The perfect center forward: Becoming a soccer king from the corner of Chuanu Chapter 098

Another hour of extra training. The old Lucia was like rotten wood that couldn’t be carved, but after his shooting skills were systematically improved and corrected, the Italian could develop new skills just like the first 100-million-euro player, Gareth Bale.

Football not only requires talent but also relies on continuous effort. As a representative of exceptional talent in everyone’s eyes, Gareth Bale is actually a hardworking player.

Although the Welshman doesn’t have the talent and skill of a free-kick master, he became the player with the highest free-kick accuracy in the 2012- 13 Premier League season through his persistent practice.

After being thoroughly motivated by the free-kick specialist coach, Lucia was still watching his shooting videos and analyzing the optimal run-up distance and other data found by the analyst before going to bed.

The motivation for doing all this came from inner drive. If it was just about getting a high salary like Cristiano Ronaldo and relying on the system as he initially thought, he would have done just that.

But Lucia, who had fallen in love with football, loved the fans cheering for him, and enjoyed dominating wins and losses on the field, had truly become obsessed with the sport.

Being a perfect center forward wasn’t enough; Lucia wanted to be a super killer on the green pitch that every opponent feared!

Therefore, improving his arsenal was crucial. He couldn’t be like the future “executive vice president” of basketball, singled out by others.

They said people never feared LeBron James, only Michael Jordan.

Lucia, however, wanted to become the true and undisputed GOAT on the football field!

After finishing, Lucia began to review his gains. The progress for “Pushing the Nutmeg” remained unchanged as he didn’t shoot.

Three-Bar Captain

[Training Progress 49% + Match Progress 39.2%]

How much more was left? The day of harvest was coming soon!

After the 28th round of matches, the Big Six, except for the two Manchester brothers who became “twin bears” and drew with their opponents, all secured three points.

Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, the two师兄弟 (master and apprentice), both focused on continental competitions.

One had taken a 5- 3 lead at home against Monaco in the Champions League.

The other had drawn 1- 1 away against Rostov in the Europa League, securing an away goal advantage.

On March 18, 2017, in the 29th round of the Premier League, West Ham United, back at home, once again faced the defending champions Leicester City.

The Foxes, who had just eliminated Sevilla midweek, were in good spirits, but their physical condition was a bit lacking.

This was a common problem for small clubs; occasionally entering the Europa League or Champions League would lead to a decline in league performance.

Leicester City this season was a typical example: they reached the Champions League quarterfinals, but currently, they were only ranked tenth in the league.

Some “mathematical genius” streamers who sought traffic could use this data to hype up the intensity of Premier League teams.

Indeed, from an entertainment perspective, the Premier League was undoubtedly becoming the world’s number one, but in terms of tactical and technical aspects, it wasn’t necessarily so.

Everyone had their own style: Spain’s technical training from childhood, Italy’s consistent tactical training, and England’s fast-break, maximum-opportunity training were all distinctly different.

While the results of European competitions had a certain element of coincidence, there was also a certain inevitability.

Although there were factors like severe internal competition and a packed schedule, as commonly said, it must also be acknowledged that the lack of honors for Premier League teams made it difficult for the “first league” to truly live up to its name.

It could only firmly hold onto the titles of “most watched in the world” and “highest revenue in the world” for now.

However, with further investment and the ebb and flow, the Premier League should be able to win more European titles in the future to solidify its claim as the first league.

“Welcome everyone to Sky Sports for this match, West Ham United at home against defending champions Leicester City.

Many fans before the match called this a ‘miracle handover ceremony.’ The Foxes, a civilian team with nothing to play for, might not pose a threat to West Ham United!”

The camera swept across the stadium. Lu Xia, not starting as captain, couldn’t participate in the coin toss. After jumping, he could only silently prepare to sprint.

The fans in the stands were like family and friends of warriors about to go to battle, shouting slogans and cheering at the top of their lungs, the deafening roar as if it would lift the stadium roof.

With ten rounds remaining, West Ham United still held a 9-point lead, and their home stadium was packed. Every fan wanted to witness history firsthand, match by match.

Lucia looked up and saw the leader of his fan club waving his exclusive flag, looking spry and full of vigor.

As soon as the match began, the situation on the field was not as everyone had expected.

Leicester City, playing away from home, was like a lit rocket, instantly bursting with astonishing kinetic energy.

Just four minutes in, Mahrez went on a rampage down the right wing, dribbling past Cresswell before taking a shot.

The ball, a cross-shot, seemed to be enchanted, flying directly into the dead corner of West Ham United’s goal.

Goalkeeper Randolph’s desperate save still fell short. West Ham United was down by a goal early in the match, and the situation became passive.

“The Italian is a bit anxious, going it alone in the box, a wild shot misses the target!”

“You can never underestimate the strength of a star. Another unreasonable choice, a forced shot from a standing position!”

“Lucia helps the team equalize! West Ham United 1- 1 Leicester City!”

The subsequent stalemate favored West Ham United, who had a physical advantage, as the first half drew to a close.

This time it was a set-piece opportunity. Lanzini delivered the ball into the box, and Lucia’s run took Huth away.

Andy Carroll easily handled Benalouane one-on-one, his tall figure rising above the crowd. The ball was like a cannonball, fiercely smashing into the goal.

West Ham United 2- 1 Leicester City

The second half resumed, and West Ham United extended their lead again. In the box, Lucia made a run, got to the ball, and completed a right-footed turn and shot.

The ball, blocked by Schmeichel, landed perfectly at Ayew’s feet, who easily tapped it in. West Ham United 3- 1 Leicester City.

Leicester City, already comfortably in mid-table in the league this season, showed little determination to fight back. They had few answers against West Ham United’s stubborn defense.

Their best weapon, the counter-attack, couldn’t be used, and neither high balls nor long-range shots could penetrate the increasingly solid Hammers’ defense.

The match ended with West Ham United winning 3- 1 against Leicester City without much trouble.

Lucia’s league goal tally reached 33, just one goal shy of equaling the Premier League single-season scoring record.

The “Pushing the Nutmeg” progress steadily increased to [Training Progress 49% + 34%].

Next shot inside the box Miss ( 3), next shot outside the box Miss ( 2).

Three-Bar Captain reached [Training Progress 49% + Match Progress 40.2%].

Unfortunately, Chelsea also won their match, so the gap between the two teams did not narrow.

With only 9 league matches remaining, the Hammers still had a significant lead.

Liverpool drew away with the Citizens, effectively withdrawing from the title race. The situation was now very clear: the two London teams, West Ham United and Chelsea, would compete for the 2016- 17 Premier League title.

Psychological Warfare? According to reliable sources, Abramovich and Raiola met on a yacht in Sardinia to discuss Lucia’s transfer!

Chelsea, the loophole king, the biggest joke in football! It’s against regulations to talk directly to a player about a transfer, but not to talk to people around the player!

– [Can Abramovich really bring Lucia to Stamford Bridge?]

– [Looks like they learned from the fine in 2005. This time they made early contact within the rules!]

– [If you can’t beat them, buy them. My club loves big center forwards like this, who can be a pivot and kill the game!]

All this commotion was irrelevant to Lucia. The young Italian had already boarded an Alitalia flight to Palermo to start gaining experience.