SWR: Chapter 577/580

Chapter 577: It’s Time to Test Manchester City

On the afternoon of August 30th, at Fratton Park, Portsmouth.

In the fourth round of the Premier League, Manchester City was set to face Portsmouth away from home.

As the game entered the second half, the score remained 1-1.

Manchester City had largely dominated possession, but Portsmouth displayed incredible resilience on their home turf. New midfield and attacking signings from Tottenham, including Kranjčar and Boateng, were giving it their all. Additionally, head coach Paul Hart employed a strict defensive strategy, making it difficult for Manchester City to break through.

After all, in their first three matches, City had scored 15 goals—stunning not just the Premier League but the entire European football scene.

Portsmouth, naturally, took a cautious approach.

Even so, in the 31st minute, Robinho received the ball on the left flank. Despite being double-marked by defenders, he dribbled to the byline and cut the ball back across the goal, setting up Suárez for an easy tap-in to open the scoring.

However, in the 38th minute, Portsmouth won a free kick in the attacking third and floated the ball into City's penalty area. Neuer rushed out and punched it away but collided mid-air with Portsmouth's French striker Piquionne. The referee immediately pointed to the spot.

The justification? Neuer had made contact with Piquionne before reaching the ball, which was deemed a foul.

Though technically plausible, the decision was highly debatable. Neuer and his teammates were visibly frustrated, with captain Kompany even protesting to the referee. But no matter how much they argued, the penalty stood.

Boateng stepped up and confidently converted, bringing Portsmouth level.

From then on, the game entered a deadlock.

Manchester City continued pressing forward, probing for openings, while Portsmouth held their defensive shape.

After the break, City intensified their attack.

In truth, nearly every offensive move carried a threat, yet they just couldn't find the breakthrough.

They controlled both possession and tempo but were missing that final touch to convert their dominance into a lead.

A key figure in Portsmouth's defensive setup was former Manchester City captain Sylvain Distin.

Although he struggled in one-on-one duels against Suárez, he did just enough to keep the Uruguayan at bay. As a result, Suárez was always close to scoring but never quite managed to put the ball in the net again.

That, in many ways, summed up City's night so far.

…

"From the way this match is unfolding, Manchester City has the upper hand but just can't finish their chances."

"Their attack remains relentless, constantly threatening, but Portsmouth's defensive discipline has been impressive. They've kept their lines compact, which has disrupted City's intricate passing and movement."

"This is the standard approach for underdogs facing superior teams."

"Either you park the bus or go all-out on the attack. But if you hesitate between the two, you'll likely end up losing even worse."

"Portsmouth has committed to their game plan—sit deep and defend. If City wants to break them down, they'll have to be both patient and wary of counterattacks."

"Defensively, Portsmouth has packed five men into midfield, a significant commitment to shutting City down."

"In a way, forcing Portsmouth into such a defensive stance away from home is a testament to City's strength. But if Gao Shen wants to take all three points, he'll need to make adjustments."

"Perhaps bringing on Sturridge and switching to a 4-4-2 could be a solution."

As Andy Gray analyzed the match, the live broadcast briefly panned to the visiting team's technical area, where Gao Shen stood with a serious expression.

City had won all three of their opening matches and sat atop the table, but now they were facing their first real test.

This was the true challenge of the Premier League.

A tactic that worked brilliantly one week could be completely neutralized the next.

If a team couldn't break through, their opponents would simply sit deep and frustrate them.

"Now is the real test of Manchester City's attacking capabilities, can they break down a deep block?"

…

Gao Shen wasn't paying attention to the cameras. He was fully focused on the game.

With a full week of preparation between the third and fourth rounds, Portsmouth had clearly devised a defensive strategy specifically for City.

Gao Shen had anticipated this, but he hadn't expected to concede such a controversial penalty.

That's the Premier League for you.

Over the past week, City had been sharpening their attack and integrating Robben into the system. But tonight, while Robinho was performing well, he was also under immense defensive pressure.

Robben, on the other hand, was struggling likely because Portsmouth had effectively neutralized him.

The Dutchman thrived in open space, but against Portsmouth's deep block, even David Silva was having a tough time. He was frequently fouled and struggled to influence the game.

Taking a deep breath, Gao Shen checked the time, then turned to his bench.

