On July 5, Manchester City regrouped. Except for the international players who participated in the World Cup, all other players returned to the team. After assembling in Manchester, they conducted their first physical examination after the training camp.
Since Manchester City accepted an invitation from an American sponsor to participate in a warm-up match in North America this summer, Gao Shen and the coaching staff also decided to arrange the team's summer training camp in Portland, the United States.
This is also part of Manchester City's plan to develop the US market.
With the experience of last season and the strong strength of Manchester City this season, Gao Shen and the coaching staff are very confident that they can work together on multiple fronts to strive for better results.
Especially in the Champions League.
This is not only the arena that Gao Shen values but also the front that Manchester City management attaches most importance to.
Because of this, the coaching staff is more focused on summer training.
Carlo, Buenaventura and Pintus spent a long time carefully creating a summer training plan for the team, including the physical reserves and condition adjustments for some international players participating in the World Cup.
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When Manchester City set off for training in the United States, the World Cup also began to come to an end.
In the end, it was still the Netherlands and Spain who both met in the finals.
In the first half, the two sides were still tied at 0-0, but it was obvious that Robben's performance was even better than in his previous life.
In the 62nd minute of the second half, the Dutch opened the scoring for the Dutch team using a single shot to counter offside.
But soon, Sneijder, who had just assisted Robben's goal, made a mistake in passing the ball and passed the ball to David Villa, who hit the goal and equalized the score for the Spanish team.
In the 83rd minute, it was another quick counterattack by the Dutch team. Robben dribbled the ball at high speed. After breaking into the penalty area, he passed Puyol and hit the goal with his left foot. Van Persie rushed over and calmly pushed the ball home.
.
But in stoppage time, at the critical moment, Iniesta's goal helped Spain equalize the score again.
Even after entering overtime, both sides still failed to score again.
In the penalty shootout, Casillas played bravely and helped Spain save three penalty kicks, defeating the Netherlands and winning the World Cup!
It is worth mentioning that the new players introduced by Manchester City have performed well in the World Cup.
Needless to say, Yaya Toure, Lichtsteiner also performed well in the group stage, but the most eye-catching one is Jerome Boateng.
This young defender was placed on the right wing by Low and performed very well, especially in the semi-finals against Spain. He became the best player on the field for the German team. He defended the right wing flawlessly and was completely frozen.
Spain's left wing.
And then in the third-place decisive battle, facing club teammate Suarez, Jerome Boateng also performed very steadily. Not only did he defend well, he also launched continuous attacks on the right and sent out several high-level goals.
's cross.
Especially in the 56th minute, Jerome Boateng's cross from the right arced through a beautiful arc, hit teammate Janssen's head, and bounced into the Uruguay goal.
In the end, Germany defeated Uruguay 3-2.
But with his outstanding performance in the World Cup, Boateng has proven his strength to everyone.
With 10 million euros, Manchester City was able to buy this star at such a price. Their sophisticated talent selection vision has once again been recognized by the world. Everyone also firmly believes that Boateng will occupy a place in Manchester City in the new season.
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When the world's attention was focused on the new world champion Spain, Gao Shen handed over full responsibility for the training camp in Portland to Carlo, with Buenaventura and Pintus assisting him on the left.
He quietly left Portland with Brian Kidd and Lucas and flew to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Of course, his trip was not to visit the red light district of Amsterdam, but to meet someone.
The Dutch national team quietly returned home after defeating South Africa.
Although finishing second in the World Cup is a pretty good result, it is still disappointing for the Orange Army.
This is normal. All teams that reach the finals will not be satisfied with second place.
Since leagues in various countries have already started summer training preparations, the national team will be disbanded upon arrival.
That night, Gao Shen met the target of his trip in a high-end hotel in Amsterdam.
Robin van Persie!
He is what Gao Shen said, an exciting star!
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Regarding Robin van Persie's transfer, both Manchester City and Arsenal handled it confidentially and did a very good job of keeping it secret.
The main reason why Arsenal did this was to consider the feelings of the fans.
Logically speaking, according to normal transfer logic, if Arsenal wants to sell, they should introduce more competitors to raise the price. But the problem is that Manchester City directly raised the price to the top at one time.
The outside world's market evaluation of Robin van Persie is around 18 million to 20 million euros, which is far lower than Arsenal's top star, captain Cesc Fabregas, and center Adebayor, who has performed well this season.
The transfer fee offered by Manchester City is as high as 30 million euros, which is difficult for Arsenal to refuse.
