When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 205 Mendes' Ambition
On August 25, the European Union announced the shortlist for the various awards for best player in the Champions League last season.

Roy's previous European Championship Best Player award will also be presented at this awards ceremony.

La Liga and Premier League players make up the majority of the spots, Ligue 1 teams performed well, while only two Serie A players were selected.

According to Marca, the best player will be decided among Chelsea's Roy, Real Madrid's Morientes, and Barcelona's Deco.

The nominees for best striker include Roy, Real Madrid's Morientes, and Arsenal's Henry.

In terms of goalkeepers, Real Madrid's Casillas, Juventus' Buffon, and Porto's Baía are included.

In the defender selection, Deportivo La Coruña's Andrade, Chelsea's Carvalho, and Monaco's Evra were nominated.

The midfield candidates are Deco, Lampard of Chelsea, and Giuly of Juventus.

The nominees for best coach include Didier Deschamps, who led Monaco to a treble and an unbeaten record; Rafael Benítez, who led Valencia to a double; and Jose Mourinho, who led Porto to a Champions League runner-up finish.

Inside a conference room at a high-end hotel in London, Roy's agent Mendes and personal manager Claire are having an emergency meeting with representatives from sponsors such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Rolex, and Dior.

UEFA's nomination list is like a declaration of war, officially pushing Roy into the arena to compete for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

Although Roy's performance this season has been impeccable, Mendes still emphasized: "Now is the most crucial moment."

He opened the thick project proposal, each page printed with timelines down to the hour: "In the three to four months between now and the awards ceremony, we need to complete three phases of strategic deployment."

The first phase is "data consolidation".

Sports media outlets will receive a 160-page technical report compiled by 12 analysts, detailing how each of Roy's goals this season has changed the course of a game.

The report will also highlight three historic records set by Roy:
He scored 45 goals in a single Ligue 1 season, breaking the league's long-standing goal record.

His 17 Champions League goals set a new record for the most goals scored in a single season in the competition.

With 10 goals in the European Championship, he became the player with the most goals in a single tournament in the history of the event.

These statistics fully demonstrate Roy's dominant performance this season.

The report will demonstrate Roy's all-around ability and decisive role on the offensive end through professional tactical analysis and data comparison to the judges and the media.

Mendes pounded the table and said, "Remember, Roy is Roy. Don't compare him to anyone. He's not the new Pelé, nor the next Maradona. He's the first Roy, a player unlike any other in football history. He's creating his own legend, and he could very well surpass everyone else. We need to make the world understand that they are witnessing a whole new chapter in history."

The second phase is "story reshaping".

The BBC documentary team is ready to spend three weeks filming a feature film titled "Boys by the Sea: From the Bois-sur-Bois favela to the Stamford Bridge".

Claire added: "We want to portray a complete Roy—the boy who lost his father at the age of eight but still persisted in training at Lille's youth academy; the teenager who amazed the entire stadium with his powerful and beautiful goal in his only appearance for Real Madrid's first team; the genius who conquered Ligue 1 in half a season with Monaco; the man who trained two extra hours every day but quietly funded charity. He may appear cold and unruly, but he always maintains a soft and kind heart."

The third phase is "global building of momentum".

In the fall of 2004, several major brands unveiled the marketing resources they had prepared for Roy:

Coca-Cola will launch a limited-edition commemorative can, which will be available in supermarkets in 135 countries. For every case sold, 1 euro will be donated to the United Nations Foundation.

Dior arranged a cover story interview with Time magazine and a fashion editorial shot by a top photographer, highlighting his journey from a poor neighborhood to a superstar.

Rolex will launch a special edition Daytona watch called "Euromoment" and run a series of advertisements in high-end media such as the Financial Times, emphasizing "precision as his final shot".

These brands have all invested their top-tier promotional resources because they believe Roy's performance is worth the investment and expect him to bring in unimaginable commercial returns.

The entire plan runs from September until the awards ceremony in December, ensuring that Roy's name appears prominently in major media outlets around the world at any time.

A Coca-Cola representative cautioned, "All activities must be avoided during international match days to ensure optimal exposure."

Mendes put down his coffee cup and said with a determined look, "No one can compare to Roy in this year's Ballon d'Or. He won the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the French Cup treble, and was the top scorer in all three competitions. He won the European Championship and the Golden Boot, and last year he also won the inaugural Golden Boy award. Winning the Ballon d'Or at 19 years old, this is the legendary story that fans want to see the most."

He analyzed his opponents one by one, counting on his fingers: "Zidane? His Real Madrid was eliminated by Roy himself in the Champions League quarterfinals. Henry? Arsenal also lost to Roy's Monaco in the Champions League semifinals. Although both of them have won the European Championship, Roy was the most dazzling player all summer."