"Olivier, warm up!" he called.

Giroud looked around, momentarily stunned.

"What are you waiting for? Move!" Gao Shen urged.

Finally snapping out of it, Giroud hurried off to start warming up.

Seeing this, Gao Shen turned to Borrell.

"Rodolfo, he'll be playing as a target man, holding up the ball and linking play. Go brief him."

Borrell nodded and jogged over to Giroud.

"Olivier, remember what we talked about regarding positioning?" Borrell asked.

"Yeah," Giroud replied while stretching. "Stay composed and aware of the defenders around me. Always know my position relative to the penalty area so I can decide whether to lay it off or take a touch."

The farther a player is from the penalty area, the less defensive pressure they face and the more space they have. But the closer they get, the tighter the marking becomes, and space becomes extremely limited. Defenders become more aggressive, and a center forward must learn to create openings for himself when necessary.

During training, Borrell constantly emphasized one key point: use your body to shield the ball.

This was Giroud's greatest strength—his physicality.

For example, when receiving the ball with his back to goal, the best approach wasn't to wait for the ball in the optimal position. Instead, he had to anticipate the movement, position himself early, block off the defender, and let the ball come to him. Doing so would create more space to control and distribute the ball—but it required exceptional physical strength and awareness.

"Good. Also, remember to communicate more with your teammates—shout, call for the ball, give instructions. Got it?"

"I got it," Giroud responded seriously.

"And another thing, on headers, one of your weaker areas in training. Before jumping to contest the ball, always scan the defender's position and time your leap correctly. If you don't, they'll easily disrupt you in mid-air."

"Use your hands and your back to control your marker so they can't interfere with you."

"Don't worry about how the referee will call it. Premier League officiating is lenient in this regard. Just maximize your physical advantage to dominate your opponent, just like we practiced. Understand?"

Giroud nodded firmly. "Understood."

Borrell looked at him with a deep gaze.

Since joining the team, the French striker had worked tirelessly in training, never slacking off for a single day.

And now, finally, he was about to get his first Premier League appearance.

In many ways, he was incredibly lucky.

Because he had met a great mentor—Gao Shen.

"Go for it, Olivier!" Borrell encouraged.

Giroud grinned, then sprinted back to the technical area and stood beside Gao Shen.

"Go on and replace Robben," Gao Shen instructed. "Once you're on, stay up top in the penalty area. Use your strength and technique to create chances for your teammates. Understood?"

"Crystal clear!"

"Go!" Gao Shen nodded.

Just as Giroud was about to step onto the pitch, Gao Shen suddenly called out, "Wait."

Giroud turned back, slightly puzzled. Had he forgotten something?

"If you see a good opportunity, don't hesitate, go for it," Gao Shen said with a hint of encouragement.

Giroud's eyes lit up. "Got it. Thanks, Boss!"

As he jogged over for the substitution, Gao Shen let out a small sigh and shook his head with a wry smile.

It wasn't often you saw a manager giving instructions like this to a center forward.

But then again, Giroud's finishing had never been his strong suit.

Back in France's Ligue 2, he could bully defenders at will, but stepping into Europe's top four leagues was a whole different challenge. The pace, the intensity, and the defensive pressure were on another level.

Giroud's greatest weapon was his physicality.

Against Portsmouth's packed defense, Gao Shen's previous approach, waiting for the right moment to strike was no longer viable. What he needed now was a disruptor, a focal point like Giroud to shake up Portsmouth's defensive structure. Only then would Manchester City get their chances.

As for Robben, the situation wasn't quite unfolding the way Gao Shen remembered from his past life.

He clearly recalled Robben's debut for Bayern—scoring twice in a brilliant, eye-catching performance.

That had been on the last day of August.

But now, in the Premier League, where the opposition was tougher and the tempo faster than in the Bundesliga, things were different.

Gao Shen and his staff had also been pushing Robben to build more muscle, which had affected his sharpness and adaptation to the system. As a result, he hadn't quite found his rhythm yet.

Even so, Gao Shen remained fully confident in him.

"It's alright, Arjen. Get some rest and leave the rest to them," he said, hugging Robben as he came off.

But the Dutchman still looked visibly frustrated.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Giroud—the wild card was already making an impact.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 578: Is There No One Left in Manchester City?

