Chapter 10 – The Creator of Legends

Chapter 10 – The Creator of Legends

Yang Cheng truly wasn't worried.

Because he knew that the so-called Exceptional Talent hearing was, more often than not, a formality.

Not that the Home Office didn't take it seriously—but rather, because there was no clear standard for what qualified as "talent."

What defined a genius?

Youth training itself was a high-risk, high-investment endeavor. There were far more cautionary tales than success stories. So how exactly was "genius" supposed to be measured?

The truth was: it all came down to who was backing your claim.

If a club like Manchester United, Arsenal, or Chelsea said a player was a generational talent—who would dare say otherwise?

For lower-league clubs, however, the clause was essentially useless.

Yang Cheng remembered reading a statistic: from 2009 to 2015, over a span of six years, only 23 players outside the Premier League had successfully received work permits via the Exceptional Talent route.

Not because the Home Office or FA was deliberately blocking them, but because so few clubs even tried.

Clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two often had tiny scouting networks. Some didn't even fully cover England, let alone the EU or the rest of the world.

So how could they possibly identify non-EU talents worth pursuing?

Coming back to Modrić's case specifically:

Yang Cheng, as the club's representative, answered questions during the hearing regarding why he was bringing in Modrić.

He didn't hold back: "We rate Luka very highly. I believe he will become one of the best midfielders in the world."

As soon as he said it, Yang Cheng noticed that everyone in the room—including Vrbanović and Boban—turned their eyes to the thin and frail-looking Modrić.

It was obvious. No one could see that kind of future in this boy.

Just like Vrbanović had never understood why Yang Cheng would go to such lengths to secure him.

Only Modrić…

In his eyes, there was a deep, unshakable gratitude.

With Yang Cheng setting the tone, it was easy for Vrbanović and Boban to follow up, praising Modrić as a once-in-a-generation talent.

What did the future matter?

Yang Cheng had spent days preparing extensive documentation, which was now proving useful.

It thoroughly outlined Bayswater Chinese FC's tactics, and why Modrić's playing style was both critical and rare.

In short, Yang Cheng's message to the Home Office was clear:

This player is absolutely, unequivocally essential to us.

Of course, the hearing wouldn't give a decision on the spot.

So afterward, all they could do was wait.

That evening, Yang Cheng hosted a dinner with Vrbanović, Boban, Geoff Thompson, Mark Palios, and Sven-Göran Eriksson.

After all, he had the UEFA Executive Committee member and a legendary Croatian player in London—he had to make the most of it and strengthen ties with the FA's top brass.

Even if Thompson and Palios wouldn't be in those positions much longer.

There was always Brian Kidd.

…

If Yang Cheng had seemed relaxed about the hearing, then his meeting with Brian Kidd the next day was an entirely different story.

He took it very seriously.

That was a habit he had developed over years of coaching in his previous life.

If you trust someone, use them. If you doubt them, don't use them at all.

So interviews were crucial.

From outfit and demeanor to the flow of the conversation—Yang Cheng prepared everything meticulously.

Brian Kidd had long been known, even during his time at Manchester United, as a "nice guy."

And thanks to Yang Cheng's detailed prep—and his understanding of Kidd from a past life—he won Kidd over right from the start.

He opened with a reference to last night's dinner with Eriksson.

From there, the conversation naturally moved to England's national team, and then to broader discussions about English football.

Soon after, Yang Cheng brought up Kidd's experiences traveling across Europe to study at major clubs—a detail many fans had overlooked.

After the Heysel disaster in the late '80s, English football was banned from Europe.

And it was during that time that England began falling behind the continent in every way—club management, tactical systems, training methods.

Ferguson and Kidd, along with Manchester United, were among the first to go abroad and learn from Europe's elite.

It was one of the key reasons United dominated the early Premier League era in the '90s.

Back then, Ferguson and Kidd were the most respected coaching duo on the continent—the architects of the United dynasty.

Ferguson was the strict father; Kidd, the nurturing mother.

