Chapter 35 Shaq’s chosen successor!

Leeds United were not affected by the news that Claysandy and Marcio were about to transfer. The team should train as they should. Many young players became enthusiastic in training. Colm and Knuwells were even more active in the training field, wanting to show their best side to their head coach.

This mental state of the team made Simon Grayson very satisfied. He didn't believe that Clay Sandy, who had only played for the team for 18 games, could affect the team, but he had to worry that Marcio's departure would have an impact on the team.

After all, in one season, Kslov first switched to Newcastle, and then Marcio transferred to Inter Milan. The club's three most favored central defenders left, which would not have no impact on the team's defense.

Although Kslov has only played 7 games in Newcastle this season, because of his frigidity, he cannot even play as a main player, but Marsio's departure has obviously had a greater impact. The stability of Brazil's central defender is the hero of Leeds United's least goals conceded this season.

Fortunately, Leeds United is not a big name now, but it is definitely full of talents. A group of young boys have already been waiting for the opportunity to get on the stage one by one. Simon Grayson immediately gave Colm Keo and Knuwells the opportunity to appear.

19-year-old Ashley Knuwells was originally regarded as the successor of Ashley Hood. He also had the opportunity to play in the past two seasons. In his career, he has played in a total of 14 games for Leeds United, scoring 2 goals and assisting once, which is very promising. But Ashley Hood is only 28 years old. If Knuwells wants to wait until he can take over Ashley Hood, he will have to wait for at least two or three years.

Now the opportunity is directly placed in front of Knuwells. Although he wants to change to play and not be able to play all his abilities, Knuwells is still quite excited.

Furthermore, Simon Grayson asked Harvey to arrange his job for him not just a central defender. At the right time, he could move his position forward and temporarily play the role of a midfielder. At that time, Ashley Hood could devote more energy to the team's offense and give full play to his comprehensive technical advantages.

Simon Grayson even hopes that such changes can bring different things to the team's tactical style and make Leeds United's offense more flexible, but what is the effect... no one can say.

Unexpectedly, the personnel adjustment of Leeds United turned out to be unexpectedly good!

In the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals on January 15, Simon Grayson replaced Lens with Colm as the left winger, and sent a combination of John Allen and Jace Brookman in the midfield. The left back also used Joe Hicks, the right back used Richardson, and Knuwells and Du Xiaoguang to form a central defender partner, but Leeds United still defeated Wolves with a score of 5:1 at home!

Because in this game, Shaq and Ashley Hood appeared, and the two of them led the team to victory, Shaq even completed the "big four-game" drama with his own strength.

But just one minute into the opening game, Colm Keo sent Shaq to the Wolves goal, which allowed the 18-year-old player who played for Leeds United for the first time in his career to make a perfect debut.

After the game, reporters were asking about everything about Colm Keo, but Shaq, who staged a "big four-game" and was ignored. After all, this fact is too common for Shaq.

Simon Grayson was quite serious when answering reporters' questions. He didn't want his players to have any misunderstandings about him: "Colm is still young, and he still has a long way to go. This game is just the first step of his long career for Colm...Lens' replacement? No, of course it is not the case! Colm and Lens' technical characteristics and styles are completely different. They each have their own uses. In the future, they will contribute side by side to the team!"

Simon Grayson's words are correct. In fact, Lons and Colm cooperated very well in the youth team. These two little guys, Campbell, are the frontcourt tridents of the Leeds youth team. Colm prefers to ambush behind Campbell, especially in the middle of the road, which is the second forward, while Lons is competent for left winger, front midfielder, midfielder and other positions. However, Lons was promoted to the first team by Simon Grayson and soon became a star. Campbell also became a much earlier than Colm's first team.

But the friendship between the three young people was not affected. These three kids even secretly imagined countless times, hoping to become the "New Leeds Three Musketeers" like Shaq, Jonny Hausen, and Ben Parker.

That night, a group of kids from the Leeds Youth Team held a small gathering in a small cafe. The attendees included Lens, Campbell, Colm, Westlark, Paul Drapper, Clegg Richardson, Jace Brookman, John Allen and other eight kids.

These kids are all talents sent to the first team by the Leeds youth team, including new stars like Lens and Richardson who have completely gained a foothold in the first team, as well as reserve forces such as Campbell and Knuwells, and Westerak and Paul Drapper who still need to wait for the opportunity to play. They get together, of course, are looking forward to the team and their future lives.

A group of young people congratulated Colm Keo on his perfect debut and began to talk about the current situation of the club. While congratulating Colm, people also congratulated Knuwells on his opportunity. Compared to that, Knuwells' chances are much better than Colm.

As everyone progressed, their position on the team was also rising, which was the common joy of a group of young men from Thorpe Arch, until they talked about Campbell, and they all became silent.

Unlike others, Campbell is a substitute for Shaq. Although 18-year-old Campbell is already very outstanding, he is also the main center of the England youth team. He scored 5 goals in 7 games and is regarded as the genius of the next generation of England team's main striker.

However, as Shaq's substitute, I have to say that it is the greatest sorrow of a forward player!

