Chapter 146 I Bet

Roman Abramovich sat in the stands at St Mary's Stadium.

The seats to his left and right were vacant, and beyond them sat the team's CEO, Ron Gurley.

Around his position, thirty bodyguards in black were scattered everywhere, leaving many positions empty.

This is the style of Russia’s super-rich!

But this grand spectacle seemed like a small stone thrown into the ocean to the crowded stands of St. Mary's Stadium. It failed to even create a ripple, let alone attract the attention of the entire audience.

Sitting on the hard seat, Abramovich cursed Southampton's poor stadium hardware in his heart.

But in my heart I feel envious, jealous and hateful.

To say the least, the atmosphere at Southampton's home ground was surprisingly hot.

The game was about to begin, and the atmosphere in the stadium was becoming more and more heated, especially when the warm-up band rushed into St. Mary's Stadium and swept the entire stadium with explosive rock music, igniting the passion in everyone's hearts.

He had to admit that Southampton was really good at creating a home atmosphere.

"Ron, why are their home games doing so well? But our attendance has been declining?"

Abramovich asked Ron Gourlay beside him with a serious face.

The latter was originally the deputy of former Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon. After Peter Kenyon had a conflict with Abramovich and left Chelsea, Ron Gourlay took over the position of CEO.

Because of this, he has always been very conscientious, and he is still afraid of this boss who holds the power of life and death and seems kind but actually likes to decide life and death.

When he asked me this, my heart trembled.

This question is not easy to answer!

"This is caused by many factors," Ron Gourlay said ambiguously.

Abramovich pressed on, "Tell me about it."

Ron Gourlay pondered for a moment, "On the one hand, our style of play is indeed not pleasing enough. From the technical style of the players to the overall tactical characteristics of the team, we are unable to play a hearty and gorgeous offensive football."

This was established during the Ranieri era and reached its peak during Mourinho's era.

Even many head coaches who came after him, including Ancelotti who scored over 100 goals in his first season, were unable to break this record.

Abramovich has always had a knot in his heart.

He longed for Chelsea to play a hearty, gorgeous, offensive football, but there was no way.

"What else?"

Ron Gourlay thought for a moment and said, "There is another point. I think it has something to do with the aging of the players."

Seeing that Abramovich didn't say anything, he knew to continue.

"The aging of the players will inevitably lead to the rigidity of the team's tactical style. We will lack the kind of smooth running that fans appreciate now, and we will lose the pleasing offensive tides. Moreover, our current batch of players are basically old faces that fans have seen for many years, lacking freshness."

"The team's tactical style lacks freshness, the players also lack freshness, and the players have gradually aged in recent years, which has caused the team's competitiveness to decline year by year, ultimately leading to low attendance at the team's home games."

Abramovich still said nothing, looking straight ahead and listening silently.

"In fact, this is true in many fields, such as Hollywood."

"In Hollywood, after a star makes a hit commercial blockbuster, there will definitely be a sequel. But generally after the third film, no matter how good the box office is or how much the fans like it, the film company will not consider making a fourth film in the short term. Even if they do, they will definitely replace the entire star team with a new set of faces."

This is a business law in the film industry, and it also applies to football.

Looking at Chelsea, the players in the team are basically old faces, and it is inevitable that they will be aesthetically fatigued.

At this point, Ron Gourlay looked at Abramovich hesitantly.

Finally, he spoke out.

"In fact, the UK, or all the fans who like the Premier League, are fed up with the current situation of the Premier League."

"Before Chelsea's rise, the Premier League had always been dominated by Manchester United and Arsenal, so Chelsea's rise almost triggered a major earthquake in the Premier League and even European football, and the momentum it created was amazing."

"But after we won the championship for two consecutive years, Manchester United revived and Arsenal declined. The Premier League has become a game between Chelsea and Manchester United, especially the semi-finals, which are monopolized by several powerful teams. Arsenal lacks ambition to win the championship and aims to reach the semi-finals every year, which has caused dissatisfaction and indignation among countless fans."

"At the end of the day, they're tired of the same old drama."

"In this situation, they need the stimulation of fresh blood. Although Manchester City has appeared in the Premier League, it is not as eye-catching as Southampton in the English League One, because everyone is looking forward to a drama of a **silk man counterattacking a tall, rich and handsome man in the Premier League!"

"Now, the whole of England, the whole of Europe, and even the whole world, are looking forward to one thing."

"That is, can Southampton really make it back to the Premier League, can they continue the money-burning game, and even challenge the status of traditional powerhouses, and even win the Premier League championship!"

Speaking of this, Ron Gourlay couldn't help but admire him in his heart.

From the perspective of brand promotion and marketing, Southampton is truly very successful.

They not only showcase their brands, but also export their ideas, attracting countless resonating fans to surround them and fanatically pay attention to their every move.

Abramovich didn't say anything the whole time, just sat there and listened quietly.

It was not until Ron Gourlay finished speaking that he snorted and smiled proudly, then turned to look at Ron Gourlay.

"They won't have that chance!"