"Deco? Although he is also one of my players, he only won the runner-up title in the Champions League and was eliminated in the semi-finals of the European Championship. His statistics are not particularly outstanding."

"AC Milan wants to push Shevchenko?" he sneered. "He hasn't even won a major title, what makes him comparable to Roy?"

"As for Morientes, although he has a treble and a Champions League silver boot, Roy's performance is clearly more outstanding. Real Madrid has no one to push for him this year, so they might push him, but bringing up his past Champions League achievements is not very convincing."

"Giuly is the same. He has the Monaco treble and played well in the European Championship. But Roy is the real core. What cards can Juventus play? Captain status? It's nothing compared to Roy."

Mendes frowned, his tone becoming cautious: "However, the FIFA World Player of the Year award is indeed a bit risky. When national team coaches and captains vote, they often prefer veteran superstars like Zidane. They've been in the football world for a long time and have extensive connections, so the judges inevitably have some personal bias in their votes."

"Although Roy's performance this year has been impeccable, those old-school coaches may value seniority and reputation more. Zidane has been in the football world for more than a decade, and the title of 'World Player of the Year' alone is impressive enough. We need to find a way to get the judges to vote for the real Player of the Year, rather than the Lifetime Achievement Award."

"To be honest, Henry should have won the award last year. But those people at FIFA insisted on giving Zidane another one, saying things like, 'Zidane is too old, if we don't give him one now, he'll never have another chance; Henry is still young, he'll have plenty of opportunities in the future.' That kind of talk is the most ridiculous."

"There's never a shortage of new talent in football. Look at all the ones emerging now: Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, Kaká from AC Milan, Rooney from Everton, and Robben from Chelsea. Even without Roy, Henry's competition would only get more intense. Judges always think 'we'll give it to him next time,' but they don't realize that in the world of football, opportunities often only come once."

Mendes sneered: "That's the rule of the game. Once you've won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, you've got a permanent ticket. In some years, there aren't any truly outstanding players, and who gets the award depends entirely on whose team can pull the strings."

“If Roy can win this time, things will be much easier in the future. Whether we package him as a tragic hero fighting alone or as a hardworking team leader, it all depends on how we market him. The judges have terrible memories; they only remember the title of ‘former World Player of the Year.’”

Claire's eyes widened slightly, then she smiled, her eyes narrowing.

She finally understood why Roy decisively replaced his former agent, Alan Migliaccio, with Mendes in the end.

This Portuguese man is indeed a ruthless character, with a sharp eye and sophisticated methods.

She recalled her internship at Mendes' company and how she hadn't realized how insightful her boss was, and couldn't help but shake her head inwardly.

Mendes' voice suddenly lowered, carrying an almost hypnotic allure: "Imagine if Roy can maintain this peak performance for ten years. He's only 19 now, and he'll only be 29 in ten years."

He glanced around at the brand representatives at the conference table, his fingers lightly tapping the surface: "If we all work together to elevate him to the undisputed king of this era, allowing him to sweep most of the individual awards for the next decade, and deeply integrate him with the brands you represent, the influence of football is still exploding, and information spreads faster than we imagine. Ten years from now, when billions of people around the world think of 'football player,' the first name that pops into their heads will be Roy—what a sight that would be!"

His gaze swept across everyone's faces: "That means every penny you invest now will turn into a gold mine in ten years."

On New Bond Street in London at dusk, a black Land Rover slowly pulled up in front of the Dior Homme flagship store. Roy had just gotten out of the car when he saw his assistant, Heathlen, quickly standing by the roadside.

“Mr. Eddie specially adjusted three suits for you for the awards ceremony,” Heathlen whispered. “He widened the waist by half a centimeter, saying it was to perfectly fit your recent muscle gain, since UEFA’s cameras will be very close.”

He glanced at his watch and added, "The plane takes off in three hours and will arrive in Monaco tonight. The awards ceremony will be held tomorrow night at the Grimaldi Conference Centre."

Roy nodded and pushed his sunglasses up his nose.

Two meters behind, a bodyguard in a black suit silently followed, his gaze sweeping over several paparazzi holding cameras at the street corner.

The store was brightly lit, and two employees in black suits were already waiting at the VIP room door with clothes in their hands.

As Roy walked in, the spotlights in the shop window shone directly on him, making his tall figure stand out.

Several young girls who were shopping on the street were the first to realize: "Oh my god, is that Roy?"

A young man suddenly rushed forward to strike up a conversation, but was stopped by the bodyguards accompanying him.

Heathlen immediately stepped forward and said politely but firmly, "I'm sorry, this is a private matter."

More and more people gathered outside the store, and several wealthy young women carrying shopping bags stood on tiptoe to peek in, whispering about why this popular soccer star was here.

