61: Chapter 61 Lallana's Good Intentions: Substitutes are for protection, but geniuses never give up!

With the arrival of the international break, the hustle and bustle of the Premier League came to a temporary pause.

Most of the main players in Leicester City were called up to their respective national teams.

Yu Bai remained in Leicester, at the Belvoir Drive training ground.

There was no national team call-up. The China National Team? Given his current status and the procedures, he was temporarily unable to represent the Chinese National Football Team. The Hong Kong, China team? Perhaps they were self-aware enough not to rashly send an invitation. Instead, a selection official for the England U21 team had discreetly inquired through his agent, Jonathan Barnett, whether he was interested in playing for The Three Lions in the future.

"At this stage, I am not considering any national team matters."

Yu Bai asked Jonathan Barnett to politely decline, "Establishing a firm foothold at the club and getting playing time is more important than anything else."

He was only 17 years old, still nearly a year away from having full freedom of choice. Some things could not be rushed, and there was no need to rush into a decision.

On days without matches, Yu Bai devoted all his energy to more systematic, almost crazy, individual training.

He knew that compared to his teammates who were about to face higher-level opponents and play alongside stronger teammates in national team squads, he had to make up for this "blank period" with double the sweat.

After a high-intensity extra training session, Yu Bai leaned on his knees, panting heavily, his training gear soaked with sweat.

Head coach Claudio Ranieri walked over at some point and handed him a bottle of water.

"Kid, let me ask you a question."

Claudio Ranieri sat down beside him, his tone as casual as if they were just chatting.

Yu Bai took the water and looked at the head coach with some confusion.

"Imagine," Claudio Ranieri said, gazing at the empty training field, "you are in a championship-level team. Powerful, wealthy, and full of stars. You have a high probability of lifting the championship trophy. But... you might just be an inconspicuous screw in that machine, unable to play the most important role. Even, some people in that team might treat you as an 'outsider,' and you wouldn't feel a real sense of belonging. But you could win that damn championship."

He paused, deliberately repeating the word "championship," then changed the subject:

"Another team might not have such strong Strength, and perhaps you might not even touch the edge of a championship for the whole season. But you are the absolute core there, a leader recognized by everyone. The team's victory or defeat largely depends on your performance. You are happy there, needed, and trusted; you treat it as home."

After speaking, Claudio Ranieri turned his head, a happy smile, almost like a "successful prank," on his face as he looked at Yu Bai:

"Kid, if you have to choose one... which one would you pick?"

Yu Bai was stunned, his fingers gripping the water bottle tightening slightly.

He almost instantly made the connection—the former was like a giant club like Tottenham, or the star-studded England National Team? The latter was the current Leicester City, or... the weak Chinese National Football Team?

Claudio Ranieri's question precisely poked at the most hidden struggle in his heart and the choices he might face in the future.

He opened his mouth, at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer this overly realistic and cruel hypothetical.

Seeing Yu Bai stunned by the question, Claudio Ranieri laughed out loud, patted him hard on the back, then stood up, leaving behind a meaningful remark:

"Don't rush to answer me."

"But remember, this question will be a required course in your career," he pointed to his own heart, "and here, you must repeatedly face it and make a choice."

After saying this, he walked away from the training ground, hands behind his back, humming an unknown tune, looking leisurely.

Yu Bai stood in place, watching the head coach's retreating figure, his heart filled with mixed feelings. A necessary path to growth... is it?

...

The international break ended, and national team players returned one after another, in states of either exhaustion or excitement. During this "lonely" extra training period, Yu Bai's efforts finally received a systematic reward.

[Ding—]

[At 32 years old, you sweated profusely in training and achieved effective results—Explosiveness +1, Strength +1, Ball Control +1, Shooting +1, Tackling +1, Heading +1, Stamina +1, and gained 5 free definition points.]

A long-awaited attribute improvement! Although it was all +1, they added up. Yu Bai scanned his attribute panel, thinking about the allocation of the 5 definition points.

Strength? From 44 to 49, is there a big difference? After these few real-combat matches in the Premier League, he understood that in front of those muscular giants, this little improvement was a drop in the bucket; he would still get knocked over if he was going to get knocked over. Polishing physical fitness took time and couldn't be rushed.

