Chapter Summaries

Maël scored a long-range goal in Sheffield United’s training match, then worked to show his crossing and off-ball movement while awakening the Observation skill. The Red Team equalized after Gilbert’s header forced a save, leaving Maël wondering whether their daily practice had improved Gilbert’s aerial ability.

• Evans and Janu Hans congratulated Maël on his goal, and Maël resolved to showcase his strengths to the coaching staff.
• Kevin and Gareth Speed praised Maël’s long-range shooting, while Kevin voiced doubts about Sheffield United’s squad and his own future at the club.
• Joelson arrived and was delighted to learn that Maël had scored for the Yellow Team.
• Maël sent in a cross that a defender cleared, then made repeated runs along the left flank to find space and receive the ball.
• Maël awakened Observation Lv1 while reading the match and considered improving it through match footage.
• Gilbert headed the ball toward goal, Robert punched it out, and a Red Team striker scored the rebound to make it one-one.

Maël helped Yellow Team beat Red Team 3–1 in the training match with a goal and an assist, drawing Gareth Speed’s praise. After the match, Speed told Maël he believed he would get his chance this season.

• Maël returned for the second half and kept running as the match’s pace increased.
• Janu Hans set up Ward’s attack, and Evans scored to put Yellow Team ahead 2–1.
• After Kevin’s substitutions added a tall center forward, Maël sent in a cross that created an aerial chance.
• Maël intercepted a pass with Janu Hans’s help, then crossed from outside the box for the tall center forward to score and make it 3–1.
• Maël came off when he ran out of stamina, and Joelson praised his goal and assist.
• Gareth Speed told Maël he expected him to get a chance that season, while Maël checked his Observation skill progress.

After Sheffield United’s training match, Maël learned about the conflict between Kevin and the veterans and began an intensive extra-training routine with Gilbert. As the summer passed and Gilbert’s admiration for Fabregas turned to anger after Jersey Gate, Maël reached his seventeenth birthday and set his sights on winning a Championship starting spot.

• Kevin announced a light preseason schedule, and the older players complained that he had overworked and injured players the previous season.
• Evans, Janu Hans, Lotton, and Bologanovic introduced themselves to Maël, while Gilbert settled in with the red team’s players.
• Maël and Gilbert began extra training, and Maël planned six additional hours on odd-numbered weekdays and four on even-numbered weekdays.
• Maël and Gilbert celebrated Spain’s World Cup victory, but Gilbert later became furious when Fabregas wore a Barcelona shirt during Arsenal’s championship parade.
• Maël celebrated his seventeenth birthday and reviewed his improving skill proficiency before declaring that he would compete for a Championship starting spot.

As Arsenal’s ten-year plan centered on Fabregas faltered, Wenger turned his attention to loaned prospects Maël and Gilbert. Maël reached Precise Arc lv3, but he and Gilbert watched Sheffield United lose 4–0 to Queens Park Rangers from home, leaving them anxious about the team and their own futures.

• Wenger mourned the collapse of his ten-year plan and told Phillis to preserve its detailed outline while he considered one last attempt to keep Fabregas.
• Phillis showed Wenger a loan report praising Maël’s rapid progress, and Wenger arranged for a scout to watch Maël and Gilbert whenever they made Sheffield United’s match squad.
• Maël and Gilbert watched Sheffield United’s season opener on television, while Maël celebrated reaching Precise Arc lv3 despite missing the squad list.
• Queens Park Rangers scored repeatedly against Sheffield United, and Maël and Gilbert heard the goals from their home before going outside.
• Maël and Gilbert saw Sheffield United fans leave early after the team fell 4–0 behind, as the club’s weakness was exposed.

Maël improved his Bicycle Dribbling and planned further training while Sheffield United’s internal turmoil deepened. After Maël and Gilbert were left off the squad list, Sheffield United lost 2–0 to sixth-tier Hartlepool United, leaving them alarmed about the team’s condition.

