Chapter 58

The English League Cup is the only competition in which all professional clubs participate. The tournament is divided into seven rounds, with the semi-finals being the only round played on a home and away basis. All other rounds are decided in a single match, with the home and away teams determined by a draw, making the League Cup highly unpredictable, often producing dark horses.

Since last year, the English League Cup has been sponsored by Carling beer, and is therefore also known as the Carling Cup. Top-tier teams from higher leagues often skip the early rounds and start from the third round.

On October 28, the third round of the League Cup will kick off, with Chelsea facing West Ham United at home.

At the Cobham training ground, Jowan Xian, extremely rarely, personally directed the team's training. Two months of "commanding" alongside Boas had given him some understanding of the key points of training players.

With the curtain now raised on multiple competitions, the substitutes trained with particular vigor, especially Duff, who had started the season as a regular but gradually became a substitute. His dedication was simply astonishing. After a group training session, even model players like Kaká and Lampard were surprised: "What's up with this kid? It's just training, but it feels like a match!"

However, Jowan Xian noticed that the Frenchman Claude Makélélé seemed a bit distracted. Usually quiet and reserved, he now appeared even more melancholic.

Jowan Xian quietly approached Makélélé from behind and patted his shoulder.

"Boss..." Makélélé glanced back, then avoided eye contact, his sweat glistening on his dark face, looking ashamed.

Jowan Xian smiled. "Got something on your mind?"

Makélélé hesitated for a moment, then shook his head lightly.

Jowan Xian pulled Makélélé to the side of the field, handed him a bottle of mineral water, and said casually, "If you have something to say, just speak up. We're not just coach and player, but friends. If you have any difficulties, just let me know, and I'll try to help if I can."

Makélélé held the water bottle but didn't open it, remaining silent for a while before whispering, "Boss, when the national team gathered at the beginning of the month, Mr. Domenech and I had a long talk..."

"Domenech?" Jowan Xian's lips curled. That guy, who led France to the World Cup final in Germany and then got carried away, was the same one who caused the strike scandal at the South Africa World Cup, a laughingstock in world football. And he was criticizing my team just a few days ago?

Makélélé said softly, "He said... he said Chelsea's current tactical system isn't suitable for my career development. It lacks physical confrontations, and the soft style of play will rob me of my football characteristics..."

Jowan Xian's eyebrows raised, and he asked in surprise, "Are you saying... you want to leave Chelsea?"

Makélélé glanced at Jowan Xian and nodded, looking extremely ashamed. "Domenech said that if I keep playing in this system without showing a strong defensive presence, I might lose my place as the starting defensive midfielder for the national team. Boss, I have to play in the Germany World Cup!"

Jowan Xian narrowed his eyes, his expression turning grim. "So, Domenech means that if you don't transfer, you'll lose your place in the national team?"

Makélélé nodded vigorously.

Jowan Xian rolled his eyes, suddenly feeling like laughing out loud. He was just wondering how to persuade Makélélé to leave without straining their relationship, as no player leaves with a good impression when being shown the door. Unexpectedly, the French national team coach, Domenech, had done him a favor!

Makélélé was a bit puzzled, noticing a smile on Jowan Xian's face. But he quickly realized it must be a bitter smile. Knowing his boss's fiery temper in the industry, he feared a confrontation with Domenech and quickly explained, "Boss, actually... I'm also inclined to leave Chelsea. Your tactical system is perfect and beautiful, but it's not suitable for me. I'm a defensive player who relies on physicality and tackles! Even the goalkeeper, Cech, has more goals than me..."

Jowan Xian suppressed his smile, furrowed his brows, and said solemnly, "Since you plan to leave, I won't hold you back. However, you definitely can't leave this winter. The team needs you for the Champions League. I'll contact multiple clubs during this period and find a suitable one for you next summer!"

Makélélé was overjoyed. "Boss, thank you!"

At the training ground, Jowan Xian had a good mood, which only improved when he returned to his mansion.

Cheryl was sitting on the sofa, chatting with Ye Xuan, looking rather upset.

Seeing Jowan Xian, Lucy quickly put down her fashion magazine and came over with a smile, giving him a kiss. She then whispered, "Miss Cheryl still seems angry!"

Jowan Xian, with Lucy's help, took off his coat and sat down next to Cheryl, pulling her into his arms without a word. He said softly, "Not leaving?"

