"Besides Ishmael, Leo Messi and Michael Johnson are also outstanding among players their age. Messi in particular is always so imaginative with the ball that even we are often amazed by what he does!" Cassel said with a laugh, full of praise.
Ethan watched carefully from the touchline. He noticed that even against older players like Curtis, who was 15 or 16, Messi could still move through them with ease thanks to his technique, though he was a little too slight physically.
But that did not matter. He was only 12 years old, and his technique had not yet fully developed. He did not do any physical training in his daily sessions, and because of his existing condition, his physique was even weaker than Michael Johnson's. However, Ethan believed that with the help of Professor Fryer, Derek, and the others at The Lab, Messi's physical condition would definitely improve.
"Then we must make sure he never loses that imagination!" Ethan said with a smile.
"That goes without saying!" Cassel nodded and laughed. "They are still at the stage where their technique is developing. We will do everything we can to bring out their talent. He will definitely become one of the club's brightest gems in the future."
"What about Michael Johnson?" Ethan asked, pointing towards the players on the pitch.
"His passing is very distinctive. He is sharp and possesses excellent vision, especially in the way he reads the game. It seems almost instinctive, which makes his passing very incisive. But he still needs polishing. You know, he has the natural talent to pass the ball, but without enough hard work and careful refinement, he will never be able to make full use of it."
Beckham's passing certainly owed something to talent, but his hard work was equally important. Therefore, Ethan agreed with Cassel's assessment. After all, the man standing beside him was a youth coach who had personally watched players like Beckham grow into stars.
"What stands out most about Ishmael is his first touch. You saw it just now. His control looked simple and effortless, but was it really that easy? I don't think so. It is because his fundamentals are so solid that he can control the ball cleanly and move straight into his next action."
"Ronaldo, Bergkamp, Van Basten, and Van Nistelrooy, whom Manchester United have taken an interest in this year, all share one trait. Their control is excellent, they remain calm when receiving the ball, and their next action is often lethal. That is an instinct every great striker possesses."
"Does Ishmael have that instinct too?" Ethan asked in surprise.
He knew Ishmael was talented, but he had never gone so far as to compare him with players of Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy's calibre.
"No. It isn't purely instinct. It is also a technique, the ability to receive the ball and shoot using the simplest, most direct, most efficient, and most technically sound movements. Sometimes, flashy play is not necessarily a good thing on the football pitch. Messi's dribbling just now was certainly brilliant, but he tried too hard to show off. That delayed the attack and allowed the well-prepared Curtis to get into position, costing Ishmael the first good shooting opportunity."
Hearing this, Ethan recalled the scene from moments earlier, then thought back to Cristiano Ronaldo's performances when he first arrived in the Premier League in his previous life. He had to admit that as football became increasingly results-oriented, excessive showboating no longer suited the direction in which the game was developing. That was why Ferguson gradually moulded Cristiano Ronaldo into a powerful, muscular player.
"Messi has many strengths. His off-the-ball movement, his link-up play with teammates, and his natural sense of rhythm are, for a player, even more admirable than his extraordinary technique. But his weaknesses are also obvious. He holds on to the ball too long and often delays attacks because of it."
"Ishmael is the opposite. His movements are simple and effective, but he often looks disconnected from his teammates on the pitch. His personality is also somewhat extreme, which is another reason why he does not combine with them very often. If he can improve that aspect and strengthen his understanding and cooperation with his teammates, I believe his future will be even brighter."
At this point, Cassel seemed to remember something else.
"Oh, right, there is also his finishing. I find it difficult to understand why he becomes so reckless whenever he shoots. It is as though the moment he controls the ball, his brain suddenly switches off, and the shot that follows becomes hurried and careless. That is why his conversion rate is so low."
"It sounds like you're very satisfied with these youngsters, Jim!" Ethan said with a smile.
Although Cassel had been analysing their strengths and weaknesses, it was clear that he valued these young players greatly. Every word he spoke revealed the high hopes he had for them.
"I have a feeling, Boss, that this group of players will lead the club to its peak one day!" Cassel said with a laugh.
Ethan firmly believed the same. He could not speak with certainty about the others, but Messi was undoubtedly the player he valued most in the youth team. He firmly believed that Messi's future would be brilliant and that he would one day lead New Manchester United to the summit.
