When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 190 At this moment, the future of Stamford Bridge was rewritten.

Florentino's ******

When the election results were announced, the combined votes of the two candidates, Sanz and Valdazano, were less than 2%, making the election seem more like a drama with a predetermined ending.

The construction tycoon's victory means that the football world will continue to witness his "Galácticos" policy for the next four years.

The checkbook is ready to be opened at any moment, and the transfer market is about to be thrown into turmoil again.

Just like the past four years, every transfer window could produce shocking news that will shake the football world.

In his victory speech, Florentino specifically mentioned that night in Glasgow in 2002.

"The feeling of holding the Champions League trophy," he paused, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes, "is the taste we will always pursue."

This statement has been interpreted as a blueprint for the next four years—to return to the top of Europe at all costs.

Facing the relentless pressure from Barcelona, ​​Valencia, and Deportivo La Coruña, Real Madrid's goals for the new season are clear: the La Liga title and the Champions League trophy—they cannot afford to lose either.

"All great players could potentially play for Real Madrid."

Florentino said.

To cater to the needs of the fans, he has decided to abandon the "Zipa" policy that he has insisted on for four years. "Real Madrid's goal is to have the best players in the world in every position. Of course, the club's young players also have opportunities, but if they want to be promoted to the first team or become a starter, they must do their best to improve their abilities. They can also contribute value to Real Madrid. Capello has won many important titles and is an extraordinary coach. He will help Real Madrid achieve this goal."

Learning from past mistakes in squad balance, Florentino Pérez will prioritize strengthening the defense as a key task during the summer transfer window.

Samuel's signing is just the beginning; the next step will be to make a full-scale effort to bring in Porto center-back Carvalho and Real Sociedad midfielder Alonso.

Faced with Porto's €3000 million asking price for Carvalho, Real Madrid plans to complete the deal with Morientes plus cash.

As for Alonso, although Real Sociedad has set a price of 1800 million, Florentino is confident that he can be sold for around 1200 million.

Real Sociedad has begun the process of signing Arteta, which is seen as a signal that they are letting Alonso go.

The issue of Eto'o has also been brought up. To prevent Barcelona from acquiring the Cameroonian striker, Real Madrid is prepared to buy him back for a high price and then loan him to Atletico Madrid, but will include the "Morientes & Roy clause" in the contract, prohibiting Eto'o from playing against Real Madrid.

"Our primary goal is very clear: to re-sign Roy."

In an interview with Le Monde, Florentino Pérez stated unequivocally, "Roy's story is the perfect inspirational script for modern football. A year and a half ago, when he left the Bernabéu, many people questioned this young man. But now, he has proven himself to be the new king of European football."

"Let's look at his achievements over the past year and a half: helping Monaco win the Ligue 1 title for two consecutive seasons, especially last season, when they secured the title eight rounds in advance and remained unbeaten throughout the season. Even more incredible is that he led the team to a treble – including the Champions League title, and set a new Champions League single-season goal record with 17 goals."

"At the European Championship, he proved his worth once again, scoring 10 goals to help France win the title. He was also the first winner of the Golden Boy award, scoring nearly seventy goals in a single season. Such a goal-scoring efficiency, such a performance, such a player, he was born to play for Real Madrid."

“Some players are just strikers, some are just idols. But Roy is one of the few talented players who can do both. That’s why we have to bring him back to Real Madrid, back to where he belongs.”

"Of course, we are also keeping an eye on other top players, such as Van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Henry, and even world-class midfielders like Vieira. But Roy will always be our first choice."

He added, "It's not just because of his athletic ability, but also because he understands Real Madrid; he has the white gene in his blood. While other clubs are still hesitating, we have already taken action."

“Look at his performance in the European Championship, look at his decisive role in the Champions League final. A player like him is born to play for Real Madrid. We not only need to bring him back, but also build a stronger team around him.”

Florentino concluded by emphasizing, "Roy's return will mark the beginning of a new era for Real Madrid."

After disappointing performances last season and in the European Championship, many of Real Madrid's stars seem to be in a slump.

But Florentino reiterated his trust in star players, saying of Raul: "Raul was, is, and will be the flag of Real Madrid. He is one of the best players in the world."

