After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

(May Rota rest in peace)

It's another training day, and today's intense training is coming to an end.

The players walked towards the locker room in twos and threes, their tired but satisfied conversations echoing in the empty field.

Yan Yuan was looking down as he tidied his sneakers and training vest, preparing to pack up and leave.

Just then, assistant coach Kramer, carrying a tablet computer, rushed towards Nagelsmann, who was writing something in his notebook on the sidelines.

Kramer's expression was somewhat unusual, a mixture of excitement and seriousness. He quickly whispered a few words in Nagelsmann's ear and handed him the tablet.

Nagelsmann looked up, shifting his gaze from the laptop to the tablet screen.

His eyes quickly scanned the content on the screen, and his brows, which had been furrowed in thought, furrowed slightly.

Then, an irrepressible smile of surprise and appreciation bloomed on his lips, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"Yan!" Nagelsmann's loud and clear voice rang out, piercing through the noise of the field, carrying an undeniable summons, and directly stopped the disciple who was about to leave.

Yan Yuan stopped in his tracks upon hearing the sound, turned around, and looked at the head coach with some confusion.

He still didn't know what had happened.

"Is there a problem, Coach?"

Nagelsmann, holding a tablet computer, strode up to Yan Yuan.

He didn't say much, but with a clear smile on his face, he handed the tablet directly to Yan Yuan, his tone solemn and full of certainty:

"Look at this, kid! You deserve it!"

Yan Yuan looked down at the tablet in his hand. An open email was displayed on the screen, with the FA emblem prominently displayed at the top.

The email subject was clearly written in bold:

[Official Announcement: YAN YUAN Selected for England Men's National Football Team Squad]

He held his breath, his fingers stiffening slightly as he slid down to read the email's body:

From: England National Team Management - Player Recruiting Department

Date sent: April 25, 2018

To: Mr. Yan Yuan

On behalf of the Football Association, Mr. Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of the England Men's National Football Team, hereby formally informs Your Excellency.

You have been called up to the latest England Senior Men's National Team squad.

徵召事由： 备战即将于2018年6月14日至7月15日在俄罗斯举行的2018年国际足联世界盃的相关集训与热身赛事。

Training camp and competition schedule for this period:

报到时间： 2018年5月24日（星期四）下午13:00

Registration Location: St. George's Park National Football Centre, Burton, England

Subsequent warm-up match schedule (for reference only, final arrangement may be adjusted):

Contact Person: For any questions or assistance, please contact the Assistant Director and Team Affairs Officer: xxx

important hint:

1. Please ensure that you reply to the confirmation letter (the link to the confirmation letter has been sent with this email) through the designated system within 48 hours of receiving this notification, confirming your ability to check in as scheduled.

2. Detailed itinerary, precautions and requirements will be delivered later through the team's official system and your team liaison officer.

3. Please ensure you are in good health before reporting for training and promptly inform the team's medical team of any injuries or illnesses. The team doctor will conduct a comprehensive medical examination upon your arrival.

This call-up is a recognition of your continued outstanding performance for the club and in European competitions this season.

Your technical skills, tactical awareness, competitive attitude, and the energy you bring to the team are highly aligned with Coach Southgate's philosophy for building the national team.

We firmly believe that your abilities will continue to shine at the national team level, and we have high hopes that you will contribute to the team's upcoming World Cup campaign.

Congratulations on your selection! We look forward to seeing you shine in St. George's Park as we fight for the glory of the Three Lions!

Sincerely,

Football Association - Men's Teams Management

……

Looking at the formal and weighty words on the screen, especially the eye-catching words "2018 FIFA World Cup", Yan Yuan felt as if his heart was suddenly clenched by something, and then filled and swelled with immense joy!

A surge of scalding heat instantly coursed through my body, and my cheeks burned uncontrollably.

He scanned the email repeatedly, seemingly unable to believe his eyes.

Selected for the England national team?

And he was directly drafted into the senior team?!

And they're even preparing for the 2018 World Cup?!

"Coach...I...this...is this real?" He looked up, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, his eyes shining with disbelief and immense joy.

"Of course it's true!" Nagelsmann laughed heartily, patting Yan Yuan's shoulder forcefully, his eyes filled with pride for his beloved student's achievement.

