When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 202 The First Battle at Blue Bridge: The Coronation of the New King

During halftime, several major British sports programs launched into discussions, with the tactical analysis boards in the studios already filled with Roy's running routes and the weaknesses in Manchester United's defense.

All the broadcasts simultaneously showed Roy's elegant chip shot repeatedly, with close-ups of the scoreboard at Stamford Bridge and Mourinho's confident expression flashing alternately.

Sky Sports studio was the first to analyze:
"Chelsea's 1-0 lead perfectly illustrates Mourinho's tactical design. Roy, playing as a false nine, completely disrupted Manchester United's midfield defense. He touched the ball 37 times in the first half, 21 of which occurred near the center circle, directly causing Manchester United's two holding midfielders, Djemba and O'Shea, to be constantly on the move. Statistics show that Roy completed 4 key passes, 3 successful dribbles, and drew a yellow card for Keane. Even more alarming, he also made 3 tackles, and his defensive depth even helped Makelele protect the defense on several occasions."

"Manchester United's problem was that Ferguson's decision to have Scholes up front resulted in a lack of a pivot in midfield to distribute the ball. Ronaldinho was forced to drop deep to receive the ball frequently, and while Giggs' breakthroughs on the left were sharp, Chelsea's Gallas and Terry provided excellent defensive support on the right. Manchester United only managed one shot on target in the first half, fully exposing their lack of a focal point in attack."

BBC Match of the Day Analysis:
"Roy's value lies not only in that goal, but also in his control of the game's tempo. When Chelsea needed possession, he could drop back into midfield to link up play; when counter-attacking opportunities arose, he could suddenly surge forward to create scoring chances. Manchester United's makeshift center-back pairing of Keane and Silvestre simply couldn't keep up with his movements. That goal was a prime example; the moment Lampard chipped the ball in, Roy's start was a full step ahead of the entire Manchester United defense."

"It's worth noting that Roy has a great deal of tactical freedom. Mourinho allows him to switch positions at any time, which completely renders Manchester United's man-marking system ineffective. As the most expensive signing in this summer's transfer market, Roy demonstrated the value of a top star in just 45 minutes – his deep playmaking, sudden forward runs, and calm finishing perfectly exemplify the versatility of a modern striker. In contrast, Manchester United's attack lacked a focal point due to Van Nistelrooy's exclusion from the squad due to his conflict with Ferguson. Chelsea's big signing proved its strategic significance in his debut."

BT Sport Tactical Review:

“The heatmap clearly shows that Roy's activity covered the entire midfield and attacking third. He received passes from the goalkeeper in midfield six times, directly breaking down Manchester United's high press. However, Manchester United's response strategy was flawed – when Roy dropped back, Keane didn't mark him decisively, giving Lampard multiple opportunities to make forward runs and shoot. But even when Keane followed, Roy's ball control and explosiveness made it impossible for the Manchester United captain to shut him down in one-on-one situations. When Roy dropped back and drew Keane away, Drogba would directly attack Silvestre, a weak point; if Keane didn't follow, Lampard would have space to make forward runs. Manchester United's inherent weakness in midfield made this dilemma an unsolvable problem.”

"The key to the second half is whether Ferguson will change the formation. If he continues with the 4-4-2, Manchester United will need someone specifically to mark Roy; if he switches to a 4-5-1, he will need to sacrifice an attacker to strengthen the midfield interception. In any case, Roy has already proven with his performance in the first half that he is not just a striker, but a modern striker who can decide the course of the game."

As soon as the second half started, Manchester United launched an attack.

Giggs made a quick start on the left flank, while Gallas retreated while maintaining a defensive distance.

The Welsh winger suddenly changed direction and cut inside, but Terry quickly covered to block the cross.

Seeing this, Giggs immediately moved to the outside and crossed the ball before Makelele could cover him.

Inside the penalty area, Scholes suddenly surged forward from near the penalty spot, but Abidal anticipated this and blocked his position with a quick step.

After the ball bounced off the ground, Scholes managed a left-footed volley, but Abidal stretched out his leg to block it, sending the ball out of the penalty area.

After Terry headed the ball away, Roy quickly controlled the second ball, and Chelsea instantly switched from defense to attack.

He dribbled the ball forward quickly for a few steps, then looked up and noticed that Manchester United goalkeeper Howard was positioned further forward.

Five meters from the center line, Roy suddenly unleashed a right-footed lob shot, the ball arcing high towards the goal.

Howard hurriedly retreated, staggering towards the goal line.

He leaped up and reached out to save the ball, but it grazed the top of the crossbar and went out of bounds, landing in the stands and causing a scramble.

