England's Greatest

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After defeating Watford twice at home, the Leicester City players had a brief respite of only three days before facing the 27th round of make-up matches. This time, it was a home game against Middlesbrough, where the pressure to perform was palpable.

Considering the players' physical stamina, manager Nigel Pearson made a bold decision: a comprehensive rotation of the squad. Except for Tristan and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, the other nine players were all replaced by substitutes! Such drastic changes are rarely seen, particularly in the goalkeeping position, which typically remains constant unless an injury occurs or there's a strategic rotation for cup matches.

However, Pearson understood that Tristan's role could not be shifted around casually. In his eyes, Tristan was the heartbeat of the team's creativity. His presence on the pitch transformed the game; even if he appeared to be merely walking, he always posed a threat to the opposition's defense. This level of trust from Pearson highlighted not just Tristan's skills but also the pivotal role he played in Pearson's diamond midfield tactical system, which emphasized control and fluidity.

When the club signed a new contract with Tristan, Mendes had wisely included a clause regarding playing time. This clause stipulated that Tristan must start in at least 60% of the games each season. Mendes' intention was to secure ample playing time for Tristan, enabling him to develop rapidly during a crucial stage in his young career. Yet, he was unaware that even without this stipulation, Pearson would prioritize Tristan's inclusion in the starting lineup every match. His exceptional passing skills and vision rendered him irreplaceable to the team's offensive structure.

What was particularly notable was Tristan's condition compared to other players who had been with the squad for half a season. Since he had only started playing with the first team in January, he was still relatively fresh. Pearson was acutely aware of this advantage but was equally mindful not to overexert the eighteen-year-old.

He remembered how young stars like Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, and Theo Walcott had their careers affected by the toll of early exposure to high-intensity games. They had each suffered injuries that hampered their growth, and Pearson had no intention of allowing that fate to befall his own rising star. Tristan was not just an important player; he was the future of Leicester City.

Thus, after guiding Leicester to a commanding two-goal lead against Middlesbrough, Pearson made the tactical decision to substitute Tristan in the 70th minute. The crowd erupted in applause, recognizing not just the performance of their young talent but the careful management of his burgeoning career. As Tristan jogged off the pitch, he felt the weight of his manager's expectations but also a surge of confidence, knowing he had contributed significantly to the match. The fans cheered, knowing that with each game, they were witnessing the blossoming of a future star.

"Leicester City are preparing to make a substitution on the sidelines." The commentator's voice resonated through the stadium, building anticipation among the fans. "Pearson has decided to replace No. 22, Tristan Hale, with veteran Taylor Fletcher."

"The performance of this young man tonight was outstanding as always!" the commentator continued, his excitement palpable. "This marks his sixth consecutive league game with assists, setting a new record for Championship players!"

As Tristan spotted his number on the substitution board, he began his walk toward the sidelines. Suddenly, the King Power Stadium erupted in warm applause, the crowd rising to their feet to celebrate their hero. The cheers and claps filled the air, creating a wave of emotion that rippled through Tristan's heart. The thrill of recognition was intoxicating; it was moments like these that made all the hard work worthwhile.

Lost in the moment, he waved to the stands with a beaming smile, grateful for the unwavering support of the fans who had cheered him on throughout the season.

As he reached the sidelines, he exchanged a high-five with Fletcher, who was ready to take his place. Just then, Pearson approached him, a proud smile on his face. He wrapped an arm around Tristan's shoulders and pulled him in for a hug. "Boy, you did a good job! Now I need you to rest well and prepare for the next game!" he whispered, his voice warm and encouraging.

"Roger that, Coach," Tristan replied, a sense of pride swelling within him at the praise.

Returning to the bench, he slipped into the black down jacket handed to him by the team coach, feeling the comforting weight of it. He made his way down the line, highfiving each of his teammates as he passed. Finally, he settled down next to Mahrez, who was still buzzing from the match.

"Tristan," Mahrez began, his eyes alight with admiration, "I noticed you seem to know where your teammates are positioned without even looking up before you pass. It's incredible! How do you do it?"

Tristan chuckled internally, amused by the thought of revealing his secret. Because I have a plug-in, he mused playfully. Instead, he responded with a line he had always loved from Stephen Chow's films: "Want to learn? I will teach you!"

Mahrez blinked in surprise, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. "Really?!"

"Of course! But in exchange, you have to teach me how to dribble and control the ball like you do!" Tristan replied, his excitement matching Mahrez's.

Before his rebirth, Tristan had been deeply impressed by Mahrez while watching Premier League games. 