Roy's life changed completely after moving to England.

In Monaco, he hardly needed to worry about security.

The area is very safe, the streets are quiet, and there are few paparazzi.

But London is completely different.

The paparazzi followed him like a shadow, always trying to dig up some juicy gossip.

Even upscale communities can't keep out thieves, so he specially installed an anti-theft system in his villa.

Last week, The Sun published CCTV footage showing a football star's mansion being ransacked.

Not to mention the crazy fans; some love him to the point of obsession, while others hate him to the point of madness.

The security supervisor has been bringing up Beckham's recent ordeal: if the bodyguards hadn't subdued the arsonist in time, Victoria would have almost perished in the fire.

There are even more temptations here.

Nightclubs, casinos, all sorts of party invitations, and countless people trying to get something out of him.

In the world of professional football, too many talented individuals have ultimately been ruined by their struggles off the field.

Those star players who suddenly decline in form often do not lose to their opponents, but rather succumb to the temptations of a glamorous lifestyle.

Women who approach you unsolicited in nightclubs, unidentified powder handed to you at the dinner table, free chips given to you by casino managers, and "sure-fire" investments recommended by so-called "friends."

A while ago, another stockbroker came to me with a document: "Dell's founder just sold 1000 million shares, cashing out $3.5 million!"

He pointed to the stock price chart and said, "The current price of $34 to $35 is a good time to buy. We should buy at least 50 shares."

Each one is a meticulously designed trap.

Reporters were staking out like vultures, waiting to capture your drunken, embarrassing state.

The brand included exorbitant penalty clauses for breach of contract in the contract.

Even more frightening are the adulterated cigarettes and drinks, which have ruined countless careers due to a moment of folly.

The cruelest truth in this industry is that when you're at the peak of your career, everyone fawns over you; but once you fall into a trap, those same people will be the first to abandon you.

The sound of RMC Monaco radio suddenly pierced the night sky:
"Good evening, Monaco! Now for a special announcement. A plane just landed at Nice Airport, and Monaco's border police suddenly straightened their uniforms and ties! That's right! A big shot is going home tonight! Let's play a guessing game: This gentleman swept the Ligue 1 title, Best Young Player, and Best Player awards in 2003. Hint: He's not Santa Claus, and last year he helped us win our first-ever Champions League trophy! Another hint: His celebration shook the stands of the Stade Louis II. Need more clues? Well, Chelsea spent 40 million euros on him, and although he's wearing Chelsea's blue shirt now, Monaco will always remember his name on the back. Aha! Our golden boy is going home to receive his award!"

Just as Roy's car passed the border checkpoint, a familiar French announcement suddenly came over the city's public address system:
"But the goal was scored by Monaco! Number 10, Roy!"

The standard Ligue 1 commentary style echoed through the streets, with the last syllable drawn out high and long, just like when he scored a goal at the Stade Louis II.

Although Roy has transferred to Chelsea, he remains the pride of the city as a key player in the title win.

As usual, UEFA's awards ceremony was held in Monaco, and this time it was finally the local team's turn to shine.

The Monaco club specially prepared a VIP box for Roy, and the royal family also sent someone to coordinate his itinerary.

The French newspaper L'Équipe published a special report for three consecutive days, providing a detailed analysis of the awards he might win.

“There’s a private dinner after the awards ceremony tomorrow,” club president Rybonov said on the phone. “Prince Albert hopes to personally celebrate your success.”

Roy gazed out the window at the yachts moored in the harbor.

Just over a year ago, they were just unknown players in European football who were not highly regarded.

Who could have imagined that just one season later, this Monaco team would sweep across Europe, silencing everyone with three heavy trophies?

On the evening of August 26, the Grimaldi Conference Centre in Monaco was brightly lit.

Roy and his girlfriend Leticia walked the red carpet side by side, with flashes from cameras raining down on them.

The two walked with ease. Roy raised an eyebrow slightly in the bright light, while Leticia gave the camera a perfect professional smile.

With a slight upturn of her lips and a captivating gaze, she seemed to dominate the entire red carpet.

They paused briefly at their designated spot, Leticia gently taking his arm, her champagne-colored dress gleaming under the spotlight.

The flashbulbs of the cameras made the yellow diamond pendant around her neck shine even brighter.

The teardrop shape makes it refract a dazzling fire under the light, complementing the diamond earrings swaying at her ears.

"Over here!" "Look at the camera!"

Amidst the shouts, the two exchanged a smile and continued walking gracefully.

As the UEFA president slowly opened the envelope and drawled out, "Most Valuable Player of this Champions League season... Roy!"

The entire Grimaldi Conference Center erupted in deafening applause.