Roy stood there, hands on his hips, a regretful smile on his face.

The Chelsea fans in the stands gasped in surprise, then applauded the bold attempt.

In the 52nd minute, Makelele intercepted Scholes' through ball just outside his own penalty area and immediately sent a low through ball to Lampard in the center circle.

At this point, Chelsea had a favorable three-on-three situation.

Lampard advanced through the middle, Roy made a high-speed run on the left, and Drogba tied up Keane's defense on the right.

Lampard dribbled the ball forward to the 30-meter zone in Manchester United's half, observed for a moment, and then chose to pass it to the right wing.

Just as Lampard swung his leg to pass the ball, Keane suddenly appeared from the side, and the Manchester United captain made a precise sliding tackle, his right toe touching the ball first.

The ball, tackled hard, slammed into Lampard's supporting leg, which he couldn't retract in time. With a muffled thud, it bounced high into the air before finally flying out of bounds.

Lampard collapsed to the ground in pain, but the referee signaled for the game to continue.

This defensive play showcased Keane's extensive experience; he anticipated Lampard's passing intentions.

Manchester United quickly capitalized on the dead ball opportunity to launch an attack.

Neville quickly took the throw-in, and O'Shea received the ball and immediately launched a long pass to Ronaldinho on the right wing.

The Brazilian was about to control the ball and break through when Makelele had already tracked back and positioned himself to block the ball out of bounds.

The French defensive midfielder's defense was both clean and intelligent, defusing the danger without giving the opponent any set-piece opportunities.

Throughout the entire process, Chelsea's defense maintained discipline.

When Manchester United launched their long pass, Gallas and Terry had already quickly tracked back to their defensive positions, while Abidal protected the far post of the penalty area.

This tight defensive organization thwarted Manchester United's counter-attacks once again.

With 20 minutes remaining in the match, both coaches began to make substitutions.

In the 69th minute, Gary Neville received a clearance at the edge of the penalty area and, without letting the ball bounce, unleashed a powerful right-footed volley that grazed the left post and went out of play. Manchester United fans in the stands collectively buried their heads in their hands in despair.

Mourinho made the first move, replacing Drogba with Gudjohnsen.

Two minutes later, Ferguson made a desperate move, taking off defensive midfielder Djemba and bringing on Uruguayan striker Forlán to bolster the attack.

This personnel change had an immediate effect.

In the 73rd minute, Forlán received a pass from Scholes on the left side of the penalty area. He faked out Gallas and was about to shoot when Cech rushed out of the penalty area like a tiger and made a diving save to smother the ball.

Roy had already dropped back to the left-back position to cover, and after witnessing the dangerous situation, he clapped his hands vigorously to encourage his teammates.

Cech quickly got up and launched a long ball to the left wing.

Roy calmly controlled Cech's long pass on the left sideline.

Gary Neville immediately lowered his center of gravity and moved closer, subtly grabbing the hem of Roy's jersey with his right hand.

Roy suddenly stopped and pulled the ball back half a meter with his right foot, causing Neville to lean forward.

Just as Neville adjusted his footing, Roy flicked the ball forward with the outside of his right foot, sending it hurtling across the grass by the sideline.

Neville hurriedly turned around to chase after him, but Roy had already darted away like an arrow.

Neville's shoes slipped on the grass, and he staggered as he reached out to grab Roy's shirt but missed.

Stamford Bridge's North Stand erupted in cheers as fans sprang to their feet, witnessing the £2700 million spectacle firsthand.

After driving to the byline, Roy looked up to observe the situation and delivered a precise cross.

Gudjohnsen leaped high under pressure from Keane and Silvestre, but their coordinated goalkeeping prevented the Icelandic striker from getting a proper header, and the ball slid past the post.

Manchester United looked for opportunities by passing the ball around in their own half, with Roy and Gudjohnsen making token attempts to disrupt the attack, while the rest of the Blues maintained a compact 4-5-1 defensive formation.

In the 76th minute, Giggs received a cross from Scholes on the left flank, at which point Roy had already dropped back to the left midfield position to provide cover.

After feinting past Geremi, the Welshman suddenly launched a diagonal pass to the edge of the penalty area.

Fran volleyed with his left foot while running, but the ball went over the crossbar.

Terry closely marked and interfered with the Uruguayan throughout, preventing him from fully exerting his strength.

In the 78th minute, Manchester United launched another attack.

Ronaldinho's breakthrough on the right wing was tackled out of bounds by Abidal. After the corner kick was taken, O'Shea headed the ball over Smertin at the far post.

Cech caught the ball steadily.

