"Mr. Chen, frankly speaking, your plan is very attractive. But Middlesbrough Club treats me well, and I am still the captain of the team. So I am sorry that I cannot agree to your invitation."
"Mr. Southgate, don't make a decision so quickly. Don't you want to hear the plan I have for you?"
"Well, okay. I have to admit, I'm a little curious."
"Mr. Southgate, you are now 33 years old. It is undeniable that you have entered the end of your career. Have you ever imagined your plans after retirement?"
"Well, maybe I'll become a coach."
"Bingo! You are thinking the same thing as me. My idea is that after you join Crystal Palace, you will be the team captain and assistant coach. You can play football and accumulate coaching experience at the same time, so that your future coaching career will be smooth. A lot. What do you think of this arrangement?"
"Mr. Chen, I am not satisfied with what you said, but actually this is exactly what I want."
Southgate's eyes lit up after hearing this. Chen Ran's arrangement allowed him to complete a seamless transition from player to coach. It can be said that it completely spoke to his heart.
"If you join Crystal Palace, I can sign a three-year contract with you, and the salary will be according to your current standards without any salary reduction. Then you will be 36 years old by then, and it is up to you to decide whether to continue playing football or retire and become a coach. Are you satisfied with this condition?"
Hearing this, Southgate couldn't help but feel moved. The Chinese man in front of him was indeed very sincere to him.
For a 33-year-old veteran, few clubs will give him a three-year contract in one go.
Usually, it is signed once a year, and it is considered generous to sign once every two years.
Furthermore, Chen Ran also promised not to cut his salary. Southgate had to admit that he was tempted.
Although Middlesbrough is a Premier League club and Crystal Palace is only a Championship club, Southgate knows that it is impossible for Middlesbrough to give him such conditions as Chen Ran.
Furthermore, Middlesbrough is only a mid-lower team in the Premier League, and it is unlikely to win any championship honors there.
Comparing the two, Southgate's inner balance has begun to tilt towards Chen Ran at this moment.
"Mr. Chen, thank you for your consideration of me. However, I am now Middlesbrough's main central defender and the team's captain. I am afraid the club will not agree to let me leave."
"Mr. Southgate, you don't have to worry about this. This is a matter between Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. As long as you agree to the transfer, we will handle the rest."
"Well, I'm willing to go back to Crystal Palace."
"Looking forward to your joining, Mr. Captain."
After taking care of Southgate, Chen Ran approached Middlesbrough Club.
Middlesbrough Club was of course unwilling to sell their captain and main centre-back, so Chen Ran didn't hesitate and just spent the money on him.
Two years ago, Middlesbrough spent £6.5 million to buy Southgate from Aston Villa.
Now, Chen Ran is quoting 6 million euros.
Furthermore, facing the chairman of Middlesbrough Club who received him personally, Chen Ran only said two sentences:
"Mr. Chairman, Southgate is excellent, but he is already 33 years old. If you miss this opportunity, I believe you will never be able to sell it at this price again."
"Also, football may mean a lot to players and coaches and even fans. But to you and me, football is just a business."
Cold, ruthless, but very real.
The chairman of Middlesbrough was a little surprised. He looked at Chen Ran carefully again. The Crystal Palace owner in front of him was so young that people envied him.
"I didn't expect Mr. Chen to see things so clearly at such a young age. It seems that people outside are looking down on you."
So, Chen Ran won Southgate like this.
Old rules: two-year installments, 3 million euros per year.
After leaving Middlesbrough, Chen Ran went to Birmingham, a city in central England, and bought Crouch who was being sold everywhere.
This guy scored 6 goals in two seasons at Aston Villa. No wonder he was cleared out.
One million euros to buy Tony a substitute, which is a good deal.
When Chen Ran returned to London, Louis also sent news back from Brazil.
Thiago Silva and Maicon have both been found, and the little fat man even patted his chest and promised to win them within three days.
The Figel family is worthy of being the big guys in Brazilian football, and their efficiency is very high.
"Stephen, it's time to meet our head coach. Please inform Dawei and ask him to come to my office in the afternoon."
"Chen, what are you going to do with Dao Wei? I heard from Louis that your original replacement candidate was not negotiated, right?"
"Yes, that Klopp rejected me. Let's see how Dawei performs later. If he is honest and obedient, keep him temporarily; if he has any dissatisfaction, let him go."
"Then if you fire him, who do you plan to use as the head coach? Chen, I must remind you that the 30 million euros in loan have almost been spent by you."
This money is really free of cost.
Actually, Chen Ran knew it well, and he remembered every expense system clearly.
"Stephen, don't worry. Once Luis buys those two players in Brazil, Crystal Palace's signings will be over during this transfer period."
"That's good. But what about the head coach? The remaining money is not enough to hire a famous coach."
"Don't we have three player-coaches?"
"What do you mean? You mean Guardiola, Simeone and Southgate? Coaching a Championship team requires at least a UEFA A-level coaching certificate. Do they have this qualification?"
"They don't have it, but I do."
"I know this. You were constantly testing it when you were in school. Wait. Chen, you mean you will be the head coach yourself?"
Stephen was so shocked that he could not close his mouth. He finally felt what Louis felt now.
Chen Ran, this guy really doesn't act according to common sense!
"That's right. After taking so many certificates, I could only lead youth teams before, but now I can finally try my skills with a professional team. And with this coaching opportunity, I can also pass the UEFA professional coaching certificate. Perfect!"
"Well, okay, you are the boss and you have the final say, as long as you are not afraid of bringing down the team."
"Don't worry, Stephen. This is just a backup option. Maybe Dawei is obedient and I will continue to use him as the head coach."
Actually, Chen Ran's real thought deep down in his heart is to see if he has the talent to be a head coach.
If possible, one day he may be able to command the Chinese players he has trained to advance to the World Cup.
You still have to have dreams, just in case they come true.
In the afternoon, Chen Ran made a rare appearance in the office of the chairman of the Crystal Palace Club.
Five minutes before he sat down, Dawei came.
Chen Ran glanced meaningfully at Stephen beside him. It seems that this Dawei has a lot of eyes in the club, brother.
Stephen understood what Chen Ran meant and nodded solemnly.
"Mr. President, what do you think of the signing list I gave you last time? How many do the club plan to introduce?"
After the pleasantries, Daowei couldn't wait to ask about the signings.
"Mr. Dawe, I went to the European continent this time and bought a lot of players."
"But unfortunately, I didn't buy any of the players on that list.