Football Dynasty

Chapter 591 591: New Jersey and New Sponsorship Agreement

The FA Charity Shield was over, and the media's focus quickly returned to the club's transfer activity. As one of the favorites in the Premier League and a potential underdog in next season's UEFA Champions League, Manchester City naturally found their summer signings under intense scrutiny.According to the press, City's recruitment this year felt underwhelming. It was hard not to reminisce about the early days when Richard first took charge of the club and turned City into one of the highest-spending teams in England, splashing over ten million pounds in a single summer and lifting morale across the club.

But over the next four years, City either signed only two or three players or made virtually no investment in the transfer market.

Now, as a financially healthy club—thanks to a significant player sale, increased revenue from the new Premier League broadcasting deal, and the anticipated income from competing in the Champions League—fans expected bold moves. No one could have guessed that Manchester City, with their deep pockets, would end up spending less than five million pounds on relatively unknown players this summer.

Vítor Baía, people understood. Even though he had only recently returned from injury, the first-choice goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, needed real competition.

But then the questions began.

The club next transfer. Who exactly was Ricardo Kaká? Another Brazilian? Was he as skillful as Ronaldo Nazário or Ronaldinho?

Indeed, after Reinaldo Pitta and Alexandre Martins recommended Kaká, it didn't take Richard long to contact São Paulo and arrange the transfer to City. In fact, Kaká is currently under close monitoring by the Manchester City medical team and is not allowed to play more than 30 minutes.

The club physios, David Fevre and Andreas Schlumberger with Richard, Mourinho, Villas-Boas who oversaw the youth team's development, closely monitored Kaká's situation.

Richard, he trusted his core staff immensely when it came to player development, ability assessment, and form evaluation. Whenever he needed to adjust the lineup or consider players who were not regular starters, their opinions were the first he sought.

"Ricardo Kaká—if you only watch him in training, you might think he's a genius. Technically, physically, in terms of movement and teamwork, he seems flawless. But I would focus on resolving his injury one hundred percent first. After that, we can begin his proper recovery and reintegration into match play." David Fevre said.

His words were pragmatic. He would never make rash recommendations simply because a player was talented; that would be unprofessional and could jeopardize the player's performance. When it came to player management, realism was his guiding principle.

"Considering what he's just been through, it's the only sensible approach," Andreas Schlumberger continued.

Richard and the others nodded in agreement and said nothing further. You can't force these things. For a player recovering from a spinal injury, rushing the process is the worst thing you can do. It is not like a hamstring or an ankle. It's the body's central support system. Every sprint, every turn, every jump, every physical duel puts pressure through that area. Even a slight imbalance, a mistimed landing, or a sudden collision can trigger pain, inflammation, or—worse—a relapse.

He nodded. "I'll leave him in your care."

It was not easy to convince Kaká's family. With his father working as a civil engineer, they could certainly afford the treatment—but committing to long-term rehabilitation in a foreign country was another matter entirely. What they needed was trust, and Richard had no intention of wasting it. Given the club's reputation for taking exceptional care of its players, they eventually felt reassured enough to say yes.

The next assessment concerned Jonathan Woodgate. This once-fallen prodigy had shown signs of revival during City's pre-season tour in Japan, but whether he could rise again in the English league was still anyone's guess.

This made Richard furrow his brow. "He seemed fearful of contact. How is he now? In the Premier League, regardless of size, physicality is a basic requirement."

In the Japan matches, Woodgate indeed tended to avoid physical confrontations, and the shadow of his injury still seemed to weigh on him. This made many people doubt whether he was ready to return to full competition.

Mourinho replied, "It depends on the role we give him. If we judge him purely on physicality, he's not the ideal choice. My plan is to shape him into a sweeper, playing behind the two main center backs. His technical ability is good, and his reading of the game and overall vision are exceptional. His only real weakness is physicality. So, he wouldn't be a direct replacement for Thuram or Cannavaro, but if we deploy him just behind the back line to cover spaces and secure second balls, he could be very effective."

Richard looked surprised. "You want to play with five defenders?"

"Probably," Mourinho shrugged, "but it's better to have as many tactical options as possible."

