Bab 9: 9
Ravier will never know what went through his head that day, but decided to invite the man to a small restaurant.
When they were served the food, the man simply devoured his dish.
- Thanks very much. You must think I'm a crook, a bad man and that you took a risk by inviting me to dinner. But that's really not the case. I'm new here and had my money stolen the first day I arrived.
So, he started telling him about his misadventures. He was 23 years old and called Branly Stanley, he is an American. He loves football very much, and his dream is to become the agent of the best player in the world. He has a degree in economics and finance too. When Ravier heard this, he remember that he is in need of an agent. Then had the brilliant idea of hiring him.
- I am Ravier and I am an AFC Ajax player. I believe we can help each other.
- I know you're a player that's why I followed you.
- Really?? How do you know??
- It's very easy, I want to be the greatest agent of the best player, I have to have a good eye to spot the best of the best.
Ravier did not believe a single one of his words. He then gave him a skeptical look and then told him.
- I guess you were in front of the stadium when you spotted me. It has nothing to do with your so-called eye or you wouldn't have been robbed so easily.
Stanley didn't even bother to show embarrassment when he was exposed. So Ravier didn't brother him again. He just said.
- Since you have nowhere to go, how would you like to become my agent? When you have found your "ideal player", we can part way.
Without even thinking Stanley held out his hand to me, saying:
- Its a deal.
Now, I understand why this guy got screwed.
And just like that Ravier got himself an agent.
After a fairly cheerful dinner, Ravier decided to do some shopping with Stanley to provide him with the bare necessities. Then he decided to go home and rest. Tomorrow promises to be a long day.
Early the next morning, Ravier got up and had breakfast before heading to AFC Ajax with Stanley. As you might expect after washing, Stanley is a very handsome young man. Rick Linke attitude today is obviously much more enthusiastic. First, they go for the medical examination. The motor functions of Ravier's body are normal. The medical examination at the medical service went very well. After completing the medical examination and reading the data, the medical examiner gave Ravier the green light. In fact, for the football club, most physical examinations of the player are just routine. Just to check if the player didn't have some hidden disease. Rick Linke returned to the office with Ravier and brought him the prepared contract.
Stanley is now Ravier agent, so he went through the contract, and checked the terms. He looked very serious and rigorous.
In addition to the physical examination, it was the study of the details of the Contract that was done this day. After finally confirming that there was no problem, Ravier signed his name on the contract!
So, his first pro contract was born. From that moment he became the player of AFC Ajax Club. In the afternoon, Ravier did not directly join the team to train. He was taken to the youth team training ground by Rick Linke and then introduced to him by three coaches. Throughout the afternoon, he performed various individual practice tests. Strength, speed, balance, endurance, etc.
AFC Ajax, a world-renowned club for training young people. Now they will create a folder for Ravier too. The coaches were surprised by Ravier's performance. Looking from the outside, if Ravier reveals his upper body when wearing only shorts, one can clearly see his muscle lines. The muscles aren't too thick, and they pack incredible explosive power. When the coaches asked him questions about his diet and his life, Ravier didn't hide anything. He spoke at his practices about his former team, his rules of life and his training over the years. It was almost 7:00 p.m. when they finished with his profile.
In the next few day, the training began and Ravier took part in it. The first week of training camp is definitely a trip to hell for players who haven't practiced for over a month, but that's nothing for Ravier.
Ravier's performance even sparked the vigilance of main goalkeeper Lebont. Although he firmly held the main position after joining Ajax, Lebont's main strength in the new season is not stable because now there is concurrence.
But despite this, Lebont is still very confident in his abilities. He still believes that as long as the competition is fair, he will remain Ajax's first-choice starting goalkeeper.
Compared to Lebont's confidence in himself, another keeper doesn't think so: in Stekelenburg's eyes, Ravier is a villain.
It's no secret that Ravier the newcomer trained at the club for the whole holiday. In Stekelenburg's eyes, Ravier's behavior is to win the coach's goodwill. So, after the start of the team's training, Stekelenburg, never did well at Ravier.
Stekelenburg's hostility was not only felt by Ravier as an involved party, but also by other players at Ajax, and it did not escape coach Koeman's attention. Ravier believes that if people don't offend him, he will not too. For him, professional football has always been about strength. Stekelenburg's talent is good, but it needs time and accumulation of experience. It's not like him who has a cheat.
So, such a person does not deserve Ravier's attention. His eyes should be on Lebont, aiming for Ajax's main goalkeeper position.
The week-long physical exercise ended, the players gradually recovered, the team officially started ball training and Koeman officially started implementing his own tactics.
What you can really see on the training ground is far from comparable to those in the game. As for the goalkeeper, their performance in training is not bad.
Stekelenburg, and Ravier were practicing together even if he was hostile towards Ravier, so the two started helping each other for a while.
However, this situation did not last long, as there is a key difference between the two as they trained. As a result, Stekelenburg overtrained and was injured.
The injury was not serious, but it was a fatal blow for Stekelenburg, as this injury would cause him to miss the next friendly match and the first two league rounds. After this period, he has a clear idea of Ravier's strength.
Although Stekelenburg wouldn't admit it, in some ways he was indeed inferior to Ravier which made him even more desperate.
So, slowly at substitute goalkeeper level, Koeman discovered that Ravier could actually be a substitute.
At 8 a.m. Ravier stood outside the AFC Ajax training base. After the friendly matches which went well, Ravier finally secured his place as a substitute. With the end of the friendly match, the curtain for the competition will be officially launched.
Ravier, is the first player to come to the locker room in the morning. He slowly walked through the locker room, looked at the name tag, and the various jersey numbers. The AFC Ajax first team list is attached below.
Goalkeeper: Lobont (main squad), Ravier (substitute) Stekelenburg (substitute).
Defender: Grygera, Trabelsi, Heitinga, Escude, Van Damme, Pasanen, Maxwell.
Midfield: De Jong, Galásek, O'brien, Van Der Vaart, Sneijder, Pienaar, Litmanen.
Forwards: Sikora, Sotals, Sonck, Mitea, Ibrahim.
Ravier finally stood in front of his closet. Gradually the other players began to arrive for practice. Most of them already knew him since they played a few friendly matches together.
In this closed circle, there is always great competition, and there are often conflicts between the leaders of the club. So, the best way to gain respect is to prove your strength on the pitch.
August 2003.
During this morning's training, Ravier was placed on the starting list for the next game by head coach Koeman. This made Ravier very surprised and excited, but also made him aware of his position in the first team. Ravier would never have thought he was going to play a match so early in his career.
Because the next match will be the preliminary round of the championship league and AFC Ajax will be invited to challenge the Grazer Ak team Who play in the Austrian 1st Division.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone