Kapitel 21: 21. Amazing Gift

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With the ball in his hands and the memory of the match fresh in his mind, Francesco felt an overwhelming sense of purpose. He had found his passion, and with the support of his family, teammates, and coaches, he was determined to chase it, one goal at a time.

Days had flown by since Francesco's memorable match against Liverpool's U18 team, and he was already making headlines with his performances. In the six matches that followed, he had consistently dazzled, scoring and assisting with an intensity that raised his profile further. The media was already calling him a "teenage sensation," and he felt his confidence and understanding of the game deepening with every match. Of the six games he played, two were at home, where his family and classmates packed the stands, and four were away, where he faced new challenges but continued to thrive.

His most notable performance came in the game against Manchester City U18. In that match, he scored an astounding five goals—achieving a rare "pentatrick" that left spectators and coaches alike in awe. Francesco was on fire, weaving through defenders with ease, outmaneuvering the opposition, and finishing with a ruthless precision that was beginning to define his playing style. By the final whistle, Manchester City's U18 defense was left stunned, and the football community had taken serious note of his abilities. Francesco was becoming a name to watch.

And now, today was November 25th—his birthday. Francesco was filled with excitement as he celebrated at home with his parents, Sarah and Mike, who had organized a small gathering of friends, teammates, classmates, and even Coach Smith, who had been a huge support to him. The room was decorated with banners, and a table was laden with snacks and a beautifully decorated birthday cake. Francesco felt a wave of warmth as he saw the people who meant the most to him gathered together. His teammates from the Arsenal U18 team brought him a small trophy with his name engraved on it, congratulating him for his recent success on the pitch.

Coach Smith approached him with a grin. "Another year older and already making waves," he said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Francesco, you've got a long road ahead, but if you keep this up, you're going to go places most players only dream of."

"Thank you, Coach," Francesco replied, smiling. "I couldn't have done it without you pushing me to improve every day."

His classmates also cheered him on, teasing him about the way he'd been dominating games lately. Among the group was his best friend, Danny, who had known him long before his football stardom. Danny handed him a small gift with a grin, saying, "Happy birthday, mate! Don't forget us when you're the next big star!"

Francesco laughed, feeling grateful for all the support and camaraderie. He could hardly imagine what his life would be without them. The birthday festivities continued, filled with laughter, music, and a palpable sense of joy.

Meanwhile, at the Arsenal training ground, Arsène Wenger was deep in conversation with his coaching staff. The team was in desperate need of fresh attacking options for the upcoming January transfer window, and Wenger had been reviewing a list of potential strikers from around Europe. But his mind kept drifting back to Francesco. The young star had already proven himself a force on the U18 team, but there was something special about him that couldn't be ignored. Wenger leaned back in his chair, considering the possibilities.

One of his assistants, Steve Bould, noticed Wenger's thoughtful expression. "Arsène," he ventured, "you're thinking about Francesco, aren't you? I can see it. That kid is a natural-born striker."

Wenger nodded, folding his hands. "Yes, Steve, I can't deny that he's impressed me. But he's still young, and there's a big step between the youth league and the Premier League. However, his consistency, skill, and intelligence on the field are something we don't often see in a player his age. He has a maturity that is hard to find."

Another coach, Neil Banfield, chimed in, "He's got that instinct for goal, Arsène. You saw it against Manchester City—five goals in a single game. It's almost like he knows where the ball will be before anyone else does."

The room grew quiet as the coaching staff considered the weight of what they were discussing. It wasn't often that a player as young as Francesco made it into conversations about the first team. But his recent performances were undeniable. The question was whether they should bring him up this season or wait until he'd matured further.

"We could look at him as a long-term investment," Wenger said, thinking aloud. "He could train with the first team, get some experience, and then, in a few years, he'll be ready to take on the league."

"But, Arsène," Steve interrupted, "consider the impact he's already having. He's faced some of the best youth players and outperformed all of them. Bringing him into the first team could be the spark we need."

