After a day's vacation, Gu Ran returned to the Staplewood training ground in high spirits.
The training session had just ended that day, and before Gu Ran could grab Coach Jacob for the Real Madrid-style extra training, personal affairs assistant Rick hurried over with a stack of information.
"Hi, Gu..."
"Hey Rick, what's got you so anxious?"
Rick panted for a long time before finally saying, "Old Rice, Old Rice, Old Rice he, he, he..."
Gu Ran's heart sank, and he quickly grabbed Rick's shoulder and asked, "What happened to Old Les?"
Coach Jacob beside him also asked nervously: "Rick, tell me! Was it because Old Rice was too excited after watching the game last night, and then-"
Gu Ran was also very worried. Old Rice was so good to him. What if Old Rice, who was too old, wanted to pull it out because of excessive excitement?
"No, no!" Rick waved his hand. "I want to say... Old Les asked you to go to his office immediately. He has something important to discuss with you."
Gu Ran finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Rick, you have to change your habit of panting. Next time, take your breath first before you say anything."
Rick quickly said, "Okay, okay."
Coach Jacob said with regret, "Oh... Gu, it seems that I can't practice extra today. I'll leave work first. Goodbye."
Coach Jacob runs faster than a rabbit.
Gu Ran smiled helplessly, turned around and said to Rick: "Let's go and meet Old Rice."
"Yes." Rick walked with Gu Ran towards the office in the complex building and said, "While you are free now, I will hurry up and report a few things to you. The first thing is that the total prize money of 34,000 pounds for winning the second round of the League Cup has arrived in our club's account. According to performance, you have received 10,000 pounds of the bonus. I have transferred it to your bank account for you. Remember to file your tax return at the end of the year."
What the hell? The total prize money is 34,000 pounds, and I got 10,000 for myself? That's almost a third of it.
Gu Ran asked quickly: "How much can the captain get? How much can Lallana get?"
Captain Davis has also performed very well recently, with several heroic and crucial saves, and Lallana's performance on the offensive end has also been remarkable. Gu Ran really wants to know how much they can get.
Rick answered without hesitation: "As far as I know, Davis got the second largest share, 5,000 pounds, and Lallana got the third largest share, 4,500 pounds."
Oh shit!
Captain Davis, who was second in the league, only got half of my winning bonus! I... am so awesome.
Gu Ran couldn't help but feel a little secretly happy.
Although a 10,000 yuan bonus is nothing to Gu Ran, the feeling of being the best is something that money can't buy.
Gu Ran couldn't help but ask again: "What about Chamberlain?"
Rick grinned, "500? Or 800? Anyway, it's less than a thousand."
"Ha!" Gu Ran couldn't help laughing. He could already imagine how angry Chamberlain would be when he saw the prize money for winning the game.
Needless to say, this must have been Coach Adkins' deliberate punishment for Chamberlain not following his designated tactical position in the last game. Chamberlain ran to the middle, severely squeezing the space of the two forwards and almost making Southampton's crucial counterattack come to nothing.
It is only right to punish Chamberlain, this young man, and teach him a lesson.
After all, with Chamberlain's personal ability, as long as he doesn't make any mistakes, he really has the potential to grow into a top Premier League star.
To be honest, the winning bonuses in the first few rounds of the English League Cup knockout stage are indeed too small.
However, the real value of the League Cup lies in the fact that as long as you win the championship, you can qualify for the Europa League.
Moreover, starting from the 5th round, the prize money will increase dramatically, and the teams you face will basically be strong teams in the Premier League.
Being able to talk directly with the top teams in the Premier League is the most valuable thing.
As they walked, Rick said, "The draw results for the third round of the League Cup have come out. We will challenge the Championship team Sheffield United away at 7:45 pm on Tuesday, September 21."
"Oh." Gu Ran nodded slightly.
Sheffield United is also considered a first-class team in the Championship and is capable of being promoted to the Premier League. In addition, Southampton will play away in the next round, which will inevitably be more difficult than playing against Cardiff City at home.
However, if Cardiff City can beat them, Sheffield United has nothing to be afraid of.
With every win in the knockout rounds, the opponent will only become stronger.
Gu Ran was mentally prepared for this.
Rick added, "In addition, the draw results for the first round of the knockout round of the English Championship, which is the Pioneer Cup Southern Division, have also come out. We will be away to challenge the English League One team Swindon City on the last day of this month."
