Chapter 78 Mr. Key is very important
"Do you want to make more money?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Do you want to get more opportunities to play?"
"Of course."
"Do you want to play a more important role in the first team, or even a starting role?"
"Is that even necessary?"
"Very good, then show your best performance in the last four games of this season!"
This was the conversation that Mendes had with Su Dong and Ronnie that night when he arrived at the apartment in Parque des Nations.
The Portuguese agent relayed the conversation he had with Aurelio Pereira today, introducing the current situation of Sporting Lisbon and the team's transfer plans for the new season.
Poverty is a common feature of almost all Portuguese Super League teams.
In preparation for the 2004 European Championship in Portugal, new stadiums are being built or renovated all over Portugal, with Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Porto being the top priorities.
Porto invested nearly 100 million euros to renovate the stadium, Sporting Lisbon invested 125 million euros, and Benfica invested 150 million euros. The new stadium will be used as the venue for the European Cup final.
Of course, not all of this money is paid by the club. The Portuguese government has also provided a considerable proportion of funding, but the club also has to find a part of the funds on its own, which makes the Portuguese Super League teams, which are already short of money, even more financially constrained.
Especially Sporting Lisbon, which has just built a training base in Alcochete and has a new stadium. Its financial situation is quite tight, and it is no secret that they are selling players to ease the financial crisis.
On the contrary, Porto is financially strong and can take the opportunity to recruit talented players they like in the Portuguese Super League to build a strong and competitive team.
In terms of financial resources, Sporting Lisbon is definitely inferior to Porto.
Therefore, this summer, Sporting Lisbon's transfer budget is still very close to zero.
Even if they really sold a few valuable players in the team, they might not be able to spare much money to invest in the transfer market to recruit new players.
"But this is your chance!" Mendes reminded very seriously.
"From the current situation, the transfer and recruitment will not be strong. What is certain is that the central defender will be recruited because Andre Cruz is basically determined to leave the team. If Ugo Viana also leaves the team, the midfield will also need to be recruited. Apart from these two positions, there will be basically no major moves in the middle and wing of the front court."
Having said that, Mendes once again reminded the two young players in front of him.
"Remember, your performance in the next four games will determine your position in the team in the new season. If you want to make more money, get more game opportunities, or even get into the starting lineup, then give your best performance in these four games."
This morning, Mendes did not discuss contract renewal with Aurelio.
He could see Aurelio's eagerness, especially Sudon, who had been too popular recently. There was a ruthless character like Luis Suarez who was drooling over him. If Inter Milan stepped in, Sporting Lisbon would not be able to keep his players.
In this situation, the better Su Dong performs, the more bargaining chips Mendes has.
"I can tell you something. Aurelio's proposal to me is to double your salary."
Su Dong and Ronnie looked at each other, both a little surprised.
Their current monthly salary is 2,000 euros, which will double to 4,000 euros, which is already a lot.
Especially considering, they were only seventeen years old.
"But I refused because I felt that this was far from enough for you."
Mendes' words made Su Dong and Ronnie feel their blood boiling.
“Salary may not explain anything, but it can reflect from the side how much the club values you. I hope to get more salary for you, but the premise is that you have to give your best performance on the court.”
Mendes' words made Su Dong and Ronnie nod repeatedly.
Not to mention Su Dong, Ronnie is also going crazy due to lack of money.
He still hasn't repaid the money he borrowed from Su Dong for his father's medical treatment.
Of course, Su Dong didn't take the money seriously.
"And Ronnie, don't stay out all night lately. Be moderate." Mendes reminded kindly.
Ronnie was a little embarrassed, but nodded.
As a young man in love, he is now at the age where he has tasted the sweetness of life and has no idea of restraint.
Looking at Ronnie and then at Su Dong, Mendes' brows were still furrowed.
If Ronnie has no self-control after falling in love, then Su Dong is another case. He has no life outside of football at all.
Everything in Su Dong seems to revolve around football. From morning to night, except for eating, sleeping and necessary rest, the rest of the time is spent on training and competitions, which gives Mendes a headache.
How much less trouble would it be if these two guys could neutralize each other?
"Su, do you want to find a girlfriend?" Mendes suddenly asked with a smile.
Ronnie, who was standing by, heard this and looked at Mendes with resentful eyes, as if to say: Aren’t you too biased?
I have to be restrained when dating a girlfriend, but now I want to introduce a girlfriend to Su Dong?
But on second thought, Ronnie laughed cheerfully again, patting his chest and said, "Yes, you should find a girlfriend. I'll ask Jordana to find one for you. Leave it to me."
