When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 208 Blue is the color
During the World Cup qualifiers in September 2004, the turmoil within the French team became a hot topic in the British media, especially the controversies surrounding Roy and reports of a power shift in the dressing room.

The Times, in an article titled "Monaco faction triumphs: French infighting ends," analyzed the events that occurred during France's 4-0 World Cup qualifier victory over the Faroe Islands. These events included Vieira's red card, Pires and Henry being substituted early, and former Arsenal striker Wiltord being forced to relinquish his number 11 jersey. The article concluded that the nearly year-long power struggle between the "Arsenal faction" and the "Monaco faction" within the French team had ended with the latter's complete victory.

It is noteworthy that eight players in the current French national team squad came from Monaco last season: Roy, Giuly, Rothen, Abidal, Evra, Squillaci, Givet, and Pedretti. This number sets a record for the most players from a single club in French national team history.

The Daily Mail focused on the deteriorating relationship between Roy and Henry, quoting an anonymous French team staff member who said: "Roy almost ignored Henry's positioning requests in training, and the image of Henry angrily throwing down the captain's armband when he was substituted exposed the irreconcilable conflict between the two."

A Guardian columnist quipped that Domenech's 3-5-2 formation was "using an aircraft carrier fleet to fight a fishing village naval battle," pointing out that the French team was initially on the back foot against the weak Faroe Islands until Roy came on as a substitute and turned the tide.

British media spared no criticism of French national team coach Raymond Domenech, comparing him to "a clumsy engineer who has the instruction manual but puts the parts in the wrong order, believing his coaching is chaotic and his only usable tool is Roy."

At the same time, the article also implied that the French Football Federation had made a big mistake.

They let go of the meritorious coach Santini, who should have stayed.

Santini went unbeaten in four rounds after taking charge of Tottenham (two wins and two draws), and his record as manager of the French national team was even more brilliant: winning the 2003 Confederations Cup and the 2004 European Championship. Roy made his national team debut and began to show his talent under his guidance.

The contrast between the two situations further highlights Domenech's incompetence and the French Football Federation's flawed decision-making.

The Mirror compared Zidane's "never say never" hints at a comeback to England's "Gerrard-Lampard dilemma," arguing that France "at least has a young core like Roy, while Eriksen is still struggling to find a midfield pairing."

BBC Sports analyzed the potential conflict between Zidane and Roy, quoting Henry's statement that "France cannot do without Zidane," implying that Roy's leadership would be challenged if Zidane returned. The headline was straightforward: "19-year-old devil vs. 32-year-old master: The power game in the French team."

The Independent summarized: "The French team appeared to have won the game, but in reality, they lost their unity. Domenech's wavering, Henry's disappointment, and Roy's ambition made this team like a time bomb in the locker room."

The article predicts that if the French team continues to suffer from internal strife, they may repeat their group stage exit in the 2002 World Cup.

In contrast, 442 magazine focused more on Roy's competitive value, believing that he "proved with his winning goal and assist that he could carry the team," and jokingly said that Chelsea fans should be glad that "Mourinho bought not only a striker, but also the leader of France for the next decade."

L'Équipe (London edition) broke a bombshell: French veteran Claude Makelele, in an interview after returning to London, bluntly stated that he had not received the respect he deserved in the national team and implied that he and several other veterans had lost their value. These remarks were interpreted as a double complaint—both directed at coach Domenech's tactical arrangements that favored younger players and an insinuation of young star player Roy's arrogant attitude.

It is worth noting that Makelele and Roy are both French players at Chelsea, and this statement has sparked speculation about internal conflicts within the French-speaking group in the Blues' dressing room.

What's more problematic is that Roy already had a lukewarm relationship with the England players on the team, and they rarely interacted privately after training.

This contrasts sharply with his style of uniting teammates during his time at Monaco, raising questions about potential undercurrents within the Chelsea squad.

On September 10, 2004, Roy had just returned from the national team and rushed to Chelsea's training ground.

When Mourinho saw him, he asked directly, "Want to talk?"