As for their fallout, Yang Cheng knew a bit about that too.

Their relationship had been rocky for years—only softening when Ferguson was hospitalized in retirement.

Ferguson felt betrayed; Kidd felt unappreciated.

Yang Cheng wasn't going to touch that landmine.

Instead, he kept the conversation focused on football—on what Kidd had learned in Europe, the problems English football now faced, and where Bayswater Chinese FC fit in.

…

"I believe European football is on the verge of another major transformation," Yang said.

"In Spain, more teams are using the 4-2-3-1 formation with double pivots—not just Irureta's Deportivo, but Benítez's Valencia as well. A club worth watching closely."

Kidd was visibly surprised.

He could see Yang was young, and as the club owner's son, he hadn't expected this level of insight into European football.

So Kidd let down his guard and began discussing things on a tactical level.

"Yes, 4-2-3-1 has been around for years in Spain. Valencia had great success under Héctor Cúper—reaching back-to-back Champions League finals—but always fell just short."

"Even after winning La Liga two years ago, they only finished fifth last season. This summer, they sold Kily González and striker Kluivert. Their squad doesn't look as strong."

He was telling the truth.

But Yang had a different take.

"With Baraja and Albelda anchoring midfield, Vicente on the left, and no major changes to the back line—as long as Aimar stays fit in the No. 10, and they find a competent striker, Benítez's team will surprise everyone."

Kidd paused. "You mean Mista or Ricardo Oliveira could be better fits than Kluivert?"

Yang immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Kidd's question.

One of Kidd's biggest disagreements with Ferguson was striker recruitment. Fergie wanted the explosive type; Kidd preferred the classic English target man.

That was still the Premier League norm.

Van Nistelrooy at United was prolific, but he depended on service. He didn't create.

Henry was more complete, but often drifted wide. Wenger opted for 4-4-2 to make it work.

Tactically, the Premier League lagged far behind the continent.

"That's exactly what I meant by a coming transformation."

Yang didn't press the striker point further—no need to reopen Kidd's old wounds.

"Last season's most exciting team in Europe was Porto."

"Mourinho brought in cutting-edge ideas, especially in training. It's drawing huge attention now."

Kidd nodded. He'd noticed too.

"From Cúper to Irureta to Benítez to Mourinho, they're all refining player roles, especially the defensive midfielder—bridging midfield and the back line."

By this point, Kidd knew exactly where Yang was going.

"The No. 10 role is being gradually dismantled."

"Exactly. The trend is to break up the traditional 10 role."

For some reason, Kidd thought of yesterday's hearing.

He'd heard that the Croatian "genius" Bayswater had signed was skinny, fragile-looking, and played in midfield.

Yang continued, "Porto's No. 10, Deco, is already on the radar of Europe's top clubs."

Deco didn't fit the mold of a classic Brazilian 10.

And as that role fades, its responsibilities get redistributed—triggering tactical evolution.

Yang expanded the topic, sharing his vision for Bayswater Chinese FC.

England had talent, star power in every generation—but never success in major tournaments.

Why?

No control.

And behind possession was technical ability and youth development.

Kidd understood.

He had backed a target man in part because he believed in Paul Scholes—a rare English midfielder with technique and vision.

Kidd wanted someone up top who could hold the line and let Scholes dictate.

But back then, Ferguson didn't fully trust the Class of '92.

Kidd had played his whole life. As a player, he helped United win the European Cup. As a coach, he traveled, studied, and understood England's flaws.

His Class of '92 was built on technical skill and passing precision.

Yang's plan for Bayswater blended England's traditional power with continental possession and creativity.

That matched Kidd's ideals perfectly.

And more importantly, Kidd could already sense a wave building in the Premier League.

From Wenger to Ranieri, more and more clubs were turning to foreign managers.

For a League Two club to recognize this trend so early was... impressive.

It made Kidd look at Yang in a whole new light.

And, for the first time—

He was starting to feel tempted.

Which is why he finally asked the question that mattered most.

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