Chapter 496 Please call me the Three Lions Spokesperson!
With two consecutive victories and 11 goals scored, the Red Devils and Manchester United showed their dominance at the beginning of the season.
The funniest thing is that the other five BIG6 giants all overturned in the first two rounds:
Chelsea overturned in the first round, losing to the relegation team Burnley unexpectedly, and Liverpool was tied with Watford away from home;
In the second round, Arsenal lost to Stoke City away from home, Manchester City was tied by Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur were defeated at home by Chelsea who knew their shame but then braved it
Manchester United and two other mid-to-lower teams, West Brom and Huddersfield, have become the only three teams in the Premier League to win two consecutive games at the beginning!
This leads to the top three in the standings, namely the "Premier League Devil" Manchester United, the newly promoted Huddersfield and the mid-range team West Brom.
The other BIG6 giants and traditional powerhouses followed closely behind.
If fans from other leagues just opened the Premier League standings, they would sigh:
This Premier League is in total chaos!
Of course, everyone knows that the league is a thirty-eight round game, and the championship is not determined by two games.
A bad start cannot determine the final league ranking.
In the first two rounds of the Premier League, the best performer was the "Red Devils" Manchester United.
The players with the most eye-catching performances are, in addition to the current Manchester United captain Ling Feng, who scored seven goals in two games, and the former Red Devils captain Rooney who just left the team!
After returning to his old club "Toffees" Everton in the new season, Rooney was able to return to his familiar forward position.
With ample playing time and the full support of his teammates, Rooney scored two goals in the first two league games, helping the team achieve a record of one win and one draw.
Stoke City opened the scoring in the first game, and even drew with the powerful Manchester City away from home in the second round.
These two games showed Rooney's excellent ability in front of the goal and his still-lasting style!
Therefore, many people believe that Manchester United's return of Rooney to Everton is a win-win situation.
Manchester United has freed up salary space to renew contracts with core players such as Ling Feng;
Everton welcomes back its former golden boy, bringing experience, fame, and huge attention to the team;
Rooney was able to return to the forward position and get more firing rights!
With Rooney's return, Everton fans have greater expectations for this season.
However, just a few days later, a piece of news was like an atomic bomb, causing England and even the world's football world to explode:
On August 23, Rooney suddenly published an open letter on his personal social media, announcing his retirement from the national team!
After ending his thirteen-year career with the Red Devils in July, Rooney once again made a major decision that caused an earthquake in the football world!
You know, Rooney is definitely the banner of English football today and a world-class star who is famous all over the world.
As the British leader in the post-Double Germany era, his performance in leading the French team in the European Cup is also remarkable.
Moreover, the team is now firmly ranked first in the World Cup qualifying group, and its promotion to next year's World Cup is certain.
When he was about to qualify for the World Cup and was in good form, he suddenly chose to quit the national team?
Although Rooney's decision is very shocking and puzzling.
But it’s not without a trace.
Based on the content of Rooney's open letter and his own reasonable analysis, the media listed several reasons:
First, the national team is full of talents, and Rooney feels that it is time for him to give up his position and give more opportunities to young people.
In the current Three Lions team, the starting center position is firmly occupied by Kane, with Vardy on standby.
He simply can't compete with those two for playing time.
As for the right winger position, whether it is Sterling, Rashford, Lingard, or Lallana, they are all younger and more energetic.
When he was injured and unable to play for his country and sat on the bench, everyone had already seen the difference between the team with Rooney and without Rooney
Of course Rooney himself can see that without him, the attack of this Three Lions team will be smoother and more lethal!
The second is to focus more on the club's career.
In Rooney's open letter, the Three Lions captain also admitted that he wants to focus more on Everton and fully help the Toffees who cultivated him in the past to succeed.
This summer, Everton announced the team's ambitions with active transfer signings.
They spent nearly 100 million euros to introduce five new players and set the goal of reaching the Champions League in the new season.