When Valdazano, one of the presidential candidates, proposed selling Beckham in exchange for Rooney, Florentino Pérez won over fans with his tolerant attitude towards the "Golden Boy." He said in El Mundo: "Considering that Beckham has just joined Real Madrid, his progress and efficiency in the team are satisfactory. For us, Beckham is a very important player, and he is also very professional."

Florentino Pérez also tried his best to win over Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo, two players who had expressed interest in staying at Real Madrid. Through the efforts of the club's management, both Brazilian superstars solidified their determination to remain at Real Madrid. Furthermore, Florentino stated that he would not establish internal rules to regulate Real Madrid's players, saying, "Real Madrid's players are very professional, and they all have the right to their own private lives."

Only by reassuring its numerous superstars can Real Madrid remain at the top of the world, and Florentino Pérez understands this principle very well.

Florentino Pérez's campaign platform repeatedly emphasized the idea that Real Madrid belongs to all members.

In addition to balancing the team's roster, Florentino also seeks financial balance.

His main goal will be to promote the Real Madrid brand worldwide and vigorously develop the club's commercial aspects to achieve substantial profits.

Florentino said, "Real Madrid's accounts are transparent and subject to audit by independent accounting firms. Four years later, Real Madrid has emerged from a dire financial situation and become a highly competitive entity both economically and sportingly. Real Madrid's brand has taken a century to develop and become world-renowned; what we need to do is continue to expand our influence and let more and more people know and accept Real Madrid's culture. Signing the best players and providing the best service to our members are our principles."

The newly built Real Madrid Sports City will become a new center for football and leisure culture in Europe, and will also have some of the best training facilities and venues in Europe.

In addition, Florentino Pérez proposed to roof the Bernabéu Stadium, making the roof transparent and operable, so that the Bernabéu Stadium would become one of the best stadiums in Europe.

In addition, Florentino Pérez plans to create a Real Madrid channel to broadcast Real Madrid television programs to fans around the world for free, truly globalizing Real Madrid culture.

After watching Florentino's speech, Roy whistled a cheerful tune.

Mendes, sitting on the sofa, put down his coffee cup and said casually, "I'm not surprised at all that you'll be wearing that white jersey soon."

Roy glanced at his agent, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Jorge, when did you start acting as a lobbyist for Florentino?"

Mendes shrugged, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa: "The commission Real Madrid offered was indeed very tempting. But you know, I'll always be on your side."

On the morning of July 12, Roy personally drove his 11-year-old brother Rowan to the Real Madrid basketball youth training camp to participate in the test.

When the car entered the training base, several coaches were already waiting at the entrance.

After the test began, Rowan's performance earned nods of approval from the coaching staff.

This boy, who is taller than his peers, not only has an outstanding wingspan and hand size, but also demonstrated amazing jumping ability and agility in dynamic tests.

When practicing dribbling and jump shots, his technique was clean and crisp, and his passing choices were exceptionally intelligent.

“His physical attributes are absolutely top-notch among his peers,” Real Madrid’s basketball youth academy director told Roy. “More importantly, his understanding of the game is excellent. As long as he maintains his current growth trajectory, making it into the first team in the future will not be a problem.”

Roy stood on the sidelines, watching his younger brother complete one beautiful offensive move after another, a gratified smile on his face.

After the test, he patted Rowan's sweaty hair: "Good job."

As they were leaving the training hall, reporters who had rushed over blocked their way.

Will Rowan join Real Madrid's youth academy?

When pressed by reporters, Roy stopped and said sincerely, "Real Madrid's basketball youth academy is the top youth training system in Europe. Their training philosophy and professionalism are evident to all."

He gently patted Rowan's shoulder. "If Rowan can stay here to train, I believe it would be the best choice for him."

After saying this, Roy nodded to the Real Madrid coaching staff present before leaving with his brother.

This statement brought smiles to the faces of the Real Madrid staff present, while astute reporters had already gleaned more information from it.

This not only reflects Roy's expectations for his brother's future, but also seems to hint at the warming relationship between him and Real Madrid.

