Zhao Zhao brought Alonso with him to Ben White's small apartment, and the two of them personally spoke with Ben White.
Ben White was not familiar with Zhao Zhao, which was quite a big problem.
Because this bad man, apart from playing football and paying attention to his teammates and opponents, truly didn't care about what was happening elsewhere!
So the reputation Zhao Zhao built up at the end of last season's Premier League might have been attractive to many players, but it had no effect on Ben White.
This was also why Zhao Zhao brought Alonso with him on this trip.
No matter how self-absorbed Ben White was, he still recognized a world-class star like Alonso and would show him enough respect.
Moreover, with Alonso's endorsement, Zhao Zhao's invitation would carry more weight—this was the same principle as when Mikel Arteta unexpectedly helped Zhao Zhao back then.
As for Alonso, he had already settled matters at home and then came directly to the United Kingdom to report to Zhao Zhao.
This also showed how eager this former Spain star was to quickly get into coaching!
When they arrived, Ben White was indeed not very enthusiastic; he simply poured them water and then sat there without speaking.
Clearly, Alonso's presence did not seem to be of much help.
Ben White looked like a homebody, low-key and even a bit introverted, not fond of talking at all.
He did respect Alonso, but he certainly had nothing to say to the former star.
Perhaps he even resented their visit, which might have interrupted his gaming at home…
Zhao Zhao didn't waste words; after a self-introduction, he directly placed a contract in front of Ben White.
Ben White didn't open it; he just said calmly, "Please leave. I'm not interested in going to Sunderland. I don't think I can play as a starter in a Premier League team right now."
"No, I think you can," Zhao Zhao said with equal calmness.
A flicker of surprise crossed Ben White's expression, followed by a wry smile.
He naturally thought Zhao Zhao was joking.
How could Ben White, who could only play as a substitute for EFL Championship team Brighton and only appear in some less important League Cup matches, possibly play in the Premier League?
He still had his own plans for his career.
But Zhao Zhao continued sincerely, "You might not know, but after last season, both of our starting center-backs left the team. And I hope you can come here to fill those vacancies."
Ben White's surprise in his eyes deepened.
But he still slowly and firmly shook his head: "Unless… unless you can guarantee my starting position, otherwise I won't go."
At this moment, Zhao Zhao looked directly at Ben White with an unruffled gaze and slowly said:
"Mr. White, I'm not here today to beg you to join Sunderland. I came in person simply to show sincerity, because I see the potential in you and believe you can adapt to the Premier League's pace."
"I have confidence in you and believe you can play an important role in my newly formed team, but I will not promise you anything, let alone a starting position."
"Or, to put it another way, I will not promise anyone in the team a starting position. Starters earn their spots through training and matches, through their own performance, and not as a gift from anyone."
"If one day you are in very poor form, and I still let you play as a starter, would that be appropriate for the team? Would that be fair to other teammates who train hard?"
"I must say, I'm a little disappointed in you. You can doubt your own ability, but I'm confident I can improve your ability in a short time to Premier League standard, but not by promising a starting spot, understand?"
Zhao Zhao's words even became a bit stern towards the end, which made Alonso, who was beside him, a little uneasy.
Wasn't this an invitation for the other party to join the team? Why did it sound like an adult scolding a child?
And Zhao Zhao's words weren't finished:
"As for me, I don't need to prove anything to you either. But I have led teams to defeat Manchester United and Manchester City, something I believe you haven't even dreamed of achieving."
"If time allowed, perhaps I could demonstrate over a hundred tactics, as well as the team's offensive and defensive philosophies, but I don't need to."
"You just need to know that my Sunderland will be a strong team in the new season, and it will surely create its own history in the Premier League!"
"I don't care what you're thinking; the opportunity is right in front of you. Missing it would be your loss; you won't be able to be a part of this history."
"Mr. Alonso saw this opportunity, which is why he, having just retired, rushed over from Spain to join us. It seems to me now that his vision is far superior to yours."
Alonso, hearing Zhao Zhao mention him, maintained a smile on his face, but inwardly he was truly sweating for Zhao Zhao.
Zhao Zhao's tone had a rather condescending feel to it.
It was as if today Zhao Zhao wasn't asking Ben White to join, but rather Ben White was begging to join Sunderland!
But what Alonso didn't expect was that these words actually worked on Ben White!
Because within Zhao Zhao's indifferent expression, there was also a display of confidence that was absolutely not feigned!
This made Ben White gaze at Zhao Zhao for a long time before finally coming back to his senses.
In front of him, Zhao Zhao had a unique aura.
He wasn't a clown who spoke grandly but had no real ability; instead, he exuded arrogance and confidence!