So far, Campbell has played 10 games for Leeds United in two seasons and scored 3 goals, which is considered to be a very good performance, but he still has to continue waiting.

Not to mention the identity of the boss behind Shaq Club, just from the competitive level, there are only ten Campbells that can’t compare to Shaq!

Last season, Shaq saved Leeds United's bankruptcy like a savior, and scored 94 goals in 44 games. He forced himself to carry the "Youth Guards" on his shoulders to enter the Premier League. The League Cup champion. Shaq also scored 41 goals in 26 games this season, which is still the core of the team's offense and the guarantee for the team to win.

The more stable Shaq is in his form, the fewer Campbell's chances of playing. The 18-year-old boy cannot compete with the 32-year-old veteran, and both sides are not at the same level at all.

While my friends were worried about themselves, Campbell seemed quite calm: "Guys, Shaq was an idol I identified before I came into contact with football. I have also targeted him for so many years. Without Shaq, I would have no direction to move forward, so... Haha, I really have no complaints for Shaq as a substitute. I can always learn more from him."

After hearing Campbell said this, a group of boys had nothing to say. They respect Shaq no less than Campbell. It can even be said that without Shaq, there would be no Leeds United's past glory, nor the "Youth Guards" who can work hard to defend the Premier League championship and strive for more trophys in the Champions League and other trophies. Shaq is the god of Leeds United. This... no one has ever doubted this!

But...ah, Campbell, are you really willing to continue like this?

Even Campbell himself can't answer this question!

Seeing that his group of friends are now starting to make their mark in the first team, although he also has the opportunity to play, he is always Shaq's replacement, and he is not even a substitute. He can only be said to be preparing to become Shaq's replacement. In this situation, who would be willing to be a talented, capable and potential striker?

What Campbell didn't expect was that after just four days, his identity changed...

On January 19, Leeds United went to London Stamford Bridge Stadium to play away against the "Blues". When the game reached 61 minutes, the score on the field had become 4:1. Leeds United led Chelsea with three goals away with Shaq's hat-trick and Hoydenk's goal.

At this time, Simon Grayson made a substitution adjustment and replaced Shaq with Campbell. Obviously, he hoped that Shaq, who was already thirty-two, could use his physical fitness at a more appropriate moment.

Simon Grayson really had to do so. He had received a report from physical coach Ad Stoville. Shaq's physical condition had declined significantly after the New Year. Shaq, who is omnipotent on the court, really needs rest now.

Because of this, Simon Grayson discussed with the coaching staff and made the decision to use Shaq carefully!

When Shaq walked off the court, he felt his body fatigue. This was a feeling he hated, but he had no choice but to keep a smile, waved to the Leeds fans who came with the team, and slapped his teammates who sent him off to celebrate...

When Shaq saw young faces such as Lons, Hoydenk, John Allen, Brookman, Richardson, Knuwells, etc., he suddenly felt a move in his heart. He didn't hand over the captain's armband on his arm because Jonny Hausen was recovering from his injuries to Ashley Hood, but when he hugged Campbell and sent him on the court, he suddenly called him...

"Liam! Wait a minute! Put this on!"

kindness!?

Campbell turned his head and looked at Shaq, ready to pick up the captain's armband. When he followed Shaq's instructions to hand it to a teammate, he was suddenly surprised to find that Shaq actually put the captain's armband directly on his left arm!

"Boss...this...this..."

Looking at Campbell with a startled look, Shaq smiled happily: "Hahaha, boy, at the last time of today's game, just wear this armband! Go and score a goal for me!"

"Hey! This...is, boss!"

Campbell couldn't hide his excitement, and his steps into the court were much lighter...

"Shake, you kid... did it on purpose?"

Simon Grayson smiled and draped his thick down coat over Shaq, with a thoughtful smile on his face.

Shaq put his arm into his sleeve and laughed, "Boss, don't you think we should find a successor for us?"

"Liam...is he too young?"

Simon Grayson was still a little worried. He was very cautious about using Campbell. This young man had potential, but he was still too young. In the coaching staff's plan, he needed to grow and mature step by step before he could become Shaq's successor.

"Boss, isn't it better to be young? When you pulled me from the youth team, wasn't it that big?"

Well!

Simon Grayson was speechless. Looking at the wrinkles on his face in front of him, he suddenly realized that his most proud disciple... was really old!

At this time, Shaq had turned around and slapped coaches such as Harvey on the bench, as well as teammates such as Murray, Colm, Ben Parker, Marsio, Chen Jinlong, etc.

Simon Grayson, standing on the side of the court, was distracted. He remembered the first time he saw Shaq more than ten years ago, arranged Shaq to play on the game for the first time, saw Shaq score the first time, asked Shaq to play the front of the midfielder, the first time he asked Shaq to play the forward, the first time...

In a blink of an eye, it’s been more than ten years!

"goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Suddenly, there was a shout again in Stamford Bridge Stadium. The assistant Harvey, who rushed up from behind, and Shaq who hugged his neck and waved his arms and shouted, finally made Simon Grayson wake up, and his eyes also saw...5:1, Leeds United scored another goal!
Chapter completed!