The Rise of Millwal

Aldrich's responsibilities with the national team could wait until the squad reconvened in March. For now, he had ample time to plan for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Yet, he remained busy—Millwall was set to head to Tokyo for the Toyota Cup.

That evening, fresh from the conclusion of international duty, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole visited Aldrich's home.

Aldrich was already in his pajamas, ready to call it a night, when he invited his two students into the living room. Lampard tried to stop him from going to the trouble of getting water, but Aldrich waved it off. He returned with two glasses of warm water, setting them down on the coffee table with a small smile.

"It's late. Whatever you need to say, get straight to the point," Aldrich said, settling into his seat.

Lampard and Cole exchanged glances before Cole subtly signaled Lampard to speak. With a serious expression, Lampard said, "Boss, Ashley and I feel like our playing time at the club is too limited. We'd like to go out on loan to get more match experience. It's not just about improving our skills and gaining experience; we also want to secure our starting spots in the national team."

Aldrich nodded, unsurprised.

This was something he had been deliberating himself. Loaning them out had been a consideration since he took over the national team. Zambrotta and Pirlo's dominance in Millwall's lineup had stifled Lampard and Cole's opportunities. While they weren't short on appearances for substitutes, they rarely played in critical matches, especially against Premier League top-tier teams, unless injuries forced a change.

As the national team manager, Aldrich couldn't justify limiting Zambrotta and Pirlo's minutes at Millwall just to benefit national team players. Doing so would risk alienating his club players and disrupting team cohesion.

However, loaning them out would undoubtedly weaken Millwall's squad depth. While Neal was a more experienced option in Cole's position, Lampard's absence would leave Millwall reliant on Alonso, who was still relatively inexperienced.

Aldrich had considered this dilemma during the summer transfer window. He'd contemplated loaning out either Alonso or Lampard, but he feared that Alonso might end up at a team that didn't suit his playing style, potentially harming his career. At the same time, letting Lampard, a reliable option, leave was equally difficult.

Now, with both players having participated in three official matches for the national team—Cole delivering steady performances and Lampard showing occasional brilliance—it was evident that consistent league minutes were crucial for their growth and ambitions.

After encouraging them, Aldrich approved their requests. He promised that the club would work on securing suitable loan destinations before the January transfer window opened.

To minimize disruption to their lives, Aldrich reached out to two London-based Premier League clubs: Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic. Arsenal and Chelsea were not considered.

The following day, both clubs responded, but their stances were starkly different.

Charlton, a modestly run club, was willing to accept Millwall's proposal despite the geographical rivalry, which theoretically made them "derby enemies." In reality, Charlton's presence in the region—compared to Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Millwall—was minimal, and their matches lacked the intensity of a true derby. Cooperation posed no issues, whether in team relations or fan reactions.

Charlton, however, couldn't afford a loan fee or the full wages of Millwall's first-team players. They could only cover 60% of the salaries.

Tottenham's pride as a storied club seemed to be at play here.

They wanted to bring in Cole and Lampard with a deal structured as a loan followed by a permanent transfer.

Initially, Aldrich felt Spurs might be the better fit for Lampard and Cole. Tottenham's squad was in a transitional phase—too many players were either too young or past their prime. With over ten first-team players aged 30 or older, Lampard and Cole would likely have ample opportunities. Young players lacked their skill level, while older players needed rest. A couple of standout performances would secure their starting spots.

Aldrich wasn't happy with Tottenham's terms, so he made the call to go with Charlton instead. He sweetened the deal for them: no loan fee, and they'd only have to cover 50% of the wages—10% less than what they'd initially proposed.

Millwall didn't care much about Lampard and Cole's salaries. As far as they were concerned, it was a win if someone else helped develop their players at no extra cost.

That said, the loan agreement needed one key clause: the borrowing club had to pitch in for the salaries. Why?

If they didn't, there'd be no reason to use the players at all. No money spent, no risk taken—simple as that.

Even at 50% of the wages, Charlton was paying what would normally cover two starting players. Leaving Lampard and Cole unused would mean wasting that investment.

Charlton figured the cost was worth it. With these two on board, they could aim for a better league finish. A bump of one or two spots could bring in enough prize money to make the whole thing pay off.

In the end, Aldrich made the call: Lampard and Cole would head to Charlton on loan until the season's conclusion.