• Maël trained his Bicycle Dribbling with Gilbert and reached level 3, then planned to develop his strength and Step-Over Dribbling.
• Maël began Step-Over Dribbling training as a suited middle-aged man watched him and learned that Maël and Gilbert were not on Kevin’s squad list.
• The middle-aged man learned that the Board of Directors would dismiss Kevin if Sheffield United lost five of its first Championship matches.
• Maël and Gilbert trained instead of attending Sheffield United’s EFL Cup match, then discovered the team had lost 2–0 to Hartlepool United.
• Gilbert panicked over the loss, while Maël told him to wait for their chance to play.

After Sheffield United’s poor performance sparked fan anger, Gareth Speed negotiated Kevin’s departure and secured changes to training and the use of Maël and Gilbert. Maël learned he would start against Cardiff City, then traveled with the team and inspected the stadium pitch ahead of his first Championship appearance.

• Angry fans confronted Sheffield United’s team bus, and Kevin admitted he was staying partly to secure compensation from the club.
• Gareth Speed promised to speak with the Board of Directors and asked Kevin to add 4-4-2 training and play Maël and Gilbert in upcoming matches.
• Kevin agreed to Gareth Speed’s requests, and Gareth Speed left to pursue the coaching change.
• Gilbert told Maël that Maël was named in the starting lineup as left winger for the match against Cardiff City.
• Maël traveled to Cardiff with the team and joined his teammates for a pitch inspection and warm-up at Cardiff City Stadium.

Maël’s family and former Arsenal U17 teammates gathered to watch him make his first Championship start for Cardiff City against Sheffield United. The match began with Maël stepping onto a packed Cardiff City Stadium pitch for his professional debut.

• Maël’s family celebrated his debut and watched his face appear on the television broadcast.
• Arsenal U17 players hurried to the meeting room, where Coach Hans joined them to watch Maël start.
• Maël waited in the tunnel beside the players and a young mascot as the teams prepared to enter the pitch.
• Maël walked out to the roar of the crowd, found his position, and received encouragement from Gilbert on the bench.
• The referee blew the whistle to start Cardiff City’s Championship match against Sheffield United.

Maël made his debut for Sheffield United against Cardiff City, trying to spark a disorganized team into action. After Cardiff took the lead, Gareth Speed’s outburst roused Sheffield, and Maël’s cross set up Evans’s equalizer.

• Maël pressed Cardiff’s defense as the match began, but Sheffield United struggled to follow Kevin’s instructions and lost possession repeatedly.
• Cardiff City scored in the thirteenth minute when Drinkwater finished a rebound after Robert saved the first shot.
• Maël encouraged his teammates and worked across the left side as Sheffield fell further into disarray.
• Gareth Speed rushed to the touchline and berated Sheffield’s players, prompting them to raise their intensity.
• Lotton won the ball and passed to Maël, who dribbled past Gabor and crossed for Evans to score.

Maël made his professional debut for Sheffield United and assisted Evans to equalize against Cardiff City, earning cheers from the supporters and celebrations from teammates and family. The chapter ended with the match restarting and Maël charging into the opposition half, determined to win.

• Maël crossed the ball for Evans to score Sheffield United's first goal of the season and equalize against Cardiff City.
• Sheffield United supporters chanted Maël's name, while Gilbert, Gareth Speed, and Joelson celebrated his first assist.
• Evans, Janu Hans, and Maël shared their desire to win, and captain Robert applauded Maël.
• At Colney Training Base, Coach Hans and Arsenal U17 players watched Maël's assist and celebrated his achievement.
• In Aix, Clermont and the family toasted Maël, while Ava asked him to buy her eight pizzas.
• The referee restarted the match, and Maël charged into Cardiff City's half with renewed determination.

Maël and Gilbert combined to give Sheffield United a 2–1 lead over Cardiff City, with Gilbert scoring from Maël’s cross. The two friends celebrated together as Sheffield United’s comeback lifted the team and its fans.