Before the applause had subsided, the chairman added, "He was also selected as the best striker in this season's Champions League."

Another wave of cheers erupted at the scene.

Roy stood up from his seat, first exchanging a hug with Leticia next to him, and then turning around to give high-fives to his old teammates Giuly, Morientes and others in the rows in front and behind him.

He walked steadily onto the podium, but when he received the two trophies, he squinted slightly at the flashing lights.

"Thank you UEFA, thank you AS Monaco. A year ago today, nobody in Europe believed we would win the Champions League."

Roy's voice trembled slightly in the hall as he raised the trophy, its silver metallic surface reflecting a dazzling light.

"But now, this trophy is the best answer."

Deschamps and his former teammates in the audience.

Giuly, Morientes, Evra, and all the old guys still playing for Monaco had tears welling up in their eyes and silently streaming down their faces.

Later, when Giuly was announced as the Champions League Best Midfielder, the stadium erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.

The former Monaco captain, who had already transferred to Juventus, walked onto the stage with tear stains still wet in his eyes.

He and Roy embraced tightly on stage, their hands clasped together.

At this moment, it felt as if we had returned to that summer when we fought side by side at the Stade Louis II.

Juli stood in front of the microphone, his voice a little strained:

“I will always remember the day when Coach Deschamps led a young man into the locker room and said to me: Ludovic, this is our new member, from Real Madrid’s youth academy.”

When the camera cuts to Roy, he is clapping vigorously, a helpless smile playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, in the stands, Real Madrid manager Butragueño had a gloomy expression.

The experienced President Florentino had anticipated this scene and simply chose to be absent from the ceremony.

"Back then, that kid was just an unknown nobody, but now all of Europe remembers his name."

Before stepping off the stage, he shouted one last time:
"Alléz Monaco!!!"

His voice was loud and clear, filled with passion and pride.

When Deschamps accepted the Best Coach award, he was greeted with thunderous applause.

Porto's veteran goalkeeper Baía took home the Best Goalkeeper award, while Carvalho, who had just transferred to Chelsea, was named Best Defender.

Evra sat in the audience, once again becoming withdrawn.

Behind Monaco's dazzling attack lies their defense, which is frequently breached by their opponents.

Portugal's outstanding performance at the 2004 European Championship was also recognized at this ceremony.

France's dominant victory was widely praised, and Roy once again won the European Championship Player of the Year award.

However, the award for best coach went to Greek national team coach Rehhagel.

This German coach led the underdog Greek team all the way to the final, creating the biggest dark horse miracle of the tournament.

At the end of the ceremony, UEFA President Johansson presented a special contribution award to Portuguese Football Federation President Madar in recognition of his successful organization of the European Championship.

After the awards ceremony, Roy was surrounded by different groups of people.

Former teammates Giuly and Morientes reminisced about their time at Monaco, and Deschamps patted him on the shoulder.

Representatives from Nike and Coca-Cola spoke with him one after the other. After Roy had shaken hands with William Gaillard, UEFA's Director of Communications and Special Advisor to the President, Rolex's Director of Public Relations came up to him with a glass of champagne.

As the two clinked glasses, the director pointed to his Daytona on his wrist, and Roy smiled knowingly.

Not far away, Juventus general manager Moggi was talking quietly with AC Milan vice president Galliani.

Seeing Roy had a free moment, Moggi raised his glass in a toast, while Galliani walked over and patted him on the back: "Last year we thought you'd at best deliver a performance similar to Shevchenko's, but now..."

Galliani shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Go easy on them in next season's Champions League. Seriously, Milan's doors are always open for special players."

Inter Milan president Facchetti happened to be passing by and casually took a glass of wine from the waiter's tray to join in the conversation.

Several business representatives from car brands were watching from the corner, seemingly looking for an opportunity to approach and strike up a conversation.

The editor-in-chief of L'Équipe, accompanied by two senior reporters, stopped Roy to discuss the Champions League situation for next season.

But soon, Sky Sports' Gil Pitts walked over with a glass of champagne.

"Don't forget the exclusive interview you promised me last time. We even prepared the studio."

Just as Roy was about to respond, he caught a glimpse of Leticia being whispered to Madame Deschamps by the hand.

L'Oréal's Marketing Director, Jacques Renault, accompanied brand ambassador Audrey Tautou to Roy.

Tatum wore a white dress, and the platinum necklace around her neck gleamed softly under the light.

"The contract details have been almost finalized."

Renaud said with a smile, "Miss Tautou suggested that the filming location be Montmartre, as she felt that your skills and the romance of Paris were a perfect match."

Tatu playfully added, "I've played shuttlecock in movies, but for real football, you're the one to watch."

