It's been a week since our stay in Manchester, my brother and I were now getting used to our apartment, and due to the pretty much immense salary I receive, we were able to afford quite a large one, there were your common rooms, like the sitting room and kitchen, but there were separate studies, which me and my brother quickly turned into personal gaming zones with PS5's and TV's and PC's. It took Liam a few weeks to get used to not seeing Mum and Dad, but eventually, he got used to the new surroundings and we are bot finallly able to go to training.
My transfer to Villla was all over the news, from BBC's sport section to the daily mail. It was a sensational move, the price tag shouldn't have been possible for Villa if it wasn't for the new Arabian owners. £140,000,000 and the fact that I won't even be the only signing they make this window is quite crazy.
Alongside me, a former United player, (not as legendary as you might hope, quite the opposite actually) Brazilian winger, the man who's never lost a match he's won, Anthony. Apparently, my former teammate wanted to rebuild whatevers left of his career after an amzingly underwhelming spell at United, I'm excited to link up with him.
I texted him when I heard the news and agreed to go to training together, so i shoved my brother into the back of the G wagon and drove to Anthony's new apartment where he hopped in wearing a full beige adidas tracksuit.
"How've you been bro?"
"Eh not too bad mano (bro in portuguese i think),"
"Redemtion arc and that eh?"
"Yeah man,"
We dropped my brother off at the academy and parked the car near the Bodymoor heath training grounds, changing in the locker room before heading out onto the pitch, where many of the famous players I've played and not played before lined up in front of the gaffer, there was, Emiliano Martinez (who looked scary af), John McGinn the captain, Ollie Watkins, Mings, Matty Cash, Konsa and many more.
I lined up with Anthony on my right and to my left was a midfielder I admired a lot, Youri Tielemans, solid player. I nodded at him and he winked back as the gaffer, the man himself, Unai Emery.
"As you can see, we have two new additions, Adrian Randin who I think insists on being called Adri-" I smiled at the gaffer, glad he's lightening the air, "- and our new winger Anthony."
The players appluaded and we all shook hands and exchanged greetings before the gaffer demanded silence once again.
"This will be a tough season lads, we have champions league, for the frist in a long time, so we have got to put our mark on European football, to be realistic... I don think we'll win it, there are better shaped squads out there, but we have got to put in a fight, and we must secure champions league once again for next season."
The lads all nodded and the tensions seemed to be completely dissipated as everyone brought about faces of focus and determination.
"So today, I want to see that drive on the training field, any slacking and we triple your workload. Got it? Also today we'll have groups to ease our new lads in, Mr McGinn, Mr Tielemans, Mr Watkins please partner up with Adri. And Mr Cash, Mr Bailey and Mr Maatsen, you may partner up with Anthony."
We all split into groups and I found myself with the captain, Youri and Ollie, doing stretches and warm ups to fire up the body and light conversation happned between the stretches.
"So Adri, how are you finding Aston mate?" asked John McGinn.
"Not bad, just wanna keep my head down really,"
"Thats good that, focus on your football."
At that point, Tielemans piped up, "Oh come on Johnny, you're gonna turn him into another broing one like you," he shook his head and turned to me, "Adri, you know what, we'll throw a party for you, that Japanese place... Nozomi."
"I guess im in then, you coming Ollie?" I asked
"Course mate, what kinda party would it be without me?" We all fell about laughing and the gaffer made use run around the pitch ten times before coming back for passing and shooting drills.
I scored as many as I passed and made sure the ball was hot and moving everytime i got the chance I got to lay it off, whether to shoot or to pass and weave, eventually everyone stopped for water and the gaffer decided to propose a practice match between the players.
We drank water and waited for the gaffer to call out the two teams who would be playing each other.
"Okay lads," the pitch fell silent as the gaffer spoke, "there will be uh one Team A and a Team B."
The lineups were about to be called out and everyone waited in anticipation, for some real action.
"Team A:
RB: Konsa-----------CB:Mings-------------CB: Carlos---------LB: Maatsen
----------------------------CDM: Tielemans--------------------------------
------------------CM: Randin--------------CM: McGinn (c)-----------------
RW: Bailey--------------------CF: Duran-------------------------LW: Rogers
Team B:
LW: Philogene---------------CF: Watkins-----------------RW: Buendia
----------------------------CAM: Barkley------------------------------
---------------CDM: Kamara-------------CDM: Onana-----------------
LB: Digne---------CB: Torres-----------CB: Bogarde------RB: Cash---
-thats it... get ready!"
Kones were placed and both teams got ready to face each other, based solely on ratings, I am the best player here, my only real competition on the other team would be Ollie, he can poach well and move well in the final third, I'd have to have a good partnership with the captain and Youri.
Player: Adrian Randin
Pos: St, Cf, Cam, Cm, Cdm
OVR: 93
Pac: 99
sho: 96
dri: 98
pas: 92
phy: 92
def: 87
Goals/Assists Season League: Not Applicable (not started yet)
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I looked over my stats and smiled realising I had unlocked new positions to start in, because of my impressive defensive abilities and physical prowess.
Maybe if I impressed the gaffer here, then I might start for the first game of the season against Liverpool.
So this match... right now as I clench my fist in determination... matters...