Forty-nine-year-old Phil Thompson was once the legendary captain of Liverpool at the peak of the 1980s. After retiring, he stayed at the club and served as an assistant to the former coach Evans and later assisted Hollier.

What impressed the fans most about the former star of the Red Army was that in October 2001, after head coach Hollier had to temporarily leave his position due to a heart attack, he led the team at a critical juncture. Quite a good result, but when Hollier returned, he had to return to his assistant role again.

For this capable assistant, Hollier also attaches great importance to him, especially after reading the game report he brought back, he is very sure of his inference.

"You are right, Phil, this is indeed a pretty fatal loophole."

Hollier put down the game report in his hand full of surprise, and made no secret of his excitement.

Defeating the Changsheng coach Gao Han and defeating the 200 million legion Chelsea, these two auras are too tempting.

He swears that in the entire European professional football arena, no one can refuse such a temptation.

More importantly, Liverpool's goal this season is to compete for the top four in the league and retain the Champions League qualification.

Manchester United and Arsenal will basically not change much, so the remaining two seats, Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea all have to compete for one of the places, so the direct dialogue becomes full of weight.

This is not just a three-pointer in the league, it may even determine the qualification for the Champions League.

Phil Thompson also suggested with a smile: "Then I will start arranging related training."

"Yeah." Hollier nodded. "The speed of Irving and Diouf will play a key role in this game. We must firmly seize this loophole to fight and create opportunities around this area."

"Okay, I understand."

Haji Diouf, Senegal international, became famous in the 2002 World Cup for defeating the French team. After the transfer to Liverpool, his performance was relatively ordinary, but he was only 22 years old, so Hollier still treated him Am looking forward to.

Like the team's top star Michael Owen, Diouf's biggest characteristic is lightning speed, which makes him very threatening on the court and good at playing the left.

Now that we have grasped the weakness of Chelsea, then next, Hollier and the coaching staff will be based on this weakness to create targeted tactics, and exercise restraint Chelsea's defense and counterattack routines in the team.

Fortunately, there is still plenty of time.

"Gao Han, we will give you an unforgettable meeting at Anfield Stadium!"

…………

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The Premier League is about to start, and the atmosphere at Fulham's Magic Spur Park training base is becoming increasingly tense.

The team played very badly last season. Under the leadership of French coach Tigana, the team was once deep in the relegation zone, and the management had to fire coach Tigana late in the season to promote the newly retired young coach Chris. · Coleman is in the top position.

As a result, Coleman led the team to succeed in relegation and became famous in World War I.

This summer, the team has not invested even a penny in the transfer market so far, but it sold the team’s right player Fernando to Liverpool. The overall strength did not increase but decreased, and even its performance in the pre-season warm-up match. Nor is it satisfactory.

However, coach Coleman appears confident and promised that the team's goal this season will not be relegation.

There are indeed many players in the team who believe in him, because the second youngest coach in the Premier League has successfully conquered everyone last season, and everyone believes in his coaching level.

Including Dutch goalkeeper Van der Sar.

Van der Sar is thirty-two years old, even in the position of goalkeeper, he is considered a veteran.

Even last season, due to injuries and other reasons, Van der Sar only played 19 times in the Premier League. Many people doubted whether he would retire because of this or return to the Netherlands for retirement.

But he still stayed.

Because coach Coleman told him personally that the team needs him.

It’s always good to feel needed, isn’t it?

The opponent in the first round of the Premier League in the new season is Middlesbrough. This team has invested a lot in this summer. The biggest signing is the loan of Mendieta from Lazio. They hope to help this team in Lazio and The former superstar of Barcelona has regained its former state.

Even if only half recovered, they have earned it.

For Mendieta's experience, Van der Sar was very sympathetic, even a little empathetic.

Because of the same experience, he also had it.

He debuted in the Ajax youth training, under the cultivation of Enshi Van Gaal, he became the pillar of the team and helped Ajax win the Champions League, which was the pinnacle of his career.

At that time, Van der Sar was sought after by the major European giants. How many teams wanted him to join. He also went to Serie A with ambitions and joined Juventus. He hoped to prove his strength in the small World Cup.

But the result did not expect that the two seasons at Juventus have become the darkest two years of his career.

Poor performance and low-level mistakes made him criticized by fans and the media.

Even after Juventus brought in Buffon from Parma at a sky-high price, Van der Sar had no one to care about, and finally had to join the newly promoted Fulham team in the Premier League.

How similar is Van der Sar and Mendieta to this huge drop from heaven to hell.

The difference is that the Dutchman is thirty-two years old, and he recognizes it.

The only thing he thinks about now is to play well in Fulham, play well, complete his Premier League contract, return to the Netherlands, return to the Ajax he is familiar with, until he retires.

It's simple and simple.

