Football Dynasty-Chapter 533: A New Ball Launcher for Training

After returning to Manchester from London, all the Manchester City players rested at home for a full day. The next day, they gradually returned to their daily routines as they began preparations for the weekend match.

Everything seemed the same at first—except for one thing: the training.

The difference came with Pintus. Since his arrival, he had grown noticeably stricter during sessions, wearing a serious expression almost all the time.

At first, the players assumed that the new fitness coach was simply raising the overall training standards—nothing more than a tougher methodology he had introduced. However, under Pintus, even side games began to change.

Today felt different.

Each player who made their way to the training pitch greeted the coaches before hurriedly starting their warm-ups. Their previous experiences with Ronaldo and were still fresh in their minds: be late, and you would be punished!

Richard was in unusually high spirits that day. He even joined the training session, feeling happy and energized—until he saw the players. He was taken aback. It felt strange to see the squad looking so serious. Even the veteran players had stopped cracking jokes as the coach approached.

After all, being too serious is not good for a football club. Football isn’t just a physical or tactical game—it is also psychological, emotional, and social. When seriousness turns into constant pressure, it can quietly damage performance.

"Is there something I’m missing today?" Richard asked, leaning closer to beside him.

"Oh, definitely," Villas-Boas replied. "José mentioned yesterday that he and Antonio are introducing a new training regime. He said it’s because the season is already halfway through—they don’t want to risk missing out on a Champions League spot next season."

A new training regime?

Richard was surprised. He was even more shocked when he saw Ronaldo and several others, who were suddenly being punished, appear on the training ground.

"It seems the U-17 team is joining training today as well," Villas-Boas added. Hearing this made Richard frown.

"Don’t worry," Villas-Boas said quickly. "Their training will be separate. We just want the U-17 players to experience how the senior squad trains, so they’ll be ready when they get promoted."

Only then did Richard accept the explanation.

CLAP CLAP

A sharp clapping sound echoed across the pitch. Richard and Andrés Villas-Boas turned their heads toward the group—it was the U-17 team.

However, unlike the previous U-17 squads, which had been narrowly focused on literal age criteria, this group was more diverse. Thanks to Marina, who had been busy developing the City Academy and recruiting young talent, the recruitment process ran smoothly—even without Richard’s direct involvement. This time, a significant number of aspiring players had joined, though most of their talent was average. With plans for expansion this year, Richard felt it was necessary to give Marina space to develop the academy further.

All the youth players lined up neatly on the training pitch. Moutinho stood in front of them, flanked by Antonio Pintus, Baltemar Brito, Rui Faria, and Silvino Louro, creating an unmistakably authoritative presence.

Looking at the nearly fifty-strong group, Moutinho felt it was necessary to address them.

He began calmly, "You may have heard of Manchester City over the past few years—either through media reports or from those who came before you. It is essential that you understand our club’s philosophy. First and foremost, we place immense value on youth development. Our facilities, our equipment, and the number and quality of our youth coaches are among the best in England—perhaps even in all of Europe! Do you see the four words inscribed on the building behind me?"

The players all turned their heads in unison toward the building. On its front wall were four large words:

Team. Will. Diligence. Talent.

"Each changing room at Maine Road has a plaque that reads: ’Players who play for themselves play for the opponent—those who play for the team play for themselves.’ This is our original football philosophy."

Richard’s mouth twitched as he heard the speech. No wonder they had asked for these words to be displayed—now it made perfect sense.

Moutinho continued, "These four words capture the essence of teamwork in our sport. Teamwork comes first. Then comes will. Without a strong will, you cannot become an outstanding player. Diligence—do not think we are still in the days when someone like Garrincha could fish, womanize, and still succeed on the pitch! Do you want to be excellent players? If so, you must work harder than everyone else. Otherwise, no matter how great your natural talent is, you will squander it.

And finally, talent comes in many forms. Professional football is not street performance—skills alone are only one aspect. The ability to read the game, work as a team, and use your body effectively—all of these are forms of talent. You are all equal. Do not feel inferior because you are slower than your teammates, and do not assume you are superior just because your dribbling is better. Each of you is unique. Play to your strengths, turn your advantages into talent, show diligence, maintain a competitive spirit, always prioritize the team, and you will find success here!"

All the youth players stood tall, infused with determination. Mourinho’s words had inspired them.

Over time, they had made new friends and begun to recognize the talent around them—some players looked incredibly promising, while others seemed quite ordinary. This realization had brought a bit of pressure; many worried about whether they measured up in the coach’s eyes.

But it seems the words eased their concerns.

Well, mental first before skill.

"Alright, finally, listen very carefully," Moutinho said before his tone turned serious."Countless players aspire to play at the highest level. Do I need to remind you which players from our academy have made it to the first team this season? John Terry, Jonathan Woodgate, Ashley Cole. Last season? Trezeguet and Frank Lampard! Will there be a place for you at City in the future? I assure you, there will be! But you must seize the opportunities yourselves—you must seize the opportunities yourselves!"

BOOM!

Blood seemed to boil instantly. Every youth player started looking left and right, realizing—this was serious competition.

Mourinho watched the scene, clearly satisfied with the effect of his motivational speech. He could almost hear the little gears turning in their heads: ’I need to train harder... or get left behind!’

This approach from the club aimed to foster a sense of belonging and pride in the young players.

