Fierce competition marked the days that followed.
On the training pitch, the players worked as hard as ever, each trying to prove his worth to coach Eddie and his team.
Arthur turned the pressure and Willian's statement into motivation, practicing finishing after hours and studying the techniques of great scorers.
Meanwhile, Willian wasn't lagging either. His natural ability as a finisher shone through in training, but he knew he would need more than talent to stand out. For the first time, he seemed willing to listen and learn, albeit discreetly. It was common to see him talking to Parker or Kevin about positioning in the air, something he had previously ignored.
The intense training sessions, however, only highlighted the divisions in the squad. The internal tensions after the teams were reunited quickly spread throughout Brighton's training center.
Staff commented in the corridors, and rumors reached the administrative offices.
