Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

The next morning, as the players arrived at the dressing room, no one imagined that something bigger was about to happen.

Lucas, with his backpack on his back, was one of the first to notice the strange atmosphere when he saw Eddie sitting quietly in a corner, avoiding eye contact.

When all the players were in the changing room, William McGonagall entered, accompanied by a tall man with a rigid posture, tanned skin, an unshaven beard and a serious look.

"Good morning, everyone," began McGonagall, her firm voice cutting through the silence. "First, I want to thank every one of you for your efforts so far. However, as part of our commitment to the development of the team, some changes need to be made."

The players exchanged confused glances. Some were clearly apprehensive, like Loki, while others, like Lucas, were already sure of what they would see next.

"Like you, this is Coach Jimenez. He will take charge of this team from today. Eddie will continue with us as an assistant coach, a role in which he has already worked and proven that he can contribute significantly to the team's progress."

The announcement dropped like a bombshell. For a few seconds, no one said anything. Aidan frowned, surprised. Javier looked at Felix, who just raised his eyebrows.

Lucas felt a lump in his throat as he looked at Eddie, who maintained a neutral but visibly downcast expression.

Jimenez stepped forward. "Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Jimenez. I've worked in Brighton's A-Team for the last few years, and my approach is straightforward: discipline, commitment, intensity and the use of talent. I'm not here to play around. I want to be a champion in this club. Today's training session will be a test for everyone, including those I've worked with before. I want to understand exactly who I'm dealing with and how I'm going to use them."

Lucas exchanged a look with Raphael, who just raised his eyebrows, as if to say: I'm screwed.

Jimenez continued: "There will be no benefits for anyone. Those who aren't here because I approved their entry to the club through the sieves are here because I recommended them at a meeting. I know what they're capable of, and I hope they maintain or surpass the level they've shown so far."

That afternoon, the atmosphere in Brighton's training center was charged. The players, still processing McGonagall's words and the impact of Jimenez's arrival, gathered on the pitch, adjusting their boots and exchanging nervous glances.

The new coach, with his hands folded behind his back, watched the scene with an attitude that left no room for question: he was there to transform the team.

"Everyone to the center of the pitch!" shouted Jimenez, his firm voice cutting through the hubbub.

The players quickly obeyed, forming a circle around him. He walked calmly, but his eyes passed over each one as if he were deeply evaluating them.

"Today we're going to do simple things. I want to see how you play, how you move, how you think on the pitch. But make no mistake - I'm not here to find mistakes. I'm here to find solutions. And that means I am going to challenge every one of you, perhaps more than you have ever been challenged before."

Jimenez pointed to the cones and equipment that the auxiliary team had strategically placed on the field.

"Divide into groups of four. We'll start with a dynamic warm-up and move on to specific exercises. Each group will work with a different focus. I want to see speed, precision and, above all, intelligence. Let's get started!"

The players quickly split up, some still exchanging nervous smiles, others adjusting their socks with their heads down. Lucas stood in a group with Raphael, Felix, and Javier.

Jimenez approached them, pausing for a moment before speaking.

"Lucas, I don't want to see you hesitate when making first-time passes. I know you have an enough skill for that, so trust your instincts. Raphael, your pace is good, but I want more aggression in your runs. I want to see you position yourself as if your life depended on it. Felix, you're off the balance, but that doesn't mean you can hide in the game. And Javier..." He stopped, tilting his head slightly. "You know what you need to do. Then do it. No excuses."

The precision of the instructions impressed everyone. Jimenez wasn't just there to experiment; he already knew the potential of each player and knew exactly where he had to press to get the most out of them.

The first few minutes were intense. While each group carried out specific exercises, Jimenez walked around the pitch, observing, correcting postures and adjusting details. He stopped near Loki, who was visibly uncomfortable with the fast pace of the training session.

