Chapter 15

Qiao Wanxian signed another contract with the club, which was the most bizarre and unprecedented in the history of football. Once this contract was signed, from the owner Roman Abramovich and CEO Kenyon down to every employee in the sports department, everyone was fully committed to facilitating Qiao Wanxian's transfer. After all, even if the transfer failed, someone else would foot the bill, and the English didn't have the mentality of being more anxious than the emperor.

Qiao Wanxian also had a thought in his mind. He had already signed two contracts with Chelsea. As a football coach, he was relatively inexperienced in negotiations and contracts. Perhaps he needed an agent?

On August 8th, the English Community Shield was held as scheduled, with Arsenal and Manchester United, two Premier League powerhouses, facing off. In the end, Arsenal, led by Arsène Wenger, defeated Manchester United, led by Sir Alex Ferguson, 3-1 without any surprise.

On this day, Qiao Wanxian also directed his second match, another home friendly against Belgian side Anderlecht. Compared to AC Milan, Anderlecht was a pushover. Chelsea won 2-1 thanks to two goals from Crespo, giving Qiao Wanxian his first victory.

In this match, new signings Petr Cech, Fabio Cannavaro, and Sergio Ramos all made their debuts, but their performances were unremarkable, and Anderlecht even managed to score a goal at Stamford Bridge. Although the team won, Qiao Wanxian received even more and louder boos than in the previous match. After the game, some extreme fans even blocked him in the players' tunnel and verbally abused him.

Qiao Wanxian had long cultivated a thick skin, immune to the criticism. "A bunch of football ignoramuses, shouting without understanding! Didn't Sir Alex say after the Community Shield that friendlies are just friendlies, and the real test is in the league? I'm too lazy to repeat it to you!"

Real Madrid had completely given up on signing Owen, and the failure to sign Arsenal's Patrick Vieira earlier in the summer left Florentino Perez highly dissatisfied with the club's transfer activities. Mourinho, known for his strong personality, had initially wanted to be the club's general manager. When the board refused, he boldly proposed two transfer targets: Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien.

Who is the most powerful manager in the world? Undoubtedly, it's Mourinho! Of course, this was before Qiao Wanxian's rebirth.

On August 11, 2004, Real Madrid announced two shocking transfers: the signing of Drogba from Marseille for 35 million euros and Essien from Lyon for 20 million euros. This marked the end of Real Madrid's summer transfer window, with a total expenditure of 105 million euros! The signings were: Ricardo Carvalho for 30 million euros, Paulo Ferreira for 20 million euros, Drogba for 35 million euros, and Essien for 20 million euros. Real Madrid had undergone a massive transformation, and the era of Mourinho had officially begun!

When Qiao Wanxian saw this news, he was deeply impressed. Mourinho was indeed a formidable figure, able to exert such influence even in the strong Galacticos era under Perez. It was truly astonishing.

Real Madrid's transfer activities had concluded, but Chelsea, which had been on par with Real Madrid in the summer transfer market, was still actively pursuing the transfer of Kaká.

Chelsea had made three offers to AC Milan: 15 million euros, 18 million euros, and 25 million euros, all of which were coldly rejected.

Now, Chelsea had focused all its attention on Kaká, with Kenyon shuttling between Milan and London, but with no results.

Was it really necessary to follow Qiao Wanxian's suggestion and raise the offer to 40 million euros? This would be the highest price in Chelsea's history!

However, plans never keep up with changes. Crespo's excellent performances in Chelsea's two friendlies caught the attention of AC Milan.

AC Milan's striker Filippo Inzaghi was 31 years old and past his prime. The team's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, had been searching for a forward to pair with Andriy Shevchenko. Crespo, who had once dominated Serie A and was now in good form, caught Ancelotti's eye.

The Italian newspaper "Corriere dello Sport" reported that Ancelotti had hinted that AC Milan's main transfer targets for the summer were a central defender and a forward. Milan had already signed world-class defender Jaap Stam from Lazio for 11 million euros, and now they needed a world-class forward! Crespo, the former Italian Golden Boot winner, was the perfect candidate!

Hearing this news, Kenyon, who was sitting in his office, sighed and smiled bitterly. "Ancelotti, our team is struggling under Qiao Wanxian's leadership, and Crespo is our only star. You want to poach him?"