"Look at this email! Official document! From the FA! This is what you earned through a season of sweat, goals, assists, and performances against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid in the Champions League! You deserve it! Congratulations, Yan! You're now an England international!"

An immense joy exploded in Yan Yuan's heart.

This was even more exciting than the moment he broke through Real Madrid's goal!

The World Cup is the ultimate dream stage for all young football players!

He grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, his smile radiant: "Thank you, Coach! Thank you so much, Coach! I will continue to work hard!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but give Nagelsmann a firm hug.

"Ouch... Hahaha... You're getting stronger and stronger..." Na Shuai was hugged tightly by his beloved disciple.

Upon hearing the commotion, Yan Yuan's teammates gathered around and offered their congratulations.

De Jong laughed and punched Yan Yuan, Maguire ruffled Yan Yuan's hair with his big hand, and Grillitsch and Gnabry happily shouted that Yan Yuan should treat them.

The atmosphere on the training field was instantly filled with joy.

Upon returning to the players' dormitory that evening, the first thing Yan Yuan did was make a video call to his home in Birmingham.

When the video call connected and his father's familiar face and his mother's concerned eyes appeared on the screen, Yan Yuan was so excited that he became somewhat incoherent.

The FA's invitation was first sent to Hoffenheim because they needed Yan Yuan's personal confirmation as soon as possible. Yan's father, as his agent, received the news a little later.

"Dad! Mom! I have some great news for you! Fantastic news!" Yan Yuan spoke rapidly, his voice booming.

"I've been called up! The England national team! The senior team! I can go to Russia for the World Cup this year!" He almost shouted, eager to share this enormous honor.

"Son, do you want your dad to come to Germany to be with you? You're a national team player now. Just say the word, and I'll drop everything and come to you right away." Yan's father still supports his son's football career.

"No, please don't, Dad. You should focus on your work. I don't want my business to affect you. The three of us have our own businesses now: your foreign trade business, Mom's restaurant, and my football. We should all work hard. You can help me out when negotiating contracts." Yan Yuan cared more about his family.

And with Yan's mother beside Yan's father, tears welled up in her eyes instantly.

She covered her mouth, buried her face in her father's chest, and tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. She gripped his shoulder tightly with one hand, sobbing uncontrollably.

"My son...my son...made it to the national team...for the World Cup...sob sob sob...my son, it wasn't easy for you, you made it! You really made it!"

Mother Yan's voice was filled with bitterness, pride, and immense relief.

Her hard work in the restaurant kitchen and the difficulties her husband faced in starting the business were completely illuminated by her son's achievements at this moment.

As Yan's father nodded excitedly, he gently patted his wife's back, and his eyes, looking at his son on the screen, were filled with indescribable pride and tears.

Yan Yuan looked at his parents crying tears of joy on the screen, and his eyes also welled up with tears.

This honor belongs not only to him, but also to his family who have always silently supported him and given everything for him.

……

The next afternoon, the sun was shining brightly.

Nagelsmann did not schedule high-intensity training. After the afternoon recovery training session, he called Yan Yuan to his office.

"Yan, sit down." Nagelsmann pointed to the chair in front of his desk, where an open laptop was placed, its screen displaying a waiting video call interface.

His expression was serious and earnest: "Coach Southgate has scheduled a time for an online meeting with you. Remember, relax, but also stay focused and respectful."

Yan Yuan took a deep breath, nodded, and sat down in front of the computer, feeling both nervous and expectant.

Just as the agreed time arrived, a video call request came in.

Nagelsmann sat next to Yan Yuan and reached out to connect the video call for him.

Gareth Southgate's familiar, slightly serious face immediately appeared on the screen.

He was wearing an England national team polo shirt, with the St. George's Park office in the background.

Upon seeing the connection established, Southgate gave a gentle smile:

"Good afternoon, Julian; good afternoon, Yan."

"Good afternoon, Gareth," Nagelsmann nodded in greeting.

"Good afternoon, Coach Southgate," Yan Yuan said, sitting up straight and greeting him respectfully.

"First of all, congratulations on being selected for the national team roster, Yan." Southgate got straight to the point, his tone sincere and direct. "This was not an easy decision, but your performance left us with no hesitation."

He looked at Yan Yuan on the screen with sharp and honest eyes:

"We noticed you last summer during Hoffenheim's Champions League qualifier against Liverpool."

