The news that Leeds United were planning to build a new stadium spread around the world overnight.

Countless reporters, fans, and netizens rushed to discuss last season's Premier League dark horse, especially since this summer eight starters were sold in one go for a massive total of more than 300 million euros, which showed Leeds United's ambition.

But many professionals and fans were also worried.

After selling eight key players at once and with the meritorious coach Sarri returning to Serie A, could Leeds United regroup in the new season and reproduce last season's form?

Even Sacchi, known as the number one blowhard, expressed concerns about Leeds United's prospects in his column.

Sacchi revealed that Gao Shen had full confidence in Pochettino and firmly believed that the former Espanyol coach could succeed at Leeds United. The five-year coaching contract was the greatest sign of trust and support for Pochettino.

"I believe anyone familiar with Leeds United will be surprised by this team. It is very different from the European professional clubs we have known."

"Leeds United are highly efficient and not at all like some bloated, overstaffed clubs."

Sacchi said he had heard more than once from reporters that they were surprised when dealing with Leeds United, because it did not look like a newly promoted team, or even a football club, but more like a modern enterprise.

"Whether it is Gao Shen or Leeds United, choosing Pochettino proves the Argentine has the ability to be trusted."

"I absolutely believe that with his keen eye for talent and Leeds United's professional team, Pochettino will not disappoint."

Even so, Sacchi still felt it would be very difficult to stay in the top half.

"Relegation will definitely not be a problem."

The Times obtained news from Leeds City Council and revealed Leeds United's grand plan.

It turned out that Leeds United not only wanted to build a new stadium, but also to develop the entire Elland Road site into a commercial complex.

This was originally Leeds United's plan before the club went bankrupt at the start of the century, but now, in the hands of Gao Shen's team, it had been further developed.

"According to city officials, from the new training base to the new stadium, this will be the largest urban renewal project in south Leeds in recent years. The city government is also studying a series of supporting policies, including transforming the entire southern area."

There are large residential areas around Elland Road, as well as the largest car trading market in Leeds and even Yorkshire, but there is also a large area used for car repair and scrap recycling, messy and dirty, which has long troubled the council.

There are no public security issues around, but the urban construction is too poor.

Now, with Leeds United's huge plan, the council has also begun to study and initiate the transformation of the southern area.

However, transformation does not mean large-scale demolition and reconstruction. Instead, the aim is to preserve historic buildings, similar to popular commercial districts such as Trinity and Victoria Gate in the city center. By putting new wine in old bottles and combining modern technology, the old buildings would be half-renovated and half-retained, creating a commercial atmosphere rich in Leeds' unique culture.

Leeds has benefited from such transformations and is now the most vibrant, innovative, and youthful city in the UK.

This time, the council also plans to use Leeds United's plan to carry out similar transformations around Elland Road.

Especially considering that this is the most convenient transport hub in Leeds and even all of Yorkshire, once the transformation succeeds, it will inevitably siphon population and resources from surrounding areas and towns, which will greatly help Leeds' urban development.

The Times said it had received a very attractive blueprint from the council, but that it would take many years from planning to implementation, and there would be many challenges along the way.

For example, can Leeds United afford such large-scale commercial development around Elland Road?

"This is a massive project worth at least £1 billion. Does Leeds United have the funds?"

But The Times believed that regardless, Leeds United daring to propose such an idea and invest so much at this time was a kind of courage in itself.

This has not been seen at any Premier League club in the past, including Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

The Times also revealed that Leeds United had just signed with Norman Foster and had begun preparing to attract investment.

"During the team's training tour in the United States, a commercial team led by Fernando Lucas will also travel to the U.S. Leeds United hope to further enhance the club's influence in North America."

…

While all of Europe and even the world were stunned by Leeds United's courage and ambition, Gao Shen quietly returned to Madrid with his wife and children.

As soon as he got back, Valdano, Butragueño, Zidane, Carlo, and Hierro came to visit.

When a group of old friends met again after a long time, there were the usual polite greetings.

The topic naturally turned to the hottest news in world football.

"Yesterday, Florentino told me about your Leeds United. Three hundred million euros, my God. He said he could hardly believe it, and what he could not imagine was that you decided to invest that money in a new stadium."