"Loki, you're a full-back, not a spectator. I want you to attack the ball like it's the only thing in the world that matters. And if you make a mistake, recover. There's no time for regret. Come on, again!"

On the other side of the pitch, Arthur was taking shots under the watchful eye of Jimenez. After a series of shots, the coach approached and grabbed the ball before it could roll away.

"Arthur, your accuracy is good, but it's predictable. That's why goalkeepers defend your shots a lot. Use your body more to deceive the goalkeeper. I want to see creativity. Imagine that every shot is an opportunity to surprise. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Arthur nodded, picking up the ball and returning to his starting position with a determined expression.

Meanwhile, Miguel and Luiz Fernando were working together on a move-building exercise. Jimenez watched them closely, occasionally gesturing or interrupting to explain something.

"Miguel, trust Luiz Fernando more. The two of you need to be connected to these crosses, like a hand and glove. When you go forward, he must know exactly where you're going to play the ball. And Luiz, don't be afraid. Go forward."

Jimenez seemed tireless. He kept the same firm tone, but now added words of encouragement.

"Raphael, that's what I want to see! Good explosion! Now keep up that pace!"

"Felix, perfect! That's the kind of game reading we need. Keep it up!"

For some, like Hillebrand and Mark, the training session was a real ordeal. But even they received clear and direct instructions.

"Hillebrand, you're fast, but you need to be more efficient. Don't waste energy on unnecessary movements. Concentrate on the essentials. Mark, I want you to be more proactive. A goalkeeper should be the commander of the area. Shout, guide, take part!"

As the sun set, Jimenez gathered everyone in the center of the pitch. The players were exhausted, some with their hands on their knees, others drinking water in large gulps. He waited until everyone was alert before speaking.

"Today was just the beginning. Tomorrow, I want you all here at seven in the morning. I know that means missing classes at the institute, but it's an order. I need to introduce some people who will be key to our progress. And I don't want to hear any excuses. Anyone who isn't willing to make sacrifices has no place in this team."

The players looked at each other. No one dared to question them. Everyone opened their mouths to say only what was necessary.

Jimenez took a step back and smiled slightly, a rare sight that afternoon.

"Resting is also part of the job. Tomorrow is a new day, and we're going to keep building something great. Now, everyone goes home."

As the players made their way back to the dressing room, the mood was one of tiredness mixed with a strange sense of hope. Kevin commented to Willian:

"Jimenez is a scary guy, but... he knows what he's doing. I've never felt more motivated than I do right now."

Willian nodded in agreement. He knew Jimenez wasn't just there to give motivational speeches because he had already been trained by Jimenez.

The coach had a plan, and each of them was an essential piece of the puzzle. But the question on everyone's mind was: would this be possible without creating too much distance between him and the players?

As he put his things away, Lucas couldn't help glancing at Eddie, who was talking to Alex in the corner of the changing room. Although he wasn't fired, no one could say if he enjoyed having a job.

Lucas felt a mixture of sadness and admiration for his former coach. Eddie hadn't given up on them, even after everything.

"Tomorrow will be a new day," thought Lucas. And with that in mind, he zipped up his backpack and left the locker room, ready for whatever was to come.

As it happened, he received a new mission from the system.

[The mission "Big Step" has been granted.]

[Do you want to find out the purpose of this mission?]

Stunned, Lucas blinked repeatedly. He looked around, noticing that there was no one else around. Finding no words, he nodded slowly, showing his agreement to find out more about the mission.

Immediately, new information appeared on the screen:

[Main Mission: Big Step

Description: You've already become a respected player whose talent has been noticed. However, there is something missing for you to be placed on the same level as the greatest talents in your league.
Continue reading on empire

Objective: Score a hat-trick in your next game.

Rewards: +100 Star Points.]

Lucas wouldn't have minded trying to do this, except that the next game was against Sevilla in the Champions Youth League. Scoring against these Champions Youth League teams was hard enough, so a hat-trick was three times as hard.