England's Greatest

[Drop some powers, leave a comment or review if you want and enjoy the chapter, trying to hit 350 power stones this week]

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Winning the Championship's Player of the Month award twice in a row solidified Tristan's status as a breakout star. His incredible performances on the pitch, coupled with his undeniable work ethic, have also attracted a wave of new fans and brought even more attention to Leicester City.

The day after winning the award, The Times published a special report, providing an in-depth analysis of this rising English star. The article showcased not only his raw talent but also the statistics that have propelled him into the spotlight in such a short period.

The Times opened the report by highlighting Tristan's impressive game data across both league and cup competitions:

Championship: 8 appearances (6 starts, 2 substitutes), 5 goals, 10 assists

FA Cup: 3 appearances (2 starts, 1 substitute), 5 goals, 3 assists

The article noted his outstanding consistency, detailing his average pass success rate of 92%, ranking first in the league, and an average of three threatening passes per game, also ranking him first in the league. Perhaps most impressively, his average assist efficiency per game reached a remarkable 1.3, while he set a new Championship record by providing assists in six consecutive league games.

The Times went on to praise Tristan's variety of skills, noting his ability to read the game and deliver accurate passes, his tendency to make forward runs, and his intelligent movement off the ball. His performances had become a game-changer for Leicester City, often leaving defenders scrambling.

But The Times didn't shy away from pointing out areas for improvement:

Physicality: "Needs to improve his strength and resilience against physical defenders."

Dribbling: "Effective but not dazzling for a playmaker.

"Shooting: "Decent, but he could be a greater threat with improved finishing."

Ball Retention: "Could be tested under Premier League pressure."

Despite these critiques, the article hailed Tristan as a generational talent, concluding:

"At just 18, Tristan isn't merely Leicester's rising star—he's one of England's most exciting young players.

The report emphasized that while Tristan had contributed an impressive 10 goals across all competitions, there was still room for growth, particularly in how he adapted to the physical and mental demands of higher-tier football, such as the Premier League.

Leicester City's manager, Nigel Pearson, wasn't concerned with the critique. When he saw the report, he simply smiled. He knew that, despite the media hype, Tristan had never once rested on his laurels—he was always looking to improve.

When Tristan himself read the report, he felt a surge of pride when he saw the compliments, but he didn't allow himself to be swept away. He took note of the criticisms, acknowledging them with a thoughtful nod. After two months of Championship play, he had begun to find his rhythm, easily navigating the pressure from opposing midfielders. He had learned how to maneuver with his back to the goal, using quick one-two passes or clever turns to evade his markers and face forward again.

Tristan knew that much of his success came from the strength of the team around him and Leicester's tactical system, which allowed him to flourish. But he was also acutely aware that once Leicester gained promotion to the Premier League, he would face far tougher opponents. The physicality of the game would ramp up, and defenders would be faster, more aggressive, and harder to beat.

As a result, Tristan wasn't complacent. Far from it—he felt a strong sense of urgency. 

His first priority? Protecting the ball. He knew that if he allowed opponents to strip him of possession, especially with his back to the goal, they could easily launch counter-attacks. Tristan began focusing on physical training, aiming to improve his ability to hold off defenders and shield the ball. He also concentrated on sharpening his first touch and ensuring that he could trap and distribute the ball under pressure.

Despite these self-imposed challenges, Tristan was grateful for the detailed analysis provided by The Times. It not only pointed out his weaknesses, giving him areas to focus on in training, but also earned him thousands of new fans. Leicester City supporters rallied behind their rising star, and Tristan saw his social media following surge overnight. The recognition extended beyond just Leicester, with fans across England taking note of his potential.

Even though only a few people knew the full story behind this well-timed report, Tristan remained unaware that his agent, Jorge Mendes, had been the mastermind behind it. The purpose? Simple: to elevate Tristan's profile as a young English footballer and position him as a future star in the game.

As an agent, Mendes was not only responsible for handling contracts and transfers but also for managing Tristan's public image. By increasing Tristan's fame, Mendes could secure higher-value commercial endorsements for his client, ultimately benefiting both of them.