"What's the standard for that weakness?" Richard asked with a frown.

Mourinho thought for a moment before replying, "It becomes noticeable against Premier League sides whose forwards rely more on skill and movement than sheer physical confrontation. As I said before, he's more of a positional defender. In a well-organized defensive structure, his reading of the game and positioning are his greatest strengths. He shouldn't be treated as the main physical anchor at the back, but as a crucial piece in the overall defensive puzzle."

Richard understood. Woodgate was not meant to be the star of the defense, but the kind of player who allowed the stars around him to perform at their best.

"What do you think?" Richard asked his two physios for their opinion.

"I would focus first on helping him fully overcome his psychological hesitation. If we rush him, he won't play naturally. He'll second-guess every challenge and position himself half a step away from danger. In the Premier League, that half step is enough to be exposed.

The priority is not just physical recovery, but rebuilding his confidence in contact—gradually reintroducing controlled duels in training and allowing him to relearn that his body can handle impact again. Only when he stops thinking about it will he be ready to compete at the highest level."

After a few more minutes of discussion, they reached a decision: Woodgate would be promoted to the first team for the new season. The idea, for now, was to give him more time and see if he could gradually overcome his psychological hesitation in physical duels over the course of the season.

Richard turned to a staff nearby. "Ask Woodgate to come to my office."

The message reached the training ground within minutes.

When Woodgate heard his name, his stomach tightened. He wiped his palms on his training shorts without realizing it. He took a breath, knocked twice, and waited.

Finally, after the nightmare, the moment had arrived. Once hailed as a prodigy and now earning just three thousand pounds a week at City—less than the starting wages at many lower-half Premier League clubs—he had learned the value of contentment.

The fall had humbled him. Compared to the prospect of drifting through his career at a smaller club, he felt profoundly grateful to be here. That gratitude settled deep within him, carrying with it a quiet determination to repay the faith the club had placed in him.

In the office were Richard, Villas-Boas, and Mourinho. Woodgate greeted them first, then wiped the sweat from his face, glancing back and forth between the three men.

Richard nodded toward Mourinho. "He's under you. You tell him."

Mourinho gave a small smile. "For the upcoming season, you'll be training with the first team."

For a split second, Woodgate's chest tightened. Excitement surged through him, but he forced it down with visible effort.

He inhaled slowly, nodded, and said in an even tone, "Is that all? Then I'll get back to training."

"Yes. Carry on," Mourinho replied.

Woodgate turned immediately and jogged back toward the training pitch without another word.

The door closed.

Villas-Boas stared at it in disbelief before looking at Richard and Mourinho. "Does he not want to be in the first team? That was the reaction of someone being told the weather forecast."

Richard exhaled quietly. "Adversity changes people. Don't let his age fool you—he's more mature than most of his peers."

He leaned back slightly.

"He used to be a prodigy. Now he sees himself as just another player. In his mind, being promoted means nothing unless he proves he belongs there. That's why he went straight back to training."

Richard's voice softened.

"Never underestimate how quickly a fall from promise to doubt can reshape a young player's spirit."

Mourinho nodded in agreement, "Right, that mindset is crucial. Let's move forward; with Samuel Eto'o to Espanyol, and Ricardo Carvalho on loan to Vitória de Setúbal, If there are players who need to be loaned out for experience, consider it. Make a list for me. I've received quite a few loan requests from lower-tier clubs."

Next, André Villas-Boas and Mourinho discussed the youth players, determining their futures based on their own assessments. If Villas-Boas believed a player had reached first-team level, he would recommend them to Mourinho without delay. Conversely, if a player did not yet meet that standard, and the youth or reserve leagues were no longer suitable for their development, a loan move would be a prudent option. However, it was vital to find the most suitable environment for their growth.

These were the only two players Richard was familiar with, as their names were on his alert list, ensuring he would be notified immediately if anything happened involving them.

This task was far from easy, especially considering that Manchester City's first team was brimming with talent. The higher the level of the squad, the harder it became for youth players to break through. Some players who were already 18 years old could be starting regularly for teams in League One, yet they couldn't even make the bench for City's first team.

