My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 68: Captain

Rio’s eyes followed Manager Farke, who had stomped his way over to Djed Spence and the other senior loanees who just so happened to distance themselves from him after the training incident.

If he remembered correctly, Djed Spence was a tyrant in the dressing room in his previous life simulation. He took his Premier League status and lorded it over anyone who was not a "star," making the academy kids clean his boots or just outright mocking their clothes.

Of course, this changed once Rio took over his position in the hierarchy. All of the status Spence had turned to naught, and he was forced to train with the U21s in order to stay fit, with the hopes of one day getting a move away.

He wasn’t entirely sure who became the starting right-back after Spence left in that timeline—maybe Ayling?—not like that mattered at this point.

Rio shook his head; now was not the time to think about the "bad timeline." He beckoned to Archie Gray, who was being nosy and trying to listen in to the grilling of the unruly loanee.

"Archie, let’s continue. We have corners to practice."

"Ah y-yes, Skip." He stammered, turning his attention back.

Rio let out a long breath and breathed in through his nose. He could feel where his team was lacking in the last match, which caused them to struggle to break down the low block until the end. With a few adjustments, his teammates would be able to adapt to the mental training he had been enforcing all week.

As long as he continued to drill the movement a few more times, everything would be as it should for the Hull game.

Once again Rio got into his corner kick stance, each movement looking more deliberate than before. The next moment the ball came whipping out, slightly overhit once again, however this time Piroe was able to reach it in time but headed it wide.

"Again."

Archie was a little perplexed at how Rio’s delivery was so aggressive today, yet he still did what he was told and ran to collect the ball. The manager had already given them the set-piece routines, so he would need to make the most of the situation.

Of course, if the delivery did not have great accuracy, it made for a nightmare to attack.

He let out a small sigh after rolling the ball back to Rio.

’Man, he should stick to cutting inside,’ Archie commented inwardly, losing a little motivation in the cold wind.

Archie waited on the edge of the box, ready to make a late run the moment the ball left Rio’s foot. Since both of the last corners had been deep, he was expecting something similar towards the back post.

THWACK.

Without a word, Archie extended his legs and was debating whether to jump for the header once again. However, as the ball came closer he suddenly realized that he had misjudged.

Not only was the ball faster than the last cross, it was also well and truly dipping.

Since he had held his run in anticipation of a deep ball, the cross which was aimed for the penalty spot was now inconveniently rocketing towards his midriff. A look of panic and despair assaulted his features as he tried to adjust his body.

Thankfully, due to his quick reflexes, he managed to get his chest in the way, right beneath his chin. However, just because it missed his face, didn’t mean that it didn’t hurt.

"OOOOOFFF." After a loud thud, the sound of Archie’s lungs emptying of air entered everyone’s ears, causing them to snap their gazes in his direction.

"Come on Archie, it wasn’t that bad," Rio said dismissively, walking up and grabbing the ball which had ricocheted off the poor kid.

’Not that bad!? It almost broke my ribs!’ Archie screamed internally, currently unable to form words since he was winded.

He had experience controlling Premier League crosses in training and could tell that the ball he had just received exceeded that velocity.

Archie had no doubt in his mind that what Rio had just whipped in was definitely faster, maybe even close to De Bruyne levels of whip.

"Alright everyone, let’s head onto the pitch. The Hull City simulation starts now." Before Archie could get himself off the ground, Manager Farke called out to the team, signaling the beginning of the tactical walkthrough.

The starting XI gathered in the center circle a few minutes later, surrounding the manager.

"Here is the plan. Rio, you isolate their left-back. Archie, you support him."

"Yes Boss!" Both Rio and Archie responded with gusto. It seemed that the two were both excited to finally unleash their partnership.

Rio walked up to the right wing and adjusted his shin pads. Tapping the grass once, twice and thrice, he looked up at the midfield and nodded, indicating that he was ready.

Djed Spence, who had just been chewed out earlier by the manager and was now forced to play as the "opposition left-back" for this drill, was feeling a bit pissy. He decided that he would take it out on Rio during this game, ensuring that he made him look useless.

