Chapter 98: Record Transfer Fee! A New Journey Begins! European Giants, Are You Ready?
Just as Yang Cheng had predicted, Juande Ramos made substitutions at halftime—two at once.
That surprised Yang Cheng.
But it also showed just how disappointed Ramos was with the first half.
He first replaced Saviola with Spanish midfielder Martí.
The Argentine forward had been utterly invisible in the first 45 minutes.
Ramos had originally hoped that Fabiano and Saviola could break through Bayswater's back line with their individual brilliance.
Both South American forwards had the ability to do it.
But Bayswater's defense never gave them the chance.
Subbing out Saviola for Martí to partner Renato and Maresca meant only one thing:
strengthening the midfield.
Ramos clearly understood—losing the midfield battle was the key reason Sevilla had been outplayed so badly.
The second substitution was Aitor Ocio on for Puerta at left-back.
Escudé, a left-footed player, slid out to left-back. Ocio partnered Navarro in the center.
But Ramos' tactical adjustments didn't end there.
Once the game resumed, Yang Cheng noticed that Dani Alves on Sevilla's right flank had moved up significantly.
He was now joining the attack aggressively—practically functioning as a winger.
Meanwhile, Brian Kidd alerted Yang Cheng that Kanouté was still warming up.
For Sevilla, the problems were piling up.
Substitutions had to be prioritized.
The midfield and defense were the urgent issues—they had to stop the bleeding.
If Bayswater scored again, any hope of a comeback would die.
...
At the start of the second half, Sevilla pressed high, trying to use their numerical advantage in midfield to pin Bayswater back.
In the 47th minute, Renato blasted a shot over the bar.
Then Alves cut in from the right and fired a low shot wide.
Bayswater didn't register their first shot of the half until the 53rd minute—
Džeko's strike was blocked by Ocio for a corner.
That corner came to nothing.
Under pressure, and with Sevilla attacking more, Modrić and Yaya Touré had to put more energy into defending.
On the touchline, Yang Cheng made minor adjustments, urging his players to stay calm.
Sevilla looked strong, and their substitutions had injected urgency—
but in reality, their defense was now even more vulnerable.
It was all or nothing.
If they scored, they'd go berserk.
But if they conceded again… they'd collapse.
So Bayswater had to remain composed.
Yang Cheng's squad was handpicked from stars he'd known from his past life—players with incredible mental strength.
Despite their young ages, none of them would crumble under pressure.
If they did, they wouldn't have made it in their previous timeline.
...
60th minute. Alves tried again to swing in a ball from the right into the box.
José Fonte rose first and headed it out.
Maresca pounced at the edge of the area—but Yaya Touré charged in like a freight train.
Once one of Lippi's favorites at Juventus and often compared to Nedvěd, Maresca had since become a key part of Sevilla's 4-4-2 under Ramos.
But unlike Renato and Martí, Maresca wasn't a defensive midfielder.
He was an attacker—Sevilla's top scorer this season with 8 La Liga goals.
A classic example of Sevilla's long-standing tradition of high-scoring midfielders—just like Baptista before him.
But Maresca wasn't Baptista.
As he tried to juke past Yaya and create space for a shot, Touré didn't play by the rules.
He shoved his powerful frame between Maresca and the ball.
Maresca panicked. He tried to tug at Yaya's shirt—he even got a handful.
But Yaya didn't even acknowledge it.
He simply carried the ball forward, dragging Maresca like a plow horse.
Touré's arms were wet and slippery—Maresca's grip slipped, and he could only watch helplessly as the Ivorian steamrolled past.
The crowd roared.
Renato and Martí both rushed over to block him.
But Yaya looked up, then played a perfect diagonal pass out to the right wing.
He didn't stop—he sprinted forward at full speed.
Ashley Young met the ball in stride.
Escudé rushed up to defend.
But Young couldn't break free—he was forced to dribble inside.
Džeko, who had been level with the center-backs, now dropped back and signaled for the pass.
Young played it into his feet.
As Džeko received it, Yaya Touré arrived—sprinting past on his right and pointing ahead.
Džeko instantly understood.
