Bab 29: Chapter 28: Centre-back
Since the deal with Roma had fallen through, Miller set his sights on Livorno, hoping to bring in a young, promising defender, Giorgio Chiellini. At this stage in his career, Chiellini was a relatively unknown left-back. Standing at 1.86 meters, he lacked the quick maneuverability typically expected of a left-back, a position demanding speed and interlacing runs. It would only be after the infamous 2006 Calciopoli scandal that Chiellini would transition into a central defender under coach Didier Deschamps, becoming one of Serie A's most formidable defenders.
Fortunately, negotiations with Livorno proved smoother than expected. At the club level, the two sides quickly reached a consensus for a transfer fee of £5 million. Chiellini, though initially hesitant about a move to the Premier League, soon agreed to the transfer, lured by a weekly salary of £20,000—a significant raise for the young defender.
With Chiellini secured, he became the third signing for Manchester City in the summer window, following Edwin van der Sar and Patrice Evra. This brought City's central defense count to three, including Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin. However, Dunne was only an occasional central defender, and Chiellini's transformation to that role would take time. Miller knew he needed at least two more strong central defenders to complete his squad.
Next on Miller's list was Tomáš Ujfaluši, a Czech central defender playing for Hamburg. While he wasn't as famous as his Czech teammates like Pavel Nedvěd or Petr Čech, Ujfaluši was a robust defender with experience in both Hamburg and Fiorentina, where he consistently performed well. At 25 years old, he was in his prime, bringing both skill and reliability to the defense.
Although Hamburg had finished fourth in the Bundesliga, they didn't secure a Champions League spot, making Ujfaluši open to a move. After some negotiation, Miller and Hamburg settled on a transfer fee of £6 million. Manchester City offered Ujfaluši a four-year contract with a weekly wage of £40,000, sealing the deal.
With Ujfaluši on board, the main framework for City's backline began to take shape. To complete the defense, Miller turned to Wolves, scouting a young defender named Joleon Lescott from their youth system. Known for his frequent appearances on England's youth teams, Lescott would eventually join Manchester City in 2009 during the club's financially ambitious era. While he wasn't yet a top central defender, he had the potential to be a valuable backup.
This acquisition cost City £3 million, with a five-year contract promising Lescott a weekly salary of £15,000. With the squad solidifying, Manchester City officially announced the signings of Chiellini, Ujfaluši, and Lescott on June 15, 2003, causing quite a stir in English football.
The Guardian's David Jones was quick to weigh in, critiquing the aggressive pace of City's acquisitions. "Manchester City is spending heavily again," Jones wrote. "But who are they buying? Chiellini? A mediocre left-back. Can he compete with the likes of Niklas Jensen or Evra? Lescott? A 20-year-old—will he even make it to the first team?" His comments, dripping with skepticism, painted Miller's strategy as haphazard and excessive, akin to a shopaholic's spree.
Manchester City wasn't about to let Jones's critique slide. Club chairman Bernstein responded, saying, "Some journalists like to flaunt their so-called football knowledge to appear clever, but often they're the ones who understand the least. Ignorance is the worst form of arrogance." His remark put Jones and other detractors on notice, asserting City's confidence in its recruitment choices.
Around this time, City's head coach, Louis van Gaal, approached Miller with a special request. Until then, Van Gaal had stayed out of City's transfer dealings, focusing on training. But with Miller's relentless signings, he couldn't resist making a suggestion.
"You want to buy Jaap Stam?" Miller asked, surprised.
Van Gaal nodded. "He may be over 30, but his experience and leadership would be invaluable to us."
Miller clapped his hands, appreciating the idea. Stam had crossed his mind, but concerns about Stam's age and potential lack of interest in a club like Manchester City had kept him from pursuing the Dutchman. But with Van Gaal's endorsement, perhaps there was a chance.
"Mr. Van Gaal, if you can persuade Stam to join us, I'll gladly handle the transfer fee," Miller said.
Van Gaal, a well-respected figure in Dutch football, felt confident in his ability to bring Stam on board. The very next day, he informed Miller that he had spoken extensively with Stam, who was open to the idea. All that remained was negotiating with Lazio, where Stam currently played.
Miller flew to Rome to meet with Lazio representatives. Due to financial problems, Lazio was under the management of financial companies and banks, making them more open to transfers. After raising the offer to £9 million, the trustee agreed to Miller's terms.
With club consent secured, the final hurdle was the player contract. Thanks to Van Gaal's groundwork, discussions with Stam went smoothly, and he signed a two-year contract with a weekly wage of £60,000. While the financial gain wasn't remarkable, Stam's experience and stature would greatly benefit City.
On June 18, 2003, Manchester City officially announced that the experienced Dutch central defender Jaap Stam had joined the squad. At 31, Stam could also play right-back, giving City's defense increased versatility. With Stam in place, Manchester City had three solid defenders for each position, finally establishing a comprehensive defense.
Manchester City's lineup now boasted an impressive backline, with Sun Jihai, Dunne, Stam, Ujfaluši, Distin, Lescott, Chiellini, Evra, and Niklas Jensen. For a team with only domestic league obligations, this defense was enviable.
With the defense secure, Miller's focus shifted to the front lines, preparing City's attack for the upcoming season. The initial skepticism was beginning to fade as City's squad transformed, signaling a new era in English football. The frequency and ambition behind these acquisitions were emblematic of a club on the rise, and fans waited in anticipation, eager to see what Manchester City would achieve with their reinforced squad.
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