Soccer: If they're using these kinds of cheats, what's the point of training?

Chapter 90 Arrogance: Boss, what if I was deliberately cooperating with the reporters to create a buzz?

Reporter: "So, when you became the key player at Manchester United, were the others just pushing you along?"

Zhang Kuang: "Of course not. No one is the absolute core player at Manchester United. Opportunities are given to those players who can seize them."

So, at Manchester United, it's all about cooperation. No one plays a supporting role to anyone else, and there's no rule about who gets the ball to shoot. No one else has the right to shoot. I don't need to elaborate, right? Everyone has seen how Manchester United has fared over the years.

Although I've always said I want to be the offensive core, it's not because I want to seize the right to fire, but because I want to have a fair right to fire. Only the core has a fair right to fire.

I don't believe a team can be carried by one person firing on all cylinders; it requires the combined firepower of all teammates to achieve victory and win the championship.

At this moment, Verglin coughed and spoke.

"Don't create this kind of topic to scam money from 18-year-old Zhang and generate traffic. He may be young, but he is not a tool for you to stir up trouble."

The reporter continued, "You just mentioned teams in the top five leagues that could compete for the title. You initially chose Juventus, but later, knowing that Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't retire, you chose Manchester United."

What about the other teams? You say you wouldn't go to Real Madrid or Barcelona because they have Ronaldo and Messi, but what about Inter Milan, AC Milan, Chelsea, and Arsenal?

Zhang Kuang: "Those who are ambitious lack ability, those who are capable lack ambition, and those who are both ambitious and capable manage in a chaotic manner. Therefore, none of them are my choices for now. Perhaps we can cooperate when they have both ability and ambition, and manage well, provided that both parties are willing."

Zhang Kuang's words immediately made the reporters' eyes light up again; his comment was quite sharp.

Reporter: "Which team has ambition but lacks ability? Which team has ability but lacks ambition? Which team has both ability and ambition but is poorly managed?"

Zhang Kuang winked at the reporter: "Guess! Okay, let's not bring up any more questions related to this, shall we?"

I've answered enough. You can ask Sir David and General David.

The next reporter: "Zhang, your prediction accuracy before the World Cup was astonishing. You correctly predicted France and Italy's group stage exits. How did you do it?"

Will Brazil and Argentina be eliminated in the quarterfinals of the upcoming matches? Will Spain win the championship? Will your predictions continue to come true?

Some people say you knew the script beforehand. Is there really a script for the World Cup? And where did you get it?

Zhang Kuang shrugged: "I don't have a script, nor am I a fortune teller who can predict the future. Everything I say is based on analysis. I just say it casually, and who knew it would all come true? What can I do? Blame my analysis for being too accurate?"

The reporters in the audience smiled knowingly, and then one reporter followed up with a question.

"Are you sure you analyzed it? Do you understand tactics?"

"Otherwise what? Do you really believe I knew the script in advance? The key question is, where did I get the script? I am Chinese and had never been to Europe before last December."

"Look at my appearance, my skin color, and you'll know I could never be the illegitimate son of some high-ranking FIFA official."

"Haha—" The reporters in the audience laughed again.

"Since I'm not anyone's illegitimate child, and I didn't gamble for profit because of it, then who gave me this script? And what was their purpose in giving me this script? Just to make me reveal the answer to the media in advance? Do you think FIFA people are stupid?"

Furthermore, to those who claim I have the ability to foresee the future—if I had that ability, would I still be playing football, being a player? Do you think this is some prince experiencing life? Why do I have to suffer like this?

Reporter: "But we know that being a star athlete isn't tough for you; you've had many affairs."

Zhang Kuang: "Uh, you're slandering me! Everyone saw that, this reporter is slandering me! He's slandering me!"

Press Officer: "Alright, alright, our friends in the media have one last chance to ask Zhang Kuang one more question. The rest of the questions are for Sir and David."

At this point, the press officer pointed to a Chinese reporter.

Reporter: "Zhang Kuang, why did you choose the number 33 jersey? Why not 7, 9, or 11? After all, you are the offensive core."

Zhang Kuang: "Currently, all these jersey numbers are being worn. Forcibly taking someone else's jersey is very impolite."

Forcibly taking possession of the ball is not in my cultural DNA. I am Chinese, and we don't have the habit of being robbers. Besides, I don't think whether someone is the attacking focal point has anything to do with their jersey number. Wearing number 33 doesn't mean I can't score goals.

"Do players wearing numbers 7, 9, and 11 necessarily score more goals than me? I don't think so. Skilled players don't fuss over such trivial matters. What I care about is whether my teammates are united on the field and whether they give their all to win. Thank you."

Snap snap snap ————

Zhang Kuang never expected that his final answer would win applause from the reporters.

Actually, many of Rooney's teammates were watching this press conference, and they were all watching it at Rooney's house. Rooney had specially invited everyone to his house today because England was eliminated in the round of 16, so they all came back to rest.

"Wow, our new teammate is even better at talking than the Downing Street spokesperson," Rooney said, gesturing with his chin and swirling his wine glass.

O'Shea chuckled. "At least he's good at uniting his teammates, isn't he? That's good enough. I don't want to work with someone who's too individualistic."

"Solo? Impossible. I know Zhang, a teammate, very well. He's not enthusiastic about training, nor is he like Ronaldo, a hermit who avoids all sorts of foods and controls his womanizing."

"I heard he has many women in private, and he always hangs out with several at once. I believe a teammate like that would be easy to get along with," Rooney laughed.

