SWR: Chapter 1202/1204

Chapter 1202: Premier League Takeover

France 1 is the most-watched TV station in France, with a market share of 35 percent.

Its programming includes news, sports, TV dramas, and variety shows.

The French national team won the World Cup in Russia and became a national sensation. As the new season approached, France 1 invited several key players from the national team to appear on its most-watched interview program.

As the brightest star of the World Cup, Mbappé was naturally on the guest list.

During the show, in addition to answering a series of questions about the World Cup and the national team, he also addressed the most-followed transfer of the summer, his own future.

When the host asked him about rumors that Paris Saint-Germain was willing to offer 200 million euros and that French fans hoped he would return to Ligue 1, while Real Madrid were also inviting him to La Liga, what would he choose?

Mbappé smiled and thanked the fans for their support.

"They are undoubtedly the best clubs in football, and I feel incredibly honored to have their recognition."

"But I want to say that I'm only 19 years old. I think the most important thing for me now is to keep working hard and improve my game. No matter what happens in the future, that is the best choice for me."

Mbappé said many people were underestimating Leeds United.

"I want to say that we are still one of the most competitive teams in European football. I am very happy to continue my journey with Leeds United and in the Premier League. I will stay at Leeds United, and my agent is negotiating a contract extension with the club."

"In the new season, I hope to perform even better and win more, and more important, trophies with my teammates and the fans."

…

Lucas forwarded the video. After watching it, Gao Shen laughed.

Mbappé had finally made a wise choice.

This was not easy, because he knew the offers from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid were extremely tempting.

Especially the salary, which Leeds United could not match.

Sometimes, it is impossible to say whether such a choice is right or wrong.

Take Mbappé for example. Can you say this choice is definitely right?

If he suffers a serious injury next season and his overall level drops, then this choice would look foolish.

To put it bluntly, professional football is a high-risk sport. No one knows what will happen, and players' bodies are even more unpredictable. So it is really difficult to make this decision.

Of course, Mbappé made this decision not only for Leeds United, but also for Real Madrid.

What he really wants now is to become the top star at Real Madrid.

With six consecutive Champions League titles and five straight La Liga titles, the club has locked in the title of best club of the 21st century decades in advance. Who would not want to be the leading figure in such a team?

But Mbappé was also worried about Real Madrid's rebuilding, so he chose to stay and wait one more year.

This was also a good choice for Real Madrid.

At least it was better than him moving to Paris Saint-Germain.

Because it showed that Mbappé still preferred Real Madrid.

Gao Shen even thought that perhaps Real Madrid, to some extent, also supported Mbappé staying one more year.

Under the combined influence of several factors, the current situation had finally taken shape.

"Not bad," Gao Shen breathed a sigh of relief.

If Mbappé stayed, Leeds United would keep their most potent attacking outlet for the new season.

But this also created problems.

Next, the transfers of Mane, Harry Kane, and Dele Alli would enter the fast lane.

Among them, Leeds United would definitely soften their stance on Mane.

Only by sending Mane away could Mbappé stand out as the left winger, while the right wing would be handed to Ousmane Dembélé.

"Keeping Mbappé and the new round of renewals have increased our wage bill. A few days ago, Lao Jiang was complaining to me about the pressure," Su Qing said with a smile as she sat next to Gao Shen, watching the same video.

Over the years, she was no longer a complete outsider. She had become a senior football executive and understood how professional football operated.

"More pressure will train you," Gao Shen replied with a smile.

Previously, Leeds United's transfer work had been stuck because of Mbappé. Now that he had committed, everything would go more smoothly, and many things would be easier to handle.

"But Mbappé will leave next summer," Su Qing reminded him.

Gao Shen nodded.

It is going to rain, and mothers will marry.

Mbappé's departure was inevitable, but Leeds United had at least one more year to prepare.

"To be honest, sometimes I still don't understand European professional football."

"Tell me."

"They spend so much every year on signings and chasing results, but in the end they do not actually make much money. The risks are huge. If they slip up, they could decline quickly."

