Early the next morning, a black Mercedes-Benz car set off from the side door of the hotel where the England team was staying and drove to the Rafael Hospital in Valencia. The hospital had once successfully transplanted a pair of hands from a woman who had lost her hands for 28 years and had some influence in orthopedics.
As the team had to rush to Seville, where the next game was to be held, time was tight. For this reason, the English Embassy in Spain came forward to contact the hospital for the team, which finalized the examination in the shortest time possible. And this was a matter that had to be kept secret from the news media. Once anything was related to the news media, it could be complicated.
It was also fortunate that England's opponent in the round of 16 was not Spain. Otherwise, the Spanish side would not have agreed so readily to cooperate with the examination.
Sitting in the car were Tang En, Derek White, and George Wood, as well as Professor Wallace, who had been on vacation in Spain to watch the game. He was also concerned about the progress of Wood's recovery. The team had also informed him about Wood's check-up at the hospital. He rushed overnight to Valencia to give the most professional and authoritative opinion.
The Royal Hospital of Nottingham University was a cooperative hospital with the English Football Association. When the national team's players encountered injuries, they would look for them for treatment. The English Football Association had a lot of trust in Wallace.
Other than the driver, none of the four people in the car spoke. The atmosphere seemed a little dull. Twain then cracked a joke. "Why do I feel like we're going to the execution ground? Don't all pull a long face, okay? "
Wallace smiled. "Why don't we talk about yesterday's game? That was really exciting, Tony. You turned the tables on Germany. You made the usually tough Germans helpless. "
Twain glanced at Wood. "Without George, the final result would be really hard to say."
Wood was the one who was most resistant to going to the hospital for a check-up. "I think I did very well. There's nothing wrong with my foot. There's no need to go to the hospital for a check-up."
"That won't do, George. To ensure your safety, this check-up must be done. Since you think there's no problem, what are you afraid of? "Twain winked at Wood.
"I'm not afraid …" Wood felt a little guilty.
When the group arrived at the hospital, there was indeed no sign of the media. It looked like the other party really kept their promise and did not inform the media.
The examination of Wood's right big toe lasted for half an hour. Tang En could not understand the medical terminology at all. Wright, Wallace, and the Spanish doctors were studying the X-rays. Tang En was not interested in this. He only wanted to know the final result.
He waited for Wallace to finish the conversation before he walked up to him and asked. "What's the conclusion, professor?"
"The good news is that he didn't injure his right big toe again in yesterday's match. The bad news is that his foot is still recovering. "Wallace looked at Tang En and said. The smile on his face was gone and his expression was serious.
"From yesterday's match, George Wood's right foot still hurts when he touches the ball and exerts force. Although his endurance is so strong that most people can't see it, it's not good for his recovery. My suggestion is to not let him play in the next game … "Professor Wallace considered Wood's attitude," … Don't let him play in the starting lineup. "
Twain frowned. Wood, who had just finished his medical examination, was resting in another room and would not hear their conversation.
It was hard to say whether the news was good or bad. England's opponent for the round of 16 had been announced. It was not too strong, but it was not weak either. It was also related to England — Sweden.
Before this, England had not beaten Sweden for 48 years.
George Wood was definitely the core of the team and the most important chess piece. This could be seen from the last ten minutes of the game against Germany. There was a big difference between his presence and absence on the field. Without George Wood, England managed to turn the tables on Germany, but it did not make people feel at ease. When Wood came on, everyone's hearts, which had been hanging in their throats, calmed down.
An opponent like Sweden could not be taken lightly. After being humiliated by Wales, Tang En did not dare to underestimate his opponent again. There was no team that could break into the knockout stage of the competition that England could beat with their eyes closed, including Wales.
Wood was important to the team, but Wood's personal career was just as important.
Tang En thought for a moment and decided to accept Professor Wallace's suggestion. "I won't let him play in the starting lineup."
A smile reappeared on Wallace's face. "If you have a headache, how are you going to tell him? He has a stubborn temper."
