Chapter 38: Opening the Mind Broadens the Horizons

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Chapter 38: A Broader Perspective Opens Up a Wider World

The schedule ahead was undeniably putting Arsenal under tremendous pressure.

In particular, Cazorla, Wilshere, Walcott, and several others would soon be reporting for international duty.

What worried Wenger most was that the dreaded FIFA virus might injure several of his key players just as Arsenal was about to face a punishing run of fixtures.

Fortunately, Li Mo did not have to report to a national team for the time being.

In fact, in Italy, people had already begun discussing the possibility of Li Mo being called up to the Italian national team.

With the national team of the Dragon Kingdom competing for his allegiance, quite a few Italian media commentators had argued that Italy should act as quickly as possible—calling Li Mo up, then giving him an opportunity to appear in an official international match. As long as Li Mo represented Italy in a senior international, he would be bound to the Italian team.

However, Li Mo had failed to score in his last four matches, and the discussion had cooled considerably in Italy.

Indeed, because Li Mo had gone four games without finding the net, debate had even arisen in Italy over whether “Inzaghi-style players could adapt to modern football.”

The outspoken Antonio Cassano, having been left out of Prandelli’s national team squad, began making furious statements in the media to express his displeasure.

One reporter remarked, “Li Mo wasn’t selected either, even though he’s been in excellent form recently.”

“Ha.”

Cassano’s face was full of disdain.

“His honeymoon period is over. He’s an Inzaghi-style striker. But forget Li Mo—even Filippo Inzaghi at his peak could never have been a regular starter for any of the top clubs in Europe’s four major leagues!”

Everyone knew that Cassano had a big mouth.

So although his words were shocking, they were hardly surprising.

Cassano’s real target, however, was national team manager Cesare Prandelli.

Li Mo had merely been caught in the crossfire.

There was plenty of discussion about Li Mo in Italy.

And, in fact, there was just as much in the Dragon Kingdom.

“We have to call Li Mo up before Italy does!”

Some people issued loud appeals through the media.

But everyone knew that although the Dragon Kingdom Football Association was nominally a private organization, its relationship with the national football administration was perfectly clear.

A team official, however, said during a pre-match press conference for the Dragon Kingdom national team, “For now, we have no plans to naturalize any overseas Chinese players.”

Those words nearly caused the fans to explode.

“Li Mo’s father is from Jiaying Prefecture in Guangdong Province, and he has a household registration there. How can he be considered naturalized?”

“He had the opportunity to choose his own nationality after turning eighteen!”

“Naturalized? Can the Football Association even tell the difference between naturalization and a normal call-up?”

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The Dragon Kingdom Football Association’s lack of professionalism manifested itself in every possible way.

If Li Mo’s name continued to appear frequently in the Italian and Dragon Kingdom media, the British media, with international match week approaching, finally stopped harping on Arsenal and Li Mo.

In fact, for Li Mo, not receiving a national team call-up for the time being was hardly a bad thing. He was extremely busy, and taking part in international matches would be meaningless. The European Championship had only just ended, while the World Cup was still two years away. At present, the major national teams were merely playing warm-up matches and friendlies. There was nothing particularly worthwhile about them.

Now he could devote all his time to improving himself.

For most players, an international break meant relaxation.

For Li Mo, it was a period of secluded cultivation.

Ten days later, Li Mo finally completed all the training for the Balotelli Strength and Physicality Module.

“Ding! You have completed the fusion of the Balotelli Strength and Physicality Module!”

As the system’s voice rang out in his mind, Li Mo felt an overwhelming urge to throw his head back and shout.

But considering that he might frighten the academy players training nearby, he ultimately managed to restrain himself.

Li Mo opened his system panel.

[Inzaghi Scoring Instinct Module]: 100% fused
[Andrea Dominant Foot Module]: 100% fused
[Van Persie Volley Module]: 100% fused
[Walcott Explosive Acceleration Module]: 100% fused
[Balotelli Strength and Physicality Module]: 100% fused
[Basic Passing Training Module]: Training complete. Basic passing rating: A
[Basic Shooting Training Module]: Training complete. Basic shooting rating: A
[Basic Dribbling Training Module]: Training progress: 1%

“Next, I just need to complete the Basic Dribbling Training Module and raise the three fundamental skills to an S rating. Passing, first touch, dribbling, shooting—passing, first touch, dribbling, shooting. Why is it only passing, dribbling, and shooting now?”

Li Mo shook his head slightly.

“Ding. First-touch technique is incorporated into the three fundamental skills of dribbling, shooting, and passing. Improving the three fundamental skills will correspondingly enhance ball control, first touch, and related abilities.”

Li Mo had not expected this lousy system to become slightly more intelligent.

Could it be because it had upgraded?

He had now fused five player-skill modules.

The system’s next upgrade would require him to fuse eight player-skill modules, complete all three fundamental training modules, and raise the fundamental-skill ratings to S.

Only then could it be activated.

Still, with the abilities he currently possessed, if he could fully develop and utilize them, they would be more than enough to make him a first-rate center forward.

Possessing abilities was one thing.

Mastering how to use them to perfection was another.

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Take Yasuo, for example.

In one person’s hands, the champion could carry a game.

In another’s, he could make the opposing team carry the game instead.

Execution mattered enormously.

Li Mo had also discovered that player-skill modules were not useful only in certain specific situations.

For example, the Van Persie Volley Module had noticeably improved his ball sense, shooting accuracy, and striking power.

After all, successfully executing a volley required one to meet certain fundamental conditions.

That meant Li Mo’s existing skills, if used properly, were enough to make him an outstanding center forward.

“Strength in physical battles, speed, and fundamental shooting skills…”

Li Mo stroked his chin.

“Perhaps I can develop more ways to score.”

Before this, he had relied heavily on the Inzaghi Scoring Instinct Module.

It was precisely that module that had pulled him out of what had nearly been a quagmire.

It was no exaggeration to say that the module had once been Li Mo’s saving grace.

Consequently, even after his abilities had improved considerably, he remained far too dependent on it at a fundamental level.

He was always hoping to play like Inzaghi—to make runs behind the defense, find completely open spaces, and constantly probe along the offside line.

But the truth was that his physical attributes were far superior to Inzaghi’s.

He did not need to fear physical challenges, nor did he need to hug the offside line so tightly. After all, he could use his explosive acceleration to burst through the opposing defense.

Once his perspective broadened, the world suddenly seemed much wider.

In an instant, Li Mo thought of numerous possible ways to score.

“Besides acquiring new skill modules, learning how to make good use of and further develop the modules I already possess is equally important.”

That was what Li Mo thought.

[End of Chapter]