The three of them stood by the champagne bar and enthusiastically discussed advertising ideas for half an hour, until the waiter came to refill their drinks for the third time before ending their conversation.

After the awards ceremony, Roy took Leticia to a celebratory banquet hosted by Prince Albert.

The two were inseparable throughout the night and appeared to be very affectionate.

However, the next day, Paris Match broke the exclusive story: in the early hours of the morning, the couple had a heated argument when they returned to their apartment building in Monaco.

According to witnesses, the argument lasted for about ten minutes.

At 2 a.m., Leticia walked out of her apartment alone and went straight into the Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel across the street.

She didn't bring any luggage, only her handbag.

An hour later, Roy entered the same hotel.

The following morning, Roy walked out of the Fairmont Hotel alone, got into the waiting car, and headed to Nice Airport to catch an early flight back to London.

He wore a baseball cap the entire time and remained silent in front of the reporters' cameras.

Leticia didn't leave the hotel until noon.

Wearing large sunglasses and looking exhausted, she boarded the flight back to Paris.

The two did not appear together at all, and hotel staff revealed that they were staying on different floors.

"The fourth round of the Premier League is about to kick off, and the top two teams, Arsenal and Chelsea, remain unstoppable. The Gunners have scored a whopping 12 goals in three games, with Henry and Bergkamp leading the attack in red-hot form. They are expected to continue their winning streak in this away game against Norwich."

"Chelsea, under Mourinho's guidance, have displayed an ironclad defense, keeping three clean sheets in three matches. In this round's home game against Southampton, three points seem to be a sure thing."

"What's even more terrifying for the opponents is Roy's form. This French striker, who joined for a high price this summer, has scored a whopping 5 goals in the first three rounds, leading the scoring charts. From the Champions League to the Premier League, his goal-scoring efficiency has not declined at all, but has become even more terrifying."

"While most experts believe it will be difficult for him to maintain such incredible efficiency throughout the season, given his current form, if he stays healthy, the French striker could very well deliver an astonishing 30+ goals this season." "Manchester United's goalless draw against Everton in the last round exposed their attacking problems. Van Nistelrooy is still not back in the starting lineup, and previously in-form new signing Alan Smith and Cristiano Ronaldo, returning in the number 7 jersey, have failed to continue their goal-scoring streak. Worse still, key player Ronaldinho is sidelined with an ankle injury."

"Compared to the triumphant London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, Manchester United seems to be continuing the slump from last season. If Ferguson's team cannot regain its attacking firepower soon, it may be out of the title race early again."

"In this round's away game against Blackburn, Ferguson urgently needs to adjust his attacking form. Liverpool, on the other hand, continues their steady performance, and the rebuilding of the attacking line after Owen's departure is beginning to show results. In this round's home game against Portsmouth, Benitez's team needs to improve their attacking efficiency in order to challenge for the Champions League spots."

"In the mid-table, Charlton's unexpected rise has been a pleasant surprise, and their performance against Aston Villa this round will test their dark horse status. Aston Villa desperately needs to stop their losing streak, and manager O'Reilly is under considerable pressure. Meanwhile, relegation-threatened teams like Manchester City, Crystal Palace, and Birmingham will be fighting hard for their first win of the season."

August 28, 2004, Stamford Bridge Stadium
In the fourth round of the Premier League, Chelsea will host Southampton.

Mourinho's team had won all three of their previous matches without conceding a goal, but no one expected that a dramatic scene would unfold right at the start of the game.

Just 12 seconds into the game, Joe Cole's casual back pass from the left wing found Southampton striker Beatty at his feet.

Without hesitation, the English striker unleashed a right-footed half-volley from the edge of the penalty area!
The ball arced through Cech's outstretched arm and nestled into the top left corner of the goal!

1-0! Southampton take an incredible lead!
Stamford Bridge fell into a deathly silence.

Roy stood in the center circle, his brow furrowed, seemingly still not having reacted.

Joe Cole stood there, his face turning deathly pale.

He stared intently at the ball rolling into the net, his lips trembling slightly, but he couldn't utter a sound.

The boos from Stamford Bridge came like a tidal wave. He instinctively lowered his head, his hands hanging limply at his sides, as if all his strength had been drained away.

His teammates were still in shock and hadn't recovered. No one came forward to comfort him. This mistake was too fatal; even he couldn't believe it.

Mourinho, standing on the sidelines, gave him a cold, piercing glance.

Joe Cole mechanically wiped his face, but couldn't wipe away the regret that filled his expression.

The Chelsea fans in the stands looked at each other in disbelief – this was Chelsea's first goal of the new season, and it came in such an absurd way.

Southampton players celebrated wildly, as Beattie's lightning goal boosted the away team's morale.

Mourinho's ironclad defense was breached just 12 seconds into the game.

