Chapter 23
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Finishing Up Business in Korea and the 99/00 Transfer Market
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After enjoying a fine meal at Kyung Hee Hotel, we were sipping coffee.
"Vice Chairman Lee, about that English Premier League... Is it really that tough?"
"Extremely so. Even Yoo Sung-chul, the top player in Korea, struggled immensely at first because he couldn't handle the physical battles."
"Hmm. I wish soccer would push for overseas moves as aggressively as baseball. Any recommendations?"
I figured this topic would come up.
"Talent is a given, but they need the physicality first. I even showed Kenny Dalglish, Blackburn's manager, videos of promising K-League players."
"Oh, really?"
"He said they need to build muscle from the ground up. No matter how skilled their feet are, bodies that fly off in a single tackle won't cut it."
"To withstand those rough Western physical duels, it's unavoidable, I suppose."
"We can't throw around words like 'fighting spirit' or 'mental toughness' lightly. In the Premier League's 20 teams, with 25 roster spots each, how many players worldwide are desperately fighting to claim one? Hundreds."
Rather than vague terms like 'fighting spirit' or 'mental fortitude,' I stressed the need for a proper system before wrapping up the meeting.
Back home, I caught up with the family, shared stories, and since I was there, discussed company matters with my father in his study.
"The convenience stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets have gotten their permits. Now we're expanding nationwide."
I reviewed the documents my brother Dae-chul showed me and added one report on potential store locations.
"Next year or the year after, dedicated stadiums will be built for the World Cup."
"That's right."
"Mark my words—they won't sustain those massive facilities running just a soccer team off one stadium."
"Hm?"
"We need to aggressively bid on auxiliary facilities. Talks for shopping mall bids on surrounding land will come up, so get ahead on that."
Even Seoul's Sangam World Cup Stadium fills the deficit with revenue from hypermarkets, movie theaters, wedding halls, arcades, and more inside it.
"And for Daeyang Global's distribution division CF model, I recommend Yoo Sung-chul. With leisure and sports goods overflowing, a mall advertised by the first Premier Leaguer will draw eyes."
"I was already planning to use that Yoo Sung-chul for ads."
"Flip on the TV, and it'll be everywhere. He'll be all over broadcasts soon enough."
Famous MCs will invite him to lounge on sofas, calling him 'Korea's pride' and 'the first Premier Leaguer,' lining up gigs left and right.
"That's set for the distribution division. Assign the distribution complex land to the trade division, construction for the logistics centers, and the other thing I mentioned before."
Then my brother Dae-chul raised his hand.
"Dad, remember the cable network and base station construction I mentioned? Dae-hyun suggested it."
My father chuckled, lighting a cigarette.
"This kid didn't just play games in England after all."
"Dad, how many export successes did I pull off at the European branch?"
"Yang Executive Director said you had the trade department digging into soccer backgrounds nonstop?"
Looks like the Gattuso and van Basten signing stories reached the chairman's ears.
"Dae-hyun, the department store issue is the most serious. Besides the two we acquired in Daegu and Busan, we haven't really operated any, right?"
"And acquiring a mega-mall in this economy?"
"You suggested it, so lay it out."
By now, the players and coaching staff—scouts aside—are on vacation. I have family business, but might as well handle it all.
"Nationwide, local department stores are collapsing under bankruptcy threats. Buy up those sites and acquire the malls—it's optimal."
"A few have already gone under."
"Yes, and in Seoul, Gangnam—here."
I pointed to the Gran Seia Department Store in Dogok-dong.
"Whoa, that's right in the heart of Gangnam."
"Apgujeong's Hyeonkyung and Galaxy Gangnam have been stealing customers for ages."
"But excluding south of Teheran-ro, there's nothing but this. Acquiring it means giving up department store expansion in Seocho-Gangnam."
"Hmm..."
Thinking ahead to Gangnam-Seocho-Jamsil, it's worth the premium to claim it early.
"Start at 145 billion won. Lota Group's at 140 billion, so plus 50 billion."
That's how I spent the time busily outlining directions for group HQ, my share acquisitions, and management details.
While Yoo Sung-chul was still in Korea, I boarded a plane back to England first.
And there were results.
