname “fighter” is putting it nicely. In reality, he’s just a crazy bastard.’

He was a player of a similar breed to Lee Tae-yang.

The list of his crazy antics from the novel is endless, but to mention just a few:

He suddenly transferred to Real Madrid when he was just about to sign a contract with Barcelona.

In the subsequent interview, he left a lasting quote: “I didn’t go to Barcelona because they’re not hip.”

Also,

In the El Clásico, the hottest and most intense derby in football, he ran up to the Barcelona fans, gave them the double middle finger, and stuck out his tongue.

In the following interview, he said:

“An ugly-looking man was swearing at me. So I did the same thing back. No, twice as much. I do everything twice as much.

But that man… well, since I’m handsome, it probably wasn’t so bad for him.”

Just from what I remember, it was this much.

‘But why did this crazy bastard come to Manchester City?’

As I just mentioned, this guy was a player who transferred to Real Madrid in the novel.

‘Could it be that my transfer had a butterfly effect?’

I looked at the crazy bastard who was smiling brightly at me.

‘Ah, f*ck. This guy is the type to play for Man City and then transfer to Man United.’

“Hey~ friend, how long are you going to keep me waiting? Answer me.”

‘Ha, I don’t know either.’

“Yeah, it’s the training ground. Let’s go in together. I’m new here too.”

“Hahaha, I know that too, friend. I saw your performance in the Olympics. It was totally hot!”

And so, I entered the training ground with Guerrero.

“We’re all here now.”

As the manager had said, the Manchester City players, manager, and coaches were already on the training ground, waiting for us.

“Ooh, so that’s the guy who dissed Man United in the interview.”

“He’s handsome.”

“The guy next to him… looks manly.”

“He looks just like you.”

“What did you say, you bastard.”

The players were murmuring as they looked at us.

‘As expected, since I dissed Man United, their first impression of me doesn’t seem to be bad.’

Their expressions were a mixture of curiosity and caution, but at least there was no overt hostility.

Ah, one person was showing me overt hostility.

‘Is that guy Ederson?’

With his towering height, he was staring at me with hostile eyes, so it was impossible not to notice.

‘What’s going to change just because you stare at me like that? Now that I’m here, you’re the backup anyway. You should have played better.’

“Nice to meet you! I’m Guerrero, the man who will become a legend for Manchester City. Just follow my lead.

Well, if it’s too hard, let me know. I’ll slow down a bit for you then. Hahahaha!”

‘Wow, f*ck. He’s an even crazier bastard than I thought. I can’t believe there’s a guy who actually says the things I only think about.’

At Guerrero’s arrogant remark, the atmosphere on the training ground instantly froze.

“Alright, alright. Everyone, calm down.”

Manager Peter Guardian stepped forward to mediate the situation.

“Castillo, Sanchez, you two come forward and introduce yourselves as well.”

At the manager’s words, two players stepped out from among the players.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Castillo, transferred from Flamengo. It’s an honor to be at Manchester City, and I’ll work hard.”

Castillo gave a standard greeting in a clear voice.

Sanchez, standing next to him, bowed his head slightly and said in a small voice,

“I’m Sanchez. Please take care of me.”

The contrasting appearances of the two players clearly revealed their respective personalities.

Castillo showed a confident side, while Sanchez displayed a somewhat timid attitude.

Flustered by Guerrero’s over-the-top introduction just moments before, they naturally applauded after Castillo and Sanchez finished their introductions.

That applause seemed to carry a sense of relief, as if to say, ‘Thank goodness, a normal teammate has arrived.’

“Next is Tae-woo, you introduce yourself too.”

At the manager’s words, I looked around at the players.

There were definitely players I didn’t know, and some who were frustrating to watch on TV, but…

“I’m Jeong Tae-woo from South Korea. As a goalkeeper, I’ll protect the goal well.”

‘Right now, we’re teammates.’

“What, why are you so normal? You were so fiery in the interview, friend.”

Guerrero interjected from the side, but I just ignored him.

‘Wait a minute… does this guy know he’s the abnormal one?’

It seems even the officially certified crazy bastard in the novel is more normal than Lee Tae-yang.

‘That dog doesn’t even know he’s abnormal.’

***

The preseason is a very important time for a football player, but it holds even more significance for transfer students.

The reason is simple.

The players who have been there since the previous season are already adapted to the manager’s training methods and are well-versed in the team’s tactical system.

But transfer students encounter all of this for the first time.

Getting in sync with new teammates and mastering the team’s tactics are the main tasks for transfer students.

That’s why preseason training is an even more important and intense time for them.

And of course, managers also train their players harshly during the preseason.

Peter Guardian watched the squad engrossed in training with a very satisfied expression.

‘All the transfer students are doing well.’

Jeong Tae-woo, who was expected to do well, was showing an even more outstanding performance than anticipated.

Castillo and Sanchez were also blending in well with the existing players without any trouble.

Even Guerrero, who had been the biggest worry, was showing an unexpected side.

“Hahaha! You’re good! Then try blocking this!”

Guerrero’s booming voice echoed through the training ground.

Seeing him get along with the other players better than expected, a small flame of anticipation began to flicker in Peter Guardian’s heart that Manchester City might pull off a major upset this season.

Of course, their chemistry wasn’t perfect yet.

“Hey~ that’s not it. You have to pass to me then!”

“What!”

As an argument broke out between the players, Peter Guardian raised his voice.

“Hey, you over there, stop fighting and focus on training!”

This kind of scene was actually a natural friction that occurs in the process of building chemistry with new teammates.

Peter Guardian firmly believed that as time passed, these small conflicts would actually make the team even stronger.

“I’m really looking forward to this season.”