In the 81st minute, Smith made a strong run down the right flank and crossed the ball, but Giggs' header at the far post went wide after a challenge with Gallas.

During this attack, Roy unusually appeared at right-back to cover.

Chelsea's defensive chain remained tight, with Makelele protecting the edge of the penalty area, Terry and Abidal taking turns pressing, and the full-backs maintaining their positioning.

In the 88th minute, Mourinho made a crucial substitution, replacing captain Terry with center-back Carvalho.

As he left the field, the latter deliberately handed the captain's armband to Lampard and patted his cramped thigh.

At the same time, Ferguson played his last card, sending French winger Bellion to replace left-back Fortune, switching to a three-man defense for a desperate gamble.

Entering stoppage time, Manchester United pressed forward with all their players in an attempt to make a final push.

Scholes played a through ball from midfield, and Bellion made a quick run forward, but Makelele marked the French winger closely, making it difficult for him to deliver accurate passes.

Carvalho, who had just come on, displayed his iron-willed defense, holding off Forlán and intercepting the ball the moment he received it, then immediately launching a long ball to the left wing.

Bridge volleyed a pass with the instep from the left wing of the attacking third, and Roy controlled the ball near the sideline.

At this point, both teams' players were completely exhausted.

Roy slowed down noticeably as he dribbled forward, while Neville and Silvestre, who were chasing back, also appeared to be moving with difficulty.

Two Manchester United defenders forced Roy toward the left sideline, and it looked like they were about to double-team him.

At the critical moment, Roy suddenly sent a triangular back pass with the instep of his right foot.

The ball passed through the gap between two defenders and found Lampard precisely at the top of the penalty arc.

Lampard took a step forward to adjust his footing, and then fired a low shot with his right foot into the far corner from near the penalty spot.

As Howard dived to make a save, his right leg instinctively blocked the ball, causing it to deflect and slowly roll into the net.

Stamford Bridge erupted in cheers; the 2-0 scoreline effectively sealed the victory.

The broadcast camera panned across Roy, who was slumped in the corner flag area, panting heavily, while Lampard had already rushed to the sidelines and slid down to celebrate.

Mourinho stood on the sidelines, a slight smile playing on his lips, his gaze fixed on the Manchester United coaching bench.

Ferguson's face was grim as he looked past the cheering Chelsea players and finally gave a deep look at Roy, who was surrounded by his teammates.

The old coach said nothing, turned around and walked back to the coaching bench, sitting down heavily.

After the match ended, Abramovich sat in the stands with a satisfied smile on his face, applauding the players on the field for a full minute.

The deal to sign Roy, in particular, seems like a great deal the more you look at it.

In his debut, he contributed a goal and an assist, directly helping the team secure three points.

He not only quickly integrated into the system, but also revitalized the attacking energy in the frontcourt, making the previously somewhat dull forward line suddenly threatening.

Fans have already started chanting Roy's name; clearly, this signing has won their hearts.

A deafening roar of cheers erupted from the stands at Stamford Bridge.

Several fans wearing Chelsea jerseys leaned over the railing, shouting at the Manchester United players as they left the field.

"We are rich."

"We have more money than we can spend, so to hell with your bullshit spirit!"

Before the match, French defender Silvestre said that although Chelsea had a lot of money and could buy any player they wanted, they could never buy Manchester United's spirit, and that spirit was the driving force behind the team's victories. Roy was bending down to tie his shoelaces when he suddenly heard shouts from the stands.

He frowned, pursed his lips, and continued to adjust his socks, but his movements were noticeably heavier, and his eyes conveyed a sense of disdain that said, "You know what I mean, but I don't."

After 2008, due to the double blow of divorce property division and the financial crisis, Abramovich's assets shrank, and Chelsea suddenly began to loudly promote the "Stadium Spirit".

The nouveau riche who once mocked Manchester United's "nonsense spirit" later started talking about tradition.

So it's best to keep these thoughts to yourself; fortunes change every thirty years.

Today you're able to swagger around in the transfer market because of your oil-rich father, but tomorrow an even wealthier chieftain might emerge from the desert.

The wealthy in Abu Dhabi and Qatar are lounging on oil fields while London's nouveau riche are scratching their heads over FFP (Financial Fairness Act).

After the match, Mourinho, who won the game, seemed determined to continue the war of words.

He stood in the press conference room with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face: "Listen, this is a complete victory against a direct rival for the championship. We deserve the three points. Look at the stats: a clean sheet, two goals, and a defense like an impenetrable wall."

"£2700 million? Does anyone still question this deal? Roy's performance tonight is worth £5400 million! Goals, assists, defensive runs, he even sprinted forty meters in stoppage time."