That evening, major Spanish sports media outlets reported the news.

Marca ran a headline, "Roy's brother amazes Real Madrid during trial," stating that Real Madrid's basketball youth academy has opened its doors to the young talent.

11-year-old Rowan has indeed shown impressive basketball talent.

He stands out in height among his peers, has solid fundamentals, and his basketball IQ is also commendable.

But to call it "amazing" wouldn't be an exaggeration, since children in this age group are far from being fully developed.

The Real Madrid youth academy coaching staff described him as an "outstanding prospect with potential," rather than a "young prodigy."

However, with Roy's transfer rumors raging, any news related to him will be amplified and interpreted.

When reporters captured footage of Roy personally bringing his younger brother to the tryout, the value of this news far exceeded the basketball youth training itself.

Real Madrid was naturally pleased with the outcome and even intended to arrange for prominent media coverage.

After all, this inadvertently added fuel to the fire of the "Roy's return" storyline.

“We welcome all children with potential,” Real Madrid’s basketball youth academy director said to the camera, “Of course, it would be even more beneficial for the development of young players if their family members were also in Madrid.”

The astute newspaper AS went even further, stating directly in its headline: "Roy's younger brother succeeds in trial; will his older brother's next destination be far behind?"

On the evening of July 12, Roy's agent team held their first formal negotiations with Florentino Pérez in the presidential box at the Bernabéu Stadium.

The entire meeting was kept strictly confidential. The heavy curtains in the private room were all drawn, and all staff members were instructed not to approach the area.

According to a club staff member who declined to be named, the meeting lasted for nearly three hours, during which only coffee and bottled water were brought in once.

After the negotiations concluded, both sides remained tight-lipped about the specific details.

Roy's agent, Mendes, simply stated upon leaving that "it was a constructive exchange," while Real Madrid released a one-sentence statement through their press officer: "The club and player representatives had a friendly meeting, and further details will be announced in due course."

It is worth noting that Roy did not appear at the negotiation that night; instead, he was represented by his lawyer and agent.

Sources speculate that this may mean the negotiations are still in the early stages, with both sides testing each other's bottom line.

The lights in the presidential box were not turned off until late at night. Florentino left alone by car, and unusually, he did not make any comments to the waiting reporters.

The main reports circulating at present include: Real Madrid has offered a top salary of 400 million euros after tax (727 million euros before tax), but the two sides still have disagreements on the sharing of image rights (Real Madrid insists that Roy retain 65%).

Ronaldo's annual salary before tax is approximately 700 million euros (approximately 350 million euros after tax).

Regarding transfer fees, since Roy's three-year contract with Monaco includes a €4000 million release clause, Real Madrid is considering adding performance-related bonuses or bundling in players like Morientes to reduce cash expenditures.

It is worth noting that Roy's brother, Rowan, passed Real Madrid's basketball youth training test that day, which was seen by the outside world as a bargaining chip. However, Roy's statement that "his brother's future is up to him to decide" drew a clear line, indicating that he did not want to tie his brother's future to his own transfer.

British media reports indicate that Manchester United and Chelsea are observing the situation and are ready to match offers at any time.

The three major Spanish media outlets have differing opinions on this matter: AS claims that the negotiations have entered a crucial stage, Marca believes that the image rights issue remains an obstacle, while Mundo Deportivo, affiliated with Barcelona, ​​questions whether Real Madrid may have violated Financial Fair Play regulations.

Despite Florentino's unusual silence, analysts point out that this complex game involving business interests, sporting plans, and family factors has only just begun, and the real battle is yet to come.

Negotiations for Roy's transfer continued on July 13 and 14.

Agent Mendes remained in Madrid to continue his tug-of-war with Real Madrid's management.

Despite the tense atmosphere at the negotiating table, the scene outside was one of harmony.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Roy made a special trip to Morientes' home for a visit.

The two strike partners from last season reminisced about Monaco's title-winning journey over coffee in the garden, their hearty laughter ringing out from time to time.

As evening fell, Raul joined them, and the three of them chose a quiet restaurant for dinner.

According to the restaurant staff, they got along very well, with topics ranging from football tactics to interesting anecdotes about life in Madrid, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant throughout.

