Except for the two veterans Southgate and Simeone, the other players in Crystal Palace are basically young people who have not completely turned into veterans.

Therefore, when Chen Ran talks with them, he usually gets more realistic feedback.

A few boys even directly confessed to Chen Ran that someone wanted to lure them to transfer, and even mentioned the names of Manchester United and Chelsea.

But when it came to Crouch, his reaction was more intriguing.

It's not that Crouch is so cunning and difficult to deal with, but the way he speaks is so evasive and secretive that it's hard for Chen Ran not to be suspicious.

So, little fat boy Lewis was called to the office again by Chen Ran.

"Louis, please inform the private detective to list Crouch as a key tracking target."

"What? Chen, what did you find?"

"Well, I have been conducting thorough investigation within the team in the past two days. Crouch's reaction was a bit abnormal. He didn't even dare to look into my eyes when he spoke."

"Then what are you going to do with Crouch?"

"Don't worry yet. It would be too arbitrary to draw a conclusion for him based solely on my suspicions."

"If Crouch really wants to leave, he will definitely still be in contact with those people. It won't be too late to deal with the new evidence when you get it."

"Okay, I know."

The little fat man stood up and was about to leave, but suddenly turned around and came back.

"I almost forgot to mention that there is news from Edwin van der Sar. He has not refused to join our Crystal Palace, but he wants to meet and chat with you in person."

"Oh? That's good news. You can arrange it and find a more private place. Now our Crystal Palace is on the cusp of a storm, so don't let anyone get caught."

"Don't worry, I'll make the arrangements and I'll make sure there's no problem."

Because Fulham and Crystal Palace are both in London, it is very convenient for Chen Ran and Van der Sar to meet.

However, Louis, that bastard, actually arranged for the two of them to meet in a nightclub that he often went to.

There is a secret door, a secret room where you can leave without anyone noticing.

Chen Ran glared at the little fat man angrily, and then shook hands with Van der Sar sheepishly.

"Edwin, I'm very sorry, this subordinate of mine is a bit unreliable."

"Haha, it doesn't matter, this is also a special experience."

Van der Sar looked around the private room with some curiosity. It was his first time to experience such a mysterious transfer negotiation.

"There's no way, the paparazzi in England are so powerful, it's not easy to find a place they don't expect."

Chen Ran shrugged, also looking helpless.

"Edwin, it is my proposal to invite you to join Crystal Palace. We very much hope you can join our team."

Chen Ran didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Mr. Chen, I hear what Mr. Louis said. If I join Crystal Palace, will I be Cech's substitute?"

"Yes, I will not shy away from this point. However, according to the current development situation of our Crystal Palace, there will only be more games to participate in in the future."

"It is impossible for a main lineup to support all games, which also means that substitute players will not have many game opportunities."

"Mr. Chen, one thing I need to remind you is that I am currently the main goalkeeper at Fulham. Do you think I will leave the main goalkeeper unjust and go to Crystal Palace as a substitute?"

"I think you will. If you don't want to, we won't be able to meet today."

Chen Ran smiled very brightly, even showing his big white teeth.

"After all, any normal person can now see that Crystal Palace has a good chance of winning the Premier League championship this season."

"And this is something that Fulham cannot do under any circumstances. Edwin, don't you want to add a Premier League championship trophy to your career?"

"Mr. Chen, I have to admit that what you said is very attractive. So, if I join Crystal Palace, how many years of contract can you give me?"

As a 34-year-old veteran, Van der Sar has played in leagues in many countries and is very familiar with how to obtain conditions for himself.

This is why he put aside his agent and wanted to have an interview with Chen Ran in person. Because he knew who could really make the decision.

"Edwin, considering that you are already thirty-four years old this year, the length of the contract will not be very long. My idea is to increase your annual salary at Fulham by 20% and then sign a three-year contract first.

,what do you think?"

Hearing the conditions offered by Chen Ran, Van der Sar was really shocked.

