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 p.m. 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?"
老莱斯一挑眉，搂着顾然的肩膀道：“那还用说，看了你的比赛之后，昨晚我睡得可爽了！”
顾然满脑子都是老莱斯无法自拔的画面……
老莱斯搂着顾然走进办公室里，“来来来，快进来坐，我给你介绍一下——这位是咱们英足协的联络官，罗伊德·米尔斯先生。”
顾然这才注意到老莱斯的办公室里还有一名秃顶大高个西装中年男子。
这名罗伊德·米尔斯见到顾然之后，当即跨前一步，双手握住顾然的手，热情的道：“我早就听过、看过顾然先生的大名和事迹了，今天能在这里跟顾然先生见面，我真的是太荣幸了。”
卧槽？
你先别奉承，我就想知道，你是从哪知道我的事迹的？ 该不会是《太阳报》吧？
——顾然清了清嗓子，客客气气的道：“你好米尔斯先生。不知道英足协找我有什么事？”
老莱斯招呼道：“来来来，先坐下来说——那个瑞克啊，出去的时候把门带上。”
“是。”瑞克识趣的退下。
顾然落座之后，罗伊德·米尔斯便笑呵呵的道：“是这样的顾然先生，你可能还不太了解我的工作性质。我呢，是英足协跟各家俱乐部的联络官，我负责的内容，除了在出现纠纷和争端的时候，更好的帮英足协和俱乐部解决问题之外，还有一个重要的职能，就是从俱乐部里，发现和向上举荐人才。”
顾然顿时有些糊涂了，“向上？哪个上？把我从低级俱乐部里往高级俱乐部里举荐？这似乎不是英足协应该管的事情吧？”
罗伊德·米尔斯哈哈一笑，“当然不是！你说的只是俱乐部转会，那个只要符合市场规范，我们英足协肯定不会插手的，我所说的向上举荐人才，是另一种向上。”
顾然先是一怔，随即倒吸了一口凉气！ 旁边的老莱斯笑呵呵的说道：“没错，顾，看来你已经明白了。我们都知道你们国家队不会征召你的事情了，你这么有才华，这么有能力，不该被埋没的。你完全可以加入英格兰国籍，这样你就有非常非常大的机会进入到英格兰三狮军团了！我相信，三狮军团有了你，一定可以拿到世界杯的！这是我们彼此之间一个非常好机会！”
罗伊德·米尔斯也笑道：“是的，顾然先生，我就是为此而来的。我们英足协是无法干涉国家队主教练选择国家队阵容的，但是，我们可以在极短的时间内给你开辟一条快速入籍通道，只要你点头，我保证英足协会全力以赴的帮你规划入籍，年底之前你就能成为正式的英国公民，只要你能继续维持你现在的表现，那么我敢说，新任的英格兰主帅肯定会招你进三狮军团的——你将成为英格兰国脚！”
听完了两人的话，顾然也彻底明白了过来。
果然啊……
总归是有识货的。
但是，即便被英足协的联络官认可，顾然心里却是一点都高兴不起来。
世界杯是踢球者的最高荣誉，可重生踢球，是为了赢世界杯吗？
不，是为了爽。
能赢世界杯当然爽，但不是为自己的国家赢世界杯，那就不是真的爽。
世界杯的确是最高荣誉，但不能为自己的国家踢球，哪怕能赢得世界杯，那也不是最高荣誉。
顾然淡淡的一笑，“米尔斯先生，首先我要感谢英足协对我的厚爱。但是很抱歉，如你所见，我是中国人，即便我的国家队因为某些错误的原因暂时不征召我，那也不是我放弃我的国籍、转投其他国家为其他国家队踢球的理由。”
罗伊德·米尔斯当即愣了一下，连忙又道：“顾然先生，我可能没太说明白，我觉得这件事，对你个人而言，那是相当有利的啊。”
顾然冷静道：“你说的我都已经听明白了，我也知道，这件事对我个人来说确实很有利，三狮军团在世界杯的赛场上还是很有竞争力的，虽然自从有世界杯开始，三狮军团就拿过一次冠军——但我想说的是，我从来不是一个精致利己的人。”