• At halftime, Kevin praised Maël and Ward’s dangerous crosses, gave the team instructions, and replaced Lotton with Gilbert.
• Gilbert struggled with an early long-range shot, sending it into the South Stand.
• In the fifty-ninth minute, Maël controlled Gilbert’s long pass, beat Gabor to the ball, and crossed toward the far post.
• Gilbert charged into the box and headed Maël’s cross into the net, putting Sheffield United ahead 2–1.
• Maël and Gilbert celebrated the goal together with a knee slide as their teammates and fans cheered.

Maël and Gilbert helped Sheffield United overturn the score, and Sheffield United beat Cardiff City 3–1 for their first win of the season. Maël left the match with two assists, praise from Gareth Speed, and fresh determination to earn more playing time.

• Maël and Gilbert celebrated their go-ahead goal with Sheffield United's players and fans.
• Maël tired late in the match, and the coaching staff substituted him for Mark Yates.
• Gareth Speed praised Maël's composure and ability, saying he could compete for a starting place in any Championship team.
• Janu Hans scored Sheffield United's third goal to make it 3–1 and seal the victory.
• Maël calculated his match earnings, then joined Gilbert on the pitch after the final whistle to celebrate the win.

After Maël impressed for Sheffield United with two assists, he began building an online following, while news of his performance reached Wenger and raised his hopes for the young players. Wenger ordered regular reports and video analysis whenever Maël and Gilbert played.

• Sheffield United players teased Maël about local praise for his performance, and Robert encouraged him to create a Facebook account.
• Maël registered on Facebook, posted selfies, and gained more than seven hundred followers by the time he reached Sheffield City.
• The morning after the match, Hans showed Wenger a report that Maël had started for Sheffield United and recorded two assists, including one for Gilbert.
• Assistant coach Phillis brought Wenger the match report, confirming that Maël and Gilbert had played.
• Wenger praised the players and instructed his staff to prepare weekly match reports and video analysis whenever they appeared.

After Sheffield United’s first win, Maël trained to improve his Step-Over Dribbling and reflected on the gains he had made from his Championship debut. He then celebrated with Gilbert and Mr. Joelson, and the three looked ahead to what came next.

• Maël checked his proficiency panel, then trained through his fatigue until Step-Over Dribbling advanced to level 2.
• Maël found that his Observation proficiency had risen substantially after the Championship match and went to the gym to meet Gilbert.
• Maël and Gilbert invited Mr. Joelson to an upscale barbecue restaurant, while their teammates’ impressive rumors about them circulated nearby.
• Mr. Joelson thanked Maël and Gilbert for their contributions to the important win, and the three shared a meal and talked about recent events.

Maël reached strength lv3, but he and Gilbert were left on the bench as Sheffield United lost 1–0 to Middlesbrough. After the match, Gareth Speed announced that Kevin had been dismissed and that he would take over, leaving Maël hopeful about their next home game at Bramall Lane.

• Maël broke through to strength lv3 and celebrated his new power by punching a heavy bag.
• Gilbert learned he was still a substitute, and Joelson told Maël that Kevin was using the players’ selection to pressure the Board of Directors and Gareth Speed.
• Maël and Gilbert remained on the bench as Sheffield United struggled against Middlesbrough and lost 1–0 to a late set-piece goal.
• Gareth Speed announced in the dressing room that Kevin had been dismissed and that he would take over as manager.
• Maël and Gilbert celebrated the news, and Maël said he would make Bramall Lane ring with a cannon shot.

Gareth Speed took charge of Sheffield United and prepared a new 4-4-2 lineup for the match against Preston. He named Maël and Gilbert as starters, leaving the team energized ahead of their first home match under his management.

• News of Kevin Blackwell's dismissal and Gareth Speed's appointment drew attention from fans and the British football press.
• Maël trained ahead of the Preston match, planned to improve his running, balance, and long-shot skills, and received a £2,000 endorsement invitation from a local pub.
• Gareth Speed explained his 4-4-2 attacking formation and 4-1-4-1 defensive shape to the players.
• Gareth Speed named Evans and Bologanovic as forwards, with Maël, Gilbert, Janu Hans, and Ward in midfield.
• Gareth Speed announced Karl Way, Steven, Chris Morgan, and Lotton in defense and Robert in goal, then urged the squad to beat Preston.