Giroud was about to turn twenty-three.

Back when he was training at Grenoble's youth academy, he knew he wasn't a naturally gifted player. He had seen true footballing genius up close.

Benzema, the star at Lyon, was one such talent, recognized across France, Europe, and the world.

If Benzema was a high-performance F1 car, well-maintained and built for speed, then Giroud was just a go-kart, left unnoticed in the shadows.

He never imagined he would one day reach the top level of football.

At one point, he thought the best he could hope for was a career in Ligue 2. Even making it to Ligue 1 seemed like a dream. But after moving to Tours, he realized that maybe, just maybe, he had a real shot.

For the first time in his life, he wanted success badly.

But what shocked him even more was that before he had even conquered Ligue 2 or Ligue 1, he had already been given an opportunity he had never dared to dream of.

The newly ascendant Premier League side, Manchester City, extended a contract to him. And it wasn't just any offer, it came directly from Gao Shen, a manager with two Champions League titles to his name.

To Giroud, it felt surreal.

No—this wasn't just a dream. Even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn't have thought this was possible.

So when the news became official, he was afraid it would somehow fall through. Worried that City or Gao Shen might change their minds, he immediately packed up and left Chambéry for Manchester. He had heard the rumors, any player valued by Gao Shen would go on to achieve greatness.

For years, he had suppressed his ambitions, but now, that fire inside him was roaring to life again.

From the moment he arrived at Manchester City, he became the hardest-working player in training. He executed every drill, every movement, and every tactical instruction with absolute dedication.

Compared to his teammates, he was clearly lacking in many areas, but his attitude was second to none.

At first, he feared that his shortcomings would lead to disappointment. He worried the coaching staff would grow frustrated, that Gao Shen would push him aside. But that never happened.

He still vividly remembered his first serious conversation with Gao Shen. It was in Cape Town, South Africa. Through an interpreter, the head coach's words left a deep impression on him.

"In football, there is no such thing as absolute perfection. Every player has weaknesses, which is why teamwork is so important. We rely on each other to push forward."

"Your strengths are clear, but so are your weaknesses. If you want to succeed in the Premier League, you have to maximize your strengths and carve out a unique role for yourself in the team."

Giroud, curious, asked Gao Shen what he believed his biggest strengths were.

Gao Shen pointed to his temple. "Your mind," he said. "And your sense of rhythm on the pitch."

During that conversation, Gao Shen explained that Giroud's greatest talent lay in his ability to read the game. He had a strong sense of space, which allowed him to process information quickly. Physically, he was also exceptional.

"Your movement, your style—it's not like a traditional center forward. You play more like a number 10."

That was the direction Gao Shen wanted him to develop in.

Of course, they would also work on his weaknesses.

But at twenty-three, there was only so much he could improve.

Even with focused training, there were limits to how much he could change. Often, working on a player's weaknesses was more about giving them confidence than truly erasing those flaws.

What mattered most was maximizing strengths.

That day, Giroud became fully convinced by Gao Shen's vision.

He never imagined he would become a key player for Manchester City. But even more unimaginable was that a Champions League-winning manager and his elite coaching team would create a personalized development plan just for him.

That alone made him grateful.

And so, he worked even harder.

Even when he didn't get a single minute of playtime in the first three league matches, he kept pushing himself. He watched as his teammates took the field, full of energy and determination, and felt envious but he remained patient. He kept training. Kept waiting.

Finally, he made the match squad.

Finally, he was getting his chance.

Even if there were only thirty minutes left in the match.

Standing on the touchline, waiting for his substitution, Giroud lifted his head, hoping the camera would capture his face.

He wanted his old teammates, his friends, and his family to see him.

He had made it to the Premier League!

"Go out there and give it your best!" Robben high-fived him before walking off.

Giroud was stunned for a moment.

Not long ago, Robben had been just a distant figure, someone he only saw on TV or in newspapers.

Now, they were teammates.

For a second, it didn't feel real.

"Number 12, number 12," the referee called out twice.

"Olivier!"

Felipe, the closest left-back, ran over and called out.

Giroud snapped out of his daze, awkwardly waved his hands, and hurried onto the pitch.

