58: Chapter 58: Groin dribble + double feint + arc! A celebratory phone call ignites the internet; is Tottenham regretting their decision?

In the first half, Yu Bai was undoubtedly the biggest headache for the Bournemouth defense.

But it was only a "headache," far from "collapse."

Lacking sufficient possession and effective support from teammates in the final third, even though Yu Bai was in hot form—successfully completing a staggering 7 out of 8 dribbles in the first half—most of his breakthroughs were confined to the wings and near the byline, making it hard to truly threaten the goal guarded by Boruc.

The score remained 0:1, and Leicester City's lead was not secure.

Seeing that the first half was about to enter stoppage time, Yu Bai received a long-range pass from "Drinkwater" Danny Drinkwater in the backfield on the left flank.

Not many opportunities left.

"Let's reward myself."

He ignored his teammate in the middle asking for the ball, faced the charging Francis, and decided to go solo!

Start! Dribbling along the sideline at high speed, he suddenly made a sharp turn and cut inside! Instantly, he attracted a triple-team from Francis, the tracking Ritchie, and the covering midfielder Andrew Surman!

In the tight space, Yu Bai's footwork and rhythm changes were suffocatingly bizarre! Fast - slow - slow - slow - fast! Like dancing on the tip of a knife, he used a dazzling series of Step-overs and shoulder feints to force a gap through the encirclement of the three!

"He got past! Even the triple-team couldn't stop him!"

"He's still Dribbling!"

But Bournemouth's defense hadn't collapsed. Center-back Tommy Elphick had covered the position, standing like a wall between Yu Bai and the goal!

Space had been compressed to the limit; there was no time for adjustments. While running, Yu Bai met the rolling ball and swung his right foot with full force!

"Bang!!!"

A loud explosion! The ball turned into a beam of white light, without any spin, blasting straight towards the goal! The speed was ridiculously fast!

"Shooting!"

This shot was aimed too centrally, heading straight for Boruc's chest. But the power was immense! Boruc dared not be careless, and didn't dare to catch it with his hands, so he could only clench his fists and punch the ball upward with force!

"Boom!" The muffled sound of fists meeting the ball was clearly audible.

The ball, blocked by Boruc's fists, flew high like a cannonball with huge kinetic energy, soaring straight up to the eighth floor!

"Wow——!!"

The whole stadium was in an uproar!

The power of this shot was terrifying!

Commentator Duan Xuan exclaimed: "Yu Bai's foot is truly hard! This shot was powerful, Boruc didn't dare to catch it and could only punch it out!"

Commentator Zhang Lu chuckled: "Hehe, to be able to complete such a high-quality shot under the defense of four people is truly remarkable. This footwork looks scary. If Yu Bai hits someone with that, it'll cause a concussion!"

The first half ended, Leicester City leading by one goal.

In the away dressing room.

Claudio Ranieri patted Yu Bai, who was drinking water: "Yu, well done. In the second half, I will give you another 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, I want you to fire all your bullets! Understand?"

Yu Bai nodded vigorously.

He really felt exhausted. Playing through the first half with few opportunities and intense physical confrontation, the consumption was far greater than he had imagined.

The intensity of the Premier League was indeed a different story.

...

The second half resumed.

Bournemouth launched a fierce attack from the start, trying to equalize as soon as possible. For a time, Leicester City's defense was under pressure.

51st minute.

Bournemouth midfielder Lee Tomlin sent a precise through ball, and left-winger Max Gradel succeeded in beating the offside trap, gaining a half-breakaway opportunity! But his intent to push the ball was too obvious, and it was anticipated by the heroic Kasper Schmeichel, who dived and collected it!

Danger cleared! Kasper Schmeichel stood up quickly, didn't kick the ball long, but spotted the gap on the left and launched a quick attack with a powerful throw!

The ball flew through the air and accurately found Yu Bai, who was lurking on the left wing!

"Counterattack! Yu Bai!"

Yu Bai stopped the ball and turned, Dribbling forward while quickly looking up to observe.

In front, Francis and Surman had rushed over, one after another, sealing his Passing lane forward.

No good Passing option.

Unless...

In a flash, the best route flashed through Yu Bai's mind: get past these two people, then pass the ball to Mahrez, who was completely unmarked on the right and sprinting up!