Steve Bould leaned forward, his gaze steady as he continued. "Arsène, Francesco turned sixteen today. This means he's eligible for a senior contract if he shows promise in his debut with the first team. We could tie him to Arsenal before any other clubs swoop in."

Wenger looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Do you think we're at risk of losing him?"

Steve nodded, a hint of urgency in his voice. "There are rumors, Arsène. Manchester City and Chelsea have already shown interest, and with his youth contract, they could poach him if we don't act soon. Francesco's performances haven't gone unnoticed. If he keeps progressing like this, he'll have offers lined up before we know it."

Wenger folded his arms, deep in thought. Steve's words hit a nerve; he had seen young talents leave before, only to regret not securing them earlier. Arsenal was a club known for nurturing young players, but in today's competitive environment, they couldn't risk losing Francesco to a rival.

Seeing the hesitation on Wenger's face, Steve leaned in closer, speaking with a persuasive tone. "How about this: we pay Francesco a visit, bring him the news in person. It would be a memorable birthday gift—an opportunity to show him how valued he is here at Arsenal. We don't need to make a firm decision on his debut yet, but letting him know that we're considering him for the first team could make all the difference."

Wenger's face softened as he considered the idea. It would be a bold move but one that showed faith in Francesco and reinforced Arsenal's commitment to nurturing talent. And what better way to show the young player his potential future at the club than by delivering the news personally?

"Alright, Steve," Wenger said, his decision made. "Let's go see the boy and let him know what's in store for him. But let's make sure he understands the journey ahead—it won't be an easy path, but if he's willing to work, we'll be there to support him every step of the way."

A smile spread across Steve's face, pleased that Wenger was on board. "I'll arrange everything. It'll mean the world to him, Arsène. And it's not every day you get to deliver news like this to a young talent."

Wenger nodded, feeling a sense of excitement himself. With that, they made their way to Francesco's home, ready to deliver the news that would mark a turning point in the young player's life.

Back at Francesco's house, he was laughing with his friends and family, blissfully unaware of the surprise awaiting him. The knock on the door came as a sudden interruption, and when Francesco's father, Mike, opened it, his jaw nearly dropped at the sight of Arsenal's legendary manager and assistant coach.

"Mr. Wenger, Coach Bould—this is unexpected!" Mike stammered, glancing over his shoulder as Francesco and the rest of the guests turned to see who was at the door.

Francesco's eyes went wide with disbelief as he saw Wenger and Steve Bould standing there, smiling. His friends fell silent, all of them equally starstruck.

"Happy birthday, Francesco," Wenger greeted, his voice warm. "We thought we'd stop by to deliver some news personally."

Francesco, his face a mix of surprise and excitement, could barely find his voice. "Thank you, Mr. Wenger, Coach Bould. I… I didn't expect this."

Wenger stepped forward, placing a hand on Francesco's shoulder. "Francesco, you've shown extraordinary promise these past months. Your performances have been exceptional, and the staff and I believe you have the potential to make an impact beyond the youth team. If you're ready to take on the challenge, we'd like to see you train with the first team."

The room erupted in cheers and applause, and Francesco's family beamed with pride. Francesco could hardly believe what he was hearing. "Are you serious?" he asked, still in shock.

Steve Bould laughed. "Absolutely, Francesco. We see a lot of potential in you, and we don't want to risk losing you to other clubs. This isn't just an opportunity to train with the first team; if things go well, we'd like to offer you a senior contract, securing your future with Arsenal."

Francesco's heart was racing. This was everything he'd dreamed of and more. He glanced at his parents, who looked back at him with tears of pride in their eyes, and then back at Wenger, who nodded, his expression full of encouragement.

"This is only the beginning, Francesco," Wenger added. "We'll be there to help you grow, but the journey will demand hard work and discipline. If you're ready, we're ready to support you."

Francesco took a deep breath, his mind racing with excitement and gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Wenger. Thank you, Coach Bould. I'm ready to give it everything I've got."