Su Qing frowned, puzzled. "Tell me, without foreign capital, how long can this game last?"

"Hah, you say you do not understand, but actually you do," Gao Shen praised with a smile.

Su Qing was startled. "You mean foreign investment?"

"Let me ask you something. We always talk about commercialization, but how long has European football truly been commercialized?"

"Ten, a dozen years or so. The Premier League was founded in 1992."

"What about La Liga?"

"I do not know. Did it start when the membership model shifted to joint-stock companies on a large scale?"

"Strictly speaking, it started with the separation of management and operations between the Football Association and the leagues. The Premier League resulted from the English league's separation of governance and operation. La Liga's membership structure became unsustainable, so it began to change too, but that was only the beginning."

"The massive influx of capital started around that time, beginning with Sky. Without Sky's huge broadcasting fees, there would be no Premier League. The Bundesliga's late-90s boom was built on generous backing from the Kirch Group. Once Kirch went bankrupt, the Bundesliga fell into trouble."

By the same logic, if Sky collapsed now, the Premier League and even many European leagues would be in serious trouble.

"In the new century, the flood of foreign capital spurred a football boom. But you can see that many leagues and clubs still have not completed commercial reform. You can tell from their management structures."

"Take Inter Milan. I have a very good relationship with Moratti, but I do not think he is a qualified business manager. Is Juventus's management sound? Look at La Liga. Barcelona are in the same situation. Atlético were relegated because of former president Gil, and their rise came from management reform."

"The Premier League is the best. Many clubs went public, but what happened to their share prices after listing? How many Premier League clubs were badly run in past years? Things have improved a bit lately. Why? Foreign investment brought advanced management mechanisms."

The management of many Premier League teams is still messy, but far better than before.

"We can see a common trend in the Premier League now. Running the club itself does not make money. The money is made outside the club. For example, Abramovich at Chelsea for political reasons, some do it out of love, some for advertising."

Arsenal used to profit, but that was during the new stadium project. With the investment of a mid-table Premier League side, they finished fourth and reached the Champions League knockouts. The investment was far less than the return, so Arsenal made money in those years.

But what about now? What about other clubs?

Manchester United's recent spending spree has a simple goal. The Glazer family still wants to cash out and sell.

Before Manchester United is sold, can the Glazers say how much they have made from the club?

The same goes for Tottenham, Everton, Newcastle.

Almost all Premier League teams follow this logic.

Because of that mentality, plus tycoons like Paris Saint-Germain and rich but poorly managed clubs like Barcelona, the entire European transfer market has become outrageous.

Of course, Gao Shen would not criticise this publicly, because he has benefited.

If not for the rich, how could he have earned such high transfer fees?

Insiders know this is not a healthy or sustainable model, but driven by capital, they have to keep moving forward.

Even Bayern, long proud of being rational, now pays higher and higher wages.

So, as Su Qing said, without foreign money, many clubs could not continue.

But Gao Shen had once read a report about British football that gave a vivid example. Historically, when the economy is in recession, football often takes off.

What has happened in European football over the years seems to confirm this.

From the subprime crisis to the European debt crisis, the world economy has struggled, while football has boomed. Premier League broadcast fees have skyrocketed worldwide, and now even internet giants are eyeing football.

Not only that, but hot money from the Middle East and around the world is pouring into the Premier League and European football.

Just as Gao Shen reformed Leeds United's business system, football is no longer just a competitive sport. It is more like a platform.

Emotion, profit, advertising, political interests, all kinds of capital can find their place here.

For Gao Shen, there is only one thing he wants to do now.

Taking advantage of his last few years as a transmigrator, he aims to accomplish a few more big things, further consolidate Leeds United's foundation, and cement its status as a top club.

In the future, when he loses the advantage of being a transmigrator, Leeds United will be able to survive comfortably in the European jungle through its own system and strong management.

Unfortunately, Mbappé is not destined to be Leeds United's long-term ace.

Perhaps Haaland, Bellingham, Gvardiol, and others can be.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1203: The Earthquake in the Transfer Market

As soon as the news of Mbappé's contract renewal broke, it quickly sent shockwaves through European football.

On the day France 1 reported it, Mbappé arrived in Leeds from Paris. Accompanied by his agent, his mother, and his lawyer, he went to the AXA Center to formally negotiate an extension with Leeds United.

The two parties had already communicated sufficiently about the renewal, so the talks went smoothly.

That evening, Leeds United announced on their official website, Twitter, and other platforms that Mbappé had officially renewed his contract.

However, Leeds United did not disclose the details of Mbappé's deal, including his 150,000 pounds per week salary and a series of complex clauses. One key clause stood out, during the contract period, if any club offered a transfer fee of 250 million euros, Leeds United would have to let him go unconditionally.

This had been the biggest point of contention before the extension.

Mbappé's mother insisted on 200 million euros, while Leeds United initially proposed 300 million euros, later lowering it to 250 million before both sides agreed.

In other words, over the next few years, any club willing to pay 250 million euros could take Mbappé from Leeds United at any time.

…

With Mbappé's renewal finalized, one of the most anticipated transfers of the summer failed to materialize.

But the day after he signed, Leeds United and Manchester City simultaneously announced that the club had sold local center forward Harry Kane to Manchester City for 150 million euros.

This was another core player sold after Van Dijk, and a local one at that.

The transfer immediately triggered heated debate across English football.

Leeds United fans were unhappy, believing that after selling Kanté, the club had now sold Harry Kane as well. Who would the team rely on for goals in the new season?

But before fans could protest, the British media revealed the backstory.

Manchester City offered Harry Kane a weekly salary of 300,000 pounds, three times what he earned at Leeds United.

At the same time, the Yorkshire Post ran a special report stating that with Kane's arrival, City's top salary had risen to 300,000 pounds per week, bound to trigger another round of wage hikes within the club.

No need to mention top stars like Gareth Bale, Hazard, and Suarez. Even David Silva and De Bruyne, who were on 220,000 pounds per week, would likely get raises.

Now, Manchester City's wage bill was the highest in the Premier League and third among European clubs. If it rose further, it might surpass Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Yorkshire Post published a commentary arguing that Leeds United's sale of Harry Kane was wise, and that the club had to follow a rational path in management, not gamble like it did at the start of the century.

The shadow of bankruptcy still hovered over Leeds United. Even with improved results, White Rose fans remained cautious.

After analysis by several outlets, including the Yorkshire Post, Leeds fans gradually accepted the club's approach, though they remained slightly worried about the new season.

However, Leeds United faced the Community Shield on August 4 after returning to the UK.

At Wembley Stadium, since Leeds had won both the Premier League and FA Cup last season, this year's Community Shield pitted them against Premier League runners-up Manchester City.

Both sides were making final preparations for the new campaign, and the match ended 1-1.

According to the rules, it went straight to penalties, and Leeds United edged Manchester City 5-4.

Vardy scored Leeds United's only goal.

It was worth noting that Leeds United converted all five penalties.

…

The Community Shield win greatly diluted the impact of Harry Kane's transfer, and Kane did not appear in the match.

Leeds United then began careful preparations for the new Premier League season.

The team's first league fixture would be at home against West Ham United.

While the club was preparing at the AXA Center, the transfer market continued to progress in an orderly fashion.

Harry Kane's move to Manchester City significantly accelerated several other deals.

For example, Manchester United, who had also pursued Kane, suddenly shifted their focus to Dele Alli.

The 22-year-old English talent was hailed as a future star, widely tipped to become a leading midfielder in world football.

Contract talks between Leeds United and Alli had been like a soap opera, on and off for half a year.

Almost everyone knew Alli was leaving, but no one knew where.

Now the soap opera finally ended.

The answer, Manchester United.

The Red Devils paid a huge 120 million euros for the homegrown talent and successfully signed the future top midfielder.

Chelsea, who failed to beat Manchester United to Dele Alli, immediately turned to Mane.