Tang En shrugged. "What else can I say? Coax him like he's a child. He's already 30 years old, but he's still like a 17 or 18 year old child … "
Men with an Oedipus complex never grew up. They always hoped that they were still the child who could act like a spoiled child in their mother's arms.
Tang En rubbed his temples and walked out. He had to face George Wood's eyes.
※ ※ ※
Wood looked at Tang En without any expression on his face. He did not even look forward to it. But his gaze gave Tang En a headache.
"The test results are out, George." Tang En tried to make himself smile.
Wood did not ask, "What's the result?" He just continued to look at Tang En in silence.
It would have been easier if he had opened his mouth to speak. It was more difficult for Tang En if he did not speak.
"There's good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?" Tang En could not help but play this vulgar trick.
"Good news." Wood did not even think and blurted out his answer.
"Your big toe did not suffer a second injury in yesterday's game."
Wood was not surprised. He knew his body well. Although the clash of feet with Rolfes was the most intense collision in the game, he still avoided the injury at the crucial moment. This was the physical instinct of an experienced professional player.
"What's the bad news?"
After this conversation, Tang En's mood had gradually calmed down. He did not hesitate and answered directly, "I won't arrange for you to be in the starting lineup for the game against Sweden."
Wood's expression changed. His eyes widened as he stared at Tang En. There was even some anger in his gaze. He still remembered what Tang En had said to him before: he could officially make a comeback in the knockout rounds.
Tang En certainly knew the meaning of Wood's expression. He smiled bitterly and said, "Your injury has not completely healed. I can't let you take risks in the game. I don't want Michael Owen's performance against Sweden in the World Cup in Germany to repeat itself on you, George. "
It was that injury that caused Michael Owen's career to completely fall to the bottom. At that time, he had just recovered from his injury. In the World Cup in Germany, just 50 seconds into the game against Sweden, he fell to the ground in pain after touching the ball on the sidelines and was then carried off on a stretcher. Not only did he miss that World Cup, but he also missed most of the following season. By the time he recovered from his injury and returned, he could no longer find the glory of the past.
Tang En was not willing to take the risk.
Wood wanted to say something but was stopped by Tang En's hand gesture. "No matter what you say, George. I won't change my mind. Yes, I admit that I went back on my word and did not keep my promise. But for the sake of your health, for the sake of your future career, I'd rather go back on my word and not keep my promise. Don't worry, we'll pay close attention to your recovery from your injury every day. Once we've confirmed that you're really fine, we'll let you be in the starting lineup … "
Wood was still unwilling to give up. He wanted to open his mouth to retort but was interrupted again by Tang En. "Think about your mother, George. Don't let your mother worry about you anymore. "
This sentence struck Wood's soft spot. He was stunned and did not know how to refute Tang En for a long time. After yesterday's match, he had called his mother. He did not expect his mother to not praise his performance on the field. The first thing she asked was how his foot was. At that time, he had nonchalantly said it was nothing, but his mother was still very worried and did not seem to believe his words.
But how did the boss know that his mother would be worried? Wood looked at Tang En suspiciously.
Tang En knew what he was thinking. "I didn't talk to your mother on the phone, but that's human nature. You don't have to care about your career, but you have to think about your mother. No mother would want her son to spend the rest of his life on crutches. I'm not trying to scare you. You should know that. "
Wood was completely speechless. He lowered his head and sank into deep thought.
Tang En knew that he had convinced him, so he turned and walked out the door.
Wallace and Wright were waiting anxiously outside. When they saw Tang En walk out, they hurriedly put on a questioning expression.
"It's fine now." Tang En shrugged and spread his hands. "He accepted it."
The two of them breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
"That's good." Wright was the most relaxed. Otherwise, he would have to face George Wood's stubborn eyes every moment, making him feel awkward.
But Tang En's next words made him nervous again.
"I hope he can recover as soon as possible, Mr. Wright. This is the job of your team's doctor. No matter what, I want him to start in the quarterfinals! "Tang En said resolutely, not giving Wright a chance to defend himself.
