At the beginning of the new year, Millwall is just like what Fleet Street described: moving forward steadily, the Lion Dynasty has still not faced challenges!
This season is more stable than any previous season. This is not only reflected in the record, but also in the sense of impression, that is, the image of the club. The biggest change in the overall strength of the team is the increase in the thickness of the bench.
It doesn't matter how many people are on the bench, but how many talents are available is the most critical.
Millwall's first team is not crowded, but the substitute players are all useful, especially the growth of Metzelder, Barzagli, and Alonso this season, allowing the Wild Lions to cope with regular injuries.
Stop situation.
The league continues to advance rapidly. The League Cup semi-finals drew with Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg at White Hart Lane. There are calls for returning to home in the second leg to advance to the final. The date that fans who follow the Lions focus on is the League Cup final at the end of February.
When February arrives, the second stage of the Champions League group stage begins quickly. This year is a World Cup year, and the European League will end earlier, so the European competition schedule is also relatively advanced.
Millwall will visit Munich in their first game to challenge their old enemy Bayern Munich.
Aldridge's life is still going according to plan. The club work tasks are a little easier. Now he is thinking more about the national team. Before the World Cup, there will be one or two warm-up matches every month. During this period, he plans to
One-game training is to give time for substitute players to get used to each other, and one game to maintain the competitive status and understanding of the main lineup. This cycle continues. As for the record, warm-up games, it doesn't matter. FIFA points, Aldrich never cares.
The evening before his departure for Munich, Aldrich unexpectedly received a call from his eldest brother Barnett.
"Come to my house for dinner and introduce a friend to you."
"Hmm? What kind of friend?"
"You'll know when you get here."
"Just me?"
"Well, let's have a family gathering some other time. Today you will come alone. Dinner will be just the three of us."
"All right."
After Aldrich hung up the phone, he sent a text message to Ivan. He drove out of London.
He seemed to be in low spirits during the drive. He expected that the friend introduced by Barnett might not have much contact with him, and it might be another boring dinner.
But Barnett's return to London surprised him.
Barnett no longer lives in West London, but bought an old castle in a secluded place outside London, surrounded by pastoral scenery, aristocratic style? I can't tell, but it is a bit low-key and reclusive, and the rich pretend to be mysterious.
taste.
Aldrich drove into the castle. He didn't like living in this kind of place. The surrounding was too deserted and it was easy to feel lonely.
The butler in the castle greeted Aldrich politely and led him directly to the top floor of the castle. It seemed that the dinner was held on the rooftop.
Aldrich couldn't understand what Barnett was saying. Even though it was the beginning of spring, it was still freezing cold. How about eating dinner on the rooftop with the cold wind blowing?
He has been here before. It is a vast space and has been specially restored. There are flowers planted along the edge of the fence, and the endless sky is above your head. When you walk to the edge of the fence, you can overlook the vast pastoral scenery around you. The scenery is best at dusk, and at night.
, it was dark and there was nothing to appreciate.
When he stepped onto the rooftop, the lighting here was soft and poetic. He saw Barnett and another person standing on the edge of the rooftop, chatting and laughing. Looking at the backs of the two men in suits and ties, Aldrich walked over calmly and listened.
When they heard footsteps, the two turned back.
When Aldrich saw the other person, the friend Barnett mentioned, his expression suddenly froze.
He knows this person!
To be precise, a long time ago, Aldrich knew who he was, but the other party did not know him.
"Ha, Aldrich, you came just in time, let me introduce you..."
"No, I'll do it myself, Aldrich Hall, first time meeting you, nice to meet you, Roman Abramovich."
Looking at the other person's extended hand, Aldrich naturally shook hands with the other person and said, "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."
The butler arranged for the servants to set the table, and the carefully prepared meals were placed on the table one by one. The food was good and the wine was good. However, Aldrich's mind was racing and he couldn't figure out what was going on when he suddenly met Abu at this time.
The three men sat down and began to enjoy dinner. How did Barnett and Abu know each other and what their relationship was. Aldrich was not interested in pursuing it. Anyway, the three of them were sitting at the same table and having dinner "happily".
Most of the time it was Abramovich and Barnett who were talking, and the topics revolved around personal interests. Both of them were rich men, so Aldridge seemed out of place when they could talk together.
There was probably a butler nearby, and the conversation was unremarkable. After the dinner, Abramovich stood up and left. Before leaving, he said to Aldridge: "Aldridge, I am also a football fan. If I have a chance,
Let’s communicate more and communicate more.”
"Yeah, definitely."
After Aldrich finished speaking, he and Barnett watched Abu leave.
After he left, Aldrich moved a chair from the dining table to the edge of the rooftop, sat down, put his feet on the railing, lit a cigarette, and said inexplicably: "What's the point of this meal?"
Barnett leaned against the edge of the fence, lit a cigarette, and said with a smile: "What's the problem with having one more friend?"
"Friends? Haha."
"Aldridge, how much is Millwall worth?"
Aldrich frowned and asked, "Why do you ask?"
"I just want to know."
"Conservative estimate, 800 million pounds."
Aldrich said boldly.
