Chapter 1076: King of Telecommunications!

Today, Chelsea happened to not have a match, so the team trained at Stamford Bridge.

But even if there had been a match, they probably would not have done well.

When Xia Yu and Elton Colin arrived at Chelsea Football Club, Elton Colin ordered someone to notify the team's head coach, John Neal.

John Neal, who was coaching the players in training, received the notification and immediately ordered the players to train freely, before hurrying back to the club's office building.

When he saw Xia Yu standing next to Elton Colin, John Neil was very surprised, but he didn't have time to think much about it and quickly walked towards Xia Yu and Elton Colin.

'Hello, Mr. Elton Colin!'

'Hello, sir, I am John Neil, the head coach of Chelsea's first team.'

'Coach Neil, it's a pleasure to meet you!'

Xia Yu said with a smile, and while he was talking, he also offered his hand to John Neil.

John Neal immediately shook Xia Yu's hand and said hello.

At this time, Elton Colin introduced Xia Yu to John Neal: 'Coach Neal, this is our director of Bright Foundation, Mr. Xia Yu. He is the one who ordered the acquisition of Chelsea, and from today onwards, he will be the chairman of Chelsea Football Club!'

What Elton Colin said was exactly what Xia Yu had told him to say on the way here.

His public identity is the director of Bright Foundation, not the chairman or boss.

His sudden decision to become the chairman of Chelsea Football Club was also based on a number of considerations, and the benefits far outweighed the disadvantages.

Learning that Xia Yu's real identity was the club's chairman, John Neal's attitude became even more respectful, and he once again greeted Xia Yu.

'Coach Neal, are the players and management team here?'

'Yes, they are all training at Stamford Bridge.'

'Gather them all together, I want to meet with them.'

'Is there a meeting room here?'

'Yes, I'll show you.'

...

Although the players and management team were surprised by Xia Yu's age and skin colour, they were very tactful, after all, Xia Yu was the chairman of their club.

Although most of the players on the team, including the head coach, would be replaced, Xia Yu did not tell them this. He simply told them to continue as usual for the time being, as he was mainly focusing on resolving the remaining problems at Chelsea Football Club.

There was no choice. Chelsea had now fallen into the relegation zone, and if unrest continued, the results would get even worse. Even if Alex Ferguson was brought in later, it would not necessarily fill the hole.

For now, the priority is to stabilise the situation.

After stabilising the troops, Xia Yu informed everyone that a press conference would be held in the afternoon, and asked John Neale to prepare a large enough venue.

After that, Xia Yu returned to the company.

Elton Colin, on the other hand, urgently went to the Mirror Group. According to Xia Yu's orders, there could be no mistakes at the afternoon press conference, and public opinion must be controlled in the next few days.

Not long after Xia Yu sat down, George Berkeley came to report to him again.

It turned out to be a matter of equity transfer of the Hong Kong branch of Datong Telecom.

The parent company Datong Telecom transferred 35.7% of the 45.7% equity it held at a price of 132 million Hong Kong dollars, and retained 10% for itself as a link for business cooperation.

Xia Yu's Jiuding Industrial Group in Hong Kong would hold 67% of the equity of the Hong Kong branch of Datong Telecom, giving it absolute control.

In this way, Xia Yu has completed the de facto absolute control of the two major telecommunications companies in Hong Kong.

As long as the Hong Kong government does not issue any more telecommunications operating licenses, then he will be the king of Hong Kong telecommunications!

...

It was already 4:00 p.m.

The temporary press conference site was set up in the lobby of Chelsea Football Club.

As Xia Yu emerged from behind the scenes and strode up to the podium, the scene began to stir, and the flashbulbs went off continuously.

'Hello everyone, I am Elton Collin, the manager of Bright Fund, which is responsible for the acquisition of Chelsea Football Club, and I welcome you all to this press conference.'

'First of all, I would like to formally introduce the person next to me, our company director, Mr Xia Yu, who was recently knighted by Her Majesty the Queen. From today, he will be the chairman of Chelsea Football Club.'

As Elton Collin finished speaking, Xia Yu's gentle voice came through the microphone and filled the room: 'Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon, I am Xia Yu.'

'Welcome to the Chelsea Football Club press conference!'

'Clap, clap, clap...'

Elton Collin, John Neal and the others led the applause, and the reporters in the audience followed suit.

'Honourable Sir Xia, why did you choose to acquire Chelsea Football Club?'

Seeing a reporter stand up impatiently to ask a question, Xia Yu smiled and said, 'Because Chelsea has a fine tradition and its potential is unlimited. Although its performance is currently unstable, that's only because I haven't arrived yet.'