Gu Ran nodded again, "Yeah."
Swindon Town is a weak team in English League One. They have been in financial trouble in the past few seasons and have a very poor record, always hovering near the relegation zone. Facing Swindon in the first round of the English Championship is considered a very good draw.
Rick handed over a form, "Gu, here is the schedule for next month, take a look."
Gu Ran took it and saw that the schedule for September was still full!
The first game: At 3 pm on Saturday, September 4, in the 5th round of the English League One, Southampton will challenge Colchester United away.
The second game: At 3 pm on Saturday, September 11, in the 6th round of the English League One, Southampton will face Brentford at home.
The third game: At 3 pm on Saturday, September 18, in the 7th round of the English League One, Southampton will face Swindon City at home.
The fourth game: Tuesday, September 21st at 7:45 pm, the third round of the English League Cup, Southampton will challenge Sheffield United away.
Game 5: At 3 pm on Saturday, September 25, in the 8th round of the English League One, Southampton will challenge Huddersfield Town away.
Game 6: Tuesday, September 28th at 7:45 pm, in the 9th round of the English League One, Southampton will challenge Walsall away.
This month there are 5 English League One games, 1 League Cup game, 4 away games and 2 home games. The intensity of the games is really high.
Fortunately, the draw for the FA Cup has not yet begun. When the FA Cup starts in October, the intensity will be raised to a new level.
Gu Ran was very happy - competition is great, the more competitions there are, the faster you grow!
The only regret now is that it is difficult to meet big stars in the lower leagues, and the skills acquired by force are of no use.
You can't go and chat with Premier League stars when there are no games, right? When passing by the head coach's office, Gu Ran heard a fierce argument coming from the office: "Coach! Why is my winning bonus so small? I don't accept it!"
"Chamberlain! How dare you ask? Don't you have any idea at all?"
"Isn't it because I got the ball from the wing and moved towards the middle? Didn't Gu Ran do the same? And it was Gu Ran who made the first move! Gu Ran could move around in the penalty area, so why do you only scold me!"
"How dare you compare yourself with Gu Ran? Gu Ran scores goals and makes assists in every game, makes good defense and makes counterattacks in every game, is always the first in running distance and sprint distance, and is always the best player of the game. He is the real Southampton star! What do you have to compare yourself with him? When Gu Ran dribbles the ball sideways outside the penalty area, he is tearing the defense line to find loopholes. You can't even find the loopholes, so what are you trying to do!"
“Coach! I, I, I…”
"In a word, he can interrupt, but you can't! When you can get the best player of the match, you can come and talk to me alone!"
Holy shit…
Coach Adkins, are you guys really talking about technique?
However, this feeling of being regarded as a "three-good student and excellent class leader" is really awesome.
Gu Ran was secretly happy in his heart, and glanced at Rick who was obviously slowing down to listen to the fun. He saw a strong sense of awesomeness on Rick's face.
Gu Ran: ...
You are praising me, how come you, the chief eunuch, are more awesome than me?
Gu Ran then signaled Rick to take two quick steps.
After getting out of the elevator, old Rice's office was right in front of us.
Oh my god... Gu Ran was so embarrassed that he wished he could use his toes to dig out a four-bedroom, two-living-room apartment.
Old Rice ran out with a red face and hugged Gu Ran's strong arms, "Gu! My good boy! Your performance last night was great!"
Holy shit…
Old Rice, you'd better talk about the game, otherwise it will easily cause misunderstandings! Gu Ran smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Rice, how are you doing recently?"
Old Rice raised his eyebrows, put his arm around Gu Ran's shoulders and said, "Of course, after watching your game, I slept really well last night!"
Gu Ran's mind was filled with images of Old Rice that he couldn't get out of...
Old Rice put his arm around Gu Ran and walked into the office. "Come on, come on, come in and sit down. Let me introduce you to this - this is our English Football Association's liaison officer, Mr. Lloyd Mills."
Only then did Gu Ran notice that there was a tall, bald, middle-aged man in a suit in Old Rice's office.
When Lloyd Mills saw Gu Ran, he immediately stepped forward, held Gu Ran's hands with both hands, and said enthusiastically: "I have heard and seen Mr. Gu Ran's name and deeds a long time ago. I am really honored to meet Mr. Gu Ran here today."
What the hell?
Don't flatter me first. I just want to know where you got the news about my deeds. Could it be The Sun?