"Also, one more thing," Mourinho said, pausing to build suspense before continuing. "After this, my assistant here, Mr. Rui Faria, will lead you to participate in a small tournament organized by Mr. Ramm Mylvaganam. The top ten performers will have the opportunity to become ball boys. Of course, you can refuse, but if it were me, I would accept it gladly."

The young players erupted in excited cheers. Watching a game was enjoyable, but traveling across England with the team would not only be a trip abroad but also a thrilling experience.

Many professional football clubs occasionally use youth players as ball boys, and there are several practical and developmental reasons for it.

First, youth players are already part of the club and nearby, making them the most convenient choice. They also understand the game, which allows matches to flow smoothly. Second, being a ball boy gives them first-hand experience of the matchday atmosphere—the crowd, the stadium, and the pace of professional football. It helps them adapt mentally to high-pressure environments early in their careers. Third, it serves as an informal but valuable coaching lesson: by observing professional players up close without being in the spotlight themselves.

Unlike other clubs that might reduce free tickets for financial gain, City does the opposite. They would rather sell fewer tickets than deny their young players free access, ensuring they feel included in the first-team environment.

As Mourinho concluded his speech, the boys were fired up—ready to begin training and eager to prove themselves worthy of the first team.

Training sessions for the youth teams officially commenced, with players dispersing to their respective halves of the training pitch, followed by Rui Faria and Ramm Mylavalgam.

As for the first squad... well, what were they doing now?

CLAP!

"Hey! Focus!"

Instantly, the first team—distracted by the commotion from the new youth squad—snapped to attention. A few players exchanged sheepish glances, realizing they had been watching the younger players instead of concentrating on their own drills.

Some veterans chuckled quietly, shaking their heads, while others muttered under their breath, "Can’t let these kids outwork us..."

The scene had an almost comical undertone: a squad of seasoned professionals suddenly reminded that attention and discipline never take a holiday.

CREAK~

After the warm-up ended for the first team, just as everyone was about to move on to the main drills, they noticed something unusual. The goalkeeping coach, Silvino Louro, and Jimmy Rouse, the Team Liaison Officer, were directing staff to set up two machines that looked like cannons—but with much shorter barrels.

"What’s that?" Makalele asked, stepping closer.

Louro smiled and motioned for him to stand in the center of the field. Then he waved at Rouse, who pressed a button.

BANG!

A ball shot out at high speed, angling directly toward Makalele. He barely managed to jump out of the way, landing awkwardly on his feet.

"What the—?" he shouted.

"Hahaha!" Louro laughed. "Relax—it’s just a ball launcher."

The players quickly realized it was a specialized training tool designed to improve reaction times, reflexes, and handling under pressure.

"Come on! Don’t just stand there! Practice your stopping skills!" Louro called out.

Rouse kept firing the machine every 15 seconds. Though the machine stayed in one place, spin and minor variations in the balls’ trajectory forced Makalele to adjust constantly. At first, he struggled to control each shot, but as he focused and adapted, his saves became smoother and more controlled.

After about twenty balls, Makalele was slightly winded, but the task of retrieving the balls gave him a short recovery while keeping him engaged. Other players, seeing how effective and fun the exercise was, quickly lined up to try. Each had to wait their turn, since only two machines were available.

This machine had been recommended by Antonio Pintus, and Richard found it incredibly handy—it saved time compared to traditional, manual drills.

"Alright, gather around!" Mourinho called, clapping his hands to get everyone’s attention.

"You," he pointed at Trezeguet.

"You said you wanted to work on your finishing, right?"

Trezeguet nodded eagerly.

"Good. Come here. Everyone else, you can watch."

Today’s session was deliberately light-hearted, quite different from what the players had expected. While the main purpose was still to get some basic touches and movement in, it felt more like a warm-up for the more intense sessions planned later in the week.

It was also the perfect opportunity to loosen the players up, encourage quick thinking, and inject a bit of fun into training. At the same time, it allowed extra players to gain hands-on experience with the ball-launching machines.

Mourinho turned his attention back to Trezeguet. "We’re going to do a drill I like to call Shooting Under Pressure."

He explained the setup: he will receives balls from the machine directly in front of goal, facing a goalkeeper or a defender. The objective was simple: take quick, accurate shots before the defenders could react. The drill was designed to sharpen shooting technique, composure, timing, and the ability to finish under pressure—the kind of skills that could decide a match.

Trezeguet positioned himself, eyes fixed on the machine. A ball shot out almost immediately, spinning slightly to the left. He controlled it, adjusted his feet, and fired a low shot into the corner of the goal. Buffon dove—but Larsson’s precision was perfect.

"Again! Faster this time!" Mourinho called, clapping his hands.

Ball after ball came from the machine, each with a slightly different angle or spin.

Trezeguet adapted quickly, learning to read the trajectory, control his first touch, and release the shot in one fluid motion.

Other players watched closely, noting how small adjustments in timing and positioning made a big difference. Soon, a few others joined in, taking turns with the machine. Each attempt forced them to think, react, and execute under pressure.

The laughter, shouts, and occasional groans from missed shots filled the indoor pitch, but beneath the light-hearted atmosphere, intense skill development was happening.

By the end of the drill, everyone was sweating but smiling. The session was fun, competitive, and effective.