A player who is so young yet can consistently create threats with his vision and breakthroughs in such a crucial, almost life-or-death environment is remarkable in itself.

"And as the season progressed, especially your performance against Manchester City, and ultimately in the Champions League, particularly against Real Madrid..." Southgate nodded slightly, with admiration.

"Your goal tally, your technical skills, and more importantly, your mental fortitude and tactical execution under high-intensity pressure, as well as the hunger for victory and selfless dedication that everyone witnessed—all of these clearly tell me, and my team's evaluator: You, Yan Yuan, have the ability and mindset to skip all the intermediate levels and go directly into the senior national team to fight alongside the best England players!"

Yan Yuan listened attentively, his heart filled with excitement.

It turns out Coach Southgate had been paying attention to me for a long time.

Southgate then went on to describe the current situation of the England team:

"Next, let me introduce the current national team lineup to you."

Currently, our team has a reliable world-class center forward like Harry Kane, wingers or attacking midfielders with excellent speed and technique like Sterling, Rashford, and Lingard, a young but technically gifted Dele Alli, and of course, solid midfield pillars like Henderson and Dier.

Our defense also has top-class players like Walker, Stones, and Maguire.

Overall, our team is young, energetic, technically skilled, and tactically disciplined.

He changed the subject, his gaze towards Yan Yuan filled with clear expectation:

"And you, Yan, can bring us something unique and important."

First, there's your powerful attacking ability on the flanks, especially in the right winger position.

Your overall vision, ability to change direction and break through, and finishing ability after crossing or cutting inside can provide us with powerful direct attacking power and variety on the flanks, making you a powerful tool to break through dense defenses.

Secondly, we observed that you also showed potential in the central area, especially in the right flank or attacking midfield area, to participate in attacking organization and pass threatening balls.

This versatility is invaluable when a head coach is arranging his team.

Southgate concluded,

"We need your ability to create explosive moments and change the pace of the game, and we also value your ability to constantly create threats and stretch space between the two penalty areas."

"I understand, Coach." Yan Yuan nodded solemnly.

Southgate concluded by emphasizing the arrangements and timelines for the final roster:

"The official 23-man roster for the national team for the World Cup will be announced around May 16, depending on performance in training camp and possible final evaluations."

What you need to do is demonstrate your form, your willingness to integrate into the team, and your ability to understand tactics during the upcoming training camp.

"At the same time, I hope," Southgate looked into Yan Yuan's eyes, his tone serious yet full of trust.

"You can stay focused in the coming weeks, play well in the remaining crucial battles of the season for Hoffenheim, and show your level!"

At the same time, you must take extreme care to protect your body and avoid injury!

A healthy and in-form you are crucial to Hoffenheim, and equally significant for our England national team!

He paused, then a smile returned to his face, carrying a hint of encouragement:

"Finally, regardless of how this season ends at Hoffenheim, everything you've shown in the Champions League and the league has been impressive."

Keep up the good work! I personally really look forward to seeing you in the Premier League next season!

Southgate's "See you in the Premier League next season" was like a tacit encouragement, and also subtly revealed the national team coach's assessment of Yan Yuan's future.

On the other end of the video call, Yan Yuan took a deep breath and expressed all his excitement and gratitude in fluent Birmingham English:

"Coach Southgate, thank you so much for this opportunity from you and the FA!"

It is a great honor for me to represent the England national team. Please rest assured that I will arrive at St. George's Park on time.

In the upcoming matches, I will give my all and fight for Hoffenheim until the very last moment. At the same time, I will take good care of my body and bring my best form to the national team.

I look forward to integrating into the team as soon as possible, learning, and contributing my full strength to England's journey in Russia! Thank you again for your trust!

Southgate nodded in satisfaction: "Good, young man! Keep it up, see you at St. George's Park! Julian, thank you for mentoring Yan, goodbye." Nagelsmann smiled and returned the farewell.

The video call has ended.

The screen went dark.

Outside Nagelsmann's office window, dusk was gradually falling over the Sinsheim base.

Yan Yuan sat in the chair, the turmoil in his heart not yet completely subsided.

His status as an England international, the call to the World Cup, Gareth Southgate's high expectations...

All of this made him feel an unprecedented weight on his shoulders, yet also an immense sense of fulfillment.

A new identity and a brand new journey await him.