Chapter 497: Let’s Make a Small Bet Between Us

The relationship between Leeds United and Chelsea goes back quite a ways.

The two teams had a decent relationship until an incident in 1970 changed everything.

In 1970 the teams met in the FA Cup final where an intense match ended in a draw forcing a replay.

What followed was a replay that would rewrite British football broadcasting history.

This match is remembered as both one of the most legendary games in FA Cup history and one of the dirtiest.

Players threw punches and even flying kicks at each other while the referee largely stood by.

28.49 million people watched that match—a record that stands unbroken to this day.

After that the hostility between the teams reached new heights.

Until Leeds dropped to the Championship their matches looked more like fighting tournaments than football games.

Injuries piled up until finally fans clashed in violent confrontations.

The rivalry only cooled after Leeds fell to the second division.

But that didn’t mean the animosity faded easily. That ridiculous tradition lived on to this day.

While Leeds’ biggest derby is the War of the Roses with Manchester United their relationship with Chelsea was just as fierce.

Today both teams desperately needed a win.

Everyone expected things might get as heated as that 1970 FA Cup final.

Anticipating fan clashes police deployed large numbers both inside and outside the stadium.

Even before kickoff the stadium was wrapped in tension like a war zone.

“How do you see today’s match going Roman? I’m bored let’s make a small bet between us.”

“A small bet?”

“Yes. I’ll bet on Leeds winning and you bet on Chelsea.”

“What should we wager? Money’s boring…”

Roman didn’t refuse outright but frowned as he considered what to bet thinking hard about it.

“How about selling one player of the winner’s choice to the opposing team?”

Roman’s face lit up at my suggestion. He replied playfully.

“Are you serious? If we win I’ll ask for Ronaldo.”

“Of course. I’ll ask for Lampard.”

“Lampard? You mean Frank Lampard?”

“Yes that’s right.”

“Hmm… surprising. I thought you’d mention Zola Terry or even Cudicini.”

Lampard was still an unscratched lottery ticket.

While his form was steadily improving he still seemed lacking compared to other players.

But I knew Lampard’s potential.

He would become a Chelsea legend playing more games than anyone except the goalkeeper with an iron-man physique.

If we could bring him in now while his loyalty to the team was still developing he could inject new life into Leeds.

“Zola’s too old Terry isn’t my style and we already have a good keeper so there’s no real reason to get Cudicini.”

I spoke decisively. There was only one player I wanted: Frank Lampard.

The other Chelsea players held little interest for me at the moment.

“What do you think? Will you accept the bet?”

“Fine by me.”

“But are you really planning to ask for Ronaldo?”

“Haha let’s discuss that after we see the match result.”

Roman laughed dodging a direct answer.

Ronaldo was already quite old to consider signing.

While his form remained excellent paying a massive transfer fee for just a couple seasons seemed burdensome.

Still as last year’s World Cup top scorer and currently second in Premier League goals he thought it worth mentioning.

Roman probably had his eye on Rio Ferdinand.

Rio Ferdinand was a defender coveted by many clubs including Manchester United.

If I hadn’t bought Leeds he would’ve been destined for United but my purchase changed that fate.

Come to think of it both Lampard and Rio Ferdinand came from West Ham’s youth system.

It would be interesting to see them reunite at Leeds after growing up in West Ham’s youth system and going their separate ways.

As I indulged in these intriguing thoughts Roman leaned in close.

Wiping the smile from his face he whispered in a serious tone.

“How are the Yukos negotiations going? I hear there’s strong opposition in Russia to selling to foreign capital.”

Opposition? I asked with a puzzled expression.

Isn’t this basically opposing his decision?

“Was there room for opposition to the sale?”

“It seems to be coming from the siloviki. They want their share. They’re not acting directly but using economic advisors to apply pressure.”

“Hah…”

I couldn’t help but frown. This is ridiculous.

According to the original timeline the siloviki should have complete control of power by now.

But my intervention prevented the oligarchs from being completely crushed resulting in shared power between the factions.

As long as the President allowed the two forces to check each other they’d have to keep shooting at each other.

But opposing the President’s decision? Have they finally lost their minds?

“Are these people insane?”

“They’ve got power but not enough to eat. Unlike us who’ve accumulated wealth through privatization. They think nationalizing privatized companies would create more positions for them.”

“What are the oligarchs doing while they’re acting like this?”

I asked Roman directly since he was essentially the oligarchs’ leader.

“If the siloviki acted directly we’d have grounds to oppose but it’s hard to speak up when the President’s economic advisors are objecting. They’re arguing we’re selling national assets too cheaply and that Gazprom should merge with Yukos instead. Shamefully we’re just watching and reading the atmosphere.”

While their passive approach seemed ridiculous I could understand it.