Roy strode over to Joe Cole and patted him hard on the back.

Joe Cole looked up, expecting to see a comforting look, but instead met an unusually serious face.

"Regret won't help, Joe. Right now, there's no other way but to score a couple more goals."

His gaze was like a knife, and after speaking, he turned and ran towards the center circle, leaving not even a second glance behind.

Chelsea launched a furious counterattack immediately after conceding the goal.

Southampton were clearly prepared. As soon as Roy got the ball, two or three players would immediately surround him, with midfielder Delap sticking to him like a shadow.

But Roy's performance was still outstanding.

In the 7th minute, Roy received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, and Higginbotham immediately closed in, while Delap and Svensson on the left and right sides also quickly surrounded him.

He lightly flicked the ball with his right foot, feigning a breakthrough to the right, but just as Delap stretched out his leg to intercept, he pulled the ball back with his left foot.

Svensson charged in from the side, and Roy flicked the ball with his toe, sending it through the gap between the three defenders.

Before the defenders could react, he flicked his right foot with the instep and delivered a deft lob pass over the defense.

Drogba arrived in a flash and unleashed a powerful volley!

"boom!"

The ball slammed heavily against the crossbar, eliciting gasps from Stamford Bridge.

In the 12th minute, he received the ball with his back to goal and suddenly turned around. Despite being pulled by Hikimbottan, he still managed to shoot, but goalkeeper Niemi made a diving save to tip the ball out of bounds.

The fans at Stamford Bridge hold their breath every time they see him get the ball.

Even with special attention, this Frenchman remains the most dangerous point of attack.

Mourinho on the sidelines kept gesturing, signaling other players to make more runs and distribute the pressure on Roy.

Southampton's manager stood nervously on the sidelines, his heart racing every time Roy made a successful breakthrough.

In the 15th minute, Roy dropped back to midfield to receive the ball.

Prudden immediately pressed forward, but Roy remained calm, suddenly stopped and changed direction, and with a light flick of his right heel, the ball was accurately delivered to the onrushing Lampard.

Lampard played a through ball without stopping it, and Drogba was about to start his run to receive the ball when Lundkwam made a flying tackle, clearing the ball out of bounds first.

In the 23rd minute, Southampton intercepted the ball in their own half and launched a quick counter-attack.

Beattie received the ball with his back to goal near the center circle, held off Carvalho, and cleverly passed it to Phillips, who was making a run down the right wing.

The veteran dribbled the ball forward and was about to break into the penalty area.

"boom!"

Terry executed a precise sliding tackle, cleanly clearing the ball out of bounds.

Southampton players were preparing to launch a second attack with a throw-in when Makelele suddenly appeared and intercepted Telfair's throw-in!
Without hesitation, the French defensive midfielder immediately turned and organized an attack.

He first faked out Prudton's attempt to intercept, and then delivered a precise 40-meter long pass.

Makelele's long pass sliced ​​through the sky above Stamford Bridge; Roy had already started his run.

He shook off Delap like a cheetah, completing a textbook run just as the ball was about to drop.

Southampton's defense was scrambling to get back into position, and Higginbotham was desperately stretching out his arm to indicate offside, but the linesman didn't budge.

Roy accurately judged the landing point while running at high speed, landing at the top of the penalty area.

"Oh!"

He gently nudged the ball with his right chest, and it obediently bounced forward.

This ball control was absolutely brilliant, both neutralizing the force of the long pass and perfectly adjusting the shooting point.

Nemi panicked. He had been taking small, quick steps forward to block the way, but now he seemed to be nailed to the spot.

His eyes darted frantically back and forth between Roy and the ball, his legs trembling slightly involuntarily.

Just as Higginbotham's sliding tackle arrived, Roy's right foot was already raised.

In the stands at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans collectively jumped up from their seats.

The audience in the front row unconsciously leaned forward, while those in the back row stood on tiptoe.

Countless hands were already raised in mid-air, mouths were open but no sound had been uttered, and eyes were fixed on Roy's right foot.

"boom!"

The moment the ball left the feet, the entire stadium erupted in a deafening roar.

A powerful volley shot flew straight into the net! Nemi didn't even have time to make a save.

1-1! Roy scored in the most stylish way, and Stamford Bridge instantly erupted!

A little boy in the front row wearing a Roy jersey jumped up, spilling his drink all over himself without even realizing it.

His father hoisted him onto his shoulders, and the two of them roared and waved their fists together.

"Goal! Chelsea have equalized! Roy's volley was absolutely beautiful!"

"Mourinho's team maintained a high-pressure attack after conceding an early goal, and now they've finally paid off. This goal perfectly embodies Chelsea's tactical characteristics – quick transitions, accurate long passes, and lethal strikes."

