“A captain… like me?”
“That’s right. Like you. You work harder than anyone else on the team. No matter the results you attain, you’ve never become arrogant. You’re always firm-footed and grounded. Everybody sees this. Do you think your position in the team was only given to you because of the Boss?”
Wood turned to look at Tang En, but he only smiled.
“No. It’s because everybody knows you truly have that ability. Your performance had everyone convinced, so nobody objected to you consistently being a starter.”
Tang En nodded. “Last season, the media thought you sat so steadily in your position as the team’s main defensive midfielder because of special treatment from me. Do you believe that bulls**t?”
Wood shook his head.
“That’s it. You are a very confident person. I knew that from the beginning.” Tang En beamed. That’s right. Wood had wanted to train with the First Team right after entering the team and not having even signed a contract yet. Wasn’t that enough confidence?
“So… we are different people. You can’t imitate me in everything, George. Are you worried that you won’t have any authority or be trusted as the captain in the team? But, you have already proven it with your actions… Do you still remember the Europa League match last season? Do you remember what you did after Freddy got injured by the Brazilian’s tackle and had to leave the field?”
Wood nodded.
“Although the Boss is here, I still want to say that you did fantastic. At that point, I believe several people on the team must have had those kinds of thoughts; to do the Brazilian guy in. They did not have that courage, but you did it without hesitation. This matter made everyone adjust their perspective of you.”
Tang En interrupted Albertini, saying, “This, George… I must add, even now, I would still insist on applauding that foul. Back then, I was not purposely trying to pick a bone with the referee or vent my unhappiness. I just thought that the foul was incredibly cool! Do you know what a captain is? A captain is someone who would stand up for his teammates. You need to protect your teammates because they trust and support you. They know that even if they meet with some trouble on their own, the team captain would step up to help them solve it. If they get bullied by others, someone else would bully back on their behalf! That… is being a captain. It’s what a captain like you should do.”
By Tang En’s side, Albertini nodded in agreement.
“In that instant, you let your teammates feel that you’re someone trustworthy, someone worth supporting. You’ve succeeded, George. Think about it. Why did no one object when I announced your captaincy in front of everybody in the locker room?”
“It’s because you’ve used your actions to tell them that you would help them solve their problems whenever they meet with trouble,” Albertini said, chiming in.
“No matter the method used… You’ve already established your authority.”
It was as if Tang En and Albertini were performing, with them taking turns to talk, slowly helping Wood untie the knot in his heart.
“What are you still worried about? One day, if you suddenly act like Demi, smiling and greeting anyone whom you see, I’m afraid everyone would just think you’ve gone crazy.”
Hearing Tang En say that, Albertini chortled in amusement. He imagined Wood with a beaming face; it was just too strange.
“Your teammates have already accepted everything about you. Why do you still want to change yourself? No one said the captain had to adapt to the team. Conversely, a team should have the mark of the captain leading them. For example, Demi’s style is more like the wind while yours is like fire. That’s excellent. I do not think there are any problems having two captains of different styles. There is only one thing you need to change…” Tang En raised his index finger.
“Open your mouth and talk. Let your teammates hear your thoughts, opinions, your wishes about what you want them to do, your suggestions, what you hope they won’t do, or what you think is good and what you think isn’t… All your ideas, express them with your words instead of sitting in a corner of the locker room all day in silence. George, when you’re entering the field, how does it feel to stand right at the front of the team?”
Wood said nothing. He was still thinking on Tang En and Albertini’s words. He had believed that any captain should be like Albertini to receive everyone’s welcome, support, and respect. But, he never thought that there might be a different path to achieving the same things.
To be a captain of his own style?
It had never crossed his mind.
But… perhaps it was worth a try.
“I think…” Wood finally said, “It feels good.”
Tang En and Albertini exchanged looks and smiled.
※※※
Dinner had come to an end. Tang En and Albertini and his family bid their goodbyes.
Albertini and his wife thanked Sophia before leaving to retrieve their car. Meanwhile, Tang En had stopped Wood.
“Hmm… I want to say something. You say that you have no commonalities with Demi at all. But, I disagree. Of course, from the surface, one is an extrovert, and the other is an introvert. However, I still think there’s a very big common factor between the two of you. Do you know what it is?”
Wood shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Seriousness. You’re both very serious people.” Tang En turned to look at Albertini, who was waving at him from inside the car. “I believe that serious people may have to live a tougher life than most others, but they always achieve great things.”
Tang En patted Wood’s shoulder and left, walking towards Albertini’s car. Demi had said he would take Tang En home.
Albertini was serious about football, about Milan, about his own love and family. Wood was serious about how he treated his mother and similarly serious in how he treated football; otherwise, he could not possibly achieve the results he had gotten today.
Tang En was halfway to the car when Sophia called out to him. “Tony, feel free to visit whenever you have the time.”
He turned with a smile and nodded at Sophia. “I will, Madam.”
※※※
Sophia and Wood only returned to their home after seeing Tang En and Albertini leave.
“George. It was Mr. Twain who called me, telling me you’ve recently met with some problems and hoping I could help. You’re a lucky boy, with so many people keeping you in their thoughts. So, you mustn’t let Mr. Twain down.”
The mother gently ruffled her son’s hair.
“Yes, I know now,” her son said, vigorously nodding his head.