Chapter 354: Preparing Early for the 2018 World Cup? (Daily Transition)

The next morning.

The Spanish national team did not linger in Gijón, hastily returning to the Las Rozas training base in Madrid.

Diego Costa's relationship with his club and Conte was strained, yet he got along well with the national team coaching staff.

His agent Mendes had already been in talks with Atlético Madrid; the superstar striker in his prime was very likely to return to Calderón... no, should be the soon-to-open new home stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano!

Atlético Madrid is not short of money; the mysterious Eastern consortium only invested 45 million euros on the surface, but actually splurged huge sums on the naming rights of the new stadium, plus a series of sponsorships and youth training collaborations derived from it.

Moreover, large industries throughout Spain also received nearly 2 billion euros in funding.

Fans jokingly called it: 'Royal Madrid'.

During this period, La Liga could be described as 'three superpowers and many strong teams'.

Simeone's coaching staff transformed the long-suffering Atlético Madrid, winning the La Liga title in the 13/14 season and finishing as Champions League runners-up; in the 15/16 season they were again Champions League runners-up;

What's more interesting: Atlético fans and Chelsea fans tease each other, saying the other side is a satellite team of their own club.

Courtois, Godín, Diego Costa... and other stars have all played for both clubs.

On the plane.

Two Atlético youngsters sat on either side of Li Kang, unable to resist urging him.

"Li, Atlético has money now."

Li Kang: "..."

He looked at the serious Saul, and hearing those words from him felt weird.

Atlético's summer transfer window earnings last season reached as high as 150 million euros, leaving Monaco, Porto and other European 'black shops' envious and sighing.

Koke seized the moment: "Yes, La Liga's intensity isn't that high! We can prepare for the World Cup! Falcao and Diego Costa back then almost could have competed with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Golden Boot!"

"In the season before Diego Costa left, his goal tally was just one behind Messi's, yet this kid's number of pointless goals is also the highest in Europe!"

Diego Costa, seated in the back row, wore a slightly embarrassed expression.

Although Atlético adheres to a '1-0 philosophy,' when facing lower- to mid-table La Liga teams they sometimes inadvertently go on a scoring spree.

Even this season, with their attacking efficiency low, they often manage to produce scorelines like 7-1 or 6-0.

Even mid-to-upper table teams like Sevilla and Villarreal occasionally cannot resist bullying weaker sides, producing humiliating scores such as 5-0 or 7-3.

As for Bilbao, whose ability to bully weaker teams is even more stable, there's no need to say more.

The whole of La Liga is like a food chain...

Li Kang thought seriously, then shook his head and refused.

Premier League teams currently hold a weak position in European competition points, last season even trailing the Bundesliga.

But tactically: a hundred flowers bloom.

The distribution of league broadcast revenue sharing is more reasonable.

In the coming years, the Premier League's European competition points will surely return to their peak.

Saul and Koke were greatly disappointed; the two youngsters, feigning anger, said: "Don't let us meet you in the Champions League semi-finals."

Ramos patted Busquets on the shoulder, teasing: "Doesn't this scene resemble when your Barcelona national team tried to lure Fabregas—do you have a Barcelona jersey in your bag? Haha!"

Busquets' old face turned red; he wanted to explain something... but instead forcefully rebutted.

Ah.

Atlético even dares to do this to your face... luring away a genius product of Barcelona's youth academy!

Carvajal jabbed Yin Si Ke with his elbow, wearing a mischievous grin: "You're so close to Li Kang; you should talk more with him about Real Madrid's..."

Yin Si Ke put away his small mirror, saying: "I've been thinking about going to Arsenal; Wenger really likes me..."

Everyone burst out laughing.

During the Málaga era, Wenger made several informal offers for the Spanish golden boy, but only failed to sign him due to lack of funds.

Before Yin Si Ke joined Real Madrid, he frequently bashed the club on social media... and before the official announcement he hadn't had time to delete the content, earning a barrage of criticism from Bernabéu fans!

Barajas Airport.

The Spanish internationals walked out of the arrivals hall.

Fans outside the security perimeter cheered and jumped for joy.

Posters of the stars were held high.

Banners and team flags fluttered loudly in the wind.

Amid various shouts, the different languages made the media feel as if the whole nation were split apart...

After a brief greeting, Miniano urged the players to get on the bus quickly.

Bosque patted his big belly, simply accepting the reporters' interview.

"That's right, we now have the qualifications to say: 'Let's prepare early for the 2018 World Cup!'"

Applause surged like a tide.

Fans' hearts surged: they had long awaited Yin Biliya the hero, the bullfighter army's sword-bearer, the enemy fleet commander... touring the World Cup!

Each with their own joys and sorrows, after this week's international matchday ended, some European national teams... can now prepare early for the 2022 World Cup.

Returning to the Las Rozas training base.

The staff then nervously pulled Li Kang for a medical check.

Half an hour later.

When the coaching staff received part of the medical examination report, they couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Bosque patted his belly, laughing: "Little guy, we might have to say goodbye until the Confederations Cup! Go back and fight for your club's honor!"

Teammates were reluctant to part.

Especially De Gea.

The new-generation goalkeeper felt his happiness was too fleeting.

It's not because parting is hard... this season, the second leg between Man Lian and An Sen Na hasn't kicked off yet.

Wang Erde is on vacation.

The East German assistant who grew up eating the 'Century Group Meal' places great importance on rest time.

In the short term, his work is being taken over by an Italian, An Jila·Lu Lue.

Although Lu Lue's appearance is dark and slim, she has European bone structure and Asian features, resembling a female version of 'Wu Yanzu'.

Li Kang, we've recently signed a Japanese forward who has great potential!

And this Scottish defender! After the summer window opens, our commission will reach...

Li Kang gave the newspaper a symbolic glance and then returned it to the other party.

Lu Lue then realized: the major shareholder fundamentally does not participate in the transfer decisions of its players!

Not long ago, Wo Le Er transferred his agency to Li Kang's name.

The team's main work is 'serving' the 200‑million‑yuan man.

As for other profits, they're just mosquito meat.

In the age of global information, even if you hide in a South American regional league, as long as you're outstanding enough, you won't be buried.

Even if the agency can rival the top scouting networks of the elite clubs, it no longer possesses the core competitiveness it once did, and the familialization of agents is gradually becoming a trend.

Zha Ka put down the game controller and exclaimed: 'I lured Ha Wei and Yinniesita to Chelsea in 2005, how come they can't kick it out! In 2009 they were sold to the Segunda División!'

Li Kang, you also can't go to Qie Er Xi!

Li Kang smiled.

He never thought of leaving An Sen Na; everything in North London made him very comfortable.

There are still several months until the summer window; Wen Ge and An Sen Na's contract renewal rumors are growing more mysterious, tabloids are bursting out with 'inside info', and people are also starting to worry about the destination of the 200‑million‑yuan man.

If this season we can win several major honors.

Perhaps, An Sen Na could still make an extra hundred million by changing hands...