The Legendary Chairman Novel - Chapter 008

008 Leeds United’s Terrible State of Affairs
Thorpe Arch Training Base, Office of the President of the Club Building.

Zhong Cheng was sitting at the work desk. He already knew that the outside world was already in an uproar, but he really did not have the mood to pay attention to this because there was a mess in front of him.

Zhong Cheng was holding the information handed over by the head coach of the first team, Kevin Blackwell. It was clearly written on it. There were only two goalkeepers, three centre-backs, one full-back and one midfielder left in the first team. There were a total of seven of them.

The goalkeeper was left with two former substitutes, Scott Carson, 19, and Eravi, 21, both younger, but stronger, second-choice goalkeepers last season.

Zhong Cheng also has some impression of Scott Carson, who later moved to Liverpool and became a regular goalkeeper. But since he did not compete with Reina, he began a long-term lease.

Although Scott Carson was not a successful goalkeeper in the future, he was 189cm tall and had the physical qualifications to become an outstanding goalkeeper. Moreover, his potential was very good, so it was not impossible for him to cultivate properly.

Also, Scott Carson played in place of injured Robinson in the Premier League last season. He did well and the kid may not be a bad starting goalkeeper in the new season.

Although Ellawi wasn’t outstanding, it was enough to substitute Scott Carson.

Zhong Cheng nodded. There was no need to consider reinforcements in the goalkeeper’s position. Scott Carson was good.

The three remaining centre-backs are Lucas Ladberg, Michael Dubury and Matthew Kilgallon. They are the representatives of the three generations of old, middle and young players on the club’s defensive line.

Lucas Radberg, a 35-year-old former Leeds captain, was supposed to retire this season but was persuaded to stay by coach Kevin Blackwell. The veteran is experienced but apparently can only serve as a substitute for the new season.

Michael Duberry, 29, was a central defender at the peak of Leeds United’s career and a Champions League quarterback. However, he suffered a serious injury at the end of last season and is still recovering. It is unknown when he will return from his injury. Obviously, he will not be able to return at the beginning of the season.

Kevin Blackwell has high hopes for Matthew Kilgallon, 20, who played in the Premier League last season and is a promising new defender from Leeds United.

Obviously, Leeds United will have to bring in two central defenders this summer.

The only winger left is Leeds United loyal Gary Kelly, this player Zhong Cheng has also heard of it, Gary Kelly has devoted his entire career to Leeds United, playing for only one team for the rest of his life. He even brought his nephew Ian Hart to Leeds United, both of whom played for the same team. But at the beginning of this season, Ian Hart, who had played nine seasons for the team, was sold to Levantes, Spain.

Gary Kelly is now a 30-year-old veteran, but he is in good shape and is said to be being pursued by a number of Premier League clubs, hoping he can play in the Premier League. But loyal to Leeds United, he rejected all offers and firmly chose to stay.

Zhong Cheng admires and admires Gary Kelly’s loyalty. He will definitely be the club’s main right-back in the new season.

Leeds United are really lacking in full-back positions and need to bring in at least three players.

Zhong Cheng continued to look. The last player left on the list was a very young midfielder. Although he was only 18 years old now, he was already famous in England. His name was James Philip Milner.

This is another excellent product developed by the Leeds United youth training system. Zhong Cheng remembers clearly that the future England international has played for the Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City. He is a famous Premier League player.

This was the only surprise Zhong Cheng had received from this list.

Claire Simmons and the others really didn’t do anything to stop him, at least leaving behind a valuable player for him.

Zhong Cheng smiled bitterly and sighed.

Actually, what Zhong Cheng did not know was that it was not that he did not want to sell Milner, but that he did not have time. If Zhong Cheng took over Leeds United a few days later, Milner would follow in Viduka, Alan Smith, Robinson and Ian Hart’s footsteps and be mercilessly sold off by the club.

Thinking back to the high-spirited young guards of the British Continent and looking at the embarrassing list in his hand, Zhong Cheng couldn’t help but sigh, “A single downgrade would cause the famous Leeds Alliance to fall apart. This world, haha!”

Seeing that the new president of the team, Zhong Cheng, had finished reading the list in his hand, Kevin Blackwell anxiously said, “Mr. President, you have also seen the current situation of the team. May I ask how much money the club has invested this season? When will it arrive? There is not much time left for us!”

The Champions League will officially start in a month and there is really not much time left for Leeds United.

Zhong Cheng frowned slightly. He was almost trying to pull up a new team, but he only had a transfer budget of £ 10 million. It was really too difficult.

Zhong Cheng rubbed his temples. What a headache.

Zhong Cheng suddenly raised his head and stared at Kevin Blackwell. “If I give you 10 million pounds, can you lead the team to upgrade this season?” He said solemnly.