Originally, Leeds United and Bayern were negotiating over Mane, and even the player believed a move to Bayern was a done deal.

Unexpectedly, Chelsea suddenly made an offer, proposing a weekly wage of 300,000 pounds, far higher than Bayern's.

Chelsea also bid 110 million euros, successfully hijacking the transfer from Bayern.

Just before the Premier League kicked off, Leeds United announced two more major deals, sparking heated debate around the world.

If Dele Alli's departure had been anticipated, Mane's exit was already foreshadowed after Mbappé renewed.

It had long been rumored that Gao Shen believed Mbappé's best position was left winger.

Now that he had renewed, it was natural for Mane, who occupied that role, to depart and make room.

Last season's Premier League and FA Cup double winners, and Champions League runners-up, had sold six key players in one summer. Only Dele Alli could be considered part of the rotation, but it was still a heavy blow.

After completing the Alli and Mane transfers, Leeds United announced that the window was closed to them and rejected outside inquiries.

Even then, several clubs were still eyeing Leeds United's players.

…

Six players sold for over 700 million euros, once again causing a major shock around Leeds United.

Although Leeds had been selling players for years and their annual sales income had indeed risen, it had never been as extreme as this season.

Add Ederson's transfer in January, and Leeds United's total player sales for 2018 exceeded 800 million euros.

It was an astronomical figure.

What was even more striking was that everyone could see that the value of Leeds United's players kept rising.

Another defensive midfielder, what was Brozovic's market value when he joined Chelsea in 2016?

60 million euros.

And Fabinho now?

70 million euros, up.

When winger Mahrez signed for Manchester City last summer, the fee was 70 million euros. Now Mane had moved to Chelsea for 110 million euros, another increase.

Not to mention Maguire, who transferred to Manchester United last year for 100 million euros, and now Van Dijk's fee had soared to 150 million, a huge jump.

Not only were sale prices higher, but according to Deloitte, Leeds United's overall valuation had surged after last season's outstanding performance.

Even after selling several core players this summer, Leeds United still ranked third in the Premier League in overall squad value.

Mbappé alone was worth 200 million euros.

In other words, Leeds United remained a strong Premier League side.

…

Gao Shen was not overly interested in the club's valuation. He was looking ahead.

It was said to be over 800 million, but in reality he could not access it now.

The reason was simple. Payments were made in installments. Although there were no defaults, some stretched over five years, which was frustrating.

But there was no choice. Before selling a player, you were the boss. After selling, the club that owed you became the boss.

Of course, these partner clubs would not default. If they really could not pay, they would have started selling their own players already.

They were all wealthy and reputable. A debt scandal would severely damage their brand, so they had to grit their teeth and pay.

Now, Su Qing would draw funds from Leeds United each year through various channels to invest in domestic high-end manufacturing and new energy companies. Meanwhile, Gao Shen would start buying mines abroad through a joint venture with Linde Generation.

In recent years, Gao Shen's domestic company had invested in wineries and cherries in Chile. The business was thriving and he had built strong connections. Next, he would invest in lithium mines in Chile.

Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia held half of the world's lithium resources, along with Australia and parts of Africa.

In Gao Shen's view, this not only supported the domestic new energy industry but also provided an exit strategy for himself.

All of this was left to Su Qing. Gao Shen was like a hands-off boss, focusing on football, especially Leeds United, who were about to start the new season.

When he went to Wembley for the Community Shield, he noticed some issues.

Even though he was reluctant to interfere with Pochettino's choices, Gao Shen still felt they needed to be pointed out.

As for the lineup concerns many outsiders had about Leeds United this season, Gao Shen was not worried at all.

…

Leeds United's squad for the 18/19 season:

Goalkeepers, Alisson, Ramsdale.

Defenders, De Ligt, Militao, Ruben Dias, Jose Fonte, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Ashraf, Cucurella, and Reece James. Post-00 players, Gvardiol, Alphonso Davies.

Midfielders, Kimmich, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Milinković-Savić, Valverde, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice. Post-00 players, Bellingham, Joao Ameni, Camavinga, Pedri, Gavi, Musiala.

