When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 9 Roy, when are you going to be a starter? (Please read on!)

Good morning, Ludovic!

The La Tilby training center in Monaco is built in a depression in an old quarry halfway up a hill in the town of La Tilby, at an altitude of 200 meters. From the trails inside the training center, you can climb to the top of the hill and overlook the entire Bay of Monaco.

As Giuly drove his Porsche 911 Turbo, license plate number LG7 (Ludovic Giuly 7), winding up the mountain road and parked it steadily in the parking lot, he saw a gray Renault Clio RS already parked there all alone.

Roy rolled down the car window, his mouth slightly slurred as he chewed his energy gum, and greeted him.

"If it weren't for the different color, I would have thought you drove my car out!"

Juli got out of the car and looked Roy's "new" car up and down, while Roy opened the back door and took out his training equipment bag from the back seat with one hand and hung it on his back.

The two clapped their hands. Over the course of several days of training, Roy gradually became familiar with the Monaco players. But inevitably, you have to choose which circle to integrate into and which people to befriend.

"How to say?"

"This was the first car I bought when I came through the Lyon youth academy. It carried me all the way to Monaco to sign my contract, with the trunk packed full of luggage. It's..."

“Economical.” Roy smiled and closed the car door.

"With your current salary, there's no need to be so frugal. You could easily buy a cooler car. I don't believe young people would say no to a sports car."

"Only received one month's salary? No matter. Making a name for yourself in Ligue 1 is enough for any car dealership in Monaco to sell you a car with zero down payment, because they know you'll come back."

Roy smiled: "I don't want to be too flashy for now."

It wasn't that he didn't want to buy a nice car, but after receiving his salary, he rented a comfortable apartment in Nice.

After deducting living expenses, the remaining money was deposited into his mother's account.

His personality prevented him from engaging in frequent family interactions like the original owner, so he could only claim that he was too busy with competitions and training at a big club, and then compensate them financially.

Even during his studies in the United States in his previous life, he did not have the concept of overspending. For him, these external enjoyments were something he would consider only after he had enough money in his bank account. In the future, he also wanted to do some appropriate investment and financial management.

After time-traveling, Roy discovered that most people's information about the past was actually quite vague. If they weren't professionals, they couldn't possibly have a vivid memory of investments with highly time-sensitive characteristics such as stocks, gold, and crude oil futures. Although they knew some sectors that were bound to rise, some hadn't even been launched yet, and some were long-term investments.

However, as a programmer in his previous life, he had read the autobiographies of almost every internet tycoon.

In this day and age, some people may still be renting warehouses in Silicon Valley.

A red Range Rover Sport roared into the parking lot, and Shabani Nonda, wearing a flashy and cool designer jacket, stepped out. He glanced at Roy with his distinctive "three-white eyes" and then walked into the training center on his own.

After Roy's outstanding performance in the first round, the other rotation center forwards in the team were okay, as they didn't get much playing time anyway. Pulso's height and physique made him irreplaceable in the penalty area melee, while Shabani scored the most goals among all the forwards, but his technical characteristics were the most vulnerable to Roy's attacks.

He's somewhat like a lower-spec version of Filippo Inzaghi, except for being stronger, but with all his technical characteristics weakened; he's a pure slapstick striker.

If you can't reach the pinnacle of positioning and shooting like Filippo, such a striker is too easy to target.

In a recent intra-squad training match, Roy was included in the A team lineup by Deschamps. He demonstrated finishing ability that is in no way inferior to Shabani, as well as one of the top three individual explosive abilities in the team and the most suitable fast counter-attacking spearhead.

If it weren't for his lack of experience and qualifications, it would only be a matter of time before Roy replaced Shabani.

The two were already direct competitors in the same position, and Roy was too lazy to try to mend their relationship anymore.

Juli saw this and a smile appeared in his eyes. The two had already had some friction during training. Shabani knew that Roy would threaten his position, and Roy's temper was not tolerable.

But given his shrewdness, it's impossible for him to make any statement on this matter.

Good morning, kid.

