327 Impressions Part 1 (1/2)
Tang En handed over the matter of Anelka to Allan Adams to deal with. He did not ask further questions. Allan would let him know whether it went through or not.
Meanwhile, Tang En threw himself into the team's training and other signings.
As Tang En could find no better alternative as a substitute for Forest's defensive midfielder, he decided not to let Gunnarsson go. Despite his abilities being much too lacking in comparison with George Wood and having a very limited effect on the field when he was required as a substitute, Tang En took into account that his plan barely involved fielding Gunnarsson. Unless Wood was rash, Gunnarsson would likely have very few chances to play. Letting him remain in the team was only to deal with any accidents that might occur.
Although Forest had spent four million pounds to acquire Pepe, Tang En's reformation of the defensive line was not yet complete. For a team that wished to conquer the UEFA Champions League, Tang En deeply understood the importance of defense. In fact, in the recent decade, almost all the final victors of the Champions League depended on their defense, and not offense, to win. In such league competitions, only a team possessing great defense would go far.
Tang En felt that Forest was still lacking a well-rounded player who could play several positions; in other words, a utility player. Such players did not need particularly outstanding abilities. Instead, they had to be able to quickly adjust to whatever position they were playing and perform at their usual level.
It was challenging to find someone capable of that.
Even after racking his brain and agonizing over it, he could not think of any suitable person to play as a substitute for Forest.
At first, he had had his eye on younger players. Due to Tang En's habits when playing FM, wherein he often preferred using younger players, he became somewhat youth-oriented in his management. He hoped that the players he purchased were young and talented, with the ability to serve Forest for a long time. However, wasn't it wasteful to designate such a person as a substitute? Furthermore, if it was truly some football genius, which club would easily give them up to their opponents?
Tang En had been keen on Man City's young defender, Micah Richards. The youth, turning 17 next year, was still on Man City's Youth Team. Despite this, he had already attracted a lot of attention. Forest Team communicated their hopes of buying Richards to Man City and immediately got turned down. No matter how good the relationship between Stuart Pearce and Tang En was, it was beyond negotiation. Richards was to be the future star of Man City. Tang En had seen something in him that Stuart also saw.
Over the phone, Pearce honestly told Tang En that he could not sell Richards to any other team; the lad was going to become Man City's future. Currently, he was the captain of the Youth Team. In the future, however, he might just take on the same position on Man City's First Team.
Hearing this from Pearce, Tang En knew that he could dismiss all ideas of owning Richards. If he wanted to make a purchase, he might have to wait a few more years. But at that time, whether Richards could still perform up to the same standard and whether Forest would still be interested were both uncertain.
”…If that's the case, Pearce… I would like to purchase another player from Man City: Sun Jihai.”
Pearce's brows tightened when he heard the name. ”But he's one of our main players now.”
”Pearce, it's either Richards or Sun Jihai. You've got to at least give one of them to me, right? Or, you could loan Richards to me…”
Pearce paused briefly, and said, ”I'll need some time to consider this, Tony. Wait for my call.”
※※※
Sun Jihai was a name that Tang En casually had brought up. Of course, he knew that Sun Jihai was a main player in Man City. Other than having played only nine matches in the previous season due to his injury and illness, he had always been the leading choice to fill Man City's position of right back from the EFL to the Premier League. However, his recent comeback from recovery caused some doubt in his ability.
Tang En's aim was really to add the statement, ”or, you could loan Richards to me.” He felt that Pearce would not agree to sell Sun Jihai to him; after all, Man City still needed him right now. Richards, on the other hand, was on the Youth Team. It was not a bad idea to loan him out to Forest.
Tang En's mind was relentlessly fixed on Richards. However, the news of his intended purchase of Sun Jihai became known to the all-pervasive media. China's media, naturally, had the biggest reaction to it:
A team who has attained the qualifications for the UEFA Champions League is intending on bringing in Chinese player, Sun Jihai, to enhance the positions of their left and right back. This is something worthy of Chinese pride - should the transaction be successful, Sun Jihai will become the first Chinese player to appear on the European competition scene.
As such, the transaction, which had yet to even be decided, was already being stirred up by the Chinese media. Within a remarkably short time, it had already gotten to the point of the Chinese being utterly convinced that Sun Jihai was going to join Nottingham Forest.
From this, Tang En managed, once again, to experience the passion of China.
”Just this afternoon alone, I've had 17 phone calls requesting an interview. There were some who wanted to interview me directly, and some who wanted to get confirmation from the club about the news… On their end, they're almost at the point of reporting that 'Sun Jihai has already joined Nottingham Forest.' Only now do they remember to learn the actual news!”
Tang En patted the stack of papers in his hands as he spoke to Dunn beside him. ”Your Chinese comrades are sure full of passion…”
Dunn smiled. ”Aren't they also yours?”
”Ah. My apologies. I got too much into the role.” Tang En scratched his head.
Dunn turned back to retrieve a videotape from the recorder labeled ”Sun Jihai” on its side. He passed it to Tang En.
”He fits your requirements very well indeed. He can play almost all the positions on the defensive line, as well as defensive midfielder and side midfielder… If you're willing, he can even play as a forward.”
Tang En took the tape and shook his head. ”Of course, I know all that. I watched him play earlier than you did… But, I don't think that Pearce would be willing to give Sun Jihai to us. They don't have that many player options for right back.”
After a look from Dunn, Tang En hastily raised his hands in surrender. ”Okay, fine. I'll be honest. I didn't want Sun Jihai. My mind is set on Richards. I only want to make Pearce understand that while they can't do without Sun Jihai for now, they are able to loan Richards to us…”
”Then what are you frowning about?”
Tang En pursed his lips. ”I'm worried about how I should manage the Chinese media. Their passion is hot. Should I tell them honestly that I was just kidding?”
”Deal with it perfunctorily,” Dunn said as he busied with choosing a tape. In response, Tang En just shot him a look.