First Battle in League One

Zhang Xu's self-introduction was perfect, further integrating him into the team and earning everyone's recognition.

After that, his teammates began introducing themselves.

"Wait, let me guess who you all are first?" Zhang Xu suddenly interjected.

"You're going to guess?" Coach Wilson was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "Alright, but are you sure you can do it?"

"I'm sure!" Zhang Xu had browsed through every player's profile on the official website the previous night, committing each one to memory.

Starting from the first in the lineup, he walked down the line, identifying each teammate.

"Captain Beattie is obvious, um, you're number 1, goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, born April 3, 1979, 188cm tall, weighing 88kg!"

"You're Matthew Lowton, number 2, born June 9, 1989, 180cm tall, weighing 78kg, playing as a defender!"

"You're Jean Francois Lescinel, number 3, playing as a defender!"

"You're Nick Montgomery, number 4, born October 28, 1981, 181cm tall, weighing 74kg, playing as a defensive midfielder."

"You're Stephen Quinn, the Irishman, number 28, born April 4, 1986, 170cm tall, weighing 60kg, playing as a midfielder."

Zhang Xu accurately identified each teammate without missing a single one. As he returned to his spot, everyone, including Coach Wilson, was astounded.

Such formidable memory! Remembering everyone's height, weight, birthday, and position flawlessly was indeed impressive.

"Are you sure you're not from Mars?" Matthew gaped, incredulous at the scene he'd just witnessed: "Or are you from Saturn or Jupiter?"

"Zhang, I must say, you're really incredible. Remembering every player so clearly! Are you really from Earth?"

"Zhang, Earth is too dangerous, better go back to Mars!"

After the initial shock, everyone expressed their disbelief.

Coach Wilson, however, was nodding repeatedly. Zhang Xu's dedication to memorizing every teammate's details would undoubtedly help him integrate into the team. Wilson believed that just for this reason alone, Zhang Xu would quickly earn everyone's acceptance and fit into the team's tactics much more easily.

After getting to know each other, the team officially began their training session. With a match against Huddersfield tomorrow, the main task for the day was to rehearse the formation for the game.

Huddersfield's strength wasn't much less than Sheffield United's. Sheffield United was ranked third while Huddersfield was fifth, with only a 3-point gap between the teams.

With similar strengths and an away game, if Sheffield United didn't take it seriously, it could well be a Waterloo for them, affecting their campaign to return to the Championship. So, the whole team was extremely focused.

Considering Zhang Xu's excellent defensive record, during the tactical rehearsal, Wilson placed him in his familiar defensive midfield position, albeit in the reserve lineup against the main team.

Although temporarily in the reserve team, Zhang Xu had no complaints; this was within his expectations. The team highly valued him, but it wasn't feasible to put him in the main lineup immediately, especially halfway through a season where the team's formation was relatively stable.

This kind of internal competition could, to some extent, reflect a player's real strength, and Zhang Xu certainly didn't take it lightly. Besides, he was someone who took his tasks very seriously.

As the scrimmage began, Zhang Xu quickly got into the groove.

Though Zhang Xu might have deficiencies in other aspects, his defensive abilities had fully surpassed 50 points, combined with his abnormal physical condition, he demonstrated his formidable defensive capabilities to everyone.

His lightning-fast speed, extensive active running, fierce yet clean interceptions, tight man-to-man marking, millimeter-precise positioning, and a remarkably calm and tenacious heart for organizing defense, made him thrive in the scrimmage.

Zhang Xu's smooth defense meant the main team's struggle. Not just struggling, but particularly uncomfortable.

Whenever they breached the reserve team's midfield, Zhang Xu would always appear in the most troublesome place at the right time and then unexpectedly snatch the ball away!

In the 30-minute scrimmage, the score was 0:0! The main team couldn't break the reserve team's defense, and the reserve team didn't have the capacity to penetrate the main team's goal.

During the game, Wilson observed Zhang Xu's performance, taking notes and discussing with Alan beside him.

When the half-hour scrimmage ended, Wilson gathered the team and began his review.

"Beattie, how does it feel? Any comments on the score?" Wilson tapped the tactical board in his hand, looking grimly at Captain Beattie. However, he didn't wait for Beattie to respond, continuing, "Before reviewing others, I must announce a surprising statistic. In these thirty minutes, Zhang completed 19 tackles, 18 of them successful! Only one failed!"

