Chapter 494: Chapter 2: Madman and Chen_2

“But there are still some hidden cameras.”

“I’ll find them.”

Mourinho’s expression was grave, his gaze like a knife sweeping across the Real Madrid players present.

Real Madrid has frequently leaked the team’s starting lineup in recent seasons. At first, no one cared, but as their predictions became increasingly accurate, it indicated a media information network within the team.

Mourinho is very wary of this matter; he won’t allow any premature leaks in his locker room.

To some extent, in the first leg between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Real Madrid lost so badly, while Bayern Munich played so aggressively.

It’s very likely because Real Madrid’s starting lineup had been leaked.

The opponent knew early on that Chen Zhong wouldn’t be playing, which is why they played so decisively, resulting in such an outcome.

Most Real Madrid players didn’t know what Mourinho was talking about, only Casillas’s expression was somewhat unusual, because he thought of his clingy little elf.

What Mourinho said in the locker room clearly impacted the Real Madrid players, as later, when people interviewed them, this matter was mentioned involuntarily.

“He’s been looking for the mole inside the team from the start.”

…

“I want everyone to be clear and aware of one thing.”

“Who actually calls the shots in the current team?”

“Whose rules does the current team need to follow?”

“On the training ground, I want to see your hard training.”

“And during assembly, I won’t wait for any of you, no matter how high-profile you are, no matter your status.”

Mourinho set many rules, such as players’ phones must be silent when riding the bus; injured players must arrive an hour early for the team doctor to check, and he won’t accept any player being late.

If a player fails to appear on the training ground on time, they will lose their training qualification.

Mourinho looked at Chen Zhong again, who still showed no reaction, and since Chen Zhong made no indication, the other players also didn’t react.

Finally, a smile appeared on Mourinho’s face, believing he had achieved a great victory and gained control of the locker room, signalling the imminent arrival of Mourinho’s era.

Now all he needed was to fill in the players he required.

Mourinho already had a rather detailed plan in his mind, similar to when he brought in Didier Drogba at Chelsea; he also had his eyes on a player named Big Eye Ozil.

This player, who doesn’t deserve a name, will become Real Madrid’s Drogba, Drogba in the midfield!

…

Meanwhile, as the locker room players were heading to the training ground, they silently gathered around Chen Zhong. At this time, Francisco also came to Chen Zhong’s side and handed over a list.

“This is the list of players Mourinho wants the club to bring in.”

Although Francisco only spoke one sentence, it conveyed multiple layers of meaning.

Mourinho had gained transfer authority, involving a power struggle at the top and his efforts, but Chen Zhong also had a certain say in it.

For example, if Mourinho wants a certain player and the club agrees, but if issues arise during the transfer that leads to failure, isn’t that quite normal?

Chen Zhong browsed through the player list, a privilege of Real Madrid’s locker room ’boss,’ which Raul had already had certain influence over player introductions back in Schuster’s time.

And now Chen Zhong, although far less experienced than Raul, possibly has even greater influence in terms of say.

After all, the degree of influence varies at different times.

Chen Zhong’s gaze landed on Big Eye Ozil because there was a detailed annotation beside this name; Mourinho particularly valued this player.

“I know him,” Marcelo interjected, “He performed well in the World Cup, an outstanding midfield organizer, a rising star.”

“But…” Negredo also came over, interjecting, “It kind of breaks the rules.”

Real Madrid has a rule for transfers, which is not to buy unknown players.

Every player you see at Real Madrid has had a shining season.

If they haven’t had a shining season, they are most likely club-trained players promoted locally.

And Big Eye Ozil, although he performed well in the World Cup, remains an unknown, not meeting Real Madrid’s recruitment standards, and bringing him in would break the club’s tradition.

As if knowing what Chen Zhong was thinking, Francisco provided a document on which there was a photo of Big Eye Ozil, a player with lizard-like eyes, looking somewhat cold.

“He is the team’s head coach.” After reading the information, Chen Zhong didn’t say much, only stating nonchalantly, “But we have Pirlo. Pirlo’s passing is more outstanding.”

Last season, Pirlo was left out in Real Madrid.

The only reason Pirlo didn’t leave was because Mourinho became Real Madrid’s new manager. Maybe because of the change in manager, he might have new opportunities.

Big Eye Ozil’s performance in the World Cup highlighted his precise passing.

Pirlo can definitely do better than him.

Francisco glanced at Chen Zhong, who, though he didn’t explicitly say, essentially sentenced Ozil to the cold bench with this statement.

Francisco also understood that Chen Zhong didn’t want Big Eye Ozil to join.

Originally, that would be the end of it.

But in the evening, Chen Zhong received some calls from domestic friends, discussing Big Eye Ozil’s recent outstanding World Cup performance, mentioning some of his inappropriate remarks.

At this time, Francisco also called and said, “Chen, Mourinho is very determined to bring in Big Eye Ozil, even at the cost of selling Pirlo.”

“He has already informed the club that in the new season, Pirlo is not part of his plans.”

“And he wants to bring in several players under Mendes’s agency.”

Chen Zhong hesitated for a moment, then said, “He insists on bringing in Big Eye Ozil?”

“Yes, the transfer fee can be settled for around 20 million Euros.”

“Does he know about this player’s recent remarks?”

“What remarks?” Francisco was a bit surprised. Obviously, domestic fans were more concerned about this, especially with Big Eye Ozil’s outstanding World Cup performance, gaining many new fans who like to dig deeply.

“I agree to bring in Big Eye Ozil.”

“What?” Francisco’s voice rose slightly.

With a versatile midfielder like Chen Zhong in Real Madrid, they only needed to fill any one of the offensive, organizational, or defensive midfield types, and Chen Zhong could automatically compensate for the other missing part.

A player like Big Eye Ozil, even with outstanding World Cup performance, without a proven season in the Champions League, fails to meet Real Madrid’s player standards.

A player like this coming to Real Madrid is bound to face enormous pressure. If they can handle it, fine; if not, they might well flounder.

Mourinho’s insistence on using Big Eye Ozil now is partly because he truly values this player, and partly to fight for his own power.

If Chen Zhong nodded in agreement, Big Eye Ozil’s signing would be almost certain.

But, why do it?

Francisco somewhat couldn’t understand, and Chen Zhong’s next words puzzled him even more.

“I agree to Big Eye Ozil’s joining.”

“It’s best to give him a long contract.”

“Then add a priority renewal clause.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep