José Mourinho was in London to consider Chelsea's plans for the new season. Being the leader of the wealthy Chelsea team was certainly something that other managers envied, but it also carried a lot of pressure. Because the Russian boss spent a lot of money, he had to see results. Those rubles were not just to be thrown out.
He did not need to consider whether Chelsea had the ability to buy a certain player. He only needed to consider whether the player's arrival could bring Chelsea's strength to the next level.
It was not an easy job.
Just then, he received a call from his "agent" — although Mourinho did not admit that he had an agent, his relationship with Mendes was indeed like that — Jorge Mendes.
He was a little surprised by what Mendes told him.
"Testify in court? To Nottingham Forest? "He thought he was dreaming. "Jorge …"
Mendes interrupted him, "I know what you're going to say, José."
"It's good that you know, Jorge. I'm afraid it'll be awkward between me and the Forest manager … "
Mendes smiled, "I know who you are, José. Just do me a favor. "
Mourinho was silent for a moment, "Is it because Pepe can't get a work permit?"
"Yes, I had a little trouble when I applied for Portuguese citizenship for Pepe."
"Help you … add a strong opponent to my Chelsea team?"
Mendes was interested in the remark, "When did you put Nottingham Forest on the list of opponents? I remember what you said last season? 'They're just lucky'! "
Mourinho pursed his lips, "I don't like him, but Twain does have some ability."
"Since you think Pepe's addition will strengthen the Forest team, why didn't you ask me for Pepe this summer? You were the one who insisted on buying Pepe from Porto. "
"I have Terry and Carvalho. Pepe is not at their level yet, for now. And … "Mourinho looked at the transfer list he had just written," Mr. Abramovich prefers beautiful football and doesn't like defensive players. "
"In that case … We don't know if Pepe can reach Terry's level. Maybe he can succeed in the Premier League, maybe not. Who knows? Do me a favor, Jose. "
Mourinho felt that the Portuguese agent, who was so eager in this matter, must have other ideas. However, he knew that these were Mendes's own business. It was a business matter. Since he was friends with Mendez, those businesses weren't his concern. After a long silence, Mourinho asked, "When is the hearing?"
※ ※ ※
Mendes passed on all the information about Pepe to Tang En, including the transfer offer made by the Turkish superteam Galatasaray to Marítimo when he was playing for Marítimo. This could also prove Pepe's ability in a way.
However, Tang En frowned as he watched. Although the information was detailed, it still lacked a strong proof that could convince the officials in the Football Association of Pepe's ability. Pepe did not win any continental awards. He did not represent the Brazilian National Youth Team in the World Youth Tournament or the World Youth Tournament. He also did not win any honors such as Portugal's Best Newcomer of the Year or the World's Best Youth Team. The title of Marítimo's youth team captain was not worth mentioning in front of the English Football Association.
Like Tang En, Manchester United's manager, Ferguson, was also facing a work permit dilemma. He hoped to bring in the South Korean national footballer, Park Ji-sung, from Eindhoven. However, because Park Ji-sung had been affected by injuries for the past two years, he did not represent the South Korean national team in 75% of the international A-level matches and could not get a work permit. Now Manchester United was looking for people to gather information and prepare to appeal using the "special genius clause." It was said that they were contacting Eindhoven's manager, the former South Korean national team manager, Hiddink. As long as they could get Hiddink to testify, then with his status and influence in the international football world, Park Ji-sung's "special genius" title would not be able to escape. The work permit would also be in the bag.
Manchester United could find Hiddink for Park Ji-sung, but who could Forest find for Pepe?
Mendes said yesterday that he could find someone to testify for Pepe, but he did not say who. This made Twain have some doubts. This kind of nonsensical answer really could not make him feel at ease.
The cell phone on the table rang. It was a call from Mendes. Tang En grabbed it. "Mr. Mendes?"
"I have good news, Mr. Tang En. I found someone who is willing to testify for Pepe — the former Porto manager, Mr. José Mourinho. "
The name that Mendes reported made Tang En hold the phone for a long time without any movement. However, his reaction was within Mendes' expectations. As the closest person to Mourinho, how could he not know the relationship between Mourinho and Tang En?
Now his only regret was that he could not appear in front of Tang En and see the expression on the young manager's face with his own eyes. That must be something very interesting …
On the other end of the phone, Mendes regretted that he could not see Tang En's expression at that moment. On the other end of the phone, Tang En held the phone with one hand and supported his forehead with the other. He did not expect it to be this person. Although he could analyze it from some of the previous information, every time his thoughts approached that area, he would involuntarily avoid it.
