Chapter 116: Midfield Maestro
Chapter 116: Midfield Maestro
Monday, July 12, 2010
Crisp morning air hung over Broadfield Stadium, where the muddy pitch glistened beneath a pale sun breaking through Crawley’s thinning clouds.
Niels arrived early, his boots crunching on the gravel path, the sharp scent of wet grass and damp earth filling his lungs. A restless energy surged through him, a fire to shape a squad that could carry the town’s dreams into the season.
With the season looming, the squad needed new talent to face League One’s brutal grind.
Niels clutched his notebook, its pages creased from late-night planning. Names like Paul Pogba and Luke Freeman were circled in bold red ink, each one a potential key to unlocking Crawley’s fight for the season ahead.
Niels felt a sudden surge of determination as he stepped onto the pitch, fueled not by words on paper, but by the quiet confidence in his team the fierce energy of Max, the unpredictable spark of Thiago, and Dev Patel’s clever moves that kept opponents guessing.
He paused at the stadium’s entrance, the faint hum of past crowds echoing in his ears. Today’s board meeting was finally a chance to secure two signings, and Niels was ready to push with everything he had.
The boardroom felt cold and bare, the shiny table reflecting the buzzing fluorescent lights overhead. At the head sat Mr. Hargreaves, his expression serious but not unkind, arms folded tightly, a vigilant guardian of the club’s decisions.
Richard Langley leaned forward, his public-facing optimism edged with cautious hope. Emma Hayes sat beside Niels, her notes meticulously organized, her eyes burning with determination.
Niels stood, his voice steady and direct. "With Luka and Baxter gone, there’s a gap in midfield. If we want to win something this season, we need new midfielders. Over the past two to three training sessions, our weakness has been clear rondos breaking down, attacks fizzling. Pogba and Freeman can fix that."
He opened his notebook and looked around the table. "Have you all given this enough thought? Pogba’s vision and power could lead us, and Freeman’s creativity and set-piece skills would bring the balance we need. Both are built for the intensity of League One."