"We were just old friends getting together," Raul told the waiting reporters as he left the restaurant. "Roy is an excellent player, and I respect whatever decision he makes."

Roy added with a smile, "It's always a pleasure to talk to two great strikers."

Meanwhile, Mendes was in the Bernabéu negotiation room having heated discussions with Real Madrid manager Butragueño about the details of the transfer.

An insider revealed that there is still a 5% gap between the two parties in the revenue sharing of image rights, and discussions about whether Morientes should join the deal have also reached a stalemate.

A Marca reporter captured a photo of Mendes looking exhausted as he left the Bernabéu late at night. When pressed for details, the shrewd agent simply waved his hand and said, "Negotiations require patience."

On the morning of July 14, Roy returned with his family to Colegio Ramiro de Maezu, the high school where he studied during his youth academy years. This school is a traditional place for Real Madrid youth players, and stars such as Raul and Casillas also studied there.

Roy received a warm welcome from the school, and the principal personally awarded him the title of "Honorary Alumnus" in recognition of his achievements in football and his care for his alma mater.

In his speech, Roy remarked, "This school not only taught me knowledge, but also how to stay focused and humble in football and in life."

On the afternoon of July 14, Roy visited two children's charitable foundations in Madrid and donated 200,000 euros to help children from impoverished families receive treatment for rare and difficult-to-treat illnesses.

The donation will be primarily used to address some of the most challenging diseases in the Spanish healthcare system in 2004: childhood leukemia (accounting for 30% of childhood cancer cases in Spain that year), congenital heart disease (affecting approximately 4000 newborns annually), cystic fibrosis (one of the major genetic diseases), and neuromuscular diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy.

“Every child should have the opportunity to overcome illness,” Roy said, stroking the hair of a young patient at the donation ceremony.

Foundation staff revealed that the donation could support at least 10 congenital heart disease surgeries or the annual chemotherapy costs for 30 children with leukemia.

It is worth mentioning that just three days earlier (July 11), Roy had donated 150,000 euros to the Paris Necker Children's Hospital.

According to L'Equipe, the 19-year-old star has donated more than 50 euros to several children's medical institutions in France over the past year.

What's even more surprising is that all of these acts of kindness were done privately by him, and he never held any public charity fundraising events.

“He always asked the hospital not to disclose the specific amount,” a nurse at Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris told the media. “Once, when he came to visit a sick child, he wrote a check before leaving, saying only that it should be used for the child who needs it most.”

This low-key approach contrasts sharply with his performance on the pitch: last season, he won the Champions League with Monaco, but used all the prize money to fund rare disease research centers in Marseille and Lyon.

He said at the donation ceremony: "Football has given me everything, and now it is time for me to give back to society."

This move garnered widespread coverage in the Spanish media. Marca stated, "Roy proved with his actions that he is not only a superstar on the field, but also a role model for society."

AS analyzed that this public appearance further brought him closer to Real Madrid fans.

But that very night, something happened that made Roy's relationship with Real Madrid delicate once again.

Paco Sanz clinked glasses with several friends at an upscale restaurant in Madrid.

After a few rounds of drinks, the son of the defeated presidential candidate began to vent his frustration: "Who does that damn Chinese kid (Roy) think he is? If he hadn't publicly taken sides, my father wouldn't have lost so badly!"

His voice grew louder and louder, and he even used racially discriminatory terms.

A "friend" sitting at the same table secretly wrote down these remarks.

The following day, Marca published the exposé on its front page with the headline, “Former Chairman’s Son Makes Racist Remarks While Drunk.”

The report detailed Paco Sanz's original words insulting Roy's Chinese identity and included CCTV footage from the restaurant that night.

The news immediately caused a huge uproar.

Real Madrid immediately issued a statement strongly condemning Paco Sanz's remarks, emphasizing that the club opposes any form of discrimination and inappropriate comments.

Florentino was furious in his office, worried that it would affect the ongoing transfer negotiations.

Mendes emphasized to the media over the phone that "Roy is a professional player," but a reporter from Marca discovered that the Frenchman had cancelled his planned property inspection in Madrid.

