"Son, is he your teammate? You mentioned a Korean forward was coming."
"So skinny, how can he play professionally?"
"He's not underage, is he? ... Ah? He really is underage?"
When Lance first stepped onto the first-team training ground as a signed player, he was met not with a welcome from the team, nor with doubt, but only with everyone discussing him with puzzled looks.
Lance had long been prepared for this; how could someone who had never proven himself be welcomed with open arms?
He had a good mindset and was ready to bide his time.
As long as he was given a chance, Lance would certainly prove himself to everyone.
The head coach, Sascha Lewandowski, standing beside him, looked a bit displeased.
He indeed did not think highly of Lance.
Assistant coach Hyypiä strongly recommended him, and Sascha had no choice.
However, to maintain the atmosphere in the locker room, Head Coach Sascha had to help Lance integrate quickly.
"Everyone, this is your new teammate, from..."
"Belgium." Lance quickly added.
"Eh? Belgium? Alright... A Chinese-Belgian player from Belgium, Lance! He's 16 years old this year and plays as a forward, winger, and attacking midfielder."
"From now on, he's your teammate. I hope everyone will take care of our new friend and we'll work hard together for the new season..."
Sascha gave a brief introduction, and Lance also stepped forward, looking at his many Bayer Leverkusen teammates.
"I've lived in both Belgium and Germany, so German, French, and English are no problem. I hope to integrate into this team and help the team achieve good results as much as possible."
Lance's first impression on the Bayer Leverkusen players was not that of a football player.
He was too "clean," more like a runway model or a boy band idol.
However, Lance was very approachable, smiled brightly, and was not the stereotypical taciturn East Asian player.
Being able to communicate in German and English was definitely a huge advantage.
The teammates, who had initially held a slight guard, now had a slightly better impression of Lance.
"Hello, I'm Simon Rolfes, the captain of Bayer Leverkusen. Welcome to the team. Today we'll have some adaptive training; join us."
"Okay, thank you, Simon."
Bayer Leverkusen's defensive midfielder, Simon Rolfes, actively chatted with Lance, and brought him along to join the training.
Other teammates also curiously gathered around, asking all sorts of strange questions.
Seeing Lance integrate into the team very quickly, Head Coach Sascha Lewandowski felt much more at ease.
Regardless of Lance's ability, quickly integrating into the team could foster tactical understanding.
Even as a utility player, he would have room to perform in matches.
In the team, only one person was not very keen on Lance.
Also an Asian face, Son Heung-min did not trust this new teammate.
He wasn't targeting Lance himself, mainly because the football level of China was disappointing, which led Son Heung-min to not think highly of Lance's potential.
And this kid was only 16? Too young, right? Could he really establish himself in the first team?
Unless Lance proved him wrong with his actual performance, otherwise, Son Heung-min would always remain skeptical of him.
After the Bayer Leverkusen players finished a simple warm-up run, Assistant Coach Hyypiä blew the whistle again to gather the team.
"I have something to announce to everyone! Starting tomorrow, it's the team's physical conditioning training. The pre-season training camp will last two weeks to build up physical reserves. Everyone, be prepared."
"No way?"
The players groaned endlessly.
The physical training camp was a hellish experience; every day they would be exhausted to death!
All training exercises pushed the human body to its limits, through intense physical activity, players' bodies adapted to this exertion.
Thereby having good physical reserves and recovery throughout the entire season afterward.
Having just finished their summer vacation, they were beginning preparations for the 2013-2014 season.
The players were clearly not very accustomed to it.
It was as if they were unwilling to go back to school or work after a long holiday, full of resistance.
After the warm-up, and another round of body coordination training, they finally got to ball training.
The Bayer Leverkusen players all wanted to see what this new teammate was all about!
Why?
Why could a 16-year-old stand on equal footing with first-team players?
It wasn't until they saw Lance's handling of the ball, his perfect feel for the ball when juggling and controlling it, that the Bayer Leverkusen players finally understood the coaching staff's judgment.
The football was like Lance's pet, like an extension of his limbs, allowing him to change and control it at will.
Crucially, Lance's movements and expression were incredibly relaxed. High-difficulty fancy moves were easier than drinking water.
If they didn't know better, they would have thought it was Ronaldinho!
"Oh my god! Can he do that?"
"I can't even do moves like that!"
"He looks really good, that Asian teenager is very talented!"
"Which Asian teenager are you talking about?"
"Of course, Lance. Son is very good, but purely in terms of ball control talent, Lance is stronger."
Lance was having a blast on the other side, doing fancy juggling and passing.
No matter how tricky the pass from the opponent, Lance could always control the ball steadily in the most fluid way.
This was the confidence brought to him by the [Full Level Ball Control] skill from the [Nagi Seishiro] template!
On the football field, ball control is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects.
It's a condition for judging whether a forward is top-tier!
Suppose there are two players, with similar overall skill levels in other aspects.
One of them controls the ball 1 meter away in the penalty area and takes more than 1 second to control it...
The other, in a crowded penalty area, can always control and deal with the ball in the most reasonable way.
Whether it's passing or shooting, the latter definitely has a greater advantage.
Even scoring a decisive goal in a crucial moment!
They are all professional players, Lance's performance on the training ground alone was enough to make a judgment.
While his teammates were privately discussing, Son Heung-min was also secretly listening.
He was unconvinced.
I'm clearly the main attacking force for Bayer Leverkusen's front line, the offensive core for the new season!
Is this kid even worthy of challenging me?
However, Son Heung-min looked at Lance and still somewhat acknowledged his ball control talent.
"Hmph, what if he performs well in training? Can he perform in actual matches?"
On Lance's first day at Bayer Leverkusen, he had already gained the recognition of most of his teammates through his performance... except for Son Heung-min.
This was a good start!
...
During the pre-season preparation period, Lance was busy every day. Even the hellish pre-season physical training camp didn't make Lance frown.
Compared to getting into an ordinary university and then finding an ordinary job to live a muddled life, Lance preferred to sweat it out on the football field!
The green grass was truly his stage!
Time flew by, and July in Leverkusen quickly passed.
In a blink of an eye, it was already August.
The 2013-2014 Bundesliga season was getting closer and closer.
The opening match was set to kick off on August 10th: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach!
Bayer Leverkusen's opponent was SC Freiburg.
Lance glanced at his system.
Although the system hadn't issued any tasks, Lance had already set a main quest for himself.
Quest One: Make it into the matchday squad!
"Is there a chance for the opening match?"
Lance wasn't sure.
There were still three friendly matches before the league started, and tomorrow's opponent was precisely SC Freiburg, their first Bundesliga opponent!
If he performed outstandingly tomorrow, perhaps there would be a chance to be selected for the squad!
The night before the friendly match, Lance was already ready for battle!