In his heart, Zhong Cheng really wanted to take over from Leeds United and become the head coach of Leeds United. But he can’t do that now, His current status was that of an ordinary fan. He had never studied football coaching before. If he fired Kevin Blackwell so rashly as head coach of the team, it would attract a backlash from Leeds United fans and opposition from within the club. At that time, Zhong Cheng would rebel against his family …

The consequences would be very serious, so Zhong Cheng’s current plan was to let Kevin Blackwell be the head coach of the team. He would be an assistant coach next to Kevin Blackwell for a season, and then he would be able to take over the team righteously.

Kevin Blackwell mused that the £ 10 m transfer fee should be good for the Champions League. However, the situation at Leeds United was different now. They did not want to find out what was missing, but to completely rebuild. They had to bring in at least a dozen or three players and split it evenly. Not even a single player with a value of 1 million euros would be able to get promoted. It would be very difficult for them to bring in players with such a status.

To tell the truth, Kevin Blackwell is not confident because Leeds United have suffered a lot this season and there is still a long way to go to rebuild them.

Kevin Blackwell said very seriously, “I can’t guarantee an upgrade, but I will definitely go all out!”

Zhong Cheng also knew that this was too difficult. He did not put any pressure on Kevin Blackwell.

Zhong Cheng suddenly asked, “Kevin, our youth team should have good seedlings, right?”

Kevin Blackwell wasn’t surprised at all. The current Leeds United really needed to tap into their potential. Kevin Blackwell was ready and said: ‘Fraser Richardson from the Reserves and Alan Lennon from the youth team are good. I’ve transferred them to the first team.

Zhong Cheng’s eyes lit up. Alan Lennon was another famous Premier League player. The Fast Horse of the future England team and Leeds United’s youth training were indeed extraordinary.

Zhong Cheng is a loyal fan of Leeds United. He has seen Fraser Richardson before. He is a centre-back, but a full-back can also play. He is a versatile player on the defensive line.

Zhong Cheng immediately said, “Yes, these two people are very good.”

Kevin Blackwell nodded his head and added: “Today, our club has brought in two players on a free transfer.”

Zhong Cheng was interested and asked, “Who are they?”

Kevin Blackwell said: ‘Middlesbrough center Michael Rikitts and Queen’s Park Rangers centre-back Clark Carlisle.

Zhong Cheng frowned slightly. He was truly unfamiliar with these two Zhong Cheng.

Kevin Blackwell immediately explained: “Michael Rikitts, 26, from Birmingham, is 188cm tall, weighs 75kg and is a center. He was briefly selected for England, but he made 35 appearances at Middlesbrough last season, scoring only 4 goals. He is now abandoned by Middlesbrough.”

Zhong Cheng nodded his head. He had been selected to the English national team before and should still be a bit skilled. At the very least, he could come to the Champions League to play as a substitute.

Kevin Blackwell continued: “Clark Carlisle, 25, a 190cm centre-back, has been selected for England’s U21 squad and is doing well.”

Zhong Chengshi nodded and said, “Well, you did a good job. Do you have any players you want now? Go back and make a list for me. Our transfer department will bring the person you want to you!”

Kevin Blackwell nodded and said, “Alright, Mr. Chairman, I’ll get ready now!”

Zhong Cheng nodded slightly before Kevin Blackwell stood up and left.

After sending Kevin Blackwell off, Zhong Cheng leaned back in his chair and gently rubbed his temples. It was too much of a headache. Now that Leeds United was in a mess, he had to speed up the pace of reinforcements. Time waited for no one.

Zhong Cheng suddenly jumped forward, picked up the phone and said, “Trivo, come to my office!”

Not long after, Zhong Cheng’s good friend, now Leeds United’s chief executive, Trivo Birch, arrived at Zhong Cheng’s office.

Looking at Zhong Cheng leaning back in his chair, Trivo Birch nodded to him and said, “Why are you looking for me?”

Zhong Cheng extended his hand to signal Trivo Birch to sit down.

Trivo Birch smiled and sat down opposite Zhong Cheng. As soon as he sat down, he saw the Sun on Zhong Cheng’s desk. The photos in the newspaper instantly attracted Trivo Birch because it was Gerald Krasna.

Trivor Birch picked up the newspaper and was instantly enraged. This Gerald Krasna was simply a mad dog. This fellow actually opened a column in The Sun, which was full of criticisms of Zhong Cheng and mockery of Zhong Cheng.

Trevor Burch was furious that Gerald Krasner should be so shameless.

Zhong Cheng said indifferently, “Ignore him, he’s just a mad dog!”

Trivor Burch was still a little angry, but he still threw the newspaper out. Now was not the time to fight. It was time to get down to business.

Zhong Cheng stood up and made a cup of coffee for Trivo Birch. He handed it to Trivo Birch and asked, “Any news from Eindhoven?”

Trevor Burch: “Eindhoven agrees!”

Zhong Cheng’s eyes lit up and he was delighted, “What about the players?”

Trevor Birch frowned slightly. “The players seem to be hesitating!”

Zhong Cheng raised his eyebrows and muttered, “Book two tickets at once. Let’s go to Eindhoven!”