In addition to all the media attention, one element of Tristan's rise that continued to draw attention was his consistently high game ratings across his 12 games so far:

9.0 (Championship, first start)

7.5 (Championship, substitute)

9.0 (Championship, second start)

9.4 (Championship)

7.0 (Championship)

8.5 (FA Cup)

7.0 (Championship, substitute)

9.5 (Championship)

8.0 (Championship)

10.0 (FA Cup, standout performance)

8.5 (Championship)

8.0 (Championship)

At just 18 years old, Tristan has already made a name for himself in England, boasting an impressive average rating that stands as the highest on the entire Leicester City squad—despite having played only 12 games with an average rating of 8.5. His performances in both the Championship and FA Cup have set him apart as one of the most exciting young talents in England.

His standout 10.0 rating came during what was undoubtedly his greatest performance to date, a flawless display in the FA Cup that had pundits and fans alike buzzing. It wasn't just a personal triumph, but one of the finest individual performances ever seen in the competition, showcasing Tristan's remarkable vision, playmaking ability, and relentless work rate.

The Times called it "a performance for the ages," emphasizing that it was not just Tristan's finest moment but one of the most outstanding FA Cup performances by any player in recent history. His mastery on the ball, tactical intelligence, and ability to orchestrate the game with such precision at such a young age cemented his reputation as a player with an incredibly bright future ahead.

Leicester City's coaching staff and fans alike have taken note of his rapid rise, and with such consistently high ratings, Tristan is already being hailed as the driving force behind Leicester's push for success this season.

Yet, despite all the praise in the world, Tristan remained grounded, viewing these ratings as markers of progress but also reminders of where he still needed to improve.

The day after The Times report came out, Tristan arrived at the Leicester training ground to a mix of playful banter and applause from his teammates. The article's headline had spread quickly, and it seemed like everyone in the locker room had something to say about it.

Jamie Vardy, the first to spot Tristan, couldn't resist making a scene. "Oi! Look who's here, Mr. Perfect Ten!" he shouted, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Got The Times writing love letters about you, eh?"

Tristan chuckled, trying to brush it off, but Riyad Mahrez was already on his case. "Yeah, mate, it's like you're the new golden boy now! Ten out of ten—what, you paying the reporters now?"

"Must be," Vardy added, crossing his arms and mock-seriously inspecting Tristan. "I mean, no one gets a ten just for showing up, right?"

Tristan laughed along with them, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, calm down, lads. You're making me sound like I've won the Ballon d'Or or something."

"Well, don't get too comfy," Mahrez teased, poking Tristan's side. "You're not the only one pulling the strings out there. We're still the ones putting those passes away."

"I can't argue with that," Tristan replied with a grin. "Riyad, you've been saving my assists. And Jamie, I'll admit you make me look good running onto those balls."

Vardy leaned in, a smirk on his face. "Just remember, when they start calling you the next big thing, I'll be telling everyone you learned it all from me."

The locker room erupted into laughter. Even the older players like Wes Morgan and Danny Drinkwater were getting in on the fun, ribbing Tristan about the article.

"Honestly, mate," Drinkwater said, sitting next to him, "you deserve it. You've been class on the pitch. But don't think we're gonna go easy on you just because The Times loves you."

"I'd expect nothing less," Tristan replied, smirking. "It's all part of the job, right?"

Nigel Pearson walked in a moment later, glancing over at Tristan with an amused smile. "You lot giving him a hard time about that article?" he asked the room, receiving a chorus of enthusiastic nods.

Pearson clapped his hands together, gathering everyone's attention. "Good. Keep him grounded. We've got bigger things ahead."

As the banter died down, Tristan couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The recognition was incredible, but the real joy came from moments like this—being part of a team, with his mates keeping him humble and reminding him of the bigger picture.

"Just don't let it get to your head, Tristan," Mahrez joked, nudging him as they made their way onto the training pitch. "You're still the kid, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah," Tristan said with a grin, adjusting his boots. "I'll just keep working until you start begging me for assists, Riyad."

"Oh, I already am!" Mahrez shot back, laughing.

As the session began, Tristan found himself more motivated than ever. The article had been a reminder of how far he'd come, but it was moments like this—that made it all worth it. This is what he wanted in his first life but never managed to reach it until he died and got a second chance, a bit tragic but it all workd out somehow for him.