Chapter 195: Chelsea Breaks Down! Where Is the Bayswater Chinese's Place in the Football Ecosystem?
Morning of January 31st.
After training, Yang Cheng led the team into central London—into Bayswater itself.
It was the long-awaited media tour day for the club's new stadium project.
All first-team players were present, along with a large number of journalists and selected fan representatives.
Construction had started back in June 2008, and a year and a half had already passed.
But the massive new stadium had only just emerged above ground level.
To everyone's surprise, once they suited up in construction gear and entered the site, they discovered the visible structure wasn't the first-tier stands—
It was the second tier.
Due to height restrictions in central London, the stadium's first-tier stands had been built underground.
But unlike Bayern's old Munich Olympic Stadium, where the first tier was completely buried, the Bayswater Chinese's approach was to excavate layers of underground space in a staggered, cascading fashion—creating a fully integrated open-air leisure zone between ground level and the lower stands.
It was still under construction, and the final look wasn't obvious yet. But with the renderings provided by Foster + Partners, everyone was already in awe.
Once the stadium was finished, with landscaping and interior work completed, the result would be spectacular.
And it wasn't just about building one underground level for seating—they were also carving out space for underground parking and retractable turf storage.
At the site, representatives from the construction firm briefed the players, media, and fans: the underground work alone had taken a full year, including excavation and utility rerouting.
The engineering effort was nothing short of insane.
And that was with ample funding and full-speed construction.
Before seeing the site in person, people only knew one thing about the Bayswater Chinese's new stadium—
It was expensive.
Rumor had it the project would cost over £1 billion.
But that was just a number—until they saw it up close.
Just the concrete and steel required for the underground portion alone was staggering.
And the stadium's biggest highlight?
Technology.
Take the retractable turf system, for instance.
This innovation was developed jointly by Foster + Partners, experts from Cambridge University, and specialists from across various industries.
It wasn't just a building—it was also a complex piece of precision mechanical engineering.
The construction team had arranged for a technical expert to explain the system.
For example, the turf was divided into three movable sections, which could be stored underground for maintenance and sunlight exposure. The base had to support the weight while also allowing perfect reassembly above ground.
The field's flatness had to meet standards far exceeding those of FIFA and UEFA. And even after extended use, tolerance levels had to remain razor-thin.
Imagine if two turf segments weren't perfectly aligned—injury risks for players would spike.
These were unprecedented challenges that demanded innovative solutions.
Then there was the intelligent control system throughout the stadium.
Thanks to a partnership with Chinese tech firm Huawei, once the venue opened in 2012, it would become the first stadium in the world with full Wi-Fi coverage.
At that point, every fan could use a smartphone to access any stadium service in real time.
The roof hadn't been installed yet, but once completed, it would be fully retractable.
"Think about this winter—we had the worst blizzard in 30 years. Once our new stadium opens, we'll be able to close the roof and turn on heating. We'll offer the most comfortable matchday experience in the world."
Yes, the stadium wouldn't just have under-pitch heating—it would also provide heating in the stands.
Another mind-blowingly expensive feature.
Even the pitchside advertising boards were unlike anything seen before.
But the most futuristic detail?
A massive elliptical double-sided LED screen suspended from the stadium roof.
The entire venue would look like something out of science fiction.
"We're already in advanced stages of R&D with global partners, and we expect it to be fully installed by the 2012 opening."
The estimated total capacity of the stadium would exceed 90,000.
Starting from scratch had allowed for maximum structural optimization.
The stands were split into three tiers, with VIP suites located between each level—accommodating groups from 6 to 25 people.
There would be 250 suites total—the most in any stadium in Europe.
Additionally, there were corporate boxes for 50 to 250 guests.
These came with dedicated elevators, private reception lounges, and full-service dining—
Luxuries even Wembley and the Emirates didn't offer.
From the very beginning, the goal had been to balance elite fan experience with maximum commercial profitability.
As a result, the design incorporated ideas never seen before in football.
Foster + Partners had invested enormous time and resources to finalize the plans.
