Fox in the Penalty Area

"Congratulations, Jay! That goal of yours was so beautiful! Although everyone in the media is praising Hu, your goal is equally important. After all, without your goal, Leeds City would have just played Stan Park Rangers. It’s just a 3:3 tie..."

Jay Adams interrupted his agent's excited chatter on the phone: "There is no such thing, Oliver. You have to understand that without my goal, Hu would have become the first player in Stan Park in seventy-six years. The guy who scored four goals...don't underestimate his ability to score goals."

"Ha, of course, that's what I said." The agent on the other end of the phone, Oliver DeWitt, sounded very good. "One more thing. Jay Bernard is injured. You must seize this opportunity and strive to participate in the World Cup!"

Although he became famous very early and debuted early, there is a little trivia about Jay Adams: He has not participated in the World Cup yet...

Due to his outstanding performance in Leeds City this season, agent Oliver de Wit certainly hopes that he will be selected for the England team to participate in the World Cup to be held in the United States and Canada in June this year.

"Oliver..." Adams sighed, "Of course I hope to participate in the World Cup, but when you say that, how do you want me to respond? Say that I am very happy that Bernard's injury gave me the opportunity to participate in the World Cup?"

"Uh...blame me, blame me." Agent DeWitt also realized that this matter could not be discussed in such a frivolous tone.

"Anyway, I won't think about the World Cup* now, I just hope to be able to play well in the league at the club. You must not say those things online, do you hear that, Oliver?"

"OK, OK. No problem, don't worry, Jay. I won't cause you any trouble..."

After hanging up the phone, Jay Adams looked down at the news on his phone:

"... Harry Bernard suffered a serious meniscus injury in his knee when he hit the goalpost while trying to save a ball during the game against Leeds City... There is currently no further treatment plan for his meniscus injury in his knee. But according to other serious meniscus injuries in the past Judging from subsequent recovery cases, it will take at least three to five months of recovery time... Even if he is able to play by then, it will be difficult for his physical condition to return to optimal... As England's core midfielder, even if he is only absent Training before the World Cup will have a great impact on the team's performance..."

※※※

"Currently we have three sets of treatment plans. The first set is conservative treatment. This set of recovery is the fastest and only takes two to six weeks, but it has the highest risks and the most hidden dangers. I personally do not recommend it..."

In the team doctor's office of Stan Park Rangers Club, team medical director John Lillis is briefing the team's head coach Brooks and player Harry Bernard, who is sitting in a wheelchair.

"The second option is to remove the meniscus, which will only take two months to return to the court. But there will also be great risks in the future. So I personally recommend the third option - suture surgery. Once the operation is successful, It will take three to five months to recover. If the recovery goes well, you may be able to return three weeks earlier..."…. .

! Harry Bernard interrupted Lillis: "Three to five months? Let's make a compromise and consider it a four-month recovery period. Then when I recover, the World Cup will start. Doesn't this mean Am I going to miss the World Cup?"

Lillis glanced at head coach Brooks.

Then he nodded to Bernard: "Having surgery means giving up the World Cup, Harry."

"That won't work, I can't give up the World Cup." Bernard shook his head and said in a very firm tone. "I chose the second option, which was to remove the meniscus."

"But Harry... the meniscus is equivalent to a buffer for the knee, and it is an important part to reduce the impact of bones and joints. Removing the meniscus means that your physical function will be greatly reduced, and your career will also be affected. Shorten..." Lillis, the team medical leader, quickly explained.

Bernard waved his hand: "I know what impact the removal of the meniscus will have on my body. John. There will also be many hidden dangers to my future career. But the problem is if I miss this World Cup, do you think that after four years, Can I still participate in the World Cup at the age of 37?"

Hearing him say this, Lilis was speechless.

Yes, this year is very likely to be the 33-year-old Bernard's last chance to participate in the World Cup. Four years later, at the age of 37, after this injury, whether he can still maintain a good competitive state and get a chance to participate in the World Cup...it's hard to say.

Whether it is conservative treatment, meniscus removal*, or surgical suturing, for Bernard, who is already 33 years old, the damage to his body is huge and irreversible.