Just like Ferguson's Class of '92, which had helped Manchester United rise to the pinnacle of European and world football.
"Hearing you say that, Jim, I just remembered a task that has been giving me a headache. But now it seems there should be no problem leaving it to you."
"Don't, Boss. I'm already extremely busy. I have to help Steve with first-team training, and I also have to oversee the youth setup. I don't have time to take on anything else!" Cassel immediately tried to refuse.
"No, no, no, Jim. This is also related to youth development. You know we are currently working with OPTA to develop a scouting system, and I want you to take charge of the project."
"A scouting system?" This was the first time Cassel had heard about it.
Ethan nodded. "It is a confidential club project. Over the next few years, I intend to build a global scouting network for the club, collect information on young talents from around the world, and enter their abilities, potential, and other data into a dedicated system. Then, whenever the club needs a player in a particular position, we will be able to quickly identify suitable targets."
Cassel was surprised. In conservative and traditional English football, he had never heard of such a system. However, he had seen OPTA's data firsthand and knew that statistics could explain a great deal about what happened on the pitch. He quickly understood how important such a scouting system could be for a club.
"Building a system like that must cost a lot of money, right?" Cassel admired Ethan's courage and foresight.
"Money is not the issue, Jim. I know very well that no club can remain successful forever, and no championship-winning team can keep every player indefinitely. Player turnover is unavoidable. The key to sustaining a club's performance is finding a way to minimise the risks caused by those changes, or even prevent them from affecting the club's operations and results."
Simply put, the club needed to be able to find the right players whenever and wherever they were needed. Of course, whether those players could adapt after arriving or perform as well as expected was another matter.
"All right, Boss. I'll do it. But I need some time to organise my thoughts," Cassel said.
He naturally understood the importance of the system, so he accepted without hesitation.
"No problem, Jim. You will be at the heart of this project, so everyone will work around you. One more thing. You need to keep this confidential. It would be best not to mention it even to Steve."
Cassel was somewhat surprised.
Since joining the club, he had seen Ethan hand almost everything over to Bruce and place enormous trust in him. Yet now, Ethan was asking him to keep something from Bruce. Could there be a conflict between them? But judging from their daily interactions, it did not seem that way.
Cassel was an intelligent man, and he quickly realised the reason.
Bruce was leaving!
A small club could not hold on to a man destined for greater things forever.
Noticing Cassel's questioning gaze, Ethan knew he had guessed the truth.
"So far, only Steve and I know about this. I don't want it to affect the team's performances or the players' mentality."
Cassel nodded. "I understand, Boss. Don't worry. I won't say a word."
His tone carried a hint of emotion.
He knew that Ethan entrusting him with such an important task at a time like this was a sign of great trust. Cassel had no intention of leaving with Bruce either, even if Bruce was moving to a Premier League club. His salary at New Manchester United was already generous, the working environment was relaxed, and most importantly, Ethan trusted him.
Ethan patted Cassel on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, Jim. I'll solve the problem. Just as I've said before, New Manchester United are not a one-man team. The club will not collapse because one person leaves. Next season, we will be in League Two, and we will also be the strongest contenders for the League Two title. I'm very confident about that!"
With that, Ethan turned and left the training ground.
Cassel remained where he was, watching Ethan's retreating figure with deep emotion.
He truly wanted to tell him, "You're wrong, Boss. New Manchester United are a one-man team. But that man isn't any of the players, nor is it Steve Bruce, and it certainly isn't the supporters. This is your team, Ethan!"
Cassel had complete faith in him. He knew that if Bruce left, Ethan would immediately find a successor, and New Manchester United would continue moving forward. But if Ethan were ever gone, Cassel could hardly imagine what the club would become.
What Ethan had poured into New Manchester United was not merely money, but also his determination, ambition, and passion for football. Almost everyone who worked beside him was inevitably influenced by those qualities.
That was why the atmosphere throughout New Manchester United, both on and off the pitch, was always so intense and positive.
Without Ethan, New Manchester United would lose their soul.
And without a soul, the club would become nothing more than an empty shell, helpless and waiting to be torn apart.
"The club can survive without anyone else, but it cannot survive without you, Boss," Cassel murmured as he watched Ethan disappear into the distance.
(To be continued.)