They must fear the Kremlin’s fierce purges could turn on them at any moment.

It made sense to lay low and watch Moscow’s moves.

No wonder even Roman served as governor of Chukotka Russia’s easternmost region investing his own money in infrastructure development.

Roman had learned firsthand that the further from central politics the safer you were.

“James is negotiating in Moscow so he’ll contact us if any major problems arise. Well James will handle it. But please let me know if you hear anything new.”

Roman nodded slightly. Just then Myeong-su called out to me.

“Hey! Kim Mu-hyeok! What are you doing?”

I turned toward the voice. Myeong-su was waving at me.

Myeong-su seemed to have just taken his seat after going around greeting people.

“Well let’s watch some football. Today’s game is crucial isn’t it? For us it’s about winning the trophy…”

“For Chelsea it’s whether we get Champions League or drop to UEFA Cup. Should be exciting Charlie.”

“I agree. I just hope it doesn’t get too heated.”

I led Roman to the VIP seats where Myeong-su sat.

“This is my friend Congressman Kim Myeong-su from South Korea’s National Assembly.”

At my introduction Myeong-su stood up. He seemed to already know Roman.

“Chairman Roman it’s nice to meet you properly. I believe we’ve met before but this is our first proper introduction. I’m Kim Myeong-su.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Roman Abramovich.”

After letting them exchange greetings I surveyed the seated spectators.

Only after greeting everyone in the VIP section could I finally take my seat.

Watching me Myeong-su muttered in a low voice.

“Is this a football stadium or a social club? There are so many people here and they’re all famous names. You’ll spend all your time just greeting people.”

“Football is life in England. Anyone who’s anyone will be here.”

“Can we even watch comfortably?”

“What does it matter? We’re here to enjoy ourselves.”

The stands were already filled with cheers from Leeds’ home fans and Chelsea supporters who’d made the away trip.

Thanks to this the stadium was buzzing even before kickoff.

The Premier League’s final matches all happen simultaneously.

The results determine the champion relegation zone Champions League spots and UEFA Cup qualification.

That’s why the Premier League office schedules all twenty teams ten matches at once to maintain excitement until the end.

So fans had to watch anxiously until the final whistle.

This season was especially tense as nothing from the championship to UEFA Cup spots had been decided.

“Hey hey there’s Ronaldo. Whoa and there’s Zola… Zola’s there too!”

Myeong-su excitedly jabbed my arm his face beaming with joy.

Usually grim-faced when discussing work I couldn’t help but smile seeing him like this.

“Having fun?”

“Of course! It’s not every day you get to watch the Premier League live… Oh isn’t that Coach Hiddink over there?”

Myeong-su started chanting Hiddink’s nickname ‘Hidingku’ when he spotted him.

It was quite amusing to see a South Korean ruling party secretary-general acting this way.

But no one around us mocked his behavior.

They were all football enthusiasts who welcomed Myeong-su’s enthusiasm.

In Korea he might’ve faced criticism about lacking dignity or propriety.

The players warming up on the field headed to the locker room to prepare for their entrance.

After various ceremonies and celebrations both teams finally entered holding children’s hands.

Leeds’ Hiddink and Chelsea’s Claudio Ranieri shook hands and the players exchanged handshakes as they passed.

I turned to Roman beside me.

“Roman. You’re keeping Ranieri?”

“We’ll stick with Ranieri until this year. We’re negotiating with FC Porto’s Jose Mourinho for next year. But he wants to stay with his team another year so talks are difficult.”

“Ah… Mourinho.”

So Roman’s love for Mourinho hasn’t changed. I thought he might choose a different manager since he bought Chelsea earlier.

But Roman had Mourinho on his radar.

“He’s a good manager. If Hiddink hadn’t taken Leeds I might have targeted Mourinho for us.”

“Charlie that’s…”

Roman looked uncomfortable at my serious tone. I just smiled and shook my head slightly.

“Haha I’m joking. I won’t consider replacing Hiddink until he decides to leave regardless of results. That’s my stance. So don’t look so surprised.”

Just then the broadcast crew filmed us. The cameras caught me and Roman talking.

When our faces appeared on the big screen both home and away fans erupted in cheers.

When I first bought the club Leeds fans strongly opposed it.

Even after the purchase they viewed me with suspicion but I kept all my promises.

I brought excellent manager Hiddink to Leeds retained key players and signed everyone needed including Ronaldo.

Whether expensive stars or promising youngsters I didn’t discriminate. If the manager wanted them I brought them in.

As a result in just two years the team grew into a title contender.

Though we got knocked out of the Champions League the fans were still thrilled.

After all I’d completely transformed a team that had been struggling financially.

I waved back acknowledging their cheers.