Chapter 751: Chapter 750: It’s not just strong, it’s also cost-effective
They were definitely not satisfied with this result.
They had the ability to achieve better results.
But...
On the side of the Portugal team, players were organizing a thank-you gesture to the fans.
However, everyone was quickly drawn to the commotion happening on the side of the Netherlands team.
"Fuck! I’m invincible! You bench me? Do you even understand football!" Robben and the head coach Advocaat were engaged in a fierce verbal conflict.
Not only that, Sneijder and Van der Vaart also joined the fray, confronting Advocaat.
The scene was in chaos.
That’s football for you.
The winner takes all, winning games solves all problems.
And losing a game... always leads to disintegration.
...
After the game, Deng Kai, who contributed three assists and one goal, was once again chosen as the man of the match.
When a reporter asked him for his opinion on the Netherlands team players, Deng Kai said, "As the media analyzed before the game, the Netherlands team also has a lot of talented players."
"But they are conservative in their strategy of using young players."
"In fact, Robben is very strong. I’ve played against him a long time ago, and I know how good he is. But I didn’t expect that within the range of mature professional players, he could still be so amazing."
"Robben and Ribery are, in my opinion, the top wingers who have emerged this year. Their performance is very dominant. If Chelsea hadn’t booked Robben, Manchester City would have also offered him an olive branch."
A reporter asked, "Then how much would Manchester City offer Robben in salary?"
Deng Kai said, "Thirty thousand pounds a week."
The reporter laughed, "And the transfer fee?"
Deng Kai said, "Within fifteen million euros."
Everyone shook their heads.
"That’s impossible. It’s said that Chelsea and PSV Eindhoven have already discussed up to eighteen million euros," a reporter disclosed the latest developments, "and Chelsea’s weekly salary offer for Robben won’t be less than fifty thousand."
Deng Kai spread his hands, "Yes, it’s a pity, we can’t have Robben right now. We can’t destroy the entire team’s salary structure just for him."
"Manchester City also hasn’t spent more than fifteen million euros to purchase any single player so far."
The media nodded in agreement at first but then clicked their tongues in disbelief shortly after.
Yes!
So far, Manchester City has almost never made a high-priced signing.
Even the record signing Adriano, the actual price Manchester City paid was discounted from the initial asking price.
The real record signing was Essien, but even he didn’t cost Manchester City that much money.
And Essien was a defensive midfielder, a position that Manchester City desperately needed to fill.
But Robben...would Robben be willing to be a substitute for Ribery?
If not... in the last few games of the season, Deng Kai clearly showed his interest in playing as a winger, maybe next season he might actually play in that position.
It’s not like Robben could compete with Deng Kai for the spot, right?
It’s not about using team status to bully him; purely on the basis of strength, there’s no club in the world that would start Robben over winger Kai when they have him.
And yet, this "modest" Manchester City...
The team with terrifyingly low transfer values...
The team whose salaries ranked not at the very bottom but certainly in the lower-middle of the Premier League...
Inexplicably went on to play a terrifying season of sixty-five unbeaten games!
Europa League five-time champions!
This...
Is utterly frightening!
Of course, the income of Manchester City players is actually not low.
Because their salaries might be low, but their bonuses are very high and numerous.
The bonus income of Manchester City players is generally twice their salary income!
Taking this into account, Manchester City’s salary level is upper-middle class in the Premier League.
It’s close to the level of the top teams, but indeed not as wealthy as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea.
The concept Manchester City conveys to its players is that the salary is what you deserve, based on your status in football, your position in the team, and your current strength, to come up with a figure.
At least no Manchester City player would feel that their salary contract is insulting when they sign it.
This is the base.
And bonuses are rewards for the player’s excellent performance in the current season.
They are earned by players through hard work, attitude, and talent.
But a good season doesn’t mean you’ve really become a superstar.
Unless you keep shining, you can’t possibly get superstar treatment even if you put up superstar numbers.
Manchester City’s salary structure actually reminds the players.
While giving the players enough money, it also keeps them from getting carried away.
This can reduce the likelihood of ingratitude appearing.
A situation like this often occurs in world football.
It’s when a player signs an ordinary contract and then plays exceptionally well.
The player immediately wants to obtain a top contract that matches their performance.
But the club wants to use the player on a youth contract until it expires.
The conflict of interest between them is very direct, and they often end in farce.
Manchester City’s payment method, although it seems like too much bonus is given,
when looked at comprehensively, the club has already profited much compared to a total fallout.
So the players are satisfied because they take in more.
And the owners are satisfied because they know how to calculate and think clearly.
Perhaps worried that Manchester City would really make an offer for Robben,
Chelsea announced that very evening that they had reached an agreement with PSV Eindhoven, locking in Robben’s transfer for eighteen million euros.
Chelsea fans were excited about this.
Because Robben is clearly a powerful player.
This is the rising star who assisted twice to help the Netherlands lead Portugal in the quarter-finals of the European Championship!
King of the Blue Moon, my Kai, only managed a hat trick of assists after all.
Robben is almost on par with Deng Kai with just one less assist.
Thinking like this, those eighteen million euros seem incredibly cost-effective.
Forty-five million for a "70% Kai," that would be a fabulous deal, no loss at all!
...
"Team’s performance not up to expectations, Netherlands head coach Advocaat announces resignation!"
Advocaat: "Youngsters of the Dutch team disobey discipline; they’re a spoiled generation! Robben definitely can’t adapt to the intensity of the Premier League—he won’t make it at Chelsea!"
Robben: "Advocaat is the worst coach I’ve encountered! He should learn from exceptional managers like Trigella and Maxa. Look at their coaching careers, where they succeeded most is in daring to play young players, in giving them chances!"
Van der Vaart: "Give me a Trigella, and I’ll be the next Deng Kai!"
Sky Sports: "Blue glory persists! The final four of this European Championship decided, all teams have Manchester City players!"
France Football: "An undefeated season is no fluke! Every Manchester City player is capable, each one able to turn the tide!"
Kicker: "The final four! Deng Kai with consecutive hat tricks of assists leads Portugal to triumph over all obstacles! Manchester City’s warriors follow suit, helping their teams to conquer all adversaries!"
What does this mean?