"No, no, no." Su Dong waved his hand quickly, "No, no."
"Why?"
"Yeah, Su, it's good to have a girlfriend to spice up your life," Mendes also advised.
Su Dong smiled and scratched his head awkwardly, "I don't have time."
The two people next to him fell down at the same time.
This is such a strong reason!
…
…
In the 32nd round of the Portuguese Super League, Sporting Lisbon will challenge Wazim away.
In the 80th minute of the game, Su Dong came on as a substitute for Ugo Viana.
At this time, the score on the field was one to two. According to international practice, the home team was in front and the visiting team was behind.
Jardel was injured in the Portuguese Cup in the middle of the week, but the impact was not great. He still started this round and scored against the opponent in the 29th minute.
The situation took a turn for the worse in the second half.
In the 48th minute, Sporting Lisbon midfielder Rui Bento received his second yellow card and was sent off with a red card.
Wazim made continuous substitutions, using up three substitutions in one go, hoping to reverse the situation against Sporting Lisbon in one fell swoop.
Although Joao Pinto scored another goal for Sporting Lisbon in the 59th minute, Gilma scored a goal for Wazim in the 68th minute.
Afterwards, the home team launched wave after wave of fierce attacks on Sporting Lisbon.
With one man less, Sporting Lisbon had to retreat and take a defensive stance.
Boloni's first two substitutions were to strengthen the defense in the midfield and back line. It was not until the 80th minute, when the situation was basically stabilized, that they decided to replace Su Dong, with Su Dong and Jardel forming a double striker.
Obviously, the Romanian head coach knew very well that blindly defending was not safe.
…
"Sporting Lisbon midfielder intercepted the ball."
"Captain Barbosa successfully intercepted the ball within his own 30-meter area."
"Passed to Joao Pinto."
"Pinto made a direct long pass to start the attack."
"A quick counter attack from Sporting on the right flank ."
"We can see that young player Su Dong has moved to the right side and is sprinting forward quickly."
"The person marking him was Wazim's left-back Quim Beto. The two of them were competing in speed on the right side."
"My God, Su Dong is 25 centimeters taller than Quim Beto, but his speed is just as fast as the 1.68-meter-tall Portuguese left-back. You know, Quim Beto has always been known for his speed."
"This is absolutely a shocking performance, Su Dong is so fast!!!"
"On the right side of the penalty area, Su Dong caught up with the ball first, glanced at the penalty area, and made a low cross with his right foot."
"Jadel in the middle quickly followed and shot from the ground!!!"
“The ball goes in!!!!”
“GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!”
"In the 85th minute, Sporting Lisbon made a quick counterattack and the two forwards cooperated well to break through Wazim's goal again, 3-1!"
"Su Dong, who came on as a substitute, made a sharp attack on the right side and made a precise cross from the right side, assisting Jardel to score with a shovel shot in front of the goal, scoring the third goal for Sporting Lisbon. It was also Jardel's second goal in a game."
"It was a counter-attack goal led by the two forwards, especially Su Dong, who impressed with his speed down the right wing."
"Quim Beto must be very depressed. He was very confident in his speed, but now, Su Dong is not only taller and stronger than him, but also faster than him."
"Jadel pulled Su Dong to celebrate the goal."
"I have to say that at least half of the credit for this goal should go to Su Dong."
"The key man of Sporting Lisbon once again played a key role."
"Although he didn't score a goal in this game, Su Dong is still the player who turned the situation around at the critical moment."
…
…
On the evening of April 27th, in the 33rd round of the Portuguese Super League, Sporting Lisbon challenged Boavista away.
This is the focus of the battle for the Portuguese Super League championship this season.
Both teams played with their full main lineups. Neither side held back. The tactics were also safe and targeted. Neither side gave the other side any chances easily.
This resulted in the score still being zero to zero after the two teams had played for more than an hour.
Even in the 60th minute, Boavista's head coach Pacheco took the lead in making adjustments, replacing winger Bosingwa and striker Silva with the aim of changing the team's offensive tactics.
But Sporting Lisbon quickly replaced captain Barbosa to strengthen the midfield and stabilize the situation.
Time passed by little by little, and neither side was able to score a goal.
Brazilian striker Jardel, who had already won the Portuguese Super League top scorer title and scored more than 40 goals in a single season, was restrained by Boavista's defense tonight, and seemed a little sluggish.
In the 80th minute, Boloni finally lost his patience.
Su Dong and Ronnie walked to the sidelines at the same time.
