Just as everything was progressing smoothly, Cambridge United received a fax offer.
When this offer appeared before Huang Hao, he couldn't help but frown, refusing it almost without hesitation!
January 17th, Cambridge United Training Base.
The players were in a very relaxed mood due to their recent string of victories.
Tomorrow they will travel to Moss Rose Stadium to challenge Mansfield, and today is their last tactical training session at the base.
The provisional starting players were all wearing vests symbolizing their main positions, engaging in a group confrontation training session with another team of substitute players.
Huang Hao and Darren stood by the field, observing the players' performance.
Cambridge United is currently ranked first in the League, leading fourth-placed Mansfield by a full 20 points, and also leading second-placed Lincoln City by a high of 10 points.
If they maintain their current form, the team is almost guaranteed to appear in the League One next season.
Hope was within reach, and the morale of the Cambridge United lads was naturally very high.
At this moment, one person's performance was particularly conspicuous.
Although Darren had called out Simmons's name several times during the match, reminding him to focus, Simmons still looked dispirited, while Huang Hao, standing nearby, watched everything on the field without saying a word.
After the scrimmage ended, Huang Hao didn't say much; he turned and left the training ground, heading straight back to his office.
Immediately after, Evans, Cambridge United's chief scout, received a call from Huang Hao.
Huang Hao asked the scouting team to organize their existing data and recommend suitable attacking players to him as soon as possible, including loan options.
Hearing this instruction, Evans was somewhat puzzled.
After all, the team's current attacking setup and chemistry were very good.
Under such circumstances, why would the boss suddenly be so eager for information on forwards?
Facing Evans's confusion, Huang Hao didn't say too much, only urging him to act quickly.
The winter weather in England was the place Huang Hao disliked the most.
Most of the time in London during winter, it was almost always raining, occasionally mixed with a bit of hail.
In such weather, no matter how many layers of clothes you wore, you would feel that bone-chilling cold.
Today in Mansfield, it happened to be a rainy day.
The cold rain seeped into Huang Hao's neck, making him shiver a few times.
To make matters worse, Cambridge United was already 0-2 down to their opponents after only 15 minutes.
This kind of situation seemed to have not occurred for a long time.
Cambridge United's attack was completely muted, and the team also lost its way in the icy rain.
Especially Simmons, who was the terminator of attacking opportunities; any ball that came to his feet, whether there was a chance or not, he would try to dribble and shoot by himself.
Huang Hao sighed, knowing that his biggest fear was finally going to happen.
After losing by two goals in Mansfield, Cambridge United's significant early lead ensured they maintained their first-place position in the standings.
So far, the best news for the team was that all players whose contracts were about to expire had signed their new contracts.
As a reward, almost everyone's salary saw a small increase.
However, Cambridge United's overall payroll still remained within the safe limit of £30,000 per week.
After the loss, Cambridge United naturally did not get their much-desired holiday.
The next day, the team's full-back, Jamie Sterri, was called into Huang Hao's office alone.
This 24-year-old defender, on loan from Premier League club Newcastle, was originally Pasquel's substitute, but due to his consistent performance, being able to play both wide and central, he was gradually relied upon by Huang Hao as a primary rotation player.
Although Pasquel was someone he had brought up from the youth team, he was only 18 years old and still needed more refinement.
“Jamie, come and sit!”
Huang Hao warmly greeted Sterri and motioned for him to sit in front of him.
“How do you feel after half a year at Cambridge United?”
“Very good, Boss!”
“The team atmosphere is the best of all the teams I've played for!”
The 181cm tall Jamie had a handsome face, a typical English heartthrob.
His tone was full of sincerity, clearly not flattery.
“Very good, I'm very happy you like it here.”
Huang Hao nodded and continued:
“Jamie, from what I know, your contract with Newcastle has less than half a year left. Can you tell me why you haven't renewed it?”
Huang Hao's tone shifted, showing concern for Sterri's contract renewal.
“Uh… Boss, I'm a bit tired of being on loan.”
Sterri slowly lowered his head, seemingly recalling his years as a player.
“Every time I go back to Newcastle, I feel like a stranger.”
Although Jamie Sterri came from Newcastle's youth academy and spent eight seasons there, he only made 3 appearances in total; the rest of the time, he was basically loaned out to different teams by the club, living a nomadic life.
Hearing Sterri's words, Huang Hao knew there was an opportunity, so he said directly: “OK, you know my personality, so I'll get straight to the point.”
“These next two days, I will arrange for Adams to negotiate with Newcastle, hoping to sign you permanently.”
“Jamie, I believe Cambridge United will be your best stage.”
“Regarding the contract, your current weekly wage at Newcastle is £2,000. I'm sorry, but you also know the team's finances are currently quite difficult, so temporarily I can't give you more.”
“£2,000 is also the team's highest salary at the moment, only Sager and Songo'o enjoy it. As a rotation player, I can only give you a maximum of £1,500.”
“But you know, this is only temporary. The team's finances are improving, and when we get promoted to League One, our income will also increase, and your salary can also be raised accordingly.”
“There's also another way: you can get 5% of your jersey sales commission. You're so handsome, jersey sales definitely won't be low. As long as you train hard and play more games, the girls in Cambridge will be fascinated by you.”
Sterri seemed to have a rough idea of the purpose of Huang Hao's conversation today, and after a brief few minutes of thought, he nodded heavily.
Cambridge United was the most like home among all the teams he had experienced.