——Gu Ran cleared his throat and said politely: "Hello Mr. Mills. I wonder what the English Football Association wants to see me about?"
Old Rice called out, "Come on, come on, sit down and talk first—Rick, please close the door when you leave."
"Yes." Rick retreated tactfully.
After Gu Ran sat down, Lloyd Mills said with a smile, "It's like this, Mr. Gu Ran. You may not know the nature of my job. I am the liaison officer between the English Football Association and the clubs. In addition to helping the English Football Association and the clubs to solve problems when disputes arise, I also have an important function, which is to discover and recommend talents from the clubs."
Gu Ran was confused. "Upward? Which upward? Recommending me from a low-level club to a high-level club? This doesn't seem to be something the English Football Association should be involved in, right?"
Lloyd Mills laughed, "Of course not! You were only talking about club transfers. As long as it complies with market regulations, our English Football Association will definitely not interfere. What I'm talking about is recommending talents to higher levels, which is another kind of upward movement."
Gu Ran was stunned for a moment, then he took a breath of cold air! Old Rice next to him said with a smile: "That's right, Gu, it seems that you have understood. We all know that your national team will not recruit you. You are so talented and capable that you should not be buried. You can definitely become an English citizen, so that you will have a very, very good chance to join the England Three Lions! I believe that with you, the Three Lions will definitely win the World Cup! This is a very good opportunity for us both!"
Lloyd Mills also smiled and said, "Yes, Mr. Gu Ran, that's why I came here. We at the English Football Association cannot interfere with the national team coach's selection of the national team lineup, but we can open up a fast track to naturalization for you in a very short time. As long as you nod, I promise that the English Football Association will do its best to help you plan your naturalization. You will become a formal British citizen before the end of the year. As long as you can continue to maintain your current performance, then I dare say that the new England coach will definitely recruit you into the Three Lions - you will become an England international!"
After listening to what the two said, Gu Ran finally understood everything.
As expected...
After all, there are people who know what’s good.
However, even though he was recognized by the liaison officer of the English Football Association, Gu Ran was not happy at all.
The World Cup is the highest honor for football players, but is the purpose of rebirth to win the World Cup?
No, it's for fun.
Of course it feels great to win the World Cup, but it’s not really great if you don’t win it for your country.
The World Cup is indeed the highest honor, but if you cannot play for your country, even if you win the World Cup, it is not the highest honor.
Gu Ran smiled faintly, "Mr. Mills, first of all, I want to thank the English Football Association for its kindness to me. But I'm sorry, as you can see, I am Chinese. Even if my national team does not recruit me for some wrong reasons, it is not a reason for me to give up my nationality and switch to other countries to play for other national teams."
Lloyd Mills was stunned for a moment, and then quickly said, "Mr. Gu Ran, I may not have explained it clearly. I think this matter is quite beneficial to you personally."
Gu Ran said calmly: "I have understood what you said, and I also know that this matter is indeed very beneficial to me personally. The Three Lions are still very competitive in the World Cup. Although the Three Lions have only won the championship once since the World Cup began - but what I want to say is that I have never been a sophisticated and selfish person."
"No matter what problems my family has, they are our own problems. I don't need to rely on outsiders to carry out the so-called [justice]. Besides, who doesn't have some problems in this world? I will not turn around and betray because I want to be a national team player and fail. I will not join your England national team because joining your England national team will give me a chance to win the World Cup."
"In my opinion, the World Cup is never an individual award or honor, but a national award and honor, a football honor that belongs to all the people of this country. In the vast history of our country, there are two celebrities, one is Yue Fei and the other is Wu Sangui. They lived in different eras. They were both generals with heavy troops. Yue Fei was leading his troops to recover the lost territory, but was recalled by the emperor who suspected him with twelve golden medals. In the end, he was framed and killed by the treacherous minister Qin Hui. Another general, Wu Sangui, was ordered to guard Shanhaiguan. Because his house was raided by the peasant army, he opened the pass in anger and let the Qing army enter. The Qing army of only 120,000 people swallowed up the whole of China, and countless Chinese people shaved their heads in tears."
"I won't comment on how the wheel of history rolls forward, because whether it's fighting the Jin or the Qing, those are all internal conflicts of our Chinese family. But I tell you, almost every normal Chinese son and daughter respects Yue Fei and despises Wu Sangui - this is our national character. We know what glory is and what shame is. Our nation is the only nation in the world that has inherited civilization from generation to generation for 5,000 years. The inheritance of this civilization has never relied on the selfish elites, but on the national character of the ordinary people that is integrated into their bones and blood."
