Starting With Real Madrid

No one knew that while Kanté was receiving a call from Leeds United's chief scout Steve Walsh, four people entered a Moroccan restaurant one after another in the small town of Sarcelles, located 20 kilometers north of Rueil-Malmaison, on the northern outskirts of Paris.

Two African men were hosting their white guests, which was a common sight in Sarcelles, a community with a large immigrant population.

They asked for a quiet booth, ordered food, and began to chat.

The younger of the two Africans was 21-year-old Riyad Mahrez, a player from Ligue 2's relegation-threatened side Le Havre. Sitting beside him was his agent, Carmel Bengogam.

Across from them sat Leeds United's technical director Rodolfo Borrell, who had flown in from the UK, and one of Leeds' scouts based in France.

This meeting had been facilitated by Carmel and the French scout. Talks had been ongoing for nearly a month, and only recently had Mahrez agreed to meet in person.

Rodolfo Borrell was a world-renowned technical coach with his own unique approach to technical development.

Mahrez had started out playing street football, and even now, he still retained many streetball habits.

He had not played much for Le Havre's first team, and his physical strength was still lacking. That gave Borrell the perfect opportunity to assess him from a professional standpoint and promise him top-level guidance and development at Leeds United.

"To be honest, two years ago, you chose Le Havre over Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, and Lyon. That proves your judgment was sound. Going to a big club too early isn't always the best move," Borrell said to Mahrez and his agent.

"The tempo, the dribbling style, the defensive intensity streetball players face—it's completely different from professional football. It takes time to adjust, and the physical demands are on another level."

"I've watched your performances for Le Havre II over the past two seasons. You scored 13 goals in 32 matches, and last season you netted 11 in 25. At the start of the season, you even came off the bench twice in Ligue 2. But the real story is what happened in the second half."

Borrell nodded with satisfaction.

"I think you've fully adapted to Ligue 2. Personally, I believe it's time to take the next step and maintain your upward trajectory."

Last season, Mahrez played nine Ligue 2 games, five as a substitute.

According to Leeds United's technical analysis, his early-season performances were underwhelming.

For example, in Round 2 against Laval, when teammate James Fanchone was injured early, Mahrez was subbed on in the 20th minute but was taken off in the 69th.

After that, he returned to the reserves, only getting first-team minutes when the squad was short-staffed.

By Round 33, Le Havre were 18th in the league, deep in the relegation zone and trailing Metz and Le Mans by three points. The situation was dire.

In that round, Le Havre faced second-place Reims at home, who were pushing for promotion to Ligue 1.

Mahrez was included in the matchday squad and subbed on for Fanchone in the 71st minute.

Five minutes later, Mahrez created the opportunity that helped Le Havre take the lead.

Although a late own goal from a center-back cost them the win, Mahrez's performance earned recognition.

He played in all of the final five matches and improved game by game.

Le Havre finished the season with three wins, one draw, and one loss in those five games, narrowly avoiding relegation. Mahrez had secured his place in the starting lineup.

…

"Unless something unexpected happens, you'll be Le Havre's starting winger next season. You're two-footed, can play on either flank, and will get more minutes. But I think you know better than anyone that Le Havre has its limitations."

"At Leeds United, we're a youth-oriented team. I'm sure you've done your homework. We've invested heavily in player development. Our youth system is among the best in the world, staffed by coaches from Barcelona and Real Madrid."

"We've spent millions creating a specialized development system tailored for players like you. You've seen Courtois grow significantly during his year with us. Pogba came from Le Havre as well. He couldn't get game time at Manchester United, but he developed into a completely different player with us."

"Paulinho, Benteke, Schneiderlin…"

Borrell spread his hands and said confidently, "I dare say, across Europe, no one trains young players better than we do."

Mahrez nodded slightly.

"Of course, Mr. Borrell," agent Carmel Bengogam said with a smile.

"Everyone knows Mr. Borrell is the best technical coach and that Mr. Gao is the top manager in world football. Leeds United has invested massively in youth development this past year and produced several elite players. We don't doubt Leeds United's strength in youth training."