But Shooting was different! From 79 to 84, that was a qualitative change! It was a leap from "having a chance to score" to "a very high chance to score," from "needing adjustment" to "being able to take a snap shot"!

In the Premier League, what a more stable and lethal finishing ability meant went without saying.

"Deep Blue, add points for me!"

Yu Bai's intent was firm.

5 definition points, all poured into [Shooting]!

Brilliance flowed, and the panel refreshed:

[Name: Yu Bai]

[Age: 32]

[Speed 66, Explosiveness 63 → 64, Strength 43 → 44, Ball Control 75 → 76, Passing 85, Shooting 78 → 79 → 84]

[Dribbling 91, Tackling 30 → 31, Heading 30 → 31, Vision 80, Composure 65, Stamina 66 → 67]

[Overall Rating 80 → 82]

[Skills: Beckhams Curve (Star), Demon of Dribbling (Legend), Carloss Shooting Power (Superstar)]

[Injury Resistance Enhancement: Knees (Permanently reduces injury risk by 50%)]

An overall rating of 82!

Yu Bai felt the more subtle "feeling" of Shooting power and angle selection that had appeared in his mind, and his confidence climbed accordingly.

...

However, his confidence encountered its first "cold treatment" at the tactical meeting the next day.

The first match after the international break, a home game against Aston Villa.

Claudio Ranieri announced the starting lineup. When he read out the position of the left winger, he clearly uttered a name:

"On the left wing, Marc (Marc Albrighton)."

It wasn't Yu Bai.

A moment of extreme silence fell in the conference room, and several gazes subconsciously glanced at Yu Bai.

Surprise was written on the faces of many teammates.

The genius who created two goals and was named MVP in the last match against Bournemouth was on the bench for this one?

Yu Bai himself was very surprised, one could even say, a bit bewildered.

He had trained harder than anyone else for the past ten days, his attributes had improved, and he felt he was in top form... was it not enough to meet the standard for starting?

In fact, not only were Yu Bai and his teammates surprised, but even Marc Albrighton himself, who was named, had a complex, rather than joyful, expression on his face after a brief moment of shock.

In the Premier League, injuries were cruel; once you lost your starting position due to injury and the replacement performed well, you might lose it forever.

Marc Albrighton had originally prepared himself mentally for a long-term stint on the bench, even considering leaving the team.

This was professional football, cold and realistic.

An indescribable feeling of stuffiness and displeasure grew in the bottom of Yu Bai's heart.

He pursed his lips, lowered his head, and his fingers unconsciously picked at the edge of the tactical board.

Claudio Ranieri... did he think his performance last time was just a flash in the pan, or did he think Marc Albrighton was more reliable?

This feeling of being "denied" did not feel good. Especially when he was certain he was ready.

...

That evening, when Yu Bai returned to his apartment, he was still feeling a bit sullen.

The hot state in training and the cold arrangement at the meeting formed a stark contrast.

He didn't want to bring his emotions home, but that stubbornness and refusal to admit defeat made him restless in the living room.

At ten o'clock in the evening, his phone vibrated. It was an unsaved number, but Yu Bai recognized it instantly—it was Claudio Ranieri.

He took a deep breath and connected: "Boss?"

Claudio Ranieri's gentle, but more serious than usual, voice came from the other end of the line: "Kid, I realized you are only 17, so I felt it was necessary to make this call. However, this is the first and last time. In the future, you need to digest these things yourself."

Yu Bai's heart skipped a beat. This... was said a bit heavily. Had the old coach seen through his little thoughts?

He quickly adjusted his tone: "Boss, I understand! I'm fine, really!" His voice carried a touch of eagerness unconsciously.

"Kid, listen."

Claudio Ranieri interrupted him, his tone unprecedentedly earnest, even carrying a touch of fatherly helplessness, "What I am about to say might be some clichés, and they are not very liked by young people. But as your head coach, I must consider you, and I must do this."

"You possess an outstanding appearance, which has gained you extra attention and favor outside the pitch. Your style of play is full of entertainment value, and your experience is full of stories. Public opinion and the media are trying to mold you into a 'god,' a 17-year-old football savior."

Claudio Ranieri's voice came through the receiver, clear and heavy.