He controlled the ball with his left foot, turned slightly, and released a perfect diagonal pass with his right.
The ball rolled precisely to the right edge of the D.
Renato and Martí chased, but they couldn't stop the Ivorian bull.
Yaya Touré, at full pace, stopped the ball with his right foot, pushed it forward, and unleashed a rocket from just outside the box.
It was a vicious strike.
But Palop, ever alert, dived and parried it away.
The ball was struck so hard that he couldn't hold it.
Still, the veteran keeper glanced up from the turf, checking the left side of the box.
There—a flash of red came barreling in from the wing, arriving at the left edge of the six-yard box.
Ribéry.
He slammed the ball first-time into the net.
GOOOOOAL!!!
"It's in again!"
"Ribéry!"
"It's Franck Ribéry again!"
"A brace!!"
"My God—what a counterattack from Bayswater Chinese FC!"
"Yaya Touré's rocket forced a save, and Ribéry buried the rebound!"
"3–0!!"
"Bayswater Chinese FC are playing out of their minds tonight!"
"Both teams are in their first-ever European final, but this newly promoted Premier League side hasn't just stunned everyone domestically—they've been the undisputed dark horse of Europe!"
"Especially Franck Ribéry!"
"The French winger has been one of the best wide players in both the Premier League and European football this season. French fans now see him as the rightful heir to Zidane's throne after his retirement!"
"Sevilla's players look dejected."
"As they should. They've fought hard, but Bayswater Chinese FC have simply been the better team."
"We're at the 60th minute now. Half an hour left. A 3-goal deficit—this is brutal for Sevilla, but we still hope they can compose themselves and finish strong."
"They still have a chance—even if it's slim—they can't give up!"
...
Just as Yang Cheng had anticipated, after conceding the third goal, Sevilla's morale hit rock bottom.
In a final like this, pulling back three goals?
What did they think Bayswater was—AC Milan?
You could clearly sense the fight draining from Sevilla's players.
The passion faded.
The energy dropped.
They began to lose heart.
Bayswater, meanwhile, stayed on high alert, wary of a potential backlash.
Yang Cheng reminded his players from the sideline to stay sharp and stay focused on defense.
In the 65th minute, he subbed off Ashley Young for Blaise Matuidi.
Modrić shifted to the right, and the midfield became a double French wall: Matuidi and Lassana Diarra.
What surprised Yang Cheng, however, was that Sevilla didn't mount the comeback he had expected.
Their attack fizzled.
By the 70th minute, Juande Ramos had no choice.
He made his final substitution—Kanouté in for Luis Fabiano.
The hope was that the 1.92-meter-tall striker could reignite their offense.
But it was far too late.
In the 76th minute, Ribéry once again exposed the gaps left behind by Alves, who had pushed too far forward.
He beat David Navarro down the left and broke into the penalty area, where goalkeeper Palop brought him down.
Everyone thought it was a penalty.
But the referee—perhaps out of mercy—waved it off.
At 3–0, there was no need to pile on.
Even Sevilla's players had essentially surrendered.
Seeing that the game was wrapped up, Yang Cheng made a double substitution in the 78th minute.
Gareth Bale came on for Ribéry.
Walcott replaced Modrić.
In an instant, the stadium erupted in applause.
Especially for Ribéry, who had scored twice.
He was not only the hero of the night—but the undisputed star of Bayswater's season.
The final ten minutes of the match were uneventful.
But there was one last highlight—in the 91st minute.
Matuidi carried the ball forward and played a through pass behind the defense.
Gareth Bale tore down the left flank, Alves in hot pursuit.
It was a straight-up sprint duel.
And Alves lost.
As Bale reached the edge of the box and looked ready to burst past him, Alves made a tactical foul.
As the last defender, it should've been a red.
But the German referee once again showed mercy—only a yellow.
Still, Bale's run showcased his blistering speed and explosive power.
He was tall, but a bit thin.
Standing next to Bale, Alves looked like a full head shorter.
Yang Cheng and Brian Kidd both agreed—once Bale added more muscle, he'd be even faster.
The same went for Walcott.
