Word of Cruyff's development squad debut spread quickly through the academy. The assist against Derby, combined with his consistent U18 performances, had earned him recognition from coaches throughout the club.
But with recognition came new challenges.
"Jensen," Williams called out after the following week's U18 training session. "Quick word."
They walked to the edge of the training pitch, away from the other players.
"You've been doing well with the development squad. Coleman's impressed, and word's getting up to the first team coaches."
Cruyff tried to keep his expression neutral, but internally his heart rate quickened. First team recognition—even peripheral—was a crucial step toward his ultimate goal.
"Steve Clarke wants to have a look at you in first team training next week."
Steve Clarke—Forest's first team manager, a former Premier League player with a reputation for developing young talent. The opportunity was both thrilling and terrifying.
"What should I expect?" Cruyff asked.
"Honestly? You'll probably get eaten alive," Williams replied bluntly. "The pace, the physicality, the tactical complexity—it's another level entirely. But that's not the point."
"What is the point?"
"Clarke wants to see how you handle being completely out of your depth. Some players shrink, some players try too hard, some players just go missing entirely. He's looking for the ones who stay calm, keep trying to contribute, and show they're coachable."
[Major Opportunity Alert]
[First Team Training Session]
[Objective: Show composure and adaptability under extreme pressure]
[Stakes: Potential pathway to professional contract discussions]
The week leading up to the first team training session felt interminable. Cruyff found himself analyzing every aspect of his game, wondering if he was ready for such a massive step up.
His U18 performances remained excellent—two more assists in a 3-1 win over Coventry City, including a perfectly weighted through ball that put Marcus Reid clean through on goal. But even dominant performances at youth level felt insignificant compared to the challenge ahead.
[Current Stats - Level 2 (Updated)]
[Vision: 78/100]
[Passing Accuracy: 84/100]
[Through Ball: 71/100]
[Free Kick: 61/100]
[Dribbling: 53/100]
[Physical: 52/100]
[Leadership: 38/100]
[Decision Making: 48/100]
[Mental Strength: 41/100] *New Stat*
The system had introduced a new metric—Mental Strength—recognizing that the psychological aspects of performance were becoming increasingly important as he faced higher levels of competition.
On Monday morning, Cruyff arrived at the first team training ground an hour early. The facilities were immediately impressive—pristine pitches, state-of-the-art gymnasium, medical facilities that looked more like a high-end hospital.
Players began arriving in expensive cars, each one representing years of professional experience and significant financial investment from the club. Cruyff recognized faces from Championship matches he'd watched on television.
In the changing room, he was assigned a peg between Tommy Williams, a veteran midfielder with over 300 career appearances, and Jack Morrison, a promising winger who'd recently returned from a loan spell in League One.
"You must be the kid from the academy," Williams said, not unfriendly but with the casual assessment of someone evaluating new competition. "Heard you've been doing well at development level."
"Just trying to learn and contribute," Cruyff replied diplomatically.
"Good attitude. Stick close to me during the session—I'll give you some pointers."
[First Team Environment: Professional and welcoming but highly competitive]
[Opportunity: Learn from experienced professionals]
Steve Clarke addressed the squad before training began. He was smaller than Cruyff had expected but carried himself with the quiet authority of someone who'd succeeded at the highest levels.
"Right, lads. Normal session today, but we've got young Jensen here from the academy having a look. I want everyone training at full intensity—show him what first team standards look like."
The warm-up alone was revelation. The pace was relentless, the technical standards immaculate, the organization military in its precision. Cruyff found himself working harder just to keep up with basic exercises than he did during entire development squad sessions.
[Immediate Observation: Fitness levels significantly higher than expected]
[Tactical Complexity: Formations and movements more intricate]
[Technical Standard: Every player capable of exceptional skill]
During possession drills, Cruyff was placed with a group that included the first team's starting central midfield duo. The tempo was blistering—passes had to be played instantly, movement had to be constant, any hesitation was punished by aggressive pressing.
For the first ten minutes, he was overwhelmed. Passes that would have been perfectly acceptable at development level were too slow here. Touches that bought him time at lower levels were closed down before he could even assess his options.
But gradually, patterns began to emerge. The senior professionals weren't just playing fast—they were playing smart. Every pass had a purpose, every movement created or exploited space, every decision was two steps ahead of the immediate situation.
Tommy Williams offered guidance during water breaks.
"You're trying too hard to impress," he said quietly. "Just play simple for now. Short passes, keep possession, don't force anything clever."
The advice proved valuable during small-sided games. Instead of attempting the spectacular through balls that had made his reputation at youth level, Cruyff focused on keeping the ball moving, maintaining shape, contributing to the team's rhythm.
In one sequence, he received a pass from the center-back under pressure from two forwards. The obvious play was long, but Cruyff spotted Williams in space ten yards away. A simple pass, but perfectly weighted and timed.
Williams received the ball and immediately played it forward to the striker, who laid it off for Jack Morrison to score a well-worked goal.
"Good ball," Williams said as they jogged back to position. "That's the kind of pass we need—simple but effective."
[Small Victory: Positive recognition from senior professionals]
[Lesson: Sometimes simple is better than spectacular]
The session concluded with a full-scale practice match. Cruyff was placed on the substitute's bench initially, but in the seventieth minute, Clarke called his name.
"Jensen! Get warm. You're going on for Morrison."
[First Team Practice Match Appearance]
[Pressure: Maximum]
[Objective: Show composure and contribute positively]
As he jogged onto the pitch, Cruyff felt the familiar surge of adrenaline mixed with nerves. This was it—his chance to show he belonged, even temporarily, at professional level.
The game was end-to-end, physical, and technically demanding. Cruyff's first involvement was a simple pass backwards to the center-back, but it was weighted perfectly and arrived exactly when needed.
His second touch was more ambitious. Receiving the ball on the right wing, he spotted space behind the opposing full-back and played a diagonal pass to the left winger's feet. The pass was accurate, and the winger was able to cross for a good chance on goal.
[Contributions: Positive but measured]
[Approach: Conservative but effective]
The twenty-minute cameo wasn't spectacular, but it achieved its purpose. Cruyff had shown he could handle the pace, make intelligent decisions under pressure, and contribute to the team's play without trying to dominate.
As the players cooled down, Clarke approached him.
"Not bad for a first look. You've got a good football brain, and you don't panic under pressure. Keep working on your physical development—you'll need to get stronger and faster for this level—but there's definitely potential there."
[Assessment: Cautiously Positive]
[Areas for Development: Physical attributes, tactical understanding]
[Long-term Potential: Recognized by first team management]
Walking back to the changing room, Cruyff reflected on the experience. He hadn't dominated, hadn't produced moments of magic, hadn't announced himself as a future star. But he had shown he belonged, even briefly, in professional company.
It was another step on the long journey back to the top, earned through patience, adaptation, and the growing understanding that sustainable success came from consistent contribution rather than spectacular moments.
[Career Milestone: First Team Training Participation]
[Next Objective: Continued development squad progression]
[Long-term Goal: Professional contract consideration]
The path to Arsenal suddenly felt a little less impossible.