He actually wanted to sound out Roy's opinion.

With so many French players on the team lately, the locker room dynamics have become delicate, and he's worried that some players might be forming cliques.

Mourinho hates internal conflicts within the team, so he wanted to hear Roy's thoughts and see if there were any problems when he partnered with his teammates.

If he notices anything amiss, he can take action in advance to avoid impacting the team.

Roy was silent for a moment before replying, "If you ask me today, I can only say that I won't be your problem. The situation you're worried about is to some extent real, but give me some time, and I can handle it. As long as it doesn't affect the team's performance, your intervention now might just complicate things further. The Champions League is about to start, and leaving this to me is probably the simplest solution."

Mourinho stared at Roy for a long time, his eyes filled with scrutiny and hesitation.

The noise from the training ground seemed to have faded away, leaving only the silence between the two.

He didn't say anything more in the end, just nodded: "Okay."

Behind this simple answer lies Mourinho's compromise after weighing the pros and cons.

He chose to trust the young man's judgment, but secretly noted this potential problem.

As he turned to leave, his expression remained serious, clearly indicating that he hadn't completely let go of his worries.

But with the Champions League just around the corner, he had to admit that sometimes dressing room problems really need to be solved by the players themselves.

The team doctor quickly examined Roy and confirmed that he was fatigued.

Therefore, the training plan for the day was adjusted: no need to participate in the team's group scrimmage, only light recovery training, pool relaxation, physiotherapy and simple aerobic running were arranged.

Mourinho's meaning is clear: form is important, but you can't overwork yourself.

After evening training, Roy drove away from the training base.

The streetlights outside the car window swept past one by one, illuminating his slightly tired face.

He is no longer the rookie he once was, but suddenly becoming a "privileged player" on the new team has made him feel a little uneasy.

After all, he is only 19 years old, and his professional career has just begun. He is just running much faster than others.

In terms of seniority and honors, he is far less stable than Zidane.

He's won Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards so many times he's been widely recognized as the world's best midfielder for years. And what about him?
Champions League? Makelele has it too; European Championship? That's the whole team's achievement. Henry and Pires both contributed. Although he was the top scorer, you can't say he won the championship by himself.

It's even more impossible to say things like, "If it weren't for me, the team would have been eliminated long ago, and Greece would have won the championship in the end."

Therefore, he must be careful in the dressing rooms of both the French national team and Chelsea.

On the one hand, it is necessary to establish authority, and on the other hand, it is also necessary to know how to win over those who should be won over and suppress those who should be suppressed, so as to gradually divide and control the situation.

To gain a foothold in the locker room, tough measures alone are not enough; you also need support.

The only people I can truly trust right now are my old teammates Abidal and Maicon, who came from Monaco together.

After all, they are brothers who have fought side by side all the way, and they know each other inside and out.

Although veteran Desailly is getting old and has gradually faded from the main team, his influence remains strong.

He sees Roy as key to Chelsea's Champions League aspirations, and perhaps this recognition can be won over.

As for Makelele and Gallas, do fellow Frenchmen necessarily have to stick together?
The relationships in the locker room are never based on nationality.

In other words, couldn't Lampard or Terry be his beloved family, friends, or brothers?

As long as interests align, feelings can be cultivated and trust can be established.

The key is that he has to convince these people.

Standing with him is good for everyone.

But ultimately, his performance on the court and his tangible honors are his true source of confidence.

Without these, even the most ingenious methods will not stand.

On September 11, 2004, the fifth round of the Premier League kicked off, and the entire Chelsea team traveled to Villa Park in Birmingham to challenge Aston Villa.

So far this season, only two teams in the entire Premier League have maintained a perfect record – Chelsea and Arsenal.

Chelsea are currently in second place because they have a lower goal difference than Arsenal.

Manchester United, a traditional powerhouse, has had a poor start to the season, trailing both teams by 7 points after four rounds. However, with key players gradually returning from injury, the Red Devils could catch up at any time.

Every point is crucial for both Chelsea and Arsenal right now.

