Chapter 608: Chapter 607: This is So Blue
After this match, the news that "a large number of English fans gathered to support Deng Kai in overthrowing Oscar" dominated the front-page headlines of all major media.
Even the super explosive news that Manchester United swept Liverpool four-nil, secured a victory in the derby, and caught up with Arsenal in the league table could only be ranked second.
Even the football world was overshadowed by gossip at this time.
Oscar was trying to regain public trust in them through more ways.
It wasn’t until April 12th, after the thirty-third round of the Premier League had finished, that related football industry news finally slowed down and returned to normal order.
This round of matches saw Manchester City play a goalless draw against Middlesbrough at home.
Maine Road Stadium was packed to the rafters.
Meanwhile, next door at Manchester United, Ronaldo’s hat-trick led the team to a six-two rout of Newcastle United, with five goals scored in two games, his form was sizzling hot!
They continued to keep pace with Arsenal.
Arsenal was temporarily ahead on goal difference.
But all it would take is for them to lose any match, and they would be done for.
The sprinter at the end of the race is always at a bit of a disadvantage.
And people’s attention on Manchester City finally moved from Deng Kai’s entertainment news to the true sports category.
Because compared to Manchester City’s "meaningless" Premier League matches, the upcoming match was very important.
The FA Cup semi-final!
For Manchester City, it didn’t matter whether they faced Arsenal, Blackburn, or Chelsea, as all three teams had recently thrashed them.
In the end, fate was not too harsh on Manchester City.
Chelsea, neither good nor bad.
Just the mere fourth place in the Premier League.
Currently, Chelsea is embroiled in takeover rumors.
Russian oil magnate, Roman Abramovich, is trying to take over Chelsea and enter the Premier League.
His actions have been variously interpreted, with the business and political intentions behind his choice of the Premier League likely being the main reasons.
The situation is still unclear.
As Manchester City has similar attributes but backed by an owner not as sensitive as Abramovich, Manchester City captain Deng Kai was also asked by the media for his views on the matter.
Ordinary people wouldn’t respond to this.
But Deng Kai was blunt: "I think Abramovich’s takeover will be successful, and he will bring vitality to Chelsea and even to the entire Premier League."
"Abramovich has very strong financial resources, but if he wants to enter the Premier League, there must be some hard requirements regarding investments."
"So I am very optimistic about the future of Chelsea."
"Some people say that the Chelsea acquired by Abramovich might be very similar to us at Manchester City, but I think that may not be the case; Chelsea might make moves that will shock all of Europe."
Reporter: "Does that include making an offer for you?"
Deng Kai: "I personally would not recommend that Abramovich buys me because I’m really too expensive."
Similarly, regarding this topic, Chelsea players have their own interpretations.
Gianfranco Zola, hailed as the greatest player in Chelsea’s history, the "Italian Little Man," was not optimistic about the takeover, believing that the Russians did not know how to manage a Premier League club.
Chelsea’s midfield linchpin Lampard also said, "I will consider my career at Chelsea based on the subsequent developments, and before that, I’ll give my all in every match."
Chelsea’s star striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Icelandic sharpshooter Gudjohnsen, and defensive cornerstone Terry, among others, all expressed their opinions one after the other.
Most of them were skeptical about Abramovich, viewing him through somewhat of a filter.
But Deng Kai assured that these players would soon change their minds.
Under Abramovich’s wealth, he would become the most respected club president by Chelsea players.
...
On April 15, the FA Cup semi-final.
Chelsea faced Manchester City at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium.
This was the second time this season that Manchester City had come to this stadium, the last being the League Cup final.
With Wembley Stadium undergoing renovations, many of the matches that would have been held at Wembley were moved to the Cardiff Millennium Stadium.
The venue was flooded with fifty thousand fans, there to witness this battle between the two blues.
Chelsea wore their home deep blue kits.
Manchester City donned their away black jerseys.
"Hello everyone, welcome to today’s match, I’m Huang Jianxiang. Joining me today are Zhan Jun and He Wei, and Teacher Han Qiaosheng couldn’t make it because he missed his stop on the bus, haha."
"This FA Cup semi-final is very important for both sides."
"Chelsea currently has no hopes for the championship. The FA Cup is their only chance to claim a title this season."
"Their lineup today could be said to be their elite."
"On the front line are Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink, and Zola, also known as Chelsea’s Premier League trident! They’ve had a powerful season!"
"In midfield, it’s Petit, Lampard, and Morris."
"Petit, after spending a dark half-season at Barcelona following his time at Arsenal, made a decisive move to Chelsea, where he continues to shine."
"Since joining Chelsea, Lampard has become their midfield linchpin. He is one of England’s finest midfielders at present."
"People believe that Lampard and Gerard will become England’s midfield duo. Add Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Owen, Fowler, and Heskey... and England’s front line is a thing of beauty!"
"The contest between Lampard and Deng Kai is also one of the highlights of this match."
Up to this point, everything said was quite normal.
But He Wei suddenly interjected, "Previously, Chelsea beat them three-nil and five-nil, so many Chelsea fans have voiced the opinion that Lampard is actually stronger than Deng Kai."
"Manchester City fans say that’s because the league isn’t their focus."
"So, if Manchester City still loses to Chelsea in a cup competition they value, Deng Kai’s fans will probably run out of things to say, right?"
Zhan Jun smiled on the side, "You can’t really say that, after all, there’s a significant gap in the sheer strength of the two teams."
"Chelsea, fourth in the Premier League, and Manchester City, eleventh, are not a gap that a single Deng Kai can bridge."
Huang Jianxiang rolled his eyes repeatedly.
Little Zhan always seems neutral, even seeming to side with my Kai, but if you analyze the core of what he’s saying, isn’t every statement essentially saying "Your Kai isn’t that strong"?
That’s advanced Wei for you.
"On the defensive line, from left to right are Gallas, Terry, Graham, and Mario, with Cudicini as the goalkeeper," Huang Jianxiang continued with his professional duties, "Terry’s rematch with Deng Kai is also a major highlight."
"Terry has often said in interviews that the year he was on loan at Sporting Lisbon was his most rewarding, perhaps even the most significant year of his career."
"It wasn’t just the honors, such as the UEFA Cup champion and so on, but also his understanding of football, tactics, the team, and leadership."
