York City has been aggressive in the transfer market this summer, and the addition of more than a dozen new players has attracted the attention of the entire English football world.
Of course, although Pan Yi bought a large number of players, the total expenditure was not particularly high.
In other words, the Ajax double stars have a little more money, and like other players from various reserve teams and youth teams, the prices are very cheap.
So what everyone is paying attention to is only the number of York City buyers, not the price.
After all, buying someone for 10 million is actually not an outrageous thing in the English Championship.
Also this summer, Middlesbrough, also a British Championship team, spent 17.1 million euros to buy Congolese forward Assombalonga from Nottingham Forest.
At this time, the Wolves, which had been acquired by Chinese capital and wanted to reach the Super League, also bought the 20-year-old Portuguese international midfielder Ruben Neves from Porto. This transaction also cost the Wolves 18 million euros.
In addition, the Wolves also loaned Diogo Jota, who is also a Portuguese international, from Atletico Madrid, and his strength has really reached the Premier League level.
Therefore, it is no joke that the English Championship can often squeeze into the top five of the summer transfer spending list.
This also leads to the fact that the influence of the English Championship is definitely not comparable to the second-level leagues in other countries. The fact that the Portuguese international players are willing to play is proof of this.
Correspondingly, the intensity of competition in the English Championship has also risen to a new level, and it is not a small fight like League Two and League One.
This also caused some media to have some doubts about York City's recruitment strategy.
It's simple, it's comparison.
As direct competitors, Wolves, Middlesbrough and other teams, the players they bought were all powerful and international players from various countries. Although York City bought many players, none of them were famous.
If I have to say it, Onana, who played the main role in Ajax in the second half of last season, is somewhat famous, and the Dutchman De Jong is barely one.
And what about everyone else?
Not to mention the Italian ones, what is this about Leo, from the Sporting CP reserve team;
Araujo, from Rentistas in Uruguay’s second division;
Militão comes from Sao Paulo, a traditional powerhouse in Brazil, but has only played once for the first team.
Tomori is from the Chelsea youth team and has never been able to make it to the first team. Pan Yi directly reached out to ask for it...
Although Pan Yi's past "record" in the transfer market has made the media afraid to criticize him for fear of being instantly slapped in the face, doubts are still widespread.
The main reason is that although Pan Yi also made the team "Home Alone" last season, after all, he still hired a few veterans to lead the team.
The three Swedish generals who have just won the European Cup, plus the veteran German international Westermann, and "Long Brother" Alonso can lead the team.
But now, Alonso has retired and joined the coaching staff, and these veterans are one year older. The other veterans who were originally with the team in League Two have retired or left the team one by one.
This makes the current York City truly a super young team.
A player like Baker, who is actually only 23 years old, can be regarded as a "veteran" in the team, because there are many young players who are 17 or 18 years old.
Yes, it is possible that Pan Yi still has a sharp eye, and these young people have unlimited potential, but after all, everyone knows that the most urgent need for York City now is results, not the future.
With these kids from all over the world, can they really compete for promotion places in the English Championship with strong opponents such as Wolves, Cardiff City, Fulham, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough?
Some people also criticize Pan Yi's transfer strategy, saying that he may have invested all his own funds in building a new stadium, so he is now a bit strapped. This is a bit putting the cart before the horse.
If we can't reach the Premier League, what's the point of building such a big stadium?
Look at Sunderland. Their Stadium of Light can accommodate 50,000 people, but when they were relegated to the Championship, ticket prices couldn't be raised and it was difficult to fill them up again.
Some people even wonder if Pan Yi took some kickbacks. After all, York City has sponsorships from so many companies, so why are they so reluctant to invest more in the transfer market?
If he is promoted to the Premier League, he will have at least a guaranteed income of more than 100 million pounds! Obviously Pan Yi doesn't know how to settle this account.
Of course, more people believe that playing in the Europa League with York City's current lineup will probably embarrass England. Some even suggested that the FA should consider replacing York City and give the quota to the top of the Premier League. 's team...
——
"I don't even bother to read or pay attention to these reports."
In the meeting hall of the York City Club, Pan Yi threw a stack of newspapers on the table and said with a smile: "What the reporter said is reliable, even sows can climb trees!"
Everyone in the conference room burst into laughter.
Today is the first club meeting of the new season. In addition to the senior management of York City Club, there are also core figures from the fan club. Pan Yi invited two or three of them more prestigious fans to participate in this season. Meeting.
"They will just guess. Scaloni, tell me, are the players I gave you enough?" Pan Yi pointed at Scaloni and asked with a smile.
"That's enough, boss, they are all great players, they train hard, and they are all talented!" Scaloni said sincerely, "Now these 24 first-team players are enough for the new season!"
As York City manager, he has an easier transfer window than anyone else.
Because the boss will know all your needs and will send you the players that best suit your tactics...