"Hmph! This is my home. If anyone should leave, it's her, not me!" Cheryl shot a jealous glance at Lucy, whose figure made her envious.

Ye Xuan, though still cold, had become more familiar with Jowan Xian. Her expression softened as she said, "Jowan Xian, since you bought Cheryl a BMW, you've already admitted your mistake. Of course, Cheryl should forgive you!"

Jowan Xian raised an eyebrow and, seeing Ye Xuan wink, suddenly understood. No wonder Cheryl was so magnanimous in coming back. Ye Xuan must have given her the BMW he bought for her, saying it was a gift to make amends!

Jowan Xian took a deep breath and said calmly, "Cheryl, Ye Xuan really likes that BMW. Why don't you give it to her? We can buy a new car. Hmm... I heard a batch of luxury cars from the Geneva Motor Show has arrived in London. Shall we go buy one?"

Cheryl's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands, exclaiming, "Great!" Then she remembered she was still angry and quickly frowned, making Lucy smile.

"Lucy, get dressed. Husband is taking you to buy a luxury car!" Jowan Xian said confidently, a hint of pride on his face.

Jowan Xian's account had over a million pounds, and with cars being 7-8 times cheaper abroad than in China, buying two cars was no problem.

At the Ferrari dealership.

The sleek and shiny sports cars were lined up, their designs so perfect that they were a feast for the eyes. After careful selection, Cheryl and Lucy chose two of the latest and most luxurious models—the Ferrari 612 and the Ferrari 360.

Cheryl chose a silver Ferrari 612, priced at £186,000, exuding elegance and sophistication. The car's side profile was striking, with a deep indentation between the door and the front fender, and an exaggerated bulge at the rear, giving it a strong and aerodynamic appearance. The small door handles were a traditional Ferrari feature, designed not to interfere with airflow.

Lucy chose a red Ferrari 360, priced at £155,000, with a black soft top and a two-door, two-seat design. Like her fiery figure, it exuded a seductive charm. As a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car, the engine compartment was behind the seats, with a transparent engine cover that revealed the bright red V8 engine, making it look incredibly cool and stylish.

Just as Jowan Xian was about to pay and leave, a well-dressed middle-aged man approached, looking very distinguished. He asked cautiously, "Are you Mr. Jowan Xian?"

Jowan Xian, thinking it was a fan, smiled. "You're a Chelsea fan too?"

The man didn't answer, instead asking, "This is Miss Cheryl, and this is Miss Lucy, right?"

Under the surprised gazes of the group, he took out his business card and introduced himself, "I am the England representative of Ferrari's sales headquarters. I would like to invite the three of you to be our Ferrari car brand ambassadors. What do you think..."

"Great..." Lucy's eyes lit up, but she was silenced by Jowan Xian's glare. Cheryl pulled her away, whispering something with a frown, making Lucy pout in disappointment. Unlike Jowan Xian and Cheryl, Lucy had never had such a significant opportunity for an endorsement, so she was naturally very excited.

Jowan Xian remained calm and said, "You can discuss this with my agent..."

That evening, in the brightly lit mansion, no one was in the mood for dinner. Lucy sat at the small bar, chin in hand, sipping a cocktail and waiting anxiously. Cheryl leaned against Jowan Xian, watching TV absentmindedly.

Finally, the person they were waiting for returned. Ye Xuan, dressed in a white suit, looked like a powerful woman. Seeing her, Lucy rushed over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ye Xuan, how did it go? Did you reach an agreement?"

Ye Xuan nodded lightly. "A three-year contract for £2.6 million for the three of you."

"Yay!" Lucy jumped up and down, throwing herself into Jowan Xian's arms. Cheryl, though a star, had never signed such a lucrative endorsement deal, and in her excitement, she also threw herself into Jowan Xian's arms.

"Move, you're so annoying!" Cheryl pushed Lucy away, who pouted and looked at Jowan Xian with teary eyes, feeling wronged.

Jowan Xian, however, held her tightly, embracing both women, and said shamelessly, "No fighting, you need to get along! To be fair, I'll alternate between the east and west bedrooms every day..."

Cheryl's face tightened, while Lucy smiled sweetly, pressing her face into Jowan Xian's chest, lost in bliss.