The God of Football Starts With Passive Skills-Chapter 238 - 64: A Record-Breaking Gamble, My Classmate Reus, and Bayern’s Closed Door
Wang Shuo and Thomas Essien exchanged a look, both seeing the dawning realization in each other’s eyes.
"A major reason Bayern can attract those two financial groups, and even Audi, is because their performance is exceptional. It allows them to form a strategic alliance with these German companies and brands."
Wang Shuo understood what Klopp meant.
’Dortmund wants to do the same thing.’
’How in the world would Dortmund ever pay off nearly 150 million euros in debt?’
’But if they could secure funding and attract more German companies to invest, the situation would be completely different.’
’But before that can happen, Dortmund has to demonstrate its potential and value.’
’A football club’s greatest value is its performance!’
"So, Wang, don’t feel pressured. We’re in the football business; there’s no way we can outmaneuver the people in high finance!"
Klopp’s words were a real lesson for Wang Shuo.
’And it was the kind of thing only an insider would say.’
Dortmund’s chairman, Laubal, was one of the most renowned and powerful figures in the German Football Scene.
"Also, 2009 is Dortmund’s centennial celebration."
Realization dawned on Wang Shuo and Thomas Essien once again.
’So that was it.’
"Well, all the pressure is on you now, Jurgen," Wang Shuo said with a laugh, changing the subject.
"I’ll just train my heart out and play my best. The rest is up to you."
Klopp couldn’t help but crack a smile. "Dortmund’s squad is stronger and younger than Mainz’s, and we have far more resources."
"They have partnerships with institutions like Heidelberg University. I’m planning to strengthen our physical conditioning program, try to figure something out."
This was a major headache for Klopp.
He was well aware of the so-called "Klopp Syndrome."
’Ultimately, his tactics are just too physically demanding on the players.’
’They can only keep it up for 60 minutes a match.’
’They can only sustain it for half a season.’
’What the hell’s the point!’
"Training methods in the European Football Scene have improved significantly in recent years. Diet and training have become much more scientific. I’ve already asked Buvac to look into it, hoping it will help."
"There’s also injury management."
This was another one of Klopp’s persistent worries.
In fact, a major reason for Mainz’s success last season was the low number of injuries.
And Wang Shuo was the main reason for that.
With a forward up front running an average of 12 kilometers per match, the players behind him had a much easier time.
This was why Klopp was dead set on signing Wang Shuo.
"Rotation is important too," Wang Shuo suggested.
Klopp nodded. "Dortmund spent so much money that there probably isn’t much left in the salary budget. We’ll have to rely on young players for squad depth. It’s possible even Zidane won’t be able to join us."
Zidane was another player Klopp really liked, nicknamed the "Egyptian Messi."
If Zidane couldn’t come, it would be a real headache for Klopp.
Right now, Dortmund still needed a player like Hainauer to feed passes to Wang Shuo.
As the head coach, Klopp naturally wanted to replicate the tactical system and lineup from Mainz that had so effectively unleashed Wang Shuo.
They needed a "Hainauer" in midfield and a speedy winger like Schürrle on the flank.
Schürrle wasn’t mature enough yet, and besides, Dortmund didn’t have the money to buy him.
"If all else fails, we could play Foyelner in the middle, but then we’d be short-staffed on the left wing."
Wang Shuo could see this was a real problem for Klopp.
’But that wasn’t his problem.’
’As a player, his most important task now was to get into peak condition and prepare for the new season!’
...
The news of Dortmund signing Wang Shuo quickly dominated the headlines of Germany’s major media outlets.
The transfer fee was a staggering 20 million euros.
This set a new Bundesliga record for the transfer fee of a player under the age of 23. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Mainz also announced the transfer on its official website, wishing Wang Shuo continued high-level performance at his new club.
While the fans were disappointed, they were also very understanding.
The Dortmund fans, however, were thrilled.
For the past few years, the Bumblebees had been a selling club.
Who would have thought that this summer they would be willing to spend a fortune to sign a player like Wang Shuo.
This was an absolutely massive upgrade for Dortmund’s forward line.
After all, the combined goal tally of their two forwards from last season, Frei and Valdes, was less than what Wang Shuo had scored all by himself.
In an interview with the press, Dortmund’s sporting director Zorc stated, "Wang Shuo is a crucial part of the team’s revival."
"We believe his arrival will bring the team consistent goals and a powerful attacking force!"
Zorc also revealed that the club would fully support Klopp’s overhaul of Dortmund.
After signing Hummels and Sven Bender, Dortmund announced the sale of Swiss forward Frei to the Swiss club Basel.
The transfer fee was 4.25 million euros.
At the same time, Dortmund announced the signing of French midfielder Damian Letalek from Ligue 1 club Rennes on a free transfer.
The 19-year-old midfielder would serve as a backup for the team.
Additionally, the Bumblebees signed Marcus Foyelner from Mainz on a free transfer.
They also signed German winger Kevin Grosskreutz from 2nd Bundesliga club Red White Allen on a free transfer.
Furthermore, Dortmund signed German winger Marco Reus from Red White Allen for a transfer fee of one million euros.
