The French team really knew how to pick a place.
During this World Cup, they set up their training camp at the Hilton Garden Inn Moscow New Riga, more than 60 kilometers west of Moscow.
The hotel opened in 2014, still very new with complete facilities. Surrounded by woods with beautiful scenery, it also felt secluded, far from the hustle and bustle.
Interestingly, the Croatian national team's base was also in the western suburbs, at a resort called Woodland Rhapsody. This was probably related to the location of the Luzhniki Stadium. Staying in the west made the trip shorter.
Croatia living at Woodland Rhapsody was quite fitting.
If you measured by ring roads, Croatia were between the second and third rings, while France stayed beyond the third.
Mbappé called Gao Shen and said he wanted to meet. Considering the World Cup final, Gao Shen suggested visiting him at the hotel. He also dragged along Zidane and asked the bald Frenchman to go with him.
The two stayed at the same hotel. After calling a car, they drove straight to the Hilton Garden, more than 60 kilometers away.
They arrived in the evening.
The French team had booked out the entire hotel. Zidane had already informed the national team staff, so after a buffet meal, he went to greet the players.
Gao Shen had done many visits like this, but this was the first time he had come just to eat and drink for free.
Zidane, on the other hand, was very experienced.
Speaking of this French squad, there were quite a few familiar faces for Gao Shen. Varane, Pogba, and Giroud had all played under him. Griezmann, Matuidi, and Lucas Hernandez had faced him many times.
Not to mention Kante, Mbappé, and Dembélé, who currently played for Leeds United.
Even among the national team staff there were acquaintances, such as fitness coach Dupont, who had a very good relationship with Zidane. He had previously visited Real Madrid for study and discussions and even followed their training for a while.
As the saying goes, people rarely show up at temples without reason. When Gao Shen appeared at this time, those with their own agendas naturally guessed he was not here for something simple.
Especially now, the European transfer market was in turmoil.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern.
Almost all of Europe's giants were focused on Leeds United's ace. After his stunning World Cup performances, Mbappé was red hot.
And not just hot. He was scorching.
Previously, L'Équipe revealed that Mbappé's market value was as high as 150 million euros. Paris Saint-Germain were considering paying 200 million and offering an annual salary of 20 million, far beyond what he earned at Leeds United.
That immediately scared off many buyers.
Two hundred million euros was not something any club could afford.
Take Manchester United. They had spent heavily in recent years, but could they now pay 200 million to compete with Paris?
And Barcelona, could they afford 200 million?
Manchester City had the financial strength, but would they pay that much for Mbappé when they already had top wingers like Hazard and Gareth Bale?
According to L'Équipe's analysis, if Paris really made such an offer, there would only be one potential competitor.
Real Madrid.
But today's Real Madrid was no longer the Real Madrid of the past.
Gao Shen had already left.
During the World Cup, Ronaldo decided to leave and officially transferred to Juventus.
Even players such as Modric, Di María, Pogba, Verratti, and Benzema might depart.
Not to mention Pepe, who had announced his exit long before the World Cup.
It could be said that Real Madrid were facing a rebuild, but without Gao Shen, no one knew what the future would hold.
In recent years, Gao Shen's coaching had been so brilliant that it made any successor feel suffocated.
Therefore, L'Équipe believed Paris Saint-Germain had no rivals.
…
"You guys really know how to pick a place."
After greeting the players, Gao Shen left Zidane at the hotel and slipped out with Mbappé to stroll by the artificial lake.
The place was truly beautiful.
Especially the lake and the pavilion beside it. On a summer night, it was a delight.
"They said it took a lot of effort to choose this spot," Mbappé explained.
Gao Shen nodded. "It's really good."
After a pause, he continued, "Choosing a hotel is like choosing a team. You have to be picky."
That was exactly why Mbappé had called.
As they walked, they found two recliners by the lake and sat down. The seats were soft, and they immediately felt lazy. It was very comfortable.
"Has Paris Saint-Germain contacted you?" Gao Shen asked.
This was no secret, and Leeds United would not complain about it. It was common.
