Pogba is on fire!
But not in the way everyone might expect.
Aside from the Yorkshire Post and a few British media outlets that follow Leeds United closely, most media don't pay much attention to Championship matches, let alone focus on a specific team's developments.
However, insiders know better. Many clubs have scouts regularly attending Championship games.
For example, when the Premier League distributes subsidies to clubs across the divisions, Championship teams receive significantly more than those in League One and League Two.
The reason is simple: the Championship is the Premier League's talent development base.
As a result, many Premier League scouts follow the league very closely.
Leeds United's comeback win against West Ham United was a huge upset in the Championship. Pogba's key performance at the critical moment amazed everyone and quickly spread through professional circles.
For an 18-year-old to be able to turn the game around—even in the Championship—is truly remarkable.
When Gao Shen woke up the next morning, he heard plenty of chatter about Pogba, and it was clear the buzz had spread through Premier League circles. As long as Pogba maintains his current form, his future looks limitless.
Of course, inconsistency is natural for young players. Expectations must remain reasonable.
It was Ferguson who personally called Gao Shen to talk about the situation.
"Our technical department tells me that selling Pogba was a huge mistake!"
Ferguson's tone was full of frustration, and he even let out a few curses.
"I really regret it now!"
Gao Shen chuckled and replied, "It's too late, Sir. There's no cure for regret."
Ferguson was fuming. Every time he thought about how Gao Shen had outmaneuvered him, it felt like a knife to the heart.
A man who had spent a lifetime outwitting others had finally had his eyes pecked out by a sparrow.
"I don't care. You have to promise me that if you ever sell Pogba, you'll contact me first. Sell him back to Manchester United, okay?" Ferguson said emotionally.
Given the current circumstances, the best thing Manchester United could hope for was a right of first refusal.
There was no point in trying to buy Pogba back now. Manchester United simply couldn't offer him a platform like Leeds United could at the moment.
More importantly, Pogba had finally found his footing. If he continues this trajectory for another season or two, his growth will be extraordinary.
Ferguson, more than anyone, knows how transformative one or two seasons can be for young talents like Pogba.
Wouldn't it be better to let him grow now and bring him back when he's truly ready?
As Gao Shen said—what's a little money?
Manchester United certainly isn't short of that.
"Alright, Sir. I'll make you a promise. If the price is the same, we'll give Manchester United priority. Fair enough?"
Ferguson hung up, satisfied.
Gao Shen, meanwhile, was thrilled. Manchester United's involvement could only be a good thing.
After all, no one's better at raising prices than Manchester United.
…
Leeds United's winning streak at the start of the season had drawn increasing attention from professionals across the football world.
And it wasn't just Pogba. Paulinho, Kurzawa, and Benteke were all starting to attract serious interest.
In the match against West Ham United, Paulinho and Kurzawa both played crucial roles, and Benteke's tactical value was clearly visible.
If Pogba was the one who changed the game at the key moment, then the other three were the ones who immediately picked up the pace and helped launch a ferocious assault on West Ham United.
After hanging up with Ferguson, Gao Shen immediately checked online.
What he found made him burst into laughter.
When Pogba joined the team, the transfer fee was £1 million. His actual market value at the time was around £1.5 million, but with only one year left on his contract, the price was low—and Manchester United hadn't cared much about it.
Now? The French midfielder's market value had risen to £3.5 million.
That's more than double.
When Paulinho signed, the fee was €1.5 million. Now, he's valued at £5 million, making him the most expensive player at Leeds United. That speaks volumes about how his performances have been received.
Benteke's value had also jumped to £3 million—three times his original price.
In short, after just a few friendlies and the start of the league campaign, the market values of several Leeds United players had doubled or even tripled.
The more Gao Shen read, the more excited he became. He quickly called Su Qing to share the news.
In the past, when players he had coached were sold at high prices, it made him happy.
But now? This was his own club. His own project.
He wasn't just happy—he was ecstatic!
Su Qing, however, remained calm.
"Shouldn't you be focusing on the game against Tottenham right now?"
Only then did Gao Shen snap back to reality.
…
Evening, White Hart Lane.
In the rescheduled match of the third round of the Premier League, Manchester City faced Tottenham Hotspur away.
Due to injuries and squad rotation, Gao Shen used a 4-4-2 formation again.
But this lineup was clearly different from before.