Although it is true that Scaloni could hardly recognize any of these new players before they reported to the club, an expert will know if they are there as soon as they take action.
When these young players arrive at the training ground and have a training match, their level will soon be evident.
Then Scaloni understood that this group of players was really just like the players Pan Yi had recruited from all over the world before, they were all talented!
Therefore, his confidence as a head coach has also greatly increased.
In fact, with the 11 players remaining from last season’s main frame, plus the 3 players promoted from the youth team this season, and the 11 newly purchased players, the total number of players in the first team should actually be 25;
However, since Araujo is from Uruguay and Militao is from Brazil, both of them need labor certificates, and the club's talent clause for a season can only be given to one of them;
So Pan Yi chose to let Militao stay on the team, and loaned Araujo to Ajax for a year, so that he could apply for a labor certificate more smoothly next year.
This is also the benefit of having a good relationship with Ajax. Young players on loan can also get training in high-level games.
"Okay, let's ignore their gossipy media. Let's first look at other expenses besides the stadium and players this season."
At Pan Yi's signal, the assistant got a report for everyone present at the meeting, which detailed York City's expenditure budget, income, etc.
"Everyone, this is our budget report for this year. One of the very important expenditures is that we will comprehensively improve the training facilities at the training base, which will cost us a lot of money. But after it is completed, our York The City training base will become the most luxurious and modern training base in England and even Europe."
Everyone present applauded.
Now that the club has sufficient cash flow, Pan Yi can take a multi-pronged approach to improve the club's various infrastructure.
These are the fundamentals of the team!
The team's income, in addition to part of Pan Yi's own pocket and part of corporate sponsorship, also includes regular stadium operating income, league and FA Cup broadcast fees, and development income from the Ministry of Commerce, etc.
"We will also upgrade the facilities in the medical room and laboratory. I believe this upgrade will be of great help to our team in the future."
"Then we will build some public welfare facilities near the stadium area, which will cost us a lot of money. In addition, we plan to cooperate with Chelsea to open three football schools in Africa and two football schools in South America, including their The existing football schools in Longguo will also join forces with us."
“In addition, our club, York City Foundation and some sponsors will also cooperate in a series of charity activities, such as establishing a medical rescue foundation to help those who cannot afford high medical expenses and give back to the community!”
The applause at the scene became even more enthusiastic.
Especially the fan representatives who came to attend the meeting were even more excited.
Because they were pleasantly surprised to find that the club now has money, and it will not go into the pockets of the owners or senior executives, but will be spent more on the club itself, as well as the fans and the community.
For this small club that was on the verge of financial collapse two or three years ago, this is simply a man from heaven!
"In addition, we will play the English Championship and Europa League next, so our ticket prices will definitely increase to a certain extent. However, we will fully consider the affordability of the fans and therefore launch a series of preferential policies , we must make the fans feel that the money is not wasted. And we will do our best to give this part of the money back to the fans and spend it on the fans, I can guarantee this!"
York City fans understand and support the increase in ticket prices.
After all, playing in the English Championship, especially in the Europa League, how can the tickets for these games still be the same as those for playing in the English Second Division?
York City's price increase is actually not that high. The season ticket price for the new season is only 400 pounds. Based on 23 home games, the average price per game is only a dozen pounds.
For comparison, Fulham, which is also in the English Championship, has a season ticket price of an eye-popping £1,500!
Of course, this has a lot to do with Fulham being a wealthy area in London. In fact, if they were in the Premier League, the season ticket price would reach 3,000 pounds...
After all, the season tickets for Premier League giants like the North London duo Arsenal and Tottenham only cost around 2,000 pounds.
In short, at a price like York City, after discounts, fans can actually buy it for just over three hundred pounds.
Pan Yi also briefly revealed some of York City’s preferential policies and services for fans in the new season. For example, fans who purchase season tickets can get more exquisite gifts, or York City will regularly hold some fan activities. At that time, fans with season tickets could attend the games for free and so on.
In addition, there are a lot of activities that York City gives back to the fans. There are also some charity activities and community service activities. These are a way for York City to give back to the fans.
After listening to this, several fan representatives present were very satisfied.
York City's ticket prices have increased, but not by much. Even in the English Championship, they are still only in the middle and lower reaches. However, the services York City gives back to fans and the charity they do are better than others. There are many, many more teams in the Championship.
Fan representatives also assured Pan Yi that they will definitely inform the majority of York City fans of the information collected during this meeting.
In this way, if you know where your money is spent, I believe the fans' reaction will not be so big, especially when York City's image is getting better and better, they all trust their favorite club.
After the meeting was successfully concluded, Pan Yi saw off the fan representatives and then went to his office without stopping, because there was still a guest waiting for him there.
"Hello, Mr. Pan Yi!" The middle-aged man stood up immediately and introduced himself, "My name is Eric Greining, and I am the chairman of Scarborough Athletic."