Final whistle: 3–0!
As the referee blew, the Bayswater bench emptied—players stormed the pitch in celebration.
The crowd—mostly British—rose to their feet, cheering wildly.
Some fans even broke into song—"Dream It Possible."
It made Yang Cheng smile.
Thanks to Adele's performances over the past six months and widespread media coverage, the song had become an anthem.
It had even launched Adele's career.
She'd told Yang Cheng recently that several record labels had offered her deals.
And now, hearing the crowd in Eindhoven sing that song on the night they lifted the UEFA Cup…
Yang Cheng's chest burned with pride.
His team had taken flight.
European giants, are you ready for what's coming?
...
"We're a very young team. Winning the UEFA Cup was never our primary goal."
As Modrić lifted the trophy, handed over by UEFA President Lennart Johansson, and began the victory lap, Yang Cheng stepped into the press zone for post-match interviews.
"This is a starting point."
"For us, the moment Modrić held that trophy, we were UEFA Cup champions."
"But now that moment is over—and we have to move on."
"This title is our new beginning—a launchpad for the next step."
Yang Cheng was only in his twenties, yet his mindset hadn't been clouded by success.
Reporters were stunned.
Many began to reevaluate Yang Cheng.
This was the same man who, just days ago, claimed he'd invest £1 billion to build a new stadium?
Around the world, fans had laughed, calling him a loud-mouthed show-off.
But now, standing here, he didn't seem like a braggart at all.
He seemed like a composed, ambitious leader.
"We've always been an unremarkable team," he continued.
"But tonight, we tasted European glory."
"That feeling will drive us to keep moving forward."
As for what's next, Yang Cheng remained cautious.
"I know this season's results have been excellent. Second place in the Premier League, a League Cup, and now the UEFA Cup. That makes us double champions, at least on paper."
He chuckled.
The journalists around him laughed too.
A double?
Technically true—but it did feel a little cheeky.
"In recent years, we've seen plenty of teams enjoy a brief moment in the sun."
"Kaiserslautern's miraculous title as a promoted side. Everton's strong seasons. Even storied clubs like Newcastle and Nottingham Forest."
"There are lessons to be learned from all of them."
"Running a football club can't rely solely on results—on one match, one cup, or even one season. That's all short-term."
"To truly build a great club, you need a long-term strategy."
"This season has been a fantastic beginning. It's given us the confidence to push forward."
In a city like London, arguably the most competitive footballing city in the world, surrounded by Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Charlton...
This season, seven London-based clubs competed in the Premier League.
Count Watford nearby, and that made eight.
How could Bayswater survive among such giants?
"Well, I'll have to answer that in my role as Bayswater Chinese FC's Vice Chairman."
Yes—Yang Cheng was still Vice Chairman.
Officially, the club chairman was still his cheap old man.
But in practice?
Yang Cheng wielded far more power than the chairman ever did.
"I've never believed that clubs in London are locked in a life-or-death struggle. The population here is massive—there's room for all of us. So what we need to do is simple: play our best football and attract more fans."
"Just like I've always said, we want to give fans the most entertaining, attacking football possible."
"At the same time, we'll do everything we can to give them the best matchday experience."
And with that, Yang Cheng once again steered the conversation toward the stadium project.
Sure enough, the media had been itching to ask—and immediately jumped to the subject of the £1 billion stadium plan.
Yang Cheng laughed heartily.
He hadn't expected such an explosive reaction.
As for whether the media believed him? He didn't care.
"I spoke from the heart during that interview. I truly believe that the current Premier League matchday experience is awful."
"I haven't been to Arsenal's new stadium yet, so I can't speak on it. But I've been to Old Trafford, Anfield… and frankly, the experience was terrible."
"I've been to the U.S., where I experienced NBA and NFL games firsthand—and the fan experience there is incredible."
"When supporters spend good money to buy our tickets and enter our stadiums, that's a show of trust. We have a responsibility to change the status quo. That's why I said I wanted to build a new stadium."
"Why invest £1 billion?"
"That's just an internal estimate—for now. It may end up being even more."
That stunned everyone.
