Chapter 18: Headlines

The next morning, headlines were full with his name.

"Who is Ethan Voss? Cardiff's New Sensation"

"Debut Delight: 18-Year-Old Steals the Match"

"Warnock's Wild Card – And Why He Might've Found a Gem"

Ethan scrolled through the phone, glancing at headlines vaguely. His phone had been buzzing with notifications since last night—his mentions piling up with every messages. He has received messages from his old mates he used to play with in Plymouth and coaches from his youth academy with whom he hadn't talked to in months, all of them had been wishing him congratulation for his game yesterday night.

His goal clip had gone viral: a clean left-footed grounded strike tucked into the far corner, followed by his celebration so raw and unrehearsed that it made football fans fall for the moment.

Today the training ground felt just like a stadium before kickoff. Although the drills hadn't changed, with same routine of practice and one-two sessions with coach but somehow the way the other players looked at him now felt different; some looked at him with curiosity and expectations while others looked at him as a new challenger.

Players now offered small talks that went longer than before. Coaches once busy with veteran and big contract players, now took moments to pull him aside offering him quiet tips and shoulder pats. Even Warnock, usually stone-faced and brisk, cracked the faintest smirk once when he jogged past him during warm-ups.

After the morning warm-up, players were ready for their training sessions when the captain, Sean Morrison came jogging towards him, tossing him a water bottle with a smirk.

"Mate, you're everywhere right now," he said, voice laced with playful awe. "Even my girlfriend was telling me your goal yesterday was the cleanest she has ever seen."

Ethan laughed, catching the bottle with ease. "Tell her that my boots barely survived last night—they've saw more game yesterday than my whole year at youth academy."

Warnock clapped his hands sharply, gathering the group, "Right, listen up. We're splitting into two sides for a five-a-side drill.", his voice gruff as usual. 

He motioned toward the cones set across the near pitch. "One side will have three midfielders and two defenders—you're tasked with interception, maintaining possession and controlloing tempo of game. The other side will consist of three forwards and two midfielders—your job is to press, break lines, and transition quickly for goal. Drill will be played in small pitch to make it intense. Only one-touch passes allowed in the attacking half. This drill is about keeping possession under pressure while playing fast and passing with precision."

As the groups split up, Ethan found himself teamed with Ralls and Aron in midfield, with Sean and Sol Bamba holding down the defensive line. Across from them, Jamie, Zohore, and Danny led the attack, supported by Nathaniel and Harris in midfield.

The whistle blew, and an intense game began with quick touches, one touch passes and defenders stepping aggressively while attackers tried to find gaps. The tempo was high with instructors barking instructions from sidelines.

Ethan slipped into rhythm quickly. His Johan Cruyff- template inspired spatial sense began to gain experience from friendly. He would drop behind working with defenders in interceptions, elevating pressure, and releasing the ball forward to midfielders smoothly with precision. One moment he'd be at defending line, the next maintaining the play along his position.

Warnock finally blew the whistle after an hour of practice with sweat dripping from their brows and heavy breathing. "Alright, that'll do," he called out gruffly, clapping twice. "Good tempo lads. We're done for today, get rest." Players exchanged nods, as they slowly made their way off the pitch—some limping slightly, others already discussing moments from the drill.

After the training, Ethan made his way back to the dormitory with sore legs. He dropped his gear by the side of his bed, sat on his bed, and finally calling the system that he'd been deliberately putting off since yesterday's match.

[Welcome back]

[System Update Initiated]

[Template– Johan Cruyff (37% Integrated) ] 

< [ Attributes:

Game Awareness: 13

Tactical Intelligence: 31

Vision: 26

First Touch: 15

Positional Versatility: 8

Decision-Making: 5

Balance: 3

Composure: 4

Short Passing: 3

Spatial Awareness: 8

Interceptions: 7

Pressing Efficiency: 15 ]>

Ethan laid on his bed, letting the numbers settle in his mind. His Game Awareness has increased by +3, Spatial Awareness by +6, Interceptions by +4 and Pressing Efficiency by +3 and the template had increased by 2%

The system has been leveling him up.

On the morning of 11 August, Cardiff's conference room was buzzing with reporters from City as well as Sky sports. Tripods were clicked into right position with microphone hovering and reporters ready with notepads and cameras ready. What was once a quiet stadium was now filled with anticipation and commentary. Everyone whether be journalists, scouts or fans alike—all were eager to get perspective of Manager, for this season's Cardiff City F.C. 

As Warnock entered the room and took his seat, reporters didn't waste a second.

"Neil, with Villa up next, how's the squad shaping up? And can we expect Ethan to keep his spot?"

"Every match demands something different," Warnock said, voice steady but pointed. "But if you're asking whether Ethan's part of our plans—he is. We're not throwing away playing eleven positions around like giveaways but lad has earned the right to be considered by showing his commitment towards the game in team's last match. And believe me, he's preparing for what's coming. As far as the squad's concerned its shaping up and we'll be giving our best."

Another journalist followed up, eagerly pressing over Warnock's statement, "How's the team coping with the pressure now building around their youngster?"

Warnock smirked just slightly. "This isn't pressure, it's expectation. And around here, we deal with that on the training ground by practicing hard, not by talking on benches. Ethan knows that too. He's keeping his head down and doing his best together with the team. That's what counts."

Soon the preparations began for Cardiff's upcoming league clash against Aston Villa at home ground. The team analysts were huddling over data sheets and reports while players were being drilled with specific tactical information. Ethan, riding the momentum gained by his debut match, was slotted into multiple training scenarios, tested with different midfield pairings, and observed closely by manager and coach.

Warnock, being seasoned and pragmatic, saw enough of the lad's composure under pressure in training drills and practice session. With the week ahead full of matches scheduled, he opted to rotate. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, though still a key player, was given a breather. In his place, Ethan Voss was named in the starting eleven for the upcoming match against Aston Villa. It was a bold move, some called it inspired, while others called it naive and hasty. But Warnock was sure with his reasoning.

Ethan soaked it all in. He wasn't just being fitted into team as a substitute anymore but was starting to take a place as a starter. He wanted to show that his last match wasn't a fluke. That what he did against Portsmouth wasn't just because of one lucky day, it was who he really was and show the world what he could become. This journey hadn't even started, and it was far from was getting over.