Chapter Four: The Expired Metronome

Six years ago Serra had been among Europe's most expensive attacking midfielders. Now San Aurelio in Spain would release him for nothing if Seabridge assumed the final nine million pounds of his contract. Laughter moved around the room. Banks asked, “You stopped us clearing one problem asset, and now you want another?” “Serra isn't here to run for ninety minutes.” Lin played a clip. Serra dropped beside the holding midfielder and, before two pressers closed, used the outside of his boot to send the ball into the weak side. “Vidal lets others leave their positions. Kovac lets the defensive line step up. Serra tells them where the ball must go next. We don't need a third runner. We need someone who prevents the first two from running for nothing.”