“Hill?”
Any player who came to Huang Hao's office at this time, their purpose was self-evident.
“Boss.”
This young man from Germany was as shy as ever. After saying the word 'boss', he didn't know how to continue the conversation.
“Unhappy in the team?”
Huang Hao tried to find the reason why Hill came here.
“No, no, the team atmosphere is good. But boss, I still hope to play as a starter.”
After speaking, Hill lowered his head a little embarrassed, as if he had made a mistake.
The German joined Cambridge United in League Two at the age of 21, and in a blink of an eye, he had spent more than three years there.
Since Lewandowski came to Cambridge United, Hill had basically become the fourth or even fifth choice for the forward line.
Although Dzeko chose to leave midway through last season, Lacazette's arrival made Hill clearly realize that he could not be Huang Hao's first choice. Hill still had three years left on his contract with Cambridge United, and if Huang Hao forced him to stay, he would only be able to obey.
However, Huang Hao would obviously not do this to a veteran who had followed him in expanding the club.
“I understand. Do you have a target?”
Hill heard Huang Hao's question and shook his head in confusion.
This honest German had not contacted a new club in advance and then come to Huang Hao to force his hand.
Huang Hao nodded thoughtfully, looking at Hill with some regret.
“Alright, Hill, I respect your decision. I will arrange for Adams to try and communicate with other clubs. Actually, although you didn't play much last season, you still contributed your strength. In the new season, you are still the third-choice option, after all, Kane and Lacazette are still too young. If you insist on leaving, I will not force you to stay.”
Seeing Huang Hao agree to his request, Hill felt a sense of relief and nodded happily.
As a technical forward with excellent speed and explosiveness, Hill, though not highly sought after, still had a certain market.
But the only problem was that Hill didn't have many opportunities to play last season, and lacked outstanding performances.
Therefore, Huang Hao was not in a hurry to sell Hill, but instead had Adams try to find a suitable club to loan Hill out first, allowing him to prove his strength.
The facts were not much different from Huang Hao's expectations. When Hill was put on the market, only Crewe offered a bid of 650,000 pounds.
Huang Hao naturally chose to refuse this offer, which was clearly lower than Hill's value.
Finally, Bristol Rovers won Hill with a bid of 300,000 pounds, but Rovers proposed a one-year loan contract.
After settling Hill's destination, Huang Hao still focused on strengthening the squad. Cambridge United's young defensive line always made Huang Hao feel a little uneasy.
However, in today's transfer market, defenders are also a tight commodity.
Although Cambridge United's earning ability has greatly improved now, Huang Hao was truly powerless against the tens of millions of pounds demanded by other clubs.
Just then, Evans, dusty from travel, arrived at Huang Hao's office with two sets of material.
Seeing Evans enter, Huang Hao immediately perked up.
“Give me some good news, Evans, or my head is going to explode.”
Looking at the player material piled up like a mountain on Huang Hao's desk, Evans also gave a wry smile, and then handed the two sets of material in his hand to Huang Hao.
“Paul Scholes?!”
Huang Hao saw the first name and for a moment thought it was a namesake.
Unexpectedly, it was really Manchester United's ginger-haired Scholes!
“Evans, you're not joking, are you?”
Seeing Scholes, Huang Hao felt as if he had returned to his student days!
Scholes is a loyal Manchester United fan, how could he come? You must be joking with me.
Huang Hao did not continue the topic of Scholes, but picked up the second set of material. Van der Sar, 40 years old.
Huang Hao directly ran his hands through his hair, then said to Evans:
“Evans, you've recommended the 'Xuan deep Elders' to me!”
“What elders?”
Thinking that Evans couldn't have watched 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber', Huang Hao directly gave up on explaining.
“I mean, why are your targets all so old?!”
“Uh, coincidence, coincidence.”
Evans didn't dare to retort to his boss with words like, 'You want veterans, who strong and capable would come?'
“Although Scholes and Van der Sar are old, they still had a fair amount of playing time last season, and their performance was good. I don't think their age should be a concern for you.”
“Moreover, they have been in the Premier League for many years, and their connections are very wide.”
Evans did not explain too much; his report contained detailed information about the players.
Huang Hao stopped talking, staring at the two players'material, lost in thought.
Since Huang Hao took over, Cambridge United had always pursued a youth-oriented approach.
Among the many players who had joined Cambridge United, Longolo, at 27, could be considered the undisputed elder brother.
And if these two were to join Cambridge United this time, it would directly break Cambridge United's transfer record.
It must be said that Evans's eye for talent was indeed sharp. Apart from a clear disadvantage in speed, these two players' conditions in all other aspects truly met Cambridge United's needs.
