After Coach Connor finished speaking, the assistant coach continued from where he left off.
"First, we'll start with Liam Harrington," he said.
"You participated in the trials as a right winger. You delivered one of the best performances in the physical tests, standing out especially with your high speed. In the football skills evaluation, while playing on the right side of midfield, you recorded an impressive five goals and two assists. For a player coming through the trials, your overall level—both physically and technically—was assessed as equal to that of our current U16 starting players."
The expression on Liam's face barely changed. Still, for a brief moment, I thought I saw a faint smile tug at the corner of his lips. In his eyes, there was a subtle spark—ambition, barely concealed.
In football, that desire mattered more than anything else:
the hunger to be the best.
Comparing yourself to others, wanting to surpass them… Whether born from jealousy, anger, or pure competitive instinct, when used correctly, all of it could become fuel.
The assistant coach continued.
"Next is Alex Tate. You joined the trials as a central midfielder, selecting attacking midfield as your secondary position. Based on your performance, we determined that you are best suited for the attacking midfield role. You achieved very solid results in the physical tests. In the football skills assessment, in addition to one goal and one assist, your ability to control and direct the game stood out."
Alex's performance was strong. Still, judging by the evaluation, he wasn't placed on the same level as the established starters, unlike Liam.
As for me, my tension continued to rise.
I had no idea how my poor results in the physical tests had affected the club's overall assessment of me.
"The assistant coach turned to Ben this time and spoke."
"Next is Ben Lane… Your defensive abilities are at a very high level. For that reason, you will be positioned as a defensive midfielder in the team from now on." he said.
He then gestured toward Mark.
"Next is Mark Evans… Mark Evans also stood out as a center-back. His defensive instincts and tall stature were the key points that stood out in our evaluation," he said.
After addressing them, the assistant coach spoke again.
"Next, George Murphy. You showed an average performance in the physical tests, though your strength test results were somewhat better. In the football skills test, you stood out by scoring four goals. The fact that three of those were headers clearly demonstrates your superiority in aerial duels. Your ability to make effective use of your height, and to develop in that direction, places you very close to the level of our current U16 starting players."
George may not have reached Liam's level, but he still received very high evaluations from the club.
I knew he was strong in the air, but I hadn't realized he had scored three headed goals.
After Liam, George was the player most likely to break into the starting eleven of the U16 squad.
Everyone here was fifteen years old—right in the fastest phase of physical development. There was a strong chance George's height would eventually reach around 1.95 meters, giving him a massive advantage in aerial situations.
Everyone had been evaluated.
Except for me.
The assistant coach spoke one final time.
"Next, Ryan Miller. You recorded a very poor performance in the physical tests. Your overall physical attributes lag significantly behind those of your teammates. However, in the football skills test, you stood out with one goal and two assists. In addition to your contributions in attack, your defensive performance was also evaluated positively by the club."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Due to the fact that there is currently only one natural left-back in the U16 squad, you were accepted into the club as an exception, despite your weak physical test results."
My suspicions were confirmed.
That was why selecting six players had felt strange from the beginning.
I had no idea how this exception would be received within the club.
As those thoughts weighed on me, Coach Connor stepped in.
"Yes, the club made an exception in your case," he said. "But that also means your talent has been acknowledged. Physical attributes are far easier to improve than footballing skills. If you noticed, the players selected today are all physically close in level. What truly mattered in our evaluations was your potential."
His words eased my mind, if only slightly.
After all, thanks to my system, I knew I could raise my physical attributes to the U16 level in a short time.
But knowing wasn't enough.
I had to prove it.
I needed to train harder, improve faster, and repay the trust that Coach Connor and the club had placed in me—
as soon as possible.