The titanium silver BMW 3 Series had just come to a stop when Marcelo Gallardo leaned out and shouted in a gruff voice:

"When are you going to take down Shabani? I still prefer passing the ball to you!"

Roy took a deep breath through his teeth, glancing out of the corner of his eye that Shabani was still not far away.

The "great Argentine number 10" has been getting along well with him these past few days. According to him, Roy is the best friend he has made since arriving in Monaco.

The reason.
"Well done, Gallardo!"

A beautiful, curved ball descended from the sky, and Roy slipped through the defenders' encirclement in the penalty area, turning sideways to sweep the ball into the net the instant it hit the ground!

"You should grow your hair longer, otherwise I'll think it's Maradona passing the ball to me!"

The short, thick-necked Gallardo does resemble Maradona at first glance, grinning so wide he seems breathless.

"You have excellent taste! I am..."

Mexican player Marquez smiled and said, "Here you go, I haven't heard about you winning the Ligue 1 assist title for almost five minutes." "Get lost, that's not what I meant!" Gallardo retorted, "I meant I was River Plate's best passer back in the day."

"Yes, yes, you're much better than Riquelme. He can barely stay at Barcelona anymore."

"You have a good eye! Those Boca Juniors idiots don't know anything about the art of passing!"

“Maradona is Boca Juniors,” Max added.

"Bullshit! Maradona belongs to all of Argentina! Besides, he debuted as a youth player in Argentina."

Monaco's tactics room.

Deschamps and his assistant coach are studying their opponents Lyon in tomorrow's league match.

After their victory in Marseille, they have fluctuated in the standings and are currently in second place.

Whether they can overcome Lyon's tough challenge will be a crucial match in the title race.

The next match will also be played at home.

“Juninho is the core of their tactics, and I plan to use Bernardi to limit him one-on-one.”

"If we don't give Gowu space to make an impact on his side, he won't be able to fulfill his role."

"The dual defensive midfield system of Mohamed Diarra and Edmilson."

The magnetic flags on the tactical board moved back and forth, outlining and simulating the tactical systems of the two teams. Even though Paul Le Guen's team had only managed draws in their last two matches, once they broke the deadlock, they scored goals almost one after another.

When are you planning to put Roy in the starting lineup?

Jean Petit looked up at Deschamps.

“Not yet, he’s too young.” Deschamps said without looking up.

"Huh? You've seen his performance in the starting lineup. Pulso is more relaxed when playing against him because a defender simply can't stop Roy, which reduces the pressure on the others."

"Moreover, every team in Ligue 1 will consider whether Monaco, with its three fast forwards, dares to push their players across the midfield line for a full-scale attack."

Although Jean Petit is an assistant coach, his experience as a "living fossil" at Monaco means he always speaks his mind, not to mention that he also serves as the team's sporting director.

He was the one who spearheaded the initial acquisition of Roy, and now the old man is quite pleased with his own foresight; he has convinced himself of this.

All of this was due to his discerning eye.

What? He didn't know Roy's skill level before he brought him in?
Don't forget that France is a Catholic country.

All of this is God's will!

"I mean he's too young in the team and needs a few games to prove whether he can completely replace Shabani in scoring goals. Young people are likely to underperform if they take on pressure too early, and I can't risk it in such a crucial game."

Deschamps frowned as he looked at the tactics board, as cautious as ever.

“I will give him playing time in every game until I am sure he can carry the team.”

The next day.

As the Lyon bus drove into the underground parking lot of the Stade Louis II.

"We haven't won two games in a row. This is not how you should be performing. This is not Lyon. This is not the Lions of Gerland!"

"We were the Ligue 1 champions last season! This season, our goal should be to defend our title!"

Paul Le Guen got up and went to the aisle before the car had even come to a complete stop, gripping the seat with his strong arms to prevent himself from stumbling.

"Now, we need to beat a strong team to prove that we are the strongest! And on their turf."

"There are heated hot spring pipes under the grass here! The grass reeks of money! Even the wind blowing through the stadium smells like champagne!"

"Prove to the players here who the real tough guys are!"

The Lyon players started to clamor.

Juninho, sitting in the back row, looked out the window and remained silent.

(End of this chapter)