Chapter 12: Southampton Desire

"You're a talented player," John said, setting his coffee on the table. He saw that Kazuki was still relaxed even with John's praise. John rarely encountered such an attitude.

Most young men would be nervous and excited when praised by a scout representing a club just like him. However, being praised by the scout means that the player has a chance to be recruited by the club behind the scout. Moreover, Southampton is a premier league club even though they are often relegated, but Southampton is always able to return to the premier league in one year.

Southampton is a great club, at least for a young player with no senior experience like Kazuki. The majority of players, however, start their careers in small and medium clubs. Only a small number of players go straight to big clubs since their debut. But with it all, Kazuki was still relaxed. This gesture made John want to applaud.

'Is that confidence? Vanity? Ignorance?' John thought what made Kazuki not nervous.

Of course, it was confidence with Dream Training. Kazuki felt there was no problem for him to adapting at the senior level competition, especially after more than a month Kazuki trained at the European major league level in [Dream Training].

"So what do you think are my advantages and weaknesses, and what does Southampton do to help me grow?" asked Kazuki. If Southampton wanted to get Kazuki, then they had to provide benefits that could make Kazuki tempted to cancel the LFE assessment trial he was about to take part in.

"I'm not a coach and can't just represent the club. This can be discussed with club later. But let me explain the thoughts of the Southampton U-23 coach and also Southampton's assistant main coach about you," John calmly said. John was sure Southampton would not treat Kazuki badly but it was not yet clear how much 'good' treatment Kazuki would receive.

Kazuki then nodded, realizing he was wrong to ask John, who incidentally was just a scout.

"From my point of view as an experienced scout, I can tell you, you are talented in several aspects. First, you have a very good understanding of space and gaps in the opponent's defense. Most Center Forwards can only vaguely understand the concept of space and gaps."

Kazuki smiled after hearing that. Spaces and gaps were something he learned from Filippo Inzaghi, and a player like Inzaghi didn't exist in this world. Scoring a goal or two using gaps and spaces can be called a coincidence, but if a player scores goals by repeatedly exploiting space, then it means that the player understands the concept of space and gaps very well. John confirmed Kazuki's ability after seeing the way Kazuki scored goals in several matches.

John continued the conversation. "You have a talent for shooting. With both balanced feet and tall stature, I guarantee you have the potential to be a goal machine. Third, you are not selfish and willing to pass the ball at your feet when you don't see an opportunity. Most young players who have talent as center forwards have their pride, so they rarely pass on to their teammates."

For the third one, it was actually due to Kazuki's strategy. Right now, the more Kazuki was ignored by the opponent's defense, the more dangerous he was. If Kazuki was closely watched, he couldn't explore the gaps and spaces that appeared in the opponent's defense. Therefore, he needed a diversion like Ethan and Bennett when he was at Manchester United.

"Then I will now tell you, your weakness." John took a sip of his coffee. Then he said again to Kazuki, "You haven't trained your header well, your body at the Premier League level competition is still weak. I'm sure you can't play full 90 minutes of a premier league match. Lastly, your breaking through ability is quite low."

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Kazuki smiled wryly, he recognized John's eyes were very sharp. The first and the second might be what Kazuki could fix, but for the weakness of the latter, Kazuki himself admitted it was very difficult. Two types of players are able to break through the opponent, that is speed and with technique.

Kazuki's speed he could probably rely on at the junior stage, but at the senior stage, his speed was very ordinary. With mediocre speed, Kazuki's usefulness in counterattacking would be significantly reduced. What has to be noted is that most of the small and middle clubs when dealing with top clubs are counterattacks. While Kazuki could train in [Dream Training] to improve his techniques and skills, but right now it wasn't a priority.

"Southampton has found my weakness. Why are you guys still after me?" Kazuki's weakness should have made Southampton realize that Kazuki was not worthy of gambling.

John smiled, Kazuki finally showed his unease. He recalled the words of the assistant main coach as well as the U-23 coach about Kazuki.

"Even though you are often play as a false nine and a shadow striker but you are a real number 9, as long as you can score goals we will adjust tactics for you."

Kazuki was surprised. Currently, Southampton often plays a 4-4-2 formation with Denilson Hunt as a shadow striker, Kazuki thought that most likely he would be Denilson's subtitute at most but it turned out he would be a substitute for Belliand who is Southampton's core striker. But the thing is, the competition for Belliand's position is fierce at Southampton. Does Kazuki stand a chance?

"In the winter transfer window, Belliand will leave Southampton. Belliand's replacement is Osmund but Anthony is too old to be Osmund subtitute later. If you can prove your worthly, there is a chance to take the main subtitute position from Anthony. Of course, if you are afraid to compete with our Anthony, who is already 36 years old, you can refuse us."

John smirked he believed Kazuki could see Southampton's sincerity. Anthony actually can still be used as a substitute but the Southampton main coach is not satisfied with Anthony so Kazuki still has a chance.

John's last words were persuasive sentences. Kazuki knew that but he was still affected. Kazuki had said to Traves that he wasn't afraid of competition when it was something he could win. Kazuki thought that the competition that was in Southampton this time he could win.

"I agree to try a trial at Southampton but for further talks, I have to wait for my agent first," said Kazuki, there is still much to discuss with the Southampton club, but complicated matters are Furochi's business.

After all, the man had to work after burdening Kim Song Ha's living expenses on himself and then running away.

John smiled happily at Kazuki's words. "Thanks for agreeing, I'm sure you can prove yourself at Southampton."

The agreement took this negotiation one step forward, John hoped that Kazuki lived up to the expectations of the Southampton club.

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