£1 billion was already jaw-dropping—and it might be more?
"We're currently coordinating with various levels of government here in London, and we hope to have news to share soon."
"But I can promise you this: everything I said will become reality in the near future."
"I want to build the most advanced, most spectacular, most luxurious stadium in the world for Bayswater Chinese FC fans—one that gives them the best football experience on the planet."
Yang Cheng also reaffirmed the Yang family's commitment to investing in Bayswater.
"We've already invested over £20 million in our training base in Brent, and total spending is expected to surpass £25 million."
"We've put more than £10 million into youth development alone, and we'll continue to invest more in the coming years."
Yang Cheng spoke with total confidence—because every number was real.
As for how the money had been spent, he didn't elaborate.
For example, that £10 million for youth development included acquiring three bankrupt academies.
"A lot of media outlets say our player wages are low, then compare that to our player sales and revenue and claim that my family has taken tens of millions of pounds out of the club."
"That's a complete lie."
"We haven't taken a single penny from Bayswater Chinese FC. In fact, I've never even seen a payslip."
"I haven't drawn a single salary in the past three years."
Truthfully, Yang Cheng had never paid attention to it.
Back when the club was struggling financially, he never signed a contract or discussed wages.
When Xia Qing took over as CFO, she brought it up once.
But he got busy and never followed up.
Maybe it was time to check how much he was supposed to be making…
...
If the original £1 billion comment was a PR stunt to ignite global buzz—
Then this version of Yang Cheng was the measured, grounded side that followed up to stabilize the narrative.
It was smart PR strategy—suggested by the club's media team.
After the press conference and celebrations at Philips Stadion, Yang Cheng led the team back to the dressing room.
After changing and freshening up, the squad boarded the team bus and returned to their hotel.
Bayswater might not have the budget of a traditional superclub,
But Yang Cheng never cut corners on away-game lodging.
They stayed in a five-star hotel.
The club had already arranged with the hotel ahead of time—
If they won the final, they'd take over the entire ballroom for a lively victory banquet.
Buffet-style.
With a few celebratory events prepared.
The entire first team—regardless of who made the matchday squad—was brought along.
Add in the coaching staff and club personnel, and it was a big party.
It was the UEFA Cup Final, after all—so the British royal family had also sent Princes William and Harry to attend.
A time-honored tradition.
When Yang Cheng arrived at the hotel with his players, it was already past midnight—
But the atmosphere inside was electric.
This was where Adam Crozier's networking shined.
He mingled expertly with the guests, setting the mood and keeping things lively.
As soon as Yang Cheng entered, Crozier pulled him aside—first to greet Prince William and Prince Harry, then to meet London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
The mayor had come specifically for that £1 billion promise.
In Yang Cheng's previous life, Ken Livingstone had been a frontrunner for a third term in the 2008 London mayoral election—many believed he had it in the bag.
But somehow, Boris Johnson—that mop-headed troublemaker—had upset him.
Some say it was because Livingstone lacked full support from his own party.
He had a reputation as a maverick, someone difficult to deal with—too independent.
But he got things done.
You could see that from how he greeted Yang Cheng.
Straight to the point—
"Are you really planning to invest £1 billion in a new stadium?"
His eyes locked onto Yang Cheng, giving no room to dodge or deflect.
Even Adam Crozier felt the tension, silently wiping his brow.
This wasn't small talk.
This was an interview.
But Yang Cheng had seen it all before.
He looked the mayor square in the eye and nodded.
"£1 billion—and I'm worried that might not be enough."
"Where are you getting that kind of money? From what I've heard, your family's business in China isn't that large. You've only recently entered real estate—which is a cash-burning industry."
"So," Yang Cheng said calmly, "we'll fund the early stages ourselves. But going forward, we'll need government support and bank financing."
Livingstone raised an eyebrow.
"Government grants can't go to private clubs. That would be a political disaster."
He assumed Yang Cheng was aiming for public subsidies.
But this wasn't like youth development funds, which were more charitable.
This stadium?
A commercial project.
"We're not asking for government subsidies," Yang Cheng replied without hesitation.
"We'll raise funds or take loans ourselves."