Forwards, Haaland, Vardy, Mbappé, Dembélé, Grealish, Rashford, Joao Felix. Post-00 players, Vinicius, Rodrigo, Foden, Ansu Fati, Sancho.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1204: This Can Still Be Called Genius

With Gao Shen's current status, if he appeared at any club, he would make front-page headlines the next day. Many outlets would even hype up his whereabouts.

Only at Leeds United could he watch matches openly.

He could even go to the AXA Center to watch training.

After Leeds United narrowly beat Manchester City at Wembley to win the Community Shield, it was a good start to the new season, but the match also exposed several issues, especially in midfield.

This time, Gao Shen arrived without notifying anyone. He showed up suddenly.

Everyone was stunned when he appeared at the AXA Center holding Gao Ming's hand.

He was dressed in casual sportswear.

The players were even more surprised. When Gao Shen stood on the touchline, even with a wire fence between them, the players were immediately distracted, making a string of mistakes in training. They were scolded by Pochettino and looked embarrassed.

This was the aura of a top coach.

Gao Shen, on the other hand, found it amusing. When he heard Pochettino's lecture, he even shouted, "This proves your training intensity is not high enough, so they get distracted."

For a moment, the players wanted to cry.

Was Pochettino's training not intense enough?

Ask around the world, who does not know Pochettino is a training maniac?

Oh, right, he learned from Gao Shen.

So if Pochettino is a training maniac, then what is Gao Shen?

The players were in tears.

This is the boss, we cannot afford to offend him.

In fact, Gao Shen and Pochettino do not agree on many things.

For example, although both favor high-intensity training, Gao Shen focuses more on ball work, while Pochettino includes a lot of physical conditioning. His teams are excellent at running and high pressing.

Just imagine, even a technical player like Bernardo Silva had been turned into an indefatigable midfielder. You can tell how intense Pochettino's physical regimen is.

There is also Bruno Fernandes. The reason he wasted so much time earlier in his career was related to weaker technique and physical conditioning, but later he found a different path on his own.

At Leeds United, under Pochettino's "abuse," not only his running improved, but so did his fitness.

Sometimes, the environment really changes a player.

The Bruno Fernandes forged by Leeds United is clearly different from the ineffective version developed by teams like Udinese and Benfica.

Gao Shen also noticed veteran José Fonte constantly communicating and talking to teammates even in training, and everyone seemed to respect him.

This center-back incubator had truly helped Leeds United produce many excellent defenders.

And Mbappé, during group drills, was basically on the left.

In addition, Pochettino designed targeted training to sharpen Mbappé's left foot.

There was even a session where Mbappé was forbidden to use his pace to burst through and could only rely on dribbling.

This was clearly aimed at further improving his technique.

The training content was diverse, and the objectives varied, but with the methodology department's support and research behind the scenes, Gao Shen believed there would be no major issues.

In Leeds United's original plan to keep Mbappé, further refining and enhancing his technical traits was a key part, which also attracted Mbappé.

After all, Leeds United's methodology in training and polishing players is recognized by everyone.

…

After the morning session, Gao Shen greeted and chatted with the players across the wire fence.

At first, they thought he had come for a photo shoot.

Leeds roll out a series of new kits before each season. This year, due to the World Cup, it was relatively late, but still in time for the league, so the photo shoot was being done at the AXA Center today.

This included individual shots and first-team group photos.

But Gao Shen did not know about the arrangement, and he was not there for that.

Gao Ming, on the other hand, was thrilled, shouting that he wanted to be the first to get a signature on the new shirt.

Who knows when this kid developed a collecting habit.

His room was full of shirts. If you did not know, you would think it was a jersey gallery.

Although he is no longer head coach, Gao Shen had to say a few words.

He expressed satisfaction with the team's current state. He was full of confidence for the new season and hoped everyone would keep working hard.

"As everyone knows, the Champions League final this season will be held at our Amazon Stadium. I hope to see you lift the trophy there."

