Chapter 639: Insider
I don't know when it started, but Sean Ingler began to enjoy the treatment of a senior reporter in the Guardian.
The so-called treatment of a senior reporter is that the comments and reports he wrote can always appear in the most prominent position, even on the front page, and he can open his own signed column, occasionally revealing some inside information about a certain team or a certain player, to satisfy the desires of those fans in some aspects.
However, these are all virtual. The real preferential treatment is that he can enjoy a lot of public expenditure reimbursement, and he can even appear in a famous high-end cafe in London during working hours like now.
Sometimes he doesn't know how he welcomed all this. He often gets up in the morning, looks at the street-front row apartment he just bought, then looks at the newly bought luxury car downstairs, and then looks at the fiancée sleeping in his bed. He really has a feeling that everything seems unreal.
Perhaps, at that time, he will slap himself hard to see whether all this is true.
Just like at this moment, sitting in this cafe in London, with a cup of his favorite cappuccino in front of him, the person opposite him is from Spain, a famous Spanish journalist working for Daily Sports, Luis Mascaro.
This is the most popular columnist of Daily Sports besides the editor-in-chief Maria Casanovas. He has a very good relationship with many Catalan internationals. And Daily Sports is the team newspaper of Barcelona, so he can also get a lot of inside information that outsiders don’t know. In many cases, they also serve as a source of information for Barcelona, helping the team to dig up some inside information.
Almost everyone knows that Sean Ingle is a die-hard fan of Tottenham Hotspur. He must have something to do with Tottenham Hotspur to find him, and there is basically only one Spanish news related to Tottenham Hotspur, Fabregas!
From being covered in a Barcelona jersey in the South Africa World Cup to hearing the fans in his hometown cheering for Barcelona when he returned to his hometown, Fabregas publicly expressed his desire to return to Barcelona in an interview, but he finally chose to stay in Tottenham Hotspur last summer. The reason was simple: he was still hesitant.
Perhaps, at some moments, he would be emotionally impulsive, but after calming down, especially after talking to Ye Qiu and others in detail, he would become calmer, but all signs showed that he really wanted to leave London and return to his hometown.
Tottenham Hotspur is in crisis, this is what everyone is saying, even though the North London team defeated Stoke City 3:1 at home in the 32nd round of the Premier League, but they lost to Manchester United 1:2 at home in the Champions League quarter-finals in the middle of the week. At the critical moment, Rooney scored a lore for Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United finally eliminated Tottenham Hotspur again with the number of away goals and successfully advanced to the semi-finals.
This is the only time in the past four seasons that Tottenham Hotspur has failed to reach the semi-finals.
At the same time, the team was defeated by Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at the City Stadium in Manchester at the weekend. Yaya Toure scored the winning goal and Phil Jones received a red card.
In just one week, Tottenham suffered a defeat on two fronts. What is even more ironic is that the gap between Yaya Toure and Phil Jones, who are almost like heaven and hell, makes Tottenham fans feel regretful and sigh.
Even if they won the league championship with an impressive advantage of 19 points, even if Tottenham's record in the past few seasons, no matter compared with any European team, is amazing, everyone can see that the team is in trouble, especially after selling Yaya Toure.
Some people began to compare Tottenham's sale of Yaya Toure to Florentino's sale of Makelele. They even believe that Tottenham will repeat the mistakes of Real Madrid's Galactico period and will start to go downhill in the next few years.
From the perspective of football industry insiders, this is no big deal.
Almost all top teams have their peaks and troughs. After achieving peak performance, there is no problem with a period of trough. Moreover, Tottenham Hotspur can stand out in the fiercely competitive Premier League this season and win three consecutive championships with absolute advantage. This is the strongest and most powerful proof of strength.
In the eyes of Sean Ingler, Tottenham Hotspur did nothing wrong in letting Yaya Toure go, because a good break has always been the standard of this team. Anyone, even Messi, can leave, but this winter break transfer obviously disrupted Ye Qiu's plan and Tottenham Hotspur's plan.
When you perform poorly, there will definitely be some rumors. Many people even began to hype Tottenham Hotspur's defeat, believing that Tottenham Hotspur will completely lose its combat effectiveness next season. Many teams began to hype the news of poaching, but more English media are still watching Tottenham Hotspur's summer transfer.
Should we maintain the current tactical situation and introduce a defensive midfielder who can fill the gap left by Yaya Toure?
Or should we make a complete change in the overall direction, break the current situation, and adjust the team's tactics?
You must know that the changes brought about by Tottenham Hotspur have stimulated the progress of others. Nowadays, the European giants have basically adjusted their tactics and absorbed the Tottenham Fever. Take advantage of the thorns and combine them with your own characteristics to develop your own tactical system.
