36 Popularity Rise Up

In the 76th minute, Kazuki was pulled off by George, he was replaced by Osmund. Southampton fans applaud to appreciate Kazuki's great performance in this match. Kazuki gave a high five with Osmund and hugged George.

"Great, you showed me that I wasn't wrong to call you to this first team. Rest, hero," George whispered praises to Kazuki. Winning 2 goals or 4 goals is the same thing for George, but as a coach, he still appreciates Kazuki's hat trick.

Kazuki nodded with a smile, he walked to the bench and sat there.

Meanwhile, after a 4-goal lead, the game turned boring. No changes occurred until the final whistle sounded.

The cheers of the audience broke out after the final whistle of the second half sounded.

Southampton players and coaching staff went near the stands and waved together to thank the fans for their support.

Meanwhile, Kazuki saw a boy calling out to him, the boy along with his mother shouted Kazuki's name. Kazuki took the initiative to approach them. He took off his shirt and offered it to the child, "Here, do you want it, little guy?"

The boy immediately grabbed Kazuki's shirt with a happy expression he said, "Thank you! I admire you, sir."

"You're welcome," said Kazuki happily It was the first time he had seen someone who admired him in person.

In an atmosphere of euphoria, George and the Fulham coach held a post-match press conference.

Of course, the main thing was the question regarding Kazuki.

The Fulham coach said of his thoughts on the game: "I think we still have a chance if it weren't for the outstanding performance of the number 28."

Regarding Kazuki, Southampton Coach George Eastgate said, "The Sun said that Kazuki was Belliand's replacement, but they were wrong, Kazuki is better than Belliand, he is young and has more potential. I am very proud to be able to coach him. There is no doubt, he's one of the best young players in the Premier League right now."

However, the impact of this match did not stop there. The next day, Sir Alex Henderson said in an interview, "He is a product of the Carrington Academy. We will try to bring him home. Manchester United is the best place for him."

Several Manchester United players such as Rio Fernand also expressed their opinion.

"I would happily welcome him if he (Kazuki) becomes my teammate."

Most of the Manchester United fans also agreed to bring Kazuki back to Manchester United, while some suggested keeping an eye on Kazuki a bit longer before bringing him to Old Trafford.

The rumors of Kazuki's transfer were so lively that Kazuki was constantly being asked by his teammates while doing daily training. Of course, the rumors bothered Southampton. Coach George was angry at the reporter who asked about Kazuki's move saying, "He (Kazuki) is a Southampton player. Don't say disrespectful things. At this moment he is a member of our team and so will next season."

Representing Kazuki, Furochi asked reporters to stop spreading rumors about Kazuki's transfer. Kazuki had just started his senior career, Furochi was worried that the rumors would make Kazuki less focused.

Of course, Kazuki himself was not tempted to move to Manchester United. If Kazuki moved there now then he would only be a bench warmer. Kazuki knew this was not the right time for him to move.

Choosing the right club is an important aspect of the career of a footballer, there are many players whose careers are ruined and dimmed because they choose the wrong club. Because of that, Kazuki didn't want to be careless in deciding on the transfer. After all, he has promised Southampton not to move next summer.

On the other hand, rather than thinking about transfers, it was better for Kazuki to focus on continuing his training to maintain his performance.

***

On a sunny morning, Furochi came to Kazuki. His arrival was to introduce the personal assistant that Furochi had chosen to help Kazuki live 'as a football star'.

Kazuki looked at the girl Furochi brought, he felt familiar with the girl's face. He turned to Furochi and asked, "I think I've seen his face before."

Furochi nodded and replied, "Of course you've seen her, she's my daughter."

The girl stretched out her hand and introduced herself, "My name is Shiraishi Nanami, as this old man said, I am his daughter."

Kazuki shook Shiraishi's hand, "My name is Kazuki Kazeshima, nice to meet you. But, why did you choose to be my assistant?"

"I'm interested in this job. I often hear my father talking about you. If you become more famous and successful as a footballer but also as a public figure, as your agent my father will also benefit greatly. Besides, I'm also interested in this job."

Kazuki who heard it thought Shiraishi's reasoning was quite reasonable. "In that case, in the future, I ask for your help."

"Please help too."

***

Southampton's next game will be very difficult. The Saints have to deal with the Blues, Chelsea. Chelsea is now ranked 3rd in the premier league standings with 16 wins, 4 draws, and 6 defeats with 52 points. Much different from Manchester United, which ranks second with 65 points. Meanwhile, Liverpool leads with 69 points.

Moreover, this match will be held at home to Chelsea, Stamford Bridge. You can imagine how tiny Southampton's hopes of winning are. Knowing this, George also adjusted his target in this match to achieve a draw because he knows a draw is more realistic than winning in this match.

This time he fielded Osmund as a starter. In the face of Chelsea, George will apply a counter-attack strategy. In the counterattack strategy, Osmund's speed was more needed than Kazuki's. The adjustments made by George certainly made Kazuki uncomfortable, he had appeared as a starter recently but now Kazuki had to return to the bench. Kazuki could only accept George's decision because he knew the striker's position at Southampton was not yet stable in his hands.

In his pre-match press conference, Mourinho confidently stated that he will win tomorrow's game.

When he was asked about Southampton who has started to get better in recent games, Mourinho replied, "In the last three games Southampton, the strongest opponent is only Tottenham who is now below us (in the standings). Against Tottenham alone they lost, I can't find where you think they get better."

One of the reporters asked Mourinho about Kazuki.

"Kazuki? Sorry, I don't know him," Mourinho casually said.

When coaching Internazionale Milan, in 2009, Mourinho also said he did not know Mattheo although the previous season Mattheo performed brilliantly in his debut season at Juventus. Then on the day of the match between Inter Milan and Juventus, Mattheo scored a hat-trick of assists and became the man of the match.

The journalists were excited, they wondered if the same thing would happen? Too bad they didn't know that Kazuki wouldn't appear as a starter. There is no guaranteed he will appear in this match