Adam Crozier, having recruited talent from luxury brands and service industries, had his team involved from early stages, offering input on everything from reception flows to elevator access for VIPs.
Every touchpoint was designed to offer the highest-quality experience.
And in doing so, the Bayswater Chinese stood to reap enormous profits.
Even though the stadium had barely peeked above ground, Adam Crozier and his team were already planning for commercialization.
By Christmas 2010, they would begin full promotion of VIP and business suites.
Most of the key staff had already been hired and were undergoing training and team integration.
In short—money was being burned like crazy.
Thankfully, Xia Qing was overseeing the budget.
If Yang Cheng had to deal with it himself, his brain would've exploded by now.
...
During the media day, the club hosted a major signing ceremony at noon, near the stadium's northeast corner next to Queensway.
Unlike the stadium's complicated underground work, the four buildings surrounding it had simpler foundations and were already nearing completion.
After extensive negotiations, the shopping center was set for the southeast building, right next to Bayswater and Queensway Tube stations.
The Peninsula Hotel would occupy the southwest building.
The Bulgari Hotel chose the northwest corner.
Both high-end hotels had independently chosen to be closer to Notting Hill.
From there, it was just 500 meters to the famous Portobello Road shopping district.
Plus, they were close to the Notting Hill Gate station.
Most importantly, after the renovation of Queensway, the west side—closer to Notting Hill—would actually offer easier vehicle access, a critical factor for the hospitality business.
Originally, the Bayswater Chinese had planned to lease three of the buildings and retain one as their new headquarters.
But now that they had already purchased an office tower in Soho, that was no longer necessary.
So, Adam Crozier and Chris Hunter continued courting outside investment—and they really did attract some serious interest.
For example, Hilton, which had already opened two hotels nearby, and InterContinental.
Since the surrounding area was packed with hotels, most of the inquiries came from that sector.
But in the end, after a few rounds of negotiations—and a final decision from Yang Cheng—the Bayswater Chinese locked in a partnership with Apple Inc.
The two sides had actually finalized terms at the end of 2009, but due to various delays (including Christmas), the official signing was only happening now.
Apple had six or seven scattered offices around London, which was highly inconvenient for them.
They had long been searching for a suitable site to consolidate their operations and establish a central London headquarters.
They had been eyeing the Bayswater Chinese's new stadium project ever since its launch.
At the time, Apple only had one Apple Store in central London—on Regent Street, opened in 2004—which had been wildly popular among Londoners and tourists alike.
But with the explosive growth of the iPhone, that store had been under intense pressure.
Back in 2008, Apple had hoped to open a second London store, targeting the Covent Garden area.
It was slated to be the largest Apple Store in the world.
But their preferred site was next to the Royal Opera House—a protected Grade II building—which faced strong opposition from English Heritage. The project was stalled indefinitely.
Then, in mid-2008, with the Bayswater Chinese's stadium project underway and the city's Queen's Road redevelopment taking shape, Apple shifted its attention.
After months of talks and site visits, Apple finally agreed to lease a six-story office building in the northeast quadrant of the stadium complex.
They would use the top five floors as their UK headquarters.
The ground floor?
A brand-new Apple Store—their second in London.
What's more, both the office and the retail space would be fully designed by Foster + Partners.
That's why, for this major contract signing—scheduled to coincide with the stadium site tour—Yang Cheng not only brought his entire first team, but Norman Foster and his team were also in attendance.
Apple sent their President of European Operations to sign the agreement with the club.
Yang Cheng had greenlit the deal for one major reason: Apple was just getting started.
Give it a few years, and they might not even consider setting up shop in a place like Bayswater anymore.
But right now? The iPhone was selling well, the Mac line was stable—but Apple didn't yet carry the towering brand prestige it would soon have.
And an Apple Store?
In all of London, there was only one.
Once this Queen's Road store opened, it would be the largest Apple Store in the world—guaranteed to draw endless foot traffic.
Of course, Apple didn't choose the site at random.
According to Adam Crozier, they finally made their decision after the Bayswater Chinese signed Bulgari.
That reminded Yang Cheng of something amusing.