"Hello, please sit down!" Pan Yi immediately asked him to sit down.
Scarborough is a small town in Yorkshire, facing the North Sea and backed by the British Isles. It is the largest resort in Yorkshire and one of the major resorts in eastern England. Pan Yi even went there with Valentina. I played there.
The layout of the entire town is like a theater, with the wide sea as the stage and the buildings as seats, arranged in rows on the north and south bays.
This kind of layout is very romantic. You can watch the rising sun in the morning and the sunset in the evening. In your free time, the sea breeze blows on your face, and you can do some exercise...
In this small town, there is also a football team called Scarborough Athletic.
Its predecessor is actually an old team with a history of a hundred years. It was probably wandering in the fifth and sixth leagues. However, it encountered an economic crisis around 2007 and was forced to be relegated to the tenth league. Now it has slowly climbed up to England in the past two years. Football Northern Premier League Division One North Group, which is the eighth tier.
Because they are both in Yorkshire, Scarborough Athletic actually regarded York City Club as their mortal enemy, and their relationship was considered to be on the same level.
But today is no different than before.
York City used to be in the fifth and sixth tiers, and Scarborough Athletic was also in the fifth and sixth tiers. It made sense that the two were mortal enemies;
But now, York City has been promoted to the English Championship, and Scarborough Athletic is still in the eighth tier. How can this be a mortal enemy?
Now York City's target is Leeds United!
It is precisely because of this that today's visit from the chairman of Scarborough Athletic is not so abrupt.
"Excuse me, Mr. Grenin, why did you come to see me today?"
"Mr. Pan Yi, I'm sorry to bother you, but we do have some things that need your help!" Greining was a little embarrassed, but he still mustered up the courage to say, "Our team has some operational difficulties again. If not If someone helps, it is very likely that they will..."
Pan Yi understood immediately when he heard it.
This poor guy is going bankrupt again!
He had seen relevant reports in the local newspaper in York County before, but he was very busy recently, so he didn't take it to heart.
Unexpectedly, the team chairman found himself when he was desperate.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Grenin, I've heard about Scarborough Athletic and I feel very sad!" Pan Yi stood up immediately and reached out to shake Grenin's hand with a very sincere tone.
Greining was a little flattered and quickly held Pan Yi's hand.
In fact, for Pan Yi, he doesn't have deep feelings for this team, but now he needs to unite all the forces that can be united, especially the people of Yorkshire!
Saving such a team is just a piece of cake for Pan Yi, but it can make such a former rival team devoted to him and win the hearts of more fans.
If York City wants to become a truly wealthy team in the future, the support of local fans is absolutely essential!
Pan Yi wants to win over the fans from Leeds United, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as fans from other places!
"I feel very sorry, Mr. Grenin. Is there anything I can do to help you?" Pan Yi asked with concern.
Greining forced a smile: "We decided to set up a fans foundation to take over the team, but there is a lack of funds and it is difficult to start work in the new season."
"This is easy to handle." Pan Yi said with a smile, "How about our two teams playing a warm-up match? Then all the income will be obtained by Scarborough Athletic. This is a little bit of our club's kindness. What do you think? "
Greining was stunned, a little surprised.
It is impossible for him to refuse such a good thing. After all, York City's influence in England is not inferior to the Premier League teams at all. They are willing to play a warm-up match with Scarborough Athletic for free, and the income will be considerable.
"In addition, I will personally donate 500,000 pounds to join the fans foundation, so that we can become a family!" Pan Yi laughed.
Grenin was a little surprised and looked at Pan Yi in disbelief. He just donated 500,000 pounds?
Although this amount of money may not seem like much money in the Premier League or the English Championship, for an amateur team in the eighth-level league, it is tantamount to a huge sum of money!
It can be said that as long as we have this 500,000 pounds, the entire club will come alive!
Not to mention the income from a warm-up match, this so-called "Yorkshire Derby" match will definitely attract a lot of people to watch.
Seeing that Grenin's face was still a little confused, as if he still didn't believe everything in front of him, Pan Yi explained with a smile: "You know, I just finished the club meeting, and I said at the meeting that I will do my best. Give back to the community whenever possible, and the Brothers Club is certainly a part of the community.”
"Scarborough is very close to us, and people from our side also like to go to your side for vacation. The Scarborough Castle and the Scarborough Castle Hotel are both beautiful!"
"And it would be a shame if in such a beautiful place, everyone can't watch a football game while on vacation."
“When I just took over York City two years ago, I also experienced the team’s difficulties. Now we have come through, so we also need to do some things we think we should do, and helping Scarborough Athletic is one of them! "
Pan Yi's tone was very sincere, which made Grenin feel very grateful.
He truly felt that his trip this time was really worthwhile and the team could be saved!