He started with Van Persie and Robinho up front, Silva on the right, Hazard on the left, and a midfield duo of Fernandinho and Yaya Touré.
Tottenham stuck with their usual 4-2-3-1 and even started Peter Crouch up front, hoping to pressure Manchester City's backline.
At the start, both sides were evenly matched, trading blows.
With Robben injured, Silva filled in on the right. But Silva lacked the pace and penetration, so Zabaleta had to push forward often to support the attack.
Gao Shen had really shown tactical flexibility this season, deploying different styles and systems with ease.
What stood out most was that Manchester City always seemed to have the upper hand on the pitch.
That's the benefit of a squad that has played together in a mature and stable tactical system for more than two years.
In the 34th minute, Hazard dribbled past Joel Luka on the left, broke into the penalty area, caused chaos, and found Van Persie, who scored the opening goal.
1–0!
Just seven minutes later, Hazard beat three Tottenham players and delivered another ball into the box. Van Persie calmly slotted it home.
2–0!
With a two-goal cushion, Manchester City took full control.
Redknapp was forced to sub off Huddlestone at halftime to reinforce his midfield.
But just ten minutes into the second half, Yaya Touré made a late run and lofted a ball into the box from the edge of the area. Van Persie met it with a volley and buried it.
3–0!
Hat trick!
Van Persie was on fire.
Just five minutes later, Hazard broke down the flank and squared the ball. Van Persie dummied it, and Robinho tapped it in at the back post.
4–0!
In the 68th minute, Tottenham, having already used all three substitutions, tried to counter, but lost possession right after crossing midfield. Fernandinho launched a long ball behind the defense. Van Persie broke through and finished coolly.
Big four!
5–0!
A complete collapse!
White Hart Lane was filled with stunned silence.
Everyone knew Manchester City were strong, but no one expected them to be this dominant.
Gao Shen stood calmly on the touchline, applauding and encouraging the players. But inside, he was buzzing with excitement.
This was his third season at Manchester City, and the squad was reaching its peak.
Van Persie was in top form, playing better than ever.
As far as strikers go, he was easily in the world's top three now.
Suárez?
He's in the top three too.
Of course, Gao Shen was talking about immediate form. Drogba still had moments of brilliance, but his overall effectiveness had dropped.
In other words, Manchester City had two of the top three strikers in the world.
As for who the third is?
Whoever wants to compete can step forward. Manchester City already have two.
Gao Shen had more confidence in this than anyone.
…
"You guys are really ruthless this season!"
After the match, Redknapp shook hands with Gao Shen, clearly impressed by Manchester City's performance.
Compared to Chelsea in previous years, Manchester City looked far more dominant.
This season, Gao Shen had already used multiple tactical styles, and yet City adapted each time and still dominated.
What's more, Gareth Bale was still getting back to form after injury, Robben was out, and Suárez didn't even play.
Redknapp had to admit—money is incredible.
With money, you can really do anything!
"Tonight's match was a little unfair to you," Gao Shen responded modestly.
He respected Redknapp as one of the Premier League's senior figures.
Redknapp, though, was clearly frustrated by the 0–5 defeat at home.
He still believed Tottenham had a real shot this season.
The "unfair" part Gao Shen mentioned was that the match had to be played midweek due to Manchester City's European Super Cup involvement, which gave Tottenham less time to prepare.
But nothing could be done. The schedule couldn't be moved.
Next year was a major competition year, with both the Euros and the Olympics. Every league was compressing its calendar. With Manchester City set to compete on multiple fronts, there was no time for rescheduling.
"There's nothing to say. We just weren't good enough. The difference in strength is clear. We have to accept that," Redknapp said frankly.
Looking at Gao Shen, he couldn't hide his envy. A world-class coach, young and already so successful.
"Good luck this season—and in the Champions League too!"
"I will," Gao Shen nodded.
Even though Tottenham missed out on the Champions League, Manchester City's success on that stage would benefit the Premier League as a whole.
More importantly, even though City were the defending Champions League winners, their UEFA coefficient still only placed them in the third pot for the group stage draw.
That was going to be interesting.
A Champions League winner in Pot 3—that's a guaranteed group of death.
This time, Manchester City would fly to Monaco early, not just for the UEFA Super Cup, but also for the Champions League group stage draw and the UEFA Awards Ceremony.
And at the ceremony, UEFA had even prepared a special award just for Gao Shen.
(To be continued.)
***
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