Meeting. Pt 2
Edward shifted the focus of the discussion to Brighton's transfer targets, eager to hear the board members' insights and suggestions.
"Before we proceed further, I'd like to hear from each of you regarding any players you've been considering," Edward began, his tone inviting and open.
Paul Barber, now the newly appointed CEO, was the first to speak up. "Well, Edward, as you know, we've been keeping an eye on a few promising young talents who could fit well into our current tactical structure."
He paused briefly before continuing, "One player who has caught our attention is Pascal Groß. He's been performing exceptionally well for FC Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga, and at 25 years old, he fits our criteria for a young, talented midfielder who could strengthen our squad."
Edward listened intently as Paul mentioned Pascal Groß as a potential transfer target. He couldn't help but recall Groß's future success with Brighton, knowing that he would indeed become a key player for the club in the seasons to come.
"Thank you, Paul. Pascal Groß is definitely worth considering," Edward replied.
As the discussion continued, other board members shared their insights on various players they had been scouting. Names like Davy Pröpper, Matthew Ryan, and José Izquierdo were mentioned, among others. Each player brought their own strengths and potential contributions to the team, and Edward made note of their suggestions though, among all the players they recommended Edward only recognised the names of few.
"I appreciate everyone's input on potential transfer targets," Edward said, addressing the board. "It's clear that we have a diverse range of options to consider, each with their own unique qualities."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "In addition to the players we've discussed, I've prepared a list of players that I believe we should seriously consider signing."
Edward passed the list to Paul, who then circulated it among the other board members. The list contained the names of players who would go on to achieve significant success in their careers, some of whom were relatively unknown at the time but would later become household names in football.
"As you can see, these players have the potential to make a significant impact on our squad," Edward explained. "While they may not be widely recognized at the moment, I believe that they possess the talent and potential to thrive in the Premier League."
A board member furrowed his brows as he glanced over the list. "I must admit, Edward, I don't recognize a lot of these names," he confessed, struggling to pronounce some of them. "Dusan Vlahovic, Nicolo Barella, Erling Haaland, Florian Wirtz, Rodri..."
Another board member nodded in agreement. "Indeed, some of these names seem quite ambitious as well. Frenkie de Jong, Ollie Watkins, Phil Foden, Serge Gnabry... and others while they certain hold high potential and ability, with our budget its practically impossible to afford even half of the players in this list."
Edward listened attentively, nodding along as the board members voiced their concerns. "I understand your apprehension," he replied with a reassuring smile. "It's true that signing all of these players would require a significant investment, and we must be mindful of financial fair play regulations."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "However, my intention in presenting this list is not for us to sign every player on it. Rather, I believe that by prioritizing these individuals, we can strategically strengthen our squad and maximize our resources."
Edward's words seemed to resonate with the board members, who nodded in understanding. They realized that while they may not be able to afford every player on the list, they could still benefit from targeting specific individuals who aligned with their long-term vision for the club.
"Let's focus on identifying our top priorities from this list," Edward suggested. "We'll assess each player's potential contribution to the team and weigh it against our budgetary constraints."
He gestured toward the list, indicating that he had highlighted certain players in green to signify his top priorities. "I've already marked the players I believe we should prioritize," he added, pointing to the highlighted names. "If that's all, we can proceed to finalize our decisions."
The board members nodded, acknowledging Edward's guidance. They exchanged a few questions and clarifications before wrapping up the discussion.
"Thank you, everyone, for your valuable input today," Edward said, standing up from his seat. "Paul if you can stay back? I have something to discuss with you, the rest of you may leave."
With that, the board members dispersed, each tasked with their respective roles.
As the other board members began to leave, Paul lingered behind as Edward requested. "What's on your mind, Edward?" Paul asked, curious about the private discussion.
Edward leaned forward, his expression serious. "I'll be flying to Germany to speak with Nagelsmann," he began, "but before I leave, there's something crucial I need you to handle."
Paul raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on," he urged.
"I need you to speak with a player who wasn't on the list," Edward said, his tone indicating the importance of the matter. "His name is Jude Bellingham."
Paul's expression shifted to one of surprise. "Jude Bellingham? How do you know about him and is he even any good?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Edward nodded firmly. "Trust me, Paul, Jude Bellingham is the most important signing we'll make," he asserted. "He's playing in one of Birmingham's youth teams, and he's a talented player."
Paul sighed, feeling the weight of Edward's conviction. "Alright," he relented, "but what exactly do you want me to do?"
Edward's gaze held unwavering determination. "I want you to contact Jude's parents and do whatever it takes to sign him, offer them a house in Brighton, education, anything…" he declared, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Paul nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Consider it done," he assured Edward before heading off to carry out his instructions.
As Paul left to execute Edward's instructions, Edward leaned back in his chair, contemplating the events of the meeting. Glancing over at Siana, he noticed her thoughtful demeanour and decided to engage her in conversation.
"Siana, what are your overall thoughts on today's meeting and the discussions we've had?" Edward inquired, genuinely interested in her perspective.
Siana paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before responding. "Well, I must say it's quite fascinating to witness the everything involved in managing a football club," she began, her tone reflective. "The level of expertise required to navigate through transfer targets, budget constraints, and long-term planning is truly impressive."
Siana shifted slightly in her seat; her expression thoughtful. "It's clear that there are significant challenges, particularly in balancing finances," she remarked. "The discussions around budget constraints and financial fair play regulations highlight the complexities involved in making these decisions."
Edward nodded in agreement, acknowledging the validity of Siana's observations. "Indeed, managing a football club requires careful consideration of various factors, from player recruitment to financial sustainability," he replied.
