Confidence

"Brighton?" Isaac was filled with surprise. He hadn't expected such a big team to be present, but he was even more surprised at him being selected by such a big team.

"Yes, we've decided to scout you 3. However, I want to speak with you in particular." The scout turned to Isaac.

"Me?" Isaac's day was certainly full of unexpected events.

"Yes, come along with me," Mr Woods turned and Isaac followed him.

After they had walked a good distance, the scout spoke. "You're very talented, boy. Do you know why?"

Isaac was confused by the scouts statements, but he entertained him.

"Because I'm fast?"

"No, try to guess again..."

"Because I'm good at tackling?"

"Nope, let me tell you why." Mr Woods pointed his index finger to his head. "You're a very intelligent player, and you stay calm on the field of play. It's a quality not many professionals have."

Isaac was surprised at receiving such praise, he could just stay silent.

"You know professional players like Messi, or Ronaldo? Or even R9 or Henry, people speak about their physical or technical capabilities but they forget... To play football at such a high level, it takes a lot more than just basic skills. To make a difference coming off the bench, or to score a last minute goal, these things look easy, but they're not. You see you, " He paused." You can be such a player. "

Isaac was about to speak about his poor ability on the ball, when he paused. He remembered that he had acquired the ball skills of one of, if not the greatest African footballer to step onto a football field. If this system actually gave him that skill...

"I want to test your ball skills, come with me to the field."

After stepping on the flat ground, the scout threw a ball at Isaac.

Isaac received it on his thigh, with much ease, he has to admit. He let it fall to the ground before him, before placing his foot on the ball.

" If he has good ball skills, I can get him into the B team at least. Maybe De Zerbi might like him, and bring him to train with the first team..." the scout thought to himself. To Isaac he said, "Juggle the ball."

"That not too bad..." Isaac thought to himself. Endless practice had ensured that he could perform football basics. That meant his ball control wasn't terrible.

He pulled the ball to him, before flicking it into the air. Then, he began to juggle the ball.

THUK! THUK!

It was an endless cycle of beauty. Every touch was presice, and somehow beautiful. Isaac found his body moving as easily as water, his movements fluid and smooth. It was beautiful. He could say nothing more.

A urge came about, and he couldn't resist what he was about to do. Despite the risk of failing, he decided to go ahead with it. He used his feet to keep the ball in the air. He then circled his right foot around the ball while maintaining control and keeping it airborne.

He again kicked the ball up into the air, then swung his foot around the ball in a circular motion, making two full rotations, before bringing the ball back under control.

The scout just watched, mesmerized by the beauty of the football before him. Isaac himself was intoxicated with the feeling of performing such skills with ease. He chose to go even further, so he could feel even more.

He trapped the ball between his legs, before using a single leg to roll it up his other leg a keep the ball in the air.

Then, he once again controlled the ball, before juggling a few more seconds. He then transferred the ball to his knees, before he finally caught it on his foot, keeping it stuck there like glue.

He let the ball roll to the ground, and he felt himself breathe heavily, exasperation squeezing through his veins.

"He's amazing... His football technique... He can play in the first team. It wasn't just performing those moves. It was the ease with which he performed it with. The only problem..."

He asked a question, to which hr needed to know the answer.

"Why didn't you do this in the match?"

Isaac looked down, before giving his reply."I'm not confident enough to take on players."

Mr Woods inwardly sighed. This player had only one flaw, and it was an important aspect of his game. That aspect was confidence. It was confidence that allowed to take risk, and to cope under immense pressure. If the boy didn't have it... No, but confidence could be built. It all depended on him.

"Alright boy, listen here. You need to build your confidence on the pitch, and the only way you can do that is by taking risks. You need to hold on to the ball when you can, and dribble when you can. It's taking risks, that created the most iconic players. Imagine Ronaldo never dared to dribble, imagine Messi without his confidence? Who would they be? You need to be confident enough to utilize every single one of your skills, despite the risks. Understood? "

Isaac nodded.

" Yes. "

The scout smiled before patting Isaac's back.

" Come on, in a weeks time you'll be training with the first team. "