Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

195 – A Grand Start

195

The preseason had begun.

Jack Gabbert let out a frustrated sigh.

“Ugh, ugh. It feels especially tough this time. Am I just imagining it?”

“No. It wasn’t like this last year. The coach must be pushing us hard.”

Even Nuredin Gaye, who was saying this, was lying on the ground, gasping for air.

Generally, a football team’s preseason training can be divided into two phases: the first half, where they focus on building up their physical strength, and the second half, where they work on tactics and team play.

In football, the season is often compared to a marathon. Since it lasts for 9-10 months, it’s not about exerting short bursts of energy, but rather about maintaining a high level of performance throughout.

In this sense, the physical training during the preseason’s first half is a crucial step in optimizing the players’ bodies for the season. It’s also a period that players dread the most, along with defense training.

To put it bluntly, it’s a time when they push their bodies to the limit, making them scream in agony.

Even Jack Gabbert and Nuredin Gaye, who were confident in their physical abilities, were struggling to keep up with the intense training.

“Damn it. But why are they so fine?”

“…They’re crazy. They’re physical monsters. The Iron King, the Iron King, it’s real.”

Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-sin were following the training with relatively calm expressions.

In fact, Jo Jae-sin was using every break to recharge his energy, while Joo Ji-tae was walking around, giving advice to the players, disguised as criticism.

The coaches and staff were watching this, and even players like Jack Gabbert, who didn’t get along with Joo Ji-tae, couldn’t deny his exceptional physical abilities.

“See? I told you. If you manage and train your body properly, even Manchester City players are no match.”

Joo Ji-tae’s words made Jo Jae-sin nod his head in agreement.

Jo Jae-sin had been training with Joo Ji-tae during the off-season every year. Back then, he would complain about how extreme the training was, saying that their bodies needed rest, but… he felt the effects after joining Arsenal.

During his time at 1860 Munich, he didn’t know much about training, and the team’s level was not up to par, so they were always struggling to stay in the top division. That’s why he thought it was normal to be among the top two in physical tests, along with Joo Ji-tae.

But after joining Arsenal, he realized that Joo Ji-tae’s body management skills were far superior to anyone else’s. The Arsenal players, who were considered top-notch, couldn’t even keep up with Joo Ji-tae’s training methods.

“How do you know all this?”

Joo Ji-tae just smiled at Jo Jae-sin’s question.

How did he know? He had experienced it himself, and studied hard.

Joo Ji-tae’s body had been ruined from overexertion, but he was still able to maintain his career as a player until his mid-30s because of his exceptional body management skills.

It’s just that he realized the importance of management too late, so his exceptional skills didn’t shine during his first career. But now, it’s different.

In the rapidly advancing field of sports physical science, a 10-year gap is like an insurmountable wall.

Joo Ji-tae had already mastered the physical science of 10 years into the future, so it was only natural.

That’s because his knowledge was optimized for his own body.

Joo Ji-tae’s efforts, which began during his time at Chelsea, where he spent most of the season injured and rehabilitating, had reached the level of a top-notch physical coach. He knew the most effective training methods for his own body, tailored to each season.

Even Jo Jae-sin’s customized training method was… something Joo Ji-tae had studied during his first career. Back then, Jo Jae-sin, who was obsessed with winning the Ballon d’Or, had spent a huge amount of money to invite world-class physical coaches to study the best training and management methods for his body, and Joo Ji-tae had tagged along.

Jo Jae-sin was trying to break free from being the runner-up, while Joo Ji-tae was trying to recover his ruined body.

So, the two of them spent 4-5 years every season, requesting the best training and management methods from world-class sports science experts, and training with top-notch physical coaches.

Well, in the end, the two of them failed during their first career.

Jo Jae-shin couldn’t win the Ballon d’Or, and Joo Ji-tae couldn’t reproduce his prime performance.

However, the knowledge and physical training he gained during that time have been passed down to the current Joo Ji-tae, making him a top-notch player. With training and management methods tailored to each player’s body, the two have become ironclad kings.

Today, the first half of the pre-season physical training has come to an end.

Now, it’s time for the second half of the pre-season, where they’ll focus on tactical training and friendly matches to regain their competitive edge.

