What kind of football player is handsome?

Chapter 28 Game Theory and Pressure, Watford Defender's Frenzied Head Patting

"Beep! Beep!"

The referee's whistle was short and sharp, signaling that the Leicester City players' celebrations were almost over and they should quickly return to their own half to prepare for the restart.

The game continues.

Mariapa took a deep breath, and her anger gradually subsided.

There's still plenty of time; his team still has a chance to turn the tide.

With the team trailing, Watford launched a relentless offensive.

"The home team clearly won't sit idly by; their main force has already pushed past the midfield!"

"McGin passes the ball to the wing!"

"Cross the ball over the goalkeeper!"

"Will Barkley heads the ball towards goal, Leicester City goalkeeper Logan scores! But... there's a rebound shot!"

boom!

The once quiet Vicarage Road stadium suddenly erupted into a frenzy, like a powder keg that had been ignited!

The goal was scored by Watford's number 10, Danny Graham.

If we compare the Championship to a small world instance...

With a market value of £300 million and 13 goals in 19 Championship appearances this season, Danny Graham is already considered a minor boss.

Scouts generally believe that this guy can play as a second striker for a mid-to-lower-tier Premier League team.

The Leicester players could not hide their disappointment.

They had never had such a wonderful start, but after leading for less than two minutes, the score was tied.

"NICE! NICE!"

This ball actually had nothing to do with Mariapa, but the Watford center-back, who had been frustrated since the start of the game, was now pounding his chest like a chimpanzee and roaring at Liu Yi.

Dude, my offensive strategy also serves as a feint.

Are you just sitting on the sidelines watching the show? What does your enthusiastic celebration have to do with you?

On the sidelines, Eriksson pressed his hands down, signaling to the team to calm down.

Watford wanted to press their advantage after scoring.

They launched a series of attacks, threatening Leicester City's goal.

However, they rushed into it, and most of the attacks were just bombardments outside the penalty area, without much real effect.

On the contrary, Leicester City seized the opportunity and launched two counter-attacks.

Liu Yi's positioning remained erratic—sometimes moving inwards to the middle, sometimes spreading out to the sides.

As Liu Yi ran towards the center, Mariana followed him closely, like a shadow.

If they run to the side road... then keep an eye on them for a bit, there's no need to defend them completely.

After all, that annoying Chinese kid doesn't have much passing ability.

that's it!

The situation on the field remained deadlocked for half an hour.

In the 36th minute, Leicester City's number 10, Andy King, dribbled the ball through the middle, observing the situation ahead.

Liu Yi started moving towards the side lane once again.

Mariapa glanced in that direction and took a few steps.

After all, no one knows if Andy King will suddenly make a long diagonal pass and send the ball to Vassell on the other side of the field.

Watford's center-back believes that Liu Yi is not capable at all and is just bluffing.

He poses a greater threat than Vassell, a veteran who played for Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League for ten years.

"Forget about number 23! Send someone up to press the opposing player with the ball, and watch out for space on the flanks!"

Mariapa hadn't finished speaking.

Liu Yi, who was strolling along the wing, suddenly accelerated past the last defender in Watford's back line.

At the same time, Andy King delivered a through ball with surgical precision.

It points directly behind Watford's offside line!

Damn!

Mariapa reacted quickly, turning around and chasing back immediately.

But Liu Yi had already run two body lengths ahead.

only……

Andy King's through ball was a bit rushed, too powerful, and too fast, making it difficult to receive.

Carrick and Scholes' passes are still the most comfortable, allowing you to receive the ball in the most comfortable position and at the most precise angle.

But Liu Yi was still very confident in his ball control.

With 80% ball control, you won't find another player in the entire Leicester City who can match his consistency.

It's just like that classic line from the movie "Ip Man": "Who's the best at controlling the ball at Leicester? Of course, it's Liu Yi. Who else could it be but me?"

"OHHH!"

