203 The Red Forest Chapter 11 The Old Soldiers Part 2 (1/2)
Chapter 203: The Red Forest Chapter 11 The Old Soldiers Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the previous season, he had been loaned out by Ancelotti to Lazio in exchange for Pancario. During the winter break, Galliani explicitly told Albertini, who still held some hopes in his heart, that ”the current AC Milan doesn't have a position for you, Deme. Pirlo, Gatusso, all these young players are doing very well in your position. Moreover, we still have Kaka…”
Albertini finally decided something: perhaps he still did not know where he would be during the final moments of his professional career, but it was definitely not Saint Siro.
Just like that, in the freezing cold of winter, Albertini left Milanello alone and signed a new contract with Lazio—a contract for two years, with an annual salary of one million, two hundred and fifty pounds after taxation. From then on, he completely took off the red and black AC Milan jersey, changing into SS Lazio's blue eagle jersey.
What he hadn't expected was that his career at SS Lazio only would continue for one season before coming to a premature end. Due to the financial difficulties of the club, Lazio had to put many players up for sale. Hence, Albertini, who had been deemed ”old and frail,” naturally became part of their purge list as well. Even if Lazio had not intended to let Albertini go, his agent, Branchini, had already intended to leave the club.
After all, Atlanta United, a team that had recently been promoted to Serie A, had just sent an invitation to his player.
If the Englishman had not appeared, perhaps they would have had to agree to Atlanta United's terms.
But now that Tony Twain had brought his Italian translator along and given them an even more alluring invitation. This included a core position in Nottingham Forest, an annual salary that was no lower than the one he was promised in Lazio (not inclusive of the various cash prizes), the chance to participate in the UEFA Europa League, and a ”2+1” contract (which spanned two years and could possibly extend for another year) that was subject to both the player's condition and the number of matches played in the final year of the contract.
Albertini and Branchini whispered to each other before his agent raised his head and spoke to Tang En. ”Deme wants to know, why did you specially come all the way from England to invite him, a player who is already preparing for his retirement, to join your team?”
The fact that the agent had dared to ask that question showed that Tang En stood a chance. Elated, Tang En said, ”Although we are a newly-promoted team, the same as Atlanta United, Nottingham Forest's goal is not merely to remain in the Premier League. We have greater plans. Does Atlanta United have the participating rights to this season's UEFA Europa League? We do! Moreover, Nottingham Forest is currently made up mostly of young players. Therefore, I strongly believe that your experience is what Nottingham Forest needs the most, Deme. Moreover, I think that… Deme, considering retirement at thirty-two years-old is simply too early! The thirty-two year-old Paolo Maldini is still the team captain of AC Milan, and the thirty-two year-old Rijkaard once led a group of youngsters to win the Champions League…And you, Deme, will have these kinds of chances now, too. I'm not lying.”
Tang En had used two of the most important players in Milan's history to illustrate his point. Since they were realistic examples that Albertini was very familiar with, they had a considerable impact on him.
Albertini remained silent for a while longer before saying, ”I've heard that Italian football players tend to be unhappy in England.”
”Oh, no.” Tang En shook his head and continued. ”Just think about Zola and Vialli. Zola was the best foreign player in Chelsea's history, and in the ten years that he played in the Premier League, the number of times that he received the ”best foreign player” award was second only to Cantona. That kind of achievement can't be considered poor, Deme. I believe that you won't fare any worse than them. Moreover, what does Atlanta United have that attracts you? Their jerseys will only remind you of AC Milan.”
Although that reasoning might appear trivial, it really could be the deciding factor.
Tang En was right; Atlanta's jerseys for their home games were black and blue striped. If they changed the sponsor's name that was imprinted on the front of their jerseys, there would be little difference between the jerseys of AC Milan and Atlanta United, especially from a distance. Albertini was an ardent supporter of AC Milan. Even when the club made clear to him their decision to abandon him during the 02-03 season, Albertini still said, ”If I must leave, I hope that I can continue playing in another country. I don't wish to fight against Milan.” In the end, he went to play for Atletico Madrid.
Even though Albertini still ended up going to Lazio the next season, Tang En believed that it was because he simply had no choice. No other foreign clubs wanted him, so in order to continue playing football, he could only choose to be loaned to Lazio by Milan in exchange for Pancario, whom Ancelotti had taken a liking to. That was perhaps the last contribution he could make to AC Milan.
With better terms than Atlanta United, the manager's high opinion of and trust in him, as well as not needing to deal with the psychological burden of facing off against AC Milan, Tang En firmly believed that Albertini already belonged to him. So Tang En said no more as he quietly waited for a reply from the person seated opposite him.
Upon hearing Tang En finish, Albertini shut his eyes. For Albertini, the future, which he had thought was fixed, was suddenly met with new changes. How should he actually spend this last stretch of his professional career?