Like all award ceremohe Serie A Oscars wasn't just about giving out accodes, it was also a rare gathering for everyone involved in Italian football.

  The event was attended by iial figures across the football world, including Inter Min chairman Massimo Moratti, senior officials from the Italian Football Federation, key pyers in Italian football, coaches, referees, and even representatives from UEFA and FIFA.

  Napoli chairman De Laurentiis, who had always enjoyed such occasions, came all the way from the south with general manager Marino.

  Despite his reputation for being outspoken and sometimes abrasive, De Laurentiis was surprisingly well-liked in the football world.

  As Sacchi jokingly put it, "It's normal. The three northern giants are all keeping a close eye on Napoli now."

  Gao Shen smiled wryly at the remark.

  This was the reality for smaller teams.

  The three northern powerhouses—Inter Min, A, and Juventus—were rid iial. If they wao poach pyers from Napoli, it would be extremely difficult for Napoli to resist.

  In truth, they were likely just waiting fao Shen to leave.

  Everyone khat the current Napoli team had been built by Gao Shen. As long as he stayed, no one could touch his pyers unless he gave the green light. De Laurentiis and Marino would never dare risk their reputations by f a sale behind his back.

  But anyone who uood the game also khat Napoli's financial situation recarious.

  As the saying goes: wear the hat that fits your head.

  Even clubs like Roma and Lazio couldn't keep their pyers. Look at Roma, who's left besides Totti and De Rossi?

  Both pyers stayed only because of their deep ties to the club. If they had wao leave, Roma would have been forced to sell them.

  For Napoli, the best business model was clear: train and develop pyers, thehem to the northern giants or fn superclubs at high prices.

  Trying to force pyers to stay, whether they wao or not, was a losing strategy. Did Napoli even have the financial resources to do so?

  As long as the results were good, it might work. But if results faltered, the club could go bankrupt.

  Take the current Napoli squad, for instahe team's wage bill was climbing rapidly. What if they failed to qualify for the Champions League season? A deficit of tens of millions of euros would be disastrous, and De Laurentiis would likely explode in frustration.

  So, the ealian football world and even Europe was waiting.

  Waiting fao Shen to leave.

  Waiting for Napoli to colpse.

  The thought saddened Gao Shen. But upon deeper refle, he realized there was no reason to feel sorry for himself.

  Even Arsenal, under Wenger, had to sell captains every year, didn't they?

  Even Maer United, under Ferguson, couldn't keep Cristiano Ronaldo, could they?

  If one person struggles, it's unfortunate. But when everyone faces the same challenges, it's just the way things are.

  Besides, if Napoli did sell pyers, Gao Shen stood to earn a 20% cut.

  Given the current market value of Napoli's squad, his share would be astronomical.

  And knowing De Laurentiis and Marino, there was no way they would sell anyone for cheap. Those two were as shrewd as they came. Trying to take advantage of them? Not a ce.

  Just as Gao Shen parted ways with Sacchi, Marino approached him.

  ---

  "You know what?" Marino started, a smile on his face. "Bnca from Inter Min just asked me something."

  "Let me guess," Gao Shen said. "They're after our pyers?"

  "Exactly." Marino nodded, still smiling. "Guess who they're targeting."

  "Who?" Gao Shen couldn't be bothered to guess.

  "Three pyers: Bonucci, Vargas, and Thiago Motta."

  Gao Shen raised an eyebrow. "Do they even have the money?"

  "There are still a few days left in the wiransfer window. They want Thiago Motta and offered €20 million. I told them straight up: are y to insult us?" Marino ughed.

  Gao Shen chuckled as well. The offer was indeed ughable.

  Though Thiago Motta had joined Napoli for a modest fee, his performances had been exceptional. Uhe meticulous care of trainers like Bueura and Pintus, he had remained injury-free and pyed at a sistently high level.

  Now, many teams were eyeing this No. 4 pyer.

  In fact, almost any team running a 4-3-3 formation would want Thiago Motta.

  Why?

  Because a pyer of his caliber in the number four role was incredibly rare in modern football.

  Thiago Motta excelled in the position, a versatile and prehensive skill set. Even Johan Cruyff had ehat Bara should bring him back to repce Yaya Touré.

  While Touré henomenal pyer, his individual strengths didn't perfectly suit the number four role.

  Bringing Thiago Motta back to Bara to pete with Busquets would give the club a dual-anchor system—standard for top teams.

  Looking across Europe, hoyers could rival Thiago Motta in this role?

  Fabregas?

  "e on, he's a woolly number four, he py tre-back?

  Thiago Motta, at 1.87 meters tall, was versatile enough to py as a defensive midfielder and a ter-back. Could Fabregas do the same?

  From start to finish, Fabregas was never a true number four. He couldn't anchor a midfield as a single defensive midfielder.