And this arrogance and confidence are sometimes what is most needed on the football field, and what a football coach needs most.
As for the things Zhao Zhao said, although a bit harsh, Ben White also felt they were all very reasonable.
Indeed, was it reasonable for him, an EFL Championship substitute, to demand a Premier League team directly promise him a starting position?
What was even more remarkable was that Zhao Zhao had actually given an alternative "promise."
That was, as long as Ben White trained and played well at Sunderland, Zhao Zhao guaranteed he could truly grow into a Premier League-level star!
This was also what moved Ben White.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhao also pushed the contract on the table forward at the right moment: "Why don't you take a look at the terms of the contract first?"
This time, Ben White picked up the contract and opened it.
"Weekly salary of twenty thousand euros, clean sheet bonus of three thousand euros, unused substitute bonus of one thousand euros, European competition bonus… FA Cup champion bonus… League Cup champion bonus… Premier League champion bonus… Contract duration five years."
Ben White's expression froze; he hadn't expected the contract in front of him to be so generous!
Although the long list of champion bonuses at the end seemed a bit like pie in the sky—after all, with Sunderland's strength, could they really win these championships?
But even if only counting the weekly salary and regular bonuses, it was already many times more than what he earned at Brighton.
Well, his current weekly salary was even only a little over a thousand.
He was moved again.
After all, Ben White was a worker, and the ability to earn money was also an important reason for him to choose football as a profession.
In fact, when he was a child, a main reason he chose to join a football youth academy was simply… "to skip a few classes at school."
And it wasn't until he was 17, when Brighton signed their first contract with Ben White, that he felt football was not just a hobby, but also a tool for making money, "concerning his future."
Moreover, professional athletes have a short career span, and there are risks like injuries and form fluctuations, so being able to earn money quickly is truly very important.
And Zhao Zhao offering him such a high salary directly also showed how much he valued him.
It was absolutely first-team treatment, unlike Brighton, who still regarded him as a youth player.
Ben White was silent for a long time, but finally nodded in agreement: "Okay, Coach. I agree, I'm willing to go to Sunderland."
Zhao Zhao laughed heartily, stood up, and patted Ben White's shoulder: "Good! Then let's sign the contract directly!"
-----------------
When they left Ben White's house and got into the car, Alonso, sitting in the passenger seat, said dreamily, "Such negotiations are truly rare; I've never seen anything like it."
Zhao Zhao drove, laughing, "You have to deal with someone like Ben White, who has his own ideas and personality, in this way."
"Heh heh, but why are you so optimistic about this Ben White?" Alonso asked with a smile, "I've watched his match footage; he plays very intelligently, but he's not exceptionally strong."
He now greatly admired Zhao Zhao's approach.
What is called combining strictness with kindness? This was a textbook demonstration.
However, he also had his doubts, which was whether Ben White was truly worth all this trouble for Zhao Zhao.
And Zhao Zhao replied, "Don't worry, I've thoroughly scouted him. Any player I fancy is not bad. Didn't you also say he's very intelligent? Players who play with their brains grow very quickly; all they need is the right guidance and the right usage."
Alonso nodded, indicating agreement.
In the world of football, there are simply too many instances of "a tree dies if moved, but a person thrives if moved."
Many times, it's not because players lack ability, or progress too slowly, but because coaches haven't discovered their strengths, or put them into the correct tactical system.
For example, De Bruyne, now considered a core player by Guardiola, didn't make it at Chelsea before.
And Salah, who also went through a difficult time at Chelsea, thrived in Serie A, and this season Klopp has brought him back to the Premier League, to Liverpool, for over forty million euros.
Of course, the team's training level is also very important.
The training level of teams like League Two and League One is obviously incomparable to Premier League teams.
Zhao Zhao also believed that talented players like Ben White, after coming to Sunderland, receiving the best coaching guidance in the best training facilities, would certainly grow much faster than in the normal timeline.
"So, our next stop is?" Alonso suddenly asked again.
"Hmm… to Manchester, I'm going to meet two of your former coaches," Zhao Zhao said with a smile, "They have quite a few players we need."
Alonso was startled at first, but immediately understood.
Manchester, his former coaches.
It could only be Mourinho of Manchester United and Guardiola of Manchester City!
Mourinho coached Alonso at Real Madrid, and Guardiola bought Alonso from Real Madrid when he was at Bayern.
However…
Guardiola was fine, after all, he and Zhao Zhao had a good relationship and admired each other.
But Mourinho?
Looking at Zhao Zhao's profile, Alonso murmured:
"You're not going there to argue with him, are you?"