In his past life, Android manufacturers desperately tried to ride Apple's coattails, while Apple clung tightly to luxury.
Everyone had their place in the ecosystem.
When the new stadium opened, where would the Bayswater Chinese fit into European football's ecosystem?
It's worth noting: while the club didn't publicly disclose contract details, all four buildings were listed at fixed prices.
Negotiable terms? Sure.
But not the rent—£10 million per year, non-negotiable.
Apple or Bulgari—same price.
...
After the signing came the obligatory round of wining and dining.
By the time the team returned to Brent Training Centre, Mike Rigg had news.
"Mark Curtis called me—Chelsea agreed."
Yang Cheng's eyes lit up in surprise. "They agreed?"
"Yeah, they're willing to pay £40 million to buy Andy Carroll."
Even Rigg sounded stunned as he said it.
A mix of shock—and admiration.
Admiration for Yang Cheng's masterstroke.
Yang Cheng couldn't help but laugh.
"Looks like Chelsea really had something to hide that Curtis got his hands on. Otherwise, there's no way they'd ever agree to this."
Rigg nodded. "They must've crossed the line."
Yang Cheng let out a dismissive snort. "You reap what you sow."
Then, with a light wave, he added, "I'm gonna get some sleep," and left.
In his mind, Chelsea's violations were nothing new.
Arsenal had nearly gone to war with them over Ashley Cole.
But the difference was—Wenger had wanted to keep Ashley Cole.
He just couldn't in the end.
Yang Cheng? He was different.
Even if the Giroud deal had fallen through, he still would've exiled Andy Carroll.
There's a saying: the man with nothing to lose is the hardest to break.
If you're willing to set yourself on fire, you can drag even a king down with you.
Once Yang Cheng decided to destroy Carroll's career to punish Mark Curtis, they had no choice but to consider whether they could withstand his wrath.
It was funny, really.
Only someone like Mark Curtis—an irrelevant clown—would dare stir the pot for a quick payday.
Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett both had players at the Bayswater Chinese. They were close to Chelsea, too.
But they never pulled moves like this.
After hearing the result, Yang Cheng went to sleep in peace.
He slept until the afternoon, getting up just before training.
By then, Chelsea's negotiation team and Mark Curtis had already been waiting at Brent Training Centre for a while.
When Yang Cheng arrived, Curtis no longer carried even a trace of the arrogance he'd shown the night before.
Now, he looked downright pitiful.
Yang Cheng had considered stepping on him again—just for catharsis.
But looking at Curtis now, he couldn't even summon the interest to kick him while he was down.
Dan Ashworth had returned from France.
With him were Olivier Giroud and his agent.
So Yang Cheng handed off negotiations to Ashworth and Rigg.
He had only one requirement: £40 million. Not a penny less.
Chelsea proposed a 2-year payment plan in four installments.
Yang Cheng agreed.
As for the other contract details—he didn't even bother to get involved.
...
Back in his office, Olivier Giroud and his agent were already waiting.
As soon as they met, Yang Cheng greeted them in fluent French.
The two men were visibly surprised.
"We'd heard Mr. Yang was a polymath—but to speak so many languages…"
After introductions, Yang Cheng took note of the agent—Michael Manuello.
He also represented Arsenal midfielder Jérémy Toulalan.
Yang Cheng smiled and continued the rest of the meeting in French, especially when speaking to Giroud.
He asked a lot—about training, matches, lifestyle.
The club's relocation team had already spoken with Giroud in advance and secured housing in London.
For now, the club would provide a driver and full logistical support.
Top-class services would ensure that Giroud could hit the ground running in training and matches.
Ligue 1 wasn't a particularly strong league, so once French players reached a certain level, most of them looked abroad.
That's why many of them had at least some basic English skills.
They might not be fluent, but they weren't strangers to the language.
After all, it was just across the Channel—the Premier League, the world's top league.
Olivier Giroud, though playing in Ligue 2, had absorbed enough to manage a few lines.
Yang Cheng told him that to integrate into the team, fluency in English would be essential.
Sure, he was happy to speak French for a good first impression, but inside the Bayswater Chinese locker room, English was the official language.