Clear thinking! And Francis and Surman were thinking at this moment: Two people double-teaming, can't we handle a 17-year-old kid? Tactical foul? No need, easy to get a card.

Then, they paid the price for their underestimation.

Facing the two-man defense, Yu Bai's foot frequency suddenly accelerated! His right foot flicked the ball to the left, and his left foot quickly followed to pull the ball back—La Croqueta! Simply getting past the first challenger, Surman!

Francis hurriedly covered, but Yu Bai used his supporting foot as an axis, dragged the ball backward with the sole of his right foot, and simultaneously rotated his body 360 degrees—a Marseille Turn!

Gorgeous! Elegant! And extremely effective!

"Wow oh——!!!"

The Vitality Stadium instantly erupted with huge exclamations!

Even the home fans couldn't help but applaud this brilliant individual performance!

Yu Bai, like an elegant dancer, drifted through the narrow gap between Francis and Surman! The two didn't even have time to make an effective interception!

"He got past! Beautiful! Marseille Turn!"

"Artistic and daring!"

By the time Francis realized he should have committed a tactical foul, it was too late! After Passing the two, Yu Bai didn't hesitate at all, looked up at the right side, and sent a long pass across half the field with his right foot!

Speed, curve, drop point, perfect! It went straight to Riyad Mahrez, who was charging down the right!

"Great pass! Mahrez!"

"Leicester City's counterattack is too fast!"

The Algerian magician brought the ball down, faced the covering defender, did a signature cut inside, and then passed across to Jamie Vardy, who was charging into the left rib of the penalty area!

Yu Bai didn't stop running after Passing the two; he sprinted from the middle and had already arrived in the final third! There was open space in front of him! He immediately raised his hand to ask for the ball!

But Vardy had already adjusted his steps, ready to go, and facing the rushing Boruc, fired a powerful shot into the near corner with his left foot!

"Bang!"

Boruc made another miraculous save, blocking the ball with one palm!

The ball didn't go out of bounds and was still rolling in front of the goal! Vardy followed up to try a rebound shot, but was half a step too slow! In a hurry, Elphick cleared the ball with an awkward overhead kick!

However, this clearance went high but not far, and the ball flew high and drifting towards the arc of the penalty area!

"Second ball!"

A blue figure appeared at the drop point like a ghost! It was Yu Bai! He had judged every line correctly!

Facing this high ball, Yu Bai gently controlled it with his chest! The ball landed obediently one step in front of him.

"Opportunity!"

Yu Bai feinted a direct volley, his body tilted, and his right foot swung back! This fake was realistic to the extreme!

Francis, who had been chasing him closely, saw this and didn't care about anything, throwing himself into a sliding tackle, trying to block the shot with his body!

However, Yu Bai's foot fell gently before touching the ball, hooking the ball to the right! A light fake shot, real hook!

Francis put everything into blocking, legs wide open, leaving the goal wide open! The ball Yu Bai hooked just passed between his legs!

Nutmeg!

"Nutmeg!"

The commentator and fans exclaimed together.

After getting past Francis, the ball came to Yu Bai's left side. He adjusted, lifted his left foot, and feinted to shoot directly!

The covering center-back Steve Cook didn't hesitate at all, also flying to block the gun, throwing his whole body over!

However, this was still a fake! Yu Bai lifted his left leg with a large amplitude, but changed again just as his foot was about to touch the ball, gently hooking the ball to the right with the sole of his left foot!

Two consecutive fake shots! Shaking down two defensive players!

Cook and Francis were now both lying on the ground in embarrassment, only able to look up in despair at the blue-clad teenager who had gained absolute Shooting space with no one marking him within a three-meter radius on the edge of the penalty area!

Yu Bai didn't hesitate at all, using the inside of his right foot to gently curl the ball in front of him.

A beautifully curved ball with obvious drop, rising from the ground, drawing a deadly rainbow in the air, with a slight bounce in front of the goal, then bypassing the desperately outstretched fingers of the fallen goalkeeper Boruc, and darting into the bottom right corner of the goal!

"Swish——!!!"

0:2! Leicester City extended the lead! Yu Bai scored!

"Goooooooooooooal!!!"

"Yu Bai! An incomparable individual performance! Nutmeg! Consecutive fake shots to shake down two people! A beautiful curling shot!"

