Chapter 143 - New Year
The year 2012 was near to it end. Facing this new year, Kazuki started remember the goal which he set last year. Firstly was to be Southampton's main player. Now hw was not only Southampton's main players. Kazuki was also the most valuable player at Southampton. His journey in one year was so fast, from a player who had just left the academy to become the most shining player this year. What he achieved simply raised the top bar for the best Asian players in Europe.
Although it must be admitted that there were Asian players who stand out at big clubs and could perform well, but to be so phenomenal and become the most talented young striker was something different. Kazuki beat Pogba in Golden Boy. It was a proved that he was recognized as the most talented young player today.
The title of Premier League Championship was one of the things that Kazuki did not yet possess. With a club like Southampton, it was very difficult to reach the champion. This season, Southampton was out of the Carabao Cup, only two potential championships could be won, namely the League and the FA cup. In the league Southampton was still in second place in the standings, only losing in goal difference to Manchester City. Meanwhile the FA Cup third round, where the EFL clubs and Premier League clubs start, will take place in January.
On the other hand, the winter transfer window was almost here. Clubs who finished their half seasons underwhelming, might be moving in this transfer window to fill holes in their squads. Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal, ended their first half of the season poorly.
Transfers will be one solution to fix deficiencies in their team. On the other hand, Southampton, who was also starting to experience the injury crisis, was also starting to move on transfer window to add their squad depth. However, Ryan, one of Southampton's main players this season must be out for more than 1 month from now.
However, on those quiet days. A news shocking Kazuki. Arsenal was chasing Rustan. The Southampton player seems to be interested in a move to Arsenal.
One of the reasons why Arsenal needed Rustan was the unstable performance of their winger. Theo Walcott seems to be in decline compared to last season while Welbeck had not been able to put in the form he showed at Manchester United.
This news made Kazuki contact Rustan directly.
"Rustan, are you really going to move to Arsenal? I mean, couldnt you wait until the end of the season?" Kazuki also never planned on continuing to stay at Southampton, it was highly possible that Kazuki would move on at the end of the season. But before he moved, Kazuki wanted to at least give Southampton a championship.
"I don't know. I mean, I'm not as good as you Kazuki. At the end of the season Arsenal could choose another player over me. You know, it's Arsenal. Maybe those of you who are being targeted by many big clubs don't feel too special about Arsenal. But for me it different,Arsenal are interested in me, is just something that i couldn't deny" said Rustan.
Seeing Rustan's nervousness, Kazuki knew that there was a 70% chance that Rustan would move. "Then may luck be with you."
Kazuki couldn't force Rustan to change his mind. However, Rustan's transfer will indeed make Southampton more difficult in their pursuit of the league title. Kazuki felt he should give more ratio to Southampton players in the latest [Dream Training] feature.
Ryan was injured, Rustan was likely to move to Arsenal. Luckily Southampton was still able to keep Bennett until the end of the season, after the end of the season Kazuki was sure Manchester United would take Bennet back from Southampton. Besides Bennet there was still Wright-Phillips. Fortunately, recently Wright-Phillips took Southampton's training seriously.
Time flies fast, 2012 was gone. Southampton started kick off the FA Cup 3rd round on 3 January. Their opponent was Sheffield United. In that match George fielded Southampton's main players. Southampton was able to break Sheffield's resistance and achieve victory with Kazuki's goals and also Kounde's goals.
A few days later, a union of winter transfers began to be carried out by clubs in Europe. It's rare for big transfers to happen in winter transfer window. However, that doesn't mean big transfers was impossible.
On 6 January, Southampton officially released Rustan to Arsenal for a fee of 45 million euros. This transfer was believed to be a sign of Southampton's collapse in the second half of the 2012/2013 season.
The loss of Rustan made Southampton riotously brought Adam Lallana from Queen Park Rangers to Southampton. Adam Lallana was known as a fast player and also had good ball control. It's a shame his ability declined after the injury. However, George believed Adam Lallana's ability was enough to close the hole left by Rustan.
On 12 January Southampton visited the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City. The Cityzen who was currently at the top of the table was believed by the media to beat Southampton easily because Southampton had lost their main strength in this match.