He was still feeling a little overwhelmed.

The Portsmouth fans immediately erupted into boos.

Is this really the best Manchester City has?

They're subbing on this fool?

But within the Manchester City squad, everyone knew that Giroud had been a bit of an enigma ever since he joined the team.

Honestly, how could someone who only spoke French, with no grasp of English, just pack up and move to England alone?

And, to make things even more baffling, he hadn't even signed his contract at that time.

…

Gao Shen rubbed his forehead in frustration.

In his memories, Giroud should have been a good-looking, composed striker. But right now, he just looked clueless and—dare he say it—kind of adorable?

But the contrast was jarring.

This was a tall, powerful center forward. It felt ridiculous to describe him as "cute," yet here he was.

"David." Gao Shen called out to Silva, gesturing for him to adjust his passes and pay closer attention to Giroud. The Spanish midfielder nodded in acknowledgment.

The same went for Rakitic.

Robinho remained on the left wing, while Suárez shifted to the right, a position he had frequently played at Ajax, so he was perfectly comfortable there.

"Alright, everyone, stay sharp and focused! Let's go!" Gao Shen clapped his hands, rallying his team.

…

Manchester City restarted play.

Giroud's first attempt to receive the ball didn't go well. Distin read the situation quickly, stepped around him, and intercepted the pass.

The French striker was caught off guard. He immediately tried to press and win it back, but he was too slow.

This wasn't like the match footage he had studied.

The pace of a Premier League game was far faster than he had imagined. It was almost impossible to keep up.

From the sidelines, he had watched Suárez dominate the Portsmouth defenders and assumed Kaboul and Distin were sluggish. But in reality, these two center-backs both over 1.9 meters tall were fast, agile, and sharp.

They only looked slow compared to a striker like Suárez.

Giroud's second attempt was slightly better, he managed to receive the ball, but his first touch was too heavy. By the time he tried to control it, Distin had already stepped in and cleared it away.

The home fans roared in applause and cheers.

Giroud could even hear the jeers and taunts from the stands.

Not that he understood most of the English insults.

"Olivier, what are you doing? Stay focused!" Gao Shen's voice rang out from the touchline.

Giroud glanced at his coach, quickly nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to steady himself.

Play to your strengths.

Play to your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

After two failed touches, his teammates seemed hesitant to pass to him.

Every forward pass was the result of the team's coordinated movement, no one wanted to waste those opportunities.

Finally, the ball came his way again. This time, he didn't try to control it. Instead, he quickly knocked it back into open space for a teammate to pick up.

"Good! Stay calm!" Gao Shen shouted from the sideline.

Giroud instinctively turned around, ready to smile at his coach—only to see Rakitic already sending another pass his way.

He hesitated. Just for a second.

That second was enough. The ball was gone.

"Damn it, Olivier! Stay focused!"

Giroud waved apologetically at Rakitic, acknowledging his mistake.

The Croatian midfielder simply grinned and immediately turned to press Portsmouth.

…

It took more than five minutes before Giroud finally settled into the rhythm of the game.

He quickly realized that, as the team's central forward, he wouldn't have time or space to dwell on the ball. He needed to move it on quickly, one-touch play was the key.

By the time he started receiving and distributing passes cleanly, the match had already reached the 70th minute.

Time was flying.

But in the midst of this high-intensity battle, Giroud finally felt what Gao Shen had told him before.

His ability to read the game, to analyze movements and predict positioning was real.

Without even realizing it, he was constantly tracking his teammates and opponents, instinctively understanding their positioning and movement patterns.

He had no idea if others could do this.

But he could.

And if he could master it, he could be truly dangerous.

Especially when combined with his physical strength.

Use your body. Shield the ball. Control your opponent.

Giroud wasn't stupid. Quite the opposite, he was sharp. He was starting to get it.

…

In the 74th minute, Robinho received the ball on the left and tried to cut inside.

Van den Borre read his move perfectly, blocking his path. With no other option, Robinho passed back to David Silva.

Silva took possession, lifted his head, and scanned the field.

Giroud was already making a run, calling for the ball.

"Send it forward!" he shouted.

Silva understood immediately.

Giroud sprinted towards the left side of the penalty area.

Distin followed closely.

