Soccer: I’m Building a Giant in the Premier League

Chapter 21 – The Perfect Utility Man

Yang Cheng had to admit—he'd underestimated the British tabloids' ability to stir up hype.

After just over a week of relentless media coverage, all of England now knew that a potential successor to Alan Shearer had emerged—from none other than League Two's Bayswater Chinese FC.

The Sun, ever the master of sensationalism, even ran a comparison between Jonathan Stead and Everton's wonderkid Wayne Rooney.

The verdict? A draw.

"The Stead-Rooney partnership could be England's attacking hope for the next decade!"

Yang Cheng couldn't help but laugh when he saw it.

Had he made a mistake selling the 'future king of football'?

But there was an upside to all this.

November 22, League Two, Round 19.

Bayswater vs. Hartlepool United, at home.

For the first time ever, attendance at Bayswater Stadium surpassed 4,000.

Still small compared to QPR's consistent 10,000+ or Stamford Bridge's tens of thousands. But in London terms?

It meant progress.

Hartlepool, aiming for a promotion play-off spot, put up a tough fight.

It wasn't until the 45th minute that Stead broke the deadlock.

The crowd exploded.

In the 76th minute, Rowlands added a second to seal a 2–0 victory.

After the match, the media exploded again.

With Shearer aging, England's hunger for a new homegrown striker had reached a boiling point.

Enter Jonathan Stead.

…

One week later, Round 20:

Bayswater away to Colchester United.

In just 4 minutes, Ribéry assisted Tony Capaldi for the opener.

In the 11th, Ribéry set up Stead again.

2–0. Another win.

Bayswater's 8th straight victory.

Stead's goal tally? 17 goals in 20 games.

British media? Losing their minds.

Too fast. Too efficient. Too unbelievable.

To Yang Cheng, though, it was all by design—the result of funneling the entire team's attacking firepower into one player.

He'd seen it in countless "black market" clubs in his past life.

Nothing new.

…

As December arrived, transfer rumors grew louder.

The winter window was fast approaching. As always, the Premier League's big three set the tone.

Chelsea, with Roman Abramovich's oil money, had spent like mad in the summer.

Now, in winter, they targeted a right midfielder—the last hole in Ranieri's 4-4-2.

The rumored target? Blackburn's Brett Emerton, one of the best right-wingers in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal, meanwhile, had been chasing Sevilla's prodigy José Antonio Reyes for six months—but talks had stalled.

Just as Spanish outlets claimed Arsenal and Sevilla were nearing a deal, the Manchester Evening News broke another story:

Manchester United were close to signing Louis Saha from Fulham.

That same day, Fulham submitted an offer to Bayswater Chinese FC:

£3 million for Jonathan Stead.

When Lin Zhongqiu saw the figure, he was stunned.

£3 million?

Selling Stead could clear the debt to Elvino.

But Yang Cheng rejected the offer without hesitation.

Then leaked the news to the media.

Overnight, word spread that Fulham had made a bid for Stead.

And just like that, it confirmed United's interest in Saha—Fulham were already shopping for a replacement.

Saha's value? Over £10 million.

So why would Yang Cheng settle for £3 million?

…

December 5, FA Cup Round 2.

Bayswater 4–1 Weston-super-Mare.

Stead scored a hat-trick—headers and volleys alike—utterly dismantling their opponents.

But luck ran out in the next draw:

Chelsea would be their opponent in Round 3.

Date: January 2, 2004.

…

Three days later: EFL Trophy Round 3.

Back on the road against Colchester again, who came prepared.

Stead scored twice, giving Bayswater two leads—both canceled out.

2–2 at full time.

In extra time, fitness became the decider.

Bayswater's training advantage kicked in.

Rickie Lambert scored in the 118th minute to seal a 3–2 win.

Next opponent: Northampton, again.

…

Stead was on fire—top of the League Two scoring chart.

Now he'd scored 5 more goals in two cup matches.

Yang Cheng's stat-padding strategy had worked perfectly.

After rejecting Fulham's offer, media interest surged.

The Daily Mail wrote:

"Talents like Jonathan Stead have outgrown League Two. He needs a higher stage."

Fulham upped their offer to £3.5 million.

Yang Cheng rejected it again.

After beating Weston-super-Mare, he spoke to The Sun.

"£3.5 million?" he scoffed.

"That's not even enough for one of Jonathan Stead's legs."

The Sun took that and ran with it—declaring Bayswater's asking price was £7 million.

A steep number for a League Two player.

But then again, Arsenal were rumored to be offering €20 million for Reyes, with add-ons potentially taking it to €30 million.

So was £7 million for the next Alan Shearer really that outrageous?

…

December 13, Round 21:

Bayswater away to Swindon.

From the start, Bayswater controlled the game.

In the 13th minute, Capaldi scored off a Ribéry assist.

Since renewing his contract, Ribéry had only gotten better.

In the 76th, Rowlands added a second—2–0.

But then, in the 80th, Swindon made a change.

On came Rory Fallon, a hulking Australian target man.

In just 10 minutes, he scored one and assisted one.

2–2.

Then, in stoppage time, Ribéry danced down the left, beating two defenders.

He crossed low.

Stead muscled past his marker and poked it past the keeper.

3–2!

A last-minute winner!

Stead once again delivered the killing blow—and Bayswater took three precious points.

…

The media erupted.

Everyone could see it:

Since the Premier League rumors started, Stead had only gotten better.

He played harder, hungrier, more focused.

Bayswater had now won nine straight.

A strong, young, English striker—already a national team player?

How much was he worth?

Fulham returned with a third offer: £5 million.

Yang Cheng refused again.

At that point, Sunderland were no longer in the race.

But now, Newcastle and Blackburn both submitted offers of £5 million.

When Yang saw them, he laughed in front of Lin Zhongqiu and Brian Kidd.

"They finally made their move!"

Both men laughed too—impressed by Yang's chess game.

Especially Lin.

He had never imagined transfers could be orchestrated like this.

From £2 million to £5 million.

Unbelievable.

Just months ago, Bayswater had signed Stead for £250,000.

Now he was worth twenty times more.

And to think, all those past signings had cost a fortune—what a waste.

"Now the rumors are flying," Kidd chuckled. "First it's Liverpool, then Chelsea…"

The media was a double-edged sword.

Yang Cheng had wielded it perfectly.

"Chelsea don't want Stead," Yang said calmly. "They've already got Carlton Cole. But they're a perfect smokescreen to drive up the price."

He remained realistic.

"My guess? £5 million is Fulham's ceiling. Any higher, they'll back off."

There were other strikers in the market.

Even though Fulham had sold Saha and were backed by Egyptian money, they weren't reckless spenders.

"Newcastle has cash and Shearer. Stead's appeal to them is obvious."

"Blackburn sold Duff and Dunn. They've got £20 million on hand."

"After 16 rounds, they're 14th in the Premier League. But they're just one or two points above the drop zone."

Souness needed help.

And Stead, as a young English striker, wasn't just a tactical asset—he'd be a PR win.

For many teams—and Yang included—winter transfers were a headache.

Too little time. Too few options.

Prices skyrocketed. Risk soared.

But as he looked at the board now…

Yang Cheng had made up his mind.

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