For example, Manchester United's Champions League championship last season was precisely because Ferguson mustered up the courage to make huge changes. If Cristiano Ronaldo had not been sold, if Benzema, Sneijder and Las Dia had not been introduced, La, can Manchester United have a Champions League?
With Tottenham Hotspur's current strength, no matter how they adjust or change, no team dares to underestimate them, but it will be very difficult to win the Champions League again. At the very least, Ye Qiu must The team's lineup must be adjusted quickly.
"Sean, have you heard that Real Madrid and AC Milan are also making offers for Cesc Fabregas?" Luis Mascaro asked seemingly casually, but I'm afraid this was the reason why he invited Sean England. What is the purpose of Geer coming out?
"Indeed, I have received news that Florentino has been pursuing Fabregas for many years, and the news of AC Milan's participation in the competition has only recently come out, but I don't think AC Milan has enough funds to participate in such a superstar transfer. Go during the meeting!" Sean Ingle commented on the two teams with a smile.
Luis Mascaro feels the same way, "So, if Cesc Fabregas really decides to transfer this summer as the outside world says, then he is most likely to go to Barcelona and Real Madrid!"
"Yes!" Sean Ingle told the truth, and it was no secret. In words familiar to many people, when Tottenham Hotspur decided to sell Cesc Fabregas, There is no need to exert any pressure at all. On the contrary, in the past, they have always rejected and suppressed the players' transfer thoughts. As long as they relax a little, the players' transfer hearts will swell.
Cesc Fabregas wants to return to Barcelona. This has been budding since he arrived in the Premier League. It can even be said that his purpose of leaving La Liga is to hope to return to Barcelona one day, especially when his position in the national team is still behind Inez. This mentality became even stronger when Star and Harvey were together.
In the final analysis, only by playing the main role in Barcelona and Real Madrid can we hope to compete with Xavi and Iniesta for the main position of the national team. And everyone knows that today's Spanish national team is almost invincible in the national team field.
Being the main player is equivalent to being recorded in history. It is conceivable that Fabregas has a strong desire to return.
After the World Cup in South Africa, if Ye Qiu hadn't strongly tried to persuade him to stay, and Barcelona was not sincere enough to give up midway, he would have already submitted a transfer application, and maybe he would be wearing a Barcelona jersey now.
"But, I can tell you clearly, Luis, he wants to return to Barcelona!" Sean Ingle basically doesn't lie to his colleagues, because this is their exchange of information.
Mascaro was also not surprised by what Sean Ingler said. Real Madrid is the sworn enemy of everyone in Catalonia. It is the symbol of the Spanish capital and few Catalans want to Go to play for Real Madrid.
"By the way, Luis, how is the situation in Barcelona this year?" Sean Ingle asked in turn.
Luis Mascaro smiled, "The current situation of the team is very good. Guardiola is ambitious and wants to make a difference in the Champions League. You know, the league can no longer satisfy him. Now Russell He also wants to complete the work that his predecessor could not complete, and Barcelona missed Villa due to the general election last season, and the management is also under great pressure.”
From the perspective of political struggle, Laporta has wanted to introduce Fabregas for many years, but has never been able to complete it. Now Fabregas has undoubtedly lost the freshness of the Premier League and wants to return. His hometown team has a place in the Spanish national team. If Russell can introduce this superstar, he will undoubtedly be praised by Barcelona fans.
"However, Tottenham Hotspur's asking price is not cheap!" Sean Ingle chuckled.
Mascaro knew this was a cliché, "Real Madrid really offered 60 million euros?"
"It's absolutely true!" Sean Yngle was very sure. This was obviously a secret that was no longer a secret.
"Then I'm not sure that Barcelona's bid will be higher than Real Madrid's!" Mascaro shook his head.
Rosell still hopes to put pressure on the club through the players, and it is best to suppress the transfer fee. After all, this is more beneficial to Barcelona, and the players' feelings are indeed tilted towards Barcelona.
"This is why we don't like Barcelona. The transfer operation is too fucked up and too petty!" Sean Ingle laughed, but Mascaro had no way to refute, because it was a fact.
Compared with Real Madrid's high-end atmosphere and class, Barcelona's signings have always given people a feeling of being very petty. No matter who they are recruiting, they are always fussy and even do everything they can. They are not aristocratic at all. That kind of temperament is what many Barcelona fans are dissatisfied with.
If Real Madrid offered 60 million euros and was rejected, you should be more generous and just spend 80 million euros instead of selling? Smash it again!
This is called a wealthy family, this is called aristocracy!
Barcelona uses players to exert pressure. On the surface, they don't seem to be involved, but secretly, who doesn't know that you are secretly doing something behind your back? This is called covering one's ears and stealing the bell! Don't treat everyone in the world as fools!