Both players were 1.92 meters tall. In a pure physical battle, Distin wouldn't necessarily lose but Giroud had positioning on his side.

He got his body in front, blocking Distin behind him.

Silva delivered the pass perfectly to Giroud's right side, just beyond Distin's reach. The ball bounced softly off the turf, slowing down at just the right moment.

A great passer knew exactly how to tailor each pass to their teammate's needs.

Giroud didn't try to control it.

Instead, he stepped forward, pivoted, and swung his left leg—redirecting Silva's pass straight into the path of a teammate inside the box.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 579: Man-Ball Divide

Giroud was tall, physically strong, and a center forward. Naturally, Distin focused on preventing him from turning and shooting. But he hadn't anticipated that kind of pass from David Silva.

Distin reacted quickly, rushing in to block Giroud, only to be caught off guard as the French striker executed a left-footed lob in mid-air.

Whether intentional or not, Giroud's cross landed precisely at chest height, right between him and Distin.

Everyone knew that inside the penalty area, this was a dangerous height. Even the slightest miscalculation could lead to a handball.

Distin had no time to think. Instinctively, he judged that the ball wouldn't pose a direct threat to the goal, so he shrunk his body to avoid making contact.

After all, Kaboul was behind him, and if all else failed, Portsmouth still had their goalkeeper.

Giroud's cross carried almost no power.

But just as the defenders relaxed, Suárez ghosted into the box, making a diagonal run toward the back post. Before Kaboul could react, the Uruguayan lashed out with his right foot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

For a brief second, the stadium fell silent.

Then—

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!"

"MANCHESTER CITY SCORES AGAIN!!!"

"IT'S SUÁREZ AGAIN—A BRACE!!!"

"That's his seventh goal in the first four league games!"

"Unbelievable! Olivier Giroud, making his first appearance for Manchester City, delivers a delicate lobbed pass from the left side of the penalty area, perfectly finding Suárez, who calmly puts it away!"

"Manchester City leads 2-1!"

Suárez exploded with excitement, sprinting toward the touchline while shouting Giroud's name.

His teammates weren't far behind, swarming the French striker and Suárez in celebration.

There was no doubt about it, Giroud deserved a lot of credit for the goal.

His pass had been exquisite.

Of course, Suárez's clinical finishing and David Silva's well-timed assist had also been crucial.

"Olivier Giroud, the 22-year-old French forward, making his Manchester City debut, just set up a vital goal in a crucial match!"

"Let's look at the slow-motion replay."

"Silva's pass was clever, Giroud's turn and lob were pure quality, and Suárez's finish showed his killer instinct."

"This was an outstanding goal from Manchester City!"

"Now, the momentum is shifting back in City's favor. With more than ten minutes left, will Portsmouth push forward?"

…

"Beautiful!"

Gao Shen leaped from his seat, clapping and cheering.

The key to the goal? Giroud.

He had pinned down Distin, creating space in the penalty area.

If that had been Suárez in Giroud's position, he wouldn't have been able to hold off Distin.

This was the value of a proper center forward.

A strong, physical presence who could create chances simply by using his body.

"This kid still needs more training," Gao Shen mused. "He hasn't fully grasped it yet."

If Giroud were being judged by the standards of a starting center forward, he still had flaws.

His footwork was decent but not outstanding. He lacked pace and explosiveness. His reactions inside the penalty area weren't quick enough. And under the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of the Premier League, his finishing needed serious improvement.

This was why so many players who shined in Ligue 1, Portugal, or the Eredivisie struggled in top leagues.

In those leagues, defenders weren't as aggressive, and attackers had more space to operate.

Take the last play, for example, if Giroud had tried to shoot instead of passing, Distin would have blocked it.

His shot would have lacked power, and even Gao Shen himself might have been able to save it, let alone a professional goalkeeper.

Why was his shot weak?

Because to shoot quickly, Giroud sacrificed power for speed.

If he wanted to strike with full force, he would've needed to adjust his body, swing his leg fully, and generate power. But by then, the shooting opportunity would be gone, Distin would have intercepted it.

At this level, split-second decisions made the difference.

"When it comes to work ethic and impact, he's actually a valuable player," Sarri admitted.

He then turned to Gao Shen with admiration.

Where did Gao Shen even hear about Giroud?