"More importantly, I am the captain of England, but I can't participate in the World Cup. How much impact will it have on the team? Anyway, I only have a few years left in my career. Use the risks of these few years in exchange for a participation I think the World Cup opportunity is a good deal." Bernard calmly finished his choice.

Lillis was speechless, and seeing that he couldn't convince Bernard, he looked at Brooks for help.

Brooks said: "Harry, there are no outsiders here, you don't have to maintain the image in other people's eyes..."

Bernard was a little sensitive to this statement: "I didn't maintain an image, boss. I've always been like that. People who know me well know that I never act. My team needs me, and I can't be here." It’s time to leave them alone.”

Brooks shrugged: "Yes, you are the captain of the team, and of course the team needs you. But do you think you will have no impact on the team after removing the meniscus? You injured the meniscus in your knee. Not the damn thumb and toe nails!”

Bernard was stunned when he heard this.

There was a fact that he couldn't avoid, that is, he was seriously injured after all, and his body could never return to its previous condition.

"Listen to me, Harry. Undergo the operation and rest peacefully. As long as you recover well, you can be selected for the England team to participate in the World Cup in four years..."

Lillis secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He felt that with the help of the head coach, he would be able to convince Bernard.

Unexpectedly, Bernard still shook his head and said: "No, boss. Even if I'm as lucky as you said, I won't have any major health problems in the next four years, but it's nothing more than a spectator on the bench." That’s all.”…. .

! Even Brooks was surprised by Bernard's attitude.

"Did you notice what Adams and Williams did yesterday, sir? In four years' time there won't be a place for me in that England team. In fact, I plan to finish this World Cup. Quit the England squad. Then put all my energy into the club."

"Don't be impulsive, Harry!" Brooks was also anxious.

"I have been thinking about today since last night. I have thought very carefully and comprehensively, so I am not impulsive, boss. I am not willing to end my national team career and say goodbye to the World Cup like this. I want to make a last ditch effort." Bernard De has a firm attitude, just like his nickname, a tough guy who doesn't know how to adapt.

Facing Bernard, who was as hard as steel, Brooks had nothing to say.

To persuade a professional player to give up what may be the last World Cup in his career. It's really hard to succeed.

※※※

"... Stan Park Rangers Club officially announced that Harry Bernard, who has suffered a serious meniscus injury, will undergo surgery to remove the meniscus... This will greatly shorten his recovery time, enough to catch up with the World Cup that starts in June... This news has made many England fans relieved. As the captain of England, if Bernard cannot participate in the World Cup, the blow to the team will be heavy and fatal..."

"Of course, some people think that Bernard's move is really risky. After the meniscus is removed, his physical condition will be affected and decline... Bernard explained that he made the decision after careful consideration. And He said that no matter what the result*, he will not regret it... We can only wish him good luck and wish the England team good luck..."

…

"In order to participate in the World Cup, he actually chose to remove his meniscus... Isn't this Bernard too tough?"

In the locker room at the training base, Hu Lai marveled at the news.

Peter Williams was not surprised at all: "This is what 'Tough Guy Harry' can do. The interests of the team are paramount, and as for individuals...that's not important. He is a very old-school player, and players like this are now Running out."

"It's just pity Adams. Originally, Bernard was injured, and he was the most likely to be selected into the World Cup squad as a substitute..." Charlie Porter glanced at Jay Adams in the distance. Said softly.

Several young people glanced secretly. Jay Adams was chatting with Ben Grist as usual, with no regrets on his face.

"Jay, would you be unwilling if you didn't go to the World Cup in the end?" Ben Grist was asking Adams.

"Definitely. I think with my performance, I should be able to occupy a position in the England team, regardless of whether Bernard is injured or not."

Grist said with some worry: "Now that Bernard has chosen to have his meniscus removed, he shouldn't miss the World Cup, but you just..."

"Idiot Ben, don't worry about this. Even if I can't go to this World Cup, I believe I will definitely be able to go to the next one." Adams raised his hand and touched Grist's head, scolding with a smile.

Then he noticed the glances directed at him from the opposite side, and following his gaze, he saw Hulay, Williams, Porter, and Kamala.

So he smiled and nodded to them. . .