Reincarnated As A Wonderkid
Chapter 37: The Matchday
The hum of the academy dorm room at night was a familiar comfort to Leon.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, not counting sheep, but replaying moments from his life. It had been a whirlwind since his Premier League debut, the intensity of it all still settling in his bones.
Just a few years ago, he mused to himself, I was a kid at a local academy, dreaming of a chance. Now, I'm starting in the Premier League. Against Newcastle. It's… crazy.
His 'Current: 80' rating felt solid, a testament to the growth he'd undergone.
He was no longer just a kid with potential; he was a player making his mark.
the dream wasn't just to play; it was to be the best. To stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the legends like Kevin De Bruyne, with his Current: 91.
One day, Leon thought, a fierce determination burning in his chest, my 'Current' will be 90. Then 91. Then… maybe even 95.
The best in the world. Imagine that. The idea sent a thrill through him, a jolt of pure, unadulterated ambition.
He thought about his unique sight, the way the numbers shimmered above players, and now, the ghostly projections of their immediate actions.
It was like seeing the world in a different dimension, a hidden layer of information no one else could perceive.
That's it, he realized. That's my edge.
The numbers tell me their overall level, their ceiling. But these new projections… they tell me what they're going to do. A foot and a ball means a shot. An arc means a pass. An outstretched leg means a tackle. It's a real-time predictor. If I master this…
The possibilities were endless. He could anticipate tackles, block shots, make impossible interceptions.
He could thread passes through seemingly solid defenses, knowing exactly where a defender would shift, where a teammate would be.
He could become a true midfield maestro, always one step ahead. It was like having a cheat code for football, but one he had to constantly train to interpret and react to.
It was exhausting, but exhilarating.
He closed his eyes, replaying Haaland's shot, the phantom leg striking, his own desperate block.
He replayed his assist for Watkins against City, the subtle shift in the defender's ghosted form allowing the perfect through ball.
And his goal, seeing Ederson's subtle weight shift, the tiny opening in the goal that only his sight had revealed.
This is my path to becoming the best. My evolution.
My superpower. He felt a surge of quiet confidence, a deep-seated belief in his own unique journey.
The next day, Villa Park was a cauldron of noise and anticipation.
The claret and blue faithful were out in full force, banners waving, chants echoing through the stands.
Newcastle United were a formidable opponent, known for their aggressive, high-energy style, and their fans had traveled in numbers, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.
Leon walked out of the tunnel, the roar of the crowd washing over him like a warm wave.
He spotted his mom in the stands, her smile wide and proud, and Byon beside her, pumping his fist. This was for them.
He scanned the Newcastle players, his sight automatically activating.
Bruno Guimarães (Potential: 89, Current: 87) in midfield, a powerhouse.
Alexander Isak (Potential: 88, Current: 86), a clinical striker.
Kieran Trippier (Potential: 86, Current: 85), a veteran full-back with dangerous crosses.
These were top-tier players, their 'Current' ratings radiating a fierce competitiveness.
The referee blew his whistle. Kickoff!
The match exploded into action.
Newcastle, true to form, pressed high, their energy relentless. Leon found himself immediately in the thick of it, tackling, intercepting, trying to win the midfield battle.
"Stay tight! No space!" John McGinn's (Current: 84) voice cut through the din.
Leon's 'sight' was working overtime, processing the ghostly projections.
He saw a faint 'outstretched leg' above a Newcastle midfielder, signaling a tackle attempt. Leon reacted, shifting the ball quickly, drawing a foul. Free-kick.
"Early pressure from Newcastle, but Leon Fischer, making his second Premier League start, is calm under pressure, drawing a foul in the midfield!"
Villa slowly began to find their rhythm, building from the back. Leon received the ball from Douglas Luiz (Current: 85), and immediately, his 'sight' showed him a ghostly arc, a long pass from Newcastle's midfielder, aiming for Isak.
Leon knew. He didn't even look at Isak, he just moved to cut off the passing lane. The ball was intercepted, and Villa were back in possession.
"Excellent interception by Fischer! He read that perfectly!"
Newcastle's midfielder, Joelinton (Potential: 86, Current: 84), looked frustrated, shaking his head.
Leon felt a surge of confidence. His new 'sight' was truly giving him an edge.
He could see their plans forming, seconds before they executed them.