Before the two sides meet directly, whoever can score more points against other opponents will likely gain the upper hand in the championship race.

After all, when the two strong teams meet, if the points gap widens, the result of a head-to-head confrontation could very well determine who wins the championship for the entire season.

Chelsea remain plagued by injuries. Abidal was sidelined with muscle soreness after the World Cup qualifiers, while Bridge was still recovering from an injury. Mourinho had no choice but to use the long-absent Babayaro to guard the left flank.

While the rest of the positions remain the same, the forward line has been adjusted: considering that Roy's continuous playing time with the national team has taken a toll on his health, he has been placed on the bench as a precaution.

Up front, he fielded the tall duo of Gudjohnsen and Drogba, intending to use physical confrontation to break the deadlock.

There was a little incident at Aston Villa.

Their young striker Carlton Cole, on loan from Chelsea, will be unavailable for this match due to loan restrictions.

Fortunately, star striker Angel recovered from his injury in time and returned to the starting lineup.

Aston Villa manager O'Reilly declared before the match that he was determined to end Mourinho's winning streak.

They beat Chelsea twice at Villa Park last season, and this time they will certainly want to continue their unbeaten home record against the Blues.

This stadium is a place of heartbreak for Chelsea.

After the match started, Villa played very aggressively.

Just two minutes into the game, they won a free kick in the attacking third. German midfielder Hitzlsperger unleashed a powerful shot, which was brilliantly saved by Cech.

In the 6th minute, Chelsea responded in kind. Terry played a long pass to Drogba, who got rid of his defender and took a shot from a tight angle, but unfortunately it went wide.

Villa's high pressing put Chelsea's defense in some disarray.

In the 8th minute, Solano's long-range shot went wide again.

In the 11th minute, Hitzlsperger had a chance on the left wing, but his shot hit the side netting.

Chelsea didn't gradually find their footing until 20 minutes later, when they began to trade blows with Aston Villa.

In the 26th minute, Chelsea almost scored. After a series of passes, Drogba's long-range shot hit the crossbar and bounced out!

Villa goalkeeper Sorensen nearly gifted a goal in the 29th minute, but fortunately Gudjohnsen had fouled him beforehand.

However, Villa quickly regained control of the game, with Solano and Angel creating threats one after another, especially Angel's volley in the 44th minute, which narrowly missed.

The atmosphere in the locker room was somewhat somber during halftime.

Drogba wiped his sweat and said directly to Mourinho, "Boss, it's time to put Roy on."

The reaction in the locker room was very direct.

Lampard nodded, Terry slapped his thigh in agreement, Joe Cole immediately chimed in, and even Thiago, who wasn't usually familiar with Roy, muttered his agreement in a low voice.

Mourinho didn't answer immediately, but turned and glanced at Roy sitting in the center.

Roy was tying his shoelaces when he felt someone looking at him and looked up: "I think the team has found its rhythm. Give us another ten minutes, and the goal will come sooner or later."

In Mourinho's 4-3-1-2 formation, the most crucial element is the central "1".

The playmaker in the attacking midfield position.

He originally wanted to buy Deco to be the brains behind this, but he couldn't get one.

While Lampard and Joe Cole in the team can play that position, neither of them are true playmakers.

Therefore, Chelsea's attack mainly relies on quick counter-attacks, which are simple and direct.

However, once the opponent tightens their defense and forces them into positional warfare, their offense can easily become ineffective.

It was different when Roy was there. He played as a left center forward, but he actually did the job of a false nine. He could organize and distribute the ball, and he could also get the ball and break free. He single-handedly handled most of the attacking play.

Furthermore, with Chelsea's other players being far superior to those Mourinho had at Porto, this tactical approach was naturally more effective.

But now that Roy is gone, the offense has reverted to its old ways: defend first, wait for the opponent to make a mistake, and then seize the opportunity to counterattack.

Although it's a stable position, it's far too passive.

Mourinho certainly understood Roy's intentions.

He wanted his teammates to experience firsthand the difference between having him and not having him.