Tours wasn't exactly a strong team in Ligue 2. In the recently concluded Round 22, they had lost 0–3 at home to Laval. Giroud played the full 90 minutes—no goals, no assists.
Yang Cheng made it clear: what he valued most was Giroud's tactical utility, and he expected him to be ready to contribute immediately.
"Our fixture list is brutal right now—you've probably seen the headlines. We let Lambert go before the break, and now Andy Carroll is on his way out."
"Other than Lewandowski, you're our number two striker."
As he spoke, Yang Cheng locked eyes with Giroud.
What he saw in the Frenchman's expression pleased him.
There was a calm, composed demeanor—unfazed by either praise or pressure.
For someone coming straight from Ligue 2 to one of the Premier League's top teams, that kind of mentality was rare.
And as the conversation turned to football-specific topics, Yang Cheng quickly discovered another of Giroud's strengths:
Intelligence.
In his previous life, Yang Cheng hadn't worked directly with Giroud, but he'd heard plenty about him.
And whenever people talked about Giroud, they always emphasized one thing: he was smart.
If one person says it, maybe it's flattery.
But if everyone says it—it's probably true.
Yang Cheng hadn't seen him on the pitch yet, but just from this brief exchange, Giroud's intelligence was clear.
He understood what Yang Cheng was getting at almost immediately.
For instance, when Yang Cheng said he valued Giroud's tactical role, the Frenchman immediately replied:
"My weakness is pace. I'm not great with the ball at my feet either."
"One-on-one dribbling isn't my strong suit."
But he had excellent physicality—that was his edge.
"I've gone up against many physically dominant center-backs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. I hold my own."
At 1.93 meters and 88 kilograms, combined with impressive leaping ability, Giroud believed he could control the air.
He was also confident in his positioning and ability to read the game.
Strong as he was, he wasn't just a bruiser—he had sharp instincts. Whether it was receiving with his back to goal, pulling defenders wide, or dropping deep to link play, he could do it all.
In just a few minutes, Giroud had painted a very clear picture of himself as a player.
That's the mark of someone smart.
Yang Cheng was pleased, but he still offered a reminder:
"The pace of the Premier League is fast. Our team's pace is even faster."
But he reassured Giroud—he wouldn't be asked to play to a weakness.
The Bayswater Chinese had three lightning-fast wingers.
They didn't need their striker to accelerate the attack—they needed someone who could hold up play, drag defenders, and create space.
A tactical center-forward.
"Don't worry. Once you settle in and we get used to each other, I'll give you more responsibility."
Yang Cheng then called in Modrić and José Fonte for introductions.
...
That evening, the Bayswater Chinese held a low-key signing ceremony at Brent Training Centre.
Yang Cheng represented the club, signing a five-year professional contract with Olivier Giroud.
From this moment, Olivier Giroud was officially a Bayswater Chinese player.
The club took photos, posted them on its official site and social platforms, and issued a press release to media and fan outlets.
Most fans—Bayswater Chinese supporters or otherwise—weren't familiar with Giroud.
Even in France, attention was focused on Ligue 1.
But for a player who cost just £1.5 million, many believed that in Yang Cheng's hands, Giroud could become a hidden gem.
The media didn't dare draw conclusions.
After all, Andy Carroll had cost just £3 million six months earlier—and look what happened.
Now here came another striker, even cheaper.
Who could say Yang Cheng wouldn't work the same magic again?
Along with Giroud's announcement, another press release went out:
The Bayswater Chinese had accepted Chelsea's £40 million bid for Andy Carroll.
The two clubs finalized the deal that afternoon.
And so, one of the most talked-about transfer sagas of the past month finally came to an end.
Reactions to Carroll's move were mixed.
Some believed that replacing Drogba at Chelsea offered more upside than staying stuck behind Lewandowski.
But others saw it as a terrible career decision.
Chelsea couldn't play in the Champions League, and they sat fifth in the league—qualification wasn't even guaranteed.
Giving up a clear role at the Bayswater Chinese to join a struggling Chelsea side?
Many thought it was madness.
And replacing Drogba?
The Ivorian had held Chelsea's striker role for years—wasn't easy to dethrone.
Not to mention, Chelsea weren't known for developing young players.
Look at Mikel—he came in as a flashy No. 10, but they turned him into a defensive workhorse.
Major outlets like The Times and The Guardian were pessimistic.
The reasoning was simple:
The tactical environment that suited Carroll at the Bayswater Chinese didn't exist at Chelsea.
"At Chelsea, there are no endless midfield passes. No constant crosses from the flanks."
"In that system, how much can Carroll's aerial ability and physicality really matter?"
The Times added—even Drogba was struggling in Chelsea's current setup.
What hope did his so-called successor have?
Still, the transfer was official.
At 10 p.m., the two clubs finalized the paperwork and submitted the documents.
Andy Carroll was now a Chelsea player.
The £40 million transfer sent shockwaves around the world.
Just six months earlier, he had cost the Bayswater Chinese £3 million.
Now Chelsea had shelled out £40 million.
But it wasn't unprecedented.
Back in the 2003/04 season, the Bayswater Chinese had pulled off a similar move:
They signed Jonathan Stead for £250,000.
Six months later, they sold him to Premier League side Blackburn for a whopping £8 million.
Interestingly, when reporters asked Jonathan Stead for his thoughts on Andy Carroll's transfer, he responded with deep regret:
"It won't be long before he regrets it."
"Just like I do now."
...
The next morning.
After finishing breakfast and preparing to drive south to Chelsea's Cobham training base, Andy Carroll received an unexpected call from the Bayswater Chinese's finance department.
They had completed all salary and bonus calculations and had transferred the funds to his personal account.
The payslip and bonus breakdown had been emailed to him.
Curious, Carroll checked his inbox.
Everything was listed clearly.
Even the fines from his two unexcused absences from training—issued by Yang Cheng—were deducted.
But the bonuses? Paid in full.
The Bayswater Chinese might have a reputation for being stingy, but within the industry, they were known for one thing:
Clarity and fairness.
That reputation was solid.
And for some reason, as he stared at the email, a deep, lingering unease began to settle in Andy Carroll's chest.
Yesterday, England manager Fabio Capello had called to check in on him.
Naturally, the main topic had been the situation between him and the Bayswater Chinese.
Carroll didn't say much.
But at the end of the call, Capello sighed:
"You're still too young."
That comment had haunted him.
Was Capello talking about how he handled the transfer?
Or was he questioning his readiness for England duty?
Capello didn't explain, and Carroll didn't dare to ask.
But it planted a seed of doubt.
Now, with everything that had happened, Carroll and his family knew—he had been manipulated by his agent.
Curtis had inflamed tensions, pushed for conflict, and stirred up trouble.
Looking back, was his rivalry with Lewandowski really that serious?
Harry Kane was only 16. It would be years before he matured.
And who said Kane would even make it?
But faced with Chelsea's £90,000-a-week offer, Carroll and his family had lost all sense.
Now? Too late.
What hit Carroll hardest was the silence of the last two days.
He hadn't returned to Brent. Not a single call from anyone at the club.
When he reached out to Gareth Bale and Walcott—two of the teammates he had been closest to—their responses were cold and perfunctory.
Especially Walcott.
The same "Little Tiger" who had promised to look after him in the national team camp.
Now, Carroll understood what it meant to be completely isolated.
He knew—he had messed up.
But there was no going back.
...
Because both the Bayswater Chinese and Tottenham had advanced in the FA Cup fourth round, neither had a replay during the midweek break between Matchdays 24 and 25.
So the two clubs agreed to finally play their Matchday 4 makeup fixture.
Embarrassingly, a match originally scheduled for August 29 was only now being played—on February 3.
Even more amusing?
On January 30, the Bayswater Chinese had hosted Tottenham at home.
On February 3, they were now visiting White Hart Lane.
It felt like a two-legged tie.
Compared to the Bayswater Chinese, Tottenham had a far lighter fixture load.
They weren't in the League Cup semifinals, after all.
The match ended 1–1.