Looking at the entire European football world, there is probably no one else who is willing to offer 30 million euros like Manchester City.
As for Arsenal, their current situation is indeed worrying, especially since it is very difficult to retain players.
Losing the qualification for the Champions League, losing tens of millions of euros in income, and the players' concerns, Arsenal and Wenger made the decision to release him after careful consideration.
Gao Shen made this special trip to Amsterdam because he wanted to complete the last step of the transfer, but it was also the most critical step.
Convince Van Persie!
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Van Persie is no stranger to the high level, and from his agent, he basically understands Arsenal's attitude and situation.
Selling people has almost become an inevitable choice for gunmen.
Van Persie can also understand the situation of Arsenal and Wenger, and joining Manchester City seems to be a good choice.
The bigger trouble is that Manchester City still has Suarez in the team.
The Uruguayan forward performed brilliantly both in the Premier League last season and in this World Cup.
As early as when he was in the Dutch national team, Robin van Persie had already inquired about Suarez's situation with Robben. They asked themselves that even he might not be sure that he could overpower Suarez and become Manchester City's main center forward.
Not to mention, Sturridge and Giroud also performed well last season.
Under such circumstances, the competitive pressure faced by Van Persie when joining Manchester City is still great.
Gao Shen was well aware of Van Persie's concerns, but he also told Van Persie straightforwardly that all teams aiming to win the championship will definitely have fierce competition.
"If any team that aspires to win the championship promises that you will be an unbeatable main force when you come, then I can tell you responsibly that this team has no future, at least not a big one!"
Van Persie had to admit that there was some truth in what Gao Shen said.
Regarding Manchester City in the new season, Gao Shen said with certainty that the team will not only compete in the Premier League.
"You can look at the intensity of our signings this summer and the quality of the players we introduced. If we just want to compete in the Premier League, we don't need to make such a big signing. We don't need to bring in so many high-level players."
"I can confidently say that with the lineup configuration last season, I am still confident of defending the Premier League championship this season!"
When Gao Shen said this, he was so confident that even Van Persie was a little surprised.
After being surprised, I felt a hint of admiration.
They are all young people. Van Persie is not much younger than Gao Shen, but Gao Shen is already the world's top coach.
And what about Van Persie?
Although he is conceited, he is not even considered a first-tier European star. He can only be ranked third or even fourth in the Arsenal team.
"What we at Manchester City want in the new season is to compete on two fronts in the Premier League and Champions League, and even on multiple fronts in the domestic league, so we need a strong and competitive lineup to cope with the challenges on multiple fronts."
"So, I think what you should consider is whether you should continue to stay in your comfort zone and stay at Arsenal, or come to Manchester City to accept challenges and competition, and create a new era and situation with us?"
Gao Shen's words are still very inspiring.
Van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004. He was still a troubled boy at that time. He landed in the Premier League with longing and desire, because at that time he joined the top Gunners who had just won the Premier League championship with an undefeated record.
At that time, everyone felt that he should be like Henry and attack the city for Arsenal.
In fact, even after so many years, many people still expect him to be like Henry.
Although, he knew that he was nothing like Henry.
Not only are his technical characteristics on the pitch different, but his results are also different. Over the years, he has only won one Community Shield and one FA Cup at Arsenal, and he has only received two Player of the Month awards.
, and the season assists leader, but other than that, there is nothing.
Van Persie will be 27 years old soon. With the current situation, he will basically not gain anything by staying at Arsenal.
Because Manchester City has risen!
The power structure of the Premier League has been completely overturned!
If he is ambitious, wants to succeed, and wants to win the championship, he should go to a team that can win the championship.
As Gao Shen said, either hide in your comfort zone, or face the challenge bravely!
Van Persie thought of this, raised his head, and looked deeply at Gao Shen.
"Mr. Gao, how do you think Manchester City's competitiveness in the Champions League this season is?" Van Persie asked with concern.
Gao Shen raised the corner of his mouth, applauded secretly in his heart, smiled slightly and said: "Better than Naples two years ago!"
Two years ago, Gao Shen personally led Napoli to win the Triple Crown in Serie A.
That was the first treble in Serie A history!
But now, Gao Shen said, today's Manchester City is stronger than Naples two years ago, and Van Persie's doubts have been solved.
"Thank you, Mr. Gao!" When Van Persie said this, he had already stood up and stretched out his right hand.
Although he is left-footed, Gao Shen is right-handed.