Therefore, Rooney also hopes to help Everton fulfill its dream of reaching the Champions League!
Moreover, only Rooney himself knows that choosing to quit the national team is a relief.
England fans have always had very high expectations for him.
Since taking over as Manchester United and England captain in 2014, in just two years, he has taken on too many responsibilities and burdens, which has placed him under tremendous pressure and shackles.
However, the club's decline, the upgrading of the national team, and the decline in physical function made him gradually realize that he might really be old.
Especially after seeing Ling Feng's performance as captain for a short period of time, he became even more convinced that it was time for him to step aside and make way for someone more talented.
What made Rooney even more determined to "retire bravely" was that when he privately discussed with Hodgson about withdrawing from the national team, Hodgson did not retain him too much.
At that moment, he also knew very well that he was no longer indispensable to the Three Lions!
Instead of going to the Three Lions to compete with other young people for the main position, it is better to focus on Everton and enjoy the happy time of being able to play forward!
Pursue the happiness that football brings to you!
This was also an important reason for Rooney's final decision.
Fourteen years ago, in February 2003, at the friendly match between England and Australia at Upton Park, a 17-year-old boy played for his country for the first time;
And fourteen years later, after leaving 121 appearances and being crowned England's top scorer in history, the 31-year-old "boy" chose to leave with his head held high!
. . .
Rooney's sudden decision to retire from the national team not only surprised the public, but also the Three Lions internationals.
Especially Ling Feng, who knew Rooney would retire from the national team, was even more confused.
Obviously because of his arrival, Rooney stopped the decline in form last season and even had a second spring in his career. As captain, he led Manchester United to win the season's triple crown!
Moreover, based on the current competitive state and rich competition experience, let alone starting in next year's World Cup, Rooney, as captain and locker room leader, can definitely occupy a World Cup spot.
But why would Rooney choose to quit the national team at this time?
He is also thinking about competing in the World Cup with Captain Lu next year.
Ling Feng, who couldn't figure it out, called Rooney directly without any hesitation!
Faced with Ling Feng's doubts, Rooney just expressed the same content as the open letter, saying that he hoped to focus his limited energy on helping the club succeed.
Then, he also admitted that this Three Lions team has many outstanding young people, and it is time for him to give up his position to the rising stars.
Just like Shuangde back then!
In the end, Rooney did not forget to ask Ling Feng:
"If you have any questions, you can contact me. I will try my best to help you."
"I firmly believe that if you lead this team, it will definitely be successful!"
From Rooney's words, Ling Feng could tell that Captain Lu must have made this decision after hard deliberation. In fact, the person who knows him best is Rooney himself.
How could he not know that he is no longer as brave as he once was.
Therefore, for the sake of his inner pride and his career, he made two difficult decisions in succession.
This is true for leaving Manchester United, and the same is true for retiring from the national team!
Since it was Rooney's final decision, Ling Feng couldn't interfere or dissuade him. He could only respect him and send his blessings.
Later, he also posted a photo on social media of himself and Rooney celebrating side by side on the field.
And with the text:
"Thank you, Captain!"
Just like the farewell in July, countless English fans also flocked to Rooney's personal social media to send him heartfelt blessings.
Manchester United and Everton, as well as the Football Association, all issued messages to thank the team's top scorer who has been fighting for his country for more than ten years.
It is worth mentioning that with Rooney announcing his retirement from the national team, the once golden generation of England has officially come to an end.
Owen, Terry, Beckham, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney.
After Rooney retired from the national team, an issue that concerned everyone in English football emerged:
Who will be England's new flag?
The Times wrote an article titled "New leaders, new era!"
At the beginning of the article, they first analyzed the pros and cons of Rooney's withdrawal from the national team.
Then the article lists the circumstances, advantages and disadvantages of several candidates who may become the new leader of the Three Lions.
The first and most popular candidate is naturally the undisputed strongest man in England, Daying - Ling Feng!