"Sir Alex Ferguson has been managing Manchester United since 1986, almost twenty years. Arsène Wenger spent seven years at Arsenal. And I've only been at Chelsea for seven weeks. In such a short time, even newlyweds might not know each other's tastes."

Mourinho shrugged and said, "To be honest, I would love to comfort Ferguson by saying 'you were unlucky,' but the fact is the fact: tonight, from the first minute to stoppage time, my lads wrote 'the better team' in every pass and every tackle."

Finally, the Portuguese man's smile vanished: "But none of that matters. What matters is that we're three points ahead of Manchester United."

Ferguson's response was direct: "I don't need him to tell us we shouldn't have lost."

"Judging from possession, we played well, although some of our passes were too fragmented or lacked power. The players fought hard, so I think we were just a bit unlucky. Last year we also dominated possession but lost on a penalty. Stamford Bridge hasn't been very friendly to us these past two years. But I've always believed in this team's ability, and I still do now."

"It has to be said that Roy has really changed Chelsea. Last year they played a typical English style of football, with two Italian-style strikers up front. But now Roy has made the team different. He can dribble and pass, and he's also very active in defense. However, he's not invincible. Once our key players return from injury, we'll find a way to deal with him. We also have quite a few players who can give our opponents a headache."

The mixed zone was packed with people after the game.

Roy stood in the center of the crowd, sweat still dripping down his temples, his breathing slightly heavy, but his eyes remained calm.

His tall figure stood out among the reporters, his upright profile was particularly clear under the flashing lights, and his face showed a tired but composed expression.

Reporters bombarded him with questions, some asking for his opinion on his debut performance, some mentioning Manchester United's offer, and others directly asking if he felt he deserved a higher price tag.

A Liverpool Echo reporter asked a very pointed question: "Roy, there were rumors that Manchester United had prepared the number 7 shirt for you. When you broke through Old Trafford today, did you ever think for a moment, 'What if I had chosen the Red Devils?'"

"I haven't thought about these kinds of questions."

Roy shook his head slightly: "In fact, every choice in life is open-ended. Once you embark on a path, you should focus on the present. Just like if I had chosen Manchester United back then, I should be thinking about how to break through Chelsea's goal now."

A reporter from The Mirror asked, "If Real Madrid offered double your salary next season, would you still say 'the options are open'?"

Roy almost burst out laughing.

As expected of England, they even come up with such creative and challenging questions.

Compared to the sycophantic praise from the French newspaper L'Équipe, he found these barbed questions refreshing and even somewhat enjoyed the sharp exchanges.

However, his professional instincts quickly brought his smile to a halt.

These journalists won't hold back just because you're funny. Today's witty remark might become tomorrow's headline in The Sun: "Roy mocks Real Madrid, says Chelsea is the real love."

Roy raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You English journalists always love playing these hypothetical games. If you're going to ask that, should I consider Milan gifting me a genuine Leonardo da Vinci painting? But the reality is, my contract bears the Chelsea crest, and my jersey hangs in the training ground's dressing room. As for other clubs..."

"'Open choice' only exists in specific situations. Just like you can't say that a married man can still freely fall in love. My wedding ring is blue now."

A reporter from The Sun suddenly pushed to the front: "Roy, did you notice that Manchester United's number 7 wasn't even in the squad today, while you contributed a goal and an assist in the opening game? In your opinion, do Manchester United's current strikers deserve the number 7?"

Roy shook his head and smiled helplessly, a hint of weariness in his eyes, as if saying, "Here we go again."

"What you don't know is that Cristiano is my younger brother; we have a very good personal relationship."

“I believe he will be a top player in the future. Everyone can see his ability and potential. The number 7 shirt has a legendary history at Manchester United, and the person who wears it will naturally bear the pressure. But I don’t comment on players from other clubs, just as I don’t want others to comment on Chelsea’s dressing room.”

Roy frowned slightly, but quickly regained his composure, responding to each question briefly and with restraint.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough that the surrounding noise didn't affect his rhythm at all.

In the distance, several photojournalists were still adjusting their angles, trying to capture the most perfect profile of the new recruit.

Roy simply stood there, neither impatient nor trying to please, just as he had been on the field.

Calm, efficient, and not to be underestimated.

Roy pushed open the locker room door, and a wave of heat mixed with sweat and shower gel hit him.

Makelele was shirtless as he pulled a T-shirt over his shoulders, Drogba was talking on the phone in his native language, and Lampard and Joe Cole were chatting and laughing in a corner.

"Well done, guys! Looks like I've joined a real tough Premier League team. Playing with you guys is a real treat."