'When are you putting a sponsor on that soccer team's kit hem?'
'Until 00.'
'Handle it under Daeyang. Calculate the amount and send a proposal.'
Secured next season's kit main sponsor, and Father allocated 20 million pounds as special budget to Daeyang Global's European branch.
Half for company work, half for Blackburn transfers.
Worked for it, now I can join the transfer market.
"Alright, shall we kick off for the new season?"
Scout team leader David Hobson.
Deputy Elsa Taylor.
Manager Kenny Dalglish.
And me—we gathered for the real transfer meeting.
"First, the bad news."
"Who got away?"
While in Korea, I'd faxed lists of promising players who became world-class later.
Really suffered digging through 200kb internet speeds and scarce data.
"Juventus's Thierry Henry—the agent's rejected it outright."
"Damn, Arsenal?"
"Thierry was at AS Monaco in France; his old manager there is Arsenal's Arsène Wenger now. He's going back to his mentor."
Fate bound like that? Hijack attempt failed.
Went flashy to Juventus post-98 World Cup win but flopped, so we tried for EPL, but history had Wenger snag him.
"And a fax from London West Ham."
"What'd it say?"
"Hard to say... 'No approach' warning."
Hobson's words drew sighs from the scouts; Dalglish mimed slitting his throat with a wry smile, 'That's dead.'
"Frank Lampard. Polish him right, he'll be huge. Shame."
This era's Lampard, fresh from West Ham youth to first team.
We'd tried signing him immediately; scouts and Dalglish called personally, but this.
"No approach warning? For one call? I'll phone them."
"Mr. Lee, no need to..."
But I dialed the fax number.
"Hello, West Ham club?"
[Who is it?]
Gruff voice—I cut to the chase.
"Mr. Lee from Blackburn. Want to talk Frank Lampard."
[What? I said no approach, and you call again!]
The yeller had a prickly personality.
[Listen, you—the Asian who got Jack Walker's shares, right? I'm Frank's dad and West Ham staff, Frank George Lampard.]
Frank Lampard Senior, his father.
[No idea where you heard of my son's talent, but Frank's never going to Blackburn. No, he won't leave London. No approach.]
"How about 10 million pounds?"
He paused, then bellowed.
[Jack Walker teach you that? No selling London's heart for cash!]
Senior hung up.
Henry and now Lampard failed—worth a shot.
"Lampard won't leave London? If he joins outside later, I'll remind the neighborhood."
"..."
Yeah, missed 'Arsenal's King' and the 'Not-So-Blue Heart.'
"Only bad news. What about King Kenny's reinforcements?"
"Mr. Lee, but good news too."
"Spill."
Elsa Taylor adjusted her horn-rims and handed documents.
"Talked to Peter yesterday—positive response. Wants to meet you."
"Peter? Peter Schmeichel, right?"
"Yes."
Peter Schmeichel's coming—Man U's top keeper, treble hero.
Dalglish nodded at the free-agent news.
"Mr. Lee, honestly, better than sticking with Filan or Flowers. Saw his games this season—two more years easy."
"Contract Schmeichel for two years, scout a new keeper after?"
"Of course. I won't be here then."
Last season for Dalglish too.
Schmeichel in means 1+1 with son Kasper eventually.
Goalkeeper solved—sell one for transfer funds even.
"Now, for Henchoz's defensive partner and left wing we eyed for Lampard."
I scanned the scout list.
Mostly mid-lower table mids or Scottish/Irish prospects I barely knew.
But two names jumped out.
"Gareth Barry."
"18 this year, from Brighton youth. Aston Villa pre-contacted for 2 million pounds."
"But no Champs League, 5th in league—owner Doug Ellis will sell for cash."
"Okay, add Gareth Barry to the list."
Dalglish nodded: 'Left-footers are rare—good.'
"This guy's here too, Scott Parker."
"20-year-old central mid, up from Charlton youth. Relegated this season— they'll sell on offer."
Hobson pushed Parker especially.
"If no Lampard, I'd recommend Scott Parker as alternative."
"Gareth Barry-Scott Parker. Add both, negotiate."
Goalkeeper: Schmeichel. Central mids: Gattuso fixed, plus Barry and Parker.
Let's build this team step by step.