Master of the game

The next morning while Leon was still busy with his morning jog, Jake had received a call that call that shocked him completely. His eyes widened in shock as he answered the call. "Hello?"

"Good morning, my name is Ricky martin, and I'm the assistent coach for Tottenham Hotspur," the voice on the other end said.

"Hello?" Ricky repeated, noticing Jake's stunned silence.

"Ah, yes, sorry," Jake stuttered. "What can I do for you, Mr. Ricky?"

"I'm calling about Leon Blake," Ricky said. "We've been watching some footage of his recent match, and we're very impressed. After some consideration, we'd like to invite him to come in for tryouts the day after tomorrow."

Jake's mind was racing. Tryouts? At Tottenham Hotspur? He couldn't wait to tell Leon about this. "That sounds amazing, i'll make sure to pass on the message to Leon."

Jake said, but you could hear the doubt in his voice. The reason? It was simple

The Tottenham Hotspur of 2041 was a far cry from the team it it once was. After their Europa League win in 2025, the team had indeed gone full beast mode, winning the Premier League and FA Cup in the 25/26 season, and even making it to the UEFA Champions League final, only to fall just short. This permanence made their Captain Son to Win the Ballon D'or, making him the first Asian & Tottenham player to do such.

The following season, 26/27, was the pinnacle of their success, as they lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy. However, their victory was bittersweet, as Son announced his retirement from professional football immediately after the final, leaving a gaping hole in the team's leadership and attacking prowess.

Without Son's brilliance, the team slowly began to unravel, and their performance on the pitch suffered greatly. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't recapture the magic of their championship-winning seasons, and the team began to decline.

The fall from grace was steep, and by the 33/34 season, Tottenham Hotspur found themselves relegated to the English second division. It was a dark period for the club, and it seemed like they had lost their way.

Fast-forward to 2041, and the team was still struggling to find its footing as they had just made their way back to the Premier League. The players were decent, but they lacked the spark and talent that once defined the club. The Spurs that were once part of the big 5 of English football had lost their luster, and it seemed like a distant memory.

Despite their efforts to rebuild and rejuvenate the team, Tottenham Hotspur remained a shadow of its former self, searching for a way to reclaim its place among the elite clubs in English football.

Back to the present.

Ricky provided Jake with the details of the tryouts, including the time and location. "We're looking forward to seeing Leon in action," Ricky said before hanging up.

John asked Ricky, "How was the call?"

Ricky shrugged. "I doubt they'll pitch up. Playing for Spurs isn't exactly the dream it used to be, you know? The club's not what it once was."

John took out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth, his expression thoughtful. "We can only hope he comes to us," he said, the cigarette dangling from his lips.

Ricky leaned back in his chair. "I doubt, I think that other teams have also seen Leon's videos by now. I'm sure they'll be making moves to recruit him too. We're not the only ones interested in him."

John nodded in agreement. "We'll just have to wait and see. But I'm not getting my hopes up. The competition for top talent is fierce, and we're not exactly in the best position to attract the best players." He said has he lit his cigarette, taking a long drag as he pondered the situation.

~~~

Leon walked through the front door, still sweating from his morning jog. He greeted his father, Jake, who was sitting on the couch, lost in thought. "Hey, Dad, what's wrong?" Leon asked, noticing the look of concern on Jake's face.

Jake looked up, a mixture of excitement and apprehension on his face. "I've got good news and bad news," he said.

Leon raised an eyebrow. "What's the good news?"

"A team called," Jake said, a hint of a smile on his face. "They want you to come in for tryouts."

Leon's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's amazing! Which team is it?"

Jake hesitated, his expression turning serious. "The bad news is... it's Tottenham."

Leon shrugged, brushing it off. "Doesn't matter," he said with a grin. "As long as I get to play, I'm good. And who knows, maybe I'll use this as a chance to prove everyone wrong and make Tottenham great again."

Jake looked at him, a mix of surprise and admiration on his face. "You really think you can do it, don't you?" he asked.

Leon nodded, his confidence unwavering. "I don't just think I can do it, Dad. I know I can. And even if it's Tottenham, I'll use it as a catalyst to becoming the greatest player of all time. They can't say no to talent, and I'm going to make sure they know my name."

Jake couldn't help but smile, proud of his son's determination and ambition. "Alright, kiddo. Let's do this," he said, high-fiving Leon.

Leon grinned mischievously. "Let's keep this between us for now, Dad. Don't mention it to Mom and Thapelo yet. I don't want to get their hopes up until I actually make it through the tryouts."

Jake nodded in understanding. "Fair enough, kiddo. Your secret's safe with me." Leon winked.

"Thanks, Dad. I just want to make sure I can prove myself before we start celebrating. I don't want to let anyone down."

Jake smiled, knowing his son's determination and work ethic would take him far. "I know you'll do great, Leon. You've always had a fire in your belly. I'm just proud to see it lit again and to be here to support you."

Leon smiled back, feeling grateful for his father's unwavering support. "Thanks, Dad. Let's keep this quiet for now and focus on the tryouts. I'll make sure to give it my all and show them what I'm capable of." With a nod, Jake and Leon shared a look of understanding, both of them excited for the journey ahead.

Tye next morning.

Leon and Jake stood outside Tottenham Hotspur's stadium, the imposing structure looming before them. They walked up to the security guard stationed at the entrance, and Jake cleared his throat to get the guard's attention.

"Excuse me, we have an appointment for tryouts with the team," Jake said, pulling out his phone to show the guard the confirmation email.

The security guard, a stern-looking man with a thick accent, looked them up and down before nodding. "Alright, let me check. What's the name?"

"Leon Blake," Jake replied, and the guard checked his list before nodding again.

"Okay, you're on the list. Let me just call the coach's assistant to come and escort you to the training facilities."

Leon felt a surge of excitement as the guard made the call, his heart racing with anticipation. He glanced over at his father, who gave him a reassuring smile.

"You got this, kiddo," Jake said, clapping Leon on the back.

Leon nodded, taking a deep breath as they waited for the coach's assistant to arrive. This was it – his chance to prove himself and make a name for himself in the world of football. He was ready to give it his all and show Tottenham Hotspur what he was capable of....A few minutes passed, and a man in a Tottenham Hotspur tracksuit emerged from the stadium, scanning the area until his eyes landed on Leon and Jake. He smiled and walked towards them, his hand extended in greeting.

"Hi, I'm Ricky, the coach's assistant. You must be Leon Blake," he said, shaking Leon's hand firmly.

Leon nodded, trying to appear confident. "That's me. Thanks for having me."

Ricky smiled. "No problem, we're excited to see what you've got. Let's get you signed in and get you out on the pitch. We'll be doing some drills and a small scrimmage to assess your skills."

Jake nodded, shaking Ricky's hand as well. "Thanks, Ricky. We'll get out of your way and let Leon get to work."

Ricky nodded and led Leon towards the stadium, with Jake following closely behind. As they walked, Leon couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. This was his chance to prove himself, and he was determined to make the most of it.