[ Congratulation! ]
[ You are rewarded with a Skillset Book ]
[ Use Now? ]
[ Yes/No ]
Kai chose the button [ Yes ]. His life just began, was this the final part of his initiation into the squad? He didn't know what exactly a skillset book would do, but he believed this gift would be an invaluable asset to his development and future success.
[ Skillset chosen! ]
[ You are rewarded with skillset: Distribution De Ligt ]
Kai had his eyebrow raised as he read out the system prompt. What?! De Ligt? Kai was doubting himself but the skillset must have something to do with Matthijs de Ligt.
Everyone that is half knowledgeable about football knows this guy, the breakthrough Centre-Back that was part of the Ajax squad that punched above their weight and got through to the Champions League Semi-Final. It wasn't exaggerating to say Matthijs de Ligt was the backbone of that 18-19 Ajax team, being a solid young defender that made every team drool to have him.
Although De Ligt is a physical monster, he was more known for being an even better player on the ball. He was one of the best Centre-Backs on the ball.
[ Distribution De Ligt ] ? Kai had a faint suspicion about what this [ Skillset ] may do. Kai was expecting a headache or even some kind of breakthrough. but nothing ever happened as Kai just sat there, not feeling anything different about himself. He even questioned if the [ skillset ] had successfully transferred to him.
But for the next minute or so, he could observe no physical change, nor did he notice any mental change about himself. Disappointedly, Kai stopped his idling as he picked himself up and was ready to practice by himself.
Grabbing an unnoticed football at a forgotten corner of the field, Kai flicked the ball up as he caught it with his hand. But just as he turned around, Kai noticed a player standing not far away from himself.
The towering player that stood before him. It was Nicolas Gillet, the 32-year-old defender who is displaying his best attempt at a friendly smile, yet failing miserably as it filled Kai with more fear than comfort.
Stopped in his steps Gillet spoke. "Hey... Your name is...? Kai, yeah?"
"Yeah," Kai replied uneasily.
"How about you join me and the rest of us? I've noticed you have been standing in a corner for the past half an hour."
"Sure... No problem."
As the two players strolled, one old and one young. There was a silence between them that was numbing. But GIllet was the first to break it.
"You played well last game," Gillet said to Kai.
"Thanks," Kai replied.
But the veteran suddenly stopped in his steps as Kai almost bumped into his backside. Gillet no longer had the friendly expression on his face as he eyed the teenager sternly.
"But don't go overboard. Keep your feet on the ground and watch your manners." Gillet growled, taking Kai's attention by surprise.
"I will" Kai stuttered.
Gillet nodded, then continued walking like nothing ever happened. Kai silently followed behind the veteran centre-back. As they head to the crowd, they noticed that the Le Havre players were gathered in a circle.
In the very centre stood Marley as he patiently awaited everyone.
Just as Gillet and Kai reached the group, Marley finally spoke his first words with the credentials of a first-team manager.
"Alright, boys, it's time to put our badges back on," Marley spoke with some authority. The entire team looked at Marley with curious eyes.
"Time to get serious." Marley continued.
"There will be some changes to how we will play football from this day onwards. A system that will revolutionise the way that we play the game, starting with today." Marley spoke with some conviction, especially with the strong outburst that came out of his mouth.
"I don't care who you are and what you have done in your past. If you wish to be here and play football for Le Havre, then you will follow my system, not some alien version of it, or a limited amount of it, whatever your desires may be." Marley stepped back and spread his arms. He gestured towards the numerous benches that were there, indicating for the players to leave. He waited for everyone to leave, only keeping himself alongside the rest of the team.
"Who's with me?" Marley said with a level of resolve that made everyone take him at his word.
"Me." Nicolas Gillet replied.
"Me," Kai spoke in a small voice that did not fully convey the fear he felt.
"Me." Captain Revault spoke without any hesitance.
Many more players joined in as they showed their commitment.
Marley nodded. "Alright then. Organise yourself into four equal groups. It does not matter who you are, just make sure that the groups are of equal numbers. If you have any issues with this, then do not let me see your face. And that goes for you as well." Marley spoke with a firm voice as he eyed a player in particular— Kevin Anin.
Marley took his place at the sidelines, observing the players as they slowly dispersed into 4 equal groups. Marley then nodded, happy with how the players were efficiently organising themselves.
