But the so-called procurement of new equipment and the construction of a specialized research institute... is this just a storybook?
A big bluff?
This surely can't be less than tens of millions!
Is it necessary?
You're just a player, does equipping your team need to cost so much? Do you think you're made of gold?
Even if you're establishing a team, you wouldn't need to be so...
In a flash, Mr. Winter shuddered.
Establish a team?
This...
"Of course, as for the team, we will set our base in China." Lu Yang explained, "We can enjoy some benefits of football infrastructure over there, and I personally hope to use high-tech to help football. Football development is quite low there, which can just highlight the results of our research."
"By then, there will also be a small team around me, but the main data will still come from..."
Lu Yang continued talking non-stop, not treating Mr. Winter as an outsider.
But Mr. Winter would rather not hear all of this.
Things like the UEFA Europa League, Arsenal, San Remo, at this moment in Mr. Winter's heart, all lost their color.
For professional players, the ultimate goal of football is to achieve the highest and more honors.
But for professional head coaches, the ultimate goal of football is to lead the team to more honors.
But... for someone like Mr. Winter, whose interest in football is greater than his work, researching football itself is a joy, discovering football talents, developing new tactical laws, etc., are their ultimate goals.
If one day, players and teams could become more perfect with deep data collaboration, Mr. Winter would not hesitate to resign from his position as head coach of Arsenal to join in.
"I didn't expect you to be researching this. I know there are others who also hope to influence football through tinkering with data." Mr. Winter said, "Since you are so confident in this, can you help me assess through data, if Nelka is willing to return to Arsenal, should I accept him?"
"Dad, are you talking about Nicholas Nelka?" Lola covered her mouth.
Nicholas Nelka, one of Mr. Winter's heartaches, just like that midfield core who insisted on going to Barcelona, made Mr. Winter age ten years and his heart almost shatter.
At least that midfield core was for his dream.
But Nelka, for money, transferred directly to the Turkish Super League with a high salary when cooperating happily with Arsenal.
What is called a bounty hunter?
Talista?
No, he doesn't deserve it.
Nelka is the number one bounty hunter in the world football.
But also because he went to a lower-level league too early, over the years, Nelka's ability regressed significantly, having long fallen from a top star to a forgotten man.
Now he wants to return to Arsenal?
If he still possessed his initial ability, then Arsenal's strength might experience a significant leap.
But players who go to lower-level leagues rarely make a comeback.
Especially with Nelka's temperament...
Lu Yang said, "From the data perspective, Nelka hasn't been dominating in Turkey. I judge that even if he returns to the top league in the future, he would be far from his former self."
Upon hearing this, the light dimmed in Mr. Winter's eyes.
"But..." Lu Yang said, "If he returns to Arsenal, he might not be much worse than before. Because the structure of this Arsenal hasn't changed significantly and is still built around him as the offensive spearhead of that Arsenal."
"He could regain his combat effectiveness fastest here. I am optimistic about Nelka's second journey at Arsenal, but the premise is... you are willing to give him this opportunity."
Mr. Winter had a thousand words to say, his hands trembled.
Lola supported her excited father, understanding how hard it was for him to unravel this knot in his heart.
Winter was betrayed by Nelka at the peak of his career, which shattered Winter's famed insight.
Because being able to see someone's football talent isn't impressive, he couldn't understand people's hearts, couldn't cultivate someone with a healthy and sound outlook, so what kind of renowned teacher is he?
"Give him a chance..." Lu Yang said, "and also give yourself a chance, Mr. Winter!"
The call then abruptly ended.
A day later, in the Turkish Super League, a player had just finished a lower league match.
It was Nelka, he scored, but the team lost.
Beep beep beep!
Nelka's phone rang.
"Hello?" Nelka wasn't in the habit of checking numbers.
"Welcome back to Arsenal." A voice, both strange yet familiar, came through the other end.
"Are you... Mr. Winter?" Nelka was stunned.
"I hope this time, you won't get lost again." Mr. Winter said and then hung up the phone.
In the locker room, Nelka broke down and cried.
Having chased money for many years, he was wealthy enough, but his heart was always wandering.
Later, he gradually realized how wrong it was for him to leave Arsenal for money initially.
Watching that elite club struggle repeatedly for fourth place, watching Mr. Winter's helplessness under the haughty expressions of archrivals, he finally understood his own heart.
Nelka then started to sever ties with the agent who initially enchanted him to transfer, and he found a new agent, whose only mandate was to figure out a way to get himself back to Arsenal.
This was an impossible task.
But now... Mr. Winter had called.