Did he have scouting connections in Ligue 2?

Why had Sarri never heard about this before?

But Gao Shen wasn't paying attention to Sarri's curiosity, his focus was locked on the game.

He quickly noticed movement on Portsmouth's bench.

Paul Hart wasn't willing to let this match slip away.

He was preparing a counterattack.

Gao Shen glanced at the touchline and spotted two players warming up.

Utaka and Kanu.

Utaka was versatile—able to play as a right winger or a striker.

Kanu was a target man.

It was obvious.

Portsmouth was about to go all in on the attack.

This was something Gao Shen truly admired about Premier League teams.

Whether it was the dominant wins over Blackburn and Everton earlier in the season, or Wolves and now Portsmouth, English teams never backed down.

Even when facing stronger opponents, they refused to park the bus, they always fought until the end.

People often said La Liga was all about attacking football, but that wasn't entirely true. Many northern Spanish teams played very pragmatic football.

But in the Premier League?

Even teams like Wolves and Portsmouth had the guts to go for it.

Maybe it was just the English football culture.

Everyone knew the Premier League emphasized physicality and relentless pace.

Even when teams parked the bus, they didn't sit deep like Serie A teams.

Especially at home.

As Brian Kidd always said:

"You can offend anyone, but never offend your own fans."

…

Portsmouth made their substitutions.

Utaka replaced Tommy Smith.

Kanu replaced Piquionne.

Two attacking changes.

A clear message to the team, Portsmouth was going all-out.

Manchester City, under careful tactical adjustments, stabilized their midfield and waited for Portsmouth to push forward.

The game once again entered a high-paced battle of attack and defense.

At this stage, Manchester City's superior physical condition and control of possession became increasingly evident. After over an hour of intense play, Portsmouth's stamina had been significantly drained.

As for Kanu, though experienced and well-known, he was no longer in his prime.

Whether it was Kompany, David Luiz, or Javi Martínez, none were easy opponents.

The veteran striker found himself struggling to make an impact against Manchester City's midfield and defense.

In the 86th minute, Portsmouth attempted a long ball to Kanu, but Javi Martínez positioned himself well and headed it clear.

Giroud, retreating from the front, used his body to shield Distin and, after the ball dropped, calmly laid it off to Rakitic in space.

The Croatian midfielder took a touch before delivering a diagonal pass to the open left flank, finding Robinho.

The Brazilian winger controlled the ball and immediately dribbled inside at pace. Facing Van den Borre one-on-one, he executed a series of stepovers before suddenly poking the ball past the Belgian defender and sprinting around him into the box.

"Brilliant move!"

"Robinho forces his way past Van den Borre on the left and charges into the penalty area, one-on-one with the keeper!"

"He shoots... and it's in!!!"

"GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"

"ROBINHO STRIKES AGAIN FOR MANCHESTER CITY!"

"3-1!"

"In the 86th minute, Robinho extends Manchester City's lead over Portsmouth!"

"That was pure individual brilliance! His stepovers may not have completely fooled Van den Borre, but the sudden separation of ball and body caught the defender completely off guard."

"This is what makes Brazilian players so exciting, they can produce magic out of nowhere!"

"Three to one! And once again, Gao Shen's substitutions work wonders!"

"Olivier Giroud, the 22-year-old French striker who was playing in the lower leagues of France not long ago, somehow caught the attention of Manchester City and made his way here."

"Before tonight, he was practically invisible, having only made the squad twice without playing a minute."

"But tonight, he was directly involved in two of Manchester City's goals, each time using his strong physique to create space and opportunities for the team. He's certainly made an impression!"

The live broadcast cut to the touchline, where Gao Shen, after celebrating with his assistants, quickly refocused on directing his players, signaling them to maintain their shape. The game wasn't over yet.

"Back at Real Madrid, Gao Shen was known for his ability to identify young talent. Then, in Naples, he spent three years developing over a dozen players who became European stars—even top-tier stars."

"Now, at Manchester City, he's continuing that trend. He's brought in stars like Robben, Rakitic, and David Silva, but also rising talents like Giroud, Sturridge, and Hazard—who have all shown great promise."

"With this victory over Portsmouth, Manchester City will maintain their perfect start with four wins from four, remaining top of the Premier League table."

