Chương 25: Chapter 25: Edwin van der Sar
As Miller had anticipated, once Anelka learned he'd been put on the transfer list, he wasted no time. He promptly called on his brother to search for a new team. Anelka's 14 goals last season had made him an asset for a mid-tier club, so finding a suitor was no issue. Soon, offers came from Turkey's Fenerbahce and England's Blackburn Rovers, both proposing a transfer fee of around £7 million.
Though Anelka initially cost Manchester City £13 million, Miller was open to negotiations. It didn't take long for Anelka to finalize a deal with Fenerbahce, with a £7 million fee and an additional £300,000 commission for his brother. Miller couldn't help but shake his head; with a brother like that, Anelka's career seemed misguided. At 24, he had the talent to compete in top leagues, but financial incentives had swayed him to Turkey. With his skill, he could have achieved heights close to players like Trezeguet, but now he risked becoming just another talent drifting from club to club.
Following Anelka's departure, other players began exploring their options. Veteran Gott entered talks with Championship side Reading. Recognizing his contributions to Manchester City, Miller allowed Gott to leave for free, ensuring him a higher salary with his new club. Miller's generosity toward these veterans earned Manchester City goodwill, which would be helpful for future signings.
In total, Manchester City recouped £10 million through player transfers. Besides Anelka, Wanchope, and Horlock, many players were released at a discount or given away to reduce the roster.
With the front line managed, Miller shifted his attention to defense. With Schmeichel set to retire at season's end and Cech joining the following summer, he needed an interim goalkeeper. Weaver, a product of City's youth program, would remain the backup, while Schmeichel Jr., previously loaned out, would return to be the third-choice keeper.
Miller also reshuffled the backline. With Sun Jihai moving to the right wing, Dunn would shift to a central defender role alongside Distin. Danish international Niklas Jensen retained the left-back position, while the remaining defenders—Chavey, Howie, Bischoff, Metomo, Ritchie, and Wickens—were up for transfer. Miller tasked Bernstein with these negotiations and then reached out to Van Gaal with a new target in mind.
Miller's plan? To bring Van der Sar from Fulham to Manchester City. With a strong record under Van Gaal at Ajax, including winning the 1995 Champions League, Van der Sar was the ideal candidate to bridge the gap until Cech arrived. Fulham, aware of Van der Sar's age at 33, was open to discussions, and they quickly agreed when Miller offered £4 million.
When Van der Sar arrived for negotiations and saw Van Gaal waiting, a look of surprise crossed his face. "Coach!" he greeted, immediately embracing him. Van Gaal smiled, "You're still as sharp as ever!" Van der Sar chuckled, "It's all thanks to your training back then."
With that bond, Van der Sar's decision to join City was effortless, and a three-year contract with a weekly wage of £30,000 was settled. While a lengthy contract for a 33-year-old posed some risk, Miller knew Van der Sar's talent would remain consistent.
Upon passing his medical, Manchester City officially announced Van der Sar's arrival, marking a significant defensive reinforcement. Meanwhile, Bernstein successfully offloaded most of the redundant defenders, netting an additional £1 million.
With Wickens and Ritchie struggling to find suitors, Miller suggested loaning them out even if City covered part of their salaries. The approach worked, and soon both joined Championship teams on loan, set to leave for free once their contracts expired.
Now, Manchester City's roster was pared down to 13 key players: Van der Sar, Weaver, Schmeichel Jr., Sun Jihai, Dunn, Distin, Jensen, Essien, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Robben, Ronaldo, and Eto'o. Miller's next mission? To "buy, buy, buy" and build a squad of 25 players.
However, the British work permit system posed challenges. Some defensive targets, primarily from Brazil and Eastern Europe, struggled with permit eligibility. After careful consideration, Miller settled on pursuing a French player. He turned to Bernstein. "Ready for another trip, old friend? We're off to Monaco to make an offer for Patrice Evra!"
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