As early as March, Ling Feng had been briefly appointed captain of the Three Lions by Hodgson.
In the short two games he served as captain, he also led the team to defeat Germany, the last World Cup champion, in friendly matches, and swept European giants like Lithuania. He showed outstanding leadership qualities on and off the court.
In addition to Ling Feng, other candidates include Liverpool captain Henderson, Chelsea captain Cahill, and Tottenham and Three Lions striker Kane.
Although there seems to be hope.
However, everyone knows that Ling Feng is the absolute best candidate in terms of strength and reputation!
The "Daily Mail" directly conducted an online poll to let fans choose who is more suitable to become the new leader of the Three Lions.
In just one day, more than 50,000 people voted.
Ling Feng, who received 80% of the votes, was far ahead of the other candidates with an overwhelming advantage!
At the same time, major Manchester United and England stars have come forward to speak out and support Ling Feng as the new leader of the Three Lions!
Beckham, Terry, Ferdinand, Neville, Rooney.
Almost the entire golden generation of England recommended or supported Ling Feng to become the new Three Lions captain through social media.
Even former Manchester United king Cantona, who has retired for many years, publicly praised Ling Feng's leadership on his social media.
For a time, the traffic and attention of the whole UK were snatched away by "Lingfeng England Captain".
It can be seen from this that the combined influence of the country with the largest traffic in football, the club with the most fans in football, and the number one player in the Premier League is really amazing!
Amid the overwhelming support, on the evening of August 24, national team coach Hodgson announced the new England squad.
The roster is led by Ling Feng, and includes Kane, Sterling, Walker, Henderson, Maguire and other veterans and newcomers.
On the upcoming international match day in early September, England will face Malta and Slovakia first away and then at home in the world qualifying matches.
As long as they win these two games, England will basically be able to secure the top spot in the group in advance and enter next year's World Cup in Russia.
Of course, this is not something the public is eager to know.
After all, England's entry into the World Cup was just for fun.
What everyone wants to know is who will shoulder the important task of leading the Three Lions to the World Cup!
The day after the squad was announced, Three Lions coach Hodgson also held a press conference immediately.
Present with him was none other than the highly anticipated No. 7 of the Three Lions - Ling Feng!
For a moment, the entire media room was flooded with flashing spotlights.
At the same time, through the live broadcast signal, thousands of fans who are paying attention to the news of the new captain of the Three Lions also directly knelt down at home:
"I knew it!"
"Ling Feng, long live!"
"Three lions, go, go, go!"
Subsequently, in front of all the most influential media in the UK such as the Daily Mail, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times, etc., Hodgson officially announced that Ling Feng would replace Wayne Rooney, who had retired from the national team, and become the leader of the Three Lions. New captain!
And after five months of briefly serving as captain in March, Ling Feng also officially became a full-time player. From this moment on, he became the talker of the Three Lions!
With the real-time broadcast signal, English football and even world football knew that Ling Feng, after becoming the captain of Manchester United, also became the captain of the Three Lions!
Of course, this result did not exceed public expectations.
From Gerrard, to Rooney, and then to Ling Feng!
In just three years, the Three Lions have quietly completed the replacement of leaders.
Sitting next to Hodgson, facing the flashing spotlights, Ling Feng looked calm and composed.
This is the result of his plan.
Therefore, he didn't find it too exciting or thrilling.
What's more, five months ago, he had been appointed captain of the Three Lions for the first time.
At this moment, his mind was filled with memories of his time in the Three Lions.
From making his England debut to becoming the captain of the Three Lions, three years have passed in the blink of an eye.
In the past three years, he competed with the team in the World Cup in Brazil and the European Cup in France, and made indelible contributions to the team.
He also made friends with Kane, Maguire, Lingard, Luke Shaw and many other comrades.
Facing the camera, Ling Feng just raised the corners of his mouth, showing a confident and charming smile.
From today on, please call me the talker of the Three Lions!
(End of chapter)