"And with such a strong performance, it's clear that Manchester City is a serious contender for the Premier League title this season."

"If they do go on to win it, Gao Shen will set a new record—winning La Liga, Serie A, and the Premier League in his first season managing each league."

Andy Gray shifted into post-match analysis mode.

The game had resumed, but it was clear to everyone, Portsmouth had been dealt a crushing blow.

They lacked Manchester City's quality and depth. Their energy was depleted, and they were now trailing by two goals. The chances of a comeback were virtually nonexistent.

And soon, the final whistle confirmed it, Manchester City had secured a 3-1 victory away at Portsmouth.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 580: Robben’s Crisis

In his previous life, when Gao Shen was working in a company and had just been promoted to team leader, he once sought advice from a senior executive.

After several meals and a few bottles of wine, he finally got the man to reveal his seven-word secret to success:

Set goals, lead people, and monitor the process.

According to his mentor, these seven words had been the foundation of his decades-long success in the corporate world.

Each phrase represented a key leadership principle.

First, set goals.

This was straightforward—every team needed a clear objective to work toward.

Whether it was meeting the KPIs set by upper management or establishing internal team targets, having a goal provided direction and motivation.

But goals had to be realistic.

Set them too high, and they'd be unattainable, leaving the team demoralized.

Set them too low, and while the work environment might seem relaxed in the short term, ambitious and capable individuals would quickly grow frustrated and leave.

Next, lead people.

Leadership wasn't just about management, it was about teaching, delegating, and developing talent.

An employee only needed to know how to do the work.

A leader needed to know how to guide others, inspire them, and get them to willingly work toward a shared vision.

A great leader was like a great teacher and teaching was never easy.

It was difficult in school.

It was even harder in the workplace.

Finally, monitor the process.

This required balance. A leader couldn't be too controlling, nor could they be too hands-off.

The work environment needed to be structured yet motivating, with clear rewards and consequences. Everything had to be managed properly, so the team could stay focused.

By the third stage, a leader's job became much easier, which was why some department heads and company executives seemed to take it easy while their teams continued running efficiently.

Many people who transitioned from being employees to managers found themselves overwhelmed and frustrated.

The problem?

They failed to adapt from an employee's mindset to a leader's mindset.

In his previous life, Gao Shen's smooth career progression had been thanks to these lessons—learned over dinners and drinks.

…

After traveling through time, Gao Shen had continued practicing these principles, whether at Real Madrid, Napoli, or now at Manchester City.

Early on, he had set a clear goal for the team: win the league title.

This wasn't an empty statement.

With Manchester City's current squad and an investment of over €200 million, not aiming for the championship would be a major blow to morale.

Fortune favors the bold.

If a coach didn't even dare to aim high, how could players trust him to lead them forward?

As for leading people, Gao Shen had been doing that every step of the way.

His coaching staff? No issues there. They were experienced colleagues who required no extra oversight.

His players? That was where his real work was needed.

From Robinho to Sturridge, and now Giroud, Gao Shen had been addressing one challenge at a time.

Now, the biggest concern in the squad, the most frustrating problem—was Robben.

Looking at the last two league matches, Robinho's form had been improving steadily.

His physical fitness had increased significantly, and as a result, his performances were sharper and more consistent.

The Brazilian had always been technically gifted and had excellent positioning awareness.

During his time at Real Madrid, under Gao Shen and Capello, he had moved away from his old habit of holding onto the ball too much. Now, he understood the value of quick passing and better decision-making.

Gao Shen's next job was to keep Robinho on track—ensuring he didn't slack off and monitoring his conditioning, especially during international duty.

But Robben's situation was much more complicated.

On one hand, he was in a transitional phase.

On the other hand, his muscle training was affecting his form.

Adjusting to Manchester City's system and the Premier League's pace was proving difficult.

As a result, Robben had yet to truly showcase his world-class level.

Making matters worse, the British media had been relentless in their criticism.

The pressure was mounting.

And the greater the pressure, the more desperate he became to prove himself—which, in turn, made mistakes more likely.

Gao Shen and his coaching staff had done everything possible to protect Robben, but the Dutchman was someone who demanded the highest standards from himself and was fiercely competitive.

