The Godfather of Football

According to convention, before the start of each season, the Premier League head coach will accept an exclusive interview with the media so that the club's fans can more clearly know the head coach's intentions and thoughts and understand their own head coach.

In the past month, Chelsea's press department has accepted interviews with head coach Ye Qiu from hundreds of media outlets from almost the entire UK, because they all know that as the most rising player in Europe in the past two years, Chelsea Come on, the most popular head coach at the moment, Ye Qiu's first exclusive interview in the UK will bring them huge sales.

The world is like this. Many non-Chelsea fans are scolding this team and the coach Ye Qiu, saying that they are upstarts and disruptors of the market. But in fact, as long as there is news about them, as long as there is news about them, With their news, they will still follow and buy like crazy.

Everyone at Chelsea paid attention to Ye Qiu's first exclusive interview after taking office, especially the press department.

In the British football world, the position of the head coach has always been very important, and the fans also attach great importance to and pay attention to the head coach. Although Chelsea seems to be full of big names, in fact, the Chelsea fans pay the most attention to Ye Qiu. Because they all know that big-name stars still have to be in the hands of an excellent head coach to be able to show their strength.

Because of this, the Information Department finally carefully selected The Times for Ye Qiu's first exclusive interview.

This is one of the most influential newspapers in the UK. This newspaper also promised to let their chief football reporter Martin Samuel personally conduct an exclusive interview with Ye Qiu, and gave him the treatment of a special football page and cover advertisement. Martin Samuel For this exclusive interview, Samuel specially prepared some questions in advance and handed them over to Chelsea.

Chelsea also contacted Ye Qiu's agent, Eliza Moon, and forwarded the question to Ye Qiu. After confirming it, he forwarded it to Martin Samuel, who was surprised. Yes, all his questions were approved by Ye Qiu, and there was nothing he couldn't ask.

You know, this is Ye Qiu's first exclusive interview in the UK. To some extent, this is also the first time Ye Qiu directly faces British fans, especially in an authoritative newspaper like The Times. As anyone, they will choose to avoid some issues, such as personal feelings, beliefs, politics, etc.

But Ye Qiu passed them all, which surprised Martin Samuel. He was also very curious. The first impression of this head coach from China must be his nationality and background. Doesn’t he need anything? Scruples?

Thinking of this, Martin Samuel has already thought about how to write the beginning of the interview. He must first praise Ye Qiu's frank attitude, no matter what his next interview will be like , but his cooperative attitude is undoubtedly to Martin Samuel's taste.

The exclusive interview was conducted in Ye Qiu's temporary hotel the day after the team returned to London after defeating Reading.

Because they will play in the third round of the Champions League qualifiers in a week, Ye Qiu gave the team a day off today.

Arriving at the cafe of the Skyline Hotel in advance, Martin Samuel found that Ye Qiu was already waiting here, and his agent was sitting aside. Even though he was used to seeing all kinds of beauties, the middle-aged British man was still I couldn't help but be amazed by Eliza Moon's stunning appearance.

As early as when they were on the phone, he was already fascinated by her voice. When he saw her in person, he was stunned for three full seconds.

Martin Samuel has never been a very pure football reporter. He is different from those who only report football. He is more concerned about football and the surrounding environment, especially the deteriorating business environment of football clubs that many people are now worried about. phenomenon, he has been worried about it many times.

If you simply learn about Martin Samuel through newspapers, you will definitely think that this guy is knowledgeable and knowledgeable, and he should be the kind of talkative person who talks endlessly when you meet him. But in fact, he doesn’t look like a person. Someone who can talk.

You are great with a pen, but often not so well with your mouth.

Seeing Martin Samuel sitting there hesitating and not speaking, Eliza stood up and said, "Maybe my presence makes our Mr. Martin Samuel a little cautious. I'll leave for a while!"

Not to mention, Martin Samuel stood up and said goodbye to Eliza a little awkwardly, looking very gentlemanly.

After Eliza left, the chief football reporter of The Times simply took out his notes and thought about the wording, "You know, Mr. Ye Qiu, you are from China. To many British people, you are a familiar person." There are many, but relatively unfamiliar and mysterious countries. In the Premier League, there are only a handful of Chinese players and coaches.”

"We would like to know, coming from China, how do you view political beliefs?"

If Ye Qiu remembered correctly, Eliza wanted to get rid of this problem at first, but he decided to keep it because he knew very well that the more he avoided it, the more it would feel like he was trying to hide it.

"Some people like to distinguish socialism or capitalism. I don't have much impression of these. I think no matter which one it is, as long as it can bring benefits to the people and progress to society, it is good. ”

Martin Samuel couldn't help but nod after hearing this, and he agreed with this point.

"But what we have to admit is that every country has a different culture, history, background, etc., and many different factors, so this will definitely create some particularities, just like what we often say, La Liga's ball control The style will not work in the Premier League because the environment is different, and if the Premier League goes to La Liga, it will definitely be finished, and it is still special. "

"Many people have some misunderstandings about my country. You know, they think we are authoritarian. In fact, I think we are very open and everyone can discuss politics. Everyone has their own unique set of understandings. Of course, we still have many shortcomings, but we are constantly improving and making progress, but many people obviously don’t notice this.”