Just like Paris, before making an offer to Leeds, they would first find out Mbappé's intentions. If the player did not want to go to Paris, what would be the point?
"They contacted my mother," Mbappé admitted.
He had always had a good relationship with Gao Shen, who never treated him like a club asset. Their conversations were more like friends chatting. Last year, he had almost gone to Real Madrid to play for Gao Shen.
"Have you decided?" Gao Shen asked.
If the decision was made, there was no need to talk further.
After all, this transfer would involve hundreds of millions of euros. It was no trivial matter.
"My mother wants to better understand Paris Saint-Germain's sincerity. I am still hesitating," Mbappé said.
Gao Shen was pleased. Hesitation meant opportunity.
"Then don't treat me as the owner of Leeds United. Treat me as a head coach. Tell me what you think, and I'll help you analyze it."
There were things Mbappé could not tell others.
For example, he could not reveal Paris's exact offer or his deepest thoughts. The hesitation he mentioned was likely uncertainty about the future.
But in any case, he was happy to hear a candid view.
"Real Madrid have also contacted us, but the offer is less than Paris's. So I'm torn."
It was clear that the real struggle was between Real Madrid and Paris.
Staying at Leeds United was also an option, but it ranked last.
"You know, when I was at Real Madrid last year, I wanted to sign you," Gao Shen said helplessly.
Mbappé nodded. Gao Shen had contacted him many times then. "Thank you."
"At the time, my suggestion was to let Ronaldo leave. His renewal was stalled, the club could not meet his wage demands, and his age was no longer suitable for us. So that was my recommendation."
In fact, Ronaldo knew very well what Gao Shen thought. He even went to see him, hoping Gao Shen would let him go.
Back then, Ronaldo understood he could no longer carry the same workload. His physical level and form were declining. He knew he did not have many years left, so he wanted to earn more and remain a central figure.
Many people misunderstood and thought Real Madrid paid huge salaries, but it was not always the case.
As early as the 2016-17 season, Gao Shen had started using him as a substitute in many matches.
But Florentino was considering the commercial side. Ronaldo had won so many World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or awards. He was a true global superstar. Neither the board nor the fans wanted him to leave.
In the end, Mbappé did not transfer, and Ronaldo stayed.
"Transfers are never easy. It is not just about salary, but also development. Especially for a young player like you, you must think long term."
"As long as you develop well, any money you miss now can be earned back in no time later, right?"
Mbappé nodded. That was true.
"I understand your concerns about Real Madrid. Even I cannot make an accurate judgment. I do not even know who their head coach will be next season."
There were reports that Real Madrid would make a decision in the coming days, but Gao Shen had not heard anything yet, and neither had Zidane.
"But I do not think Paris Saint-Germain is necessarily a suitable choice."
"What do you mean?" Mbappé asked.
"From a financial perspective, it is good. But for your career, moving from the Premier League to Ligue 1, do you think you would get the competitive environment you need to grow?"
Paris Saint-Germain are the dominant force in Ligue 1. They can beat anyone and have almost no rivals.
"More importantly, Paris is not a club that develops young players. They lack that kind of environment. In Ligue 1, all of Paris's opponents basically sit deep against them, but your game needs space."
"And Neymar. Paris now play a possession-based style with Neymar as the core on the left. I told you last year that your best position is also the left, just like your idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Your positions overlap. So ask yourself, will you accommodate him, or will he accommodate you?"
Mbappé fell silent.
This could be addressed, even written into negotiations with Paris. But how much of Paris's promises could be trusted?
If dressing-room conflicts were so easy to resolve, why would they exist at all?
"If, and I mean if you were asking for my advice, I would tell you to stay one more year. Do everything you can to improve, become stronger and more mature, climb higher in the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or rankings, and aim for better results in the Premier League and the Champions League, preferably win it."
"By then, with a Champions League title of your own, plus a likely World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or, you will be an undisputed top star, whether it is Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid."
Gao Shen smiled and added, "But now is really not a good time. That is true for Paris, for Real Madrid, and for you."
(To be continued.)