On his home debut under new manager Gareth Speed, Maël helped Sheffield United dominate Preston before scoring the opening goal with a long-range strike. The chapter ended with Maël celebrating his first professional goal as his teammates and the Bramall Lane crowd cheered.

• Sheffield United fans packed Bramall Lane to welcome Gareth Speed and the team's new players for their first home match of the season.
• Maël entered the pitch for his home debut as Sheffield United faced Preston.
• Sheffield United pressed aggressively, and Maël used his strength to win a duel on the left before passing to Evans, whose shot was saved.
• After Sheffield United's first corner was cleared, Ward passed the ball across the edge of the box to Maël.
• Maël controlled the ball and fired it into the far corner, scoring his first professional goal and putting Sheffield United ahead 1–0.
• Ward and Gilbert rushed over to celebrate Maël's goal with him.

Maël scored a spectacular long-range goal to give Sheffield United the lead in Gareth Speed's first match as manager, drawing celebrations from the coaching staff, his former youth team, and his family. His relatives celebrated in Aix and considered visiting him in the United Kingdom.

• Maël scored a long-range goal, giving Sheffield United the lead and marking Gareth Speed's first match in charge.
• Gareth Speed celebrated with his coaching staff and praised Joelson for recognizing Maël's talent.
• At Colney Training Base, Hans used Maël's goal and Gilbert's progress to encourage the youth players to keep working hard.
• Hans wondered whether the boots he had lent Maël might someday become collectibles.
• In Aix, Clermont and the family celebrated Maël's first goal, and Clermont suggested visiting him in the United Kingdom.

Sheffield United overwhelmed Preston in the first half, with Maël’s dribbling and crosses helping build a three-goal lead. The half ended with Bologanovic celebrating his first goal of the new season and Landers left stunned.

• Maël repeatedly beat Preston’s fullback with his strength and sent a cross that Bologanovic headed just wide.
• Karl Way cut into the penalty area and passed back for Janu Hans, who scored Sheffield United’s second goal.
• Maël combined Bicycle Kick footwork with a feint to evade his marker and cross toward the near post.
• Bologanovic glanced Maël’s cross into the goal, making it three-nil just before halftime.

Sheffield United led Preston 3-0 at halftime, but Maël focused on building on his strong performance as Preston surged back into the match. After Preston made it 3-1, Maël scored a powerful close-range Cannon Shot to restore Sheffield United’s three-goal lead.

• Maël brushed off Gilbert’s questions about his rapid improvement, and Bologanovic joked about relying on Maël’s crosses to score a hat-trick.
• Gareth Speed praised Maël’s recent goal and assists and said he was a contender for Monthly Best, inspiring Maël to pursue the award.
• Preston launched a series of attacks after halftime, and a center back headed in from a corner to make the score 3-1.
• Janu Hans carried the ball forward and passed to Ward, whose cross was deflected into the penalty area.
• Maël struck the loose ball with a Cannon Shot, scoring to put Sheffield United 4-1 ahead.

Maël scored twice and assisted once as Sheffield United beat Preston 4–1 in Gareth Speed’s first match in charge. After being named Man of the Match, Maël set his sights on reaching 10 league goals and 10 assists this season.

• Maël scored Sheffield United’s fourth goal after a deflection, completing his brace and adding to his assist as teammates celebrated and Preston’s players argued.
• Mark Yates substituted Maël off in the sixtieth minute, and the Bramall Lane crowd applauded his two goals and one assist.
• Maël thanked Joelson for bringing him to Sheffield United and promised to give everything during his loan spell.
• Sheffield United defeated Preston 4–1, giving Gareth Speed a winning first match in charge.
• A staff member told Maël he had won Man of the Match, and reporters interviewed him by the pitch.
• Maël said he hoped to reach 10 league goals and 10 assists, adding that he would keep improving.