"You've only been successful for one year," Livingstone challenged.
Yang Cheng smiled confidently.
"Next year—we'll still be top four."
One simple sentence—yet it spoke volumes.
Top four meant Champions League revenue—at least £20 million per year.
It also meant a major slice of broadcasting revenue.
And then there were the rumors—Ribéry could be sold this summer.
If that happened, how much would he go for?
Sell a player for a huge fee, make the Champions League, and finish top four again?
Suddenly, the numbers didn't sound so far-fetched.
The only question was—was Yang Cheng capable of delivering all that?
"Have you heard," Livingstone said, switching topics, "about the government's plan to revitalize Queensway?"
"I've never believed the clubs in London are locked in cutthroat competition. The city has a huge population—more than enough to support multiple teams. What we need to do is simply play good football and attract more fans."
"Like I've said before, we want to bring fans the most enjoyable, attacking football possible."
"And at the same time, we'll do everything we can to provide the best matchday experience."
Once again, Yang Cheng shifted the conversation back to the stadium project.
As expected, the media couldn't hold back—they immediately asked about the rumored £1 billion new stadium.
Yang Cheng laughed loudly, admitting he hadn't expected it to stir such controversy.
But whether the media believed it or not? That wasn't his concern.
"When I said it during the interview, it was from the heart. I truly believe that the current stadium experience in the Premier League is subpar."
"I haven't been to Arsenal's new stadium yet, so I can't comment. But I've been to Old Trafford, to Anfield—and honestly, the experience was terrible."
"I've been to the U.S. I've experienced firsthand the kind of enjoyment NBA and NFL games offer live."
"When fans spend big money to buy our tickets and enter our stadiums, it's a sign of trust. We have an obligation to improve their experience. That's why I said we needed to build a new stadium."
"Why £1 billion?"
"That's just an internal estimate. It might not even be enough."
The press was stunned.
A billion was already insane—and now he was saying it could be more?
"We're currently coordinating with various levels of government here in London. Hopefully, we'll have updates soon."
"But I can guarantee you—what I said before will become a reality in the near future."
"I want to build the world's most advanced, most spectacular, most luxurious stadium for our fans at Bayswater Chinese FC. I want them to have the best experience in football."
Yang Cheng reiterated that the Yang family's ambition to invest in the club hadn't changed.
"We've already invested over £20 million into our training base in Brent. Final costs may exceed £25 million."
"We've spent over £10 million on youth development—and we'll keep investing more over the coming years."
Yang Cheng said this with full confidence—because every figure was real.
He didn't say where all the money had gone, of course.
For example, that £10 million for youth development included the acquisition of three bankrupt academies.
"A lot of media have said our wages are low, that if you compare our transfer income and revenue, it looks like my family has pulled tens of millions of pounds out of the club."
"That's fake news."
"To this day, we haven't taken a single penny out of Bayswater. And personally? I've never even seen a paycheck."
"In the past three years, I haven't drawn a single salary."
Actually, Yang Cheng hadn't even thought about it.
At the start, the club was so broke that no one brought up contracts or pay.
Later, when Xia Qing became CFO, she mentioned it briefly—but Yang Cheng got too busy to follow up.
Might be time to check how much back pay he was owed...
...
If the original £1 billion remark had been exaggerated for publicity, Yang Cheng was now walking it back with humility and transparency.
This was good PR—suggested by the club's media department.
After the interview and trophy celebration at Philips Stadion, Yang Cheng returned to the locker room with his players.
After showering and changing, they boarded the team bus and headed back to the hotel.
Bayswater Chinese FC might not be a wealthy superclub,
But Yang Cheng had always prioritized spending on player comfort during away games.
The team stayed at a five-star hotel.
Before the final, the club had already spoken with the hotel—
If they won, they'd rent the entire banquet hall for a celebratory party.
It would be buffet-style, with entertainment and music.
The whole first team had traveled, even the non-matchday squad.
Plus coaching staff and club employees—it was a big group.
And since it was the UEFA Cup final, even the British royal family had sent Princes William and Harry to support the team.
A long-standing royal tradition.