But the manager wasn't about to gamble with the team's record, so he made a clean break: "You're getting ten more minutes. If you still can't score..."

He stared at Roy. "Your body can handle it, right?"

This was both a routine inquiry by the coach about the player's physical condition and an unspoken deal.

He was telling Roy: If you can prove your worth with your performance and show the whole team your irreplaceable role, then I will naturally support your position in the locker room. But the prerequisite is that you must let your performance speak for itself with real goals and victories.

He then turned and gestured to Goodjohnsen to make a substitution.

"Don't worry, playing half a game is no problem."

When Roy nodded to the head coach, the two had already reached an understanding: in ten minutes, they would either use the existing lineup to break the deadlock or send him on to solve the problem.

Regardless of the outcome, this silent promise must ultimately be fulfilled with three points.

On the tactical board in the locker room, Mourinho had already drawn up two attacking routes.

If there is still no movement after ten minutes, change formation immediately.

Chelsea held the advantage for a period after the start of the second half.

Lampard attempted two long-range shots in the 46th and 50th minutes, but both went wide of the goal.

In the 52nd minute, Joe Cole's powerful shot was brilliantly saved by Sorensen.

Villa responded in kind, with Vassell winning a free kick in the 54th minute, but Solano's shot was once again saved by Cech.

The game became a stalemate, with both sides exchanging attacks but unable to break the deadlock.

In the 56th minute, an Aston Villa defender once again blocked Chelsea's cross out of bounds.

Taking advantage of the dead ball situation, the fourth official on the sidelines raised the electronic substitution board.

Chelsea's number 10, Roy, stood on the sidelines, ready to replace Gudjohnsen.

A commotion suddenly broke out in the stands of Villa Park.

The home fans whispered amongst themselves; they knew all too well the threat this 19-year-old lad posed.

"Holy shit!! That little bastard is going to make his move!"

"Tch, just a kid. Melberry will teach him a lesson in no time!"

"Roy's coming! I think he's fucking amazing!"

"Oh my God! The definition of his back muscles when he's pulling his jersey. And the jawline in that profile."

"I liked the sarcastic remarks he made to reporters during his interview after beating Birmingham last time. Does he also make sarcastic remarks while in bed?"

After a quick high-five with Gudjohnsen, Roy strode onto the field, tucking his jersey into his shorts as he ran, his eyes fixed on the Villa goal.

Mourinho stood on the sidelines with his hands in his pockets, but his slightly forward-leaning posture betrayed his anticipation.

This substitution is like a key; Chelsea is finally about to unlock their most effective attacking style.

Villa also substituted Lee Hendry for Solano at the same time.

Chelsea take a throw-in from the left.

Lampard was double-teamed by Villa in midfield, but he calmly passed the ball to Roy, who had dropped back to receive it.

Villa's defense immediately tightened.

Defensive midfielder Gavin McCann quickly closed in to press, attempting to use his body to disrupt Roy.

Gareth Barry came from the side and behind to help defend, blocking his forward passing lanes.

Center-back Mellberg also pushed forward slightly, ready to press at any moment.

But Roy's handling of it was nothing short of an art.

He first deftly pulled with his left foot, shaking off McCann's lunge, and then with a nimble turn, broke free from the gap between Barry and McCann.

Villa's defense was instantly breached!
Pass the ball!

Roy didn't try to score himself, but instead quickly passed the ball across to Makelele, who was unmarked.

The French defensive midfielder made a rare appearance in the attacking third, and Villa's midfield defense was completely disrupted by Roy's runs.

The commentator shouted excitedly:
"That's Roy's value! With just one touch, he completely changed Chelsea's attacking rhythm! Villa's previously impenetrable defense has now been torn open by him!"

Mourinho nodded slightly on the sidelines.

After Roy came on, Chelsea's attack was no longer just about simple long passes to Drogba and Gudjohnsen, but featured more delicate link-up play and changes in rhythm.

Vera's tight defenses will begin to crack in the face of true creativity.