There was no need for Mendes to tell him. In his heart, he knew very well what kind of impression Mourinho had of him. As the champion of last season, in the season that they won the championship, Chelsea almost swept all the teams in England, but only two teams remained undefeated when facing Chelsea. One was Arsenal, led by the French manager, Wenger, and the other was Nottingham Forest, led by Tony Twain. Arsenal had only fought to a draw with Chelsea in two rounds, while Nottingham Forest was the only team that had won against Chelsea in the entire season. Mourinho had originally been very hopeful to follow Arsenal and go undefeated for another season to become the champion, but it was ruined at the hands of Nottingham Forest.
It would be strange if the arrogant Mourinho could still maintain a good impression of Tony Twain, who was always at odds with him.
How could such a person be willing to come forward to testify for the player that Forest had their eyes on and help Pepe get a work permit?
Tang En was very puzzled. His mind was full of question marks.
But on the surface, he still thanked Mr. Mendes for all his efforts. "That's great. I think there shouldn't be any problems with a UEFA Champions League manager testifying for Pepe. Thank you, Mr. Mendes. Also, please thank Mr. Mourinho on my behalf … "
Mendes laughed heartily and interrupted Tang En's words. "If you want to thank José, do it in person. You two will definitely meet during the hearing. "
On the other end of the phone, the corner of Tang En's mouth twitched. A meeting like this … was really not what he wanted.
But for the sake of Pepe's work permit, he would endure it.
※ ※ ※
Tang En and Mendes confirmed the specific time of the hearing and ended the call. Tang En got up and went upstairs to find the club chairman, Evan Doughty, to update him on the latest developments.
Evan was also very surprised when he heard that Mourinho had actually agreed to attend the hearing on behalf of Forest's player. It was not that he did not know about the story between Tony Twain and Mourinho.
He was stunned for a long time before he asked in a questioning tone, "Could it be that … Mourinho won't cause trouble at the hearing?"
These words were completely out of Tang En's expectations. It took him a long time to react. He shook his head. "I don't think so. But one thing is for sure. He's willing to attend the hearing not to help us, but to help his agent and good friend, Jorge Mendes. "
Speaking of Mendes, Evan smiled. "This agent, heh heh … a little interesting."
Tang En knew what Evan meant by "a little interesting." The other person, Allan, who was not present, probably knew even more. The three of them had the same view: Make full use of what you can, and think about what you can't when the time comes.
※ ※ ※
Since Mourinho had confirmed that he would attend the hearing, Nottingham Forest submitted all the information they had on Pepe to the English Football Association to appeal the issue of Pepe's work permit.
The next thing to do was to wait for the English Football Association's reply.
During this period, Forest and Tang En were not idle. They still had to continue with the work of buying and selling players. They could not delay the entire team just because of Pepe alone.
Eastwood's injury not only caused Forest's forward line to lose an outstanding striker, but it also gave Tang En a wake-up call. He realized that his players were not robots that would never get injured, would not tire, and would not be in a messy state. Although fate had been on his side for the past two seasons, his team had not been plagued by a large number of injuries. But who could guarantee what would happen in the future?
Forest's most important target for the summer was a striker. With Eastwood's injury, it was estimated that he would not be able to recover and return to the team at the start of the new season. Currently, Forest's remaining three strikers were mainly tall center forwards. This way, Forest's tactics would become very monotonous. This was not what Tang En wanted to see. What he advocated was "water is unpredictable, and soldiers are unpredictable," and not "one move to dominate the world."
The Forest team needed a fast striker to pair with the tall center forward.
Eastwood did not rely on speed to make a living. He excelled in all aspects of his skills. Now, Tang En was more interested in the players' distinct technical characteristics, which he would then combine.
Forest's first target had originally been Inter Milan's Obafemi Martins, but Martins' loyalty to Inter Milan could not be moved even in pounds. Inter Milan told Forest that Martins was unwilling to leave the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium because he was happy there.
Hearing this reply, Tang En laughed coldly in his heart. After this season, Martins' loyalty to Inter Milan would be worth nothing … No, it might even be worth 10 million. That was the transfer fee that Newcastle had paid to Inter Milan when they brought in the Nigerian striker. After a season, Inter Milan's forward line had accumulated six strikers and a purge was imperative. As a result, Martins, who had the lowest status, was forced to leave England.
Even though Tang En knew all this, he could not use the future to persuade Martins to leave the Giuseppe Meazza as soon as possible, lest he shed tears alone at the side of the training ground when he saw the joyous scene after the "newcomer" Ibrahimović and Crespo scored goals. Martins would not believe these words if he said it now. Currently, he and Inter Milan were in a "honeymoon period." The combination of him and Adriano was Inter Milan's main forward line partner.
Tang En also knew that if he wanted to poach Martins now, he would have to pay a very high price. He did not wish for it to be so. Forest was still not a powerhouse team and did not have the right to spend large sums of money. Some things should be saved as much as possible.
Just after Martins' transfer plan was abandoned, Nottingham Forest received a notice from the Football Association to go to the London Football Association's headquarters to attend a hearing specially convened for Pepe.
(To be continued, if you wish to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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