CHAPTER 344: MORE THA GERRARD? IMPOSSIBLE!

Richard had always been curious about why The Sun seemed so determined to stir trouble for him and his Manchester City.

Maybe, just maybe, this Gabriella Murdoch could be the unexpected breakthrough that would finally reveal the reason behind it all.

The evening at the ball ended on a surprisingly productive note. He secured Princess Diana’s gowns and, more importantly, left with something equally valuable—Gabriella’s phone number.

On his way back to Manchester, Richard gave Earl Spencer a call.

"Sir, I’ve secured several of Princess Diana’s gowns. Would you like to collect them now?"

"Just call me Charles," came the reply from the other end. "Actually, I have something I’d like to discuss with you as well. Let’s schedule a meeting—three days from now."

"Understood," Richard replied, his voice calm as the call ended with a soft click.

Richard had returned to Manchester briefly before heading out to Liverpool for an important occasion—the opening match of the FA Youth Cup, where Manchester City U-17s were set to face Liverpool’s reserve squad.

Thanks to Manchester City’s impressive youth record over the past two years, expectations were running high. The team had been on a sharp upward trajectory, fueling the fans’ excitement. Even for a youth cup tie, the usually modest Vernon Sangster Sports Centre in Liverpool was buzzing—over 70% of seats were filled. Tickets were reasonably priced at just £5, drawing in a lively local crowd.

Richard wasn’t alone today. At his special request, he was joined by José Mourinho, who had recently been granted permission by Steve Walford to temporarily assist Manchester City’s U-17 squad.

For now, he was given the opportunity to observe Manchester City’s U-17 match firsthand.

In Manchester City’s starting lineup for today’s FA Youth Cup match, Richard’s attention was firmly drawn to several standout names: Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho, John Terry, and Ashley Cole—all young talents he had personally kept an eye on.

As for the rest of the squad—from goalkeeper to midfield—while their names might not shine as brightly in the future as those mentioned above, there were still promising talents across the pitch. Players like Jonathan Woodgate and Joe Cole stood out as potential stars in the making—not to mention Ledley King, Wes Brown, Wayne Bridge, Scott Parker, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Craig Bellamy, and Samuel Eto’o.

As the teams took to the field, the head coach overseeing the match was Steve Walford and McAuley.

Soon, the Liverpool and Manchester City U-17 players entered the pitch, brimming with energy and enthusiasm.

By chance, Richard found himself paying close attention to Liverpool’s squad—almost as if drawn by instinct.

He was reminded of a famous quote from Liverpool’s legendary manager, Bill Shankly:’There are two great teams in Merseyside: the first is Liverpool, and the second is Liverpool’s reserve team.’

At first glance, the statement might seem like pure bravado—something 99% of people would dismiss as overconfidence. But in reality, there was truth behind the boldness. The current Liverpool manager, Roy Evans, had once been the head coach of Liverpool’s reserve team.

Back then, the reserves were essentially the youth squad, primarily focused on player development. Under Evans’s leadership, the Liverpool reserves achieved a string of record-breaking performances—many of which remained unmatched. Though technically "reserve" records, their achievements held real value.

More importantly, many of the players Evans helped nurture eventually graduated to the senior team, forming the core of the side that would go on to win three European Cups under Bob Paisley, Shankly’s successor.

Seen from that perspective, Shankly’s boast wasn’t just empty talk—it was a glimpse into the strength of Liverpool’s developmental legacy.

Now, Liverpool’s youth coach, McAuley, also had a notable background. He was originally brought to the club during Shankly’s era, though his playing career never truly took off. Realizing his limitations on the pitch, he turned his focus toward coaching—studying tactics and training methodologies with great dedication.

After several years of relentless learning and behind-the-scenes work, McAuley returned to Liverpool with a renewed purpose.

Recognizing his potential, Kenny Dalglish appointed him to help shape the next generation of talent—entrusting him with one of the club’s most important roles: youth development.

The Liverpool youth team from the 1997 generation that took the field today was precisely the group that McAuley had carefully molded.

However, as Richard scanned Liverpool’s youth squad, he felt a twinge of doubt.

