champion godfather

Chapter 949
Time has entered June, and the teammates of the national team finally saw their captain.

When George Wood came to the national team to report, reporters gathered. The media and fans all wanted to see how Wood's foot injury was recovering.If he was still wearing slippers and walking on crutches, everyone's hearts would sink.

When the gray Bentley of Wood's agent, Billy Wooks, was parked at the gate of Kearney, the security guards tried their best to push away the surrounding reporters, but they couldn't stop the strafing of Wood with long guns and short cannons.

George Wood got out of the car with his head down, and everyone's eyes were on his right foot.They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Wood in his usual pair of Nike sneakers.

Then Wood didn't turn around and took out a pair of crutches from the car, so he got out of the car and stood in front of everyone.

Wu Kes got out of the car, walked to the back, opened the trunk, and took out Wood's luggage.This indicates that Wood will go to Spain with the team instead of staying at home for treatment.

The security guards felt that the pressure behind them was much greater, and it seemed that they were about to be unable to stop them.Those crazy media and fans were like a tidal wave, hitting the dam formed by the security guards.Numerous microphones and cameras passed over the heads of the security guards, reaching towards George Wood.

"George! How is your injury?"

"Is it okay to walk on the ground?"

"What about running?"

"Are you sure you can catch up with the European Cup?"

"George! George! The 'St. George Fans Association' wishes you a speedy recovery, can you give us a word?"

"Mr. Wood..."

The security guards were painfully maintaining order at the scene. If those people launched another offensive, the line of defense would collapse.Fortunately, a voice rescued them.

"If you keep pushing like this, I bet you're going to 'accidentally' step on George's right big toe."

A voice with electronic whistling sounded behind everyone. It was very loud, no matter how noisy the environment was, no one was afraid that no one would hear it.

The sound was like a spell, causing everyone to stop rushing forward.Then they looked back at the source of the sound.

Tony Twain stood behind them, holding a loudspeaker in his hand, looking at them with a straight face.

At this moment, everyone knew that it was time for the movie to end.

The crowd around Wood gradually dispersed, and the security guards finally breathed a sigh of relief. Their uniforms had long been soaked in sweat, and some people left black handprints on them who did not know who pressed them.

When Wood saw Tang En, a smile appeared on his face.

Tang En's face also turned from cloudy to sunny, and the sun shone brightly.

Billy Wooks handed the luggage bag in his hand to Wood, then waved to Dunn, then turned and got into the car.Tang En threw the loudspeaker at a certain security guard and strode towards Wood.

The reporters thought that Dunn might shake hands with Wood, but unexpectedly Tang En hugged Wood directly.

He hugged Wood hard, for fear that he would run away again.

Dunn knew about Wood's report to the national team a day in advance. Professor Wallace personally called him and informed him that Wood could go to Spain with the team based on his recovery from the injury, but the recovery training still couldn't be relaxed.He has notified the team doctor of the national team to focus on care.

But Tang En would not really feel at ease when he did not see Wood appearing in front of him.He was afraid that he would receive a call from Professor Wallace when he woke up, telling him that Wood got his big toe stuck in the drain pipe while taking a shower and caused a second injury, so he had to bid farewell to this European Cup...

Although this reason is absurd, it is not without precedent.

Well now, Wood is really here, and the pressure on Tang En's heart is much lighter.At least he no longer has to face the media's doubts about whether Wood can really catch up with the European Cup.Moreover, Wood's return to the team has also injected a calming force into the somewhat uneasy team, and everyone's restless hearts have settled down-the backbone on the court is back.

"Welcome back to the team, George." Dunn, who was hugging Wood, whispered in his ear.

※ ※ ※

Wood's return to the team is big news, and the major media are scrambling to report it. The insecurity that has been haunting England fans has finally dissipated.Although the national team held a press conference to say that Wood's injury is not yet ready for training with the team, but there is hope.

The European Cup starts on June [-]th, and England's first game is on June [-]th, there are still [-] days left, it will always get better.

