Chapter 629: Chapter 628: Rock Joins, Melon Bald Retires, The Sky of Dreams Is Particularly Blue
For a long time, heading to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the United States Major League Soccer was synonymous with the end of a footballer’s career.
It wasn’t until 2023 that Ronaldo joined a Saudi team, returned to Europe, and led them to victory in the Champions League, creating a new trajectory.
YYDS!
Desailly’s family was still persuading him, but his phone had already rung.
It was his former national teammate Deschamps calling.
"Hello, Didier," Desailly answered the call.
"Marcel, thank God you finally picked up," Deschamps’s voice had a note of panic, "Hierro is gone! There’s an open starting spot for a center back at Manchester City, are you coming or not?"
Desailly was stunned. This... this direct?
Seeing that Desailly hadn’t said a word, Deschamps quickly added, "I called you first with this good news. You should hurry up and think about it. Maxa, Schmeichel, Guardiola—they’re all contacting other people."
"If a strong player agrees first, then there will be no chance for you to consider it later."
"To ensure the team’s strength remains at a high level for a long time, Manchester City has strict control over the age of its players."
"As far as I know, eighty percent of the team’s signings this season have been young players. There won’t even be any players over twenty-two!"
Desailly was shocked.
That young?
Of course, he wasn’t doubting it, just surprised.
Because Manchester City had already proven in one season that their youthful storm was reliable.
Last season, eighteen-year-old Deng Kai led the team, nineteen-year-old Ribery and Tu Lei, twenty-one-year-olds Maicon, Cech, and Adriano, nineteen-year-old Chiellini, Lahm, and Thiago Silva, and eighteen-year-old Ashley Young—these players all played exceptionally well.
Ribery had even been close to making the Premier League’s best lineup.
He was rated as one of the most difficult wingers to defend against by more than ten Premier League clubs.
Yaya Tu Lei had even been rated as one of the new four great midfielders of England, alongside Gerrard and Lampard!
In contrast, Manchester City treated their veterans very generously.
If you didn’t think you were old and you were in good form, you could even start in every match like Hierro did.
If you wanted to maintain condition and health while playing, you could be substituted whenever you wished like Baggio.
If you only wanted to play in key matches and cup games, you could do so like Lehmann.
In short, Manchester City was one team that wasn’t harsh on its veterans.
And... who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by geniuses and called ’teacher’?
Desailly’s football career was nearing its end.
But he too hoped to groom a few future stars who could stand on their own.
That way, his historical status would also be elevated.
Chelsea’s Terry was doing quite well.
But Terry had learned almost everything he could from Desailly’s mentoring, and there wasn’t much more to teach.
And at Manchester City, there were many more young Terrys.
The key point was, it was said that Deng Kai was very good at winning championships.
And some media even believed that Manchester City could very likely contend for the top four, or even the championship, in the next Premier League season.
Because Deschamps was pressing hard, Desailly didn’t have time to hesitate; he even started to panic, "But it seems Abramovich doesn’t really want to let me go."
"He talked to me earlier, and it wasn’t about contracts and salaries; he hoped I could stay with the team as a substitute."
"And I happen to think a slightly lower salary is not an issue, but I still want to cling to the tail end of my youth and play well for another year or two."
Deschamps was completely in sync on the other end, "That’s settled then! Yes, we do offer a lower salary... ah, spit... we can certainly guarantee you a starting spot!"
"As for Abramovich’s side, our Manchester City Chairman, Mr. Mansour, will personally talk with Abramovich. They are both tycoons, so they should have plenty to talk about."
Desailly nodded repeatedly.
Soon, Mansour found Abramovich.
Mansour convinced Abramovich with just one sentence.
Mansour: "In the future, if Chelsea wants to bring in a player from Manchester City, it will only need to be done at market price. We will never take advantage of Chelsea, and we will always respect Abramovich!"
Abramovich was nearly moved to tears.
Indeed, it seems there is no such thing as true empathy in this world, just mutual pity.
No wonder Manchester City always goes for bargains and youngsters.
It must be because when they want to buy stars, the other Premier League clubs gouge them with inflated prices!
Unfortunately, Chelsea’s vast business means they can’t afford to develop slowly like Mansour’s Manchester City does.
Chelsea needs to achieve success quickly, allowing Abramovich to continue building his personal reputation and recognition across Europe.
The understanding Abramovich even went as far to say, "Desailly is yours to take!"
Mansour, however, shook his head repeatedly, "How could I take advantage of you, brother?"
Eventually, after some back and forth, Chelsea and Manchester City completed the transaction.
Desailly, who still had two years remaining on his contract and was at the tail end of the peak of his career, transferred to Manchester City for a bargain price of one million euros.
This was even cheaper than Hierro’s transfer fee!
And in terms of ability, after the 2002 World Cup, Hierro retired from the Spanish national team.
But Desailly had just helped the France team win the Confederations Cup.
Following that, Chelsea and Manchester City jointly announced the transfer.
"Chelsea: Desailly transfers to Manchester City, wishing him continued success in another shade of blue!"
"Manchester City: French star Desailly joins Manchester City! From London to Manchester, the sky of dreams is especially blue!"
"Legacy! Desailly posted a picture of a captain’s armband, tagging his disciple Terry!"
"New Blue Leader! John Terry officially becomes Chelsea’s captain! Forged in loyalty with ironclad soul!"
"An unconventional legacy! France’s current and former captains unite at Manchester City, Desailly candidly says Deschamps had a decisive influence on his transfer!"
Then, just as people were expecting Manchester City to sign more players,
Manchester City held two retirement ceremonies in succession.
One took place at Maine Road Stadium.
This was also the last public event at Maine Road Stadium before its demolition.
Eighty thousand people, a full house.
They all came to witness Spanish legend Guardiola officially retire.
Guardiola hardly played for Manchester City over the past year; he was more often seen in the coaching staff, discussing various matters with Deng Kai, Maxa, and Deschamps.
People were not surprised by this.
At Guardiola’s retirement ceremony, Deng Kai personally delivered a speech, expressing his expectations for Guardiola: "I have no doubt you will become the best head coach in the world at some point in the future!"
This remark made many in the audience smile knowingly.
Deng Kai is still as kind as ever.
Santos hasn’t even become the best head coach in the world yet.
Guardiola, a bald man, can he really understand football?