In the away stands, Leicester City fans stood up, craning their necks and looking hopefully in Liu Yi's direction.

Blue Fox's number 23 stepped on the ball and brought it to a steady stop.

Mariapa's defensive speed was indeed very fast. In the blink of an eye, he rushed in front of Liu Yi and made a sliding tackle without hesitation, aiming directly at the ball at Liu Yi's feet.

Steve Howard, who was closest to Liu Yi, was worried for his teammate.

To everyone's surprise, Liu Yi simply pulled the ball back slightly, thus avoiding Mariapa's frantic sliding tackle.

Using minimal force to achieve maximum effect!

As expected, the intelligence was correct.

This guy's hooked.

Mariapa lost his balance and his confidence.

Playing football with Liu Yi always feels like a game of strategy.

Every step must be taken with utmost care, for one careless move could lead to utter ruin by falling into the latter's rhythm.

Playing against a striker like that is incredibly stressful; you have to use your body as well as your brain.

As a Jamaican, the peers who grew up with him either went into track and field or played football. Ninety-nine percent of them followed the sports path, belonging to the group of people who couldn't even do multiplication and division within 100.

Using their brains to outwit children is really tough on them...

Immediately afterwards, Liu Yi pushed the ball forward.

With a graceful leg swing, he flicked the ball into the near corner with the outside of his right foot.

Watford's goalkeeper, Rocky, instinctively tried to block the far corner.

He also has intelligence.

The person opposite, number 23, loves to draw a stick.

But after he had completely thrown off balance, he watched helplessly as the ball, which wasn't particularly fast, spun gently into the near corner of the net.

Nani?

The intelligence was false?!

"Beautiful! Beautiful!"

"With a leisurely stroll, Liu Yi scored!"

"Scoring in his very first game for Leicester City!"

"The Blue Foxes have taken the lead once again!"

Liu Yi walked towards the corner flag area and gently clenched his fist.

He was quickly tackled by his teammates who swarmed him from behind.

"Beautiful! Liu!"

"Handled very calmly!"

"A beautiful shot with the outside of his foot towards the near corner!"

"Yoshi, yoshi!"

Everyone was very happy.

While Abe Yuuki was overjoyed, a sense of unease quietly crept into his heart.

He just joined the Championship at the age of 30. He had played in the J-League for a long time before, and won the AFC Champions League as an absolute key player for Urawa Red Diamonds. He was also a starting midfielder for Samurai Blue in the 10 World Cup.

I've encountered quite a few Chinese teams in the AFC Champions League, but those Chinese players are all rough and tough.

No one is as elegant yet deadly as Liu Yi.

Even looking at the Blue Samurai, it would be difficult to find a player with a playing style similar to Liu Yi.

After much thought, Abe came to a conclusion:

This kid must not be allowed back into the Chinese national team!

Eriksson on the sidelines was all smiles.

After transitioning to a team-building coach, he found himself gradually becoming as obsessed with discovering young talents as Ferguson and Wenger.

These talented young people are always fascinating, and Liu Yi has an even more unique quality that is hard to replicate.

This trait is hard to explain or articulate, and it's difficult to find a similar player even in the entire football world.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how far he'll go in the future.

Unfortunately, he was on loan from Manchester United, and Sir Alex Ferguson, a man who values ​​talent above all else, would not easily let Liu Yi leave.

"As expected of my older brother! NEW BEE!"

Lingard leaped up from the bench, grabbing a towel and waving it frantically onto the field.

Liu Yi smiled at his second brother and gave him a thumbs up.

In the away stands, most of the people who had traveled with the team were Leicester's most loyal supporters, many of whom belonged to the Foxes' famous die-hard fan organization, "Union FS".

At this very moment, the members of Union FS are chanting Liu Yi's name.

"Six! Six! Six!"

Liu Yi's arrival was like throwing a boulder into a calm lake—ripples spread outwards, stirring up the entire body of water.

Leicester City fans have new expectations!