Football Card System

Sam Parker soon realized his predicament when the team began group training—and he was excluded!

During the earlier recovery training sessions, each player followed a personalized plan created by the coaching staff, so Parker hadn't felt the impact of being sidelined. But now, as the team moved into group drills without him, the reality of his diminished status within the team—and in the eyes of the new Chinese head coach—hit him hard.

Damn! Are they really planning to go into the league this season with those two amateur players they picked up from amateur teams?!

Parker wasn't the most determined person by nature, but even he felt a twinge of anxiety. After all, in a football team, the head coach wields the most authority. If Gao Bo was serious about sidelining him, there was little Parker could do.

This was not the outcome Parker wanted. He still hoped to use a few strong performances on the pitch to attract the attention of other teams. Otherwise, as a player returning from a serious injury, it wouldn't be easy for him to secure a good transfer.

Feeling conflicted, Parker glanced down at the training plan handed to him by the coaching staff.

Sixty minutes of cardio... God help me.

Weight room training... Are they serious?!

Boiled egg whites and semolina bread for lunch... Is this really food for a star striker?!

Originally, Parker had considered apologizing to the Chinese head coach and admitting his mistakes, but the sight of the grueling training plan made him reconsider. To him, this was outright humiliation!

Since the coaching staff was short-staffed and no one was supervising him, Parker decided to sneak over to the group training session.

On the training ground, Gao Bo was in the middle of explaining the day's schedule to the players. The morning would focus on physical training, and the afternoon would emphasize defensive drills, progressing from one-on-one to full team exercises.

"First and foremost, I want to emphasize pressing!" Gao Bo said, his voice rising. "You must be physical in confrontations and put pressure on the opponent's ball handlers! Our defense involves the entire team, from the strikers to the goalkeeper! Everyone must participate—no exceptions! Keep the three lines close together and focus on defending the middle. Do not allow the opponent to break through the center; force them to the flanks whenever possible!"

Gao Bo was gesturing passionately on the tactical board when he suddenly noticed Sam Parker standing at the back of the group. He stopped mid-sentence and frowned.

The players noticed the head coach's pause and followed his gaze to Parker. They knew Parker had been excluded from group training as a punishment for his lack of effort, but many thought it was only temporary. After all, Parker was considered the team's most reliable striker.

The players looked at Gao Bo and then back at Parker, sensing tension in the air.

Kevin Keane, the team captain, grew worried. If the head coach and their "top striker" clashed, the team's prospects for the season could be jeopardized.

John Aston, another senior player, sighed inwardly. Sam Parker had never been this much of a troublemaker in previous seasons. Now, watching Gao Bo's youthful face, Aston couldn't help but think, This guy is so young… does he have the authority to handle this?

Gao Bo, his expression dark, broke the silence. "Did I allow you to join group training?"

All eyes turned to Parker, whose face flushed bright red from embarrassment.

Damn it, this Chinese guy is humiliating me in front of everyone! How am I supposed to maintain my reputation as the team's number one striker?!

His anger boiling over, Parker snapped, "Who do you think you are, huh? Chinese?!"

The players gasped audibly, their heads swiveling back to Gao Bo.

Hearing this, Gao Bo smiled coldly. "I already said—if your weight isn't at the proper level, you're not allowed to join group training!"

He turned to address the entire team, his tone firm.

"My roster is blank right now. There are no guaranteed starters. I don't care what your status was before; from this point onward, your position depends on your performance in training. Your attitude and ability will determine whether you're a starter, a substitute, or someone who doesn't even make the squad! Show me what you've got in training. If you're not up to standard, don't blame me for leaving you on the bench!"

The players were taken aback by Gao Bo's words.

Charlie Austin, a young striker, felt his blood boil. He believed in Gao Bo for no particular reason and vowed to work hard in training to earn his spot. I'm never going back to a life of laboring!

Vardy, too, felt a surge of excitement. As a player plucked from the amateur leagues, breaking into the professional lineup wouldn't be easy. But Gao Bo's words gave him hope.

The 21-year-old Vardy was burning with desire for the professional stage. To him, every match was an opportunity to chase his dreams, even if it meant putting his life on the line.

Gao Bo's speech ignited a fire in the young players, but for Sam Parker, it only further cemented his role as a cautionary tale.

Gao Bo turned back to Parker. "You have two choices. Either follow