Within the current Charlton Athletic U18 goalkeeping ranks, Jack Binks is the undisputed starter, frequently participating in Reserve Team and even First Team training.
Although this local goalkeeper stands at only 1.85 meters, he has lightning-fast reactions and excellent footwork.
He has already been selected for the England U18 squad multiple times and is a key prospect in the Charlton Athletic youth academy.
Connor Gough is the U18 second-choice goalkeeper.
At only 17 years old, he possesses an astonishing height of 1.98 meters and is hailed as the “Giant Goalkeeper.” He is extremely dominant in handling aerial balls and is considered a future star for the club.
As for Theo, he is merely the third-choice goalkeeper.
Usually, he can only help out during training.
Unless the two ahead of him are injured or sick, he has absolutely no chance to play.
His previous performances were indeed too terrible—slow reactions, poor positioning.
He was often teased by Jack and Connor as a “Sieve Goalkeeper.” Although he heard the coach’s instructions that he would definitely have a 100% chance to play, Theo still dared not be careless.
This training match was also an early assessment.
If he passed, tomorrow’s official assessment would just be a formality.
If his performance was too poor, he could just pack his bags and leave.
This was his chance to prove himself in advance.
Theo took a deep breath.
No matter what, he had to perform well today.
Lunchtime slowly passed.
The U18 players arrived at the training ground one after another.
Theo saw several familiar faces.
Number 1 goalkeeper, Jack Binks, the U18 starting goalkeeper.
Number 2 defender Cousins, who had the most successful career, later joined Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, and other teams, switching to play as a midfielder.
Jenkinson, who later became the most well-known among this batch of youth players, joined Arsenal and was selected for the England national team, although he did not make many appearances.
Tuna and number 10 forward Lewis Perkins, both of whom were originally U18 starting strikers, were now in the Reserve Team and had trained with the First Team.
At this moment, all the players walked toward the training ground as if they had agreed upon it.
They walked in groups of three or five, complaining about the recent weather and training, and even upon seeing Theo, they had no desire to greet him.
As the third-choice goalkeeper, Theo trained with them regularly, but there was too little communication, making him seem not very close to them.
After all, his previous performances were really too mediocre.
He always trained silently by himself.
He rarely communicated with his teammates.
Some teammates couldn’t even name him.
Theo didn’t pay them any mind, continuing to practice his footwork and jumping alone.
These were the essential techniques for shot-stopping, and he needed to make final preparations for the match.
At this moment, a voice came from the side: “Hey!
Theo!
You look very spirited today!” A tall youth walked over.
This person was the U18 starting goalkeeper: Jack Binks.
Although he was only 1.85 meters tall, he had a sturdy physique and agile reactions.
When speaking to Theo, there was a hint of arrogance in his eyes.
Although he wasn’t as tall as Theo, he still adopted a condescending attitude.
“It’s alright,” Theo continued his footwork, perfunctorily responding to the other party.
Jack Binks looked Theo up and down.
He saw Theo wearing a clean training kit, with a spirited and handsome face, and there was a trace of jealousy in his eyes.
“You actually got knocked out by a football during training yesterday.
Are you okay?” He asked with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, feigning concern.
Theo knew why Jack Binks said that.
Because he had always regarded Theo as a rival—well, a potential rival for picking up girls.
Once, Jack Binks was greeting female fans at the training camp entrance and was chatting away enthusiastically when Theo happened to pass by.
As a result, the female fan chased after him directly, leaving Jack Binks on the sidelines, which made him hold a grudge.
In subsequent training sessions, he deliberately targeted him, and also had his good buddies often make things difficult for the original owner, gradually influencing the entire team’s attitude toward Theo.
Theo ignored his provocation.
He just smiled.
For this kind of thing, using his strength to slap his face in a moment would be the best response.
After a while longer, U18 Head Coach Damian Matthew walked over.
He was about forty years old, of medium build, with a serious expression.
He was an experienced coach.
Behind him followed Assistant Coach Steve Avery, as well as several overage players from the Reserve Team.
It seemed this training match today was of a high level.
Charlton Athletic FC did not have a dedicated U21 youth team.
This Reserve Team was composed of core players from the U18 youth academy, players from the First Team who hadn’t been able to secure a starting spot for a long time, and some players in the recovery period from injury looking to find their form.
Their daily training and matches were also managed by the youth coaching staff, led by U18 Head Coach Damian Matthew.
Because personnel turnover was high, some important players from the U18 youth team had also represented the Reserve Team in youth team competitions.
Theo sized up the members of this Reserve Team, and sure enough, Darren Randolph and Willie Garet, the two First Team backup goalkeepers, were not in this Reserve Team today.
Plus, with Connor Gough asking for leave, his chance had come.
Led by Assistant Coach Steve Avery, the U18 and Reserve Team players conducted a 20-minute pre-match warm-up.
Even though Theo had already done it once, he still followed along and did it again.
His spirit and consciousness also gradually adapted to this body as he moved.
“Alright!
Everyone, gather around!” Seeing that the warm-up was finished, U18 and Reserve Team Head Coach Damian Matthew clapped his hands.
All the players gathered around.
“Today, we are arranging a training match, U18 versus the Reserve Team,” Damian Matthew said.
“This is a great training opportunity.
Everyone must perform well.” The players nodded one after another.
There were many U18 players within the Reserve Team, and everyone surely hoped to join the Reserve Team, as that would give them a chance to move up to the First Team.
“Now, I will announce today’s starting lineup,” Damian Matthew took out the list.
“Reserve Team: Goalkeeper: Jack Binks!” Hearing his name on the Reserve Team, Jack Binks gave Theo a provocative look.
Theo looked straight at the head coach.
There were only two goalkeepers on site, one for each side—him and Jack Binks.
Jack Binks often trained with the Reserve Team, so it was normal for him to be assigned there.
Damian Matthew continued reading: “Defenders: Solly, Omozusi, Mambo, Anderson; Midfielders: Shelvey, Wagstaff, Stavrinou, Jordan; Forwards: Tuna, Perkins.” “U18 Team: Defenders: Cousins, Morris, Ajayi, Jenkinson; Midfielders: Pell, Bellamy, Warren, Harryiot; Forwards: Azeez, Bobo.” Finally, Damian Matthew looked at Theo.
He was dissatisfied with this slightly silent goalkeeper.
His training attitude was mediocre, and his ability was not strong.
Fortunately, tomorrow was the assessment day, so letting him play one last good match today to help him recognize reality was fine too.
“Goalkeeper: Theo!” The head coach’s voice had just fallen when the whole field was in an uproar.
What?
Theo was starting?
Countless surprised gazes looked over, seemingly very unexpected.
How could this substitute goalkeeper be playing?
Later, they realized that the second-choice goalkeeper, Connor Gough, hadn’t come.
Only then did they suddenly understand.
Theo was already somewhat immune to these surprised and disdainful gazes today, but the head coach’s look of doubt mixed with pity still made him very unhappy.
“Just you all wait.”