Although transfer negotiations are still ongoing, Real Madrid's management has clearly accelerated the pace.

They knew they had to finalize the deal before things escalated further.

On July 15, Roy returned to Nice from Madrid by flight.

The mother, Chen Lan, chose to stay in Madrid to accompany her younger brother, Luo Wen, who had just passed Real Madrid's basketball youth training test, while her younger sister, Luo Mi, excitedly followed her brother.

After the plane took off smoothly, the flight attendants came over to ask them what services they needed.

Roy ordered a glass of champagne, and Romy immediately raised her hand and shouted, "Me too!"

But Roy smiled and shook his head, ordering her a glass of orange juice.

"Freedom! (Freedom!)"

Romy shouted exaggeratedly, making the flight attendant burst into laughter.

For her, leaving her mother meant temporarily escaping strict control, and while Roy would still keep an eye on her, he was clearly a more open-minded and fun-loving older brother than her mother.

"From now on, I'll follow you!"

Romy swung her legs and winked at Roy.

When she smiled, two small dimples appeared, and her black hair, tied in a ponytail, swayed slightly with the plane's gentle turbulence. Her eyes were slightly upturned, like a smug little fox. Roy ruffled her hair and replied half-jokingly, "Then you'd better not cause any trouble, or I'll send you back to Madrid anytime."

Romy immediately raised three fingers to swear, but secretly switched the orange juice to her brother's right side, where he wasn't looking.

three days ago.

At 3:17 a.m. on July 12, the radio at the Southampton Port control tower crackled to life: “Eclipse requests permission to depart.”

The duty officer rubbed his eyes and brought up the system. The electronic departure declaration form for the 167-meter superyacht popped up on the screen.

Submitted three hours ago by the long-established shipping agent Wilson Shipping, document number MAR-2004-UK-0487.

The British Coast Guard's fax machine just spat out a form with static noise:
Crew list: 32 crew members (including 4 private security personnel holding Russian passports)

Sailing Itinerary: Via the English Channel > Bay of Biscay > Gibraltar > Monaco (Estimated journey time: 78 hours)

Special declaration: One AW139 helicopter registered in the Cayman Islands is on the aft deck.

A red notification box from the General Administration of Customs flashed in the system: "The ship's owner, Roman Abramovich, has been placed on the EU sanctions watch list (not restricted)."

The duty supervisor, Harris, muttered as he pressed the approval button: "It's this guy again."

He then forwarded the navigation track to the French Maritime Authority.

According to the agreement, the ship will be monitored by the French authorities once it enters the Strait of Calais.

As port pilot Jack climbed onto the pilot boat, he saw the "Eclipse" illuminated with its eerie blue outline lights.

He sighed into the radio: "Do you Russians have to leave port two hours before high tide?"

A soft laugh came through the earphone in Russian-accented English: "The boss said this way we can catch the sunset champagne in Monaco."

The voyage of this superyacht, worth hundreds of millions of euros, has captured the attention of maritime authorities in many countries.

Forty-eight hours before departure, the captain completed all the formalities through the ship's agent: submitting a departure declaration to the UK Customs, sending an electronic list of crew members and passenger passport information to the Port of Monaco Authority, and prepaying 28,000 euros per week for berthing fees.

As soon as the yacht sailed out of the English Channel, the French Maritime Authority's radar began tracking its entire course.

Monaco is already quite busy.

The port authority personally oversaw the clearing of the best berth, a spot usually reserved for superyachts visiting during F1 races.

Customs sent a three-person team to stand by at the dock, although they rarely actually boarded the ship for inspection.

After receiving the briefing, the Royal Security Service deployed two additional plainclothes officers near the pier.

The port's restaurant manager was busy checking the inventory to ensure that Abu's favorite 1996 Dom Pérignon champagne was in stock.

As the Eclipse slowly entered the harbor at dusk, four tugboats immediately came to meet it.

The 167-meter-long, snow-white hull resembles a sharp blade slicing through the sea, making other yachts in the harbor look like small sampans.

The waves cleaved by the bow of the ship shimmered with gold in the setting sun, and the glass curtain walls on the three decks reflected dazzling light.

