Chapter 16: Chapter 16
"I'll be making changes for the next match. Would anyone like to share their thoughts on the game?"
"In my opinion, the game wasn't that bad. The majority of the players are young and new to the team so it's expected they would struggle to settle. The second half is really promising in the way they approached the game and didn't get disheartened. I think is too early to consider dropping them and that they should be given more chances" Paul spoke out, not keen to disagree with his manager but needing to voice his thoughts.
"I think we've got a bit of a misunderstanding here. I'm really proud of the players and no one is getting dropped. Pre-season games are about gathering information and I've come to learn a lot about the players, so I'm going to try out different strategies and maintain that momentum. In all honesty, I don't mind losing every game if it prepares us better for the season."
"That's fair, in that case I would like to draw attention to Andre, he really performed well and was integral in the second half to breaking up the opponents' attacks"
The other coaches also drew attention to the positive contributions from many of the different players and areas that were a cause for concern. The coaching group were all fairly young with some being in their first real job in the football space and it was important to Yusuf to offer opportunities to as many people as he could. The specific roles hadn't been assigned yet as it was difficult to understand each of their specialities, so they were referred to as assistant coaches and helped with training and implementing the ideas that Yusuf had.
"I'm curious about the progress of some of the youth players Adin?"
"The young players are progressing well; the style of play is very different to what they are used to, and it will take time, but they are picking it up some faster than the others though. I think you are more interested in key players though and I think Jordan James, Jobe Bellingham and Nico Gordon appear ready for some gametime."
"That is what I was hoping for, I plan to let all three play in the upcoming match against MK Dons. The rest of preseason will have a higher level, and this might be the last chance to get a judge of their ability before the season starts"
" I'm also planning to try a new formation and try out Eman up top, I'm not convinced about his ability to play alone up top just yet, so I'll partner him in a two up with Facu who has experience as a forward with his old club."
"How is the situation with Valentine and our new goalkeeper going, Henke?"
"The Valentine situation is simply a waiting game; all the terms have been agreed and we are in constant communication. The day he turns eighteen we will put in the paperwork, and he will come over. He will likely miss the entire preseason and only be able to get here for the start of the season but there is nothing we can do about that right now. I've had staff at Boca put him through his paces and we already have his fitness measurements like the rest of the players. The aim would be to bring his fitness up to the level we need and then you will need to work on the team aspects when he gets here. Kjell Sherpen has agreed with everything, and his club are already aware, he will be here in the next week. The match he watched and the conversation you had with him, put his mind at ease about the move and he is eager to get started."
"That is good to hear, once those two are here, this little team of ours will finally be complete and I'm looking forward to that day. I think that is everything, so you are all dismissed"
The meeting with Kjell Sherpen had occurred after the last match with Charlton where he had been invited as a guest to watch from the VIP Box. The post-match atmosphere had been very serious, and Yusuf had instructed the players to remember the key moments of the game and think about what they could have done differently. In this way, they could turn each match into a learning opportunity while the memory was still fresh. This had given him some time to go and meet with the potential recruit.
Sherpen was a young goalkeeper who was over two meters and currently was on the books at Brighton and Hove Albion. The club had been on the search for a new goalkeeper for a while because though Neil was a very capable shot stopper, the demands required on the keeper in the desired system was far more than that. The keeper was to act essentially as the first outfield player and distribute the ball quickly and efficiently. This would more easily allow them to create numerical superiority in the defence and hence improve progression of the ball up the pitch. They had attempted to work this into Neil's game as he had been one of the best performers at the club in the previous season, but it was clear to the coaching team that this wasn't his natural playstyle. The search had been very difficult as there was a dearth in the profile of player they were looking for. The ones they came across would usually be very settled in their teams and there would be no way for Henke to even broach the idea. The situation with Sherpen was very unique as he had spent the previous season on loan at KV Oostende and struggled for game time. He had returned to Brighton for the following season, but he appeared to be third in line and the starting keeper Roberto Sanchez was both performing very well and at twenty-four still early in his career. The former Ajax player could see the writing on the wall and needed a place where he could get more game time. Henke had moved in quickly and acquired a verbal agreement with the young man attending the game today and signing up in the next few days. To bring him to the team, assurances of playing time had to be made so it was important of him to hit the ground running. Yusuf had already decided to give him a few tries in preseason and depending on his performances see about who first choice would be.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
TheBadlands
TheBadlands Another day, another chapter.
A new keeper joining the team as well and at 6 foot 7 he is quite a specimen.
Up the Blues!!
Keep supporting the series, it means a lot.
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