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GEM TALENT

Chapter 1 / 94

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CHAPTER 1:THE SILENT PROMISE

GEM TALENT

The blues are shit!!!!!!.

Watford fans were shouting and mocking Chelsea FC.

The air at Stamford Bridge was thick with disappointment and anger as the final whistle blew, ending a match. The scoreboard was shocking: Chelsea 0 Watford 5. This was a loss for the English Football League team Chelsea and it was not just a failure for one of the richest clubs in London. The fans in the stands were stunned, rubbing their heads as if trying to figure out what had gone wrong with their team.

Some players on the pitch had just played their match and they had failed to control, pass, shoot and even run past their opponents. All the players looked angry, sorry and disappointed. The reason for this anger was clear: it was the Chelsea coach, Thomas Tuchel. He stood still on the sideline, looking pale and furious. His eyes watched the team as they walked past him filled with regret.

He was so disappointed with the results.

A minutes before the match ended Thomas realized it was time for a change. When he looked at his trusted defenders, who had tried their best to save him from fans he decided that money was not the most important thing in football. What mattered most was the desire to win and the willingness to do whatever it takes to make it happen. He made up his mind that he is trying new strategy.

When Thomas walked into the press conference room young journalists with cameras covered his face. He looked into the camera with an determined face. "Tonight was a disaster " he said. "I made a mistake. We are trying something new he said we will not just rely on our superstar player alone. I will give hungry players a chance to start. If you do not want to give your all for the Chelsea team then you will not be part of my team."

The fans quickly reacted to the news. Criticized Thomas Tuchel on social media. The Internet was filled with messages from Chelsea supporters saying that Thomass statement was just an attempt to distract from the real problem. Most fans did not believe that the problem was not with the players and that Thomas had finally realized it. They thought Thomas was just trying to shift the attention from the scandal with the defenders by promising young players a chance to start.

Meanwhile at the Chelsea training base there was a boy whose dreams looks as if it will not come to pass. William Gill was seventeen years old. His teammates including the coach thought he had no chance of becoming a regular player for Chelsea and achieving international fame. He was one of the underestimated players in the U18 squad. William was not tall or heavy. He was not as fast as the others. His shooting was not powerful. This made his teammates think he was a liability on the pitch.

William had something special: his incredible vision, which allowed him to make passes that even the most talented players in England could not think of. However his weak leg muscles and lack of power did not let him take advantage of this gift. His future in football looked bleak as no one wanted to help him improve his game. Except for his father, who told him that he would achieve his dreams if he continued to believe in himself.

It was the morning of another training session, which would start with the team doing passing and movement drills in the rain. William arrived early. Put on his kit with a proud smile on his face. As he walked towards the pitch he felt the coachs gaze fixed on him. Coach Roberts, the U18 head coach was a man who believed in power and aggression on every football pitch. He had spent the season making fun of William for his inability to gain weight and increase his stamina.

One of the players Jackson sneered at William. "Look who we have here " he said. "We get to watch Zidanes brother play. Why do you even come to training Gill? Are you trying to be a hurdle for us?" The other players. Coach Roberts stopped them and gave an instruction to prepare for the training.

These words usually made William feel bad making him think he would never improve.Today as he stood on the pitch looking at his laughing teammates he thought that he actually wanted to play football. He wanted to be like Zinedine Zidane scoring goals and making perfect passes to his teammates. He wanted to change the outcome of the match with his pass.He knew he could not do it because no one cared about him. No one would support him. Teach him how to maximize his potential.

"I want to play football " he whispered to himself. Walked to the starting line for the morning drill.

The drill had barely started when Jackson realized he would have to face William with the ball. "You have the ball, Zidanes brother " he growled and charged at William.. William used his superior ball control to send the ball flying over Jacksons legs in a perfect rainbow flick. As Jackson shot past him William landed lightly on his feet. Immediately sent another pass to the edge of the box. It was a pass that no one expected. It found the recipients feet with precision leaving the whole team stunned. "Lucky shot, Zidanes brother!" Jackson yelled in rage. Tried to push William to the ground with his shoulder as he ran past him.

For the hour the young midfielders continued to play and Coach Roberts watched them with a stern look on his face. He was looking for flaws in Williams game. So far he had not found any. Yes Williams legs were. His face was pale from the pain but he played some of the most intelligent football that Roberts had ever seen. His eyes were focused on the game. He did not let go of the ball until the end of the match. William had the vision to see through the defense like Zinedine Zidane and the determination to keep playing when the stronger and more experienced Jackson pushed him around.

There was a moment when a loose ball rolled between William and the defender. With a jab from his shin the defender tried to drive the ball away but William turned his body at an incredible speed and blocked the ball with his chest muscles. "Ahhhh " William winced as he turned his body trying to get rid of the pressure on his side but he did not stop. He sent another placed pass to the striker and finally collapsed on the grass. "I cant breathe!" William. Wiped his sweaty forehead with his hand.

He stood up instantly and gained his strength. Coach Robert was surprised because it was unusual of him, Coach Robert saw that hunger. He asked William to sit if he knows he can't continue, William disagreed, saying " Coach I can do it"

The coach looked at William studying his face. He saw the determination and grit in Williams face that nobody else had noticed and knew that this was the spirit that Tuchel had talked about in the press conference. Everybody was talking about Williams weaknesses. They did not understand that William had something special that William could not learn from anyone. "Get ready William " William braced up and made wonderful passes, the teammates and Coach Robert was amazed with the way he made a clean passes through the defender. Everyone enjoyed the match but kept mute, but truly, the hunger is there

After the drill, Coach Robert told the players to gather around, he said" You all should not relent, keep the hunger, don't be tired. He looked at William and said " Welldone boy, you amazed us today but try work on your fitness and shooting, then you be a good player in the future. William was shocked to receive the compliment but remained calm.

Coach Robert dismissed the players and the players left the base but William stay back to practice more drill, he did a lot of rondos, drive the ball to create more space for passes, he was so intentional about becoming a great footballer. Robert noticed it everything and waited for few minutes to actually see if he will stop, but he didn't stop and that proves that truly William is ready.

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