After defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1, Real Madrid further consolidated their advantage in La Liga.
This once again prompted the Spanish media and even the European press to express admiration for Real Madrid's strength. At the same time, many anti-Real Madrid outlets and fans shouted themselves hoarse, hoping a brave soul would stand up and slay Real Madrid's evil dragon.
From the 26th to the 27th round, within just one week, a national team match was scheduled in the middle.
There is no helping that.
The Brazil World Cup is approaching, and all participating countries are making every effort to prepare.
Such a rare warm-up window is hard to come by.
FIFA did the same, using the international break to invite famous European coaches to Zurich, Switzerland, for a football salon to build momentum for the World Cup.
As the most promising head coach in world football today, Gao Shen was naturally among the invitees.
He was even personally placed at the center by Blatter.
…
The football salon was held in a five-star hotel in Zurich.
Many media reporters and TV networks came to film the salon, but there was no live broadcast.
It is said two special programs will be produced next and aired on major TV stations and video platforms around the world.
All those present were famous figures in world football, including active coaches such as Gao Shen, Ancelotti, Guardiola, Klopp, and Simeone, as well as retired legends like Ferguson, Beckenbauer, and Heynckes.
The topics of discussion were varied. As long as it related to the World Cup, it was fair game.
But everyone had to be interviewed and answer some questions.
Some were fixed and the same for everyone, while others were not.
For example, guess who will be the best performer at the 2014 World Cup.
That was a fixed question.
But it is actually a rather silly one.
Because many present are club managers whose teams have internationals going to the World Cup, so who should they choose?
Of course they choose their own national heroes. What else can you say?
However, the person who designed the question is not necessarily foolish. He might be setting a trap.
Like Ancelotti, who found this one very tricky.
Why?
As we all know, Paris Saint-Germain currently have two ace players, Ibrahimović and Cavani.
Do not get it wrong, there was no restriction to choose only one.
Ancelotti's dilemma is that Cavani's Uruguay qualified, but Ibrahimović's Sweden did not.
If he chose Cavani, Ibra would definitely be unhappy, thinking the head coach was praising Cavani while stepping on him.
But you cannot say both.
Seeing Ancelotti rubbing his hands and looking anxious, Gao Shen, sitting beside him, could not suppress a smile.
"What are you laughing at? If you have the guts, pick Messi!" Ancelotti snapped when he saw him gloating.
Gao Shen still smiled and actually nodded. "How did you know I was going to choose Messi?"
Ancelotti snorted. How could he believe that?
In the end, the Italian chose Messi.
This would inevitably cause controversy, but there was no way around it.
If he chose Cavani, the trouble might be even bigger.
No one can say much if you pick Messi.
Although he picked Messi as the player, Ancelotti chose Italy as the national team.
"Actually, I wanted to choose Argentina, but I could not, I want to live..." Ancelotti joked to Gao Shen.
No need to explain, Gao Shen understood immediately.
Damn, are you bullying my country for not making the World Cup?
"Your picks are terrible. Your national team is poisoned by you and will not even get out of the group," Gao Shen laughed.
How could Ancelotti believe him?
When it was Gao Shen's turn, he selected three players for best performance. Ronaldo was the first he mentioned, followed by Messi and Robben. He covered all the bases, which made Ancelotti beside him furious.
As for the World Cup winner, Gao Shen chose Germany.
"Why? Because I think the German squad is at the age where results should come, especially players like Neuer and Toni Kroos, who are among the best in the world."
For the most anticipated young player, Gao Shen did not choose Brazil's Neymar, but picked two others.
"Paul Pogba, the French midfield prodigy, and Stefan de Vrij, the Netherlands' starting center-back."
As soon as Gao Shen finished, there was a stir.
Paul Pogba is understandable. Whether at Leeds United, Real Madrid, or in the youth World Cup, he has performed excellently. Naturally, he is trusted and expected.
But Stefan de Vrij...
Everyone looked at Gao Shen strangely.
This player is Leeds United's starting center-back this season and has performed well in the Premier League, but saying he will shine at the World Cup seems a bit exaggerated.
"Gao, are you sure you are serious?" Ancelotti "stirred the pot."
Gao Shen had just ribbed him, so he had to fire back.
"Of course. Maybe we can make a bet," Gao Shen said confidently.
At that, many people hesitated.
Those who know Gao Shen, including Ferguson and Guardiola, know that whenever he wants to bet, you do not go against him, because he never fights without confidence.
