Football Genius Midfielder System

"I can't do it. I give up."

"Only Leo could ever get a contract like that."

Stam knew a deal like that had nothing to do with him.

Everyone else reacted the same way, practically drooling with envy.

"All right, guys. Time to watch the match."

"Gullit, your team is about to fight for a place in the UEFA European Championship final. England won't be easy to beat."

Scholes grinned. He was firmly on England's side, while Gullit was naturally backing the Netherlands.

"Scholes, don't start crying later. We're definitely going through today. I can't wait to see the Netherlands face Spain!"

Gullit was full of confidence, which was exactly what Scholes liked to see.

"Just wait and see. You think England are still the same team they were a few years ago?"

"Look at how many outstanding English stars we have now. They're all key players in the Premier League!"

Scholes had England's starting lineup in hand, while Gullit had also received the Netherlands' lineup.

"Look at our team, Gullit. Go on, take a good look."

Scholes deliberately shoved England's lineup sheet right in front of Gullit's face.

"Scholes, get your filthy paws out of my face!"

"Fine, fine. Let me hear which lovely players you're so proud of."

Scholes only needed the first few names to make his point.

"Bellingham. Everyone knows what kind of midfielder he is."

"He's incredible. His dribbling, his passing, his movement. You never know when he's suddenly going to appear between the opposing center backs."

Gullit nodded. There was really nothing to criticize about Bellingham.

"Second, Kane."

"Do I even need to explain how good he is in the Premier League?"

"How many clubs want him?"

"Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich."

"I actually think Bayern would suit him very well. It'd be a great move."

Scholes had completely forgotten about Tottenham supporters until Ashley Cole reminded him.

"He's still a Tottenham player. What's all this about Manchester United and Bayern?"

Scholes hurriedly apologized to the Tottenham fans before continuing.

"Then there's Foden and Saka."

"They're all young, and they all play in the Premier League. Foden and Saka have both been excellent. Foden is gradually establishing himself as a starter at Manchester City, while Saka is already an undisputed first-team regular at Arsenal."

"Gullit, with this many young English stars on the pitch at the same time, the Netherlands only have Van Dijk. Is he really going to stop England's attack by himself?"

Gullit immediately took offense.

"Only Van Dijk?"

"Scholes, what are you talking about?"

"De Vrij, Ake, Dumfries. They're all excellent defenders!"

"They're more than good enough to deal with your forwards."

Gullit and Scholes were now fully arguing over it, and Gullit was determined to back the Netherlands all the way.

"Gakpo and Depay can score for the Netherlands. Stones is a very good center back, I'll give you that, but I'm not convinced Maguire can stop Gakpo."

Scholes laughed.

"Don't you dare question my magnificent Maguire. He's a real man, a proper powerhouse of an England defender."

"More importantly, we've got Kyle Walker."

"And this is Kyle Walker in his prime!"

"One-on-one, who in the Premier League is getting past him?"

"Forget everyone else. Even I wouldn't have gotten past Walker in my prime."

Ashley Cole also threw his support behind England. With two against one, Gullit was badly outnumbered.

"Enough talking. The Netherlands will settle this on the pitch."

The live broadcast had already switched to the stadium, where the Netherlands and England were making their way onto the field.

Spain were watching as well.

Leo wanted every player to watch the semifinal together because whoever won would become Spain's opponent in the UEFA European Championship final.

Getting an early look at their opponent's quality and style of play could only help Spain.

During the match against France, Leo had already felt that Spain were still making things harder than necessary. In particular, several of the newer players lacked chemistry with one another, which slowed the team down whenever they tried to launch quick, fluid counterattacks.

That wasn't what Leo wanted to see, and it was exactly what Hierro had been trying to improve recently.

Leo posted a message in the Spain team group chat.

[The UEFA European Championship semifinal between the Netherlands and England starts in half an hour. I want everyone to come down to the first floor of the hotel and watch it together. Unless you have something genuinely urgent, don't be absent.]

Almost the instant he sent the message, Rodri was the first to reply with an "OK" emoji.

Then the rest of the Spain players responded one after another.

By the time the match was about to begin, Leo had already taken the seat Hierro had arranged for him, right in the middle of the front row.

All the new players arrived one after another. Not a single person was late, and not one was missing.

Hierro and the coaching staff sat off to one side. Their treatment was even better, since they had a selection of pastries to snack on.

"Boss, give me one bite of that cream bun. Just one bite!"

Hierro deliberately took another huge bite, then waved the bun at Rodri as if showing it off.

"You're not having any. Not until the final is over in a few days. I don't care how badly you want one. You'll just have to resist."

Then Hierro picked up another cream bun and looked toward Leo.

"Leo, want one? Cream buns go perfectly with a UEFA European Championship semifinal."

Leo tore off half of it. He didn't dare eat too much either, but having something to snack on while watching the match was certainly nice.

"See? I told you. Whatever Leo wants, Hierro gives him. That's how it is. Boss, you're way too biased!"

Hierro only smiled and said nothing as he continued eating his cream bun.

The match was already underway.

England and the Netherlands were playing at a very high tempo, and it didn't take long for the first goal to arrive.

Trippier attacked down the right and set up Kyle Walker, who finished at the near post. England then continued to pin the Netherlands back with their three-center-back formation.

Hierro immediately noticed something.

England had actually deployed Kyle Walker as the right-sided center back, with Stones and Maguire completing the back three.

"I think Kyle Walker is someone we can target. As a full-back, he's obviously outstanding, but center back is a different story."

Hierro and his coaching staff immediately made a note of Walker's position.

Meanwhile, Scholes was celebrating.

At halftime, England led the Netherlands 1-0.

Ashley Cole was already convinced England were going to win, but just after the second half began, Depay found the net and brought the Netherlands level.

Gullit immediately started laughing again.

But near the end, Kyle Walker pushed forward once more and combined with Trippier down the right. Together they created space for a cross, and Trippier delivered the ball for Kane to score the winner.

The Netherlands were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.

With that, the UEFA European Championship final was officially set.

France and the Netherlands had both fallen in the semifinals.

England would face Spain.

...

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