When Yang Cheng arrived with the squad, it was already after midnight—but the atmosphere was electric.
Adam Crozier was in his element—working the room, engaging guests, keeping spirits high.
As soon as Yang Cheng entered, Crozier pulled him aside.
First, they greeted Princes William and Harry, then approached London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
The Mayor had come specifically for the £1 billion stadium plan.
In Yang Cheng's previous life, Livingstone had been a favorite for a third term in the 2008 mayoral race.
People thought he was a lock to win.
Then, out of nowhere, Boris Johnson knocked him off his pedestal.
Some say Livingstone had lost support within his own party.
He had a reputation for being difficult—a troublemaker, an outsider.
But he got things done.
You could see that from the way he greeted Yang Cheng.
He didn't waste time.
"Are you really planning to invest £1 billion to build a new stadium?"
He locked eyes with Yang Cheng, giving him no room to squirm.
Even Crozier started to sweat.
This wasn't just a chat—it was a test.
But Yang Cheng had seen it all before.
He looked the Mayor dead in the eye and nodded.
"£1 billion—and honestly, I worry that won't be enough."
"Where's that kind of money coming from? From what I've seen, your family's business in China isn't that big. You've just entered real estate, and that sector burns cash."
"We'll fund the early stages ourselves," Yang Cheng replied, calm as ever. "But moving forward, we'll need government backing and bank loans."
"Public money can't be used for a private club. That would cause political backlash," Livingstone warned.
He assumed Yang Cheng was angling for public subsidies.
But that wasn't the case.
Youth development grants were public—those were charity-related.
But a commercial stadium? Entirely different.
"We're not asking for government subsidies," Yang Cheng said firmly. "We'll fund it ourselves or take out loans."
"You've only been at the top for a year," Livingstone challenged.
Yang Cheng smiled.
"Next year—we'll still be in the top four."
That one sentence said it all.
Staying top four meant Champions League revenue—minimum £20 million a year.
It also meant a huge cut of broadcasting money.
And if the rumors were true that Ribéry would leave this summer?
The transfer fee would be astronomical.
Sell one player, qualify for the Champions League again—that's a serious pile of cash.
From that perspective, maybe it really was possible.
The only question left: could Yang Cheng pull it off?
"Have you heard," Livingstone asked suddenly, changing the subject, "about the government's plan to revitalize Queensway?"
Premier League broadcast rights were expected to bring in over £27 million. Add in the prize money from the League Cup and UEFA Cup wins, plus sponsorship from Umbro, and Bayswater Chinese FC's total revenue last season—excluding player transfers—was roughly £50 million.
This was only an initial estimate. Xia Qing's finance department would soon produce a full, detailed report.
Compared to previous seasons, this was a massive leap forward.
But in Premier League terms, it was still on the lower end.
"We'll need funding soon for ticket sales promotion next season," said Adam Crozier, "and we also need to hire more staff to improve matchday services at Wembley."
And the pressure on Crozier was immense.
Wembley Stadium had a capacity of 90,000. With Bayswater's current fanbase? If they could even hit 30,000, Yang Cheng would be thrilled.
But with empty seats, the matchday atmosphere would suffer.
Poor atmosphere meant it would be even harder to sell VIP seats and executive boxes.
And this wasn't a short-term problem—it was a long campaign.
For Bayswater, renting Wembley was a massive gamble.
But staying at Loftus Road would be a permanent ceiling.
After many rounds of discussion, Yang Cheng, Xia Qing, and Crozier all agreed:
They had to take the risk.
"Our marquee event next season," said Crozier, "is the Champions League."
"I'm working with our ticketing partners to bundle our three group stage matches with our league season ticket."
"Unlike Arsenal, most clubs sell Champions League tickets separately—and at higher prices. But we'll stand out by offering Champions League football."
"In all of London, only two teams will play in the Champions League—us and Chelsea. That's our biggest selling point."
Arsenal had the highest prices, yet still sold out.
Why? Because they bundled Champions League tickets into their season package.
This could also work for Bayswater—a way to hook new fans.
