Chapter 53: Nothings beats Training
David woke up the next morning with a singular focus: to improve. He knew the past few days had been a rollercoaster, but he couldn't afford to dwell on the lows. His mind was set on training—on pushing himself to the limit and proving that he belonged at this level.
After a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, he grabbed his gym bag and headed to the training facility. The brisk morning air filled his lungs as he jogged the short distance, each step fueling his resolve.
The facility was buzzing with energy. Players filtered in and out, but David paid no attention to the chatter. He found a quiet corner on the turf field and started with warm-ups—basic stretches, high knees, and a quick jog around the pitch. His muscles ached from the previous day, but he welcomed the burn.
Wayne Rooney spotted him and walked over, a clipboard in hand. "You're here early," Rooney said with a nod of approval.
David shrugged. "Can't get better by staying in bed."
Rooney grinned. "That's what I like to hear. Alright, let's work on your agility and shooting today. You ready?"
David nodded, and the session began.
First, Rooney set up a series of cones for an agility drill. David sprinted through them, weaving back and forth as quickly as he could. Each pass was timed, and Rooney pushed him to shave off milliseconds with every attempt. "Quicker feet, Jones! Don't overthink it—just react!"
Next came ball control. Rooney set up small goals across the field and instructed David to dribble through defenders—represented by mannequins—before slotting the ball into one of the goals. The emphasis was on precision and decision-making under pressure.