"What does this data mean? Maybe some think it doesn't mean much, then please look at the score! Honestly, this is the first time I've seen such a silent scrimmage score!"

"We've proven our offensive capabilities in the League One, so why couldn't we score even a single goal?"

"Having said so much, I think everyone should understand what I'm trying to say. However, Zhang is a competent defensive midfielder, and I'm glad we have him! I believe with Zhang's addition, we can stride confidently towards the Championship! Do you all have this confidence?"

"Yes!" "Good job, Zhang!" "Zhang, you're brutally awesome. I feel sorry for our opponents! Haha!" "Not bad, let's have a moment of silence for our opponents!"...

In just one 30-minute game, Zhang Xu earned his teammates' approval and respect, laying a solid foundation for his future in League One.

And so, Zhang Xu's life with Sheffield United began smoothly.

Regarding his accommodation, the club initially planned to arrange a studio apartment for him, but as Zhang Xu preferred to live with people, they placed him with a couple named Hallitor, who lived close to the club.

The Hallitors were in their 60s, staunch fans of the Blades, healthy and never missed a home game. They were thrilled when the club arranged for Zhang Xu to stay with them, cleaning his room thoroughly and preparing a set of brand new bedding and toiletries.

With his accommodation settled, Zhang Xu resumed his monotonous life of training and home, occasionally going out with Nicole when she visited. Other than that, his time was devoted to training.

His insane training intensity pleased Wilson, who frequently praised him in front of the whole team.

Though Wilson seemed to be setting Zhang Xu up for resentment, his teammates couldn't find it in them to envy or resent him.

For one, Zhang Xu's skills were outstanding, fully deserving a spot in the main team, yet he still quietly struggled in the reserve team. Additionally, the team's defensive issues needed Zhang Xu's solution. Only by addressing the defense could they confidently aim for the Championship. Furthermore, such a talented player was still training crazily, regardless of the coach's praises, seemed only natural. Such a person could only be described in two words – a role model!

Yes, a role model! Zhang Xu had become a role model for all Sheffield United players! Under his influence, everyone began to train actively and work hard for their dreams!

To the team's delightful transformation, Wilson was overjoyed. At this point, two thoughts crossed his mind: one, the 500,000 Euros was well spent! And two, perhaps Zhang Xu would be the right candidate for the next captainship!

Applying for the special talent clause was indeed a hassle. Zhang Xu started the process a month before joining Sheffield United, and by January 18, 2012, it still hadn't been approved. It wasn't until January 20 that Sheffield United was informed Zhang Xu's special talent clause had been approved by the Football Association!

When Zhang Xu heard this news, he breathed a sigh of relief!

He had been so stifled during this period. Not being able to participate in official matches was one thing, but not even being able to play in the reserve team was another. And not participating in matches meant fewer system tasks, which in turn meant fewer experience points and system reward attribute points.

For Zhang Xu, who was almost 20 and had not yet reached the top leagues, this was excruciating.

"Next, I'll announce the 18-man squad for tomorrow's expedition to Charlton! 

Goalkeepers: Number 1 Simonsen, Number 35 George; 

Defenders: Number 2 Matthew, Number 3 Francois, Number 19 Harry, Number 15 Neil, Number 30 Marcus, Number 21 Porter; 

Midfielders: Number 8 Michael, Number 14 Williams, Number 27 Kevin, Number 28 Stephen, Number 4 Nick, Number 25 Zhang; 

Forwards: Number 10 Beattie, Number 9 Evans, Number 11 Ryan, Number 17 Cresswell."

After the day's training, Wilson gathered the team and solemnly announced the 18-man squad for tomorrow's match against Charlton.

And Zhang Xu was on the list!

"Congratulations! Zhang, you're finally in the 18-man squad!" Wilson smiled at Zhang Xu, "We've all been looking forward to your amazing performance!"

"Haha, yes! If you were in the defense against Huddersfield last time, we wouldn't have drawn!" Beattie slapped Zhang Xu's shoulder, shouting loudly.

"Zhang, tomorrow, leave the offense to us, defense is all on you!"

"Charlton, our Chinese Zhang is coming, tremble! Ha-ha!"

Looking at his teammates who were shouting and laughing around him, Zhang Xu felt a surge of pride – Charlton, sorry, but my first battle in League One begins with you!