"Have you noticed the recent reports? 'Genius,' 'Prodigy,' 'Arsenal discard makes a comeback to become the new king of Leicester City'... These terms have lifted you very high. But, kid, you are only 17 years old. I emphasize this repeatedly because your future has too many variables, and your mind and body are far from mature."

Yu Bai held his phone, listening quietly, all his confusion and stuffiness gradually replaced by a more complex emotion.

"You are a starting-level player, I have never doubted this, nor have I denied your ability."

Claudio Ranieri affirmed, "But I benched you for this game because I wanted to cool things down for you and for the outside world."

"Think about it, if I started you for this game against Aston Villa, and you didn't play well, or even made a mistake that led to a goal... what would happen?"

Claudio Ranieri threw out the question and then answered it himself:

"Those people who praised you to the sky yesterday would instantly change their faces and use the most vicious language to trample you into hell! 'Flop,' 'Flash in the pan,' 'Overrated'... They would say, 'See, I told you a 17-year-old kid couldn't be trusted!'"

"But now, I have you on the bench. Even if you only play ten minutes and play like shit, how will public opinion scold?"

Claudio Ranieri's voice carried a hint of cold wisdom, "They will scold me, Claudio Ranieri, for being senile, for not giving a genius a chance, for suppressing a newcomer! The firepower will be concentrated on me, not you!"

Yu Bai's breath hitched slightly.

"I am using my reputation to put a 'protective shell' on you, kid."

Claudio Ranieri's voice softened, "Give you time to observe, adapt, and find your feel under relatively low pressure. When one day I think your mind is strong enough, strong enough not to be easily destroyed by praise or slander, I will naturally let you return to the starting lineup and take on heavier responsibilities."

"Stay patient, keep a normal mind, and continue to train hard."

Claudio Ranieri finally said, "Good luck, kid. I'm hanging up."

"Beep, beep, beep..."

The busy signal came, and Yu Bai didn't even have time to say "Thank you" or "I understand."

He stood in the middle of the living room with his phone, motionless for a long time. The displeasure and stubbornness in his heart were washed away as if by a gentle but thorough rain. It wasn't denial; it was protection.

Claudio Ranieri was using a seemingly "suppressive" way to isolate him from the most violent public opinion storm.

Gratitude, like a warm spring, welled up in his heart.

But at the same time, that hot, unyielding stubbornness and pride belonging to a 17-year-old with a system also burned more fiercely in the bottom of his heart!

Boss, I am grateful for everything you have done for me, really.

But...

Did you underestimate me too much?

Do you think I would be affected by those praises or insults?

Do you think my mentality is that easy to break?

Yu Bai put down his phone, his eyes becoming sharp and firm again.

Instead of worrying about me being crushed by public opinion...

You should perhaps be more worried about Aston Villa's right-back, Alan Hutton.

My 91 Dribbling, 85 Passing, 84 Shooting... are really not just for show!

...

The next day, King Power Stadium, one hour before the match.

The starting lineups for both sides were officially announced. Yu Bai sat in the locker room, still couldn't help but sneak a look at social media on his phone.

Sure enough, the topic #Claudio Ranieri does not start Yu Bai# had already climbed to the trending search in the UK and China. Clicking into it, it was all angry questioning and ridicule from fans and "Dongqiudi":

"Is Claudio Ranieri senile? Putting the MVP on the bench?"

"Marc Albrighton is better than Yu Bai? My grandma wouldn't believe it!"

"Scientific management of the coach? I think it's crippling oneself!"

"Wasting talent, shameful!"

Yu Bai looked at these comments "standing up for him," and then thought of Claudio Ranieri's call last night; the last trace of doubt in his heart dissipated, replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility and a stronger desire to prove himself.

He turned off his phone and locked it in his locker. Then, he raised his head, his gaze Passing through the noisy locker room, falling on Claudio Ranieri who was giving final instructions to Marc Albrighton.

The elderly Italian man with glasses and graying hair didn't look tall from behind, but he had set up an invisible and solid protective umbrella for him.

Thank you, Boss.

But just you watch—

Yu Bai clenched his fists, the fighting spirit in his eyes like fire.

Even if I start from the bench...

I will personally,

Kick this story of my own, of youth and achievement,

For all of you to see!