England's Greatest

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The 3-0 win over Peru was not a surprise to English fans.

After all, England despite all the memes and jokes were still a strong team. 

In this particular game, the most talked-about moment wasn't just the comfortable victory, but the national team debut of Tristan Hale,the "new Beckham." Since his debut, Tristan had often been labeled the new Beckham, but after his performance with the national team—especially with that perfect free-kick assist—media outlets were all over the comparison, calling him Beckham's heir more than ever before. Although he only played for 20 minutes as a substitute, his presence on the pitch was enough to make an impact.

Tristan's solid performance didn't go unnoticed. Newspapers and media outlets were quick to praise his composure and skill.

This led to calls from fans and commentators alike for Tristan to start the next warm-up match. However, the suggestion wasn't to replace Gerrard, but rather to pair the two in midfield—Tristan and Gerrard working together.

Henderson's performance in the game had been fairly mediocre, so many felt that Tristan's presence in the midfield could provide a greater connection between the defensive and attacking lines, making England's offensive play smoother and more fluid.

If England could dominate the midfield and control possession, it would allow the frontcourt to apply pressure without worrying too much about the backline. This approach was seen as something that could potentially reduce the pressure on the defense and give the team more offensive opportunities.

Even some famous English retired players agreed with this view. Yet, there were those who believed Tristan still needed time to familiarize himself with the team's tactics and build a better understanding with his teammates. The midfield pairing of Gerrard and Henderson had a solid understanding, honed through years of club experience, and making hasty changes might disrupt the balance.

Tristan had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes, so it was premature to jump to conclusions about his role in the starting XI. However, one thing was clear: Tristan's ability to organize play with his passing was a unique asset for the Three Lions, something the team hadn't seen in years.

At just under 19 years old, Tristan's maturity on the ball and creativity with his passing was exceptional. While England had a plethora of players capable of scoring in the frontcourt—players like Sturridge, Rooney, and versatile attackers like Gerrard and Sterling—there were only a few who could consistently provide the service to these forwards.

Tristan was one of those rare players who could supply the ammunition. Alongside him, Wilshere and Lallana also provided that creative spark. Yet, while Wilshere preferred to hold onto the ball, dribbling before making a pass, Tristan's style was more immediate. He was quick to release the ball, finding open spaces and sending passes that immediately put his teammates in attacking positions.

Lallana, meanwhile, fell somewhere in between—more willing to hold onto the ball, but still quick with his distribution when needed. It would be up to Hodgson to decide the ideal midfield mix for the upcoming matches. The possibilities were certainly exciting, and the fans couldn't help but wonder if this new midfield partnership could be the key to a more dynamic, effective England team moving forward.

As for how to make the decision, it still depends on head coach Hodgson.

The small trial against Peru made the coaches and players of the Three Lions more convinced of Tristan's strength. Back at St. George's Park, Tristan could sense subtle changes in his teammates' attitudes.

Six days after the first warm-up match, the Three Lions faced their second warm-up match before heading to Brazil. The opponent was Ecuador, a strong South American team.

"And here we are, folks, at the grand Wembley Stadium! Ecuador, fresh off their qualification, are about to face England in their final warm-up match before heading to Brazil. Both teams have everything to play for. It's going to be an exciting clash of styles."

"Let's not forget, Ecuador's famous Atahualpa Stadium, a fortress at high altitude, has made many a visiting team stumble. But today, they face England right here on the hallowed ground of Wembley!"

Perhaps wanting to evaluate the form of different players, Hodgson made a comprehensive rotation of the starting lineup. Except for the goalkeeper, all ten outfield players were replaced.

"An interesting choice by Hodgson. A complete overhaul of the lineup today. It's clear he's giving his players a final chance to prove themselves before they head to Brazil."

With England's wingers like Walcott, Lennon, and Chamberlain either injured or out of form, the Three Lions' wing options were extremely thin. There was only one orthodox winger— Sterling.

That's where Vardy, with his speed and impact, got the chance to start, playing as the left winger. It was also the moment for Tristan, who had come on as a substitute in the previous game, to start. But not in his usual role.

"And now, here's the big surprise: Tristan is starting today, but not as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder. No, Hodgson has placed him as a right winger! A position he's never played before, folks!"

This caught many by surprise. Even the Ecuadorian head coach was scratching his head. Tristan had never played as a winger. 

Although Tristan had swapped positions with Mahrez multiple times in the league and played a key role in organizing attacks on the right, this was a completely different challenge. In England's tactical system, wingers were expected to possess explosive speed and the ability to break down defenses one-on-one, creating threats from the wing.

Tristan's style didn't naturally align with those requirements, which was why he had never fully showcased his superior abilities in that role.

As confusion and doubt circled, Hodgson and the England players remained calm, knowing something the rest didn't. They knew just how powerful Tristan's explosive speed was.

After helping Leicester win their first-ever FA Cup, Tristan had earned six free attribute points. Adding the two bonus points he received for his national team debut and his first assist, he now had eight points to spend.

He allocated six of those points to [Burst], pushing it to an astonishing 95. The remaining two points went into [Speed].

With this combination, Tristan's explosive power on the wing was a force to be reckoned with. He could blow past 98% of full-backs in the game, leaving defenders trailing in his wake.

Of course, once the initial burst of speed began to fade after about three meters, the defenders might catch up. But that three-meter head start was more than enough for him to cut inside, deliver a dangerous ball into the box, and create a goal-scoring opportunity.

"I'm sure many are scratching their heads right now. Tristan as a right winger? He's never played there, and wingers need that blistering pace and dribbling ability to break past defenders. Could he really pull this off?"

