Rise of a Football God

(Premier league:)

(Matchday 2 results:)

(Brighton 2-1 Man United)

(Date: 24th August, 2024)

…

(Tottenham 4-0 Everton)

(Date: 24th August, 2024)

…

(Crystal Palace 0-2 West Ham)

(Date: 24th August, 2024)

…

(Southampton 0-1 Nottm Forest)

(Date: 24th August, 2024)

…

(Fulham 2-1 Leicester City)

(Date: 24th August, 2024)

…

(Man City 4-1 Ipswich Town)

(Date: 24th August, 2024)

…

(Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal)

(Date: 24th August, 2024)

…

(Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle)

(Date: 25th August, 2024)

…

(Wolves 2-6 Chelsea)

(Date: 25th August, 2024)

…

(Liverpool 2-0 Brentford) Enjoy more content from empire

(Date: 25th August, 2024)

…

(Updated premier league table standings:)

(1. Arsenal GP: 2 Pts: 6)

(2. Brighton GP: 2 Pts: 6)

(3. Fulham GP: 2 Pts: 6)

(4. Liverpool GP: 2 Pts: 6)

(5. Man City GP: 2 Pts: 6)

(6. Newcastle GP: 2 Pts: 4)

(7. Nottm Forest GP: 2 Pts: 4)

(8. Tottenham GP: 2 Pts: 4)

(9. Aston Villa GP: 2 Pts: 3)

(10. Brentford GP: 2 Pts: 3)

(11. Chelsea GP: 2 Pts: 3)

(12. West Ham GP: 2 Pts: 3)

(13. Bournemouth GP: 2 Pts: 2)

(14. Leicester GP: 2 Pts: 1)

(15. Crystal Palace GP: 2 Pts: 0)

(16. Everton GP: 2 Pts: 0)

(17. Ipswich Town GP: 2 Pts: 0)

(18. Man United GP: 2 Pts: 0)

(19. Southampton GP: 2 Pts: 0)

(20. Wolves GP: 2 Pts: 0)

After 2 days of premier league football, this was how the premier league table looked. Fulham was in 3rd position, tied at 6 points a piece alongside some illustrious names of the English top tier.

The most shocking entry in the premier league table this season was definitely Manchester United.

Once the King of the English premier league, the English giants were now a shadow of their former selves as after 2 games, they were unable to acquire a single point, falling to 2 damning defeats.

It was safe to say that it was a new low for the Red Devils.

After Fulham's game, racking up another win on the road and personally for Sam, having won another man of the match award, he stood before a reporter again as he addressed another post-match interview.

"Congratulations Sam. Once again, you had an amazing outing in the premier league. That's 2 wins in 2 games for Fulham, how do you feel?"

Sam smiled at the female reporter. "Of course, I feel great. 2 wins in 2 games, that's the perfect start to the new season that we hoped for and now we're getting it, so of course I'm happy".

"I hope we're able to keep this form up in upcoming matches".

The reporter cautiously looked at the Nigerian midfielder. "Sam, there are rumors going round in the internet that you claimed Fulham will win the league this season. How true are these rumors, and what do you feel about it?"

Hearing that question, at first Sam was surprised but then he just smiled. "Like you said, they're just rumors".

He continued. "Personally, I have a lot of ambitions for this new season but it would be quite arrogant of me to outrightly declare that Fulham will win the league this season when you consider how formidable our opponents are".

"All I have to tell you is that we will definitely give our all!" His eyes gleamed.

'And hopefully, our all is rewarded by the ultimate trophy to go with it'. He thought as he looked at the reporter.

Hearing his reply, the reporter smiled. "I hope you achieve your personal ambitions this season Sam".

"Thank you". Sam smiled back at her.

"Sam, we could not help but notice that today on the pitch, you seemed to be enjoying yourself quite a lot. You dribbled far more often than you did before, at least till the second half started. Is this a change of your style?"

Hearing that question, Sam's smile widened. "Well, the simple answer to your question is that I was simply in a very good mood".

But then he grimaced. "Like you said, till the second half. During the first half, I got to enjoy myself on the pitch, do what I love doing, connecting with Smith Rowe till Leicester decided to mark me out of the game".

"Getting swarmed by 2 to 3 opposition players every time you get the ball is not a pleasant feeling," he sighed. "Anyways, I'm glad we won still".