The game was a fierce back-and-forth, a true Premier League battle. Leon found himself constantly in duels with Bruno Guimarães (Current: 87), a relentless opponent.
Guimarães was a force, his 'Current' glowing with intensity, his physical presence immense. But Leon, using his predictive vision, managed to anticipate many of Guimarães's moves, making a key block here, a crucial interception there.
Around the 30th minute, Aston Villa launched a blistering counter-attack.
Leon won the ball in midfield, dispossessing a frustrated Guimarães, who had been about to attempt a pass.
Leon immediately drove forward, his 'Current: 84' pulsing with energy.
He saw Ollie Watkins (Current: 86) making a darting run into the box, but a Newcastle defender, Fabian Schär (Potential: 87, Current: 85), had a 'ghosted outstretched leg' – a tackle ready to cut off the pass.
Instead, Leon faked the through ball to Watkins, drawing Schär in.
Then, with a subtle flick, he played a perfect reverse pass to John McGinn, who had made a late, surging run from deep.
McGinn was suddenly one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Nick Pope (Potential: 88, Current: 87).
The commentator's voice reached a fever pitch: "McGinn! What a run! He's in! It's a fantastic pass from Fischer! McGinn with the shot…!"
BOOOOM! McGinn hammered it home, a powerful strike that bulged the net.
GOOOAL!
ASTON VILLA 1 - Newcastle United 0!
Villa Park erupted into an absolute frenzy.
The roar was deafening, a wave of pure elation. McGinn ran to the corner flag, sliding on his knees, and Leon was swarmed by his teammates, high-fives and pats on the back raining down on him.
The first half ended with Villa leading. The dressing room was buzzing, but Coach Emery kept them grounded.
"Good half. But they will come back stronger. Stay disciplined. Leon, your vision is crucial. Keep finding those spaces."
The second half was even more intense. Newcastle came out firing, their 'Current' ratings pulsing with renewed determination.
Alexander Isak (Current: 86) was a constant threat, his movements elusive. Leon found himself tracking back more, using his 'sight' to predict Isak's runs, trying to cut off his supply.
Midway through the half, Newcastle found their equalizer. A quick free-kick, and Kieran Trippier (Current: 85) swung in a pinpoint cross. Callum Wilson (Potential: 87, Current: 85) rose above the Villa defense, his ghostly 'head' outline clear to Leon, but he was too far to intervene.
WHISSHH! GOOOAL! Newcastle United 1 - ASTON VILLA 1!
The Newcastle fans roared their approval. The game was tied, and the tension was almost unbearable.
The final ten minutes were frantic. Both teams pushed for a winner. Leon felt the fatigue setting in, his lungs burning, but his mind remained sharp, his 'sight' constantly feeding him information.
He saw Bruno Guimarães (Current: 87) receive the ball, deep in Villa's half.
Leon closed him down, anticipating the short pass (the faint 'arc' from his foot).
Leon lunged, winning the tackle! He immediately looked up, seeing Ollie Watkins making a run. Leon saw the transparent outline of a Newcastle defender, Sven Botman, about to position himself to block the obvious through ball.
Leon made a split-second decision. He didn't go for the pass.
Instead, he took another touch, dribbling past Guimarães, and with a sudden burst of speed, raced toward the Newcastle goal. He saw the 'ghosted outstretched leg' from Botman, indicating a tackle. Leon swerved, dodging the tackle, and was suddenly through on goal, just outside the box.
He saw Nick Pope (Current: 87) in goal, anticipating a shot to the near post
(his 'ghosted glove' outline showing a parry).
Leon, relying on his perfected 'sight', aimed for the far corner, a narrow gap that only he could see. He unleashed a powerful, curling shot.
BOOM!
The ball rocketed towards the goal.
It soared past Pope's outstretched hand, hitting the inside of the post and nestling into the net.
GOOOAL! ASTON VILLA 2 - Newcastle United 1!
Villa Park exploded! The sound was deafening, a raw, emotional roar that made the entire stadium shake.
Leon ran to the corner flag, a triumphant yell escaping his lips, his teammates rushing to embrace him. His first Premier League goal! And it was the winner!
The final whistle blew just moments later.
Aston Villa had won! The joy in the stadium was palpable, a wave of euphoria.
Leon slumped to the ground, exhausted but incredibly, unbelievably happy. He had done it!