But the problem is Ancelotti was cornered and could not back down.
"Bet... what are we betting?" Ancelotti regretted it already.
"It is simple. Whoever loses treats me to a meal. I pick the time and place," Gao Shen said with a smile.
No need to guess. One look at his cunning eyes and you knew that if you lost, your wallet would bleed.
"What about the standard? There has to be a standard, right?" Ancelotti still tried to hold the line.
"There is only one Young Player of the Tournament, so it is hard to be exact. But being selected for the official Team of the Tournament is clear. The standard is making the official Team of the Tournament."
At that point, Ancelotti had to grit his teeth and agree.
The two high-fived to seal it.
The atmosphere at the scene became lively thanks to this bet.
…
"Are you trying to build momentum for your own players?"
After the salon, Gao Shen, Ferguson, Guardiola, Ancelotti, Wenger, and other old friends returned to the hotel for their own get-together, and soon the topic turned to Stefan de Vrij.
"What? No? I traveled all this way to support them, and I cannot even praise my own players?" Gao Shen retorted righteously.
Although FIFA covered the travel, Gao Shen had to be willing.
Time is precious, right?
It has to be said that José Fonte is truly a center-back incubator. After bringing through two youngsters, Koulibaly and Marquinhos, De Vrij and Stones have both performed very well this season.
If Leeds United can sell a center-back every year in the future, their finances will be much more comfortable.
What? No one will buy?
How is that possible?
Among the big European clubs today, how many are not short of center-backs?
Bayern, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan...
They are all desperate.
If they can ride the World Cup wave and sell De Vrij at a high price, it would be a great deal.
Besides, whether it is Gao Shen, Su Qing, Lucas, or Borrell, they all know very well that Leeds United can no longer keep selling players at cut rates like before.
If the club wants to attract global investment and expand commercially, their performances must be as stable as possible.
They do not need to be overly ambitious, but at least cannot be too poor. They must stay in the top half of the Premier League and maintain visibility.
Look at it another way, if Leeds United keeps selling players so aggressively, how long can it last?
Even if Gao Shen is a transmigrator, it is impossible to keep digging up that many outstanding players for Leeds United over and over.
Sooner or later, the field will be harvested bare.
There was no other choice before, but for the new training base and new stadium, Gao Shen had to speed up.
But now it is different. The new training base is almost completed, the new stadium preparations are in full swing, and the startup capital is sufficient. Leeds United can no longer sell players like that.
Next, Leeds United will take the boutique route.
Abandon the past practice of selling players for 20 or 30 million. Try to develop better players and sell at higher prices, while ensuring the club's overall competitiveness.
From the current perspective, the biggest beast in this summer's transfer market will be Manchester United.
The well-informed The Sun has already reported early that Moyes will leave at the end of this season, and Manchester United's management will set aside a transfer budget of 200 million pounds, which will surely trigger a buying frenzy across Europe.
In addition, thanks to the increase in the Premier League's broadcast revenue share, Chelsea and Arsenal are also determined to invest more. Liverpool head coach Rodgers, who has invested heavily and performed well this season, tried to sign Leeds United left-back Bertrand during the winter break.
But the left-back has also drawn the attention of his former club Chelsea.
After Mourinho spent big on Coentrão, whose performances were underwhelming, Chelsea's left side also became a big problem. Buying back Bertrand, who has been excellent in the Premier League, can both bolster the academy narrative and improve the team. Two birds with one stone.
"The European transfer market is becoming increasingly chaotic," Wenger sighed for no particular reason.
In the past few years, Arsenal could not make ends meet due to building a new stadium and problems with the Highbury real estate project. They were forced to tighten their belts and live frugally for several years.
Now, last summer, they finally had some money and wanted to strengthen, only to find player prices had risen to a level that shocked even Wenger.
Wenger is short of defenders, midfielders, forwards, goalkeepers. In short, he is short of everything.
He had hoped to build a title-winning team with the hard-earned funds, but discovered, damn, he could not buy any of the targets he wanted.
Now he is holding money and does not know where to start.
With Arsenal's Premier League form this season, they might not even keep their top-four place.
This is thanks to Ferguson.
If he had not retired, Manchester United under Moyes would now be eighth, and Arsenal would have fallen out of the top four.
Therefore, Wenger and Ferguson have a very good relationship at the moment.
(To be continued.)