More than twenty crew members in white uniforms were performing their duties on the deck, working with the precision of clockwork. Some were adjusting cables, some were wiping the gangway, and others were inspecting the helicopter platform.

Their movements were clean and efficient, without a single unnecessary word exchanged.

On the highest observation deck, Abramovich stood by the railing.

The Russian tycoon, wearing a dark blue polo shirt, had one hand in his pocket and the other holding a champagne glass, squinting at the hilltop city of Monaco.

The sea breeze tousled his sideburns, but it couldn't dispel the confident smile on his lips.

Beneath his feet, a steel behemoth worth hundreds of millions of euros silently announced the arrival of its master.

The Eclipse, like an iron castle, crashed into the deep waters of Hercules harbor, its twenty-ton anchor slamming into the seabed and creating a turbid surge.

The 167-meter-long, snow-white hull gleamed coldly in the twilight, making the luxury hotels along the shore appear dull and lackluster.

The breakwater at the pier was packed with people.

All the cameras, long lenses and short lenses, were pointed at the top deck.

Abramovich stood on the deck, raising a glass to the countless cameras.

The setting sun cast a golden glow on the champagne, and he smiled slightly, basking in the spotlight.

The sea breeze blew by, but he remained motionless, like a carefully placed statue, waiting for the world to press the shutter.

The port authority's patrol boats circled back and forth a hundred meters away, not daring to approach.

The yacht's anti-roll fins churned the water, creating turbid eddies.

On the sea near the shore, the reflections of the onlookers were torn into pieces.

A TV commentator lowered his voice and said, "See that? This is modern football. The future of football is already written in these waves. Oil giants are rolling over small ports, and arks forged from gold are retrieval the last pearls."

The helicopter roared up from the aft deck of the yacht, cutting through the twilight of Monaco.

Twenty minutes later, the same roaring sound came from afar.

As the helicopter swept across the sea, Roy looked down through the porthole at the brightly lit steel behemoth.

The yacht's three decks gleamed in the twilight, like a floating palace.

The helicopter, the yacht, and even the patrol boat that is making way for it on the sea are all there to welcome him alone.

As the plane tilted slightly and began its descent, he saw the sailors lined up on the deck, and Abramovich raising a toast in front of the highest observation deck.

Roy squinted at the sea breeze, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

At that moment, he understood: wasn't this what he had been working so hard to play football for?

It's not about the money, but about the thrill of being above the rules.

One day, he too will have such a grand spectacle, with the entire European football world looking up to him as his helicopter lands in the center of a stadium.

Inside the cabin, Abramovich sat in the head seat, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

Mourinho and Kenyon sat on one side, with documents spread out in front of them.

Rybonov, holding a wine glass and wearing a polite smile, leaned back in his chair like an outsider.

The €4000 million release clause is already clearly stated in black and white – Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, any of them can write a check and take him away.

This dinner is just a formality, like the awards ceremony after a game, where the outcome was decided the moment the whistle blew.

As the waiter poured the drinks, Abu raised his glass and glanced at everyone present.

His gaze finally settled on Roy, who was wearing a loose shirt, his fingers steadily holding the stem of the glass, and there was no trace of stage fright in his eyes.

There was something about this young man that reminded him of himself twenty years ago: that ambition to reach a bigger stage at all costs.

Abu's lips curled slightly upward, and the glass reflected the certainty in his eyes.

"For football," he said.

Mourinho stared at Roy, recalling the way that young man dribbled past his opponent in the Champions League final.

It was this young man's tireless sprints throughout the match and that tricky shot that shattered his Champions League dream.

He took a sip of his drink without making a sound, thinking to himself: That's how football is; yesterday's enemy may be your ace tomorrow.

Mourinho put down his wine glass and leaned forward slightly.

He was eager to make Roy understand that together they could conquer Europe at Stamford Bridge.

The dinner ended quickly, and Rybonov rose to take his leave.

He politely shook hands with each of them to say goodbye.

When he reached Roy, he stopped and patted Roy on the shoulder: "I wish you all the best on your new stage."

At Chelsea's negotiating table, Abramovich and Kenyon sat quietly.