In the 65th minute, Roy received the ball near the sideline, and Gareth Barry immediately surrounded him with two teammates. He feinted a step-over with his right foot, followed by another step-over with his left. Just as Barry was about to extend his leg, Roy suddenly used the inside of his right foot to cut the ball back, executing a Cruyff turn and breaking free from the three-man encirclement!

Barry was jolted so badly that he almost tripped over himself.

Roy glanced up, then played a low, through ball with his right foot, the ball precisely weaving between the two center-backs. Joe Cole, anticipating the pass, surged forward and unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle.

"boom!"

The ball slammed heavily into the side netting, causing the Villa fans to collectively gasp in shock, with several front-row spectators even instinctively shrinking back.

Mourinho stood on the sidelines with a gloomy expression, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.

He was clearly unhappy with Joe Kerr wasting this golden opportunity.

Mutu has taken off his substitute vest and is jumping around on the sidelines to warm up, ready to come on at any time.

The fourth official stood aside with an electronic board, waiting for a dead ball opportunity to raise the board and make a substitution.

Joe Cole, panting heavily, saw the substitution signal on the sidelines and jogged off the field with his head down.

He gave Mutu a high five, but his eyes were full of frustration.

He knew he should have seized Roy's brilliant pass.

Mourinho didn't even glance at Joe Cole, but kept his eyes glued to the field, clapping his hands forcefully in Roy's direction to signal him to continue organizing the attack.

72 minutes.

Roy was walking slowly in the center circle when he suddenly launched a long pass.

The ball bypassed the defenders and found Lampard making a forward run.

Lampard dribbled towards the penalty area, creating a one-on-one opportunity.

Samuel chased back with all his might, and slid in to clear the ball out of bounds the moment Lampard took his shot.

In the 79th minute, Chelsea finally broke the deadlock!

Roy received a pass from Makelele in midfield. Facing the pressure from Villa's midfield, he suddenly delivered a brilliant through ball to Drogba, who had dropped back to receive the pass, before quickly making a run forward himself.

Drogba understood immediately and passed the ball back to Lampard, who then passed it to Mutu on the left wing.

Chelsea's series of one-touch passes completely disrupted Villa's defensive formation.

Roy received the ball on the left flank, and the real show began.

He first flicked his right foot, deftly dodging Gareth Barry's tackle, then cut inside with his left foot, shaking off the covering Mellberg, and charged into the penalty area!
Villa's right-back De la Cruz desperately tracked back, but Roy's change of pace made it impossible for him to get a foot on the ball.

Inside the penalty area, Roy controlled the ball with his right foot, feigning a shot towards the near corner.

Goalkeeper Sorensen was indeed fooled, diving forward to block the near post.

But Roy's right foot was just a feint. He quickly pulled the ball back with the sole of his foot, adjusted to his left foot, and delivered a light lob pass while almost losing his balance!

The ball traced a small parabola and flew towards the far post.

Thiago Mendes surged forward from the back, outjumping Delaney, and unleashed a stylish header lob!

Sorensen desperately tried to get back, but it was too late; the ball flew over his fingertips and into the net!
1-0! Chelsea finally broke the deadlock!

The Villa players collapsed to the ground; they had fought hard all game, but were still defeated by Roy's moment of brilliance.

Chelsea players celebrated wildly.

This goal, from its planning to its execution, was all Roy's magic!
As the match entered its final stages, Chelsea led 1-0, but Roy was still looking for opportunities.

In the 82nd minute, he received the ball on the left wing, faced De la Cruz's defense, suddenly changed direction and cut inside, and took a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball went slightly wide of the far post.

In the 86th minute, Roy dropped back to midfield to receive the ball. Under close marking from McCann, he cleverly backheeled the ball to Lampard, who followed up with a long-range shot, which was saved by Sorensen and went out for a corner.

After the corner kick was taken, Drogba headed the ball at the near post, but it grazed the crossbar and went out.

In stoppage time, Villa pushed forward with all their players.