“我的家再有问题那也是我们自己的问题，我不需要借助外人来进行所谓的[伸张正义]，再说了，这个世界上谁家没有点烂事？我不会因为自己想当国脚而当不成就转身背叛，我也不会因为加入你们英格兰国家队就有机会拿到世界杯就加入你们英格兰队。”
“在我看来，世界杯从来不是个人的奖项和荣誉，而是国家奖项和荣誉，是属于这个国家全体民众的足球荣誉。在我们国家浩瀚的历史长河中有两位名人，一位叫岳飞，还有一位叫吴三桂，他们生活在不同的时代，他们都是手握重兵的大将军，岳飞正在带兵收复河山，但被猜疑他的皇帝用十二道金牌召回，最后被奸臣秦桧构陷害死。另一位大将吴三桂奉旨镇守山海关，因为家被农民军抄了，一怒之下竟然开关放清军入关，让区区12万清军吃下整个华夏，让无数中华儿郎含泪剃发。”
“我不评价历史的车轮如何滚滚向前，因为不管是抗金还是抗清，那都是我们华夏家的内部矛盾，但是我告诉你，几乎每一个正常的华夏儿女，都尊敬岳飞、唾弃吴三桂——这就是我们的民族性，我们知道什么叫光荣，什么叫耻辱，我们的民族是这个世界上五千年来唯一的文明一脉相承的民族，这条文明能传承下来靠的从来不是利己主义的精英，而是普通民众那融于骨血里的民族性。”
“我就是个踢球的普通人，看到被人为搞坏的局面我改变不了什么，我心中有悲哀，我心中有愤懑，但我依然不改初心。就像狗不会嫌弃家贫而离家出走，儿子不该嫌弃母亲丑陋而不喊妈一样，我既生在中国足球消沉的年代，我也会安于这个时代——这是我个人的命数，我接受。”
“今天我跟你们退一万步讲，我们国家或许永远都拿不到世界杯，但又有什么关系呢？我个人有一点遗憾不算什么，谁能没有遗憾？如果我的国家拿不到世界杯而我却靠投机取巧更改国籍拿到了，这对我来说非但不是光荣，反而会让我的先人蒙羞，让我的后辈不齿，被我的同胞唾弃。”
“所以，”顾然傲然的说道：“我不会改变国籍，我不会为任何其他国家踢球，如果我进不了自己国家的国家队，那我就一直努力，直到我强大到，没有任何人为力量能阻止我为止。”
罗伊德·米尔斯和老莱斯听得目瞪口呆，满头冒汗。
他们本以为，顾然会很开心的接受他们的提议，结果没想到，顾然的态度竟然如此坚决强硬！
一个17岁的少年，能说出这么有主见的话来，归化英格兰的事情，肯定不用再聊下去了。
老莱斯尴尬的清了清嗓子，“哈哈，顾，你别这么激动嘛……我们就是给你提供一个建议，我们当然还是很尊重你的个人意愿的。”
顾然的冷冰冰的语气也稍稍缓和，“谢谢，我想我已经把话说的很清楚了。”
罗伊德·米尔斯无奈的笑道：“是的，那……很高兴见到你，顾然先生。我还有点别的事要处理，那我就先走一步吧。”
“再见。”顾然坦然的站起来，跟罗伊德·米尔斯握手。
这次会面极其的简短，但反馈力度极其震撼。
罗伊德·米尔斯走后，顾然便转头对老莱斯道：“莱斯先生，如果没有别的事情，我就去加练了。”
老莱斯连忙道：“等等顾——刚才的事情，不好意思了，我其实原本是好心……”
顾然冲老莱斯笑了笑，“我知道，谢谢你，莱斯先生，但是没必要的。”
“其实，我还有件事，这件事才是我今天请你来的主要目的。”
老莱斯一边说着，一边从抽屉里掏出一份厚厚的合同来。
顾然顿时有些头大，“不是吧？莱斯先生？又是新合同？我不是都已经跟你说过了吗，我在一两年之内是不会离开南安普顿的。”
“我知道，我知道……”老莱斯突然抬手抹了一下眼眶，“顾，按照俱乐部高层的约定，9月1号之后，我们几个老家伙就要退了，这份新合同，将是我们能给俱乐部、给你，给球迷，留下的最后一份礼物了。”
顾然微微一愣。
老莱斯将新合同递给顾然，“你先看看。”
顾然接来过迅速浏览了一番。
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)