"No," Evra shook her head, "Being with someone like that will only make you feel inferior. When you can't handle things anymore, you'll just be watching him, and if you're on good terms with him, you might even help him out. That—"

"Ha ha----"

The dozen or so teammates at home were laughing so hard they were doubled over. Zhang Kuang had just said at the press conference that he wouldn't push people's butts, and then they started talking about this.

The press conference continued, but the reporters stopped asking about Zhang Kuang and started asking Ferguson and David. When it was their turn, their answers were much more normal and formal.

So, the problems are the same, and they've been dealing with them for years.

After the press conference, Ferguson, David, Zhang Kuang, Jonathan, and others were together.

Ferguson: "Zhang, don't fall for reporters' tricks again. They always end up stirring things up and creating buzz. It'll be better for you to do fewer interviews."

"Boss, everyone calls you that, so I'll call you that too. Actually, I'm deliberately saying these controversial things. I know what their purpose is in asking these questions, but it doesn't hurt me to make the topic a bit bigger, does it?"

Zhang Kuang said with a smile.

Ferguson paused, looking at Zhang Kuang with surprise.

"There are advantages, but you have to analyze whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

"Boss, don't worry, I'll keep things under control. To compete with Ronaldo and Messi for the Ballon d'Or, it's not just about scoring more goals; I also need to generate more buzz. Otherwise, why would national team captains and media friends vote for me? Besides, UEFA needs someone who generates buzz. They not only need me to create buzz in Europe, but they also hope I can boost interest in Asia. Of course, the more buzz I generate, the more attention Manchester United will receive, the better the stock price will be, and the stronger the commercial value will be. So, it's a win-win situation. So, why don't I deliberately create some buzz?" David Gill's arrogant words left him speechless, his eyes wide. He hadn't expected the player they signed to understand business operations, and with such shrewd methods.

Ferguson was slightly annoyed. He was about to say something when Zhang Kuang continued the conversation.

Zhang Kuang: "Of course, I know that the boss wants the players to focus more on the field. You don't like the players getting into so much trouble outside."

But what if I had a built-in 1-0 advantage every day? Whether it's the league or the Champions League, I could score at least one goal in every game. Do you think that's a problem then?

Ferguson: "Kid, I'm giving you half a season. Don't mess it up, or I'll show you what Ferguson's methods are all about."

Zhang Kuang laughed: "Don't worry, BOSS. If I can't do what I say, you can do whatever you want with me."

"Okay, then you take care of your personal matters. The team will meet on the 12th and head to Toronto on the 13th."

"Understood, Boss. I will report on time."

"9

After that, Zhang Kuang went for a medical examination and completed the relevant procedures for the "Genius Clause". Finally, everything was settled, and he officially became a member of Manchester United.

As he left Carrington, Zhang Kuang sat in his car, looking out the window, filled with emotion. This would be a new beginning for his professional career.

At the same time, Manchester United's official website updated with an announcement on time, black background with red text, concise and powerful: "Manchester United Football Club is pleased to announce that our club has reached an agreement with Ligue 1 club Auxerre for the official transfer of Chinese player Zhang Kuang to Manchester United on July 7, 2010. He will wear the number 33 jersey and the contract will last for five years."

We look forward to Mr. Zhang Kuang showcasing his unprecedented talent and personal abilities, creating a bright future together with Manchester United, and wishing him the best of times at Manchester United!

At the same time, Auxerre's official website also released a statement: "Auxerre Football Club confirms that player Zhang Kuang has completed all formalities for his transfer to Manchester United. We thank Zhang Kuang for his contributions to the club over the past six months and wish him all the best at Manchester United."

Two announcements were released simultaneously.

The timing was perfect.

The moment the news broke, the entire internet exploded.

On Weibo, the topic "Zhang Kuang officially signed with Manchester United" surged to the top of the trending list within ten minutes.

It's not just number one on the trending topics list, it's number one on the trending topics list.

The number of views exceeded 300 million within half an hour.

The reason for this is that a striking image and text was displayed on the homepage of Sina Weibo.

"It's official! It's really official! Zhang Kuang is going to Manchester United!"

"Ferguson personally intervened and successfully hijacked the deal; Manchester United fans should kowtow to Sir Alex!"

"Manchester United has become something to look forward to again. They lost Ronaldo but brought in a flamboyant player. Manchester United's structure remains solid."

"Ferguson still has great ambitions; it seems he doesn't want to retire."

Yes, wait.

"Number 33? Why number 33? Not number 7 or number 9?"

"Zhang Kuang chose it himself; he didn't want to take Irving's or Berbatov's numbers."

"I love this layout!"

"This is the first time a Chinese player has worn a Manchester United jersey, even though it's number 33, it's still Manchester United!"

"Damn it, I'm going to buy a flamboyant Manchester United jersey."

"Me too."

"Let's buy together."

"Where did you buy it? From the official website? The official website is down."

Manchester United's official website did indeed crash. Not due to a hacker attack, but because too many Chinese fans flooded the site to buy the flamboyant number 33.

The number 1 jersey... The server couldn't handle it and crashed.

Manchester United's public relations department quickly issued an emergency notice: "Due to excessive traffic, the official website is undergoing urgent repairs. Thank you for the enthusiastic support from fans worldwide."

At this moment, Chinese fans make up 90% of Manchester United's global fanbase, with the remaining 50% coming from other Asian countries. They also admire players like Zhang Kuang, who are handsome, score beautiful goals, and generate a lot of buzz.