Chelsea won't allow it, Manchester United won't allow it, and neither will Arsenal or Liverpool.

Southampton has performed well this season, but some teams have begun to plot to poach their players.

It is foreseeable that the better Southampton performs, the more aggressively their opponents will dig deeper.

If Southampton does not have a good response, their final result will be the same as all other mid-level teams, becoming a star processing factory for the top giants and being trampled on by them in the middle area of ​​the pyramid.

Ron Gourlay is also well aware that competition in the football industry is extremely cruel, especially competition for capital.

To put it bluntly, basketball stars are a scarce commodity, with a price but no demand.

What powerful teams lack the least is money, and they have a huge advantage in poaching players.

Just at this moment, Abramovich's phone rang again.

As soon as the call was answered, Pini Zahavi said with a wry smile, "Roman, he refused!"

Abramovich stood up suddenly, grabbed the guardrail with one hand, cursed with gritted teeth, and had the urge to throw the phone next to his ear, but he quickly calmed down and looked at Ron Gourlay.

"What are our chances of winning this game?"

Ron Gourlay didn't know how to answer. Who dares to say that a football game is a sure win before it's over?

"According to the data provided by William Hill, almost 94% of the bettors bought Chelsea and we were handicapped by half a goal."

Abramovich hummed and said to the phone again, "Ask again, fifty million pounds. If he wins, I'll give him two players for free. If he loses, you have to sell Neymar to me!"

When it comes to Neymar, the fire in Abramovich's heart erupts uncontrollably.

He had just failed to recruit a player, but when he turned around, this damn English League One team had poached Neymar.

What's this?

Is this a slap in the face?

The reason why he went to so much trouble to sail the Eclipse into Southampton was to give that Chinese man a slap in the face.

But now, instead of hitting his face, he slapped his own face.

He would not be willing to give up until he got his revenge!

"Roman, this..." Pini Zahavi thought this was too crazy.

But Abramovich didn't listen to him and said, "Tell him again, if you dare to gamble, then gamble, the conditions are negotiable. If you don't dare to gamble, you are a coward. That's it!" He hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, he looked down and muttered, "Ancelotti, you'd better win this game by a big score!"

Just at this moment, the lights in the stadium dimmed.

All the lights in the stadium were focused on one point, falling on the exit of the player tunnel.

A lively and beautiful girl, wearing a Southampton jersey, walked out of the player tunnel amid the cheers of the fans and the spotlight of the stadium.

Many young female dancers gathered around her.

But among this group of people, her purity, her beautiful appearance, her height and vitality all stand out so much.

"Who is she?" Abramovich was stunned. The woman was so beautiful, so beautiful that it was outrageous.

He swore that he had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life!

Even though he had never liked oriental women, he couldn't help but feel his heart beating fast when he saw her.

Especially the lively energy that emanates from her.

"Her?" Ron Gourlay looked at her intently. "Oh, her name is Lin Yuner, a popular female star in recent times. She seems to be Korean. It is said that Yang Huan made her famous."

The story of Yang Huan smashing an Aston Martin in South Korea for her was even reported in major British newspapers.

"Really?" A strange look flashed in Abramovich's eyes and the corners of his mouth curled up.

He was moved!

…………

…………

"Master Huan, Mr. Abramovich has made his final offer, a transfer fee of 50 million pounds. If we win, Southampton will let us go. If we lose, Mr. Abramovich will let you pick two players from Chelsea."

"Free transfer!"

When Pini Zahavi said this, everyone around was stunned.

This is no longer a bet, it's just a fight for dignity.

Is it because Yang Huan didn't let him dock the Eclipse in Southampton that he wants revenge?

"Is he so confident?" Yang Huan also felt that this condition was a bit outrageous.

Pini Zahavi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He also thought this was too outrageous.

But there's nothing we can do, he's just a mouthpiece, just conveying messages.

"Mr. Abramovich also said, if you dare to gamble, then gamble. If you are not satisfied with the conditions, you can negotiate again. If you don't dare to gamble, then ..."

He didn't dare say the last word "coward" for fear that Yang Huan would vent his anger on him.

After hearing this, Yang Huan also became angry.

I don't dare to gamble?

Damn it, there is nothing in this world that I dare not bet on!

I've been forced to my doorstep, with so many people watching. How embarrassing it would be if I didn't dare to gamble?

"Okay, I bet!"

Yang Huan stood up again suddenly.

"But I have one condition!"

Seeing Yang Huan agree, Pini Zahavi felt relieved. "Conditions? Just tell me!"

"Although they are a Premier League team and we are a League One team, I don't think we are weaker than them at all. So, tell Abramovich that no matter how big the bet is, I will accompany you. But we don't need him to give us a handicap. We are at home, so we will give them the handicap. A draw will be our loss!"

Yang Huan said this with great pride, but it made Nicholas Cortes beside him tremble in his heart.

What a great advantage! It would be fine if Master Huan didn't want it, but he gave it to the other party instead. This...

But he is also a man of character.

There is a saying that goes, it’s better to lose the battle than the personal one.

In this situation, if we admit defeat, it would be truly unforgivable.