Chapter 149 – Transfer Theory (3)

149

With each passing day, a new story makes its way up and down the newspapers.

Which EPL club is additionally interested in, saying that they offered a new offer, that the club rejected it, or that they did not give up and offered better terms.

At the beginning of the season, I was unwillingly featured on the front page of the newspaper and attracted aggro from all over Germany.

It has been more than 10 years since the Korean Wave boom, but it was a passing wind that did not reach most Germans, but the spiciness of Korean ‘sasaeng fan culture’ made them dizzy.

Thanks to this, my face appeared in the mass media for a while, regardless of newspapers, broadcasts, and magazines, and my awareness skyrocketed.

One surprising thing is that the number of anti-fans has not increased as much as expected.

No matter how much time has passed, racism still exists.
It was to the extent that the first language I learned while playing in Spain or Germany was swear words about racism.

However, young German women, not just one or two, but hundreds of young women, were fascinated by ‘Asian men’ and stalked them systematically and in an orderly manner like soldiers on their own. Out of nowhere, only fans increased.

An embarrassing incident that occurred in Germany, the head of the EU, and it was a topic of discussion throughout Germany, so it was reported to neighboring countries, and countless girls of all races who came to see me with the thought, ‘How good are you?’ Awareness has risen vertically.

It’s only in Korea, well, it’s because the soup is fully charged. No, Japan and China… Yes, Southeast Asia is also Asian anyway, so it can be like that… Why the hell are European, American, and South American kids making a fuss?

Even Oh Harin and Yoon Daye, who were worried about the headwind, were dumbfounded.
There is no way the media will not react to the offer to me that has soared awareness. Since the Bundesliga is already exceptionally quiet this winter transfer market, all attention was focused on me.

As such, articles about me flooded in every day, and on January 17, the second half of the Bundesliga schedule began.
On the first day of the second half, the main characters of the first game were Frankfurt and SC Freiburg.

The problem is, the attention of the press conference before the game is all focused on my transfer.

“Under….”

As the first game to announce the start of the second half, unlike usual, everyone gathered in the locker room and watched the interview before the game, and a sigh escaped from my mouth.

There were no questions about today’s game, only questions about my transfer, to the point where the manager and the captain who attended the interview hardened their faces. It wasn’t my fault, but it made my teammates feel embarrassed.

“Wow. Superstars are different. See the reporters now? How many of them are there?”
“As expected, Minjun is amazing.”

I laughed hard at Chicharo and Bruno’s jokes and looked at my colleagues.
Colleagues who understood the rumors of transfer like a professional were also a bit surprised by the reaction of reporters today.

Even after the press conference was over and the coach and captain returned, the awkward atmosphere did not ease.
Only then will you be able to play today’s game properly. No matter how good each player’s skills are and how much tactical training they do, players are still human after all. There are bound to be ups and downs depending on the mood or physical condition of the day.

Just hesitating to pass in a rough mind makes it more creaky than usual.
1 second… No, that short moment of hesitation, less than one second, gathers to create a crack.

I realize all over again that the team whose atmosphere has collapsed due to transfer rumors is not slipping for nothing.
At this time, would it have been helpful if you had high leadership or teamwork skills?

“What is everyone so fat about? Try transferring once or twice?”

I was only looking at it, but the captain jumped up.

“What. Didn’t you guys think that Minjun would always be together?”
“I thought.”

Chicharo abruptly interrupted the captain’s words.
I burst out laughing wahaha at that honest and immature answer.

“If it’s that pea, it wouldn’t be strange to think like that.”
“It’s like a little boy’s idea. Your hair is very fairytale.”
“What am I! Am I the only one who enjoys playing with Minjun?”
“Right. Running with Minjun is fun. I feel like the game is going to be so much fun. You all know What kind of guy Minjun is.”

One by one, the chattering voice diminishes at the words of the laughing captain.

“I have seen many players, but I have never seen a player with such brilliant talent as our superstar. Transfer? I will. Anywhere is possible with this guy. Hey Mondy. Where is your dream club?”
“Vecchia Signora.”
“Five! Old Lady! Like an Italian, Juventus. But unfortunately, it is a club that is not in the transfer rumors.”
“Of course. I haven’t received an offer yet, so how can that guy get it first?”