Money has never been a problem.

The real key figure is Mourinho. He doesn't need to talk about transfer fees; he just needs to prove that his tactics can take Roy to the next level.

Over the next two hours, Mourinho laid out his tactics, dissecting the competitive landscape of the Premier League for Roy in detail.

He first analyzed the weaknesses of the main competitors.

Manchester United's midfield is going through a difficult transition period. Despite bringing in a talent like Ronaldinho, the Brazilian has yet to fully adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

Roy Keane, once a defensive stalwart in midfield, is now 33 years old, and his stamina and coverage area are not what they used to be.

Ferguson had to frequently rotate between Scholes and Phil Neville, but this combination was clearly insufficient.

Even more critically, when Keane is sidelined with an injury, Manchester United's midfield defensive solidity drops dramatically.

Although Arsenal just won the title with an unbeaten record, their defensive vulnerabilities have already become apparent.

The central defensive pairing of Campbell and Kolo Toure often struggles against high balls.

Campbell, at 1.88 meters, has an average jumping ability, while Toure, at 1.78 meters, is at a disadvantage in aerial duels. Full-backs Ashley Cole and Lauren are both technically gifted players, but lack aerial ability.

Even more critically, goalkeeper Lehmann, despite his quick reflexes, was consistently inconsistent in his judgment of crosses.

These weaknesses were exposed in the Champions League match against Chelsea. Although they narrowly escaped defeat, Crespo created several dangerous opportunities with headers.

Wenger's insistence on a ground-based passing and possession style of play often resulted in a tough battle against teams that played a long ball game.

Liverpool's predicament stems from a lack of wingers capable of breaking through defenses.

He then explained Chelsea's personnel configuration for each position one by one: from Terry's ability to command the defense, to Makelele's interception coverage, and then to Lampard's timing for making late runs into the box.

Mourinho tailored a dual tactical role for Roy.

In the basic 4-3-3 formation, Roy will start as a left winger, but will have the privilege of playing as a false nine.

When Drogba drops back to set up play, he can make a diagonal run into the penalty area to act as the finisher.

“Look here, I’ve marked three key areas for you. First is the left flank, where no right-back in the Premier League can keep up with your speed; one-on-one is your domain. Second is the space on the flank, where Lampard will be waiting for you; a one-two between you two can open up the gap. Third is the area in front of the six-yard box, where Drogba will hold off the center-backs; you can suddenly surge forward and pounce on the opportunity.”

"When counter-attacking, do it like this: start from the left flank, but don't stick to the sideline. As soon as Makelele intercepts the ball in the backfield, immediately make a diagonal run into the middle, targeting the area between the center-back and the full-back. Remember your goal against Real Madrid in Monaco? Just run that route."

“Lampard’s role has changed. He’s no longer in charge of organizing and distributing the ball; he’s just there to be a screen for you. When you have the ball, he’ll be within 10 meters of you, ready to receive it. When you break through, he’ll block the pursuers. Makelele will look for you immediately after winning the ball, instead of passing it to Lampard first as before.”

"The data team has compiled statistics showing that you touched the ball less than 50 times per game at Monaco. After coming to Chelsea, that number has increased to at least 65 times. The area from the left flank to the corner of the penalty box is entirely under your control. Drogba will help you hold off players, Lampard or Duff will help you create space, but the final decision on the pass and shot will always be in your hands."

"During training, we will focus on two routines: one is when Makelele intercepts the ball and makes a long pass to you to launch a counter-attack, and the other is how you handle the ball after receiving it in the flanks during positional attacks. Regular crosses from the wings will be reduced, so you don't need to compete for headers, just focus on doing what you do best."

“Roy, your partnership with Robben reminds me of your golden partnership with Giuly at Monaco, only now your firepower will be doubled. Giuly’s cutting inside from the right wing, combined with your explosive attacks from the left, this combination once gave me a lot of trouble in the Champions League final. Now, we’re going to use an upgraded version to dominate the Premier League.”

"You stay on the left wing and maintain your signature style: take the first step to get past the full-back, and then decide for yourself whether to cross from the byline or cut inside to shoot. Robben will mirror your movements on the right wing; the two of you are like two sharp blades drawn in turn."