You must know that in many teams, players over the age of 30 are signed once a year, or even better, once every two years.

As for the 34-year-old Van der Sar, Chen Ran actually signed a three-year contract.

This made Van der Sar fully feel Chen Ran's sincerity.

"Mr. Chen, thank you very much for your generosity. Only you and Fulham Club can reach an agreement. I am willing to join Crystal Palace."

On the other side of London, at the Chelsea club, Mourinho once again came to Peter Kenyon's office.

"Peter, you called me over. Is there any progress on the transfer?"

Mourinho asked impatiently as soon as he entered the door.

Crystal Palace is now in a league of its own, and neither Chelsea, Arsenal nor Liverpool can stop their progress.

As for Manchester United, it's not that Mourinho looks down on Manchester United, but their performance this season is really not that good.

Now, what we can't get on the court can only be obtained from outside the court.

If several key players can be poached from Crystal Palace, it will enhance Chelsea's strength while weakening Crystal Palace's.

Kill two birds with one stone, kill two birds with one stone, why not?

Although Mourinho does not understand Chinese, the principles are the same.

Therefore, as soon as he received a call from Peter Kenyon, he immediately left Mendes and rushed over.

"There is some progress, but not much. So far, only Crouch in Crystal Palace has a clearer attitude and is willing to continue negotiations with us."

"Only Crouch? Where are the others? None?"

"At least for now."

Peter Kenyon spread his hands. He did not expect that the Crystal Palace under the leadership of Chen Ran would be so cohesive.

After a round of contact, only one person was interested.

Hearing this, Mourinho frowned.

What does he want Crouch to do?

Chelsea already has their main center Drogba, but with Crouch’s small body, can he play as a center?

What's more, there are substitute forwards such as Kežman, Mutu and Good Johnson. Can Crouch be stronger than them?

Because Mourinho's tactics focus on wing offense, only one center is needed in each game.

Kežman, Mutu and Gudjohnson are already frustrated due to the lack of playing opportunities. If Crouch is bought now, Chelsea's dressing room will definitely explode.

"José, do you want this Crouch or not?"

Peter Kenyon also knows the situation at Chelsea very well.

In fact, in his mind, Crouch was not considered at all.

It's just that Mourinho said that the main players of Crystal Palace are included in the signing plan, so he also respects the coach's opinion.

"want!"

Mourinho was so determined that as long as it could weaken Crystal Palace's strength, he would accept it even if I didn't use it.

"you sure?"

Peter Kenyon asked again. He suspected that he had heard wrongly just now.

"Peter, I know what you mean. Yes, I admit that even if I buy Crouch, I will probably not use it. However, this at least weakens the strength of Crystal Palace, doesn't it?"

"José, is this necessary?"

Peter Kenyon asked with a wry smile. He felt that Mourinho was already a little paranoid.

If you want to forcefully buy Crouch from Crystal Palace, you will probably be brutally stabbed by the Chinese man.

Although Chelsea has money, it cannot spend it recklessly. As the club's CEO, he is also responsible for the Russian owner.

"Peter, if you study the Crystal Palace lineup carefully, you will find that they actually only have Crouch as a real substitute forward."

"Although their regular main lineup only uses one center, if they lose Crouch, it means that the Chinese's twin tower tactics will be abolished. From this point of view, isn't it worth it?"

"Well, what you said makes sense."

After hearing Mourinho's analysis, Peter Kenyon nodded repeatedly, and then he understood Mourinho's true intention.

After all, Peter Kenyon is not the head coach and will not carefully study the tactics of other clubs.

"However, José, if you buy Crouch again, Chelsea will have too many forwards. In order to balance the locker room, you need to sell at least one forward. Who do you think is more suitable to sell?"

"Except Drogba, you can sell to anyone."

"alright, I got it."

Mourinho was secretly discussing the transfer with Peter Kenyon, but Mendes, who was dismissed by him, had already called Chen Ran.