Mourinho, noticing the change in Richard’s expression, raised an eyebrow."What’s wrong?"

Thanks to his experience working closely with Bobby Robson at Sporting CP, Porto, and Barcelona, Mourinho had developed a solid grasp of English. He had often acted as Robson’s translator, which helped him rapidly improve his understanding of football terminology and conversational English—though his grammar and fluency were still a bit rough.

The problem was, Richard couldn’t recognize anyone from the current Liverpool squad. To be honest, the real reason he attended this match was to watch Steven Gerrard. But... where was he?

Leaning down slightly, Richard couldn’t help but ask Mourinho, "Before you came here, did you do any research on Liverpool’s lineup?"

Unlike the Mourinho of the future, the current him was still a beginner—more focused on training the team and studying opponents. His current role at City, as O’Neill’s assistant, was more about observing and scouting promising talents. Building rapport was part of it; if they could sign the players, great. If not, it was still useful to add fresh data to City’s scouting library.

Mourinho nodded at Richard’s question.

"You’re asking about number twenty-eight? Why isn’t he playing?"

"Number 28?"

Mourinho was momentarily taken aback. He flipped open the small notebook he had brought with him, scanning the names and numbers.

"Oh—Steven Gerrard, you mean?"

Richard nodded silently.

Mourinho then pointed toward the player wearing Liverpool’s number eight jersey on the pitch.

"That’s Layton Maxwell. Right now, the defensive midfield spot can only go to either him or Gerrard. It looks like Maxwell got the nod today, so Gerrard’s on the bench—he’s currently just the backup."

Richard felt a wave of dizziness as the information sank in. He furrowed his brow, unsettled.

"Do you have any details on this Layton Maxwell? If you do, hand them over."

Maybe—just maybe—it was another Jonathan Woodgate or Joe Cole situation: supremely talented English players whose careers would later be derailed by injury. If that was the case, perhaps City could make a move for them next season.

As Richard skimmed through Mourinho’s notes, he found only a short entry: Maxwell began his career as a trainee with Liverpool. He became a regular in the reserve team, keeping Steven Gerrard out of the squad on occasion. That was all.

Sensing Richard’s confusion, Mourinho offered some clarity.

"Gerrard’s on the bench because he lacks a defining trait right now. He’s... too balanced. Not particularly strong in either attack or defense. Players like that—" he paused, choosing his words carefully, "— Coaches can’t quite figure out how to use them."

Richard could only nod for now.

As the match began, he kept his eyes fixed on the Welsh prodigy, trying hard to recall if there had ever been a star named Layton Maxwell in the English or European football scene—but nothing came to mind.

Once the game kicked off, both teams displayed a refreshing flair. Their tactics deviated from the typical English style of play, which was usually aggressive and physical. Instead, the emphasis here was on teamwork and individual skill—qualities that shone brightly throughout the match.

For Manchester City, the midfield quartet consisted of Ronaldinho, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, and Owen Hargreaves.

Hargreaves leaned more toward defense, while Joe Cole took charge as the central playmaker.

Carrick covered a large area of the pitch, contributing to both attack and defense. With Ronaldinho simetimes offering support behind Cole and the team’s attack well-orchestrated, City dominated possession confidently.

In one attacking play down the flank, Ronaldinho initially pressed toward the center before suddenly pulling back to meet a perfectly timed pass. His footwork was remarkably deft as he expertly nudged the ball forward. Just as it threaded through Neil Murphy’s legs, Ronaldinho smoothly maneuvered around him, timing his shot perfectly to strike the ball into the net guarded by David James.

17th minute — Goal: Liverpool 0–1 Manchester City (Goal by Ronaldinho)

29th minute — Goal: Liverpool 0–2 Manchester City (Goal by Ronaldinho)

42nd minute — Goal: Liverpool 0–3 Manchester City (Goal by Eto’o)

Richard shook his head—he had seen enough.

He was initially curious to see what kind of prodigy could keep Gerrard on the bench—but he ended up disappointed.