"Good afternoon everyone, I, Jim Kaglin will bring you a match between the 1st and 2nd club on 2012/2013 on table at the moment. Manchester City against Southampton. In the first round, Southampton was able to beat Manchester City with a score of 3-2. But after that defeat Manchester City continued to win, until now Manchester was currently unbeaten apart from when they played Southampton.
It will be interesting to see how this match goes. In this match Manchester City fielded a 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart;
Defenders: Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov;
Midfielders: Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri;
Forwards: Belloti, Aguero, Milner.
On the other hand, Southampton fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Goalkeepers: Dean Smith;
Defenders: Vicente, Jimmy, Okhalo, Benson;
Defensive midfielders: Simone, Orlando;
Attacking midfielders: Kazuki, Bennet, Kounde;
Front: Osmund.
I was exited seeing Kazuki move to the right side. After Rustan moved to Arsenal, Southampton clearly lacked a right winger. Even though Adam Lallana has arrived, there was still an adaptation process that Adam Lallana must go through."
The match started with the kick-off of the first half, Kazuki provided the pass for Osmund. Then, Osmund returned the ball to Kazuki. The match officially started. Southampton moved to stretch their formation. Manchester City applied low pressure to annoy Southampton.
Under pressure from Manchester City, Southampton launched the first attack in the 3rd minute. Simone passed the ball to Kounde. Kounde caught the ball, then Benson rose and slid past Manchester City right-back Zabaleta. Kounde provided Benson's through ball.
Zabaleta's movement was so fast that he immediately blocked Benson's pass. Benson turned his body then provided a long pass to the right. Vicente received the ball from Benson with his outside foot. He then gave a long pass to Kazuki.
Kazuki immediately received the pass and dribbled the ball into the Manchester City penalty box. He faced Lescott. Kazuki leaned his body to the left before moving swiftly towards the right. As Lescott chased after him. He pulled the ball back and turned 180°. Then he pushed the ball aside and gave the shot.
The ball missed to the side of the Manchester City goalpost. Despite not scoring a goal, Southampton's attack was able to make Manchester City realize that Southampton was not that weak. Even though at the moment they don't have Ryan and Rustan but Kazuki alone was enough to make Manchester City felt a threat.
In the 8th minute, Manchester City attacked Southampton from the flanks. David Silva, who passed through Orlando, now brought the ball to the front of the penalty box. Then, David Silva gave a straight pass to Milner. Milner passed Vicente and then dribbled the ball into the penalty box. After that Milner kicked the ball in front of the Southampton goalpost.
Aguero received the ball and launched a shot. The ball was blocked by Jimmy's feet so the ball bounced to the goalmouth area. Okhalo immediately grabbed the ball and sent a long pass forward. Orlando received the ball from Okhalo and passes it to Bennett.
One of Kazuki's focuses in the latest [Dream Training] feature was Bennet. This allows Bennet to maintain his best performance, and even improve his abilities. Bennett passed Yaya Toure's guard after that brought the ball to the front of the penalty box. He tricked Kompany and entered the box.
Bennet then gave Osmund a flat pass. Osmund received the pass and kicked the ball towards the net. Joe Hart caught Osmund's shot with ease. Southampton's attack was able to be stopped by Manchester City.
In the 13th minute, Manchester City launched an attack again. In midfield Yaya Toure and David Silva connected the ball with pass between those two. They messed up Southampton's midfield. At that time David gave Aguero a pass. Aguero received the ball but Okhalo was able to steal the ball from Aguero and throw it away.
In the 18th minute, Dean Smith caught the ball which was kicked by Aguero. After that, he threw the ball to Vicente. Milner, who saw that, immediately ran towards Vicente. When Vicente crosses he lifts his leg. The ball hit Milner's leg and bounced behind Vicente. Milner immediately ran after the ball. Vicente tried to annoy him but failed.
Milner provided a long pass into the middle of the penalty box. Aguero duel with Jimmy he got the ball with his chest. A second later, he shot the ball to the net. The ball was passed Dean Smith and shaking the net.. Manchester City was leading the score with 1-0.