"Chen, there is news that I think I should inform you. Just now, José went behind my back to see Peter Kenyon again. I think there may be progress in their poaching of the Crystal Palace. You should be more careful.

"

"Okay, thank you. I'll treat you to dinner next time."

After hanging up the phone from Mendes, Chen Ran glanced at the little fat man in front of him.

"News from Mendes, Mourinho just went to see Peter Kenyon again, and even deliberately dismissed him. Chelsea will probably make new moves soon. You asked those private detectives to keep an eye on him recently."

Tighten up."

"Okay, I'll notify them shortly."

"Also, if it is determined that Crouch is leaving, you must also be prepared."

"When the time comes, we need to stir up the competition between Manchester United and Chelsea for England international Crouch, so that we can sell it at a high price. Do you understand?"

"I understand, I'm familiar with this kind of thing, so don't worry."

Fatty Luis smiled knowingly and hyped up the value of players, which was a specialty of the Figel family.

In Manchester, more than 300 kilometers away from London, Ferguson was listening to David Gill's report on the transfer situation in his office.

"David, after talking for a long time, only Crouch from Crystal Palace is willing to join our Manchester United?"

Hearing this result, Ferguson looked a little unhappy.

"Yes, Alex, at least so far."

"Crystal Palace is currently on a winning streak, and many people think they are the strongest contenders for the Premier League title this season. I guess this is also an important reason why those Crystal Palace players are unwilling to leave now."

"After all, even if you want to leave, you must at least get the Premier League championship trophy before leaving. That way, you will be worth more and get better salary. I think even if it were you and me, I'm afraid it would be the same.

choose."

Ferguson nodded slowly after hearing this. He knew that what David Gill said made sense, as any normal person would do this.

"It seems that the plan to weaken Crystal Palace during the winter transfer period may fail."

Ferguson said with some disappointment.

In fact, he and Mourinho had the same plan. They both wanted to find things off the court that they couldn't get on the court.

"Alex, isn't there another Crouch? What? You don't want it anymore?"

"Crouch? Manchester United has no shortage of forwards. Ruud van Nistel or Rooney, which one is not better than Crouch? There are also substitute forwards such as Alan Smith and Saha. Crouch has no place to sit when he comes.

"

"Wait a minute." Halfway through, Ferguson suddenly interrupted himself.

"What's wrong?" David Gill asked curiously.

"Buy Crouch."

"What? Alex, did I hear you correctly? Didn't you just say that there was no place to sit when Crouch came?"

Ferguson's 180-degree turn almost missed David Gill's waist.

"David, I didn't buy Crouch to use him, but to make Crystal Palace's tactics lame."

"Lame? What do you mean?"

"You don't have to worry about what it means, just bring Crouch back to Manchester United."

London, Crystal Palace Club, Chen Ran took a break from his busy schedule and went to Tuchel to watch the training of the youth team.

Due to the intensive schedule, Chen Ran has not paid attention to the situation of the Crystal Palace youth team for some days.

This time it was because of Crouch's incident that he remembered that he had several leeks hidden in his vegetable garden.

The only pity is that these leeks are too tender and have not yet been harvested.

Dzeko is only 18 years old now, Suarez is 17 years old, and Vardy is also 17 years old.

Looking at the bustling training ground, Chen Ran was secretly weighing things in his mind.

If Crouch really leaves, Crystal Palace's twin-tower strategy will immediately fall into a situation where no one can use it.

Ronaldo can move over and partner with Toni, but the offense on the left will be weakened.

After all, there is still a big gap between the offensive abilities of Evra and Ronaldo.

Or maybe just top Dzeko, who is only 18 years old but already over 190cm tall?

However, will it affect Dzeko's future growth if he tries to push back the growth?

If that doesn't work, how about using the money from selling Crouch to buy a high center forward with immediate combat effectiveness?

All of a sudden, Chen Ran had already thought of three solutions in his mind.
Chapter completed!