The Italian replied chicly to the captain’s question.

“Hey Halid. You?”
“I am Manchester City.”
“The rival team is said to be a club that is likely to transfer, do you have any plans to change to Manchester United?”
“No. I like sky blue.”
“What about our jolly friend Donald?”
“I am also Real Madrid.”
“It is a club with a great history. Even Real Madrid said they were interested. Then what about our peas?”
“Of course Barcelona.”
“Uh… I’ve already been there, so I’ll pass.”

What was so funny that I burst out laughing wahaha.

“Did you see it? He’s the guy who links to places that are being talked about as dream clubs, this guy. Now you’re only a 21-year-old kid. Besides, everyone knows. How fast this guy grew up.”

Everyone nods at the words of the captain who returned with a serious expression.

“Transfer? I will! With this guy, you can go anywhere! You don’t have to be disappointed though. Why? This guy, Hong Min-jun, will become a world-class player. In my eyes, the superstar in front of us looks better than guys like Jorge, Mendy and Raul. Okay? This guy will go down in history. And we become one of the very lucky few who played with that great player.”
“Like Messi?”
“Yes, Chicharo. What a fun and proud opportunity to play with a player like Messi.”
“Ronaldo too!”
“Well… Because I personally hate Ronaldo.”

The Portuguese Fabian Fiedler did not laugh alone.

“So everyone enjoy the game. We are very lucky guys to be teammates with players like Messi. And our superstar. Know? I said this, but if it’s sluggish or loses… It’s smearing my face Can I trust you?”

The claim that was put in front of my eyes stood up as I joined my big hands.

“Sure. We will win today’s game.”

* * *

The first match of the second half of the Bundesliga was Frankfurt vs SC Freiburg.
Although it is a promoted team, it is common for experts and fans to predict the victory of Frankfurt as it is a match between a team that is in third place in the league table and a team that is in the lower ranks competing for relegation.

“Frankfurt, with its thin depth, can’t afford to compete in cups and European competitions in the league. In addition, the fact that we are too dependent on key players is a weakness.”
“I agree. The dependence on key players is too high. Chicharo, the only player in the midfield who has the ability to move forward and release pressure, and if captain Alexander Meyer, who is the core of the defense, is injured or falls into poor condition, his performance will drop sharply. Above all, Hong Min-joon, who is the center of Frankfurt’s offense, is in fact his first full-time season as a professional this season. It’s also a harsh schedule to travel to and from Asia on the other side of the globe, so it wouldn’t be strange if the second half suddenly fell into a slump.”
“We already showed signs of that at the end of the first half. In particular, the deterioration of the athletic ability of player Hong Min-joon was conspicuous. He had the lowest rating in the first half, committing three crucial misses in the last match against Bochum.”

Since it was the first game of the second half, the attention of football fans waiting for the league to resume was bound to be focused, and since it was a game featuring the hottest player in the media these days, interest was extremely high.

Of course, the media can’t miss this opportunity.
Prior to this game, the panelists who analyzed the league prospects and team-by-team poured out their predictions while spending a lot of time on Frankfurt, the team that is receiving the most attention this season.

“But considering Hong Min-joon’s growth, he might come back in a better shape in the second half.”
“Hmm… That’s hard to agree with. The player’s growth is certainly noteworthy, but it is a temporary rise that occurred in the process of adapting to a changed body. It will be difficult for a rookie who has already been hit as analyzed to rebound. Besides, it has to do with the lack of stamina.”
“Oh Jimmy, please. Let’s not set too harsh standards for our rookies. I’m looking forward to the rookie’s performance in the second half. He has already proven his great qualities and will play in the second half to make me happy.”

The panels showed a confrontational aspect, and after taking an appropriate amount of time,

“Anyway, it will depend on how Frankfurt and Hong Min-jun show in the first game of the second half.”

Naturally, I turned my attention to the game.
And on the data screen that followed, SC Freiburg’s director’s only interview came out.

“We are confident that we will be able to stop Frankfurt’s attacking power. With today’s win, we’ll get out of the relegation zone and make a second-half rebound.”