From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 114: Chapter 36: The Title Race Begins! Pressure on Norwich and Queens Park! Wenger Wins Nothing! [5/5]

The three of them wandered aimlessly on the street for a while, with Kevin Strom and Mike still digesting the explosive reality that a 17-year-old kid had nearly 2 million Pounds in savings.

Although their company was valued at 30 million US Dollars, that money wasn’t in their pockets—they’ve hardly ever had deposits over 1 million US Dollars in their bank accounts.

They were still persisting, hoping to achieve financial freedom the day the company made its breakthrough.

Ma’el strolled with them on the street for a while and couldn’t help but say, ”Have you two thought it through? Compared to those investment institutions and private equity firms, if I bring money in, it’ll definitely attract a bunch of fans to register for your software in the short term.

”This is the user resource you need most right now, and I can also invest 2.7 million US Dollars to buy 9% of the shares.

”You must know, if this company has my stake... I will definitely spare no effort to promote it, hoping it will have higher market value, leading us to a win-win.”

He couldn’t waste more time with these Silicon Valley elites, as he still had severe match tasks and extra training sessions up next.

There were 8 rounds left in this season’s matches—must grit our teeth and sprint in this last moment!

”We...”

Kevin Strom had a complex feeling, his expression heavy, ”We need to think it over for a few days; we’ll stay in Sheffield in the meantime. We will contact you anytime once we’ve made a decision.”

”Alright.”

Seeing their expressions, Ma’el could only set the matter aside for now, ”Well, I must take my leave, the tasks during the season are quite heavy.”

Kevin Strom, still a bit dazed, nodded absentmindedly, ”You go about your business; I’ll discuss thoroughly with Mike and strive to get back to you soon.”

After Ma’el left, Mike swallowed hard, feeling a dry throat, ”Where did he get so much money?”

”I don’t know.” Kevin Strom shook his head, feeling helpless, ”It makes me want to play football; facing the computer all day isn’t good for my health and I’m still not making as much as a 17-year-old kid.”

”Don’t think like that.”

Mike was actually quite envious of Ma’el’s life too, but he comforted, ”This is only temporary, hang in there for a few more years, and we’ll definitely succeed; we must enter the core circle of Silicon Valley.”

”Let’s do it.”

Kevin Strom lethargically high-fived him and, after walking a few steps, said, ”Actually, I already made up my mind just now; we should agree to his terms.”

”Then why didn’t you say so earlier?” Mike asked, puzzled, staring at him.

Kevin Strom awkwardly twitched his mouth, initially not wanting to say anything, but seeing Mike’s clear eyes, he let out a long sigh and said, ”Don’t we care about our dignity?”

......

After the Championship’s 38th round of matches concluded on March 9th, the league standings had basically solidified.

The teams competing for promotion, the playoff spots, and relegation battles all had found their respective places.

Ranked first is Queens Park Rangers, having secured 88 points in the past 38 rounds, remaining at the top of the standings since mid-season.

Norwich comes in second, capturing 85 points across 38 rounds, starting to push hard in the latter half of the league.

In third place is, of course, Sheffield United, who have been holding this position for quite some time, with 84 points after 4 consecutive wins in March!

Beneath this, the points dip below 80, and teams have essentially confirmed they are out of contention for promotion.

A closer look at recent years’ Championship League data reveals something.

This season’s Championship League, whether in terms of average spending during the winter transfer window or the standings of top teams in terms of points, is higher than usual!

The two promotion-contending teams are firmly clinging onto their rankings, seemingly never letting up for a moment.

It’s not that they don’t want to relax; it’s mainly because third-placed Sheffield United is chasing so aggressively, giving them no chance to breathe!

That evening, at Norwich’s training base.

”Sigh...”

Norwich’s head coach, Neil, opened the data website, thoroughly unable to sleep as he looked at the Sheffield United data chart, brimming with recent red-hot performance.

They had clearly felt the pressure from Sheffield United during the winter transfer window; he shamelessly begged the team owner repeatedly, imploring for one last push during the window, not to waste a chance for promotion.

The owner gritted his teeth and allocated him 15 million Pounds, and by selling players, he recouped 4 million Pounds, investing all that money into purchasing and loaning players.

This spending ranked at the top within the Championship League, far surpassing even some Premier League Teams.

He significantly strengthened their inefficient frontline, increasing the team’s average goals per match and reducing the draw rate.

In other words, his signings were highly successful.

The team often strung together winning streaks, with their points climbing over 60+...70+...80+, which in past years would certainly have been title-contending level!

Yet surprisingly, not only did they not close the gap much with Queens Park Rangers, but they were also close to being bumped out of the promotion zone by the pursuing Sheffield United!

Neil was dumbfounded.

He had been living in fear lately, often waking from nightmares, as if seeing Garrispeed running around the field celebrating the team’s promotion, Ma’el raising his hands in a conquer-the-world gesture, grinning arrogantly.

Waking up was the only relief.

He could perhaps understand why Queens Park Rangers, like them, felt the pressure from Sheffield United, aspiring to sprint forward.