Terry raised an eyebrow and grinned, giving Lampard a look that said, "This kid's got some interesting skills."

Cech nodded slightly, Smertin and Bridge were both pleased, Makelele grinned, and Desailly walked directly behind Roy, put his arm around his neck, and patted him on the shoulder with a big laugh.

The atmosphere in the locker room instantly became lively.

"But then again, I'm not bad at it either. You guys must have a lot of fun playing with me, right?"

Roy said casually, tossing his sneakers into the locker and clapping his hands: "Let's go out to celebrate tonight. My treat!"

Before Terry could speak, Roy turned to him and asked, "Hey John, where do you guys usually go partying?"

"China White"

"Okay, I'll have the whole place to myself."

As Roy spoke, he took out his phone and started dialing, and a burst of whistles and applause immediately filled the locker room.

8 month 16 day.

At 2 a.m., the VIP area of ​​China White was dimly lit.

The Sun's paparazzi disguised themselves as waiters and sneaked into the venue, focusing their cameras on Roy in the center of a booth.

His shirt collar was slightly open, he was swirling a half-empty glass of whiskey in his hand, and he was surrounded by several hot Eastern European models.

A blonde woman came up to him and straightened his tie. He smiled and clinked glasses with her but didn't let her get close.

Another girl in a black dress tried to sit on his lap, and he got up and pretended to get some ice.

With a flick of the ice tongs, the ice cube clattered into Terry's glass.

Terry's hand, gripping the wine glass, hung suspended in mid-air. He turned and glared at Roy, a flicker of surprise crossing his drunken eyes.

"Drink less, buddy."

He hooked his arm around Terry's neck and clinked glasses: "You know, John, from the moment I saw you, I knew you were destined for greatness."

Terry swayed his head drunkenly, his eyes glazed over: "How did you know?"

Roy suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously:

"I have read an ancient Chinese book called 'The True Explanation of Physiognomy'."

He squinted and traced a few lines on Terry's forehead with his finger:
"Your 'Prime Minister's lines' stretch straight from the bridge of your nose to your philtrum, from Downing Street to Buckingham Palace! Even if Churchill were reincarnated, he wouldn't have such a standard politician's face!"

Terry, drunk, touched his red nose and stared blankly: "Fuck off, really? You're fucking kidding me."

But his body betrayed him; he turned around and grabbed the wrist of the hot girl next to him who was touching up her makeup, saying, "Hey love, can I borrow your mirror?"

The girl rolled her eyes, but still slapped the rhinestone-encrusted makeup mirror into his hand.

Terry stared at his flushed face in the mirror, rubbing his fingers between his eyebrows for a long time: "Shit, I can't see this damn line."

Roy suddenly grabbed Terry's fidgeting fingers and lowered his voice sharply: "John, you can't see that, that's for sure."

"John, with your fate, you might not become Prime Minister, but you're guaranteed to be England's captain. But there's one condition: don't get involved with married women, and it's no good if you've done it before. I believe you're not that kind of person, but if you really do, you're likely to be in big trouble in the future."

Terry's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he was no longer drunk.

Roy's words were like a knife, precisely piercing his deepest secret: when he was 16, he did indeed sleep with the girlfriend of a teammate from the youth academy.

Terry gulped down a mouthful of wine, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed the chilling fear.

"Fuck, no wonder I haven't even made it into politics yet, not even a hint of it."

Although reason told him the Frenchman was talking nonsense, the sudden cold sweat in his palms betrayed him: "What if this bullshit fortune-telling is actually true?"

Terry wanted to ask more questions, but Roy had already gotten up and squeezed into the dance floor, making a ruckus with his teammates.

The girls around him took the opportunity to swarm him.

At four in the morning, Roy climbed into the waiting car, rubbed his red eyes, and said in an unusually clear voice, "Drive."

The Sun's headline: "Chelsea Party Night! New signing Roy spends a fortune renting out China White, players party with hot girls until the early hours."

The next morning, Roy was woken up by his cell phone ringing.

Terry's hesitant voice came from the other end of the phone: "What you said last night..."

Roy scoffed, "What are you talking about? You're drunk, John."

Terry pressed on relentlessly, but Roy remained oblivious until finally, when cornered, he mumbled, "Such matters are secrets that cannot be revealed."

After saying that, I wanted to hang up the phone.

"John, I believe you didn't do that. Just focus on playing football."

Terry's hand gripping the phone trembled, and his temples throbbed.

"Fucking hell, you motherfucker!"

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back, his teeth grinding together.

On the other end of the phone, Roy was already whistling, and the background noise of a coffee machine grinding coffee could be heard.

(End of this chapter)