The Next Big Thing
Chapter 83: Locker room clash

Chapter 83: Locker room clash

Here’s a revised version of the scene with improved grammar, clarity, and flow:

"Is it true? Are you going to Manchester United?" Curtis’s question hung in the air, thick with anticipation.

Before David could respond, Jason Knight, standing off to the side, jumped in. "So that’s why you asked me that question back then."

"What question?" Jayden Bogle interjected, his curiosity piqued.

Jason turned to him and explained, "A few months ago, David asked me what I’d do if a big club came calling—if they wanted to sign me. Would I stay or would I go?"

The locker room erupted into murmurs.

"Damn, since back then?" someone whispered.

"So he really is going to Man United?" another said in awe. "That’s impressive, even if it means he’s leaving us."

"But can we really blame the kid? It’s a Premier League club—and Manchester United, for that matter," someone argued.

"Yeah, we can blame him!" another voice shot back. "He’s known for months and didn’t tell any of us. From the look of it, he didn’t tell Jason or the gaffer either. Otherwise, why would the boss have called him in separately?"

Sensing the growing tension in the room, Curtis stepped forward, raising his hands to calm everyone down. "Alright, everyone, let’s chill. This is Manchester United we’re talking about. Would any of us here turn them down if they came calling?" he said, his tone firm but pointed.

As some players opened their mouths to respond, Curtis pressed on, cutting through the noise. "Now, let’s congratulate David and focus on training. The gaffer will be here soon to address us."

A few muttered, "Congrats, David," their voices weak and unenthusiastic as they shuffled back to their seats.

David stood silently, watching his teammates disperse one by one. His eyes followed Curtis as he was about to leave. "Thanks, Captain," David called out softly.

Curtis paused, turning to look at him with cold, distant eyes. "Yeah," he replied flatly before walking away.

Noticing the sudden shift, David took a deep breath, steeling himself against the chilly atmosphere. As he turned back, he saw Jason still standing there, his expression brimming with fury.

David stepped forward, trying to bridge the gap. "Hey, Jason, can we talk?" he asked hesitantly.

Jason let out a scoff, his frustration evident. Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving David standing there, feeling the weight of his solitude.

Nodding to himself, David moved to his locker and began changing for training. As he glanced around the room, he noticed some of his teammates shooting him wary glances, their eyes full of unease and unspoken thoughts.

David had never been one to stay quiet in the face of tension. Seeing his teammates’ wary stares, he stood up and walked to the center of the locker room. "Can I talk to you all, please?" he said firmly, his voice cutting through the low buzz of conversations about his transfer.

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him, some curious, others skeptical.

"Thank you for giving me your attention," David began, his gaze sweeping across the room. He noticed the same wary, questioning looks but pushed on. He let out a sigh before continuing.

"Yes, it’s true. Manchester United are coming to sign me," he said, finally confirming the news. A ripple of murmurs moved through the room, but he raised a hand to silence them. "And yes, I’ve agreed to join them."

He paused, gauging their reactions—still no comments, just a mix of resignation and restrained emotions on their faces.

"I want to apologize for how you all found out," he continued earnestly. "I planned to tell you today when I arrived, but the news seems to have gotten out before I could. For that, I’m truly sorry."

He scanned the room again, his eyes meeting theirs one by one, hoping his sincerity reached them.

"I also want to thank you all for your support. You were my first professional teammates, and I’ll always be proud to have been part of this team," he said, his voice steady but thick with emotion. "Before I leave, I promise I’ll give my all to help us win."

As he prepared to say more, a deliberate cough came from behind him, cutting through the silence.

Here’s the revised version of the scene with better grammar, flow, and structure:

"Thank you, David, but I’d like to speak now," came the familiar voice of Wayne Rooney, the legendary English striker and the team’s head coach. He stood behind David, his presence commanding the room.

David turned to face the man who had been his greatest mentor so far. Their earlier argument still weighed on him, the words lingering uneasily in his mind. Despite it all, David felt justified in his stance. Even so, he simply nodded and returned to his seat, watching as Rooney stepped forward.

Rooney’s sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the subdued expressions of the players. The atmosphere was heavy, but he knew just how to cut through the tension.

"Alright, guys," he began, his voice steady and upbeat. "First of all, welcome back! Football’s back, yeah?"

A loud, enthusiastic cheer erupted from the players, breaking the stiffness in the air.

Wayne laughed at their response, his chuckle lightening the mood further. "That’s more like it! Now, to kick things off, we’ll start with some basic runs. I hope you all listened to me during the lockdown and kept yourselves fit?"

"Yes, gaffer!" the team shouted back in unison.

"Good," Rooney said with a satisfied nod. "Alright, boys, hit the field, pair up, and stretch those legs. Your bodies will need it after all that downtime."

As the team began to move, Rooney raised his hand to get their attention once more. "Oh, and after that, we’ll play a small game—starters versus subs. Let’s shake off the rust and get used to the pitch again before the big match, yeah?"

"Yes, gaffer!" came the unanimous reply, the energy in the room now lively and determined.

David tied his boots, his mind still racing with thoughts, but he couldn’t help feeling a small sense of relief as the team shifted their focus back to football. The field was calling, and for now, it was all that mattered. But that was short lived.

Wayne continued, "After that, we’ll play a small game—starters versus subs. Let’s get used to the field again before the match."

A chorus of "Yes, gaffer!" filled the room, but before the players could head out, a voice broke through the chatter.

"What about David, gaffer?" A sub player asked.

Wayne looked up from the notes on his tablet, his expression calm but curious. "Pardon?"

The player cleared his throat and repeated, "About David. Normally, he’s a starter..." He hesitated for a moment before finishing, "...but now that he’s moving to Manchester United, shouldn’t his spot be taken so we can start preparing for after he leaves?"

His words hung in the air, sparking murmurs around the locker room. The noise grew louder as more players chimed in, some agreeing with the sentiment, while others debated it. The once-focused energy was now replaced by a growing tension.

Wayne stood silently for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room as he let the players’ voices run their course. Finally, his eyes landed on David, who sat quietly, staring ahead. David didn’t speak, but the conflicted look in his eyes spoke volumes.

Wayne turned back to the team, his face unreadable as he raised a hand to command their attention. The locker room slowly fell into silence, the weight of his presence settling over them.

"Alright, listen up," he began, his voice calm but firm.

Wayne’s calm yet authoritative voice filled the room. "David, as of right now, is still a Derby County player. While he’s here, we’ll always use our best options—and in this case, that’s David," he said firmly, his eyes sweeping across the players. "I also don’t want to hear any more talk about transfers. We’re here to play football, and that’s what we’re going to focus on. You’re all professionals, so let’s act like it."

The locker room grew quiet, but the tension was far from gone.

Breaking the silence, Curtis Davies, the experienced center-back, stood up. He had been quietly stewing for weeks, frustrated by Wayne Rooney’s arrival and the reduced role he’d been given under the new coach. This seemed like the perfect moment to air his thoughts.

"Gaffer," Curtis began, his tone respectful but edged with frustration. "I get your point, but playing David with the starting squad won’t do us any good in the long run. It’s best we start looking for alternatives now, so the team can prepare properly for what’s coming."

A murmur of agreement rippled through a few players, emboldened by Curtis’s words.

Wayne turned to Curtis, his expression unreadable. He took a step forward and met Curtis’s gaze head-on, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. The room held its breath, waiting to see how this clash of authority and experience would unfold.

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