His pace and strength made him a formidable defender when he actually tried. Getting into his defensive stance, he crouched low, ready to spring.

PEEEP.

"Play!"

Farke shouted plainly, forcing Djed to click his tongue. He wanted to smash Rio immediately, but he had to wait for the ball.

"Heh, I’ll show this gym rat he’s not on my level," Djed mumbled, a smirk forming on his face.

The ball came to Rio from Ethan Ampadu. The pass was crisp, right to feet.

THUD.

Rio sucked in a deep breath and controlled it instantly. Djed lunged in, trying to nip the ball away before Rio could turn.

"Gotcha!" Djed grunted.

But Rio didn’t turn.

[Skill: Titan’s Core Active]

Rio planted his left foot and leaned back into Djed.

CRUNCH.

Djed bounced off Rio like he hit a concrete bollard. He stumbled back two steps, losing his momentum entirely.

"Tch, lucky boy," Djed spat out, regaining his balance.

"Nice hold up!" The players in the starting XI called out words of encouragement, happy to see their winger holding his own.

Now it was time to attack. Rio turned, leaving Djed trailing. Thanks to his new S-Grade Agility, he accelerated away instantly.

However, feeling the pressure of Djed chasing him down, he knew he had to act fast. He gulped before setting his feet and looking up.

"Piroe!"

Rio whipped a cross in. It was perfect. Piroe met it with a header.

GOAL.

1-0 in the drill.

"Too easy," Rio whispered, jogging back.

[Chat Room Active]

Hand_Of_King: You bullied him! Hahaha! Look at his face. He is confused. He thought you were soft.

Total_Football_14: The turn was good. But the cross... perfection. You are seeing the geometry now, Rio. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Zizou_5: Djed looks angry. Be careful. An angry player is unpredictable.

Rio nodded internally. He knew Djed would come back harder.

The drill reset. Farke blew the whistle again.

This time, Djed didn’t wait. As soon as Rio got the ball, Djed came flying in with a two-footed lunge. It was a training ground tackle, but it had malice in it.

"Watch out!" Archie screamed.

Rio saw it coming. The Captain’s Presence gave him a split-second warning, a heightened sense of danger.

He didn’t panic. He didn’t jump out of the way.

He flicked the ball over Djed’s sliding legs.

The Rainbow Flick.

"Olé!" Piroe shouted from the box.

Rio hurdled the tackle, landing gracefully on the other side. Djed slid past him, ending up face-first in the mud.

The entire squad stopped. Even Farke stopped writing.

Rio trapped the ball on his chest, let it drop, and volleyed it into the bottom corner.

2-0.

Silence.

Then, Archie started laughing. "Oh my god! You killed him!"

Djed stood up, his face red with mud and rage. He walked towards Rio, fists clenched.

"You think you’re funny?" Djed growled. "Doing tricks in training?"

Rio stood his ground. He didn’t flinch. He looked Djed in the eye, his new S-Grade Mental stat keeping him ice cold.

"I’m not trying to be funny, Djed," Rio said calmly. "I’m trying to win the league. If you can’t tackle me, that’s your problem."

Djed raised a hand to push him.

Suddenly, Ethan Ampadu stepped in between them. Then Rodon. Then Struijk.

The entire starting XI formed a wall around Rio.

"Back off, Djed," Ethan said, his voice low and dangerous. "He’s the captain today."

Djed looked around. He saw the unity. He saw that he was alone.

He spat on the ground and walked away.

"Fuck this," Djed muttered. "I’m calling my agent."

Farke watched the whole thing. He didn’t intervene. He didn’t need to.

He smiled.

"Good," Farke whispered to himself. "The pack has found its alpha."

He blew the whistle.

"Okay! Drink break! Rio, Archie, set pieces next!"

Rio walked over to the water cooler. His heart was pounding, but not from fear. From power.

"You okay, Skip?" Archie asked, handing him a bottle.

"Yeah," Rio grinned, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Just warming up."