Chapter 22 : Is this God's arrangement?

  Hearing Gu Ran's words, Coach Carter's pupils shrank.  

Just now, he was praying loudly, hoping that God would give him a left back!

Isn't this too coincidental?

  Is this God's arrangement?

  ... Bullshit!

  How can it be such a coincidence?

  Coach Carter sneered, then looked at Gu Ran with a sharp gaze, "Boy, if I'm right, you said that because you want to join the school team, right? Haha, this kind of trick is completely useless in my eyes. So, before I lose my temper with you, you'd better leave quickly."

  Wow, I was actually seen through?

  This coach is really good!

  But I can never admit it!

  If I admit this, then there will be no chance for me to join the school team!

  Gu Ran calmed down, brought out his realistic acting skills, and said with a firm expression: "No, coach, I can really play left back. If you don't believe me, you can test me."

  In his previous life, Gu Ran played as a forward in the wild team, and his left foot was his weak foot, so he had never played as a left back.

  However, he often plays as an inverted forward in the wild team, which is the position that Ronaldo played in the early days - left forward.

  There are many great forwards in football, who are essentially inverted-foot forwards, such as the early Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Robben, Henry, etc.

  Among them, Messi is particularly worth mentioning.

  Messi is a right-handed football player, and his left foot can be described as a golden left foot.

  After Messi gets the ball on the field, he likes to dribble the ball horizontally from the right front court, which is his weak foot area, to the front of the penalty area, and then wait for an opportunity to shoot.

  Messi's approach can no longer be considered cutting inward with the left foot, but rather cutting sideways with the left foot.

  This horizontal route, as well as Messi's dribbling and breakthrough abilities, always make it difficult for the opposing defenders to defend, so Messi's opposite-foot horizontal cut is also called the "Messi Corridor."

  Considering Gu Ran's experience as a left-footed striker in his previous life and his familiarity with the left side of the field, it wasn't pure nonsense when he said he could play as a left back.

  Of course, being able to kick is one thing, but whether you kick well is another.

  What the school team lacks now is not a forward, but a left back. If Gu Ran says that he is a forward, Coach Carter will definitely not be interested.

  It is not impossible for him to join the team as a "left back" and then slowly move back to the front line.

  Just like the "Great Sage" Bale who came out of Southampton, Bale also started out as a left-back. It was not until he went to Tottenham that he was transformed into a striker, and he is one of the top strikers of this era!

  And the head coach Villas-Boas, who transformed Bale into a striker, brags about this incident to everyone he meets...

  In short, Gu Ran's strategy is to join the school team first. As long as he joins the school team and patiently works for free for a few days, he will have everything.

  Seeing Gu Ran's determined expression, Coach Carter couldn't help but hesitate for a moment, "Okay, Chinese boy, I have to admit that I really need a qualified left back right now - listen carefully, I don't just need a left back, I need a qualified left back. I don't expect you to reach Orin's level, but if you can prove that you are a qualified left back, I can consider making an exception and letting you join my team."

  Gu Ran breathed a sigh of relief and said calmly, "Thank you, coach."

  Coach Carter said coldly, "Don't be in a hurry to thank me, Chinese boy. Our school team is a well-known high school football team in the UK! We defeated more than a dozen high school teams in the southern region in the preliminaries, and only then did we get the ticket to the top 32 of the national group stage.

Therefore, our school team is not for just anyone, our admission assessment is very strict and comprehensive."

  Gu Ran said solemnly, "I understand, coach. I respect the achievements of the Bucks Steelhorns. I also know that the Bucks Steelhorns are very strong among high schools across the country. This is all achieved under your leadership."

  ——My previous career was not a waste!

  This is the art of workplace language, a compulsory course in the University of Society!

  How can the British, who have little experience in this area, withstand this art?

  Coach Carter's serious old face suddenly relaxed a little.

  All of his disciples were of Rusty type, with computer cases that were of very high-end configuration and even had colorful lights, but the CPUs and graphics cards inside were all of 286 level.

  How could this Chinese guy speak so nicely? And what he said was so true? Huh?

  Coach Carter nodded to Gu Ran with satisfaction. "Listen, our team assessment used to take at least two weeks. But now, the situation is special, so I will simplify the assessment. I will first test your defensive ability. You can pick an opponent from my school team and play one-on-one."  

  "Thank you coach for giving me this opportunity."

  Gu Ran calmly pointed at Rusty who was wrestling with his teammates in the distance and said, "I chose Rusty as my opponent because we had an agreement for a one-on-one duel before."

  In fact, Gu Ran chose Rusty as his opponent not only to fulfill the agreement, but also had deeper considerations.

  Rusty's strength is indeed very high, and his defensive skills such as close pressing, collision, interception, and tackling are also considered good in amateur high school competitions.

  However, Rusty's starting, dribbling, speed and turning are all weaknesses, and can even be said to be failing.

  Since Gu Ran has to accept a one-on-one confrontational test as the defender, if he chooses Rusty Strip, it will be Rusty Strip who will initiate the attack.

  Rusty himself is a main defender, and his strength is defense, not offense.

  If Rusty is allowed to attack, it will be difficult for him to play to his strengths in intercepting, stealing, and positioning.

  The only advantage that rust strips can show is impact.

  Gu Ran now also has the skill of reasonable collision, and his strength attribute is also up to standard. Coupled with his experience of playing basketball in his previous life, he is not afraid of the collision of rusty bars at all.

  And if Gu Ran had chosen other forwards or midfielders from the school team, then with his current defensive ability, he would definitely be embarrassed in front of the coach.

  Therefore, choosing rust strips as your opponent is the smartest approach.

  "You chose Rusty? Are you sure?" Carter sneered, "Boy, I don't care about your private grudges. Even if you slept with his mother, it's none of my business. But I want to tell you that you picked a very dangerous opponent."

  Gu Ran raised his lips confidently, "Coach, I'm not afraid of danger. Besides, the more dangerous it is, the more fun it is, isn't it? I'm sure I want to fight Rusty one-on-one."

  Carter's brows were knitted together, and his expression was a little worried: "You...did you really sleep with his mother?"

  Oh shit!

  Gu Ran quickly said: "No, no! This is absolutely not the case!"

  "That's good..."

  Coach Carter muttered quietly, "Then no one would have died..."

  (End of this chapter)