In Cambridge United's current squad, apart from Sun Jihai, everyone else had a pitiful zero Premier League experience.
But damn it, they're really expensive. Their weekly wage demand is around 60,000 pounds. If they are brought in, it will severely impact Cambridge United's financial system and cause a series of problems in the locker room.
“Besides them two, there's no one else?” Huang Hao rubbed his face hard, pointing at the weekly wage and asking Evans.
“Boss, you want older players who don't take up starting positions, are famous, strong, and can impart experience. There aren't many such people left in the top five Leagues, and if there are, that's the price.” Evans thought to himself, 'I can't help it, there are only a few good players left, and those who are still playing are treasures of their respective teams, they won't leave easily.'
“In that case, don't look anymore. Let them be a bit younger,” Huang Hao still couldn't believe it. Could powerful central defenders all be that old?
In the Premier League, each season, teams are allowed to register 25 players. As Cambridge United's new signings gradually arrived, the first-team squad already exceeded the 25-player limit.
Although Huang Hao was unwilling to issue an expulsion order to any player, as the new season drew closer, Huang Hao had to make difficult choices.
When Sterri received the notice to go to Huang Hao's office, he already guessed his fate.
Last season, although Sterri had 19 appearances, his performance could only be rated as satisfactory.
This season, with the exceptional promotion of youth team player Mings to the first team, there was even less room left for Sterri.
Sterri was just a little unwilling. It was understandable that he didn't get a chance at Arsenal due to too much competition, but he didn't expect to fail even at Cambridge United!
Now, Sterri truly didn't know where his future lay.
After all, his contract with Cambridge United had only one year left.
Thinking of this, Sterri sighed deeply and then knocked on Huang Hao's door.
Huang Hao looked up, saw Sterri, grinned, and nodded towards the seat in front of him.
“Sterri, sit.”
Hearing the Head Coach's instruction, Sterri obediently sat in front of Huang Hao.
“Sterri, although this decision is difficult to make, I believe it is also an opportunity for you.”
Hearing Huang Hao's words, Sterri's last glimmer of hope was also extinguished.
“Sterri, people from Swindon approached me, hoping to loan you for a season.”
Swindon? Sterri looked at Huang Hao with some surprise.
“That's right, there were actually two other clubs, but I rejected them for you. I believe Swindon is a good opportunity for you.” Sterri nodded. Although Swindon still hadn't made it to the EFL Championship this season, they were a top-ranked club in League One.
For Sterri's current ability, being able to establish himself at Swindon might not be a bad thing.
“I know your contract with the club expires in one year.”
Huang Hao directly brought up the matter that worried Sterri the most.
“During the winter break, I will have a good discussion with Swindon. If your performance impresses them, I will not stop you from joining them.”
“If Swindon isn't interested in you, I will offer you a contract extension.”
Huang Hao's words greatly surprised Sterri.
Sterri, who had originally expected Huang Hao to tell him to find a new club, didn't expect the boss to have arranged a destination for him and given him peace of mind.
“Thank you, boss! I will prove myself at Swindon.”
Hearing Sterri's declaration, Huang Hao smiled with relief.
No matter what, Sterri having a good destination was a weight off Huang Hao's mind.
Next, Huang Hao followed suit and sent Pasquel to Carlisle United and Cole to Leyton Orient.
Cambridge United did not make crazy signings this summer, but instead renewed contracts with players to prevent other teams from poaching them. Firstly, the squad consisted of future talents, and replacing them might not necessarily lead to better options. Secondly, Huang Hao still wanted to test the waters in the Premier League first and make necessary adjustments during the winter break.
On the eve of English Football Association's announcement of this season's Premier League schedule, Cambridge United also finalized their main squad for their first Premier League season.
Goalkeepers: Fane Pantilimon (22 years old), Jonny Heffernan (Youth Academy, 19 years old), Jan Oblak (16 years old)
Defenders: Mark Bola (24 years old), Marek Suchý (21 years old), Dejan Lovren (20 years old), Stefan de Vrij (17 years old), Domagoj Vida (20 years old), Josh Pasc (24 years old), Virgil Van Dijk (20 years old), Sun Jihai (32 years old)
Midfielders: Paul Smith (24 years old), Adam May (24 years old), Thomas O'Connor (24 years old), Dusan Tadić (20 years old), Riyad Mahrez (18 years old), N'Golo Kante (18 years old), Mario Gotze (17 years old), Andre Ayew (20 years old), Clément Grenier (18 years old), Maxime Gonalons (20 years old)
Forwards: Jordan Ayew (18 years old), Jamie Vardy (22 years old), Alexandre Lacazette (18 years old), Robert Lewandowski (21 years old), Harry Kane (16 years old)