"The best ball-stopper in the world," was a compliment Mahrez received frequently, especially regarding his exceptional ball-stopping technique. According to interviews within the Manchester City squad, many world-class stars recognized Mahrez as the best in this area. Fans jokingly hailed him as the best stopper in the world, a title he earned with every match.

At this time, Mahrez was still relatively new to England and had yet to experience the remarkable season with the Foxes or the guidance of Guardiola. However, his incredible ball-stopping skills were already starting to shine through. Tristan speculated that Mahrez's [Ball Stopping] attribute was at least above ninety, a sign of the talent that was just beginning to surface.

Tristan wondered if having Mahrez as a mentor could significantly improve his own [Ball Stopping] attribute. After all, training with a mentor provided growth opportunities that were far more effective than self-guided practice.

Faced with Tristan's offer of a one-for-two deal, Mahrez felt no sense of disadvantage; instead, he found it entirely reasonable. "Okay! You teach me how to pass like you do, and I'll teach you how to dribble and control the ball," he said, a grin spreading across his face.

"Deal!" Tristan exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

Just as Tristan and Mahrez reached an unspeakable "deal" on the bench, the fate of the match was already being sealed on the field. The score remained at 2-0 as the final whistle blew, confirming Leicester City's victory over Middlesbrough. The jubilant atmosphere in King Power Stadium erupted, fans celebrating the well-earned win.

Tristan, who had provided an assist and played a crucial role in controlling the midfield, was once again recognized as the best player of the match. This marked his eighth time winning the Player of the Match award this season! The only exception was during the 25th league match, where he came on as a substitute and was unable to secure the accolade. Nevertheless, his performance in every match since then had solidified his position as the team's tactical core.

With eighth Player of the Match awards under his belt, Tristan completed an achievement that earned him a free attribute point as a reward—an exciting prospect for someone so driven to improve. As the tactical engine of the team, his consistent excellence not only elevated his own game but also ensured that Leicester City continued to thrive.

With the victory over Middlesbrough, Leicester City achieved a remarkable milestone: ten consecutive league wins, tying the record set by Reading in the 2005-06 season. The implications were thrilling—one more win would see them surpass Reading and etch their name in the history books as the team with the most consecutive league wins in a single Championship season.

The buzz in the locker room was electric, with teammates exchanging high-fives and congratulations. Amidst the celebrations, reporters swarmed to capture the moment, eager to hear from the rising star. One reporter directed a question specifically to Tristan: "As long as you win the next game against Nottingham Forest, you can create a new record for consecutive wins in the Championship. What do you think about this?"

Facing the camera, Tristan paused, reflecting on the journey that had brought him to this point. After a moment of contemplation, he answered with a calm and focused demeanor, "I just want to say that no matter what the records or data are, we will focus on winning every game!

As the players began to exit the pitch, the commentary team was quick to highlight Tristan's exceptional performance.

"Tristan Hale once again delivered an outstanding display tonight," the lead commentator remarked. "With one assist to his name, he has now reached a remarkable total of nine assists this season, breaking the Championship record for consecutive assists by a player in a single season! This is his ninth consecutive game with at least one assist, showcasing his incredible vision and playmaking ability."

The analysis continued as they broke down his contributions to the game. "His passing accuracy was off the charts—87% tonight. He created five key chances and constantly threatened the Middlesbrough defense. At just eighteen years old, he plays with maturity that belies his age.

In the post-match press conference, Manager Nigel Pearson spoke candidly about Tristan's development and the strategy behind managing his playing time. "We're committed to protecting Tristan's growth. He's an extraordinary talent, and we want to ensure he doesn't overexert himself. Playing him in crucial games allows him to flourish without burning him out. He's the creative heartbeat of our team, and every time he steps on the pitch, he brings something special. It's important we nurture that."

Pearson further elaborated, "Look, we know that young players can be pushed too hard too soon. Just look at what happened with some other clubs and their young stars. We have to be smart about this. Tristan has already made a significant impact, with four goals and nine assists this season, and I want him to continue developing at a sustainable pace."

The media buzz surrounding Tristan was palpable as reporters scrambled to share their thoughts. "Tristan's got that rare ability to read the game like a seasoned pro," one analyst noted. "He's not just about flashy skills; he understands when to slow the game down and when to attack. His work rate is phenomenal, and the fans absolutely adore him. You can feel the connection between him and the supporters—it's special."

Fans took to social media to express their admiration. "Watching Tristan is a joy! His vision on the ball and ability to set up plays is incredible! Can't wait to see what else he can achieve this season!" one fan tweeted, echoing the sentiments of many who had witnessed his growth firsthand.

"With performances like these," another commentator chimed in as the cameras panned to a picture of Tristan, "the sky's the limit for this young man. If he keeps this up, we might be looking at one of the future stars of English football."