Watching Suárez and Robinho shine, seeing Sturridge score twice, and Hazard put in strong performances, how could he possibly stay calm?

Gao Shen knew that Robben's issue had to be addressed.

If he could get the Dutchman back on track, everything else would fall into place.

But how easy was that?

…

After the match, Gao Shen followed his usual routine—walking to the touchline and hugging each player as they left the pitch.

As he glanced toward the bench, he noticed Robben, head down, trying to slip away into the tunnel.

"Arjen, wait a moment."

Robben froze, looking at Gao Shen with a puzzled expression before stopping.

The other players noticed but said nothing. They all knew this conversation was private.

Carlo Ancelotti and the rest of the staff also understood and quietly left, allowing Gao Shen and Robben to speak alone.

Above them, Portsmouth fans continued booing from the stands.

"I think you've been putting too much pressure on yourself lately. You're too tense, it's not good for you," Gao Shen said.

Robben narrowed his eyes and forced a small smile. "I'm fine, Boss."

Gao Shen draped an arm around Robben's shoulder, guiding him toward the dugout to ensure their conversation wasn't overheard, or worse, caught on camera for lip-readers to analyze.

"I checked the Netherlands' schedule," Gao Shen began. "You've already qualified for the World Cup, and the upcoming matches in September—a friendly against Japan and a group match against Scotland—are meaningless.

"I suggest I call Van Marwijk and ask him to leave you out of the squad. Instead of training or playing, I'll give you two weeks off to rest and recharge completely."

The Dutch national team had already secured qualification with a 10-point lead in their group. The match against Scotland was meaningless, and the Japan friendly had no real stakes.

"Boss, I can handle it," Robben said, shaking his head.

Gao Shen held his gaze. "Arjen, you know your own body better than anyone. If you keep pushing yourself like this, how much longer can you last? And you're at high risk for injury."

"I'm sure Van Marwijk also wants you in peak condition for next year's World Cup. Getting back to your best is in both Manchester City's and the Dutch national team's best interest."

Gao Shen patted Robben's shoulder firmly. "Listen to me—take the break. Go anywhere you want. If you fancy Dubai, I've got Emirates flights and Burj Al Arab suites lined up for you. Take your family, relax, and come back refreshed. What do you think?"

At this point, Robben couldn't refuse.

The truth was, he was exhausted.

After reluctantly nodding, Gao Shen wasted no time.

A few days ago, Van Marwijk had called to check in on Robben's progress. Gao Shen had already been considering this plan back then. Now, with Robben's approval, he immediately called the Dutch national team coach.

As expected, Van Marwijk was on board.

Given how insignificant the matches were, resting Robben made sense, especially if it helped him regain top form.

A fully fit, confident Robben was crucial for the Netherlands.

After hanging up, Gao Shen turned back to Robben, waving his phone.

"It's settled. I'll take care of your flights and hotel today. My assistant will contact you with the details. Just focus on relaxing—no football, no stress. Understood?"

Robben hesitated, then finally nodded.

"Thank you, Boss."

His voice carried a rare hint of gratitude.

It was the first time he had ever seen a manager personally pay for a player's vacation—mid-season—and for a full two weeks.

Yet, despite his pride, hearing that he would be getting a break actually made him feel lighter.

…

As Robben walked off, Gao Shen let out a long exhale.

He truly hoped Robben would use this time to reset, physically and mentally.

This decision hadn't been made on impulse. He had consulted psychologists and his coaching staff, ensuring it was the right move.

Now, he just had to wait and see if it worked.

With the fourth round completed, the first phase of the Premier League season was over.

Next up: two weeks of international duty.

Players like Robinho, Suárez, and others would be leaving for their national teams within the next 24 hours.

This period would be stressful for Gao Shen.

He was constantly worried about how national teams trained and handled injuries, especially since some team doctors were notoriously unreliable.

However, this break also gave Gao Shen a chance to shift his focus.

With some key players away, he could dedicate more time to developing his squad's younger or fringe players, Henderson, Adam Lallana, Sturridge, and Gareth Bale.

He had never had enough time before, but now, with two weeks, he could work intensively to help them integrate into the squad.

But what Gao Shen didn't know, as the transfer window neared its close, a major signing was quietly in the works.

(To be continued.)