Chapter 505: Chapter 505

Just five minutes after the match against Hull City ended, while players were still resting in the locker room, an unusual announcement was posted on Manchester City’s official club website.

[We fully support Tang! The honor of the players and the club is not to be defamed!]

It’s considered rare for two reasons.

Firstly, generally speaking, the club’s official website will first report the result of the game after the match concludes, rather than other news;

Secondly, the wording of this announcement is precise, with strong emotions, clearly prepared well in advance, just waiting to be published after this great victory!

"In recent days, various major media outlets in the United Kingdom have published reports defaming Tang and Manchester City Club, all of which are completely unfounded, and the club strongly condemns this!"

"Tang is an important player introduced by the club this summer, beloved by Manchester City fans, and has given everything for the club!"

"The club reiterates that we will adhere to the principles of fairness, justice, fraternity, and friendship to ensure the club’s sustainable development in the Premier League!"

"We have never crossed any legal or regulatory red lines, nor will we exceed the moral and ethical bottom lines!"

"Above all, any media defaming players and the club will be placed on our public relations blacklist, and the club will not accept any interviews from such media, nor will they be allowed into Etihad Stadium!"

The press conference at Etihad Stadium.

A journalist from The Sun energetically walked in with prepared interview notes, taking small steps.

Two gossip stories about Tang Long and the recent sensational news about Manchester City’s locker room discord have truly filled The Sun’s traffic to the brim!

Newspaper sales surged by 86%!

Ad space rates are soaring as well!

The editor-in-chief is seeking a pay raise for all staff from the behind-the-scenes boss.

The Sun, having profited from Tang Long and Manchester City’s blood, is ecstatic!

They are not concerned about whether Manchester City won or lost today, only eager to enter the press conference and continue the follow-up coverage, hoping to dig some explosive news from the coach and players!

However, as the journalist from The Sun eagerly walked to his seat, just as he was about to sit down, the security guard behind him suddenly pulled the chair away, causing him to fall painfully on the ground, screaming!

"What the hell, what are you doing!"

This poor fellow from The Sun had no time to react before being lifted and carried away like a chicken by two black security guards, each standing 1.9 meters tall!

Under the astonished gazes of the journalists, the Manchester City press officer righteously announced holding the microphone:

"On behalf of the club, I hereby announce that journalists from The Sun are permanently banned from entering Etihad Stadium!"

Hearing this, despite being lifted by the two strong men, the journalist from The Sun still struggled to shout:

"On what grounds? I am a certified UK journalist, I have the freedom to conduct interviews, you can’t restrict my personal freedom!"

The press officer laughed coldly, "Sorry, [Etihad Stadium] is the private domain of Manchester City Club, we have the right to refuse anyone entry!"

A dead silence swept over the scene.

The reporters couldn’t believe such sharp rebuke and violent eviction could occur at a Premier League club’s press conference!

The journalists began whispering to one another.

"What happened? The Sun is banned permanently from entering Etihad?"

"Since when did this happen? It’s too sudden!"

"My goodness, are we from the Daily Telegraph being blacklisted?"

"Robbery, it’s simply robbery!"

"The Premier League won’t let this happen, they’re smashing our journalist’s rice bowl!"

Amidst the crowd’s heated discussions.

Suddenly, a lone series of very loud and piercing applause rang out.

Everyone turned to follow the sound—they saw a reporter from The Guardian standing tall, clapping vigorously!

"Well done! As fellow media, we at The Guardian firmly reject The Sun, which uses improper means to secretly photograph others and creates hype to generate traffic!" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Manchester City’s head coach Pellegrini, on stage, smiled and gave a thumbs up to The Guardian’s reporter.

"The United Kingdom has a long media tradition; The Guardian, born in Manchester, has always been a good friend of Manchester City," Pellegrini turned his head to the press officer, motioning towards the Guardian reporter, "Hand him the microphone, let him interview first."

The reporter asked, "Mr. Pellegrini, Manchester City, after the turmoil, achieved a 6-0 victory, hitting many people’s faces, what are your thoughts on this?"

Pellegrini said, "Sorry, as you’ve said, Manchester City has disappointed many people once again."

"Thanks to Tang and Bony, and other players who fought hard for their contribution to this massive victory, and thanks to the senior leadership of the club for their strong support of Manchester City!"

"Manchester United wants to compete with us for the Christmas championship?"

"Sorry, what Manchester City won’t give, you can’t take!"

[What Manchester City won’t give, you can’t take!]

This was the eye-catching headline on the front page of The Guardian the next day.

The accompanying photo was Tang Long and Bony shoulder to shoulder, raising their arms high towards the main stand of Etihad Stadium!

Through various turbulent events, Manchester City’s senior management realized once again that the Premier League is never a peaceful arena.

It is fundamentally impossible to eliminate external disturbances;

Only by strengthening the team’s internal cohesion can we achieve victory!

The team quickly seized the opportunity and gathered a few key figures in the locker room to hold another unconventional press conference.

