On January 17, 2003, Manchester City officially announced that Arjen Robben and Samuel Eto'o would join the team after the end of the season.
Since the new owner, Miller, took over Manchester City, the club had completed six transactions.
This almost reckless spree of signings caught the attention of all football clubs.
Miller had already spent £90 million—a staggering amount at the time, even among the wealthiest clubs.
Arsène Wenger couldn't help but comment, "This owner is seriously rich!" His envy was barely concealed.
With Arsenal focused on the construction of the Emirates Stadium, Wenger knew the club would have to tighten its belt. He could already foresee the challenges Arsenal would face in the transfer market in the coming years.
Watching this new football billionaire spending money freely, how could Wenger not feel envious?
A reporter also asked Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United for his thoughts. Chewing his gum thoughtfully, Ferguson replied, "You can't build a strong team overnight. Mr. Miller seems a bit too hasty in buying so many players."
The reporter followed up, "What do you mean by that, Sir?"
Ferguson grinned, "Bringing in so many new players can disrupt the mindset of the current squad, which could be a real problem for them in the second half of the season."
And sure enough, the day after Ferguson's remarks, Manchester City lost away to Newcastle United. While there was indeed a gap between City and Newcastle in terms of strength, Miller was frustrated by the lethargy his players showed. Particularly the attacking players—there was little movement, and they failed to link up with Ronaldinho.
Miller had to admit that Ferguson had a point. So, he decided not to make any more purchases unless an exceptional situation arose.
When he told Bernstein about his decision, Bernstein breathed a sigh of relief. In just over a month, Miller had spent £90 million. Even the most extravagant owner would hesitate to spend at that rate!
The club's finance director, San Dezi, also sided with Bernstein. He argued that the club had plenty of future expenses and should keep £60 million for emergencies.
Though Miller glanced at his stock account and believed that Manchester City needn't worry about money, he recognized the importance of maintaining balance within the squad.
For the next few days, Miller finally paused his shopping spree.
He stayed at the hotel, keeping an eye on his stock portfolio. By now, the stock price of NetEase had reached $15 per share, meaning his initial $100 million investment had ballooned to over $300 million.
Miller sighed. He was earning more than he was spending—an ironic problem for someone in his position.
One day, Miller visited the training ground to watch the players practice. From his discreet vantage point, a figure on the pitch suddenly caught his attention.
It was Marc-Vivien Foé!
Miller slapped his forehead, realizing he had nearly forgotten something crucial. He immediately called the team doctor and instructed that all the players undergo comprehensive medical exams at Manchester's best hospital. Miller was especially insistent on thorough heart tests for everyone.
Sure enough, the tests revealed a hidden issue.
Marc-Vivien Foé had a minor heart condition. While it might not affect him under normal circumstances, there was a risk of cardiac arrest during intense exercise.
When the report was placed in front of Foé, he could hardly believe it.
"I feel perfectly fine every day," he protested, "full of energy." The diagnosis was hard to accept, especially when the issue seemed so invisible.
But this report cast a huge shadow over his career.
His lips trembled as he asked, "Could it be a mistake?"
Yet, when he saw the solemn expressions of Miller and the others, it became clear that this was no mistake.
Foé buried his head in his arms and began to shake, overwhelmed by emotion. He knew his family relied on him. What would happen if he couldn't play anymore?
The 28-year-old Cameroonian was devastated.
Miller placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Marc, life is far more important than football or money. We can't allow you to continue taking this risk."
Bernstein chimed in, "Marc, while we can't let you play for us anymore, we will honor the rest of your contract. And if you're interested, we'd be happy to offer you a position with the club in the future."
Foé took a deep breath, wiped his face, and thanked them both. "I need to discuss this with my family."
Miller nodded understandingly. "Take your time and make the best decision for yourself and your loved ones."
A day later, Manchester City announced that Marc-Vivien Foé would retire due to his heart condition and would transition into a new role with the club.
The news sent shockwaves through the English football world.
Foé was not only a key player for Manchester City but also for Cameroon's national team. He was in his prime, making his sudden retirement a major blow to both club and country.
But there was no other option. Life, after all, comes first.
For Manchester City, Foé's departure left a gaping hole in the midfield.
Bernstein shot a wary glance at Miller, who was already formulating his next move. "Wait, are you thinking of buying someone again?"
Miller nodded matter-of-factly. "Foé's retirement leaves us with a gap to fill."
Bernstein and San Dezi exchanged glances. "Didn't you say you wouldn't buy anyone else? You big liar!"
Miller shrugged. "This is an emergency. I'm doing this for the team."
The next day, Miller dragged Bernstein to Corsica, France.
It was Napoleon's birthplace and home to Bastia, a Ligue 1 team. But more importantly, it was home to a future superstar midfielder: Michael Essien.
In his prime, Essien would go on to dominate the Premier League and Champions League with his unmatched physicality and skill. But at this moment, he was a relatively unknown young talent in Ligue 1, making his transfer process relatively smooth.
Two days later, Manchester City officially announced the signing of Michael Essien from Bastia for £9 million.
Unlike the other players Miller had signed, Essien joined the team immediately, ready to fill the void left by Foé.
The media was stunned. Was Miller addicted to shopping?
In just a month and a half, he had spent nearly £100 million on seven players. It was an unbelievable spree!