"One thing I want to remind Spanish fans is, don't take advantage of Tottenham Hotspur. You know, Ye Qiu and Tottenham Hotspur don't care about such a small amount of money. Selling the star player itself is from the beginning. If they continue to tamper with the price, based on my understanding of Ye Qiu, it will be impossible for the player to transfer in a fit of anger, and he may even be sold to Real Madrid at a low price!" Sheen Ying! Geer's reminder was well-intentioned and serious.
Mascaro also knew in his heart that Ye Qiu was a person with status and status. If he was really prevented from stepping down, anything could happen. Therefore, over the years, any team and Tottenham Hotspur All transactions must be done openly and honestly, no one dares to play any tricks.
"Barcelona can afford such a small amount of money. Isn't the 40 million euros that they wanted to acquire Villa last year useless? Add in this year's transfer fee budget, and if you put it together, the transfer fee is enough!" Sean Yngle laughed and said.
Many Barcelona fans admire Rosell, which is actually completely unnecessary, because he is not necessarily much better than Laporta. On the contrary, he is not as smart as Laporta in many aspects. Of course, this is not in Cuarapol. Tower, but fact.
For example, many fans believe that Russell runs the team very well and has good finances. But you need to know, how much more is Barcelona's financial income than during Laporta's period? How much more would you get if you sell the chest ads? The team's performance is much better than that of Laporta, especially in La Liga. There are many stars in the team, and the income from broadcast fees and jersey sponsorships has increased significantly. If these factors are removed, Villapo How smart was Erta during his time?
According to the inside story learned by Sean Ingle, Laporta settled Cesc Fabregas before the World Cup, and the two sides reached an agreement face to face. It was under this agreement that Barcelona players dared to win the World Cup after winning the World Cup. Putting on a Barcelona jersey for Cesc Fabregas caused a jersey controversy.
But then Rosell came to power and faced Tottenham Hotspur's offer of 70 million euros. He chose to give up. He even hesitated when David Villa offered 40 million euros, which eventually led to Fabre's decision. Gass did not come, Villa also went to Liverpool, and Barcelona lost both ends.
But that's not important. What's important is that after he chose to give up, Russell was still doing everything possible to use the media and public opinion, using Fabregas to build momentum for himself, and doing everything possible to shape the player into a player who wanted to return. home, but Tottenham Hotspur have left a hard impression.
In the end, he had no choice but to stand up under Ye Qiu's persuasion and stated that he would stay at Tottenham Hotspur. At the same time, he revealed his dissatisfaction with Rosell's irresponsible remarks. , and this brought the storm to an end.
It can be said that compared to Real Madrid's aboveboard operation, Barcelona's operating model is questionable.
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With defeats in the Champions League and the FA Cup, Tottenham Hotspur failed to complete the outburst in adversity that everyone expected, and ended regretfully in the Champions League for two consecutive seasons.
In the 33rd round of the Premier League, before the away game against Chelsea, Ye Qiu faced reporters' inquiries at the press conference and said that the team currently does not have any problems.
"You know, it is impossible for any team to guarantee that they can win the Champions League every season, or enter the semi-finals of the Champions League, or even win all the championships. What we can do is to maximize our strength. , try to win every game, this is the only thing we can guarantee!”
"Regarding losing to Manchester United for two consecutive seasons, I think Ferguson's team is now in a very reasonable and balanced stage, and what we should pay attention to is that in the second leg of the semi-finals, we had every advantage , It’s just that we didn’t handle it well enough in some aspects, which resulted in a final victory.”
"For us, this is a very valuable lesson. We have not lost at home for a long, long time, but this time we lost at home and we clearly realized that we still have many, many shortcomings that we need to To continue to make progress, we need to work harder and we also need to make some changes! ”
As for the specific changes that will be made, Ye Qiu did not give a face-to-face explanation, but he told reporters very clearly that the team will introduce the talents the team needs during the summer transfer.
"We already have a specific goal!" Ye Qiu said with certainty. After all, we have been preparing for two or three months.
Many people have analyzed that the key player Tottenham Hotspur wants to introduce must be the midfielder, and it is likely to be the defensive midfielder, because this position is Tottenham Hotspur's biggest weakness and shortcoming now.
If letting go of Yaya Toure was an unprepared change that Tottenham Hotspur encountered, then if the summer transfer team makes no further sign and does not make appropriate signings for the midfielder position, Then Tottenham Hotspur is doing their own thing, and if they don't perform well then, there will be nothing more to say.
With Ye Qiu's words, the media around the world began to hype up Tottenham's target players, almost counting all the famous defensive midfielders in the entire European football world.
Perhaps in the eyes of some players, Tottenham cannot make them stay in the team wholeheartedly, but in the hearts of most players in European football, Tottenham is undoubtedly the target they dream of joining.
And Ye Qiu and the coaching staff also began to prepare for the next season in advance.
After all, the league has already won the championship in advance, and Chelsea also lined up to welcome Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
For two consecutive seasons, two mortal enemy teams lined up to welcome them, this feeling is not bad!