With no progress on Kaká's transfer, Kenyon definitely did not want to deal with AC Milan again, especially not to sell the team's top scorer.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the office door, and Qiao Wanxian's excited face appeared. Kenyon was taken aback. What was going on? Could it be...

Kenyon was startled, a ridiculous and unbelievable thought crossing his mind.

Qiao Wanxian came to Kenyon's side, overjoyed. "Kenyon, I heard AC Milan has made an offer for Crespo?"

Kenyon nearly fainted. This was exactly what he feared. Crespo had been the standout in the two friendlies. Was Qiao Wanxian thinking of including Crespo in the deal for Kaká as a sweetener?

Kenyon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, nodding in shock.

Qiao Wanxian couldn't hide his joy, rubbing his chin and thinking aloud. "Hmm... Our 25 million euro offer was rejected by AC Milan. This time... let's lower it to 20 million euros and add Crespo. I don't believe Berlusconi can refuse! After all, they only paid 8.5 million euros for Kaká from Brazil last year!"

Kenyon's eyes were filled with surprise, disbelief, and even fear. He rubbed his face, feeling the pain to confirm he wasn't dreaming. He said numbly, "Wanxian, you... you really plan to use Crespo as a sweetener for Milan?"

Qiao Wanxian spread his hands, speaking seriously. "Of course! I've told you before, I'm determined to get Kaká!"

"But Crespo is our top striker, in great form. How can we sell him cheaply?" Kenyon slammed his thigh in frustration.

Qiao Wanxian sighed. "Mr. Kenyon, I know you care about the team, but I'm the manager and I know the players' conditions best. Crespo may seem to be in great form, but it's just a last hurrah. He's not the 56-goal-in-56-matches killer he once was. His edge is dulled. Selling him now can still benefit the club, but if we wait another year, we'll have to give him away for free."

Kenyon smiled bitterly. Qiao Wanxian truly lived up to his nickname. Even Ferguson and Wenger wouldn't dare say such things, but he was so confident.

Qiao Wanxian continued, "We still have Wayne Rooney and Adrian Mutu, both top strikers. If Owen joins Chelsea, our attack will be world-class, not far behind Real Madrid. So, Mr. Kenyon, please handle the transfer as I requested!"

After signing the second bet with Abramovich, the owner had clearly stated to the club's executives that all transfer activities must meet Qiao Wanxian's demands.

Kenyon slumped in his chair, nodding gloomily.

Qiao Wanxian chuckled, pouring Kenyon a cup of coffee and smiling. "Mr. Kenyon, I have a small request. Can you help me?"

"Whatever it is, I'll agree. I've already agreed to use Crespo plus money to get Kaká, a relatively unknown player. What else can't I do?" Kenyon muttered dejectedly.

Kenyon scratched his head, saying, "Mr. Kenyon, as the team's manager, I have a lot of work. But... I've been handling all the contract negotiations myself. It's manageable now, but if there are sponsorships and advertisements from major companies in the future, I won't have the time..."

Kenyon's lips curled. "You mean you want an agent?"

Qiao Wanxian was delighted, nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes. I'm so focused on the team that I don't have time to contact agents. Can you help me?"

Kenyon waved his hand generously. "That's easy. I have a few friends who are well-known agents in the industry. I can help you contact them."

"No, no, no!" Qiao Wanxian waved his hands, shaking his head. "Mr. Kenyon, you misunderstood. I want an agent with... special requirements."

"What requirements?" Kenyon asked curiously.

Qiao Wanxian counted on his fingers. "One, not greedy; two, young, so we can have common interests; three, attractive, I don't want to be scared; four, preferably of Chinese descent."

Kenyon rolled his eyes. "And the fifth point, it must be a woman, right?"

"Wow, how did you know?" Qiao Wanxian's eyes lit up.

Kenyon grumbled, "Dear Mr. Wanxian, think about it, can you find such a person?"

"Of course!" Qiao Wanxian said confidently.

"Really? Where?" Kenyon sat up straight.

Qiao Wanxian pointed east, speaking mysteriously. "The University of London is welcoming a new graduation season. I believe there are many football fans among the graduates..."

Kenyon groaned in pain. "Oh God, this Qiao Wanxian has a wicked idea, planning to ruin the good girls of the University of London!"