Chapter 26
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: A Player to Outscore Henry – Signed for 9 Million
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I gathered the seven new players and handed out their uniforms one by one.
"Welcome back to Blackburn, Beattie."
"Thank you, Mr. Lee."
James Beattie, the 21-year-old striker standing tall at 185 cm with a striking presence.
A former swimmer known for his powerful shots and aggressive physical play, he was a reliable goal-scorer who consistently hit double digits in the EPL, even if he wasn't a regular for England.
I gave James Beattie the number 21 jersey, then picked up the number 6.
"You said you came here for trophies. I think you'll lift one right here."
"Looking forward to it."
Gareth Southgate.
More famous later as England's manager, he was already a renowned center-back for both country and club during his playing days.
I handed him the number 6 he'd worn for England.
Next, Keith Gillespie moved to 20, and the number 18 went to Gareth Barry—the one we'd brought in with all the fanfare.
"Thank you for choosing me. I won't let you down."
"You and Parker over there will own Blackburn's midfield from now on."
After Gareth Barry, I gave number 4 to Scott Parker.
"I'll give it my all."
"Make sure you remember this number."
He'd worn 8 before, but why 4? Because that's the number Parker would get for England later on.
Then I handed Wayne Bridge the number 33 jersey.
"A strong English defender with a great left foot."
"You won't regret picking me."
With Tim Flowers transferring to Leicester and John Filan giving up number 1...
Of course, that 1 went straight to Peter Schmeichel.
"Thanks so much for bringing me in, Peter."
"No more worries about defense from now on."
Peter Schmeichel, key to Man United's Treble last season and a Euro 1992 winner with Denmark's Best XI, was now our goalkeeper.
"Big expectations for our veterans—Ian Wright, Peter Schmeichel, and you, Paul Ince."
"Hahaha, this place has to be better than Liverpool, right?"
Paul Ince, the black midfielder laughing heartily as he took his Liverpool number 17.
The "Heart of England" legend had clashed with Ferguson at Man United and Houllier at Liverpool, but snagging him on a free transfer was a masterstroke.
And so we kicked off the signing ceremony with all seven players together.
It was a spectacle having them all unveiled at once.
Reporters from the Daily Mail, The Sun, Sky Sports, BBC, and more fired off camera shutters like mad as I spread my arms wide to showcase our new signings.
We went through interviews one by one, and finally, it was my turn.
"Mr. Lee, you've taken over shares from Jack Walker and made some massive moves in the transfer market."
"I didn't hesitate to spend on Sutton and Wilcox. It's what you do for the team."
"Word is you're building training and rehab facilities, but players say you're poking them with needles and feeding them weird black pills—what's that about?"
How did the rumors spread?
"Not needles—acupuncture. It's the essence of Eastern medicine, Korean medicine, done by a specialist doctor from a proper rehab hospital, and FA-approved supplements."
"Eastern medicine? Isn't that a bit superstitious?"
"There's a paper from Bolton University's sports science department by Sam Allardyce on rehab treatments. Isn't that recognized by British academia?"
The reporters looked baffled, like "Is there really such a thing?"
But it's true. That "Big Sam," who later managed Bolton, West Ham, Newcastle, and even England, wrote a paper on using Eastern medicine for player treatment. It sparked a trend in modern EPL with dedicated acupuncture, moxibustion, and chiropractic staff.
I just introduced it early since I'm Korean and know the benefits firsthand.
"Mr. Lee, four players out, seven in. Any more signings planned?"
"Yes. Beattie and Ian will get us ten each, but with Kevin Davies gone, we need a proven goal-scorer."
Everyone chuckled and leaned in, dying to know who.
"Anyone in the know already knows. I tried for Juventus's Thierry Henry, but he went to Arsenal. Guess he didn't believe in Blackburn's path to glory."
"Arsenal's Arsène Wenger sold Anelka to Real and used the cash to get him. You saying you're bringing in Henry-level?"
Brits say "Henry," I say "Henry"—funny how it sounds.
"I promise you right here: I'll sign a player guaranteed to score twice as many goals as Henry. Print that, and check back at season's end."
"Against Thierry Henry?"
"Yes."
"The Lancashire Trumpet blasts again. Blackburn different this year?"
"This year? Last season was the fluke."
I shrugged dramatically, making it clear things would be different now.
Press conference over, the players had their meeting, then training kicked off with Brian Kidd, van Basten, Ian Porterfield, and the rest.
"With our current lineup, a main striker hitting 15+ gets us top ten easy."
"Hmm."
"20 goals? We go higher."
"Hmmm."
"Golden Boot level? UEFA spots and cups are ours."
No one's full after one drink, and the second-year jinx is what we avoid.
Disappointing? Sure, but we've assembled B+ now into future A-graders. Expect way better than last season at minimum.
"Next week, prep for preseason Scotland trip."
While others tour America, China, Japan, or the Arab world, we're doing Scotland nearby.
Rangers, Hearts, Aberdeen, Hibs in the Scottish Premier— we'll face them all.
"Gotta hit Mario's pub in Glasgow."
"Everyone's raving about Gattuso's father-in-law's place."
"Haha, yeah. So, who's our 15+ goal striker?"
"David Hobson's staking his career on one."
"Let's see him then. Gotta respect the chief scout."
Dalglish and I stared intently at the footage of the player on screen.
It was an England Championship match—not even top flight.
A small guy, maybe 170 cm, quick but gritty, holding his own against rough tackles. Tough as nails.
I like players like that. Physique is just numbers—small and nimble dashers work fine.
"Ho?"
Especially impressive: the little frame charging through for goals, or ripping mid-range shots when defended heavily—and they all went in.
"Sunderland, right?"
"Yes, the striker for newly promoted Sunderland this season. Top scorer in Division 1 last year for them."
"Highlight reels could make Kevin Davies's two goals look like Michael Owen specials."
"Totally different. This kid's the real deal."
Dalglish muttered amusedly, but Hobson pitched hard.
"How old?"
"Kenny, he's twenty-six this year."
"Seen plenty of second-division top scorers flop in the Prem..."
"I stake my scouting career on it. We must sign him. Freshly promoted, plays as second striker—they'll negotiate around nine million."
I knew who it was.
Kevin Phillips.
Sunderland striker, obscure from lower leagues, but I knew his potential well.
"Pairing him in a big-and-small duo with that lanky giant?"
"Sunderland's promotion? Niall Quinn's bulk and Kevin Phillips up top combined for 41 goals. Wanted Quinn more, but we went Beattie. Phillips as partner."
"Kenny, David's adamant—what do you think?"
"Ian Wright won't play full seasons, so with Beattie, twenty goals between them."
Twenty from the pair?
Wrong.
He'd do that solo.
"Kevin Phillips—let's pursue."
"Thank you, Mr. Lee."
Hobson bowed repeatedly, voice full of resolve.
"If he flops, I'll resign this season."
"Whoa, no need for that..."
"He'll outdo Thierry Henry this season. I'm serious."
Yeah, our scouts aren't hacks.
They backed most of my future-knowledge picks and grasped their talents.
Granting a dying man's wish? Sign him.
Kevin Phillips—our ace striker this season.
Three days later.
Kevin Phillips stood with me at Ewood Park for Blackburn Rovers' home signing ceremony, number 30 emblazoned on his back—his vow for 30 goals this season. Confidence radiated from his face.
"Introducing our eighth signing, Kevin Phillips."
Nine million including add-ons. Reporters snarked anyway.
"Mr. Lee, your '15-goal scorer' was a 15-goal guy from the second division, not the Prem?"
"Tony Stone, right?"
Couldn't forget him.
Sky Sports Blackburn guy sniped "The 5-0 country?" on Korean signings—shut up after Yoo Sung-chul.
"Thought you were channeling old Jack Walker, bringing in a superstar like Dwight York or Michael Owen."
"I guarantee: Kevin Phillips will outscore Dwight York, Michael Owen, Hasselbaink, and Arsenal's Thierry Henry this season—by a mile."
"!"
"Bet on it. If I'm wrong, season end—Italian feasts and beer on me for every reporter here."
Most faces screamed, "Second-division top scorer? Comparing to who?"
'Lancashire Trumpet again.'
'He's feeding us headlines—might as well write 'em.'
Yeah, watch.
Watch what Blackburn Rovers does this season.