Gao Shen's encouragement received a warm response from the young squad.

Clearly, this was not only his expectation, but theirs as well.

They needed to perform better, for Leeds United and for themselves.

…

"The team's morale is good."

After training, Gao Ming ran off to play with the players, while Gao Shen went into the head coach's office with Pochettino.

Pochettino invited him to sit and poured him a glass of water.

"It's pretty good. We've always been motivated," Pochettino said, very satisfied.

With good morale, it would be much easier for him to lead the team.

The most important reason was that Leeds United is a team with hope.

Wages were a bit low, but the club management was very professional and the logistics were impeccable, among the best in Europe.

So players could play without worries here.

"After what you mentioned last time, I looked up the team's matches from last season and watched them. I found there are still some problems."

Pochettino immediately grew serious. He moved his chair closer. "Go on."

"Bruno Fernandes still needs polishing. As you said, his strengths and weaknesses are obvious. You think he suits playing as a free man between midfield and attack. I agree."

This was a bit like how Gao Shen used Isco back then, putting him between midfield and the front line.

But Bruno differs from Isco. He is better at the final pass and finishing.

That is the new path he has found.

"He makes too many mistakes, especially under pressure. I find it unacceptable that he makes so many. Whether in the final third, midfield, or the back line, his passing accuracy is low."

Low here is not relative to all midfielders, but to Leeds United's standards.

For example, his overall pass accuracy rarely exceeded 80 percent.

Many might find that strangely low.

Yes, it is that low.

In detail, his accuracy in the final third was 71 percent, which was an improvement from 68 percent or lower before. Midfield was 84 percent, also improved. The back line was 90 percent.

Since he had more passes in the final third, followed by midfield, and the fewest at the back, his overall success rate was 78 percent.

Gao Shen also looked into it and found that the main reason was his preference for riskier passes.

Those passes are often difficult. If they go through, they threaten the opponent. If they fail, they expose you. They are hard to complete, especially under pressure.

In truth, this is normal. No player is perfect.

The key is that he is still young enough to be refined.

"I have been helping him with off-ball movement since last season. There has been progress, but it is still not satisfactory," Pochettino said, frowning.

Gao Shen nodded. "I think we should help him settle down, put some pressure on him, and get him involved more. That includes controlling the tempo and transitional passing, slowing the game down at times."

Pochettino understood.

In simple terms, stop always chasing stats or trying to create danger in one pass. Stay calm and composed.

This probably related to Bruno's turbulent youth career, which made him eager to prove himself now. It is human nature.

"And Bernardo Silva. I personally think using him at right midfield is fine, but it restricts him a bit," Gao Shen added.

In Pochettino's plan, the midfield organizer this season was Bernardo Silva.

But after watching the Community Shield, Gao Shen felt Pochettino had not maximized the Portuguese midfielder.

"Strengthen his connection with the right winger and right-back, give him more freedom to advance and drop, and allow him to rotate with the left midfielder. I think this player is really good."

In the past and now, Gao Shen felt Bernardo Silva was a very, very good and complete midfielder. Not only can he evade pressure with the ball, but under Pochettino he developed tireless running, possesses strong passing, and averages two successful dribbles per game.

What more could you ask for from such a player?

Gao Shen believed Pochettino's usage was too conservative.

Players like him should be given more trust and support to maximize imagination and creativity.

This was another difference between Pochettino and Gao Shen.

As a former center-back, Pochettino was naturally cautious, so when using creative players, he would instinctively restrain them, which limited their performance.

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Gao Shen felt that players like this should be let loose to play.

As for a genius, can he still be called a genius if he is restrained?

"I will try."

Pochettino could accept frank advice.

"You are still a bit conservative at heart. Relax. We are a strong team now," Gao Shen said with a laugh.

A head coach's style comes directly from his personality.

Gao Shen understood this more and more, but he still hoped Pochettino would be bold enough to make attempts and change himself.

He was just one transformation away from becoming a top coach in Europe.

Break through, that is all.

"Come on, let's start the new season against West Ham United."

(To be continued.)