In the 92nd minute, Roy intercepted the ball in the backfield, dribbled it past midfield, and calmly passed it to Maicon on the right wing after facing Barry's interception.

Maicon crossed the ball to Drogba, but Mellberg cleared it first.

The final whistle blew, and Chelsea won 1-0.

Although Roy failed to create another goal, his ball handling in the final moments still demonstrated his value.

Control the pace, seize counterattacks, and stabilize the situation.

As the final whistle blew, Roy raised his arm and smiled at the Chelsea fans in the away stand.

He took off his soaking wet jersey, revealing lean, muscular physique, and casually tossed it into the cheering crowd.

Several young fans excitedly reached out their hands. Roy walked over, took the pen offered to him, and bent down to sign his jersey and scarf.

When he lowered his head, his sweat-dampened black hair hung down in front of his forehead, his profile was well-defined, and his jawline was as clear as if it had been carved with a knife.

A female fan blushed and handed him a DV camera. He wiped the sweat from his hands, took it, turned it around to film, and had a lazy smile on his lips.

After signing the last autograph book, he smoothed his wet hair, smiled and said goodbye to the fans before walking towards the players' tunnel.

When he passed through the mixed zone, a reporter called his name, but he waved without turning his head and continued walking.

9 month 12 day.

The players who just played against Aston Villa all rested in the morning, with only the substitutes undergoing light recovery training.

Swim slowly in the pool for 20 minutes, and then the physiotherapist will perform muscle relaxation exercises for each person.

When the team assembled in the afternoon, the team doctor put a heart rate monitor on each key player, and the training consisted only of jogging and stretching.

Pintus held the stopwatch in his hand, his eyes fixed on Roy as he completed the last set of core exercises.

30-second plank hold with medicine ball toss and catch, with rest intervals accurate to the second.

Drogba stopped and looked at it for a while as he passed by, then approached Roy and said, "Could you get me a set too?"

There were indeed some people in the team who privately discussed Roy having a personal trainer, feeling that he was getting special treatment.

But seeing that Pintus was not only in charge of Roy's training, but also helped adjust the team's physical conditioning plan, these voices gradually subsided.

Mourinho values ​​Pintus's abilities highly and often discusses training arrangements with him.

After all, the Italian fitness coach deserves much credit for Monaco's outstanding performance last season.

Roy paid for the hires himself and was willing to share resources, so there was nothing else for others to say.

During lunch, Roy and Lampard at the next table chatted about yesterday's game while eating.

"Did you see Sylvester's mistake?"

Lampard forked a piece of chicken, "and with a push of his knee, he passed the ball directly to Ferdinand (Bolton striker)."

Roy shook his head and laughed: "Ferguson's face turned red with anger, and he yelled at the fourth official for a long time."

"Manchester United's defense," Terry, standing next to Lampard, interjected after taking a sip of water, "if this continues, they're in serious trouble for the Champions League."

Lampard chewed on his bread and said, "But their attack is really strong. Van Nistelrooy, Giggs, and Smith are all in great form lately, and now they have Rooney too."

"Ronaldinho and Scholes orchestrated the midfield, and yesterday Ronaldo came off the bench and scored the winning goal."

Lampard smiled and glanced at Roy: "That kid's dribbling style is quite similar to yours."

Roy chuckled: "Come on, that kid is nowhere near as good as me."

He put down his fork, turned to Terry and Lampard, and asked, "Can you locals recommend some places to visit in London?"

Joe Cole suddenly leaned over from the next table, grinning as he interjected:
"If you want to watch a game, the fan bar near Highbury Stadium is pretty good, but don't wear a Chelsea jersey there."

Roy was so angry he laughed, grabbed a crumpled napkin and threw it at him: "Shut up, I might as well go to Wenger's house, maybe he'll let me wear a Chelsea jersey."

Lampard chimed in: "If you want something quieter, the South Bank Promenade along the Thames is a good place for a walk, and the view is quite nice when it's lit up at night."

"Are there any places that aren't so touristy?" Roy pressed.