Maybe his calculation method is wrong, but a horizontal comparison shows that this price is almost the lowest. Manchester United can sell for 600 million pounds. Millwall's hardware is no worse than Manchester United. The total value of first team and youth team players is far more than Manchester United. Millwall
Because Wall is located in London, prices and income will be higher than those in Manchester in the future.
Barnett frowned slightly and said: "So high? Why do some institutions assess that Millwall's current value is only about 580 million pounds?"
Aldridge shrugged and said: "It's normal. They only evaluate the current value. They don't evaluate the potential. Just like the land price in London is getting more and more expensive. The stadium that Millwall spent 200 million to build is only 300 million at most in their eyes. But
In two years' time, this stadium may be worth 500 million yuan.
When it comes to player value, evaluation agencies definitely don’t dare to overestimate it. They may think Henry is only worth 30 million, but if Millwall is sold, 40 million is just the starting price. Millwall is becoming more valuable day by day. Having said that, you
Why are you asking this? Could it be?"
Aldridge had something to say, and Barnett did not hide it, saying frankly: "Although 800 million pounds is a bit much, if you are willing to sell the club, someone will be able to afford the price and give you an additional 50 million to 1
Hundreds of millions of pounds is possible."
"Abu?"
"Well, it's him."
Aldrich flicked the cigarette butt away, stood up and walked out. When Barnett saw this, he said in surprise: "What's wrong?"
Aldridge turned around and said in disappointment: "You ask me what's wrong? I also want to ask you what's wrong? I have invested nearly eight years of hard work in Millwall. You want me to take Millwall for one meal.
Wall sold to someone else? Wtf! What benefits did he give?"
Barnett did not expect Aldrich's reaction and quickly said: "I think this is a good deal. I have heard from Andrew that you plan to retire this summer, right? In this case, let's
How much profit did you make in less than ten years after the club was sold? The original 30 million pounds was not worth mentioning, you made more than 1 billion pounds!"
There is nothing wrong with Barnett's calculation method. If Aldridge sells Millwall, he will only sell the ownership. He can clear out the funds in the club account at any time and keep it as his own. Including the proceeds from the sale, he will make more than 1 billion pounds.
.
Aldrich showed a sneer and asked: "What's the use of a billion dollars? I can't spend all the money now. Give me another hundred thousand, one million, ten million, or one hundred million.
Let me be happy for a minute!"
"You can create a more brilliant career, and you can leave this career to future generations, to Earl, to Bert, let you..."
"That's your ambition, it has nothing to do with me! I think it's pretty good now. You can say that I don't have big ambitions, you can say that I am content with being rich, but I don't care!"
Aldrich retorted forcefully, without any embarrassment or shame.
Barnett has money, Abu has money, maybe 10 billion, maybe 20 billion, so what?
Aldridge's personal account now has more than 300 million pounds, and he is satisfied. He can't spend it all anyway, and he is not envious of those who are richer than him. They give him more money, but he doesn't know how to spend it.
There is a big and comfortable house to live in, there are partners who treat each other as guests, there are
Two cute and sometimes naughty sons, and a job that can make him tired and satisfied, think and enjoy, feel frustrated and excited. This is his life, everything to him, and he doesn't feel like giving up these to pursue
The so-called higher-grade life will make him happier.
Barnett was shocked and speechless for a long time. After about a minute, he sighed and said softly: "Aldrich, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interfere with you, I, I, I just, just...
....”
"Just what?"
"I just think it's a waste for you to be a football coach or even a football club owner."
Aldrich closed his eyes and thought for a few seconds. After opening his eyes again, he calmed down and said calmly: "Maybe you have always looked down on the industry I am engaged in. In your eyes, this kind of sports club is just a toy in the hands of the rich. If you want
, you can buy a lot of clubs and be successful at will. I just want to tell you that for me, my job, I have devoted 15 years of passion, I love my job, you can never look down on my job,
But there is no way I can become like you."
Barnett smiled bitterly and said: "Now I know, it is indeed impossible. Very few people in the world can refuse the temptation of 1 billion pounds. I don't know whether to admire you at this time or call you a fool in my heart! To tell you the truth
, Abramovich wants to buy your club, and I very much hope that he will buy it, so that you will have the opportunity to get out of this industry, and then our brothers will join forces
, to create a bigger Hall family business. Now in the United States, the Internet industry is undergoing drastic changes. If you can help me, no, not help me, we fight side by side. I believe that in ten years, maybe you can make money.
Yes, it’s not 1 billion pounds, it’s 10 billion pounds, 50 pounds, or even 100 pounds, 500 pounds. However, it seems you don’t have this idea.”
Hearing this, Aldrich shook his head and said, "I am just a layman regarding your career."
"Aldrich, you are by no means a layman. Your private account agency investment is under my company. Omg, how much money have you made? How many times has your capital increased?"
"I don't want to discuss this, it's meaningless. My money is enough. I don't care how much you can earn as long as you don't become a beggar."
"Hehehe, thanks to you, if I become a beggar in this life, I would rather commit suicide than face you."
Barnett walked up to Aldrich, put his hands on his shoulders, and said solemnly: "I apologize to you, can you forgive me?"
Aldrich looked at him and asked, "Can I beat you up?"