Sure, Millwall might end the season with another trophy, but let's be honest—neither of them were starters. Last year's treble-winning campaign already saw substitutes snagging medals, and even if Millwall pulled off another triumph, how much would it mean to them as benchwarmers? For two young talents with promising international careers ahead, getting game time elsewhere was the smart move. After all, chasing medals from the sidelines? That's for players without real ambition.

In the 16th round of the Premier League, Millwall cruised to a 2–0 home victory against Middlesbrough. Meanwhile, Manchester United extended their winning streak to eight games, maintaining a three-point lead over Millwall.

As the league's first half neared its end, Millwall seemed to fall short of expectations, especially when compared to last season. There was a faint sense of decline.

Despite this, Millwall's preparation atmosphere was electric. The players were focused, determined, and eagerly awaiting their next game.

The fifth round of the Champions League group stage was set: Millwall hosting Spartak Moscow.

Football rivalries often boiled down to simple revenge. If you struck me yesterday, I'll bleed you dry today—or at least rub salt in your wounds.

Spartak Moscow was one of only two teams to defeat Millwall in European competition. That loss still stung, especially after Aldrich's fiery post-match speech in the locker room. As the two teams prepared to meet again, Millwall's sole mission was to make their opponents regret ever coming to London.

The day before the big game, Aldrich wrapped up training and was on his way to the press conference when Nagy showed up at the first-team pitch. After a quick word with some of the players heading out, Nagy walked straight up to him and said, "We've got a problem with one of the youth players."

"Yeah? Who is it?"

"Cristiano Ronaldo."

"What? That kid causing trouble again?"

"No, it's not that. It's his heart—he needs surgery."

Aldrich stopped dead in his tracks, stunned.

Damn it, could it really be that heroes are always tested by fate?

He picked up his pace, walking with Nagy toward the club's medical department. The press conference could go to hell.

On the way, Nagy filled him in.

Ronaldo would turn 16 in February. As part of his transition to a professional contract, the club had conducted a routine medical exam. The results were alarming—his heart rate was abnormally high, far beyond the norm.

For a professional athlete, whose heart already works overtime during intense physical activity, this was a potential death sentence.

The discovery had occurred that morning. By now, Ronaldo's family had rushed from Portugal to be with him.

The medical department, however, remained calm and methodical. After all, if the doctors panicked, who could the patient count on?

When Aldrich stepped onto the medical department floor, a group of young men in the hallway immediately straightened up and greeted him with expressions of admiration and respect.

Though Aldrich didn't recognize them, he could guess—they must be Cristiano Ronaldo's siblings.

The team doctor responsible for Ronaldo's check-up, Mechel, was busy in his office, trying to coordinate with a suitable surgeon for Ronaldo's condition.

Aldrich pushed the door open and was met with a peculiar scene.

Cristiano's mother, Dolores, was covering her face, weeping silently. His father sat with a furrowed brow, silent and tense. Strangely enough, it was Cristiano himself who comforted his mother, one arm around her shoulders, speaking softly to calm her.

The kid must already know there's an issue with his heart, yet here he was, acting unfazed and consoling his mom like nothing was wrong.

Aldrich didn't know what to say.

Sure, the heart issue was serious, but this level of composure? Incredible.

"Mr. Hall, please save my son!"

As soon as Dolores saw Aldrich enter, she stood up, gripping his hand tightly. Her tear-streaked face radiated desperation. If Ronaldo couldn't pursue a career in football, what else could he do? She didn't know.

At this moment, Dolores couldn't think that far ahead. All she wanted was for Cristiano to be healthy again. As a mother, that would be enough for her.

Aldrich gently patted her hand, offering comfort. "Don't worry, he'll be fine. Let me have a word with the team doctor first."

In the adjoining office, Mechel's door was slightly ajar. Aldrich knocked and entered, seeking more details. While the medical terminology was beyond him, Mechel explained that a minor procedure would resolve the issue completely, with no long-term complications.

Aldrich returned to relay the update to Cristiano's parents, assuring them that the club had already arranged for a highly reputable surgeon. The operation could take place within two days.

As Mechel stepped out of his office, Ronaldo's parents quickly approached him to confirm the information.

Aldrich noticed Cristiano exhaling deeply, visibly relieved as he sank into his seat.

The kid—he had just acted like an adult, comforting his mom. But deep down, he must have been scared out of his mind. Still, to keep it together like that? Well done, kid.