Project Mbappe

"Huu..."

Sitting inside of a medium sized locker room, a fifteen year old boy sat with his head down. As he looked down, a flurry of brown hair cascaded downward.

Sitted around home were various boys about the same age. All of had tensed expressions on their faces as they all looked towards the same person... A middle aged man, their coach.

"Alright boys, this is probably the biggest moments of your life". Victor (the coach) said. "It's been confirmed. Scouts from the Big Six clubs in English football are coming to watch this match. You'll see scouts from Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea are all coming to watch. If you have a good tournament... You'll probably be on your way to one of these clubs... or the many other English Premier League clubs that are coming to watch".

Every one exhaled a fair amount of air when they heard what he said. Everyone but the boy who had his head down. When he heard the coach's last words however, he looked up, and his face came into view.

He had medium sized hair that was scattered about, which seemed to fit perfectly with his oval shaped face. His blue eyes locked into the coach's figure as soon as he finished talking, and he, like the rest of he players inside the locker room, also let out a long breath. He didn't look as nervous as them however, he was eerily calm compared to the rest of them inside the locker room.

"Alright lads. I think I've said all I have to say". Victor said. "You know the stakes so I'm not going to waste any more time putting more pressure on you. The match starts in an thirty minutes so you all should start changing into your jersey".

Jerry turned to his locker and picked up his top which was neatly folded alone with the shorts.

"I wonder if he's going to watch today". Jerry muttered under his breath as he finished wearing his jersey. It was a white top with red shorts and black hoes. Under his neatly folded clothes there was a Captain's armband neatly placed.

"For fuck's sake". Jerry muttered under his breath. He picked up the Captain's armband and stated at it for a few seconds.

"Gaffer's picked you as captain I see". Jerry felt someone tap his back. He turned around to see someone way taller than him staring down at him.

"Yeahh... I don't know what's going through his head". Jerry smiled as he wore the armband.

"He wants someone calm under pressure". Moses said. "And that's you".

"Captains are also supposed to be vocal and great leaders". Jerry said flatly. "That's not me".

"Well, coach has made his decision". Moses said. "It's the right one if you ask me".

Jerry didn't reply to what Moses said. Instead, he walked to the middle of the locker room.

"Alright boys, gather round". Jerry called. Everyone would've ignored him, but once they saw the Captain's armband wrapped around his upper hand, they walked to the locker room, some of them letting out faint whispers.

"Why's he captain".

"I think they gaffer's lost his mind".

"I didn't even know he played for us".

Naturally Jerry heard some of the whispers, but he couldn't care less about them. In fact, if anything, he agreed with them... There was no way that he was suited to be a captain, yet there he was, about to give a pep talk to a bunch of teenagers that weren't convinced of his leadership abilities.

"I know we're nervous, and truthfully I don't have anything to say about that. Up until a few minutes ago, I didn't even know that I'd be here giving this speech.. but um... But we know the stakes that come with this tournament, we know what's on ground and we also know what could be so we know that we have to fight... We have to fight for our dreams. We all want to play in the big clubs, along with so many famous players that we've heard about. We all want to become one of the famous players that everyone knows about. So I don't think that you need a pep talk... Because if you don't already have enough motivation just from what we know already, then I don't think you deserve to be here".

Outside the locker room, Victor pressed his ear to the door. He had a smile when he heard everything that Jerry said. He turned to his side where a younger coach was standing.

"I knew I didn't make a mistake with that kid". Victor said. "He's just like his father".

"His father was made his debut for Manchester Red at his age". Steve said with a chuckle.

"I mean they act alike". Victor said with a scoff. "His father remains the best young prospect ever seen".

"That's very true".

After about a minute or so, everyone walked out of the locker room, evidently motivated. What Jerry saw as some crappy last minute speech seemed to have motivated them quite a lot.

"Aren't you coming?" Moses said as everyone left the locker room. They were the last two inside.

"Yeah... I'll be right behind you". Jerry said.

Moses shrugged and left the locker room, leaving only Jerry behind.

As soon as Moses left, Jerry released a huge sigh. Everyone felt nervous and afraid before the match as they would be under so much scrutiny from so many clubs, but he was the one feeling the most pressure. He was the son of Jeremiah Hayes, the best young talent football ever saw... There was no doubt that everyone watching knew that and so the expectations of him was... It was nearly suffocating.

And there was no doubt that his dad would also be watching the match. Jerry shivered at the thought. His dad had never come to watch any of his matches, but he had nko doubt that he was going to show up today. And somehow, the thought of his dad watching him play... It made him more nervous than the fact that he was going to be watched by scouts.

"Fuck this man". Jerry muttered under his breath. "You can do this".

After giving himself some encouragement, he walked outside the locker room and into the tunnel. The match would soon start!

A/N: New book!