Lewandowski, fatigued from continuous play, wasn't sharp.
After 70 minutes of deadlock, Crouch finally broke through for Spurs.
But just five minutes later, Rakitić equalized.
In the second half, Yang Cheng gave Olivier Giroud around 20 minutes off the bench.
Elsewhere in Matchday 24:
Arsenal drew 2–2 with Manchester United at home.Chelsea beat Burnley 2–1 away.Liverpool beat Bolton 2–0 at Anfield.
So after the makeup match, the Bayswater Chinese stood at:
17 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses — 54 points after 24 rounds.
Manchester City led the league with 57 points.
Arsenal followed with 55.
The Bayswater Chinese were third.
United had 53, sitting fourth.
Chelsea were fifth with 51.
Though they didn't beat Spurs, taking a point away from home was still a solid result.
Especially in the chaos of January's brutal schedule.
Just three points off the top with two games in hand—
The Bayswater Chinese were still serious title contenders.
...
February 7, afternoon — Matchday 25.
The Bayswater Chinese hosted Wolves.
Just four minutes in, a returning Gareth Bale surged down the left, broke into the box, and fired home.
1–0!
Seven minutes later, another Bale run down the left ended in a pinpoint cutback—
Matuidi smashed it in.
2–0!
And in the 22nd minute, same duo.
This time, Matuidi didn't enter the box—he let fly from the top-left edge of the arc.
3–0!
A brace for Matuidi!
No one expected that.
Matuidi had stolen the spotlight!
In the second half, Hazard—starting on the right wing—added a fourth after being set up by substitute Paul Pogba.
4–0!
And it was only the 56th minute.
Yang Cheng spent the final half-hour giving the youngsters a run.
The score stayed put: 4–0 final.
The reaction was immediate and intense.
Bale, back from injury, delivered two assists and one goal—brilliant.
But it was Matuidi who stunned everyone with a brace and relentless box-to-box play.
He was deservedly named Man of the Match.
Elsewhere:
Liverpool edged Everton 1–0 in the Merseyside Derby.Manchester City beat Hull 2–1 away.United thrashed Portsmouth 5–0 at home.
(The "Pompey" side was firmly anchored at the bottom of the table.)
But the highlight of the round was Chelsea hosting Arsenal.
One week after joining Chelsea, Andy Carroll made his full debut, playing the entire match.
Five AFCON players had returned, but only Mikel and Eto'o started.
The rest were either still recovering or out of form.
Despite having their chances, Chelsea wasted several golden opportunities.
Then, in the 73rd minute, Benzema struck a stunning goal to beat Čech.
1–0! Arsenal win at the Bridge.
Carroll?
Anonymous.
Wenger paired Chygrynskiy and Koscielny at center-back—and they completely shut him down.
The new England striker had zero impact, drawing heavy post-match criticism.
Carrying a £40 million price tag and earning a staggering £90,000-a-week salary, Andy Carroll had catapulted himself into Chelsea's top earning bracket. Yet in his debut, he offered absolutely nothing—a brutal wake-up call.
...
February 10 — Matchday 26 of the Premier League.
Manchester City defeated Bolton 2–0 at home, with goals from Tévez and Adebayor, retaining their lead at the top of the table.
Arsenal battled Liverpool for 90 minutes and eventually secured a 1–0 home win, thanks to a strike from Gourcuff.
Ferguson's Manchester United were held to a 1–1 draw away at Aston Villa.
United conceded in the 19th minute but equalized through an own goal. However, Nani received a red card in the 29th minute, plunging United into chaos.
Ferguson had to resort to all-out defense just to escape Villa Park with a point.
Chelsea, meanwhile, suffered a 1–3 away defeat to Everton.
Malouda opened the scoring in the 17th minute, but Saha responded with a hat-trick to give the Toffees a massive home win.
Carroll started again for Chelsea—and again delivered nothing.
He faced yet another wave of media criticism. Even Chelsea fans were frustrated.
Being new to the club was one thing. But being useless, lethargic, and disengaged? That was entirely another.