As Butragueño said this, he gave Gao Shen a thumbs-up in admiration.

"Right? That is three hundred million, not thirty thousand euros." Valdano was full of praise.

Who would have thought Leeds United could sell for 300 million in a single summer?

"I think everyone is amazed and waiting to see whether Leeds can avoid relegation this season. If you can sell 300 million in one summer and still stay up in the Premier League, that would be incredible." Hierro still found it hard to believe.

Zidane was very supportive of Gao Shen. "I cannot speak for others, but for Gao Shen, I think it is possible."

No one mocked Zidane. Instead, they all nodded.

They had witnessed Gao Shen's ability with their own eyes.

For others, it would be impossible. For him, it was hard to say.

"To be honest, there is no great doubt within Leeds United about survival. The key is finishing in the top half, which is quite stressful," Gao Shen said calmly.

The calmer he was, the more it sounded like he was showing off.

"Is that true? The top half?" Hierro could not believe it.

If they sold for 300 million and still finished in the top half next season, the other Premier League teams would be crying.

"The key is we still have to play in the Europa League, which means we are fighting on four fronts."

Everyone looked at each other, finding it outrageous.

While everyone else worries about relegation, Leeds United are talking about four fronts.

God, what kind of world is this?

…

In just one summer, Leeds United became the focus of public opinion.

The main reason was the sheer size of the sales and the money made.

As a result, every move Leeds United made drew intense attention from the media and fans.

For example, Leeds United ordered two ultra-luxury buses, each priced at one million euros, which was simply extravagant.

Also, Leeds United chose the United States for their summer training, which was a bit much.

You know, training in the United States requires huge investment.

"This is actually partly thanks to sponsors," Gao Shen explained.

"I heard you were also invited to the Guinness Cup, and you were the first team to respond to the signing request. Are you really that optimistic about this tournament?" Valdano asked with concern.

The Guinness International Champions Cup is a newly established event inviting teams from top European leagues. Its predecessor was the World Football Challenge, which was only held three times.

The World Football Challenge did not have great influence. Now the organizers have made reforms and adjustments, which has caused many teams to wait and see. Among them, the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, and Arsenal were not invited.

Barcelona went to Asia on their own and were not invited either.

Because the first edition was somewhat unpopular, the eight participants were uneven.

For example, in La Liga, Real Madrid and Valencia were there, but neither Barcelona nor Atletico Madrid.

Three Serie A teams went, the two Milan clubs and Juventus, but Napoli did not.

Bayern Munich and Dortmund from the Bundesliga also did not go.

The Premier League sent Chelsea and Leeds United.

The other team was LA Galaxy from the United States, essentially making up the numbers.

Leeds United were the first to sign with the organizers of the Guinness Cup, and it was a three-year contract. They did not demand high appearance fees. This was an important part of Leeds United's active push into the North American market.

Fernando Lucas set up an office in the United States to leverage the team's popularity and online influence, using the International Champions Cup as a starting point to fully open the North American market.

This is the most important battle in Leeds United's future commercial blueprint.

"How should I put it? I think it will be the most influential summer warm-up tournament in the next few years, and the North American market is a key part that any team aiming for globalization cannot ignore," Gao Shen explained.

It has never been a secret that they are developing the North American market.

Real Madrid have always been committed to it, and José Sánchez also attaches great importance to it, so Real Madrid agreed to participate in the first Guinness Cup, but were not as determined as Gao Shen.

Leeds United were the first among the big four leagues to sign, even giving the impression they could not wait.

It now seemed that what Leeds United were after was indeed the North American market, not just appearance fees.

"It seems you are really determined to make Leeds United bigger and stronger," Valdano said with a smile.

In his memory, Gao Shen had always been enterprising and ambitious.

Gao Shen did not deny it. Everyone present was an old friend.

"I could not stop Leeds United now even if I wanted to. Lucas, Borrell, and the others are more motivated and passionate than me," Gao Shen said half-jokingly.

Everyone burst into laughter.

People in the circle had heard that Leeds United were truly unique, not only in their players, but also in their club culture.

Some even say Leeds United will change the power structure of European football in the future. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Who knows?

(To be continued.)