George Wood said in an interview that he feels good now and there is no problem in participating in the European Cup.

In fact, that afternoon, after the team's training ended, Dunn called Wood alone, and conducted a secret test with the team doctors. It turned out that the big toe of his right foot was still very painful, and he couldn't exert force whether he was running or touching the ball. .

This result made Dunn frown.Things haven't fundamentally improved.Wood's coming to the national team is probably more for the purpose of showing a gesture and reassuring everyone...

In the end, Wood could only continue his recovery training in the swimming pool.

The next day, Wood flew to Barcelona, ​​Spain with the team. Their first group match was at the Nou Camp, so England also chose this city for the pre-match training camp.

The beautiful Barcelona will not make Tang En feel better. The team's overall tactics have already been formed, but that is under the premise of George Wood's appearance.For more than a month, Twain has been practicing how the team should play in Wood's absence.The daily 15-minute training that was routinely open to the media was full of meaningless warm-ups, and Tang En hid the real things so that no one could see them.

During this period, Tang En saw a lot of German reporters outside the training camp. He believed that these reporters also collected information for the German national team, because the reporters in England would do the same. The reporters who had a good relationship with Tang En were interviewing other countries. When the team is training, they will deliberately collect some helpful information for the England team, and then hand it over to the England team.

German reporters are most concerned about how George Wood's injury is recovering.They also know that Wood is now the core figure of the England team, and England without him is a different team.When they saw the England players gathered together to warm up, but only George Wood was jogging in the corner, they all smiled with relief—it seemed that Wood's foot injury was not recovering smoothly.

On June 15th, George Wood finally conducted a public training with the ball alone.Although the opening time for the media is still only [-] minutes, the sidelines of the training field are crowded with media from all over the world.

Wood did training moves such as jumping and passing the ball in front of the media, and it seemed that there was no problem.

The English cheered, the Germans were a little depressed.

But how did they know that the truth is definitely not as simple as it is shown.

※ ※ ※

Professor Wallace, who specially flew from England to Barcelona, ​​Spain, conducted a comprehensive examination on Wood's injured right foot, and then he had a secret conversation with Twain.

Seven days before the start of the game, this secret meeting may determine whether Wood will follow the team to participate in the European Cup.

"Wood's condition is not enough to participate in the official game." Wallace said straight to the point.

Tang En was not surprised by this result, but his brows were tightened even more.

"Training with the ball also requires caution."

"Can you give me an exact comeback date now, Professor?" Tang En only cared about this.

Wallace obviously had thought about it for a long time, and he replied without hesitation: "He will definitely not be able to catch up with Portugal, and the match against Wales will also depend on how he recovers during this period." He paused, Then he said, "I think the safest way is not to let Wood participate in the group stage."

"You mean he can come back after reaching the knockout stage?"

"At least it's very likely."

Tang En fell into deep thought.

This group is not weak. Germany and Portugal are strong enemies. Wales has also risen. After 40 years, they reached the European Cup finals again. They must be full of confidence and fighting spirit. Such a team will often become a dark horse.

Can England, without George Wood, retreat from the group of death and fight their way out?

Now Tang En has no idea.

Seeing his distress, Wallace said: "If you think this is risky, you can replace Wood. Anyway, even if he can participate in the knockout stage, I cannot guarantee that he will not be injured again. And more importantly The most important thing is his state, he hasn't played for so long, and he hasn't practiced with the whole team, even if he can't guarantee his state, even if he plays, it may not have a good result."

Wallace spoke to Tang En's heart.He is most worried about two points, injuries and status.

Wood's foot injury is still not healed, and he doesn't know whether he can maintain his pre-injury level.

As long as Wood plays, he must be the core, and if the core is not in the state...the consequences will be unimaginable.

In short, this is a very risky gamble.

Wallace knew that Dunn needed to think carefully, there were too many things holding him back.He quietly took his leave.When he came out of the training camp, he was surrounded by the media, and he must be asked to talk about what he had talked with Twain.