‘Soon…’

Joo Ji-tae scanned the attacking line.

The defense was already under his control. As the world’s top defender, who would dare disobey his commands? With the active cooperation of former captain Oliver Negredo and defense leader Brad Duff, most of the midfielders had been subdued.

But the attacking line was still struggling.

If they continued like this, they’d eventually fall in line, but it was better to get the team in order quickly. After all, starting with an overwhelming performance would have a greater impact.

Joo Ji-tae approached Jack Gabbert, the leader of the attacking line.

This guy was good at off-the-ball movement, had quick speed, and was agile enough to take on a defender. Plus, he had great goal-scoring ability.

…He was a complete attacking player.

In fact, every Manchester City player was like that. Each one was a world-class player who could rank among the top 5-6 in their position.

It was frustrating to have such a talented team but still not win, which was why Mansour was so angry.

If the players’ abilities were lacking, they could just buy them, but they already had the best players in each position, and the coach was a world-renowned tactician. Yet, they still couldn’t win due to lack of teamwork, which made football so interesting.

From Joo Ji-tae’s perspective, if he could just resolve the team’s conflicts and bring out the synergy, it would be a dream team.

That was why he chose Manchester City over PSG, which offered better conditions.

“Jack, I have a mission for you. Don’t be too nervous. It’s easy. When I have the ball, if the opponent’s defense is high, infiltrate. If Jo Jae-shin is infiltrating, go to the side, and if the defender is pulling back, go to the center. How’s that, easy?”

“…Why me?”

Jack Gabbert asked back, but his voice lacked conviction.

Of course, Jack Gabbert wasn’t stupid; he knew the situation was already decided. After all, the opponent was a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, and a three-time winner was almost certain.

Plus, he was a player who had broken the transfer record by a margin of two, and was appointed captain by the board as soon as he joined the team.

He was an opponent who had unparalleled skills, status, and the board’s trust.

But that alone wasn’t enough to make Jack Gabbert back down. It wasn’t just that the opponent was incredibly skilled; Jack Gabbert’s personality wasn’t one to easily give up control.

However—

“So, do you dislike it?”

Joo Ji-tae’s piercing gaze made Jack Gabbert look away.

Jack Gabbert, who had never been intimidated before, somehow felt himself shrinking in front of Joo Ji-tae.

Especially when Joo Ji-tae was staring at him like that—

“No, I’ll do it.”

“Good, that’s what I like to see.”

It was a completely different presence.

Jack Gabbert gritted his teeth at the ‘you can’t help it’ gaze from Nuredin Gueye beside him.

But—

[The Premier League is finally here!! Manchester City, newly refurbished for the 37/38 season, is set to face Aston Villa in the opening match.]

[Before the opening match, Manchester City’s coach Bruno Casoara expressed unprecedented confidence. He’s not a coach who usually does that, is he?]

[After all, didn’t they break the transfer record to sign Joo Ji-tae? And he was the previous season’s top scorer! A coach would have to be confident, wouldn’t they?]

[But where did Manchester City’s player quality fall short? They had individual brilliance, but somehow, the team synergy didn’t work. Will Coach Bruno Casoara be able to fix the team’s issues during the pre-season?]

The 37/38 season opening match.

Manchester City, hosting Aston Villa at home, recorded a 3:0 score by the 33rd minute of the first half.

[Oh wow! Jack Gabbert! He’s scored again with a similar pattern!]

[How many goals in the first half, Jack Gabbert!! This is the first hat-trick of the season!!]

[Just run and you’ll get a pass from Joo Ji-tae, and it’s a goal!]

Jack Gabbert recorded a hat-trick in the first half, becoming the hero of the first hat-trick of the season.

In his first celebration, he did a knee slide, and in his second, he high-fived his attacking teammates. When he scored his third goal, he ran towards Joo Ji-tae without knowing it himself.

“This is crazy! Three goals! A hat-trick in the opening game!!”

“I told you? Just follow me.”

“This… this lovely Asian!!”

Overwhelmed by adrenaline, Jack Gabbert lost his composure and gave Joo Ji-tae a peck on the cheek, looking more adorable than a high school girl.

“…What are you doing?”

“…Huh?”