"Is this why you once said that you have never considered giving up your Chinese nationality?" Martin Samuel asked.

Ye Qiu nodded, "Yes, I will never give up, not just me, but also my children in the future!"

"Why do you think this way? Is Europe bad?" Martin Samuel asked.

"Europe is very good!" Ye Qiu said with a smile, "But, you know, I have stayed in Europe for many years, but sometimes, I still feel that there is still a big gap between me and here. Moreover, I have been subjected to Some discrimination, of course, I’m not saying that’s the case for everyone, but I’m just saying that it happens everywhere.”

"This is also a very serious social problem!" Martin Samuel did not deny this. "It is because of this that it makes you miss your hometown and your motherland even more, right?"

"Yes, I love my motherland, but I will stay in Europe and continue to work hard, because I want to prove myself to all those who discriminated against me at the beginning. I am from China, but I succeeded. This is not to show off, but to show off. It’s a kind of resistance from my heart. If you say that I come from a weak football country and that I can’t do it, then I have to prove to you that I can do it!”

Martin Samuel laughed after hearing this, "In the eyes of many people, you have proven yourself." He was talking about the Champions League.

"But there are also many people who feel that the Champions League is nothing, and in the eyes of many people, the Eredivisie is not representative."

Ye Qiu's words made Martin Samuel laugh again. "Your words make me feel like you live to prove yourself to some people."

"No, no, no!" Ye Qiu smiled and shook his head, "This is just part of it. What I really want in my heart is competition."

"compete?"

"Yes, you know, we live in a world full of competition. People compete with others, teams compete with teams, countries compete with countries. Competition is everywhere. I think football means a lot to me. Surpass yourself, keep trying, break through, and surpass your past.”

Martin Samuel recorded this sentence very carefully because he thought it was very important, "Can you tell me about your football beliefs? Many people are speculating whether you will become more conservative one day in the future. It’s just that...when you achieve certain results, you will inevitably think about protecting some of your hard-earned things and become conservative.”

"I don't know, it's hard to say something like that, right?"

After a pause, Ye Qiu smiled again: "I have always felt that football is great not only because of the game, but also because it is a team sport. You can win the game in many different ways. everything."

"It's like going mountain climbing. You can take many roads to the top of the mountain. Some roads are flatter and some are more rugged. It depends on your choice. The flat road may be easy to walk and faster, but the scenery is average. Some roads are more rugged and difficult, but the scenery along the way can make you linger. It depends on your choice, right? "

Martin Samuel was really thinking about Ye Qiu's words, and finally nodded and moved on to the next question.

"When you were at Ajax, many fans thought your football was art. What do you think?"

"I am a very vulgar person. I have never had any artistic ability. I think this is a different pursuit angle. What is art? It may be art in your eyes, but it is garbage in my eyes. Maybe in my eyes, it is art. Art is also rubbish in your eyes, it’s just a matter of personal pursuit.”

"In my opinion, offensive football can be art, defensive football can also be art, and pragmatism can also be art. As long as you accept it, it can become your art, but this only represents you personally, and Can’t represent others.”

"I believe there will be many fans who like you who will not agree with this statement!" Martin Samuel replied with a smile. "So, who do you think your football philosophy is most influenced by? Michels?"

"Yes, Michels' Total Football, I think this is the greatest creation in the history of football, and Sacchi, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, I think the football of these people has influenced me. They’re all big.”

"Cruyff said that Barcelona's failure to bring you to La Liga was their biggest mistake. Can you explain why you rejected invitations from Barcelona and Real Madrid?" This should also be a question that many people are concerned about.

Ye Qiu thought for a while, "It's not what many people think. It has nothing to do with them. It's my problem. What I want to do now is to continue to stick to my football philosophy and continue on this path. This I need to have some control over the team and I need to form the team according to my wishes, so I think the Premier League will be more suitable for me.”

"What about Chelsea? Have you ever considered staying in this team for a long, long time like Ferguson and Wenger did?"

"Of course, if the team remains as it is now!" Ye Qiu answered this question frankly.

Martin Samuel smiled, "Many people think that Chelsea spent more than 100 million euros in transfer fees this year, which is amazing, and Chelsea fans also feel that this team should have greater ambitions this season. And goals, what do you think?”

"Absolutely!" Ye Qiu replied confidently.

"Then what is your goal?"

"All champions!" Ye Qiu laughed and said, "Of course, this is a very bold declaration. You know, no one will say no to the championship, and no one will say before the season starts, I don't want it. Win the championship.”

"It's hard to say how it will be in the Champions League, but many people think that Ferguson's Manchester United and Arsene Wenger's Arsenal will be your strongest competitors in the Premier League this season. What do you think of these two opponents?"