After the game kicked off, fans and TV viewers were immediately hooked as they watched Hodgson's tactical switch prove to be nothing short of genius. The roar of the home crowd filled the air as Tristan, now stationed on the right wing, seemed to come alive. The move from the center to the wing hadn't caused him any discomfort—in fact, it seemed to unlock something new in his game.

With his natural passing ability on full display, Tristan quickly began pulling the strings. Compared to the crowded middle, the right wing offered him more space to operate, and it was here that his ability to read the game and deliver dangerous passes truly came to the forefront.

On top of that, with his right foot as his dominant one, crossing the ball from this position felt almost effortless. Every touch looked calculated, precise, and dangerous.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the Three Lions, led by Tristan, took control of the game. Despite playing with mostly substitutes, England was all over Ecuador, and the fans at Wembley could sense something special was unfolding. The Ecuadorian players, who were known for their tenacity, struggled to cope with the rapid tempo set by the English. The home fans sang loudly in support, their chants reverberating throughout the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere.

"Tristan, on the right now, looking to cut inside… can he deliver another ball into the box? Yes! That's a peach of a cross!" shouted the commentator as the camera zoomed in on the young playmaker.

Tristan's role in this match wasn't that of a traditional winger. He wasn't focused on racing to the byline or outpacing defenders. Instead, he operated as a hybrid—a wing midfielder or organizer.

This tactic, where a midfielder drifts wide instead of relying on pure speed, represented a forward-thinking evolution in football tactics. By positioning a player with exceptional ball control and vision on the flank, the team gained versatility. Tristan could deliver precise crosses into the box, switch play effectively, or recycle possession back to central areas, keeping Arsenal's defense guessing.

In crafting this strategy around Tristan's unique skill set, Hodgson unknowingly pioneered a tactical innovation—what could be termed the "wide playmaker." This role bridges the responsibilities of a central midfielder and a winger, combining the control of the middle with the width of the flanks. It's a dynamic approach that could influence the tactical landscape of football for years to come.

[I don't even know if this is true, I was busy filling out some forms when I was working on this chapter, so I didn't even research it like I have been doing for this story, so my bad if this is some bs.] 

As the game unfolded, Tristan's influence on the right side was undeniable. Time and again, he received the ball, assessed the situation, and whipped in precise crosses. The crowd held its breath each time he did, knowing that danger was on the horizon.

One of Tristan's crosses came in the 27th minute. "Here comes another dangerous delivery from Tristan… It's a deep cross to the far post, and it's… OH, just over the bar!" The crowd let out a collective sigh of disappointment, but the energy was still high. Fans were already recognizing the potential in this young player, and their chants grew louder with every touch.

In the 38th minute, the breakthrough finally came. "Tristan has the ball again on the right, he's got a little space… He cuts inside, passes the defender with ease, and sends a curling ball into the box!" The cross sailed into the perfect area between the goalkeeper and the defenders, a place where only the most accurate and dangerous balls could land.

The goalkeeper hesitated for a moment, caught in two minds whether to rush out or stay put. The Ecuadorian defenders, too, were frozen. In the chaos, an England striker met the ball with a header, sending it past the keeper and into the net!

"WOOOAAAHHH! It's in! England leads 1-0! What a stunning delivery by Tristan, his vision, his precision—it's all coming together!" The crowd erupted into a deafening roar as the players celebrated the opening goal.

As the first half wore on, England continued to dominate, especially on the right, where Tristan's terrifying pace and vision were overwhelming Ecuador. "And again, Tristan pushing forward! He's burning past the Ecuadorian full-back with that explosive speed—this is where he's at his best!" The commentator's voice climbed as Tristan sped down the wing, leaving defenders in his wake. His acceleration was so sudden that even the most seasoned defenders couldn't keep up.

"Tristan with the ball now, looking for another opportunity… He delivers it—again a perfect cross!" The ball curled toward the penalty spot, but this time a low shot from an England forward just missed the target.

"Seven crosses, four connected shots—Tristan is making his presence felt in a big way today," the commentator observed as the crowd continued to chant his name. With every pass, every cross, the fans were seeing something special unfold.

As the match entered the final stages, England sealed their victory with another of Tristan's assists. He once again ghosted past a defender, sending a low cross into the box, and this time, it was met by a teammate who slotted it home for England's second goal.

"2-0! England have put this one to bed! And it's all thanks to Tristan's tireless work on that right wing!" The commentator shouted as the home fans went wild, clapping and singing in celebration.

After the final whistle blew, England had triumphed over Ecuador in a dominant 2-0 performance. The fans, who had been skeptical at first about this tactical experiment, were now convinced that they had witnessed something revolutionary. They had seen the better Beckham in action.

Tristan was named the man of the match, and the crowd cheered for him as he left the pitch. As he walked past the stands, a group of young fans waved their scarves, chanting his name.

After the game, The Times featured a photo of Tristan delivering one of his trademark crosses on the front page. Below, there was a striking comparison to Beckham's own famous crosses, accompanied by the headline:

"The Future of The Three Lions!"

It was official—Tristan Hale had arrived.

.....

I swear to god I'm about to crash out on some of my Professors first day in already and it's been three classes so far in my day as I'm writing this. I have the worst fucking schedule, cause why the fuck am I waking up at 6 to go to classes at 8 and then come home at 6. 

Anyway thank you guys so much for responding, it helped a lot. Reason I made that comment despite all the views, powerstones and even so many people joining the Patreon and adding it to their collection is for some weird ass reason, I don't think people are reading the story unless I see like actually people like comment and stuff. I'm like nice real people are actually reading this and my efforts aren't wasted.

And when in certain chapters, everyone is like commenting and talking about the chapter but next in the next one, there's barely any chapters, and I'm just thinking fuck, people are dropping the story. It's good to know most of you guys are just lurking. Thank you for your support. 

And apologizes for my venting, this was during class as I was working on it and I needed to release some frustation somehow.