He leaned forward, his expression earnest. "But I believe in our ability to overcome these challenges and make decisions that will benefit the club in the long run," he assured her. "Now, get things prepared for our trip to Germany tomorrow."
Siana's eyebrows furrowed in concern as she listened to Edward's request. "Tomorrow? What about your father's funeral?" she asked.
Edward sighed, understanding her concern. "I appreciate your concern, Siana," he said. "But we'll make sure to arrange everything so that I can attend my father's funeral if needed."
Siana nodded. "Understood, I'll make sure everything is prepared for our trip to Germany tomorrow," she affirmed, determination evident in her tone.
As Siana expressed her understanding, Edward nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Siana. You've been a tremendous help," he said, acknowledging her efforts.
"Go home for today, get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow," Edward suggested, offering her a reassuring smile.
Siana nodded gratefully, gathering her belongings before heading out of the meeting room.
Once Siana had left, Edward reached for his phone and dialled Mr. Kingsley's number. "Mr. Kingsley, it's Edward," he greeted as the call connected. "Have you been able to arrange the interview?"
"Yes, Mr. Edward. Dan Ashworth showed willingness to meet with you." Mr. Kingsley replied promptly.
"Excellent," Edward replied, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. "Thank you, Mr. Kingsley. Now, I'll be making a trip to Germany tomorrow. Could you inform him that I'd like to have our meeting at a restaurant outside the airport in Brighton? Let's say around 5 pm?"
Mr. Kingsley acknowledged Edward's instructions. "Of course, Mr. Edward. I'll arrange the meeting.
"Thank you, Mr. Kingsley. I appreciate your prompt action," Edward said, grateful for Kingsley's efficiency.
With the arrangements for the meeting in progress, Edward felt a sense of anticipation building within him. Meeting with Dan Ashworth would be a crucial step in shaping Brighton's future, and he was determined to make the most of it.
The conversation with Mr. Kingsley continued as they finalized the details of the meeting with Dan Ashworth. They discussed logistics, such as the specific location of the restaurant and any other pertinent information.
Once the call ended, Edward let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair, his mind swirling with thoughts. He scanned the empty conference room, the remnants of the day's discussions still lingering in the air.
Despite the challenges ahead, Edward couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The meeting had been productive, and he was confident in the direction they were heading. However, he knew there was still a lot of work to be done if Brighton's first season back in the Premier League was to be successful.
As he reflected on the day's events, Edward's thoughts turned to his aspirations for the club. He wanted nothing less than to push for a European place in the league standings. To achieve that goal, he knew that significant improvements to the squad were necessary.
His mind inevitably turned to the financial aspect of managing Brighton. While he was determined to strengthen the squad, he knew that significant investments would be required. However, with the current budget constraints, he realized that he needed to explore alternative methods to infuse more money into the club.
One strategy that crossed his mind was providing the club with a loan, but he hesitated at the thought of burdening the club with debt. Instead, he pondered the possibility of offering financial support without any interest attached. Perhaps he could structure a deal where the club could access funds without the pressure of repayment, at least in the short term, while still maintaining financial stability.
However, Edward understood that relying solely on his own resources wouldn't suffice in the long run. He needed to diversify his investment portfolio to generate additional income streams that could support Brighton's financial needs. Whether through real estate, stocks, or other ventures, he knew that expanding his financial endeavours was essential to ensuring the club's success.
As he contemplated these thoughts, Edward realized that time was of the essence. The Premier League was a competitive environment, and every moment counted in shaping Brighton's future. With so much to do and so many challenges to overcome, he couldn't afford to waste any time. The path ahead was clear – he needed to act decisively, strategize effectively, and make the necessary investments to propel Brighton towards success. Time waited for no one, and Edward was determined to seize every opportunity that came his way.
With a sense of determination, Edward picked up his laptop and began contacting player agents.
As he reached out to the agents of the players on his priority list, Edward outlined his vision for the club and the role each player would play in achieving their goals. He emphasized Brighton's commitment to developing young talent and creating a winning team culture.
As he waited for responses from the player agents, Edward also took the opportunity to review the financial aspects of the club. He analysed revenue streams, explored potential sponsorship opportunities, and considered ways to optimize the club's financial performance.
As Edward delved into the financial aspects of the club, he realized that their current sponsorships might not be sufficient to meet their ambitious goals. He knew that exploring new sponsorship opportunities would be crucial in boosting the club's revenue streams.
Taking a closer look at Brighton's existing sponsorships, Edward made a note of when most of the deals would expire.
There main shirt sponsor, American Express, contract would expire in 2018. While there deal with Nike, Brighton's kit supplier, would expire in 2019. Other less notable deals, also seemed to follow a similar time frame, either expiring in 2018, 2019 or 2020.
'My father was a very intelligent businessman it seems'
His father more than likely predicted and planned out Brighton's rise more than likely ensuring their deals would all expire in the same time frame to capitalise on their success and sign more lucrative contracts that would again expire in the same time frame.
Armed with this information, Edward made a mental note to prioritize exploring new sponsorship opportunities in the coming months.
Considering potential new sponsors, Edward reflected on companies that aligned with Brighton's values and aspirations. He wanted sponsors who not only provided financial support but also contributed to the club's image and community engagement efforts.
As Edward brainstormed potential sponsors, he also recognized the importance of maintaining the relationship with American Express. As Brighton's main sponsor, American Express had been a valuable partner in supporting the club's growth. Edward knew that renewing the partnership with American Express would be a priority, as their continued support would provide stability and financial backing for Brighton's endeavours.
The future of Brighton was bright, and he was committed to leading the club to even greater heights both on and off the pitch. With careful planning, strategic decision-making, and unwavering dedication, Edward was confident that Brighton would thrive and achieve success in the Premier League and beyond in the coming years.