"Don't forget though, everyone. Tomorrow's a new day. And every game that you play for this team is a personal victory, so make it count."
Marley's words rang in Kai's head. As Kai nervously approached a group that has an inadequate amount of players. The young player specifically chose this group as he recognised a familiar figure.
"What a coincidence," Gillet said as he had one of his eyebrows raised.
"Not really," Kai said quietly. "I don't know anyone else."
Gillet gave a pat on the back as Kai stood beside him.
"It's simple," Marley stated. "Each group would play against one another, but there are no goals. The group that is in possession of the ball for the longest wins. Take this seriously, this would decide the starting 11 next match!"
"Makes sense," Nicolas Gillet said, looking down to the ground. "possession of the ball is becoming increasingly important. Barcelona changed how we play football."
"Absolutely!" Kai exclaimed beside the defender.
Gillet was surprised by the Asian's sudden outburst. But he didn't bother replying.
The first team was divided into 4 equal groups. In a few minutes, 2 groups were chosen by the coaching staff as they were to compete against one another for how long they can keep the ball in control.
Group A and Group B were in a confined area, the players trying to find another way as they battled for control over the ball. Group A was without a doubt the dominant side, as they managed to pass the ball between themselves for a total of 17 seconds.
It was to be expected, Group B was the side that failed to have any control over the ball as the group mostly consisted of the forward players and lacked technical ability. Particularly Amadou Alassane (ST) and Kevin Anin (AM) as the two players lacked composure and were regularly caught on the ball.
Marley and Lanier observed keenly as the two teams competed for possession. Both Lanier and Marley could sense that one side would find success soon enough. Marley noted how each player's intensity was peaking at different times. The baldy Lanier was holding a stopwatch in his hand to record how long each team can hold onto the ball.
The ball was intricately passed by Group A as the players from Group B were left running after the ball frantically in a bid to win the ball back. However, even after Group B managed to win a loose ball, they would be too tired and out of breath to regain composure and be able to play on.
It was thus a physical affair as Group A found it easy to hold on to the ball while the players from Group B failed to keep control.
In total, 17 seconds were the current record set by Group A. Lanier looked at the watch in his hand as he confirmed the time to Marley.
"Time?" Marley asked as he stroked his beard.
"17 seconds," Lanier replied. "Some players look comfortable on the ball. They have few passes but they have maintained their control on the ball for quite some time."
"I like what I have seen from players thus far," Marley remarked. "But let's not forget we have more players yet to assess.
Marley was right. As soon after, Group C and Group D were called up to repeat what had been done earlier. Kai was particularly nervous as he stood up and marched onto the playing field.
Kai was allocated to Group C alongside Nicolas Gillet (CB), Maxime Baca (CB), Massamba Lo Sambou (CB), and Jamel Ait Ben Idir (WB). The players in Group C looked weirdly at the youngster who stood out amongst the rest.
"Let's do this then," Baca said as he walked onto the pitch.
Midfielder Dieuze eyed Kai as he nodded. "Do your best," he remarked.
~~~
The whistle blew as the ball was thrown into the air. Baca jumped for the ball and managed to head the ball away to his teammate Lo Sambou.
As Sambou controlled the ball at his feet, a Group D player was aggressively closing him down to win the ball back. Sambou struggled to control the ball, the defender quickly released the ball to Dieuze.
The defensive midfielder calmly received the ball before releasing a flick-on to the unsuspecting Gillet.
Manager Marley had his eyes opened wide at the holding midfielder's scanning ability and awareness of his surroundings. Gillet barely managed to control the ball before rapidly releasing the ball towards a player that was weirdly wide open.
"Shet"
Gillet cursed as he suddenly realised why they found it so hard to pass the ball amongst themselves. Group D purposely ignored Kai so they can restrict other players. The veteran realised his mistake as he frantically tried to get into open space for a quick one-two.
The group D players realised their trap have succeeded. How could a youngster calmly find a passing option at a moment like this? Group D marked all the players before slowly approaching Kai that was standing still with the ball at his feet.
Gillet is now regretting his poor pass. He wanted to get a one-two going but that option is now gone.
However, the system spoke at this very moment.
[ Distribution De Ligt Activated ]