France 1 is the most-watched TV station in France, with a market share of 35 percent.
Its programming includes news, sports, TV dramas, and variety shows.
The French national team won the World Cup in Russia and became a national sensation. As the new season approached, France 1 invited several key players from the national team to appear on its most-watched interview program.
As the brightest star of the World Cup, Mbappé was naturally on the guest list.
During the show, in addition to answering a series of questions about the World Cup and the national team, he also addressed the most-followed transfer of the summer, his own future.
When the host asked him about rumors that Paris Saint-Germain was willing to offer 200 million euros and that French fans hoped he would return to Ligue 1, while Real Madrid were also inviting him to La Liga, what would he choose?
Mbappé smiled and thanked the fans for their support.
"They are undoubtedly the best clubs in football, and I feel incredibly honored to have their recognition."
"But I want to say that I'm only 19 years old. I think the most important thing for me now is to keep working hard and improve my game. No matter what happens in the future, that is the best choice for me."
Mbappé said many people were underestimating Leeds United.
"I want to say that we are still one of the most competitive teams in European football. I am very happy to continue my journey with Leeds United and in the Premier League. I will stay at Leeds United, and my agent is negotiating a contract extension with the club."
"In the new season, I hope to perform even better and win more, and more important, trophies with my teammates and the fans."
…
Lucas forwarded the video. After watching it, Gao Shen laughed.
Mbappé had finally made a wise choice.
This was not easy, because he knew the offers from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid were extremely tempting.
Especially the salary, which Leeds United could not match.
Sometimes, it is impossible to say whether such a choice is right or wrong.
Take Mbappé for example. Can you say this choice is definitely right?
If he suffers a serious injury next season and his overall level drops, then this choice would look foolish.
To put it bluntly, professional football is a high-risk sport. No one knows what will happen, and players' bodies are even more unpredictable. So it is really difficult to make this decision.
Of course, Mbappé made this decision not only for Leeds United, but also for Real Madrid.
What he really wants now is to become the top star at Real Madrid.
With six consecutive Champions League titles and five straight La Liga titles, the club has locked in the title of best club of the 21st century decades in advance. Who would not want to be the leading figure in such a team?
But Mbappé was also worried about Real Madrid's rebuilding, so he chose to stay and wait one more year.
This was also a good choice for Real Madrid.
At least it was better than him moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
Because it showed that Mbappé still preferred Real Madrid.
Gao Shen even thought that perhaps Real Madrid, to some extent, also supported Mbappé staying one more year.
Under the combined influence of several factors, the current situation had finally taken shape.
"Not bad," Gao Shen breathed a sigh of relief.
If Mbappé stayed, Leeds United would keep their most potent attacking outlet for the new season.
But this also created problems.
Next, the transfers of Mane, Harry Kane, and Dele Alli would enter the fast lane.
Among them, Leeds United would definitely soften their stance on Mane.
Only by sending Mane away could Mbappé stand out as the left winger, while the right wing would be handed to Ousmane Dembélé.
"Keeping Mbappé and the new round of renewals have increased our wage bill. A few days ago, Lao Jiang was complaining to me about the pressure," Su Qing said with a smile as she sat next to Gao Shen, watching the same video.
Over the years, she was no longer a complete outsider. She had become a senior football executive and understood how professional football operated.
"More pressure will train you," Gao Shen replied with a smile.
Previously, Leeds United's transfer work had been stuck because of Mbappé. Now that he had committed, everything would go more smoothly, and many things would be easier to handle.
"But Mbappé will leave next summer," Su Qing reminded him.
Gao Shen nodded.
It is going to rain, and mothers will marry.
Mbappé's departure was inevitable, but Leeds United had at least one more year to prepare.
"To be honest, sometimes I still don't understand European professional football."
"Tell me."
"They spend so much every year on signings and chasing results, but in the end they do not actually make much money. The risks are huge. If they slip up, they could decline quickly."
Su Qing frowned, puzzled. "Tell me, without foreign capital, how long can this game last?"