The reporter nodded. "In light of that, Sam, your status in the premier league already changed. To many, you're the best player in Fulham FC currently".

"And with this status comes certain privileges and inconveniences too".

"You experienced one of this inconvenience today. With Leicester, it didn't work but other clubs will definitely try to lock you out of games by sending multiple players to swarm you and cut you out".

"How would you cope with this?"

Sam shrugged. "It's unpleasant but like Bukayo Saka said one time ago, getting targeted by opposition players is a validation of talent and ability".

"So to me, it's an honor, and I will embrace it with full gusto".n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He grinned. "They're free to mark me and target me, but I also want to let them know that I won't give up!"

"Typical Samuel Moses". The reporter smiled.

"One last thing, can you tell me about your relationship with Emile Smith Rowe since your chemistry with him on the pitch is very tight. And somehow, Smith Rowe has exceeded all expectations cast on him since his move to Fulham, and many speculate that it's because of you".

This time, Sam thought carefully about it before he responded. "First, I recently took the initiative to become friends with him recently. We're good friends, it's only natural that this friendship also translates to our chemistry on the pitch".

"Another thing is that we're both talented players".

"Sometimes, ability is all that's needed to build chemistry. We're young, we're energetic, we're ambitious, and we're good, all these similar qualities is what endears us towards each other on the pitch".

"I believe that with time, our chemistry would become even more perfect".

The reporter smiled. "I hope so too, it's good to see Smith Rowe happy again".

"Thanks for having us Sam, do have a nice day".

"You too".

As Sam walked out of the interview, he could not help but think back on what the reporter told him about. 'Status…, I guess my status has really changed'.

'Last season, I was just an inexperienced youngster making his debut in the premier league so instinctively, opponents looked down on me'.

'This made it incredibly easy for me to impose my will on the pitch'.

'But now, they've noticed me, they've acknowledged my threat,' he sighed. 'My status in the premier league has changed'.

'Today is just a sample for the future. In future games, it won't be just one player anymore, multiple players will swarm me anytime I have the ball'.

'They'll even start kicking aggressively just to keep me out of the game'.

Sam was supposed to be worried by these thoughts but for some reason, it made him even more excited. 'I've finally made them notice me!' He grinned.

'The likes of Messi and Ronaldo were targeted for almost their whole career, but they lived above it all, building such legendary careers and legacies'.

'I can do the same'.

He clenched his fist. 'I will do the same!'

When Sam returned home that day, the first thing he did was open his dairy before updating his own statistics.

{2024/2025 Season:}

{Goals: 1}

{Assists: 2}

{Games: 2}

{Total goal contributions: 3}

As soon as he was done writing, he laid down on his bed, looking at his ceiling idly since he already took his bath and freshened up.

"27 more goal contributions". He muttered with a slight smile on his face.

Before retreating to sleep for the night, Sam did a video call with his family as he spoke with his mom who raved about his performance this game.

Sam felt nostalgic. 'I can't believe it's this same Mom who would raise a storm over the mere fact of me and dad watching football, not to talk of playing'.

'Now, not only is she watching, she's also showing a lot of interest in learning more about it. She's now a lover of football, can you believe it?'

He sighed. 'Time really changes people'.

After the video call session with his family, before sleeping, Sam called another person, Kayla Banks.

And this time, unlike when he called his family when his mom was raving, doing all the talking, Sam did most of the talking this time.

With Kayla, he felt totally free and himself as Sam raved about how he felt before, during, and after the game. He explained what motivated him to play like this today, samba, and he also explained what samba meant to her.

After he was done with his own, Kayla finally started as she told him about the full narrative of how her day went.

Before they knew it, they already spent over an hour on the call.

Sam was flabbergasted. 'An hour? Just now?!'

In the end, they had to eventually end the call since he was exhausted and wanted to sleep.

When Kayla blew him a kiss, Sam froze and what she said next made him lose control and blush.

"Goodnight, love you".

Well, that was the first time Sam heard that from someone not family!

He forced a smile. "Goodnight, love you too".

'That sounds so weird!'

As soon as he ended the call, Sam slept peacefully with a soothing feeling all over his body like butterflies were fluttering their beautiful wings in his belly.

It felt nice.