The domineering words spoken in a calm tone made the eyes of the reporters in the audience light up, and the assistant responsible for taking notes quickly took them down.

'Next!'

'Honourable Sir Xia, could you please tell us the details of the acquisition?'

'Of course.'

'Our company acquired Chelsea Football Club for £1, taking on the corresponding debt. In addition, we acquired the Stamford Bridge Assets Company for £2.2 million...'

'Sir, what are your plans for Chelsea Football Club?'

'We will pay off the debts of the club and Stamford Bridge Assets Company in full, relieving the club of its burden. Stamford Bridge Assets Company will then be merged with the club, so that the club will no longer have to worry about the lease of the stadium.'

'And we are prepared to make the first capital injection into the club, with 10 million pounds, mainly for stadium renovations, transfer market operations and improving staff benefits.'

'In the past, the renovation of Stamford Bridge has been ongoing for four years and has not been completed, which has seriously affected the team's performance and the enjoyment of the fans. We are prepared to completely complete the stadium renovation by 1983!'

'Dear Sir Nigel...'

...

Most of the journalists present were from various newspapers owned by the Mirror Group, and they had all received tips before coming, so the order of the entire press conference was well maintained, and there were no sharp questions.

Between the questions and answers, all the important information was clearly explained, and it was full of explosive points.

The entire press conference lasted nearly 40 minutes and ended successfully.

The journalists, who could no longer wait, immediately rushed to their respective newspapers.

The first to benefit were of course some evening newspapers, which were rushed through the editing process and delivered to newsstands just in time.

As the crowds of people leaving work bought their newspapers, details about Chelsea Football Club began to spread, and the response was greatest among Chelsea fans.

Although the new club president was a Chinese, and the racial issue made some arrogant Britons uncomfortable, fortunately Xia Yu also wore the title of 'newly knighted' on his head, which offset most of the prejudice for him.

Of course, what excited the fans most was that they saw the hope of Chelsea's rise from the Bright Foundation's generous donation.

The Stamford Bridge stadium now belonged entirely to Chelsea, and together with the debts paid, the new owner had paid out 17 million pounds to Chelsea upon arrival, which was a huge sum.

Even if the 7 million pounds paid off the debts were deducted, the remaining 10 million pounds of capital injection would have to cover the stadium renovation costs, but at least 7 million pounds would still be left.

If this 7 million pounds is invested in the transfer market, it will be incredible. You have to know that Liverpool's current top scorer Ian Rush only cost 300,000 pounds when he was signed last year, and this price also broke the British record for the value of under-20 players.

Now the transfer price of top stars is only 500,000 to 600,000 pounds, 7 million pounds is definitely enough for Chelsea to build a luxury squad!

Chelsea's hopes of rising to the top are here!

The next morning, as the major daily newspapers went on sale, Chelsea's news was not limited to London, but was also followed in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Unlike the surprise of the fans and the onlookers, the mood of the English football clubs with the most direct competitive relationship was the most complex. Some were like facing a great enemy, afraid that their star players would be targeted, and of course there was more envy and jealousy, privately ridiculing Chelsea as a nouveau riche and a disgrace to London.

But Chelsea fans don't care about this, as long as Chelsea has the hope of rising.

In this boiling public opinion, Elton Colin found Alex Ferguson and invited him to go to Chelsea to take the position of head coach.

There is no doubt that Aberdeen, although it is one of the major cities in Scotland, is definitely not comparable to London, and the intensity of competition in the English football world is also higher than that in the Scottish football world.

Alex Ferguson has stayed in Scotland since his playing days and becoming a coach, and the English football world has a certain attraction for him.

Not to mention that Chelsea Football Club has now undergone drastic changes and has the foundation to become a powerhouse.

And this is also the beneficial influence of Xia Yu's high-profile operation of Chelsea.

In Xia Yu's plan, Chelsea will also follow this path to become a powerhouse, making Chelsea a holy land in world football. At that time, as long as Chelsea extends an olive branch, the world's best players will be unable to resist the temptation to go to Chelsea...

In the end, after Elton Collin's sincere persuasion, Alex Ferguson decided to make a request. He wanted to meet with the chairman of Chelsea Football Club.

Elton Collin decisively agreed, contacted Xia Yu, and after considering that Aberdeen had a match coming up soon and Alex Ferguson, the head coach, could not be away, Xia Yu set the meeting place in Glasgow, Scotland.

Xia Yu, who had just returned from Glasgow, had to board a plane to Scotland again.