“They are all very strong and very good, but I’m just excited about this because I love playing against good teams and beating them!”

Martin Samuel responded with a burst of affirmative laughter to Ye Qiu who did not conceal his thoughts, "Many Chelsea fans are not satisfied with one of your transfers, which was the sale of Hasselbaink and the introduction of Drogba, what do you think?"

"You know, every player does not play alone on the court. Only by cooperating with each other and benefiting from each other can they win. I think the arrival of Drogba will make Lampard, Ronaldinho, Davis , Deco and other players have benefited greatly, making the whole team stronger, but Hasselbaink wants to participate in all games, and I can't promise it."

"There is another thing that makes Chelsea fans not very satisfied, that is, they find out very painfully that the team they love has become the ugliest team in the Premier League. What do you think?" Martin Samuel said mischievously. asked with a smile.

"The ugliest?" Ye Qiu couldn't react for a while.

Martin Samuel patted his face and said, "I'm talking about appearance. Think about it."

Ye Qiu suddenly realized that it turned out that Chelsea had become the team with the ugliest players in the Premier League. If he thought about it seriously, Drogba, Ribery, Ronaldinho, Davis, Makelele... Okay, it seems really ugly.

"They said you deliberately brought in a group of ugly players just to enhance your own handsomeness."

Ye Qiu laughed loudly. He didn't notice this. Now that he was reminded, he realized that his team was really the ugliest team in the Premier League. "I do have this idea." !”

Martin Samuel was immediately amused.

"I want to say something to all the fans who think we are the ugliest. We may be the ugliest team in the Premier League, but we will play the sexiest and most charming football in the Premier League!" Ye Qiu said with confidence.

"Can you talk about your family and your usual hobbies?" Martin Samuel changed the subject again.

"Of course, I just got married and everyone knows it!" Ye Qiu said with a smile, "I've recently become obsessed with swimming."

"Swimming?" Martin Samuel laughed, "Are you good at swimming?"

"It was bad because all I could do was the doggy style, which is breaststroke, and I found that I was swimming really, really slowly."

"Is this a weakness?"

"Of course, of course, I am a very ordinary person with a lot of weaknesses and shortcomings. Sometimes I even think that if I didn't have my wife to take care of my life and my agent to help me deal with work matters, I would definitely... madly!"

Martin Samuel immediately started laughing along with Ye Qiu, "Many men are like this, but some of them don't want to say it."

"Is this consoling me?" Ye Qiu's words immediately made both of them laugh.

After laughing, Martin Samuel looked at the time and smiled, "Last question, how confident are you that Chelsea will achieve your goal this year?"

Ye Qiu didn't hesitate, "One hundred percent!"

"Huh?" Martin Samuel was a little surprised.

"Yeah!" Ye Qiu was very sure and confident.

After turning off the recorder and putting away the notes, Martin Samuel stood up with a smile and stretched out his hand, "Thank you very much for accepting our interview. This is a very pleasant experience. I am very grateful for your candor." !”

"Thank you!" Ye Qiu smiled and shook hands with Martin Samuel.

After a few polite words, Ye Qiu sent Martin Samuel away. He thought he was a very interesting person. Maybe his eloquence was not very good, but he did not give people the kind of paparazzi that is unique to British journalists. In order to improve the team's image, his problems are often just in time, without any sensationalism.

"You know, generally speaking, he only interviews famous coaches like Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Manchester United's Ferguson!" Eliza walked back to the coffee shop and sat down next to Ye Qiu where she was sitting just now. , drink her cup of coffee that has gone cold.

"Are you praising me?" Ye Qiu asked with a smile.

Eliza nodded, "I guess so!" Then she handed a document to Ye Qiu, "Master, you should have watched all the videos I gave you last time, pick a few!"

The last time Eliza brought a lot of Brazilian players' game videos to Ye Qiu, she hoped that Ye Qiu would help her select a few suitable players and send them to Ajax, so that she could accumulate game experience and increase their value.

In Europe, the ownership of many players is not actually in the hands of the club, even in the four major leagues.

For example, Rooney of Everton, part of the ownership has been mortgaged to the bank, and some other players are in the hands of agents and some are in the hands of some investment companies, which is very complicated.

Ajax sold Lucio to Bayern Munich and Kivu to Roma this summer. Although both transfers brought Ajax rich transfer income, the signing of the central defender position has not been finalized. Kolo Toure, who was originally highly expected by Van Basten, is likely to join Arsenal, so they need to introduce a central defender.

Moreover, with the departure of Maicon, Lucio and Kivu, Ajax's defense line is also in short supply. Abidal may also transfer, because Ajax still focuses on retaining core local players such as Robben, Van der Vaart and Sneijder. Therefore, supplementing the defense line is very necessary.

Ye Qiu finally ticked the names of the two players and handed them back to Eliza, "If these two people are well sculpted, they will become the top stars in Europe in the future."

Eliza became interested after hearing what he said. She opened the folder and saw the names of the two people that Ye Qiu ticked.

Marcelo and Thiago Silva!