  That's why not just Inter Min, but also Real Madrid, Bara, and every team trying to implement a 4-3-3 system had their eyes on Thiago Motta.

  Ahey dared to offer only €20 million for such a pyer?

  Gao Shen didn't usually involve himself in transfer iations, but since Marino had brought it up, he didn't mind sharing his thoughts. Pulling Marino aside to a quieter spot, he spoke firmly.

  "Pierpaolo, the most important thing right now is to maintain stability. As you know, the team is peting on three fronts. Bnca's attempt to poach pyers could be a deliberate move to disrupt our morale," Gao Shen said, his tone serious.

  Marino nodded. "Don't worry, I uand pletely."

  "I want to lead this team to achieve something this season. Success bes everyohe pyers, the club, and even you. Even if we fail, it won't hurt the team long-term, right?"

  "Don't wao. De Laurentiis and I treat these offers as jokes. Yes, we're under financial pressure, but we have no iion of selling pyers during the wiransfer window. Since we agreed to this bet with you, we won't back down now," Marino assured him with equal seriousness.

  Gao Shen patted Marino's arm and nodded.

  Anyone paying attention could see that Napoli was aiming high for the sed half of the season, but the financial strain was real. Bang ambition and budget wasn't just a challenge for smaller teams, it was a challenge even fiants.

  Unless you're backed by an oil-rich owner, achieving both is nearly impossible.

  "I won't interfere after the season ends, but until then, you must fully support me," Gao Shen insisted.

  Marino nodded again. "Uood. I'll pass the message to De Laurentiis."

  ---

  By the time Gao Sheered the cert Hall for the Serie A Oscars, he already khe oute of most of the awards.

  Some of it was guesswork; some came from inside sources.

  Gao Shen had bee a promi figure in Italian football. Knowing a few iial people ialian Football Association was iable.

  The results were unsurprising.

  The Best Goalkeeper award went to Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon. At this stage, no active goalkeeper in the world could rival Buffon.

  Handanovi? and Júlio César were still developing and cked Buffon's sistend anding presence.

  This result was expected.

  The Defender of the Year award, however, sparked some troversy.

  It went to Napoli's Leonardo Bonucci.

  This wasn't to say Bonucci had performed poorly, far from it. Napoli's defense had been the best in Serie A, arguably in all of Europe st season. But Bonucci's performances hadn't been sistently outstanding.

  As Gao Shen had said before, he preferred David Luiz.

  The Brazilian defender had made remarkable progress in his three seasons in Italy, being more stable and reliable.

  In Gao Shen's previous life, David Luiz had goo the Puese league, where his growth was uneven. But pying in Serie A, with its tactical focus, had shaped him into a stronger, more stable pyer.

  While Bonucci had done well, Luiz arguably had an edge in terms of development and sistency.

  The Best Rookie award went to Marek Hamsik.

  This result was less troversial. Hamsik's performances had been stelr, with impressive stats to back them up. Among the rookies, he was undoubtedly the best.

  Unless, of course, pyers like Sánchez or Di María were included iegory. But in that case, the list would have been pletely dominated by Napoli.

  The Best Italian Pyer award went to Alessandro Del Piero, while the Best Fn Pyer award went to Ztan Ibrahimovi?. The Best Pyer award, choseween the best Italian and fn pyers, also went to Ibrahimovi?.

  This wasn't a surprise either.

  i had been brilliant, winning the Golden Boot and leading Napoli to the title, but his rise had been too sudden. He wasn't yet in a position to challenge Ibrahimovi?'s status in Serie A and European football.

  In awards like these, reputation and legacy often carried weight.

  It was no different with FIFA's Pyer of the Year or the Ballon d'Or. The Serie A Oscars were no exception.

  However, if i tinued his performahis season, he'd have a real shot at the top honors year.

  As for the Coach of the Year award?

  It had the least suspense of all.

  What could Carlo Ai at A or Cesare Prandelli at Fiorentina offer to challenge Gao Shen?

  In terms of results, Napoli had won the league and cup double. In terms of style, Napoli's tactics had set a trend in Serie A and European football. In terms of influence, Gao Shen was quickly being one of Europe's top coaches.

  His only "weakness" was his ck of experience, he was still very young.

  But in the face of such achievements, that didn't matter. Gao Shen was awarded the Golden Chair, an honor Roberto Mani had long coveted but never even been nominated for.

  Amid warm appuse, Gao Shen stepped onto the stage to accept the award.

  In his speech, he shared the honor with everyone in Naples, emphasizing that it was the collective effort of the coag staff, pyers, ma, and fans that had made it possible.

  "This award is a great encement to me," he said.

  "My pyers and I will tinue w hard. We will strive to perform eveer in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League!"