Chapter 1067 Premier League Ruler

It’s full?

When Simon Barnes, chief football reporter of The Times, walked out of the tunnel and appeared in the stands of Stamford Bridge, he couldn't help but be moved.

A full stadium is really not an easy thing for Chelsea, which has performed poorly in the past few years.

Especially considering that tonight's game is just a FA Cup semi-final.

Simon Barnes walked into the media area and saw many old acquaintances as soon as he came in.

The first person to greet him was Stephen Howard, chief reporter of The Sun.

"Hi, Simon!"

"Hello, Stephen!"

Simon Barnes smiled and walked over to shake his hand, then looked around and pointed to the seat next to Stephen Howard, "Is there no one here?"

"No, sit down!" Stephen Howard said with a smile.

As soon as Simon Barnes sat down, several people came over to greet him.

In the circle of British football journalists, the most famous person today is definitely Charlene Lahiri.

Charlene Lahiri's columns and self-media programs are already well-known in the UK. Her fame is no longer limited to the football and sports circles. Now she has also begun to write some columns on current affairs.

If Charlene Lahiri is the queen who is high above, then in the circle of football journalists, Stephen Howard and Simon Barnes are both considered the second tier under the Queen.

Their names are not as famous as Charlene Lahiri, but thanks to the huge influence of the newspapers they work for, their reputation is also quite good, and any of their articles can be reprinted and translated by media around the world.

And thanks to the big platform, they have more opportunities to get some inside information that others cannot get.

"How's it going? Is there any movement from Chelsea recently?" Stephen Howard asked casually.

Simon Barnes shook his head. “Chelsea is in chaos right now. It’s hard to get specific news.”

Stephen Howard apparently also encountered this problem.

In the past, when veteran players like Terry and Lampard were still around, Chelsea had a very good relationship with the media. For example, Martin Samuel, who switched from The Times to the Daily Mail, was known as a close friend of Terry and Lampard, as well as Chelsea’s mouthpiece.

Interestingly, it was only after Martin Samuel left that Simon Barnes established himself as the chief football reporter at The Times, but the relationship between the two men is still pretty good, after all, they are both in the same circle.

"As far as I know, although the league results have steadily improved since Hiddink took over, it is impossible to compete for the qualification for European competitions. There are too many messes left over from Mourinho's time."

Simon Barnes said softly as he sorted out his things.

"So Chelsea's goal this season has been adjusted from competing for the Champions League to winning the FA Cup."

Participating in the FA Cup can ensure participation in the Europa League, and now the champion of the Europa League can directly participate in the Champions League. With the competition in the Premier League and the Champions League so fierce, playing in the Europa League is undoubtedly a good way.

Stephen Howard suddenly realized, "No wonder Hiddink was on the bench in the league before, but he used all the main players in the FA Cup against Everton."

"Yeah, doesn't the FA Cup have a nickname now?" Simon Barnes laughed.

"The fig leaf of a wealthy family!" Stephen Howard laughed.

This is really ironic, isn't it?

Once upon a time, the FA Cup was a championship trophy as respected as the Premier League championship, no, it was even more respected than the English top league championship, but now the FA Cup has completely declined and become a fig leaf for the giants.

In other words, only a team like Chelsea, which has no hope of winning the league title, would want to fight for the FA Cup to avoid the embarrassing situation of not winning the championship.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all have the same idea this season.

On the other hand, Southampton always sent out substitutes in both the FA Cup and the League Cup.

But even with a lineup full of substitutes and young players, the Saints still won the League Cup and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

It is conceivable how strong the Saints' overall strength is.

"Any news from the Saints about this game?"

This time, it was Simon Barnes who asked the questions.

Stephen Howard nodded, "According to the information I got, it's still all substitutes and young teams."

Simon Barnes was moved after hearing this, "Isn't this a bit too arrogant?"

It is not a big deal to say that Chelsea's overall strength is not good, but after all, they are a traditional powerhouse in the Premier League, and this is Stamford Bridge, so they know the Saints inside and out.

But even so, the Saints still put in the bench?

Stephen Howard shook his head and sighed, "The Saints are now focused on the Champions League semi-finals. Inter Milan is a tough opponent. It is said that the team has offered a huge bonus and must win the Champions League for the third consecutive time."

After he said that, Simon Barnes understood.

Ultimately, it’s all about money!

By winning the Champions League, Southampton will benefit at least 100 million pounds from the Premier League teams' bonus pool and the match bonuses. If the match day income, sponsors' commissions, etc. are taken into account, the income will be even greater.

This is just the current direct income, the potential income is an astonishing figure.

But what about the FA Cup?

Even if we really win the FA Cup, how much money can we get?

That’s a gap of nearly a hundred times!