In terms of speed, Maxwell might have a slight edge over Gerrard, but Richard firmly believed that Gerrard’s ability to read the game—and his overall football intelligence—was clearly superior. He couldn’t help but rack his brain, trying to figure out how someone like Gerrard had ended up as a backup to a player like that.

Many gifted players never manage to fulfill their potential—and that’s entirely normal. The success rate in professional football is incredibly low. Even the most talented individuals need the right environment to thrive; both external circumstances and personal attributes play crucial roles in shaping their paths.

Some players give up. Others are undone by injuries, mismanaged by coaches, or simply buried in teams that don’t suit their style. In pivotal moments, just a few steps can make all the difference. Hard work alone isn’t enough. Those who succeed carve out brilliant careers; those who falter often fade into obscurity.

City, on their end, played with impressive efficiency, executing quick counterattacks that often caught Liverpool off guard. Ronaldinho, in particular, was electric—his flair, close control, and fearless dribbling stood out as he confidently took on defenders one by one, breaking through lines with almost effortless ease.

Watching him dominate the pitch, Richard finally understood why Steve Walford had once come to him and said, ’I can’t coach this kid."’

His game was pure instinct, rhythm, and artistry. Trying to contain or over-structure him would be like putting a leash on lightning.

Richard frowned then.

But if you’re exceptional—like Ronaldinho—and you play for a team that emphasizes philosophy over pure results, you might find yourself constrained by that very system. Even the most brilliant players can be stifled if there’s no room for individual expression.

Training the players mattered far more than winning any championship.

This philosophy largely holds true across European youth development systems. National youth teams often deliver underwhelming performances in international competitions. Critics might scoff, saying these kids are unreliable—they score plenty but concede just as much, and overall, don’t look particularly impressive.

But that perception misses the point. The apparent inconsistency stems from a fundamental difference between youth development and senior football. Senior teams need results. Youth teams do not.

Youth squads exist to develop players, not to chase trophies. Coaches place far fewer rigid demands on young talents. Creativity and spontaneity are encouraged more than in the professional ranks. That’s why chaotic, high-scoring games are not only common—they’re expected.

After all, the results in youth competitions aren’t what matters most. It’s like being top of your class in elementary or high school—it might look good on paper, but it doesn’t guarantee success later in life. The real test comes when you step into the real world.

PHWEEEEE~

The first half ended with Liverpool being thoroughly dominated and almost helpless.

But as the second half rolled on, the moment Richard had been waiting for finally arrived.

In the 66th minute, Steven Gerrard came on to replace Layton Maxwell.

It took only fifteen minutes for the difference to become glaringly obvious.

In that short span, Gerrard created multiple opportunities for his teammates. He matched Ronaldinho’s performance in City’s midfield, but it was clear that his teammates couldn’t keep up with the rhythm of his game—often a step behind in timing and awareness. Most important of all?

Stability and tempo.

This was exactly the kind of player Richard admired—a midfielder with outstanding game intelligence, a sharp sense of playmaking, and the defensive grit to win the ball back when needed. His transition play—recovering possession and immediately distributing it forward—was elite. It was no exaggeration to call Gerrard a prodigy.

"That number 28 is very good," Mourinho muttered, impressed.

See? Even Mourinho admitted it.

He then turned to Richard, asking, "Do you think we could sign him for Manchester City?"

Richard blinked. For a second, he thought Mourinho was joking.

But the question instantly brought back a painful memory—when he had once tried to lure that kid to City, only to be used as leverage so he could secure a contract extension at Liverpool.

Richard’s face turned grim in an instant. "Impossible!" he snapped, like a man who’d just recalled a particularly bitter breakup.

Seeing Richard’s unusually sharp response, Mourinho looked surprised as well.

"They’d never let go of a prodigy like him," Richard added, offering a quick explanation for his outburst.

The more he thought about it, the more his frustration grew. His face scrunched in annoyance, and eventually, all he could do was sigh and cross his arms.

PHWEEEEEE~

The final whistle echoed like an exclamation point to his sulking.

Liverpool Reserves 2 – 4 Manchester City

Gerrard: 2 assists.

No Gerrard, no party—indeed.