Of course, there was still room for growth. The purpose of loaning out is to uncover potential, but different players have different ceilings. If coaches determine some players have maxed out their potential yet still fall short of first-team standards, placing them on the transfer list to let them find suitable clubs where they can start their careers is also a good outcome. Perhaps in those mid-to-lower-tier teams, these players could gain recognition and carve out their own paths.

Done with club matters, Richard headed to his London InterContinental hotel late that afternoon.

After acquiring and managing the property, the five-star hotel in the heart of London had become one of his regular meeting venues. Inside a VIP suite, three men and three women sat around a round table. Fine wine and snacks were laid out before them as the meeting was already underway.

To Richard's left sat Miss Heysen, and to his right an elegant woman, Ms. Elena, an executive from British Airways. On the other side was Ms. Nina, a representative from Adidas. The remaining attendees were Taylor Smith from Barclays, and Rudis from Ladbrokes.

Apart from Miss Heysen and Miss Nina, everyone else at the table was there to explore a collaborative relationship with Manchester City.

The first matter of discussion was with Miss Nina from Adidas. Richard reviewed the documents she had brought—the finalized design for next season's jersey, refined after the prototype had been worn during the successful pre-season tour in Japan. The feedback from that tour had been overwhelmingly positive, and Adidas had moved quickly to polish the concept into a market-ready design.

Next was Ms. Elena, an executive from British Airways. With Manchester City now traveling frequently across Europe and beyond, the club had effectively become a VIP client for the airline. Discussions centered on premium travel arrangements, tailored scheduling, and long-term partnership benefits that would ensure the team's comfort and efficiency throughout a demanding season.

Taylor Smith from Barclays was a friend of Richard's. Barclays had recently launched an insurance product in partnership with Standard Chartered, which made his presence at the table even more relevant.

As everyone know, in professional football, insurance isn't optional—it's a financial safeguard built into how clubs operate.

When a club signs contracts worth millions with players, sponsors, and partners, it creates financial risks that must be covered. An insurance company steps in to absorb those risks so the club doesn't suffer severe financial damage when something goes wrong. In short, insurers are involved because they guarantee financial stability in the face of unpredictable events. That is why having an insurance partner was essential for the club.

As for Ladbrokes, their interest was straightforward: stadium advertising rights at Maine Road.

Richard frowned. "Maine Road?" he repeated, making sure he had heard correctly.

That only deepened his confusion. Since when did a profit-driven company like Ladbrokes agree to what was clearly a short-term deal with limited return? Stadium boards were valuable, but not valuable enough to justify the eagerness Rudis had shown during the meeting.

After the meeting, the atmosphere shifted into something more social. Besides the club's formal meetings, Richard often joined poker nights like this and even occasional book club gatherings hosted by Ms. Rowling.

Midway through a hand, Rudis—holding poor cards—folded early. He raised his glass toward Richard and asked in a seemingly casual tone, "I've heard several big clubs are circling Ronaldinho with serious offers. Is City really prepared to take the risk of keeping him?"

Richard didn't answer immediately. Only then did he realize that Ladbrokes had never really been interested in advertising space. So this was the real reason.

When a young player under twenty receives substantial offers, the decision to sell or not becomes a serious debate. Selling would bring significant transfer income—something that had happened before with players like Zidane, Cannavaro, and others. Not selling, however, carried its own risks. Many talented youngsters never fulfilled their promise. If he wasn't sold at a high price now, it could later be seen as a loss, potentially affecting the team's performance.

Richard placed a card on the table, pushed a stack of chips forward, and smiled. "What odds is Ladbrokes offering for Ronaldinho to transfer? I'd happily bet five million pounds that he stays. How about that?"

Rudis was momentarily speechless as the others burst into laughter. In the end, he simply shrugged. His real objective had already been achieved.

As the game moved into its final round, only Richard and the elegant Ms. Elena remained. With a calm smile, she pushed all her chips forward. "You're not going to ruin the mood, are you?"

Richard matched the bet without hesitation and revealed his hand.

Elena showed hers.

Richard lost.

"Thanks for that," Elena said with a soft chuckle.

Richard glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. Let's call it a night."