The Young Lion

Henry is about to move!

Bernabéu? Meazza? Camp Nou? Alp?

Public opinion on Fleet Street is increasingly leaning towards Henry's inevitable move this summer. watermark ad test watermark ad test

The suspense is just where he will end up.

The outside world has noticed unusual signs inside Millwall.

Millwall has always done things quickly and never dragged his feet.

The news that the main players of the first team have renewed their contracts came out one after another, encouraging the Wild Lions fans. For the fans, their team is already good enough, and it is not uncommon for any star to come to Millwall. If the people and horses can stay, it is worth celebrating.

And to leave, Makelele's transfer to Real Madrid was also announced in June, and the deal of Makelele was completed without accident in July.

Fans have regrets and regrets for Makelele's departure, but as analyzed by Fleet Street, they can understand.

In Millwall, it is indeed difficult for Makelele to go further.

Ask a hundred Wild Lions fans, who are the three most important players or five players on the team?

Larsson, Nedved, Southgate, Henry, Pirlo, Ronaldinho are the names that appear most frequently.

Originally, offensive players are more brilliant than defensive players, and they are easier to be sought after. Remember, this is the practice on the football field.

It is only in the kind of offensive team that is weak but successful that defensive players are particularly eye-catching and regarded as the mainstay.

However, Millwall's offense was insanely gorgeous. Makelele was very important, but he couldn't get more fame. His brilliance was completely overshadowed by Millwall's terrifyingly efficient attack group.

It just so happened that Real Madrid, which Makelele transferred to, is a giant-level team that most needs to improve its defense. Since Capello took charge and left, Real Madrid, which won the league championship and ranked second in the league in defense, has had a terrible defense in the past three seasons. Can anyone imagine the defensive data of Real Madrid conceding 62 goals in 38 league rounds?

in a sense. Makelele just wanted to come to the Bernabeu with the role of savior. He's a defensive player, and he defends. To bring champions!

That's the new challenge he told Aldridge wanted to move on.

After six years, Millwall has developed from a commoner, or a troublemaker, into a wealthy family, not to mention aristocrats. But the club's reputation, influence, record, and attention have made them a wealthy club, especially when the club also has a top-level stadium to match.

Similarly, the value and income of players have also risen.

They have money. Most of the players who used to live in the Millwall community have moved away, that's their freedom.

Aldridge lives here and sees the faces of some young players most now.

For example, the grown-up De Rossi and Ronaldo don't have to live in the dormitory of the young players of the youth team. Instead, he has his own apartment.

Aldridge asked Ivan to choose a new house he wanted. He wanted to end his current single life, and he already had the idea of ​​getting married in his mind, or in other words, it was a bit late.

But until then, he will still live in the original apartment.

The club's summer work is in full swing, and Aldridge put aside Henry's work for the time being, he still has other tasks to be busy.

Sell ​​players!

This is definitely not selling first-team players. If you want to sell first-team players, why renew the contract?

Just like last year, a group of players who were old enough to play were packaged and sold to Leeds United. This year, Millwall still needs to put some players on the market.

They have reached the age where they must play. The intensity and quality of the youth team and the reserve team can no longer provide them with experience and allow them to improve better. If Millwall continues to keep them, but cannot give them to play Opportunities will definitely make them waste at the most critical age!

The cost of the youth team is huge, and the basic goal is to send blood to the first team. What the first team doesn't want can be exchanged for real money. Denying this investment may make a profit, which is better than throwing it away.

Whether it is the youth team or the reserve team, every summer there will always be some players who are targeted by low-level league teams. After the club tells them that they will give up, they will let them go freely. , the club will offer a coaching contract to allow them to change careers, if they wish.

Aldridge has directly handed over the rights to transfer players from the youth team and the reserve team to Najib. Najib has the right to make decisions, but only for transactions under the top league. If there is an invitation from a top league club, he must Aldridge made the final decision.

Najib’s vision and professionalism are absolutely fine, and Aldrich trusts him very much. Over the years, Najib has never let go of any star of hope in Aldrich’s eyes. Even if he lets go, it will be Aldrich. The decision is to the point where it is necessary to let go, such as the departure of Cahill and Bresciano.

While Aldridge was looking at a list of players sent by Najib, he received a call from the club. Someone came to see him and wanted to discuss player transfer matters with him.

When Aldridge heard the name of the visitor, he immediately became happy and informed the club to tell the other party that he was waiting for the visitor in his apartment.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Aldridge waited for someone to come.

He opened the door and reached out to the man in a suit and leather shoes, Hi, Jose, the last time we met was almost two years ago, right?

Hello, Mr. Hall.

Come, the name is Mourinho.

The last time he met Aldridge should have been in the UEFA Champions League group stage the year before when Millwall played against Barcelona.

But at that time, Mourinho was not the protagonist, he was just a small role assisting Van Gaal.

What is he doing today?

Do you vote for Aldridge?

Of course not!

This summer, Mourinho has already made up his mind.

I will never be an interpreter again, and I will never be an assistant coach for anyone again!

I will do it alone!

At this time, Mourinho's appearance is still a little green, which is compared to the appearance standards of many football coaches. In front of Aldridge, he is much more mature!

Mourinho's expression was serious and he looked a little stiff. He came alone. After being warmly received by Aldridge, he walked into the living room, sat down on the sofa, and said straight to the point: Mr. Hall, I am here as the new coach of Benfica Club. I want to talk to you about the transfer of two players.

There is tea on the table. Aldridge was prepared in advance, and he crossed his legs and sat opposite Mourinho. Raise your hand to signal the other party to continue.

One is Paulo Ferreira, the other is Hugo Viana, they are both Portuguese players, given that they didn't have more opportunities to practice at Millwall. I think they can return to the domestic league and they can be better Good growth, Millwall brought them in for almost nothing and Benfica wanted £4m for both players.

Mourinho said solemnly, this is probably the first time in his life to enjoy the power brought by the coach, waving a check to introduce his favorite players.

Ferreira is the right-back substitute for the first team, and Viana is still in the reserve team. It's an attacker, and it's doing well.

A combined £4 million for the two?

This is obviously ridiculously low.

But if you add some more, it's not too much.

After all, Viana hadn't proven anything, and Ferreira had only appeared in minor games. Whether it can take on the important task, the outside world does not know.

Sorry, Jose, you're late.

Aldridge smiled frankly.

Mourinho frowned, and asked: Has Millwall sold these two players? We haven't heard any news about offers from other clubs.

Aldridge shrugged and said: No, because Millwall's transfer window is half closed, and we will not let go of any first-team player, especially under the premise that Ferreira has just renewed his contract. It is our tradition to determine the lineup earlier and prepare for the game earlier, so as to ensure the stability of the team and lay the foundation for the new season. In fact, if we want to do business, we will basically start from the end of the season until the transfer window opens Everything was settled during this period of time, so you are late.

But, you used to...

That's right, in the past Millwall did let players go during the preparation period, but, as you said, in the past, that was the past, the current Millwall, not the previous Millwall.

Aldridge smiled, while Mourinho frowned, and he sighed: So, Viana will enter the first team in the new season?

No, we are considering loaning him out, but not selling, because he has potential, we will decide his future at the right time, he can play for the first team, we stay, otherwise, sell him , but not now.

Mourinho thought for a moment and said: So, can Viana be loaned to Benfica? He returns to the domestic league. In a familiar environment, this is conducive to his growth.

Aldridge still shook his head and said: Sorry, we have considered loaning him to the Portuguese league, but Benfica is not on the list of clubs we are considering.

Mourinho didn't understand at all at this moment, and asked: Why? I can guarantee his playing time. I have seen the video of his training in the reserve team, which is impressive.

Aldridge smiled as before, and said softly: Jose, the reason, it's better not to say.

No, if you respect me, please be honest with me.

Well, if you insist on listening, then I will be frank and honest. We think that Benfica may not be able to provide Viana with a stable training environment.

Mourinho wondered: What do you mean?

Well, Benfica has invited a new coach. You, a young coach who has never had any coaching experience, Jose, I admire you and I am optimistic about you, but I am not the boss of Benfica, nor am I a powerful figure on the board of directors. So, I have confidence in you, but Benfica may not have enough patience with you. Today we loan Viana to Benfica. If you dismiss get out of class within half a year, his remaining time in Benfica may be wasted .”

Mourinho showed a smile, as if dismissing it, then shook his head slightly and said to Aldrich: Mr. Hall, I thought we were the same kind of people, young, full of passion, full of motivation to realize dreams, Will put your feet on the ground and put it into action, but when you become famous, you become vulgar and hypocritical. In fact, your subtext is: I, Jose Mourinho, the promise I made to you, promise to give Viana's playing time is worth nothing, shit! Right?

Aldridge shook his head with a smile and said: No, if you know me, you will know that I am telling the truth. For example, I have a good relationship with a manager who coaches a League One club. His name is Moyes. He is in During the season, Preston took over the fire, and he loaned players to me. I agreed, why? Because I was sure his promise could be realized. Preston was at the bottom of the league at that time, how bad could it be? Moyes will definitely be able to lead the team through the second half of the season. His guarantee is reliable. But what about you? The club you are currently in is called Benfica, one of the three giants in Portugal. How high are the expectations of Benfica? Can you Guarantee that the board of directors is absolutely satisfied, leading the team to finish this full season? Guaranteed to stabilize the coaching position with a record in line with Benfica's status? You can't guarantee it, so I say, there are unstable factors in Benfica.

After hearing this, Mourinho stood up with a mocking smile, pointed at Aldridge as if he wanted to say something more, and finally turned away directly, and when he walked out of Aldridge's house, his gaze changed Incomparably sharp, with a slightly ferocious expression.

One day!

I will prove that I am stronger than you!

At that time, can you still talk to me with such an attitude? Question me? !