With maxed-out heading ability from the start, I became the king of Arsenal.

Alex Horn patiently explained the benefits to Sun Yu, who listened and nodded. Finally, Sun Yu asked another question: "If I don't make the British Olympic team, even if I become a citizen, I won't be able to get that money, right?"

[Alex Horn's armor penetration +30]

Understood.

As expected, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Even if you become a British citizen, you get nothing if you're not selected for the Olympic men's football team.

It's so dark!

That's fucking shady!

Of course, Sun Yu didn't have any particular intentions. The reason he asked so many questions was to give the other party a way out.

The adult world is not about fighting and killing, but about human relationships and social interactions.

Let's all pull each other along; even if the deal falls through, let's maintain good relations.

The conversation between the two lasted less than forty minutes. Before getting into the car, Alex Horn gave Sun Yu a warm hug: "Son, this is a big event in your life."

Whatever choice you make, I hope you have a wonderful life.

Sun Yu also said a lot of polite words, and finally the meaningless conversation came to a successful conclusion.

Less than ten minutes after Alex Horn left, Pulis found Sun Yu: "What did that guy talk to you about?"

Any manager would be nervous if a member of the FA's management suddenly visited.

Sun Yu smiled faintly and said, "Do you think it's possible that Leiden Oriental is complaining about irregularities in my signing process and is demanding compensation for my training fees?"

Pulis suddenly became serious: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Both clubs have timelines for their work processes, so we have absolutely no risk."

Sun Yu smiled and nodded: "That's right, we didn't talk about that."

[Pris's defense penetration value +30]

【积分：6/1000，等级lv1，升级经验5/10】

Unspecified attribute: 2.

I've gained another 2 attribute points.

Shots: 57-59!

Sun Yu felt that he was incredibly strong, probably strong enough to dominate in the English Championship.

Pulis shook his head: "Maybe it's because I'm getting old, but sometimes I really don't understand what young people are thinking these days, like just now."

"But that's like your personality. I also have something to discuss with you."

"I plan to put you in the starting lineup for the third round of the League Cup. If Hangeland starts, you can target him."

"Apart from his height, he is inferior to you in both explosiveness and agility. You can completely exploit his misalignment when facing him."

Stoke City drew Fulham in the third round of the League Cup, a match that was considered evenly matched.

As competition within the Premier League intensifies, title contenders and European teams typically field rotated squads for the League Cup.

The teams most interested in this competition are mid-to-lower-tier Premier League teams and Championship teams.

Mid-to-lower table Premier League teams are all about winning the title, while Championship teams are basically all about making money.

If one of the teams draws Manchester United and also gets an away game, the ticket revenue share could cover almost half a year's expenses.

However, this season is an exception. In an interview, Professor Wenger stated that he intends to end the five-year title drought this season.

As one of the former Premier League giants, Arsenal have not won any titles for five years.

Therefore, Wenger, who had always regarded the League Cup as a "children's playground," was preparing to end his trophy drought with this competition.

Fulham have 1 win and 3 draws in the first four rounds, with a relatively low points total, but they are unbeaten in the last four rounds.

In particular, the 2-2 draw at home against Manchester United was comparable to Stoke City's draw against Chelsea, both being highlights of the season start.

Despite Fulham's consistently mediocre Premier League rankings, they are a true club from London's affluent area.

There are three teams in London's affluent area: Chelsea, Fulham, and Queens Park Rangers.

These three clubs have all encountered wealthy owners at different times. Teams like Fulham, located in the heart of a wealthy area, have never lacked rich owners.

A rich person walks by, and then another rich person comes along.

Every owner doesn't care about the money when buying players, but they also don't intend to build a Premier League title contender.

Fulham's top earner is £4.5, which alone allows them to buy more players that Stoke City can't get.

But Stoke City is not short of players, and some players are even unable to get playing time.

After learning that he would be starting, Sun Yu watched all of Fulham's games this season.

Their Norwegian center-back, Hangeland, is 1.99 meters tall, has a well-developed upper body, is neither too strong nor too thin, and is quite physically tough.

However, he also has the weaknesses of a tall center-back: he is slow to turn and has weak explosive power.

This tall center-back is perfect for him to practice "Cruyff's little tricks"—just take him down without saying a word.

9 month 22 day.

Britannia Stadium.

Stoke City hosted Fulham at home, once again drawing a home game.

This period has been very comfortable for Stoke City, as they have won three consecutive home games.

The League Cup is a single-elimination competition, and Stoke City will play at home regardless of the outcome, so they have a clear grasp on their own destiny.

Judging from Pulis's words, Stoke City's management hopes the team can demonstrate its competitiveness in the League Cup this season.

A power-oriented team like Stoke City is indeed well-suited for cup competitions, much like the Greek team in 2004, who relentlessly attacked from the group stage onwards, becoming stronger against stronger opponents and ultimately lifting the trophy.

Compared to their starting lineup in the fourth round of the Premier League, Stoke City made seven changes to their lineup for this match.

The goalkeeper is Begovic, and the defensive pairing is Wilkinson, Shawcross, Higginbotham, and Huth.

The midfield consists of Tuncay Sanli, Salif Diaw, Whelan, and Etherington.

This time, Sun Yu was at the forefront, with Ricardo Fowler behind him.

As expected, Fulham opted to start Hangeland, and Sun Yu felt that Fulham's head coach Mark Hughes was still unwilling to understand him.

As a key player in Manchester United's early Premier League title wins, Mark Hughes's opportunity to manage a Premier League team stemmed entirely from his illustrious playing career.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that Manchester City failed to finish in the top four of the Premier League for two consecutive seasons is baffling; it's like capsizing an aircraft carrier.

At the start of the match, Fulham, who kicked off first, passed the ball to the wing, where Belgium's dribbling king, Dembele, dribbled past several opponents from midfield all the way to the attacking third.

But he kept refusing to pass the ball, and was eventually tackled by three Stoke City players off the sideline.

What the hell!

This guy is an absolute loner!

Dembele bounced up from the grass and threw the ball to Dempsey, who then accelerated and was tackled head-on by Wilkinson.

hiss!

Dempsey flew two meters through the air before crashing heavily onto the lawn; even Sun Yu felt pain watching it.

My teammates are too ruthless!

After receiving the ball, Huilan immediately made a long pass to Ricardo Fowler, who headed the ball on despite the defender's pressure, sending it arcing to Sun Yu's feet.

Sun Yu used his body to block Hangeland, stepped on the grass with his foot, and immediately turned to observe the situation on the field.

The other center-back, Hughes, was both marking Sun Yu as he dribbled laterally and observing the movements of the other Stoke City players.

Post-up play?

come on!

Big bamboo pole!

Sun Yu suddenly dribbled the ball laterally using "muscle memory," and Hangeland hurriedly stretched out his leg.

but!

Hangeland immediately realized something was wrong!

Sun Yu looked very imposing, but he only lightly flicked the ball.

Could it be?

Is this kid going to deduct from his own account?

[Hangland's armor penetration value +40]

next moment!

Sun Yu deftly hooked his right foot to his left front, instantly putting himself and Hangeland back to back.

[Hangland's armor penetration value +80]

Hangeland: "???"

This is absolutely a disgrace!

The 1.99-meter center-back made the 1.91-meter center forward show off his balls to the heavens!

Behind him, Sun Yu poked the ball forward with his left foot and immediately followed up with a powerful instep shot!

Bang!

The move was executed so quickly that goalkeeper Schwarzer had already mentally thrown himself into the air before he even realized what was happening.

[Hangland's armor penetration value +60]