Kompany, Agüero, Toure, Joe Hart, Fernando, Kolarov—these six are respectively the team captain, leaders of the Spanish Language Gang, French Language Gang, English Language Gang, Portuguese Language Gang, and Italian Language Gang.

Although there was quite a bit of friction between them over Nasri’s retention during the meeting at Kompany’s house a few days ago;

However, in the face of external attacks, these figures temporarily set aside their prejudices, united, and issued a statement on cohesion.

"There is no bullying issue in the Manchester City locker room!"

"Nasri’s actions hurt the teammates’ feelings and the club’s reputation, and defied the ethical code a professional player should uphold!"

"We are very united, everyone is on the same page, so there is no factionalism in the locker room, nor would we obey Tang’s instructions to suppress anyone."

"Tang is an important member of the team, with a cheerful personality and excellent skills. He’s a good person—we all welcome his arrival."

"Any baseless slander or attack against Tang and the club will be unanimously condemned by the locker room, and the club will reserve the right to pursue legal responsibilities accordingly!"

But the few seasoned, gray-haired reporters at the scene have sharp eyes...

They noticed some differences in the expressions of the figures on stage.

Kompany, Agüero, and Kolarov spoke emphatically, their words strong and undeniable;

In moments of excitement, even their arms accompanied their gestures.

Joe Hart’s face bore a faint smile, calm as always.

On the other hand, Toure and Fernando’s tone seemed somewhat flat and listless, as if they were reading directly from a script.

A major announcement!

On the morning of the next day’s training, as the players gathered, CEO Belgistan and Pellegrini appeared before the players.

"I announce, Tang will assume the role of fourth captain of the team!"

At this stage, Manchester City’s number one captain and absolute leader in the locker room is undoubtedly the Belgian, center-back Kompany.

Agüero is the second captain.

The third captain is Côte d’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure.

The fourth captain position originally belonged to Joe Hart, but due to his recent month’s state at Manchester City, his position was succeeded by Silva, and now it’s taken by Tang Long.

What French Language Gang, Spanish Language Gang, Portuguese Language Gang, Italian Language Gang, English Language Gang—these are internal political ecosystems formed by players privately in the locker room;

While the team’s four captains are officially recognized by the club and publicly announced.

It is also an important basis for ranking seniority when attending external activities.

Tang Long replacing Silva as the fourth captain means he has entered the club’s officially recognized team committee, becoming one of the four key figures in uniting the locker room!

If Kompany, Agüero, Yaya Toure are in an absolute T0 position within Manchester City;

Then Tang Long becomes the first in the T1 series, right after these three!

Bear in mind, when he first joined Manchester City, although he came with the record-high transfer fee in team history, due to being new and too young at only 19, in the club’s official ranking, he not only was far below leaders like Kompany, Agüero, Yaya Toure, Joe Hart, Silva but also ranked behind veterans like Kolarov, Sagna, Nasri.

Approximately alongside Sterling, Ranocchia, Klichy, Fernandinho in the T2 series.

But now, with Manchester City Club’s official decision, Tang Long’s status leaps directly from mid-T2 ranking to the top of T1!

Facing Tang Long’s meteoric rise, the teammates on the field have varied expressions.

The Italian Language Gang’s Kolarov and Ranocchia are radiant, full of joy!

This means the Italian Language Gang finally has someone in the official captain sequence, greatly aiding in enhancing their voice in the locker room.

Kompany then spoke out in firm support of the club’s decision.

Silva, who had just obtained the fourth captaincy only to have it immediately revoked, looked shocked and puzzled!

Tang has been at Manchester City less than half a year, and he can already enter the team committee?

Belgistan! Where do you put a veteran player like me?

He poked Spanish Language Gang leader Agüero’s arm, wanting him to say something.

Upon seeing the Spanish Language Gang lose an official team committee spot, reducing from two to one, Agüero’s feelings were complicated;

But after pondering for a few seconds and noticing CEO Belgistan’s engagement, he knew it was the club’s official decision, so he lifted his head with a smile and rallied everyone to applaud Tang Long.

"Congratulations, Tang! Welcome to the Manchester City Team Committee!"

Despite quietly clapping, English Language Gang leader Joe Hart clapped unenthusiastically, with no expression.

His fourth captain position had previously been reassigned to Silva, who cares whom it’s given to after?

Sterling and Bony looked at Tang Long with envy, their eyes filled with admiration.

While Toure and Fernando seemed indifferent!

Especially Toure, his hands only clapped once before remaining open.

He didn’t even listen to a single word of Tang Long’s subsequent speech.

I am Manchester City’s third captain, a status and position earned after many years of playing here. Tang Long may be strong, but captains should be ranked by seniority. Rising behind me this quickly seems rather impatient, doesn’t it?

Manchester City announcing Tang Long as fourth captain, entering the team committee, no doubt affirms Tang Long’s ability and hopes to make him feel at home while supporting him as a strong backing against external turbulence.

However, besides this, Manchester City is also due to an important event, needing to boost Tang Long...