It's like his unpretentious black Volkswagen, and it's like his low-key life in Morton, south London.

Gradually, he got used to this kind of life.

As usual, I ended the training class, took a shower and changed clothes, drove the black Volkswagen, and slowly left the training base.

Magic Spur Park is located in the southern suburbs of London, between Morton and Kingston upon Thames.

The Van der Sar family lives in Morton New District, a community of upper-middle class that has just developed in recent years.

He rented a single-family three-story villa with a separate garden and spacious rooms.

My wife lives at home, and my sons and daughters are studying in a good school nearby, going home sooner or later.

He returned home on time almost every day, parked the car, walked in, and saw two little ghosts sitting face to face doing homework. At this time, his wife should be preparing a sumptuous dinner in the kitchen.

Every time, he smiled and said to the children, "Hurry up, I'll wait for you at the back."

The two little ghosts are always very excited, especially the son, much like him when he was young.

But today, a sudden call broke this long-lasting silence.

Chris Coleman?

Why does he call at this time?

Van der Sar frowned, but still waved to the two children, turned and walked out of the living room, and went to the garden to answer the phone.

"I'm very sorry, Edwin, I must tell you a sad news." The head coach's voice came on the phone.

Van der Sar frowned deeper. Is the club dissatisfied with himself?

At the beginning, one reason why he came to Fulham from Juventus was that Fulham paid a very good salary.

But now, Fulham is obviously starting to cut expenses, is it going to take the high-paying class in his team?

"It's okay, you say, Chris." Van der Sar's thoughts turned sharply, but he was still calm.

No matter what the other party said, he was able to accept it indifferently.

"That's it, Edwin, the current situation of the team, I believe you know it too."

"Yeah." Van der Sar's ominous premonition was even worse.

"Just now, the club informed me that this morning, Chelsea sent a quotation fax. They are willing to buy you at Stamford Bridge for a price of 10 million euros. Just now, Gao Han also personally called me to ask about your situation. "

"What?" Van der Sar was shocked.

Alpine? Chelsea?

How is this possible?

"I am not very clear about the specific situation, but I can see that Gao Han really wants to buy you."

Van der Sar still found it difficult to understand, because he was thirty-two years old.

What's more, his performance in Fulham has never been satisfactory.

Chelsea is known as a 200 million legion. Even if the players they buy are not European stars, they are at least one of the best players in the Premier League. Why can they not have their own round?

"Anyway, Edwin, I hope you can understand the difficulties of the club. We need this money. In addition, I have given him your mobile number. He should call you soon."

Van der Sar took a deep breath and soon calmed down.

He is a professional player and he knows his current situation very well.

"Understood, thank you, Chris." Van der Sar replied faintly, his tone just as usual.

Chris Coleman seemed to give a wry smile, and finally sighed, "Good luck, Edwin."

"you too."

After hanging up the phone, Van der Sar let out a long sigh.

He is a little hard to understand, why would Chelsea look at him?

Also, alpine.

He vaguely remembered that in 2001, he had been in contact with Atletico Madrid for a time, and there were even media rumors that Atletico Madrid wanted to buy him, but then it seemed that Juventus's high asking price scared away Atletico Madrid.

Could it be that Gao Han really wants himself?

But it makes no sense!

As a 32-year-old veteran who has experienced so many ups and downs at the same time, Van der Sar is very self-aware. He knows that his performance at Juventus and Fulham is not ideal.

Of course, he knows the reason better, but as a professional player, he has no escape and no excuses.

Why me?

Van der Sar asked himself.

But soon, another call came in, and the caller ID was an unfamiliar number.

Van der Sar took a deep breath, then spit it out again, then connected the phone.

"Edwin, hello, I am Gao Han."

A simple sentence caused a huge wave in Van der Sar's heart.

On the phone, there is a famous European man who spent 200 million euros in transfer fees in the summer!

"Hello, Mr. Gao Han, I am glad to receive your call."

"Thank you." Gao Han seemed very polite, without the majesty of some famous marshals.

This may have something to do with his youth.

Van der Sar thought in his heart, he also read some Atletico Madrid reports from newspapers and magazines~lightnovelpub.net~ If it is convenient for you, I hope to meet you, sit down and have a good chat, you know, Many things are not clear on the phone. "

"Okay, when? Where?"

"Um...the sooner the time, the better, now is fine, the location, whatever, I'll go over immediately." Gao Han looked very eager.

This made Van der Sar's heart warm, and he thought for a while, "Then just go to Morton, there is a good coffee there."

"Well, okay, I'm in Harrington, and I'll pass right away."

After hanging up the phone, Van der Sar exhaled heavily, his eyes somewhat confused.

But he still walked home quickly.

Before going out, he had to confess to his wife and appease the two little ghosts by the way.

Today I must not be able to accompany them to play football. (To be continued.)