Super Marshal

"Porto?"

In the high-level conference room at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea's behind-the-scenes boss Abramovich couldn't help but feel proud and burst into laughter. "This is a lucky draw, excellent, very good, haha."

In the conference room, assistant Granovskia, chairman Bruce Buck, CEO Peter Kenyon, who had just returned from Nyon, Switzerland, and head coach Mourinho, who came specially for the meeting, were all beaming with joy.

Having drawn Porto, Chelsea can be said to have one foot in the quarterfinals.

They still have this confidence.

"In the past four years, I have invested no less than 100 million every year and introduced batches of stars. Even if it is paid with banknotes, I believe this money should be enough to help Chelsea win the Champions League. On the podium.”

When Abramovich said this, he couldn't help but shook his head to himself.

He always believed that money has magical power.

When Gao Han was coaching, he believed it, and after Gao Han left, he believed it even more.

Many people outside have rumors that he regrets Gao Han's departure. This is simply nonsense. On the contrary, he never regrets the decision he made. Even if the thought occasionally crosses his mind, he will quickly suppress it.

Because he firmly believes that there is nothing in this world that money cannot do.

If so, it's definitely not a money issue, but a people issue.

Therefore, if Mourinho can't do it, then change someone to be the head coach. Someone who can do it will be the head coach.

Abramovich calmed down and looked deeply at Mourinho.

The Portuguese madman knew what the boss meant and nodded: "This is a good fortune. I am confident enough to lead the team to advance."

Just as the Russian nodded, Mourinho changed the topic, "However, it is easy to enter the top eight, but it is a bit difficult to stand out from the top eight."

"What do you mean?" Granovskya asked.

Mourinho knows that she is Abramovich's trusted assistant, and her problem is equivalent to the Russian problem.

"According to the draw of this season's UEFA Champions League, there were many strong dialogues in the group stage, which built up momentum. The knockout rounds of the top 16 are also very eye-catching. Inter Milan played Real Madrid and Barcelona played Liverpool, both of which are quite interesting. points, but the real excitement is in the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and even the final."

"Yes," Peter Kenyon nodded. "There is news that UEFA has learned from Porto's heavy losses in business operations when they won the championship, and intentionally or unintentionally arranged this kind of schedule that leaves suspense. Specifically, How it works is unknown.”

Whether the draw is fair or not has always been questioned by fans around the world, but there has never been a conclusion.

Perhaps it should be said that from a business perspective, UEFA deliberately planned the competition system. For example, there are divisions in the group stage, but it should not be said that it deliberately targets any team.

As for the major European football teams, they have basically acquiesced to this rule. After all, business income has increased and everyone has more money, so naturally they don't care too much.

Sometimes, good results in the Champions League are not necessarily a good thing.

Abramovich was able to get to where he is today because of his talent. He immediately saw the implication of Mourinho's words and smiled secretly in his heart, "Jose, do you have any specific plans? tell me the story."

Mourinho was encouraged and nodded: "There are some plans, mainly because our team currently needs to strengthen recruitment in certain positions, but I heard that not long ago you just decided to recruit... …”

Not long ago, Abramovich implicitly stated in an interview with the media that the era of high-profile Chelsea spending money on signings has passed. He wants to tighten money appropriately. If he must sign, then he must bring in high-profile players. A level of strong reinforcement, rather than some cheap players that the team can't count on at all.

In the past few years, there have been many players of this type, such as Kežman.

High-level players are a bit more expensive, but they are safer, more valuable, and can make some impact in the transfer market. This is more cost-effective than introducing players who are cheap but not necessarily high-quality players.

Everyone present understood what Mourinho meant, which was to buy someone during the winter break.

Abramovich thought for a moment, then tapped the oval table next to him with his right hand. After hesitating for a while, he pointed at Mourinho again, "How sure are you?"

The Portuguese's eyes were very firm, and his whole body showed strong confidence, "It depends on how many people you give me."

"you say."

"For a centre-back, the one I want most is Carvalho from Atletico Madrid."

Abramovich looked at Peter Kenyon, who shook his head and said, "I'm afraid this won't be easy to handle. Atletico Madrid won't even talk to us, and he is Mendes's man."

Abramovich is very familiar with Jorge Mendez. He knows very well that this is a vampire-like guy. Not to mention that he had a very unpleasant time with him because of the high cold. This time he really wants to dig him out. Profuse bleeding is out of the question.

"Then another one, Porto defender Pepe."

Peter Kenyon looked embarrassed, "This is also Mendes' player, and Porto probably won't agree. Besides, he won't be able to play in the Champions League even if he comes."

Pepe is a rising defensive star in the European arena this season. He has performed very well in Porto, but his agent is Mendes. There have been media rumors before that many teams, including Real Madrid, Rich families are eyeing him, which has caused his net worth to skyrocket, and is said to have exceeded 20 million euros.

