The next day was the weekend, at the Sheffield United first-team training ground.
Only seventeen people came here. Led by Kevin, they commenced post-match recovery training, while more than seven excused themselves with leave to boycott training.
It was clear that Kevin had already lost control of the team.
Many veteran players voiced their opinions by boycotting training, hoping the club would dismiss him soon.
After the recovery training ended.
Ma'el held a football and went to the neighboring field to do some extra breakthrough training with Gilbert.
"We have to add some training time on our rest days."
He couldn't wait to play, wanting to prove his worth in the Championship League and also do something for the current team he was serving.
The feeling of waiting was unpleasant, no one enjoyed being in a dormant state; everyone wanted a clear and bright path ahead.
Ma'el set up training equipment on the field, trying to simulate real combat situations as much as possible, using all his strength to dribble past poles.
He consistently used the bicycle maneuver, while Gilbert employed several different techniques.
After discovering that facing poles could achieve the same training effect, they stopped practicing against each other.
Human tolerance is ultimately limited.
Ma'el had a skill level panel that allowed him to see progress and results anytime, anywhere, something Gilbert did not have.
If he really defended Ma'el's bicycle maneuver all day, he would definitely collapse, feeling sick just looking at a bicycle...
The days continued to pass, with the entire club shrouded in gloom, the players were silent, and laughter was rarely heard during training sessions.
Only in private interactions was there occasionally an enthusiastic atmosphere.
On August 10th, after the new season's Premier League kicked off, the English League Cup was also about to begin.
Sheffield United would face the sixth-tier National League team, Hartlepool United, in the first-round match on the 12th.
This season they had two cup competitions to participate in, the English League Cup and the FA Cup.
In terms of importance, the FA Cup certainly surpassed the English League Cup, as it was the most coveted cup for many top teams.
As for the English League Cup, most teams played it with a casual attitude, only considering full-on championship contention if they accidentally stumbled into the semi-finals.
However, it's clear that neither of these cups had much to do with Sheffield United.
They lacked the possibility of winning a title; it would be better to focus entirely on staying in the Championship.
That evening, Ma'el finally reached the long-awaited moment.
A tingling sensation spread through his hip and knee, as his muscle memory regarding the bicycle maneuver underwent a qualitative leap, as if he had suddenly attained enlightenment.
[Skill: Single Bicycle Maneuver Lv3]
[Skill Level: 1/800]
[Utility: After thousands upon thousands of practices, you have become proficient in the single bicycle maneuver, with a certain speed and deception, with a chance to successfully break through professional players!]
"Finally reached Lv3."
Ma'el's face relaxed; now he posed a certain threat on the wing.
Facing a defender who was unfamiliar with him, he could swiftly use the single bicycle maneuver to create space.
Whether it was a cross along the baseline or cutting inside to threaten the opponent's goal with a long shot, it was a good offensive tactic!
[Skill: Vigorous Lv2]
[Skill Level: 564/800]
He glanced at the power skill level, pondering his future training plan, "It's obviously impossible to spend all my time on strength training; the body has its limits; injuries must be avoided.
"I can add another winger's common step-over move breakthrough training to ensure a balance of training volume and full utilization of training time.
"Aim to train 'Power' and 'Step-Over Move' to Lv3 by the end of this month; by then, I'll definitely be considered a prominent figure on the Championship wing."
Perhaps not a star player yet, but someone who can hold their ground and make impacts.
After that, Ma'el planned to finish other training and switch to speed and coordination training.
For a winger, the importance of speed cannot be overstated!
If he could train speed to Lv3, combined with the two breakthrough skills, he would undoubtedly become a sharp weapon, just touching the ball would pose a threat.
Even without using breakthrough skills, speed at Lv3 could probably overpower some Championship defenders.
As for coordination, it is a fundamental skill, absolutely necessary.
Whether the lower body is stable or not, determines whether a player can stand firm in fast-paced, strong confrontational matches.
Moreover, a stable lower body significantly helps with breakthroughs and confrontations.
"And the intensity of speed training must be high; coordination training can serve as a perfect balance."
After making all his decisions, Ma'el started dribbling practice again while it was still not completely dark, focusing directly on the skill level panel of the step-over move.
Over forty minutes later, he wiped off his sweat, satisfied as he held the football and left the training ground.
[Skill: Step-Over Move Lv1]
[Skill Level: (24/100)]
[Utility: You...]
Next up, continue honing the skills.
Once speed and coordination are both improved, reaching Lv3, he can enhance some of the current abilities to Lv4, a significant highlight.
In Ma'el's blind spot, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue suit stood outside the training ground's fence, smoking a cigarette and observing the field for what seemed like a while.
After watching Ma'el leave, he took out his phone and dialed a number, "Is the list out? Is Ma'el on it?"
"No, Gilbert is not on it either," a voice replied from the other side.
"Kevin's such a two-faced pig!"
He muttered, clenching his cigarette slightly as his hand trembled, "Is he afraid of training young players who might end up being my gifts when I take over?"
"Before leaving, he doesn't even want to do something good. Does he want me to bear the pressure of poor performance in the future, hoping to cultivate a hopeful team for the second half of the season?"
There was a brief silence on the other end, then a voice said, "It might not be like that, but I understand what the board intends; if Kevin loses five Championship games at the start of the season, they'll definitely cancel his contract."
He swallowed, calming himself down a bit, "I see."
......
On August 12th, Sheffield United headed to Hartlepool United's home to compete in the first round of the English League Cup.
Originally, for such an away game, the team should have departed the day before, but due to the opponent's low rank, no one in the team took it seriously.
Ma'el still wasn't selected for the main squad. He initially planned to watch the match broadcast at home but was informed there was no signal.
Helpless, he and Gilbert went to the training ground again, practiced for another three hours, and then checked the news online at home.
They both started relaxed, just out of curiosity, to see who scored, if there were any tragic events.
However, upon opening the data website, they were suddenly dumbfounded.
Zero to two!
Lost!
The Championship League team was shut out by a team four levels lower!
"Impossible."
Gilbert's face instantly turned red, "The 18-man squad for this match was exactly the same as the last game, all mainstays of the team, why did they lose to a National League team?"
Ma'el slowly put down his phone, sat on the sofa, dazedly staring at the ceiling, unable to speak.
"Are they determined to drive Kevin away?"
Gilbert opened his mouth wide, "Or is our strength..."
Suddenly, he fell into deep fear, as the team's situation was worse than they imagined.
"Don't think about that, just wait to play."
Ma'el shook his head; there was nothing they could do right now.