Gareth Speed's First Goal in Charge! Those Boots Won't Really Become Collectibles, Will They?

Gareth Speed's first goal in charge! Those boots won't really become collectibles, will they? "Oh!"

A sharp cry rang out from the studio at the stadium. The Sky Sports commentator shot to his feet, clutching his head, his emotions instantly dragged onto the pitch. "An opening goal! A long-range World Wave! From Number 31, Maël!

"I have to introduce this Arsenal player again. He completed a Brace of assists on his debut, and this is only the second professional league match of his career. Who would've thought he'd score again!

"Four rounds into the Championship, two appearances, one goal and two assists! You can't help but wonder just how high he can climb in the future! Sheffield United have taken the lead at home. Maël has scored the first goal of Gareth Speed's tenure. This is a moment worth remembering!"

As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the coaching area on the touchline, wanting to see Gareth Speed's Reaction.

Unexpectedly, the young Head Coach had already charged toward the sideline with both fists clenched, his whole body trembling as he threw his head back in celebration.

Indeed, in his first match in charge, his team had taken the lead right from the start. What a delightful thing that was.

The scales of victory were now tipping his way. He had a very real chance of beginning with a beautiful win!

And what was more, he had opened his managerial career with such a spectacular World Wave!

The broadcast director understood the moment perfectly too, cutting the feed to Gareth Speed on the touchline. His mouth was wide open as he roared, cheered, and vented the pressure of recent days. "Yeah!"

Soon, one of his trusted assistant coaches pounced on him, jumping onto his back and bending him forward under the weight.

A red tie dangled in front of his chest, adding a festive touch to their celebrating group. This was absolutely an unforgettable moment.

"What did I say! What did I say!"

Among the celebrating crowd, the former Chief Scout Joelson was the most excited one. After Gareth Speed took office, he had naturally entered the coaching staff and become an assistant coach.

"He's simply the King of Long Shots!"

Joelson smiled with a face full of pride, thrilled by the joy of seeing his opinion proven right, as if he had been possessed by "Wang Yousheng" himself.

"You deserve a lot of credit."

Gareth Speed hammered his shoulder a few times and said the words he most wanted to hear. But it was not flattery—it was sincere affirmation from the heart.

After the celebration ended, he came to the touchline and looked at the young man celebrating in the Corner Flag Area, envy written all over his face.

Was he seeing his younger self? No. More than that, what he saw was a rising star, beginning to write his own story in the Championship, a league that had produced countless inspirational epics.

"Even if it isn't instant fame from one goal, it's still opened up a broad future."

Gareth Speed smiled. If he kept developing like this, an even bigger stage would be waiting for him.

Colney Training Base, youth team meeting room.

The heat wave of Maël's goal soon reached this place. Listening to the commentator's passionate roar and watching Maël slide on his knees, the players and coaching staff all clutched their foreheads.

"Oh my god! His first goal is here!"

"Fuck. A World Wave!"

"Unbelievably easy. In that position, it was like he had divine help. That shot was beautiful!"

The players clenched their fists tightly, their whole bodies trembling. And that trembling grew more violent the more deeply they understood what this goal meant.

It was easy to imagine that Maël would quickly lock down a starting spot at Sheffield United and make a name for himself in the Championship.

By the end of the season, he might well produce 10+ goal contributions, with more than 5 goals and more than 5 assists.

Next season, when he returned to Arsenal, he would enter the First Team without the slightest suspense, gain Wenger's appreciation, and gradually compete for starting opportunities.

For him, truly anything was possible! "Look, look!"

Head Coach Hans sat at the very front, glowing with pride. "I said it long ago. Only you know yourself best. You understand your own weaknesses, know what you need to strengthen, and know how to train.

"Without those countless days and nights of hard practice, Maël absolutely could not have become the Maël of today. Scoring in the Championship would have been a fantasy.

"The same goes for Gilbert. I often speak with him on the phone. He told me about his recent situation. After going to the team, he's been training with Maël, and his progress has been rapid! The best examples are right in front of you. I hope you don't waste your time and learn from their strengths!"

Hans actually knew very well that people like Maël, who had suddenly awakened, and Gilbert, who had talent to begin with and then soared once he added hard work, were only a type.

But he still hoped the players on his team could keep hope for the future and at least not lose the fighting spirit to struggle onward.

"How much is the goal bonus?" another little money-grubber asked, as if there were always players curious about that side of things.

"2,500 pounds."

Hans looked at him and smiled. "They also have clauses that raise wages based on appearances. After this goal, Maël should easily complete a pay rise in the future."

At this point, he thought again of the pair of boots he had once lent Maël.

Everything had really happened too fast. From that young man wearing boots with soles coming unstuck to today's protagonist on a Championship pitch, Maël had used only an extremely short time.

Wait—if things kept developing at this pace, those boots of his wouldn't really become collectibles in the future, would they?

Hans's eyes sharpened, and he kept the matter in mind.

France, Aix.

"Goal!!"

The drawn-out cry of the French commentator rang from the television. His uncle, Clermont, was the first to rise from the sofa, his eyes wide as he raised both arms. "Beautiful! Beautiful! It's in! It's in!!"

Only then did the others turn their heads over, slowly realizing what had happened.

"That was Maël?"

His aunt raised her eyebrows, sinking into shock. Then she stood and clapped hard. "This is the first time. We have to remember this day."

She did not understand what this goal represented, but he knew his nephew was a Winger. Or a forward, and a forward's duty was to score goals. His nephew had done his job well.

In her view, that was already good enough.

The worry from a few days ago, when they had seen that their nephew had not played, vanished in an instant. The whole family celebrated again, even more enthusiastically than last time.

"Ava!"

Clermont excitedly picked Ava up, spun her around twice, and said with a smile, "In a week or two, shall we go to the United Kingdom to watch one of your brother's matches?"

"To the United Kingdom?"

Surprise appeared in Ava's big eyes, and she clapped her little hands. "Yes, yes! Brother can take me to eat tasty United Kingdom food in the United Kingdom!"

"All you ever think about is food."

His aunt grumbled, then looked at her husband with some concern. "The second and third kids are still in school. Going now will definitely affect them, and also..."

It was obvious that what worried her most was not the second and third kids' studies, but the things she had not said at the end.

"Maël is over there all by himself. Aside from the people at the club, it's still just people from the club. His life is too monotonous."

Clermont put Ava down and replied, "He called yesterday and invited us over. He told us not to worry about money."

"Isn't that a little improper?" His aunt felt somewhat embarrassed, and her words came out hesitant.

"Let's not be so coy. Since our nephew invited us himself, we'll go bask in his glory and take a trip abroad."

Clermont shook his head, glanced at her, and lifted his chin. "You have no idea how much money your nephew is making now. That kick just now might have earned back our travel expenses there and back."

His aunt rolled her eyes at him, as if to say, What are you acting so smug with me for?