Li Ang had already returned to Gijón. At this time, there were still three days before the start of the official training for the new season.
The whole city seemed to be full of vitality. The addition of a championship player like Hierro made Sporting de Gijón a team that attracted a lot of attention. The media and fans of Gijón were also very encouraged. Overall, Sporting de Gijón could be considered a young team. They were youthful, energetic, and ambitious, but lacked experience. The addition of a championship player like Hierro could bring the experience and stability that the young players needed.
Of course, it was not without noise. The Gijón Post continued to sing a different tune this time. They expressed doubts about whether Hierro, who had been away from the mainstream European leagues and retired in Qatar for a year, could still adapt to the La Liga competition.
Some other Spanish media also had the same opinion as the Gijón Post.
Some media outlets even harshly stated that since Hierro had already left Real Madrid and Europe, he should just enjoy his retirement in the Middle East. There was no need for him to come back. Furthermore, he had joined Sporting Gijon, a team whose future was in doubt. This could bring shame to Hierro at the end of his career.
Li Ang was furious. On the one hand, it was because of the media's doubts about Hierro. On the other hand, what did they mean by Sporting de Gijón's future was in doubt? What did they mean by Sporting de Gijón would bring shame to Hierro?!
Li Ang published an article in his column in the Voice of Gijón to open fire against the doubts. In the article, he praised Hierro and said that Hierro was in good condition. Whether it was his physical condition or his mental state, there were no problems at all. Then, Li Ang unceremoniously cursed the media who questioned his youth team. He said that his team would make those people eat all the words and farts they said today in the future.
Li Ang admitted that some of the media's doubts about his team were not unreasonable. For example, Sporting de Gijón lacked experience in La Liga, the players were too young, and so on.
However, he had to respond. As the helmsman of the team, he had to maintain confidence in the future and stabilize the morale of the team. He did not want the players to start training in two days only to find that they were surrounded by voices of doubt.
At this time, Li Ang felt even more fortunate that Hierro had joined the team. He believed that the team had such a veteran. Whether it was in training or in the competition. It would benefit the team a lot.
*****
Li Ang returned to Sporting Gijón. Now, he focused on the cleansing of the existing players.
They had already brought in six players, Ribéry, Pepe, Grosso, Dinatale, Modric, and Hierro. There were new players joining from the rear defensive line to the midfield to the offensive line.
Although it was still a little far from his plan to fill in the gaps, he had to solve the problem of the redundant players first, and then continue to look for targets in the transfer market.
Of course, the problem of funds was also key. Only by selling the players first could he have the funds to continue to recruit players.
The list of players that Li Ang handed to the club's general manager, Venita Arango, began to take effect. In addition, Li Ang had already communicated with some of the players and expressed that he could not guarantee their positions in the future blueprint of the team. This also caused the players to take action to 'save themselves'. They began to contact their new owners.
The first to leave the team was the midfielder, Falco. Three La Liga teams had their eyes on this player. In the end, Messi City's offer of 400,000 Euros won Li Ang's approval.
At nine o 'clock in the morning on July 15th, Sporting de Gijón's official website announced the transfer of the team's midfielder, Falco, to La Liga team, Messi City for 400,000 Euros.
Sporting de Gijón's fans did not have much of a reaction to Falco's departure. In the previous season, this player played the role of a substitute, so his departure was expected.
Then there was the team's center back, Diaz. This player's main position was taken by Jago last season. Originally, Jago had returned to Celta on loan, which gave Diaz hope of regaining the main position. However, Hierro's arrival made Diaz see his future in Sporting de Gijón clearly: the manager still looked down on him and would not give him a main position.
Therefore, Diaz chose to leave. With his many years of experience in the Segunda División, this twenty-nine-year-old veteran had no shortage of pursuers.
In the end, Elche's offer of 500,000 Euros made Sporting de Gijón nod and let him go.
Diaz had been Sporting de Gijón's main center back for many consecutive seasons. It was only in the second half of the previous season that he lost his main position under Li Ang's command. Therefore, it could be said that this was the strength of a main center back in La Liga. The price of 500,000 Euros was more appropriate.
At twelve o 'clock in the afternoon on the 15th, Sporting de Gijón's official website announced the transfer of the team's center back, Diaz, to Elche FC for 500,000 Euros.
Sporting de Gijón and the fans sent their blessings to Diaz's departure. Although Diaz was no longer a main player after Li Ang took over the team last season, this player had played for Sporting de Gijón for many years. It could be said that he had dedicated his prime years to Sporting de Gijón. The fans respected and appreciated him.
*****
In addition, Sporting de Gijón's important substitute forward last season, Matt Bilic, was loaned by Sporting de Gijón from Zaragoza. Li Ang originally wanted to buy this player, but when Zaragoza was eliminated by Sporting de Gijón in last season's Copa del Rey, the two clubs had some disagreements. Moreover, Matt Bilic also showed his own characteristics. Therefore, Zaragoza refused to negotiate with Sporting de Gijón for Matt Bilic's transfer. In short, even if this player was to be sold, it would not be to Sporting de Gijón.
This made Li Ang very angry. In his view, there was no place for Matt Bilic at Zaragoza. In the end, Matt Bilic would still transfer out of Zaragoza. The other side did this to make Sporting de Gijón uncomfortable.
Sporting de Gijón and Zaragoza originally had no enmity, but now there was a new story in the bad relationship between the two sides.
Then, in the team's forward position, David Poza, who had not been able to play in the game, also chose to transfer out. He went to the same Segunda División team. Salamanca was his new destination. He exchanged for 200,000 Euros for Sporting de Gijón.
In three days, three players transferred out: Falco, Diaz, and David Poza. They brought a total of 1.1 million Euros to Sporting de Gijón's account …
The three players added up to only 1.1 million Euros. Li Ang sighed endlessly …
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