27: Chapter 27 First time included in the first team squad, Premier League debut?

August 20th, Tottenham dressing room.

The day after tomorrow, the team will visit the King Power Stadium to challenge the "Blue Foxes," Leicester City.

The atmosphere in the dressing room was serious. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino was not present, so his chief assistant and right-hand man, Jesús Pérez, announced the starting lineup in advance.

One name after another was called out, all familiar faces from the starting eleven. There were no surprises, nor any shocks.

After reading the last name in the starting lineup, Pérez closed the folder with no intention of reading the substitutes.

A few murmurs of understanding echoed in the dressing room.

This was common practice in the Premier League, allowing the starting players to mentally prepare in advance, while the substitutes did not need to.

Yu Bai sat in front of his locker with a calm expression. Not hearing his name was completely within his expectations.

He had just signed a professional contract and had zero first-team experience; to go straight into the starting lineup for a tough match like the away game against Leicester City? That would be pure fantasy.

However, just as he was preparing to get up for training, Pérez walked straight up to him.

"Yu," Pérez's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for the teammates around him to hear. "Go to the boss's office; he wants to talk to you."

"Whoosh—!"

The dressing room went silent for a few seconds, and several gazes "zoomed" onto Yu Bai. There was curiosity, investigation, and some, like Dele Alli, raised their eyebrows in encouragement.

Yu Bai's heart skipped a beat, uncooperatively.

He stood up, trying his best to look calm: "Okay, Coach."

Walking out of the dressing room and through the slightly empty corridor, Yu Bai's heart finally began to race in delayed realization.

Mauricio Pochettino summoned him alone?

This was a high-profile summons.

Several possibilities flashed through his mind: Was it about that contract that had just been finalized?

Just yesterday, Jonathan Barnett had finally settled all the details and slapped a three-year professional contract in front of him.

It wasn't that Tottenham didn't want to sign him for longer, but 17-year-old players were restricted by the rules, meaning the maximum contract length was three years.

Weekly wage: 1,000 pounds.

This was already an astronomical price for a youth player, a premium that Barnett had fought hard to secure for his "talent."

The contract was also packed with various add-on clauses: automatic salary increases upon reaching a certain number of appearances, bonuses for being selected for the national team, and special options regarding loans.

Barnett had taken three days, not the one day he had boasted about, but the result was satisfactory.

Therefore, this conversation with Mauricio Pochettino was likely related to this contract and the "ambition" revealed behind it.

"Knock, knock—"

"Come in."

Yu Bai pushed the door open and entered, a polite smile already on his face: "Boss, did you want to see me?"

Mauricio Pochettino was sitting behind his desk, reviewing a tactical report. He raised his hand, signaling for Yu Bai to sit down: "Sit, don't be nervous."

Yu Bai closed the door behind him and sat on the chair opposite Mauricio Pochettino, his back straight and his gaze steady.

The office was silent for a few seconds, with only the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Mauricio Pochettino put down the report, crossed his hands on the desk, and those sharp eyes, which seemed to see through everything, calmly watched Yu Bai.

Yu Bai also looked back without flinching.

A silent contest permeated the air.

After a while, Mauricio Pochettino spoke slowly, his voice not loud but every word clear:

"For the away game against Leicester City this weekend, I've activated you. You are in the 18-man squad."

Yu Bai's breath hitched slightly.

It's here!

It's really here!

A Premier League squad list!

Although it was only as a substitute, this was the first step, the most crucial step!

The system mission "Fight, Young Man" was beckoning to him; Pelé, Cruyff, Roberto Carlos, Cristiano Ronaldo... four superstar-level skills seemed to be spinning before his eyes.

"However," Mauricio Pochettino changed the subject, like a perfectly timed bucket of cold water, "whether you can play depends on the match situation. Hmm... barring any surprises, I will give you about 20 minutes."

He paused, his gaze burning like a torch, looking straight into Yu Bai's eyes:

"Are you ready?"

Ready? For that "choose one of four" superstar-level skill reward from the system, I've been ready since the day I transmigrated! Does that even need to be asked?!

The little person inside Yu Bai was already screaming frantically, but on the surface, he sprang up from his chair almost instantly, his face flushed with uncontrollable excitement, and his voice tight with emotion: "Boss! I'm ready! Always ready!"

Mauricio Pochettino watched the fire burning in his eyes with no expression on his face, only gently pressing his hand down to signal him to sit. Clearly, he wasn't finished speaking.

"Yu," Mauricio Pochettino leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming serious and deep, "you are a brilliant, talented player. Your offense, your Dribbling, your goals—including me, Kieran, John—we are all your fans and appreciate your talent."

Yu Bai nodded vigorously, but couldn't help muttering to himself: Boss, please stop praising me; the more you praise me, the more nervous I get... You aren't going to let Kyle Walker and Dier give me "special attention" in the next team training match, are you?

"However," Mauricio Pochettino emphasized, his voice striking Yu Bai's heart like a heavy hammer, "this is far from enough. Do you understand?"

Yu Bai continued to nod, but a sense of defiance began to grow in his heart.

Far from enough? Whether it's enough or not, I'll only know after going out there and fighting for real!

"You should know what 'loan first, glory later' means, right?"

Mauricio Pochettino changed his perspective, his tone more like a patient mentor, "Like Harry Kane, going to a lower League to train, accumulate experience, become stronger, and then return to become a pillar of the team."

"Yes, Boss, I understand."

Yu Bai nodded, took a deep breath, and stated his insistence, "I accept a loan, but... I only want to play in the Premier League."

He said the last few words with extraordinary clarity and firmness, carrying the unique stubbornness of a youth.

Mauricio Pochettino's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

"Yu, I heard from the club's top management about the demands your agent, Jonathan Barnett, made."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of elder-like concern, "This surprised me, and I have to remind you that this might not be the wisest choice."

"Your body is still developing; at 17, playing in the Premier League, the most physically demanding and fastest-paced League in the world, carries high risks."

Mauricio Pochettino's voice was very sincere, "Especially your physical condition; it is currently far from reaching the average standard of the Premier League. One intense collision, one unreasonable exertion, could lead to a serious injury, and that would ruin your professional career. Think of those talents who fell because they endured high-intensity matches too early; there are not a few examples."

Yu Bai fell silent.

Mauricio Pochettino's words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing some of the excitement and bringing a wave of real chill.

He knew the coach had his best interests at heart, and what he said was the naked reality. The system hadn't given him any "invulnerability" guarantee.

The collisions from those Premier League veterans, the standards of the Premier League referees... going to fight in the slightly weaker EFL Championship or even EFL League One to level up first seemed like a safer and more reasonable choice... for the first time, he felt intense inner struggle.

On one side was the Premier League stage within reach and the temptation of superstar-level skills; on the other, the coach's earnest warnings and the potential shadow of injury.

Mauricio Pochettino watched the hesitation, longing, and a hint of imperceptible fear flash in the eyes of the youth before him, and sighed softly.

"I know your personality—you're defiant and want to prove yourself, right?"

His tone softened a bit, "So, I decided to give you this opportunity this weekend to let you complete your Premier League debut. At that time..."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was already clear: let you see with your own eyes and feel for yourself what the real Premier League is like. By then, you might change your mind.

"Nothing is absolute; it won't be too late for you to change your mind then."

Mauricio Pochettino gave a final, earnest piece of advice, like he was instructing a nephew about to travel far.

"Remember, don't rush anything, especially at the beginning!"

"A professional career is long; laying a good foundation is more important than anything."