Chapter 5 Wire Rope

With four wins and one draw in five warm-up games, Simon? The pressure on Grayson has suddenly become much less, and Barcelona fans are now starting to feel the team's momentum that is different from previous seasons, and the level of these new arrivals is also quite high, and the overall strength of the team is indeed a step stronger than last season.

Simon? Grayson still has a lot of money in his hands, although he bought the top ten stars in the transfer market, spending 220 million euros, and the fire sale players also exchanged 110 million for Barcelona, the net investment inside and outside is only a little more than 100 million. Grayson has prepared a whopping 500 million euros for Russell, which is really not too much, and "Brutal Simon" is now fully capable of buying any star in his picture in the world.

But Simon? Grayson didn't think about spending all this money, he didn't feel the need for that, and he was satisfied with the overall quality of Barcelona, although there were only 22 players in the first team, but the overall quality and quality of these players were almost the same as when he was in charge of Manchester United.

500 million euros...... It doesn't take that much!

In fact, Russell gave Simon at the beginning? It was also very difficult for Grayson to prepare such a large amount of money, and at that time, it was mainly because of Simon? Grayson will definitely go to Manchester United to poach Shaq after entering Barcelona, so he prepared such a large amount of money, and was able to buy Shaq for only 80 million pounds and 92 million euros, which really made Russell feel that he had picked up a big bargain.

Although Barcelona actually paid more than 150 million euros to get Shaq, they will have to pay Shaq an annual salary of 31 million euros per year for the next five years, about 40 million before taxes, a total of 200 million for five years, and each season will increase by 10% compared to the previous season. In the final season, he will even have to pay Shaq 45 million euros in after-tax salary, for which Barcelona will have to pay 60 million euros, and with all the bonuses, Barcelona will have to pay 500 million euros for Shaq in the next five years.

But this money can be exchanged for the most exciting five years of the world's recognized third "football king", which can make Barcelona dominate world football in the next five years, and Rosell and Barcelona's management have no sense of loss.

Take a look at Shaq's performance in the warm-up game. That horrible goalscoring ability, that dominance on the pitch, it's really worth the money.

The strength of the top ten stars has been preliminarily affirmed, Simon? Grayson's ability to lead the team has also been unanimously recognized by La Masia, but Russell and other management are still a little dissatisfied, really just a little bit...... relationship between "Brutal Simon" and fans.

Barcelona fans have been able to remain calm now, after all, they want to keep Messi, Sanchez, Iniesta and other stars only because they trust these stars, and now that the new top 10 stars have been able to support the team, they are not so entangled. But secretly there is still an undercurrent surging, once Simon? If Grayson's team doesn't have a good record, the guys who are waiting in the shadows are going to jump out.

Now Simon? Grayson's relationship with the fans is like that of a tightrope, and if anything goes wrong, he could fall into a predicament from which he will never recover.

But even so, "Brutal Simon" still didn't get honest, and the best coach in world football today began to toss again............

It's late August. The first round of La Liga is just a few days away, and Barcelona's first official game is just around the corner. Barcelona, which was empty of the big four last season, did not have any games like the Super Cup, and they went straight up to start playing in the league.

But at this time, in the training base of Gamble Sports City, which integrates football, basketball, volleyball and other ball sports, "Brutal Simon" has a new move.

Originally, last season's Barcelona captain was Pique, and the vice-captain was Cesc Fabregas, but now Pique has been abandoned by "Brutal Simon". Cesc Fabregas chose to take a pay cut to stay, and it stands to reason that Fabregas should take over as captain, but this time there was an accident.

On August 23, just three days before Barcelona's first round away match against Hercules, after the morning training. Simon? Grayson left Cesc Fabregas on the training ground.

The two of them walked quietly around the green field, and no one said a word, Simon? Grayson's silence made Fabregas a little flustered, he felt that something should happen to his detriment, his feelings for Barcelona were really deep, and they had already penetrated into his soul!

This can be seen from Cesc Fabregas's desperate departure from Arsenal to return to Camp Nou, and a while ago he accepted a salary cut to stay. Grayson has felt Cesc Fabregas' loyalty to Barcelona.

But this time...... I wouldn't be treated like Simon did with Leonel and Gerrard...... Give up, right?

When Cesc Fabregas was flustered, Simon? Grayson finally spoke: "Francisco, I want Shaq to be the captain of the team, what do you think?" ”

Belch!