So, in this situation, any smart person would know how to choose!

But at this moment, Stephen Howard changed the subject, "However, I received news that the Saints have also offered a huge bonus for the FA Cup, which is said to be as high as 10 million pounds."

"What?" Simon Barnes jumped up. "Ten million pounds?"

His eyes were wide open as if to say, I have little education, so please don't lie to me.

Even if you win the FA Cup three or five times, the prize money may not add up to 10 million pounds.

Would Southampton be willing to offer such a huge bonus for a cup championship that they did not benefit from?

The Saints are also different from teams like Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal. The Saints have already won the league championship in advance and now have a League Cup championship in hand, so they can report back.

But the following teams are trying their best to win a cup championship to avoid the embarrassment of not having a championship.

So, if the following teams offered a £10 million FA Cup prize money, Simon Barnes would not be so surprised, but the Saints

"I can only say that Yang Huan has too much money to spend!" Simon Barnes sighed and teased with envy, "Why don't we talk to Young Master Huan and ask him to give us some, and we will sing his praises in the newspaper every day."

Stephen Howard burst into laughter. "How about I convey your message to you, boss?"

"Okay!" Simon Barnes was not polite.

After a while of joking, Simon Barnes let out another mixed sigh.

"To be honest, the Saint's plan is not small!"

Stephen Howard nodded. "The difference between a strong team and a weak team is not just about the lineup and strength, but also about the temperament of the team. The same Manchester United won the championship under Ferguson, but fell into disarray under Moyes. One of the important reasons is that Ferguson has the temperament of a winner."

"That is a temperament that has been cultivated through thousands of victories, through the baptism of blood and fire, and through killing with swords and guns."

Simon Barnes also agreed, "Yes, without Ferguson, Manchester United is no longer Manchester United."

At least from the period after Ferguson retired, Manchester United has long lost the dominance of the past Red Devils dynasty. Where is the kingly style of the ruler of the Premier League?

This kind of dominance and this kind of style are not something that any team can have just by saying so. Even if you introduce the strongest superstars and form an excellent lineup, it will be useless.

He has to rely on sedimentation, accumulation, and the team's efforts to win one tough game after another, and to pile up one championship trophy after another.

Just like many people say, victory is also a habit!

“Maybe we’re lucky!”

Stephen Howard calmed down and smiled, "We are witnessing the birth of a brand new dynasty."

Simon Barnes agrees.

Almost everyone believes that Southampton has reached a new peak this season, but everyone is also looking forward to how long the Saints under Guardiola's coaching can maintain this peak.

Everything that goes up must come down; this is inevitable.

But Guardiola's coaching philosophy is in line with Bielsa's. He is the head coach in the world football in the past and even in the next few years who has the most thorough understanding of passing and controlling tactics and is best at building a stable tactical system.

If a coach like this joins a team like the Saints, the result will be unimaginable.

"Ancelotti should be fighting for his life now, right?" Simon Barnes laughed.

"Who says it's not?"

Stephen Howard nodded and smiled, "I heard that this old Italian guy used to be lazy, but recently he has become a workaholic, his personality has become tougher, and he has even lost a lot of weight."

"For him, this season may very well be the most successful season of his life!"

Isn’t it?

The Premier League title was won early, the League Cup was also won in February, the Champions League reached the semi-finals, and the FA Cup also reached the semi-finals. With Southampton's overall strength, it is fully capable of competing for the championship of these two competitions.

If they really win these four championship trophies, Southampton this season will have completed an unprecedented Grand Slam, becoming seven champions!

Oh my God!

Simon Barnes could not imagine what kind of reaction the fans all over the world would give when that time really came. It would simply send Southampton and Ancelotti directly to the altar.

Whether for professional players or professional coaches, such an opportunity is hard to come by once in a lifetime. Once it comes, who would let it go easily?

If we don't fight hard even now, when will we fight hard?

If you really think about it, it’s quite unbelievable.

If it were six years ago, when Yang Huan had just joined Southampton, who would have thought that the Saints would be where they are today?

Even when the Saints were just promoted to the Premier League, even those who were optimistic about the team found it hard to imagine that the Saints could dominate the Premier League, right?

But now, Southampton has won the Premier League title for four consecutive years without anyone noticing, and dominating the Premier League has become a reality.

But the team's ambition has clearly exceeded everyone's expectations. They not only want to dominate the Premier League, but also dominate European football and become a super giant in world football.

As Stephen Howard said, witnessing the birth of such a team is also a happy thing.

As Simon Barnes was admiring, the players of both teams finally walked out of the player tunnel of Stamford Bridge under the leadership of their head coaches.

In an instant, the whole audience cheered!

Is it for Saints? Or for Chelsea?

Who knows?