"This goal is too beautiful! From launching the counterattack to the final goal, Yu Bai participated in the whole process!"

"A genius goal!"

After scoring, Yu Bai didn't run wildly. He stood in place, a confident and calm smile on his face, slowly raised his right hand, and made a "six" gesture.

Then, he jogged towards the away fans' stand while waving this "six" gesture towards the stands. When he ran to the sidelines, he even gently placed this "six" gesture to his ear.

Phone call!

He was using this classic and slightly provocative celebration to declare to everyone: "Call me! I am the answer!"

His expression was calm, but his eyes shone with an unstoppable edge.

[Holy shit! This goal! I'm wet!]

[Nutmeg + double feint + curve! So cool!]

[Phone call celebration! Little Bai: Hello? Is this the Golden Boy Award judge?]

[Francis & Cook: We are background boards, we understand.]

[This celebration is both handsome and cocky!]

...

London, Mauricio Pochettino's home.

The young Argentine coach sat on the sofa, leaning forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the TV screen without blinking. From Yu Bai receiving the ball in the backfield to launch the counterattack, to his insertion into the middle to complete the goal, he saw the whole process.

The expression on his face was extremely complex. The initial scrutiny and curiosity were gradually replaced by surprise, finally freezing in a heavy look mixed with admiration, regret, and a hint of imperceptible remorse.

He began to realize that he might have made a mistake. He had underestimated not only Yu Bai's talent but also the maturity of this 17-year-old boy.

Facing a double-team, calmly choosing to break through individually and successfully Passing the ball; sparing no effort to sprint to the most lethal position during a high-speed counterattack; facing continuous defense in the penalty area, using realistic feints and extremely calm handling to complete the lethal blow...

Unpretentious, calm and confident, big heart, his ability to predict and read the game situation was far beyond his peers. More importantly, the creativity and decisiveness he displayed on the field could not be simply defined.

Mauricio Pochettino slowly leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and opened them a few seconds later, his gaze again cast on the No. 52 on the screen who was surrounded by teammates with a clean smile.

He whispered to himself, his voice tinged with bitterness:

"Mauricio, you once thought he was 'selfish', 'needed regulation', 'not mature enough'... Was that too arbitrary?"

"He might... already be ready. It's just me, I didn't give him enough trust and time."

...

London, Tottenham Hotspur youth training base, office.

Youth Director John McDermott and U18 coach Kieran McKenna were also watching the TV. Seeing Yu Bai score that stunning goal and make the "phone call" celebration, the two looked at each other, their faces devoid of excitement, only full of helplessness and wry smiles.

McKenna sighed heavily, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his face with his hands.

McDermott looked at the screen and muttered: "John, did you see that? This guy Yu... how many days has it been since he went to Leicester City? Why do I feel... he's gotten stronger again? This goal, this confidence..."

McKenna's eyes didn't leave the screen, his voice somewhat muffled: "Who says not?"

"His Dribbling is more decisive, his Shooting is more confident, especially that last curve... John, I have a premonition that this kind of 'Yus Curve' will sooner or later become one of the most anticipated calling cards at White Hart Lane. When the fans go to watch the game, maybe it will be just to see him kick such a ball, and then say with satisfaction: 'This ticket was worth it!'"

McDermott frowned, looked at his old friend and colleague, and felt he was a bit too optimistic and even "obsessed":

"Kieran, calm down. I admit Yu Bai is a rare genius, and the future is limitless. But you're talking about that level? Let his curveball be the calling card of White Hart Lane? That would require the stadium influence that only superstars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could possess! Yu Bai? Is this possible?"

"He comes from a football-barren country, they can't even play in the World Cup. You know, just standing here is already a very remarkable achievement. Reaching that height? No one in China has done it, no one in Asia has, can Yu Bai do it? This is almost impossible!"

McKenna didn't refute, nor did he answer. His gaze was still locked on the TV screen, on the teenager who was being hugged by his blue-jersey teammates, smiling brightly.

He didn't say it out loud, but there was a voice in his heart, incomparably clear, incomparably firm:

You said your curve would be the calling card of White Hart Lane, and it will be.

Right, Yu Bai?

You will come back.

In the most shocking way.

The office fell into a brief silence, with only the stadium noise and the excited voice of the commentator from the TV echoing in the air, as if telling a story about missed opportunities and expectations.