I AM the Football Star

Chapter 676 174: Italian Football's Specialty, March's Player of the Month! (Part 2)

These are interlinked; in the short term they might seem insignificant, but a few years down the line they become irreparable.

"Over at AC Milan, even though the players haven't said anything, if Izalelt really leaves, the morale will definitely be shaken. By then the team will surely raise salaries to give the players confidence to stay," Sotu also spoke up.

As for Inter Milan, that's a given, Talista has already spoken publicly.

Rumor has it that Inter's higher-ups are having terrible headaches.

Just half a season in and already asking for a raise?

Never heard of it!

But... for a Serie A striker competing for the league golden boot, a two million-euro annual salary is indeed too shabby. After all, your team's top salary is six million!

Lu Yang's statements gave Mr. Martivonni some inspiration.

If nothing unexpected happens, he'll be focusing more on salary efforts moving forward, speeding up the collapse of these traditional giants.

It's not that he's against the giants, he just hopes that some ordinary teams seize the opportunity in these few years to rise, offering some freshness to the fans.

"By the way, the impact of the best player award is quite significant, it's increased both the attention and the discussion in Serie B," Martivonni said, "Next year in Serie A, this honor will be formally introduced."

Speaking of this, Lu Yang suddenly perked up.

"Dear Mr. Martivonni, speaking of this, I happen to have some thoughts about this award recently," Lu Yang said.

"Oh?" Martivonni was puzzled, had Lu Yang been unfairly treated in the selection for this award?

That can't be right, Lu Yang took the best player for two consecutive months, and although the last two were given by rotation, it indeed affected the outcomes.

Could it be that Lu Yang wants the March Serie B Player of the Month which just ended?

As long as Lu Yang asks, although it may be embarrassing, Mr. Martivonni would have to make it happen for Brother Lu!

After all, these are minor things.

Even for the Serie A Player of the Month, Martivonni could arrange it for Lu Yang next year.

Don't doubt the energy of the football association leaders, if in doubt, look to the east.

"No, what I mean is." Lu Yang shook his head, "This award has actually lost its function for Serie A!"

Martivonni was stunned.

"The essence of this award is to create stars!" Lu Yang said.

Everyone nodded.

Indeed, that's the case.

Acknowledging players and whatnot, isn't important at all.

Creating stars, occupying the media, triggering more discussions, thus expanding the league's influence is the reason the Italian Football Association introduced this award.

This is also one of the ways to slightly increase the league's influence amidst economic downturns.

Martivonni really did a lot for Italian football.

"I looked at the list of the best players, and until now, besides me, all are forwards, and my goal tally is number one in Serie B," Lu Yang said, "meaning this award is heavily tilted towards forwards."

"Because forwards are also the easiest to mold into stars."

"But I want to say that, under the circumstances where Serie A is losing a lot of excellent players, especially attacking players, is selecting the best players representing attack still meaningful?"

"I think it's meaningless! Because even if you're the best in Serie A, in the context of European Football, the Premier League, or La Liga, you're not the best. This instead makes people feel the weakness of Serie A!"

Lu Yang pointed out a key point.

Everyone shivered.

Oh my!

It's true!

Let's not even mention Talista, if the 35-year-old Quagliarella Farella from Sampdoria won Serie A Player of the Month or even the Serie A Golden Boot, would you think he's amazing?

Perhaps you would, but you definitely wouldn't put him on the same level as superstars like Gutierrez, Izalelt, Zidane, Mario, or Jelando.

But he "dominates" Serie A.

So is it Farella being strong, or Serie A being weak?

The answer is obvious.

"To avoid this embarrassment, I suggest Serie A introduces its own special players!" Lu Yang said.

"Special products?" Martivonni carefully chewed on the words, his eyes lit up.

"That's right, what is the specialty of Italian football? Defense, defense, and defense! It may not be the number one league in the world, but Serie A isn't without merit, it can still be the world's number one defensive league!" Lu Yang said, "Starting from the Player of the Month awards, regardless of midfielders, defenders, or goalkeepers, skew resources to craft several defensive stars!"

"Italy's defense is recognized worldwide. Moreover, the selection itself is very forward-looking, with an increasing production of tall center-backs in recent years."

"Moreover, they aren't being poached! Whether they're good or not is all for Serie A to say, and relying on their ancestors' glory, everyone sings praises!"

"As long as there are continuously emerging new stars, even if other major leagues poach diligently, Serie A will still retain a certain number of stars and reserve stars. The league's influence won't diminish too sharply, and it still can exploit gold from Golden Yuan players, alleviating some cash flow issues in major clubs to a certain extent."

A beautiful picture unfolded before everyone.

A cradle for world defensive stars!

This title is also not bad and has a certain amount of attention.

"But what if the defensive stars we promote get crushed?" Martivonni asked a crucial question.

If they can't create attacking stars in Serie A, why would defensive stars be different?

"How many times in a year do you play European Competition?" Lu Yang laughed, "Even if you really face the powerhouses of other leagues, it's not so unlucky to just happen to get crushed, right?"