That was the benefit of Leeds United's summer sales.

Their reputation had been cemented.

For professional players, football is a job. And like any job, everyone wants to climb higher.

Leeds United was the perfect launchpad.

"Not to mention, just two days ago, you signed Lyon's youth player Martial from Clairefontaine for €2 million. That kind of boldness is rare among clubs."

"After Mr. Gao Shen took over Leeds United, he ramped up scouting and youth investment. France is one of our key areas, especially Clairefontaine. We all know it produces the best talent in the country."

Borrell smiled as he explained, "We tracked Martial for over six months. It took great effort to convince both Lyon and the player. We also just signed your teammate from Le Havre, Benjamin Mendy."

"When did that happen?" Mahrez asked, surprised.

He hadn't heard anything.

"Just yesterday. I landed in Paris today," Borrell said, smiling.

He had flown in via Le Havre.

Both Mendy and Martial were the results of Borrell's leadership of Leeds United's technical team.

There were other signings as well, all aimed at enhancing the club's youth setup.

It was said that after their promotion to the Premier League, Leeds United's youth investment this season would exceed £10 million. The goal was to establish a global youth development brand and attract the best young players from the UK, Europe, and beyond.

"I wouldn't be meeting you if we hadn't already reached an agreement with Le Havre on the transfer. Now it's up to you, Riyad," Borrell said to Mahrez.

Gao Shen had originally wanted Mahrez, and Borrell secured Mendy at the same time.

Mendy was a strong prospect, having risen through the French national youth teams with consistently solid performances.

The key point: Le Havre's players were cheap.

Mendy cost €800,000. Mahrez, just €400,000. Together, only €1.2 million. That was tremendous value.

But since Leeds United already had two left-backs—Kurzawa and Bertrand—Mendy was expected to stay on loan at Le Havre. If he performed well, Leeds would pay a bonus to Le Havre as training compensation.

This was also a new model Leeds United was exploring for youth development.

As for Martial, the €2 million Lyon youth player, Borrell planned to oversee his training personally.

…

The meal lasted more than two hours, but Mahrez didn't commit to Leeds United on the spot.

However, judging by his expression and his attitude toward Borrell afterward, it was likely he would accept.

He was clearly a mature young man.

That was rare. Players like that were less likely to stray and easier to coach.

After sending off Mahrez and his agent, Borrell received a call from scouting director Steve Walsh, saying Kanté's transfer was complete and that Borrell should stop by the next day.

"No need to wait. I'll head there now," Borrell replied. He was also eager to meet the midfielder picked by Coach Gao.

Gao Shen hadn't said much, but players handpicked by him were never ordinary.

Outside, the media had been worrying about Leeds United's player departures and lack of incoming transfers. But in truth, there was no need for concern. Leeds had been steadily executing their plan, though few were aware.

For example, signing Mendy for €800,000 and immediately loaning him back to Le Havre was done quietly. Kanté was a free transfer. Mahrez only cost €400,000. These moves barely registered.

Martial, at €2 million, was the most expensive. But he was only 16 and seen as one for the future.

Leeds United had also signed 16-year-old midfielder Dele Alli from League One side Milton Keynes Dons, a club formed after Wimbledon's collapse.

The transfer cost Leeds £200,000.

Incidentally, this was the club's first youth signing under the FA's new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). Compensation was calculated based on the number of years Alli had spent with MK Dons.

Leeds even added a bit more to make the total £200,000.

They had also signed right-back Fabinho from Fluminense's youth team for €300,000 and young center-back Marquinhos from Corinthians for €700,000.

Marquinhos held dual citizenship—Portuguese and Brazilian.

Still, these deals hadn't drawn much attention.

By contrast, the transfer of Inter Milan winger Coutinho, whom Gao Shen had personally been pushing for, had run into complications.

The issue remained unresolved by the time Gao Shen returned from his trip to Northern Europe.

(To be continued.)