"Look at the whole process of this goal: from Terry's key defense, to Makelele's clever interception and accurate long pass, to Roy's textbook positioning and perfect control and shot, it was all done in one go!"

"The game is now back to even. Chelsea's morale is fully restored, and they've been attacking wave after wave. Southampton need to be careful; the Blues' offensive momentum is building."

"This goal came at just the right time. There's still time in the first half, and Chelsea could very well press their advantage and score another goal."

"The Blues' attacks have been relentless during this period, and Southampton's goal is under constant threat!"

"Makelele intercepted the ball in midfield, clean and decisive! This French defensive midfielder's interceptions in midfield today are simply impenetrable. He quickly passed the ball to Maicon, who was making a run down the right flank."

"Let's see how Maicon handles it! The Brazilian didn't opt ​​for the conventional cross from the byline, but instead astutely observed Roy's run! He delivered a precise low diagonal pass to Roy on the edge of the penalty area!"

"Southampton's defense is under immense pressure. In the last 10 minutes, Chelsea have had four shots on goal, and Southampton's goal is in constant danger!"

Roy stood with his back to the goal at the edge of the penalty area, and Higginbotham immediately stuck to him like glue.

Roy was ready before receiving the ball.

He first pretended to move to the left, inducing Higginbotham to shift his center of gravity.

Just as Maicon passed the ball, Roy suddenly stopped and retreated, using his body to block Higginbotham behind him.

As the ball rolled to his feet, Roy could clearly feel Higginbotham's rapid breathing on his back.

The other man's elbow was pressed firmly against his lower back, but Roy remained unmoved.

He lightly flicked his right foot, feigning a back pass to Lampard, a move that caused Higginbotham's defense to falter slightly.

It's this fleeting gap!

Roy suddenly flicked the ball to the side with his left foot, and at the same time turned around rapidly using his supporting foot as a pivot.

Higginbotham tried to reach out and pull, but Roy swung his arm to block him.

In a cramped space of less than two square meters, Roy managed to pull off a spectacular escape.

"Whoosh!"

His low right-footed shot flew like a cannonball straight into the far corner of the goal!

The ball flew at extremely high speed toward the bottom right corner of the goal.

Delap, who was tracking back, stretched out his leg to try to block the ball, but his right foot just happened to be in the way.

With a dull thud, the ball struck Delap hard on the outside of his calf.

The ball, which was originally flying towards the corner, suddenly changed direction and veered towards the left side of the goal.

Niemi had already made a diving move, his entire body fully extended as he lunged to his right.

When he realized the ball's trajectory had changed, it was too late to adjust his center of gravity.

The ball rolled under his outstretched left arm and slowly crossed the goal line.

Delap knelt on the grass, pounding the ground in frustration.

Nemi slowly got up and shook her head helplessly.

The referee signaled that the goal was valid, and the score became 2-1.

Stamford Bridge erupted in cheers, and the blue ocean surged with towering waves.

"Goal! Chelsea take the lead!!!"

"My God! What a dramatic turn of events! Roy's shot deflected off Delap's leg and into the net! This is absolutely a delightful surprise!"

"Roy's low shot was powerful and heavy, and Delap's block was understandable, but the ball just happened to hit his leg and deflect into the net! That's football, you can never guess what will happen next!"

"Stanford Bridge went absolutely wild! The fans were singing and dancing; that goal came at the perfect time!"

"The score is now 2-1, Chelsea are leading at home! Mourinho's team have once again demonstrated their ability to seize opportunities!"

"The Southampton players looked bewildered, especially Delap, who had no idea his clearance would turn into an own goal. That's the cruelty of football!"

"There's still time left in the game, but Chelsea's momentum has completely picked up! The chants from the stands are getting louder and louder, and the Blues fans are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!"

"This goal could be the turning point of the game! Chelsea lead Southampton 2-1!"

In the 44th minute of the match, Roy received a pass from Makelele near the center circle.

He first gently flicked the ball with his right foot, shaking off Delap who was lunging for the ball.

Driving the ball to the edge of the penalty area, Roy suddenly accelerated and changed direction, and Prudton hurriedly moved to cover him.

Just as Prudden was about to close in, Roy flicked the ball to the right with his left foot while simultaneously turning his body quickly, seemingly about to complete the breakthrough.

Roy adjusted his footing, supporting himself with his left foot, and his right leg was already swinging back, ready to curl a shot into the far corner.

In that split second, Pruton, in a moment of desperation, stretched out his right leg and tripped Roy's supporting foot!

"Beep——"

The referee's whistle blew immediately.

Roy fell heavily to the edge of the penalty area, giving Chelsea a free kick in an excellent position.

Boos erupted at Stamford Bridge as fans angrily protested the foul.

