Chapter 13: New Years

Three days after Kazuki's meeting with John. Negotiations between the Southampton club and Furochi lasted for a day before an agreement was finally reached. The negotiations didn't last long because after all Kazuki still hadn't proven himself. The only thing Furochi wanted was an agreement that Kazuki would be played for at least 200 minutes this season.

200 minutes might seem a bit if it counts as a full match, then Kazuki would be guaranteed to play for 2 full matches plus as a substitute for 20 minutes. Looks very little, doesn't it? But it was very difficult for Kazuki to play as a starter. If Kazuki could play as a substitute for 20 minutes each game, then Kazuki would play as a substitute in 10 matches.

Furochi had done his job well, in the future it was up to Kazuki how he made the most of the opportunity. Of course, if Kazuki played well then Furochi would also renegotiate Kazuki's contract but if Kazuki failed, Southampton would quickly kick Kazuki away.

Since the time of the turn of the year was approaching and the temperature continued to drop, Kazuki would start his trial in the second half of the Premier League season starting.

Even though there was no official match Kazuki continued to train hard whether it was in the real world or the dream world. His training in [Dream Training] also changed. The ability of passing, long-range kicks, and long-range free-kicks had been hit hard because Kazuki's leg muscles were still growth.

Kazuki chose to familiarize himself with Southampton's tactics and team. As the GM once said that [Dream Training] could simulate Kazuki's imagination. Therefore Kazuki simulated Southampton's matches this season with Kazuki replacing Belliand.

After a few tries, Kazuki finally realized he couldn't replace Belliand completely due to the difference in the way of playing and Southampton's tactics that didn't suit Kazuki's ability.

If this is the reality then the main coach will probably adjust Southampton's tactics so that Kazuki can adapt better, the problem is Kazuki can't imagine how the Southampton main coach's tactics adjust.

Kazuki told the matter to the GM.

Regarding this, the GM explained it to Kazuko. "That is a weakness of [Dream Training], at least for now. [Dream Training] can simulate abilities but not with one's thinking and mentality. In real matches there will be many players who do dirty ways like diving, committing rude fouls, provoking the opponent. There is also the factor of the referee who is more inclined to other teams, and the last is the ability and thinking of the coach to the current situation.

"I didn't think that [Dream Training] had such a weakness. You said for now, what does it mean that one day this problem will be resolved?"

"I ever said [Dream Training] is a program from the future, because it's a program, of course, it's man-made. Because it's man-made, of course, there will be developments in the future."

The GM's words again awakened Kazuki curious regarding the future and who the people who created [Dream Training] were. However, he knew that GM would not answer. Rather than wasting time questioning that it was better for Kazuki to return training.

After practicing many times with the Southampton team, Kazuki finally found his strengths and weaknesses when replacing Belliand. Overall Belliand is a mature striker and has a higher ability than Kazuki. But in some aspects, Kazuki also had his advantages.

Belliand is a Center Forward type of target man, with his extraordinary physical ability he can hold the ball firmly and provide opportunities for Denilson to find gaps. Belliand can also be very superior in aerial duels. Of the 9 goals he scored in the first half of the premier league this season, Belliand scored 5 goals from headers.

In counter-attack tactics even though Belliand is not fast he can use his physique to forcibly break through the opposing center-back. He can also hold the ball at his feet and provide opportunities for his comrade to break through the opponent's defense.

Southampton does not have a playmaker, in a 4-4-2 formation strategy, in midfield Southampton put two defensive midfielder and 2 sideways midfield in charge of crossing into the middle of the penalty box. Then Denilson will be tasked with linking the defensive midfielder with Belliand.

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The tactics that Southampton designed for full-backs are also very conservative, they install full-backs who are only tasked with defending their territory without often overlapping.

Southampton's strategy is to counterattack especially against top clubs, meanwhile, against equal clubs, Southampton will usually rely on wingers and Denilson's breakthrough as the main point. If they manage to score the first goal, Southampton will immediately change the strategy to counterattack.

With Southampton's frequent counter-attacks, what could Kazuki do? Southampton is a team that relies on defense. What can Kazuki count on to help Southampton as a striker?

High-pressing, intercept, and Tackle, Kazuki decided to study it. Who says strikers can't defend? Kazuki remember the time he played against Leicester City U-18s where their striker was pressing on the Manchester United defender. If Kazuki was able to do that then Kazuki's value would rise.

In terms of defense, he will be useful for the team, in terms of possession his passing ability is very solid he can help Southampton counter-attack with long-range passes. Against a team that was also defending, Kazuki's long-range and free-kick skills were also quite good. After solidifying his idea Kazuki immediately practiced.

***

On December 30, 2011. 10 hours into the new year, Kazuki was leaning on the hotel balcony while playing with his cellphone. Kazuki wondered if he should call his family. In Japan, it's already 11 o'clock and the sakura country is 9 hours ahead of the UK.

His family has a tradition of celebrating the new year. Therefore it was impossible for them to sleep at this time. After some deliberation, Kazuki finally decided to call his mother.

He tapped a series of numbers on his phone screen before pressing the call icon.

A few moments later the phone was connected.

"Hello, who is this with?"

Kazuki's number was new, it was only natural that his mother had not saved this number. Kazuki then took a deep breath, soon he had a trial in Southampton, maybe this was the right time for him to ask his mother for prayers.

"Kaa-san, this is Kazuki. I want to wish you a happy new year."

There was silence for a while before her mother finally let out a shriek of joy. Kazuki answered his mother's questions after qeustions. These questions represent a mother's concern for her child. Calmly the mothers and children let go of their longing for each other even though it was only via cellphone.

After five minutes Kazuki hung up the call. He didn't call his father, for now, Kazuki didn't want to face his father. One day when Kazuki was very successful as a soccer player was the day he would talk to his father.

"I want before the end of 2012 I can be Southampton's main player, not a substitute or reserve player."

With a clear goal, Kazuki closed his 2011 journey.

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