“Roy, you’ve faced Drogba in Ligue 1, so you should know best that this guy is like a moving wall. Remember last season when you played Marseille against Monaco, how he used his body to push past your two center-backs and create opportunities for his teammates? At Chelsea, he will create twice the space for you.”

"Didier (Drogba) doesn't need to score goals. His job is to draw attention away from you and Robben. As long as he stands in the penalty area, at least two center-backs will be marked out, and the full-backs won't dare to easily tuck in to cover. This gives you more options after you break through: you can shoot yourself, pass across to Lampard who is making a run, or cut the ball back to Robben."

"When you were at Monaco, the center forward didn't have this kind of presence. Now, you'll have much more space to break through than before, because Premier League defenders already have a hard time dealing with Drogba, and if you and Robben take turns attacking, they'll be torn apart."

Roy remained leaning back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of his knees, nodding occasionally, his face expressionless.

When the Portuguese got excited and slammed their fists on the table, the Frenchman even calmly took a sip of water, his eyes as calm as if he were watching a performance that had nothing to do with him.

Roy remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was beginning to waver.

The thought made the corner of his mouth twitch slightly.

"Those old-school coaches in the Premier League definitely wouldn't be able to stand the two of us."

The reason was: while listening to Mourinho's eloquent tactical explanation, he suddenly thought of an interesting scene.

If the two of them were to attend a pre-match press conference for the Premier League together, they would probably be the most vocal and verbally aggressive "front line" in all of European football.

Roy thought to himself.

He could almost picture Ferguson chewing gum and glaring at Wenger, and Wenger's hand hovering in mid-air as he pushed up his glasses.

The prospect of "joining forces to cause trouble" unexpectedly intrigued him.

On July 16, Mendes traveled to Monaco to meet again with Abramovich, Mourinho, and Roy.

The four of them talked all night on the yacht.

Four ambitious men from their respective fields of European football engage in a power struggle on a yacht.

Abramovich outlined Chelsea's European dominance in his hoarse voice, the cigar between his fingers glowing in the darkness.

Mourinho's tactical diagrams covered the entire conference table, and his pen continuously circled Roy's future position in the formation and tactics.

Mendes is like a sophisticated computer, constantly calculating the commercial value behind every clause and occasionally coming up with new numerical solutions.

Roy remained silent by the porthole, but everyone could sense the growing fighting spirit in his eyes.

This negotiation was like four lions dividing up territory.

Abramovich promised to create the best stage, Mourinho guaranteed him absolute centrality, and Mendes constantly fought for more benefits for his clients.

As dawn broke in the east, the four men's voices were hoarse, and the coffee cups on the table were empty, but their eyes were sharper than when they arrived.

Roy suddenly stood up and pushed the draft contract to the center of the table.

"I've joined."

He spoke softly, but clearly enough.

Abramovich immediately sat up straight, Mourinho slammed his hand on the table, and Mendes gave a relieved smile.

Outside the yacht, the Mediterranean morning light was piercing the night, and the first rays of sunlight shone on the deck, illuminating the draft contract in the center of the table.

The sound of ship horns came from the distant port, signaling the start of a new day.

For Chelsea, this marks the beginning of a new era.

At this moment, the future of Stamford Bridge was rewritten.

On July 12, the French Football Federation announced that 52-year-old Raymond Domenech would succeed Santini as the national team coach. The coach, who had led the French U21 team for ten years, was unexpectedly chosen after beating popular candidates such as Laurent Blanc and Tigana. FA President Simonet emphasized that Domenech won because of his familiarity with current national team players and the strong recommendation of Jacquet, but the contract explicitly requires him to lead the team to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

Domenech, who played for several French Ligue 1 teams during his playing career, nurtured stars such as Zidane and Henry during his coaching career.

He stated that the primary task is to build on Santini's momentum from winning the European Championship and further ignite the team's desire to win. The first match will be a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in August. Previously, although Santini led the team to the European Championship title, he chose to join Tottenham Hotspur due to disagreements with the Football Association's philosophy.

— L'Équipe

(End of this chapter)