Carroll had just changed agents. His new representative tried to defend him in the press:
"Andy has gone about two weeks without playing or properly training, so he needs time to regain peak condition."
But the media and fans didn't want to hear it.
You're telling us a £40 million striker earning £90k a week is just out of form?
Whose fault is it that he missed training?
Now Chelsea's losing.
The top four is slipping away.
Who takes responsibility?
Meanwhile, the Bayswater Chinese traveled to face West Ham.
They too faced a deep, disciplined defensive setup. But in first-half stoppage time, it was the returning Modrić who broke the deadlock.
After the break, Bale assisted the in-form Matuidi to double the lead.
Then Matić set up Di María for a third.
In the 82nd minute, Giroud—on for Modrić—won a header and flicked it forward to Walcott.
The Little Tiger beat the offside trap, burst into the box, and squared it across goal.
Lewandowski calmly slotted it home.
4–0.
On one side: Andy Carroll, producing nothing.
On the other: Olivier Giroud, contributing smartly off the bench and earning solid praise.
The contrast wasn't lost on anyone at Chelsea.
Asked about Carroll after the match, Yang Cheng declined to comment.
But on Giroud?
"I have full confidence in him," he said. "He just arrived from France—we need to be patient, help him adapt to the league, and integrate into the squad."
...
February 13 — FA Cup Fifth Round.
The Bayswater Chinese traveled to face Bolton.
Yang Cheng rotated his entire squad, fielding backups and youth players.
This was Olivier Giroud's first start.
He still looked a little out of sync.
In the 34th minute, Kevin Davies scored to put Bolton ahead.
But in the second half, Walcott latched onto a long diagonal pass from Ryan Bertrand, broke into the box, and equalized with a clinical finish.
In the 71st minute, Hazard won a penalty after being fouled in the area.
Modrić converted it calmly.
2–1 final.
Elsewhere, Chelsea crushed Cardiff 4–1, led by a Drogba hat-trick.
Manchester City, also fielding backups, beat Stoke 3–1 thanks to their overwhelming squad depth.
Right now, in terms of bench strength, City had perhaps the deepest squad in the Premier League.
Only Arsenal could claim to compete.
Both clubs had spent heavily over the last two seasons, building formidable depth.
...
With the FA Cup Fifth Round behind them, Yang Cheng and the Bayswater Chinese shifted focus to the Champions League Round of 16.
The first leg was away at Lyon.
But just as preparations were underway, bombshell news broke in the British press.
A Saudi sovereign wealth fund had completed a £400 million takeover of Liverpool—one of England's most storied clubs.
The Saudis had reached a formal agreement with Liverpool's two American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Although the deal still had regulatory hurdles to clear, the outcome was all but confirmed.
According to reports, the Saudi group had held multiple meetings in London with Liverpool's leadership since January.
Liverpool was drowning in debt—£270 million, possibly £300 million, depending on who you asked.
Once the news hit, Liverpool's spokesperson held a press conference confirming the deal.
Negotiations had taken over a month, but both sides had finally agreed.
The Saudis would pay £400 million for the club and absorb all its debt—making the real value of the deal close to £700 million.
Of course, as per usual in the world of finance, the debt would likely be restructured.
The Saudi group soon held its own press conference in London.
Prince Faisal assured everyone that this was purely an investment, not politically motivated.
He added that the Saudi fund had always been deeply interested in the Premier League.
Once the deal was complete, they would invest in the squad, rejuvenate the club, and bring in top players.
"We want to build a team as strong as the Bayswater Chinese, Manchester United, or Real Madrid."
The media was stunned.
The Saudis were clearly trying to create another Manchester City.
But the fans of other clubs?
Absolutely seething.
Chelsea fans in particular were livid.
"Why are the Bayswater Chinese even being mentioned alongside United and Real?"
Mentioning United was one thing.
But the Bayswater Chinese?
What kind of top-tier club were they, really?
In their eyes, Chelsea were the original Premier League big spenders.
The blueprint for modern football "super clubs."
But at this point, no one cared how Chelsea fans felt.
All of Europe was watching in awe as Saudi money threatened to reshape football again.
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