In a café in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, northern England, sit a few special characters.
The waiter served them coffee. Just as he was about to leave, someone suddenly asked: "Excuse me, do you have tea?"
"Tea? English black tea?"
"No, it's Chinese green tea."
"Yes, I will serve it to you now."
"Thanks."
The waiter looked at the speaker and saw that he had a standard oriental face. He could not tell whether he was Chinese, Japanese or Korean. But his nationality can be guessed by the drink he asks for.
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, is an urban area with dense cities and developed industries. There are many tourists from China on weekdays. And as one of the six famous red brick universities in the UK, the University of Sheffield is located here.
Maybe he is a student? But he looks quite young, probably about thirty years old, right?
The waiter made random guesses and left slowly.
Sitting opposite this Chinese man at this time was a standard white-collar man.
He looked at the Chinese in front of him and snorted a little mockingly: "I was still playing in the Premier League last season, and I am preparing to come to the English Championship this season. I must feel a little awkward."
The Chinese man smiled lightly: "It doesn't matter where you play, there is no difference."
The white-collar worker waved his hand: "Of course it's different. At least the salary is half the difference. When you come to Sheffield United, your annual salary will drop a lot, and your bonus will be incomparable to before. Are you mentally prepared? ?”
The Chinese nodded: "I understand. After all, Premier League clubs are different from Championship clubs, and their economic conditions are very different. I only have one requirement: to be able to play in the game, at least to rotate players. This is my lowest requirement."
The white-collar worker smiled coldly: "Man, are your requirements too harsh? Do you know why we are talking to you? It's because you are a free agent now. It's cheap! And you have experience in the Premier League and the English Championship. It's cheap! You come to us The club only provides substitutes in case of emergencies, don’t you even have the slightest bit of awareness?”
The Chinese frowned: "Are you a little rude? Although I am a free agent, there are many clubs who want me. I don't have too high requirements for salary. I just hope to ensure playing time. With my Ability, shouldn’t it?”
The white-collar worker laughed loudly: "Man, do you think you are still the sun of Manchester City? Don't be stupid! Manchester City has been acquired by the Arabs. They have plenty of money now and want big-name stars, not so-called outdated people like you." Elder'!"
At this time, the waiter brought the Hua Guo green tea, and he realized what he was doing.
I remembered, he is the famous Manchester City player, Sun Jihai from China!
How majestic it was to lead Manchester City through all the obstacles in the Premier League.
How high-spirited I was when I scored the Europa League goal.
And when 1VS4 prevented the opponent from scoring a goal, the applause from the fans was so enthusiastic.
But now, he was looked down upon as useless by the white people in front of him.
The waiter knew the white man. He was a transfer official for Sheffield United and he often came here for coffee.
When the two talked today, they must have wanted to invite Sun Jihai to join the team.
However, the invitation process was a bit unpleasant.
The transfer official stopped talking. He stirred the coffee with his hands and looked out the window, indifferent to Sun Jihai.
Sun Jihai also stared at the green tea in his hand, watching the young leaves rise and fall, feeling the same in his heart.
After experiencing an unpleasant World Cup qualifying journey, Sun Jihai felt very sad.
He is 30 years old this year. If he did not reach the World Cup this time, he will have absolutely no chance in the next World Cup.
The national team was not going well and the club experience was terrible.
Manchester City was acquired by the Arabs, and the team is about to face a major shakeup. Many players in the team have been liquidated, and the wealthy Arabs even proposed not to pay transfer fees, as long as these players are sent away!
They need new and stronger stars to lead Manchester City to all championships!
The Arabs waving checks are so arrogant that they even want to buy Raul from Real Madrid, Ronaldo from Manchester United, and Kaka from Milan!
The arrogant Arabs have long looked down upon the current players in the team, let alone Sun Jihai, whose contract has expired.
In fact, there is a view within the team that they want to keep Sun Jihai. Although they will not give him a chance to play, they will let him be a mascot-like figure to attract Chinese fans.
But Sun Jihai definitely disagrees!
He would rather leave than stay in Manchester City to retire!
I haven't aged yet, I'm still in good shape, why can't I continue playing football!
I want to stay in England and continue playing in Europe!
At this time, Sun Jihai's cell phone suddenly rang. When he looked at the phone, he felt a lot more comfortable.
It's an old friend.
"Tiezi, why do you want to call me now? Why aren't you training in Cottbus?"
Because the transfer official opposite did not understand Chinese, Sun Jihai called directly in front of him.
Li Tie's voice came from the other side: "Dahai, I'm in France."
"Why are you going to France? Transfer to a French giant? Marseille or Lyon?" Sun Jihai joked about Li Tie with a smile.
"Don't make trouble, I have something serious to talk to you about. Have you ended your contract with Manchester City now?"
"Um."
"Won't the contract be renewed?"
"Not anymore."
"Then have you decided where to go next?"
After hearing this, Sun Jihai sighed. He glanced at the leisurely Sheffield United transfer official in front of him, and then told Li Tie about his situation.
Li Tie on the other end of the phone sighed: "Hai Dahai, with your current strength and condition, you are absolutely capable of continuing to play in Europe's top leagues. Wouldn't it be a pity to have to go to the English Championship like this?"
Sun Jihai shook his head: "In the second half of last season, I suffered from minor injuries, which also affected my condition. Not to mention the rich Manchester City now, even if the Arabs did not come, I probably would not have been able to get a contract extension."
There was silence on the phone for a moment, Li Tie said nothing, but Sun Jihai heard someone talking quietly on the other end of the phone and didn't know what to say.
After a long time, Li Tie's deep voice came again: "Dahai, let me ask you something. If there is an opportunity now that allows you to stay in the five major European leagues, but the competition is very stressful, would you accept it?"
"Of course I am willing! I am not afraid of competition or pressure! As long as I am given a chance, I am willing to go all out!" Sun Jihai said, his hands were trembling, but he gradually fell into despair, "But this This opportunity may never come again..."
Just when Sun Jihai lowered his head and said nothing, he suddenly heard a strange man's voice on the phone.
"Sun Jihai, come to my team and I will take you to the Champions League!"