"I am just an ordinary football player. I can't change anything when I see a situation that has been ruined by people. I feel sad and angry, but I still stick to my original intention. Just like a dog will not run away from home because it is poor, and a son should not stop calling his mother because he is ugly. I was born in an era of depression for Chinese football, and I will be content with this era - this is my personal destiny, and I accept it."
"Today I'm going to take a step back and tell you that our country may never win the World Cup, but what does it matter? My personal regrets are nothing, who doesn't have regrets? If my country can't win the World Cup but I win it by taking shortcuts and changing my nationality, it will not be glorious for me, but will bring shame to my ancestors, make my descendants despised, and be spurned by my compatriots."
"So," Gu Ran said proudly, "I will not change my nationality, and I will not play for any other country. If I cannot enter my own country's national team, then I will keep working hard until I am strong enough that no human power can stop me."
Lloyd Mills and Old Rice were stunned and sweating.
They thought that Gu Ran would be happy to accept their proposal, but they didn't expect that Gu Ran's attitude would be so firm and tough!
For a 17-year-old boy to say such opinionated words, there is no need to talk about naturalization in England.
Old Rice cleared his throat awkwardly, "Haha, Gu, don't be so excited... We are just giving you a suggestion, and of course we still respect your personal wishes."
Gu Ran's cold tone softened a little, "Thank you, I think I have made my words very clear."
Lloyd Mills smiled helplessly and said, "Yes, then... it's nice to meet you, Mr. Gu Ran. I have something else to deal with, so I'll leave first."
"Goodbye." Gu Ran stood up calmly and shook hands with Lloyd Mills.
The meeting was extremely brief, but the feedback was extremely shocking.
After Lloyd Mills left, Gu Ran turned to Old Rice and said, "Mr. Rice, if there is nothing else, I will go to practice more."
Old Rice said quickly: "Wait a minute, Gu - I'm sorry about what happened just now. I actually meant well..."
Gu Ran smiled at Old Rice, "I know, thank you, Mr. Rice, but it's not necessary."
"Actually, I have something else to ask, and that is the main reason why I asked you to come here today."
As Old Rice spoke, he took out a thick contract from the drawer.
Gu Ran suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed. "Really? Mr. Rice? Another new contract? Didn't I already tell you that I will not leave Southampton within one or two years?"
"I know, I know..." Old Rice suddenly raised his hand to wipe his eyes, "Gu, according to the agreement of the club's top management, after September 1st, we old guys will retire. This new contract will be the last gift we can leave for the club, you, and the fans."
Gu Ran was slightly stunned.
Old Rice handed the new contract to Gu Ran, "Take a look first."
Gu Ran took it and quickly browsed through it.
This new contract is really full of sincerity - the player is positioned as a core player of the club, the basic weekly salary is increased by 8,000 pounds a week, and other benefits and advertising revenue are also doubled! The minimum termination fee has only soared to 50 million pounds! This contract is definitely the highest value in the team! After joining the club for two months, he can directly get the top contract of the core of the team. This is really something to be proud of!
It's this minimum buyout clause of 50 million pounds that looks really scary.
Gu Ran took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Rice..."
Old Rice smiled and said, "We three old guys have been preparing for this new contract for a long time. We also argued with the financial director, Nicola Cortes, who will be the future CEO of the club, for a long time before we finally got it done. I know that the frequent changes in your contract during this period will make you feel annoyed, but I promise that this is the last time we can do it. You can say that we are doing it out of selfish motives, or that we are doing it for the club and the fans. In short, this is really our last time."
"Although the £50 million release clause seems high, I believe that with your ability, you can easily break through in one or two years at most."
"We old guys don't want to tie you down with the minimum release fee of 30 million pounds, but we don't want those giants to take you away so cheaply. We know that you will leave Southampton eventually, just like Alan Shearer, Peter Crouch and Gareth Bale."
"But you should leave Southampton as a superstar with a huge salary."
"Because you are the pride of us old guys."
"Mr. Rice..." Gu Ran was moved and grabbed the pen, "I sign!"
After signing his name on the new contract, old Rice hugged Gu Ran with tears in his eyes.
"My child, may you fly high..."
(End of this chapter)
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