Roy stood in front of the ball, took three steps to run up, and curled a shot with his right foot.

The ball grazed Fernandez's head as it passed the wall, slightly altering its trajectory.

The ball, spinning, flew towards the top left corner of the goal.

Niemi made a diving save, barely managing to touch the ball with his right hand, but he couldn't completely block it.

The ball hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced back into the six-yard box.

Lampard suddenly burst out of the crowd, shaking off Delap's marking, and headed the ball from the edge of the six-yard box.

The ball hit the net.

The stands at Stamford Bridge erupted in deafening cheers.

The commentator in the broadcast booth raised his voice and shouted into the microphone: "3-1! Chelsea have secured the victory!"

The fourth official on the sidelines raised the stoppage time board, but no one was paying attention to this detail anymore.

The entire stadium was filled with the joy of the goal.

Lampard ran towards the corner flag to celebrate, followed closely by his teammates.

Nemi knelt in front of the goal line, angrily patting the turf.

After the start of the second half, Chelsea's attacking pace slowed down significantly.

The players passed the ball around more in the midfield and backfield, instead of pressing forward as frequently as they did in the first half.

In the 57th minute, the fourth official on the sidelines raised the substitution board.

Duff stood on the sidelines, adjusting his socks.

Joe Cole jogged off the court, and the two exchanged high-fives.

Joe Cole walked off the court quickly with his head down, looking frustrated.

The mistake he made at the start of the first half that led to the goal was clearly bothering him.

As he passed the coaching bench, Mourinho patted him on the shoulder, and he gave a reluctant nod in response.

After Duff came on, he played in the attacking midfield position, and Chelsea continued with their 4-3-1-2 formation.

Southampton made several counter-attacks, but Terry and Carvalho's defense remained solid.

Roy roamed around the attacking third, sometimes dropping back to receive passes, sometimes making runs into the penalty area.

In the 63rd minute, he received a pass from Lampard on the right wing, made a change of direction to get past Le Socks, but his cross was blocked out of bounds by Hikimbottam.

The pace of the game gradually slowed down, and the two sides engaged in a tug-of-war in midfield.

Chelsea controlled possession, and the 3-1 score remained until the final whistle.

Arsenal thrashed Norwich 5-1 at home, maintaining their lead at the top of the league table.

Wenger fielded Nonda to partner Henry in attack.

Arsenal unleashed their full firepower in the first half.

In the 22nd minute, Henry dribbled past three players to assist Nonda in opening the scoring.

In the 36th minute, Henry received a cross from Ljungberg and fired a shot into the net.

In the 40th minute, Pires capitalized on a defensive error to score again.

In the second half, Norwich pulled one back through Huckby's penalty, but Arsenal responded quickly.

Nonda scored his second goal in the 52nd minute, and Henry completed his brace in the 68th minute with a one-on-one chance.

Bergkamp's brilliant shot in stoppage time sealed the score at 5-1.

Henry shone throughout the match with 2 goals and 1 assist, while Nonda also proved his worth.

Norwich lost, but Huckabee's performance was commendable.

With captain Vieira absent, Wenger boldly used new signings, with Pedretti, who transferred from Monaco this season, making his first start for the Gunners and forming a double pivot with Gilberto.

The signing of this French midfielder is precisely the reason why Wenger dared to reject Real Madrid's offer for Vieira.

Despite Pedretti's commendable performance, Wenger was still asked about Vieira's future after the match.

“Patrick is an indispensable leader for us,” the professor emphasized. “Pedretti’s arrival is to strengthen the squad depth, not to replace anyone.”

“Although Pedretti’s performance with Monaco in the title win was impressive and he certainly caused us some trouble in duels, he is a completely different type of player. Patrick’s presence and leadership are the backbone of this team.”

This statement reaffirms Arsenal's unwillingness to let Vieira go.

Nonda still had the joy of victory on his face when he was interviewed after the match.

He spoke sincerely into the microphone:
"Joining Arsenal completely changed the course of my life, giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great team and participate in these incredible journeys. Coach Wenger is like a father to me; he gave me unconditional trust and the opportunity to prove myself."

When discussing the team's goals, his eyes became resolute:
"What we need to do now is continue our undefeated record and keep pushing for the championship. Some people say that winning the championship undefeated for two seasons is crazy? But with this team, nothing is impossible."

When asked about his former teammate Roy joining Chelsea, Nonda remained quite composed:
“There is no conflict between us. He did score more goals at Monaco, and the coach's decision to select him was reasonable. That's football, and in the end we both won the championship, so there's nothing to argue about.”

"I sincerely wish Roy all the best in the Premier League. However, if we face Chelsea in the future, I will definitely give it my all."

(End of this chapter)