2025-02-16, 09:27 AM - Word count:
"Lack of development", that's what they told me. The manager, coaches and staff at my former club stated that I wasn't developing as quickly as they had wanted and that by now I should have easily broken into the first team. I'd apparently not met the expectations the scouts had predicted and now they were letting me go, and they wanted to "wish me all the best in my future endeavours".
Fine! Fine. I've secured myself a new contract, in an academy team whom might fully appreciate my talents and recognise me for my inherent greatness. FC Istanbul was only too glad to accept someone of my rich calibre and untapped skill. Under this team I will ascend to the top as was predicted and the world will be in awe of the name Thomas Jimotheus.
Stepping out of the hotel and glancing at the towering monument that was the Istanbul Centre was breath-taking. It far eclipses the drab grounds I'd been using to play and stepping onto the field felt like a breath of fresh air. The freshly cut grass being peppered by the sprinklers assaults the senses, that smell all too familiar, the smell that wells that feeling of anticipation, the smell of game day.
Very quickly I knew that I wasn't playing with those amateurs anymore, this was the real deal. Intense state of the art training facilities that poured over tactics best suited to our teams best positions. The training was brutal yet efficient from your standard cardio training to tactical familiarity and the promotion of team cohesion.
I've had a chance to settle in and meet them team. It's been initially difficult settling into things what with being the newbie arriving on match day 2, that and being from a distinctly different culture will no doubt cause some teething issues, but I am prepared to tackle all obstacles if it gets me to where I should be, the top of food chain.
Even still, I've gelled well with the midfield. They're a quiet bunch if not inviting. Voda seems to have made the most effort, and I can barely get a read on him, barely showing much in the way of emotion and maintaining a calm demeanour, like water. But he and I seem to be linking up well and between the two of us we seem to be forming an efficient duo.
It's an interesting new world that I find myself in, this new league has a selection of interesting individuals all keen to become the next hero of football. I've seen what it takes to be a hero, and it's not for me. If I am to make it to the top, I am more than happy to become it's villain. Numbers are important in football, but the only one that matters to me is number 1.
Fine! Fine. I've secured myself a new contract, in an academy team whom might fully appreciate my talents and recognise me for my inherent greatness. FC Istanbul was only too glad to accept someone of my rich calibre and untapped skill. Under this team I will ascend to the top as was predicted and the world will be in awe of the name Thomas Jimotheus.
Stepping out of the hotel and glancing at the towering monument that was the Istanbul Centre was breath-taking. It far eclipses the drab grounds I'd been using to play and stepping onto the field felt like a breath of fresh air. The freshly cut grass being peppered by the sprinklers assaults the senses, that smell all too familiar, the smell that wells that feeling of anticipation, the smell of game day.
Very quickly I knew that I wasn't playing with those amateurs anymore, this was the real deal. Intense state of the art training facilities that poured over tactics best suited to our teams best positions. The training was brutal yet efficient from your standard cardio training to tactical familiarity and the promotion of team cohesion.
I've had a chance to settle in and meet them team. It's been initially difficult settling into things what with being the newbie arriving on match day 2, that and being from a distinctly different culture will no doubt cause some teething issues, but I am prepared to tackle all obstacles if it gets me to where I should be, the top of food chain.
Even still, I've gelled well with the midfield. They're a quiet bunch if not inviting. Voda seems to have made the most effort, and I can barely get a read on him, barely showing much in the way of emotion and maintaining a calm demeanour, like water. But he and I seem to be linking up well and between the two of us we seem to be forming an efficient duo.
It's an interesting new world that I find myself in, this new league has a selection of interesting individuals all keen to become the next hero of football. I've seen what it takes to be a hero, and it's not for me. If I am to make it to the top, I am more than happy to become it's villain. Numbers are important in football, but the only one that matters to me is number 1.
