As Long as You Wave the Checkbook Well, No Team Is Beyond Poaching!

As the team's captain, Su Dong had to consider the unity of the locker room.

At the meeting, he felt the team shouldn't issue any public statement. Joe Hart and Barry weren't dealing with problems that had arisen while playing for the team. No matter how fiercely things were being stirred up outside, the team shouldn't get involved.

However, he said he would communicate properly with both teammates and handle the matter appropriately.

Su Dong's proposal received the support of Guardiola and Begiristain.

Both men had come from professional playing backgrounds and knew the rules governing a locker room.

As for the scandals involving Joe Hart and Gareth Barry, were there problems?

Needless to say, there were—and serious ones at that. It could even be said that they lacked professional ethics and self-discipline.

Leaving aside the fact that important national-team matches were just around the corner, the two of them had been frequenting nightclubs during the league season. That was simply intolerable.

With such things, either they stayed hidden, or, once exposed, the players naturally faced a storm of criticism from the media and fans.

But under the current circumstances, the team had to protect its players first.

Even though Guardiola had plenty of complaints about Joe Hart, he still supported Su Dong's suggestion.

Soriano made the final decision and demanded that the public-relations department produce a plan as soon as possible, hoping to calm public opinion in the shortest time possible.

The matter involving Joe Hart and Gareth Barry was only one part of the meeting.

The club still had to discuss daily operations and several issues concerning Winter Break transfers. After finishing the discussion about the players, Su Dong was about to leave when Soriano stopped him.

"We'd all like to hear some of your opinions, as