After hearing this, Mourinho fell silent immediately.

Abramovich also looked a little confused and looked at Peter Kenyon, who knew it well and sighed.

"Perhaps, we can look for someone more carefully, preferably someone who can play in the Champions League and has good strength."

Mourinho nodded slightly, "Then Deportivo's central defender Andrade, but I also want Manchester City's Micah Richards. I like this youngster very much. They can both play in the Champions League. "

Peter Kenyon raised his eyebrows after hearing this. Together, these two players are worth at least 20 million pounds, especially Micah Richards, one of the most popular young players in the Premier League this season, worth 1,500 pounds. I don’t know if I can get ten thousand pounds.

Abramovich also noticed Peter Kenyon's eyes and knew that he had to make a decision at this moment.

Obviously, Andrade belongs to Jose Vega and is a Portuguese international. He was unable to enter the World Cup due to injury. Mourinho must have wanted him for a long time.

As for Carvalho and Pepe before, they were just bargaining chips.

This guy is so smart!

But in the past few years, especially after Gao Han left the team, everyone had laughed at him openly and secretly, thinking that it was an extremely wrong decision for him to let Gao Han go, but he himself never believed in this evil.

He didn't believe that he couldn't win a Champions League title even if he had money.

Now the team is in a good situation, having defeated the defending champion Barcelona in the group stage, and Mourinho is so confident that he feels that this should be the most promising season since he took over Chelsea.

Thinking of this, he stood up suddenly, put his hands on the table, and looked at Mourinho.

"José, let me ask you again, how sure are you?"

Mourinho's eyes did not dodge at all, staring at him without giving an inch, "You give me people, and I will give you a championship."

Before Abramovich could think about it, Mourinho said again, "You should understand, Roman, our goals are the same."

Yes, unanimously!

Abramovich has always wanted to prove to everyone that without Gao Han, he can still make Chelsea win the championship, and Mourinho has always been thinking about how to get out of the shadow left by Gao Han?

In the past two years, no matter what results he achieved or how his team performed, everyone will think of Gao Han.

If he wins, it's because Gao Han left him a treasure house; if he loses, it's because Mourinho himself has no ability.

Abramovich has had enough of these days, and so has Mourinho!

"Okay, okay, very good." Abramovich pointed at Mourinho and nodded vigorously, "I'm here to give you a promise, Jose, if you want people, I will give you people, and you want power. I will give you the right, and there will be no upper limit on the transfer budget I will give you, but if you still can’t win the Champions League..."

Abramovich opened his eyes and said no more.

"I took the initiative to resign without you firing me." Mourinho also stood up and solemnly promised.

Everyone at the scene could see that he was risking his life.

In European football, there is an unwritten rule, that is, if the head coach is fired, an additional termination fee is usually required. The specific amount and length of time depend on the negotiations between the two parties. Some even reach the head coach's annual salary. And it has to be paid until he finds the next coaching job or until the contract expires.

The most famous one is Inter Milan's head coach Cooper. After he was fired by Moratti, he did not contact the job immediately. Instead, he took the annual salary paid by Inter Milan and sat at home to rest for a while.

It can be said that during Zaccheroni's coaching period, Inter Milan actually paid the annual salaries of two coaches at the same time.

But on the other hand, if the head coach takes the initiative to resign, the club can minimize or even not have to pay the termination fee. For Mourinho, this is at least several million euros in income.

So, this time he really went all out.

With his eyes fixed on the leaving Mourinho's back, a cruel smile appeared on the corner of Abramovich's mouth.

"Boss, do you really want to support him with all your strength?" Granovskya asked.

Abramovich looked at his assistant and smiled slightly, "I have learned a truth since I was very young. If a person is cruel enough to cut out flesh from his own body, then he must have a bad conscience. The determination to never give up.”

After everyone heard this, they looked at the direction Mourinho was leaving, and they all nodded in unison, even in awe.

It can be seen that Mourinho is trying his best to regain his dignity as a professional head coach.

He didn't want to live in the shadow of the cold forever, he wanted everyone to get to know him again.

"My experience over the past many years tells me that usually when you meet this kind of person, you either fight side by side with him or stay away, but you must never block his way."

Abramovich didn't say what would happen if he blocked his way, but the meaning was clear.

Abramovich is an oligarch who was killed in the bloodshed of Russia. He has seen everyone, and he is never wrong when he sees people.

"Peter, tell Arneson not to mess with him."

"I understand." Peter Kenyon nodded.

In the past period, there were rumors that Chelsea management used sporting director Arnesen to sideline Mourinho.

"Also, no matter what he wants, support him with all your strength."

After finishing speaking, Abramovich stood up.

It can be seen that he is looking forward to the showdown between Mourinho and Gao Han.

This isn't just Mourinho's showdown, it's his.