The meeting was to take place at his newly purchased home, Brock Castle.

...

Alex Ferguson, in the prime of his life, was in good spirits. At the time, he did not wear glasses and did not have the scholarly air of later years.

'Mr Ferguson, welcome!'

'Sir Alex, I'm honoured to receive your invitation!'

'Please sit down!'

'What would you like?'

'A black coffee, please!'

'Okay, just a moment!'

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two men grew closer and Alex Ferguson relaxed a little.

Xia Yu wasted no time and got straight to the point, saying to him, 'Coach Ferguson, Elton Colin should have told you something. You know, he first recommended three coaches to me: Bob Paisley, Brian Clough and Tony Barton. I'm not bragging, but apart from the soon-to-retire Bob Paisley, I'm confident that I can get the other two coaches to come to Chelsea.'

'But I didn't!'

'I think you are the commander Chelsea needs most, you are no worse than any of them!'

Hearing Xia Yu's high praise like this, Alex Ferguson was flattered.

Although he has always been very confident, he also knows the gap between him and these three legendary English managers.

He also did not doubt Xia Yu's strength, because he used the limited time yesterday to inquire about the strength of the Brightness Fund. Yesterday, he was shocked!

So Xia Yu's high regard for him has also changed his mentality a lot.

'Sir Alex, thank you for your recognition of me.'

'I would like to ask, if I join Chelsea, how much support can you give me?'

After asking, Alex Ferguson's gaze fixed on Xia Yu.

Alex Ferguson's directness also gave Xia Yu greater confidence.

He looked directly at Alex Ferguson and solemnly said, 'Coach Ferguson, we Chinese have an old saying, 'Trust those you don't doubt, and don't trust those you doubt!

'If you become the manager of Chelsea, I will give you the greatest authority in the entire English football world!'

'In addition to the management of the team, I will also give you full transfer rights!'

'You don't need to worry about funding, you don't need to worry about the commercial operations of the team, and I don't care if the club makes a profit!'

'You can buy whichever star player you want, even if you set the transfer prices for the entire football world's starting eleven!'

Alex Ferguson was shocked, staring at Xia Yu, moved by the feeling in his heart.

On the pitch, a football team has eleven players. Xia Yu's metaphor was telling him that

if he wanted, he could build a team with the world's best players in every position!

This level of support was unprecedented!

He could not help but be moved by this trust!

Xia Yu looked at Alex Ferguson quietly, waiting for him to calm down.

When he saw him come back to his senses, Xia Yu smiled and asked, 'Coach Ferguson, I hope you can personally build Chelsea into the world-famous Blues, and end your coaching career at Chelsea.'

'Are you willing?'

Alex Ferguson took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: 'Sir Xia, thank you for your regard and trust in me, I am willing!'

Xia Yu smiled, stood up and extended his hand to Alex Ferguson: 'Coach Ferguson, welcome aboard!'

Alex Ferguson extended his hand and shook it firmly with Xia Yu.

After resitting,

The two men drew closer together.

Xia Yu smiled and said, 'Coach Ferguson, I haven't even mentioned your remuneration yet. I don't know much about the salary system in the English football world, but I can promise you that your salary will be the highest in the country.'

Alex Ferguson's smile grew wider, and he respectfully thanked him, "Thank you!'

Xia Yu continued, "Coach Ferguson, I hope that once you get back, you can immediately explain the situation to the chairman of Aberdeen FC and ask him to find a replacement coach as soon as possible.'

'The winter transfer window is coming up soon, so you can start looking for the players you need now. You can do whatever you want with the Chelsea team.'

'I don't have high expectations for this season. I only have two requirements: first, to get the team playing well together, and second, to get out of the relegation zone.'

'Of course, if we do get relegated by accident, there's nothing we can do about it. We'll just have to come back up next season.'

Xia Yu said this last sentence with a smile, his mind completely at ease.

However, Alex Ferguson solemnly assured him, 'Sir Xia, please rest assured, Chelsea will definitely not be relegated!'

He still had some confidence. If Chelsea were to be relegated despite Xia Yu's unlimited transfer rights, he would have no face left as a football coach!

'I'll see how you do!'

...

After dealing with the old lord, Xia Yu returned to London in a happy mood.

After returning, he also gave Elton Colin an additional position – Financial Manager of Chelsea Football Club – and explained his support for Alex Ferguson.

After everything was settled, Xia Yu took a short break and went to France in a low-key manner.

Successive events delayed his trip to France. It was almost December, and it was time to go!