Although he had once appeared as a first-team player at St James' Park, three appearances were almost negligible compared to eight years.
And at Abbey Stadium, he could have his own fans and hear his own cheers, so why refuse?!
Thus, Huang Hao's first winter transfer signing was quickly reached. Newcastle did not set any obstacles, after all, Sterri might face contract termination in half a year, and this way they could save half a year's salary. So, Sterri was directly made a permanent player at the team, joining Huang Hao's squad for free.
The morning after Sterri became a Cambridge United player, Simmons walked into Huang Hao's office.
Seeing Simmons, Huang Hao knew that this day had finally arrived.
From his performance in training and matches, Huang Hao had already guessed his intentions.
The offer Huang Hao had unhesitatingly rejected a few days prior was precisely for Simmons.
As the cornerstone of his team for the next two or three years, Huang Hao naturally would not agree to this transfer.
But Simmons's performance told him that the other party was clearly well-prepared.
“It seems you've made your decision.”
Huang Hao didn't intend to beat around the bush.
“Yes, Boss, I'm sorry, but after all, the other party is an EFL Championship team, and they promised me playing opportunities.”
Fearing Huang Hao's opposition, Simmons deliberately emphasized EFL Championship and playing opportunities.
Hearing Simmons's somewhat boastful words, Huang Hao was silent for a moment, then slowly said:
“Kaindara, you are only 19 years old.”
“You know, Cambridge United only needs two years to reach the EFL Championship.”
“Sir, I deeply admire your tactical prowess. But after all, there are still two years, and too many uncertain factors.”
Although Cambridge United was highly likely to be promoted to League One, Simmons wasn't confident they could also be promoted to the EFL Championship.
“Moreover, Blackburn has my brother, and I still hope to play alongside him on the field.”
“Sorry, Sir.”
In just a few words, Huang Hao knew that any further attempts to retain him would be meaningless now.
Simmons had played 25 games for Cambridge United this season, scoring 10 goals and contributing 4 assists. For a 19-year-old, such statistics were excellent.
Especially in counter-attacks, his outstanding speed often created memorable moments of breaking away from everyone.
However, the sadness of small clubs is sometimes like this: whether it's training facilities or playing fields, they are far from being able to compete with large clubs, let alone giants.
Blackburn alone was enough to overwhelm Cambridge United in terms of resources.
But whether Simmons could get the playing opportunities he desired there, or if he would fall to the U23s, Huang Hao was unsure.
Now, he was like a rocket, already ignited and launched; if he were relegated to the U23s again, it could greatly impact his development.
It's just that Simmons clearly wouldn't understand any of this.
Now, his mind was full of the English Championship League, and his performance this half-season also made him believe that he could definitely secure a starting spot.
What's more, his brother was there.
“Alright, half a year ago, when I brought you from Manchester to Cambridge United, I thought that when you shined on the field, someone would definitely try to poach you, but I didn't expect it to be so soon.”
Huang Hao looked at the young man in front of him and wasn't too angry.
Even now, he was just a little worried that a promising star would fade into obscurity because of this choice.
“For the next match, I will still arrange for you to start.”
“I hope you can leave everyone with a beautiful memory in your last match for Cambridge United.”
“After the match, you can communicate with Blackburn about your personal contract. Regardless, thank you for being willing to follow me, and I wish you good luck.”
Huang Hao actively extended his hand to Simmons and shook it firmly.
“Thank you, Sir, I also deeply appreciate your understanding, and I hope we meet on the field soon!”
Huang Hao smiled bitterly, said nothing more, but waved his hand, signaling Simmons could leave.
Huang Hao walked out of the office, feeling a bit dejected, and saw Jamie still practicing.
“Jamie, aren't you going home to rest?”
“Boss…” Vardy hesitated, “Actually, I've been waiting for you. I just saw Simmons, so I waited outside.”
“Is something wrong?” Huang Hao was a bit curious.
“It's like this,” Vardy rubbed his hands, “You know, I've always played for small clubs. Cambridge United is the highest level team I've ever played for.”
Huang Hao's heart skipped a beat. Was Vardy also leaving?
“These past two days, Bradford sent someone to contact me privately. They want to buy me in the winter and promised me a starting position, with a weekly salary 20% higher than now. It's the first time a League One team has looked at me, and I'm a bit excited, Boss. You know, I'm just someone from a small place, not very worldly, so I wanted to hear your advice.”
Hearing what Vardy said, Huang Hao seemed unable to suppress the anger in his heart, and his voice involuntarily rose by an octave, “Bradford, do you know what position they are in? Twenty-second. Looking at this trend, next season when we Cambridge United are promoted to League One, Bradford will drop to League Two. Is that what you want? And they promised a starting position? Aren't you a starter at Cambridge United? A 20% increase in weekly salary, that's like giving alms to beggars. Jamie, you will be the best local striker in Cambridge United and even England. Don't ruin your future for such a small gain. I'm sorry, Simmons is leaving, and I'm a bit disappointed, so I'm taking it out on you.”
Huang Hao saw the slightly panicked Vardy, realized he had gotten too angry, and quickly tried to soothe him.
“Boss… I've always been very grateful that you brought me out of Bridge. I also know that you are focusing on developing me, so I know you definitely have a plan for my career. I just wanted to hear your opinion.”
“You sly dog, you were testing me, weren't you? Starting tomorrow, training will be doubled.”