Cesc Fabregas was stunned, how...... It's about the captain of the team!?

Fabregas, who had not eased up for a while, could not answer immediately, he thought for a while, and was suddenly surprised to find that although he and Shaq had not been together for a long time, it had not been a month, but he actually had a sense of awe and convincing for Shaq.

The first requirement for a player to be the captain of a team is that he can lead the team to victory, and be able to lead the team to fight back with tenacious fighting spirit when the team is in trouble.

After less than a month of frenzied media hype, Barcelona's players and fans are now familiar with Shaq's past experience, Fabregas recalled it, and he found that Shaq seemed to be really impeccable in guiding the team to victory, and he was even able to lead the LinkedIn Gran team all the way to the world championship in the World Cup, so ...... It seems that it is no problem to be the captain of Barcelona!

After thinking about it, Fabregas nodded vigorously: "Coach." I think Shaq has the ability to lead the team, maybe he can't fully control the team right now, but I believe he can do it in his own way...... That is, to score goals, to guide the team to victory, the future ...... He can surely become the greatest captain in the history of the Barcelona team. ”

Simon? Grayson laughed, he had told his players early in the morning. Everyone can call him "Boss", or they can call him "Mr. and Coach", but at present, except for the top ten stars he personally bought, no one has called him "Boss".

Still, Simon? Grayson is still very satisfied with Fabregas's answer, although he also feels that it is a bit too much to put Shaq in the position so early, and both himself and Shaq will face huge pressure from all sides, but Simon? Grayson was confident he could overcome everything, but Cesc Fabregas's performance did make Simon? Grayson was satisfied. The midfield superstar, who is extremely loyal to Barcelona, has indeed given a very objective analysis.

"Francisco, Shaq is still a little younger, he has no shortage of ability, but his momentum is a little too much, so ...... He needs your help, you're currently the most prestigious player in the team and I want you to help Shaq lead this team as vice-captain. ”

"Vice-Captain?"

Cesc Fabregas was stunned. He also thought that his position as vice captain would be deprived, but he didn't expect it to be his own.

Simon? Grayson laughed, "Francisco." You don't think I'm just an old guy who only knows how to mess around, like some media outlets, right? When Shaq charges ahead, he's in need of a strong support behind him, and you're clearly the right fit. This season, you and Ganso will be the heart of the team's midfield, and in the midfield position, Sergio and Lorenzo will have to see who is in better form. Ganso's talent in attack is adequate, but in terms of controlling the big picture, controlling the tempo. He can't do it yet! However, you ...... Francisco, you've got enough experience in the game, you've got enough leadership skills, you've got perfect technique and awareness. I knew from the time you played in England at the back that you were going to be a very good midfield commander, but you didn't get enough chances when you came back to Barcelona, but now ...... Put your best and most powerful foot forward! Then, join Shaq to claim all the glory you deserve! ”

Looking at Simon with a serious face? Grayson, Cesc Fabregas was suddenly moved, he found himself desperate to return to Barcelona, it seemed that what he had been waiting for was "the brutal Simon", he ...... It's your own Bole!

"Boss, I'm ...... I'll do my best! ”

Fabregas was so excited that he couldn't help but shout out a title that he thought was impossible to say.

Cesc Fabregas has always felt that his most suitable role is actually the midfield commander, but before Xavi, then Andres Iniesta and Messi, so he simply didn't have enough opportunities to prove his football acuity, but now ...... Simon? Grayson gave him that chance!

And listen to Simon? Grayson's words, this season he is going to become the absolute main force of the team, the previous Barcelona managers did not do this, those people seem to trust Iniesta more, even if Cesc Fabregas has become Barcelona's vice-captain, but he still only makes about 30 appearances for Barcelona every season, which is not the number of appearances that an absolute main player should have.

Simon? Grayson patted Cesc Fabregas on the shoulder: "Francisco, your playing career may not be very long, cherish these last few years and realize your dreams!" If you have any questions in the future, you can come to my office and find me, okay, let's go to the restaurant for lunch! ”

Another pat on the shoulder of Fabregas, Simon? Grayson turned and walked away.

Cesc Fabregas stood there motionless, he looked at Simon? Grayson's back was far away, and he suddenly found that "Brutal Simon" was really not as wild and brutal as the outside world said, he just used the fastest and fastest way to control the team in less than a month after becoming the head coach of Barcelona.

Tightrope!?

What nonsense! (To be continued......)