"If we can get through the group stage and into the knockouts, it'll boost ticket sales for the rest of the season. Champions League matters," Crozier added.
Yang Cheng nodded.
"With our current UEFA coefficient, we'll likely be Pot 3, maybe Pot 4. Odds are, we're heading into a group of death."
UEFA coefficients are calculated over five years—but Bayswater had only played one European season.
Even winning the UEFA Cup, they probably wouldn't climb out of the lower pots.
Crozier knew how brutal the Champions League could be.
"But drawing some big names might not be bad—at least we'll fill seats."
He laughed, trying to stay optimistic.
"Don't worry, I'll figure something out," Yang Cheng smiled.
Xia Qing, sitting nearby, felt a twinge of emotion.
In her eyes, Yang Cheng always carried everything on his shoulders—no matter how tough it was.
"Adam, just focus on the money side," Yang Cheng added.
"I'll handle the football."
For the Champions League, Yang Cheng wouldn't make bold promises.
Especially not with Pot 4 seeding—luck played a big part in the draw.
If they ended up with three juggernauts, it'd be tough.
If they got a more balanced 2+2 group? They'd have a shot.
No matter what, they had to go all out in Europe.
It wasn't just about glory or prize money—it was also crucial for matchday revenue.
Just the thought of huge empty sections at Wembley gave Yang Cheng a headache.
The football had to be good—entertaining, even—so fans would come and stay.
...
As soon as the Premier League paused, the transfer rumor mill exploded.
The summer's two biggest moves?
Fully exposed.
In Italy, the Calciopoli scandal was shaking the football world.
AC Milan, implicated in the scandal, had become a lightning rod.
Club president Silvio Berlusconi, interviewed after the season, confirmed:
Andriy Shevchenko would join Chelsea.
The football world erupted.
Such a huge transfer—announced so casually?
Wasn't there supposed to be drama? Soap-opera twists?
British media quickly followed up.
They revealed that Shevchenko's transfer fee was £35 million—and his wage would be a Premier League record: £130,000 per week.
A new transfer record.
A new wage record.
All of Europe was stunned.
The other bombshell?
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry.
First came leaks:
Henry had rejected Arsenal's contract offer again.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League, he paused all renewal talks.
The Guardian reported that Henry would announce his decision after the Champions League final.
At the same time, Ronaldinho revealed in an interview that he had been in frequent contact with Henry—and that Henry was preparing to join Barcelona.
With just one year left on his contract, Henry's fee wouldn't be high.
Two superstar strikers—both seemingly set to leave—
It was as if two nuclear warheads had detonated over Europe's transfer market.
From the current signs, both deals looked all but done.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that with the Shevchenko money, Milan would target Ibrahimović from Juventus or Crespo from Chelsea.
Or maybe even Fernando Torres from Atlético Madrid.
But no matter who moved—none would top Shevchenko's deal.
The Ukrainian hitman looked set to become the transfer king of the summer.
...
With the squad now on break, Yang Cheng turned his attention to the World Cup and his international players.
With Bayswater's rise, things had changed quickly.
England national team was a prime example.
Walcott didn't make the final squad.
And Yang Cheng was glad.
In his past life, Walcott went to the World Cup, played a couple of meaningless minutes, got overhyped—and it hurt his development.
But Leighton Baines did make the cut, replacing Wayne Bridge, who barely played all season.
Besides Baines, Piszczek made Poland's squad, Neuer made Germany's (beating out Hildebrand), Yaya Touré was with Ivory Coast, Inler was with Switzerland, and Modrić with Croatia.
France had the most call-ups: Ribéry and Lassana Diarra.
In total, eight players from Bayswater were going to Germany.
That thrilled the fans.
If you counted Aaron Lennon and Chimbonda, who transferred midseason, the number was ten.
The only regret?
Maicon didn't make Brazil's squad.
They took Cafu and Cicinho instead.
And in terms of status, Maicon was clearly lower.
Yang Cheng made sure to comfort him, encouraging him to keep working—he believed Maicon would eventually earn his place.
As the world's attention turned to the World Cup in Germany, Yang Cheng quietly locked in on a player he'd been watching for a long time.
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