Wallace, who was next to him, looked at his colleague with some schadenfreude. Fortunately, he no longer had any work to do with the national team. He was purely helping. Otherwise, it would be really miserable to serve such an unreasonable manager …
※ ※ ※
When the four of them walked out of the hospital and were about to get into the car to leave, they were shocked by the scene in front of them.
At least 50 reporters crowded the entrance of the hospital. The police who were temporarily called in to maintain order were sweating profusely, but they still could not control the surging crowd. Especially when Tang En and the others appeared at the entrance of the hospital lobby …
When they saw Tang En, Wood and the others walking out of the hospital, the reporters no longer cared about the police's obstruction. They surged forward like a wave, throwing their questions and microphones at Tang En and Wood.
"Why did you suddenly come to the hospital for a checkup? Is it because George Wood's injury has worsened?"
"Mr. Tang En, may I ask if this checkup has anything to do with the match against Germany? Did George Wood's right big toe get injured again in the match against Germany? "
"Is it convenient for you to reveal the results of the checkup?"
"Mr. Wood, how's the condition of your injury?"
"Can you make it in time for Sweden's match, George?"
"Mr. Wright, is it convenient for you to talk about Wood's foot injury?"
"Professor Wallace, Professor Wallace …"
It was obvious that none of the four people wanted to answer the question. The police at the scene surrounded them tightly in the middle and escorted them to their car.
Some microphones even hit the four people's heads. They had no choice but to raise their hands to protect their heads. They looked like criminals who had committed heinous crimes and had to be wary of rotten eggs and tomatoes thrown at them by the angry crowd.
It took them five minutes to squeeze into the car for the short ten meters. After closing the car door with force, Tang En joked, "Gentlemen, check to see if your wallets are still there."
Wright was still in a state of shock. "How did the media know that we're here?"
Tang En shrugged. "Who knows? The paparazzi are everywhere. They're more omnipotent than God." As he said that, he glanced at Wood, who was sitting in the back. Wood's head was lowered and he appeared to be preoccupied.
"Let's go." Tang En gave the order to leave. The driver started the car and slowly drove out of the crowd. Then, he sped away.
※ ※ ※
Half a day later, when the England team arrived in Serbia, the online editions of the major media outlets had already released the latest news. That morning, George Wood, accompanied by the manager, Tony Twain, the team doctor, Derek Wright, and the famous surgeon, Professor Wallace, went to La Fe Hospital in Valencia for a check-up. The specific situation and the results of the check-up were unknown. But to rush to the hospital for a check-up on the second day of the game against Germany was too much for people's imagination to run wild …
For a time, the rumor that "George Wood will miss the game against Sweden" and even "miss the rest of the UEFA European Championship" was rampant.
On the Internet, such rumors spread everywhere with the help of optical cables buried in the ocean or satellites suspended high in the sky, bewitching people.
You don't believe it? Maybe that's the truth.
Do you believe it? Maybe it's all a lie.
During the afternoon training, within 15 minutes of the opening to the media, everyone clearly saw George Wood doing warm-up exercises with the team. He even kicked the ball twice!
So what was going on in the morning news?
Fifteen minutes passed quickly. The reporters were a little unwilling to give up and wanted to ask Twain what happened to Wood.
But Twain ruthlessly chased them away and refused to answer any questions.
"We have the right to know the truth of the news!" A reporter protested in dissatisfaction.
"I have the right to refuse to answer questions." Twain responded. "Get them all out!" He shouted to the security guards. So the security guards no longer stood on ceremony. They pushed and dragged the reporters out of the door of the training ground.
"You're doing this again!" The English reporters were dissatisfied, but they could do nothing in the face of the manager who had just led the team to eliminate the Germany team. As long as the results were good, Twain could continue to dominate the national team. There was nothing they could do but spit on their own land.
The Swedish reporters thought more complicated than their English counterparts — Twain was so nervous to refuse to be photographed and interviewed by the media. Was there a conspiracy? Was George Wood really going to the hospital for a check-up, or was it a smokescreen?
Could George Wood be in the starting lineup for the game between England and Sweden?
They were eager to figure this out because it was related to whether Sweden could go further in the UEFA European Championship.
※ ※ ※
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