"Hah, you say you do not understand, but actually you do," Gao Shen praised with a smile.
Su Qing was startled. "You mean foreign investment?"
"Let me ask you something. We always talk about commercialization, but how long has European football truly been commercialized?"
"Ten, a dozen years or so. The Premier League was founded in 1992."
"What about La Liga?"
"I do not know. Did it start when the membership model shifted to joint-stock companies on a large scale?"
"Strictly speaking, it started with the separation of management and operations between the Football Association and the leagues. The Premier League resulted from the English league's separation of governance and operation. La Liga's membership structure became unsustainable, so it began to change too, but that was only the beginning."
"The massive influx of capital started around that time, beginning with Sky. Without Sky's huge broadcasting fees, there would be no Premier League. The Bundesliga's late-90s boom was built on generous backing from the Kirch Group. Once Kirch went bankrupt, the Bundesliga fell into trouble."
By the same logic, if Sky collapsed now, the Premier League and even many European leagues would be in serious trouble.
"In the new century, the flood of foreign capital spurred a football boom. But you can see that many leagues and clubs still have not completed commercial reform. You can tell from their management structures."
"Take Inter Milan. I have a very good relationship with Moratti, but I do not think he is a qualified business manager. Is Juventus's management sound? Look at La Liga. Barcelona are in the same situation. Atlético were relegated because of former president Gil, and their rise came from management reform."
"The Premier League is the best. Many clubs went public, but what happened to their share prices after listing? How many Premier League clubs were badly run in past years? Things have improved a bit lately. Why? Foreign investment brought advanced management mechanisms."
The management of many Premier League teams is still messy, but far better than before.
"We can see a common trend in the Premier League now. Running the club itself does not make money. The money is made outside the club. For example, Abramovich at Chelsea for political reasons, some do it out of love, some for advertising."
Arsenal used to profit, but that was during the new stadium project. With the investment of a mid-table Premier League side, they finished fourth and reached the Champions League knockouts. The investment was far less than the return, so Arsenal made money in those years.
But what about now? What about other clubs?
Manchester United's recent spending spree has a simple goal. The Glazer family still wants to cash out and sell.
Before Manchester United is sold, can the Glazers say how much they have made from the club?
The same goes for Tottenham, Everton, Newcastle.
Almost all Premier League teams follow this logic.
Because of that mentality, plus tycoons like Paris Saint-Germain and rich but poorly managed clubs like Barcelona, the entire European transfer market has become outrageous.
Of course, Gao Shen would not criticise this publicly, because he has benefited.
If not for the rich, how could he have earned such high transfer fees?
Insiders know this is not a healthy or sustainable model, but driven by capital, they have to keep moving forward.
Even Bayern, long proud of being rational, now pays higher and higher wages.
So, as Su Qing said, without foreign money, many clubs could not continue.
But Gao Shen had once read a report about British football that gave a vivid example. Historically, when the economy is in recession, football often takes off.
What has happened in European football over the years seems to confirm this.
From the subprime crisis to the European debt crisis, the world economy has struggled, while football has boomed. Premier League broadcast fees have skyrocketed worldwide, and now even internet giants are eyeing football.
Not only that, but hot money from the Middle East and around the world is pouring into the Premier League and European football.
Just as Gao Shen reformed Leeds United's business system, football is no longer just a competitive sport. It is more like a platform.
Emotion, profit, advertising, political interests, all kinds of capital can find their place here.
For Gao Shen, there is only one thing he wants to do now.
Taking advantage of his last few years as a transmigrator, he aims to accomplish a few more big things, further consolidate Leeds United's foundation, and cement its status as a top club.
In the future, when he loses the advantage of being a transmigrator, Leeds United will be able to survive comfortably in the European jungle through its own system and strong management.
Unfortunately, Mbappé is not destined to be Leeds United's long-term ace.
Perhaps Haaland, Bellingham, Gvardiol, and others can be.
(To be continued.)