"We talked about Wood's injury, but I can't tell you anything, sorry."

In some embarrassment, he got into his car and drove away.

※ ※ ※

There are indeed many factors that hinder Tang En from making a final decision.He has to consider what effect his decision will have on Wood's career, positively?or negative?He also has to consider whether Wood's foot injury is progressing as Wallace predicts, and he will be able to play in the knockout stage.In addition, what is Wood's state? He is always recovering from his injuries and training alone, and there is no clue at all.Then there is the result of this competition, which is also an important factor that cannot be ignored.Giving up George Wood, what would the team achieve?If you insist on keeping Wood in Spain, what impact will it have on the results?
This is not a simple contradiction between a player's professional life and the pursuit of honor... If it was just like that, Twain might be relaxed.

Seeing that the European Cup was about to start, Dunn decided to have another interview with Wood, this time might be the last chance to choose.Regardless of the outcome, he has to make a decision.He didn't want such annoyance to occupy an important place in his mind until June [-]th.

※ ※ ※

Wood crawled out of the swimming pool, wiped off the water droplets on his face, and saw Tang En squatting in front of him.

"How does it feel?" he asked.

"I don't think it's a problem," Wood replied.

"I'm very troubled now, George." Dunn watched Wood climb up and handed him a dry towel.

Wood didn't answer. He wiped off the water from his head and sat on the edge of the pool next to Tang En.

"I talked to Professor Wallace just now, and he said that your injury makes it impossible to play in the group stage. It means that if you want to play, the England team needs to break into the knockout stage. I am a little worried about the group stage..."

"No problem." Wood interrupted Tang En's words, and said this sentence out of nowhere.

"Ah? What's all right?"

"They have no problem in the group stage." Wood trusts his teammates.

Tang En nodded, and he said that if there is no problem, then it will be no problem. "Okay, so what's your status?"

Wood replied honestly: "I don't know, I haven't played football, so I don't know how my status is."

"I haven't touched football for so many days, are my feet rusty?"

Wood stretched his ankle, shook his head and said, "Not really."

Tang En smiled.

"George, actually we still have the World Cup..."

"I know. I also want the European Cup." Wood was a little "greedy".

This time Tang En burst out laughing. He was so laughing that he almost fell into the swimming pool.

"You're greedy, George!"

"Don't you want it?" Wood asked back.

Tang En grinned: "Greed is my favorite original sin."

There was a moment of silence between the two before Tang En said: "George, do you really want to participate in this European Cup?"

"Yes."

"This decision has a lot of risk, it's like a gamble."

Wood didn't answer, he waited for Tang En to continue.

"I have been insisting to the media that you can make it to the Euros, but now I have to admit to them that is not the case."

Wood frowned, and he had a bad feeling.

"It's going to put a lot of pressure on me and the team, but I want you to prove to them that it's worth it. Remember what I said when I was in the hospital? As long as you have hope of recovery, I will take You go to Spain." Tang En looked at Wood, "Professor Wallace told me that your recovery date is in the knockout stage. In other words, in order to play in the competition, you need to miss three group matches, and I can't guarantee you these three games Will it make sense to wait. I don’t know if there will be any accidents in the middle, so even if you reach the knockout round, you don’t know whether you can play in the game. Maybe it’s because the injury hasn’t fully recovered, maybe it’s because your condition is too high. Oops...do you want to keep going though?"

Wood nodded: "I want to stay."

Tang En clapped his hands: "Okay, I've decided. Let's participate in the European Cup together. I'll give you three group matches. I hope you can come back healthy and catch up with the quarter-finals."

"If it doesn't work, just close it."

Tang En laughed.He touched Wood's wet hair, and a stone in his heart fell.From now on, no matter what the result is, he has to face it.

But he is not worried, because this is his own decision.No one is forcing him, and no one is begging him to make a decision that is not in line with his wishes, so what is there to worry about?

"I want both a champion and a healthy George." Dunn winked at Wood, "Am I more greedy?"

(End of this chapter)