As Francesco was still processing the news, his mother, Sarah, stepped forward with a warm smile. "Mr. Wenger, Coach Bould, please come in! We have plenty of food and drinks; it's the least we can do to thank you for stopping by."

Arsène Wenger and Steve Bould exchanged a quick glance before nodding, clearly delighted by the invitation. "Thank you, Mrs. Lee. It'd be our pleasure," Wenger replied graciously.

As they entered the cozy living room, they noticed Coach Smith, who had been chatting with Francesco's father, Mike. Coach Smith looked up, momentarily stunned at the sight of Wenger and Bould. He quickly rose to greet them, shaking hands with the Arsenal legends.

"Mr. Wenger, Coach Bould—what an honor! I didn't expect to see you here," Coach Smith said, his admiration clear.

Wenger smiled warmly, acknowledging the man who had helped guide Francesco's early development. "Coach Smith, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard excellent things about your work with Francesco. He's lucky to have had such a dedicated coach."

Coach Smith, clearly flattered, chuckled and nodded. "The boy's a natural, Mr. Wenger. But I must say, he's one of the most hardworking players I've ever coached. It's no surprise he's caught your attention."

As everyone settled, Mike handed Wenger and Bould a couple of plates filled with delicious snacks. Sarah poured them drinks, and the room hummed with an easy, celebratory atmosphere. Wenger took a sip and looked around, taking in the warmth of Francesco's family and friends.

"I have to say, Francesco," Wenger said, looking back at the young talent with pride, "it's clear you have a strong support system here. That will be essential as you move forward in your career. Arsenal values players who understand the importance of family, loyalty, and hard work, and from what I can see, you have all three."

Francesco smiled, glancing at his parents, Coach Smith, and his friends. "Thank you, Mr. Wenger. I wouldn't be where I am without them."

The gathering continued with laughter and conversation. Wenger and Bould shared a few stories from their years at Arsenal, filling the room with awe as everyone listened. Eventually, as the evening drew to a close, Wenger and Bould thanked Sarah and Mike for their hospitality, expressing their gratitude for the warm welcome.

"It was a pleasure meeting all of you," Wenger said as they prepared to leave. "We look forward to seeing Francesco at the training ground. And remember, Francesco—this is just the beginning. Keep working hard, and the future is yours."

With one last smile and a wave, Wenger and Bould made their way out, leaving Francesco and his family filled with excitement and gratitude.

As soon as the door closed behind Wenger and Bould, Francesco's teammates erupted into the room, their excitement palpable. They surrounded him, shouting, "Congratulations, Francesco!"

Danny, always the life of the party, stepped forward with a huge grin. "You're officially on your way to being an Arsenal star! Let's celebrate!" Before Francesco could fully process the moment, his teammates hoisted him into the air, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

"Hip, hip, hooray!" they chanted in unison, tossing him up once, and he felt weightless as he soared through the air.

"Hip, hip, hooray!" they shouted again, throwing him up a second time. Laughter filled the room as he glanced at the beaming faces of his friends, their pride and joy infectious.

"Hip, hip, hooray!" they cheered one last time, launching him into the air for the third throw. As he came down, Francesco couldn't help but laugh, his heart racing with exhilaration.

When they finally set him back on his feet, he was surrounded by high-fives and pats on the back. His teammates grinned from ear to ear, clearly thrilled for him.

"You've worked so hard for this, Francesco! You deserve it!" shouted Jake, another teammate.

Danny wrapped an arm around Francesco's shoulders, beaming. "And when you're lifting trophies, remember us little guys!"

Francesco, still buzzing from the surprise visit and his teammates' enthusiasm, felt overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you, everyone. I couldn't have done it without your support. We're all in this together!"

As the night continued, the living room filled with the sounds of laughter and celebration. Stories were shared, and plans were made for future matches and practices. Francesco felt an unbreakable bond with his friends, and in that moment, he knew he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead on his journey to becoming a professional footballer.

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Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 16 (2014)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal First Team

Championship History : None