The two exchanged a glance, and Terry grinned: "After the Champions League, I'll take you to a bowling alley. The owner is a friend of mine; he can book private boxes."

Roy put down his water glass and asked in a low voice, "Seriously, are there any more mature forms of entertainment in London?"

Terry raised an eyebrow: "There's a members-only whiskey bar in SoHo where the cigar room on the second floor never makes the news."

"Or we could go to Mayfair. I know a reliable agent who can arrange a private club. But..."

He glanced at Roy and shook his head: "But I bet you'd just be drinking juice if you went."

Lampard interjected, "How about betting on horses? There's a good schedule in Cheltenham this weekend."

"Or how about we go golfing? At that new course in Surrey."

Roy nodded after hearing their suggestion: "Sure."

He doesn't actually like joining in the fun; he prefers to spend time reading, listening to music, or watching movies alone.

But social interaction is a gradual process that permeates the locker room.

The Dorchester Hotel in London was brightly lit at night.

The entire Chelsea team, dressed in formal attire, attended a charity dinner organized by Abramovich and several Russian-American businessmen to raise funds for the families of the victims of the Beslan massacre on September 1.

Abramovich, unusually wearing a black tie, greeted the guests at the door: "Thank you all for putting aside your training and matches to attend."

His voice was much lower than usual.

In 2004, relations between Russia and the United Kingdom were superficially amicable, with close energy cooperation and commercial exchanges.

At the charity dinner that evening, in addition to Abramovich and Chelsea players, bankers from the City of London, Russian energy oligarchs, British members of parliament, and even several Premier League executives were present.

Businessmen in suits chatted quietly by the champagne tower, occasionally mentioning oil prices and a newly opened Russian restaurant in London.

Several British MPs deliberately avoided the topic of Chechnya, focusing instead on football and charity.

The atmosphere at the dinner was subtle—a mixture of mourning for the tragedy and polite formalities tinged with conflicting interests.

When Abramovich raised his glass, the entire room fell silent.

He said in accented English, "Tonight, we have only one purpose. For the children who never grew up, and for the living, we can still do something."

“I will personally donate £100 million.”

Applause erupted in the room, but he raised his hand to signal for quiet: "This money will be used directly for the reconstruction of Beslan, and the destination of every penny will be made public."

The auction officially began after Russian businessmen in Britain made generous donations.

Abramovich donated an antique pocket watch from the Tsarist era, which was eventually auctioned off to a Russian-born energy businessman for £25. Subsequently, a season pass to a VIP box at Stamford Bridge was purchased by a Russian banker for £18.

The auctioneer cleared his throat and held up a gleaming silver Cartier Pasha watch: "The next item comes from Mr. Roy – a commemorative piece he commissioned for the whole team during their perfect run in the Champions League group stage last season."

Under the light, the engraving on the back of the watch is clearly visible: "6 VICTORES 2003ROI".

A murmur arose from the audience.

"Starting bid: £2"

The first person to raise a sign was none other than Arsenal vice-chairman David Dunn.

He smiled at Chelsea and said, "Purely appreciating the significance of this watch."

He paused, then added, "This watch is more than just a watch; it records a piece of football history. The performance of that Monaco team in the Champions League in 03 deserves to be remembered."

The price quickly soared to £5.

Finally, a Russian-American businesswoman wearing a jade ring won the bid for £10.

Roy watched the gavel fall, smiled, and clapped at the businesswoman.

This watch meant nothing to him.

It was originally commissioned as a keepsake for the whole team.

In the locker room, these little trinkets are more effective at fostering relationships than trophies.

But now, it can bring back £100,000 for those children in Beslan, which is good.

Just as the guest next to me got up to leave, a faint scent of perfume wafted from the empty seat.

If I were you

A female voice with a Russian accent rang in my ears, "I estimate I'll keep it until it's retired."

He turned his head and found that Russian singer Arsu had sat down next to him at some point.

Recent reports indicate that Abramovich paid her $1.6 to compose and sing a new version of Chelsea's club anthem.

Chelsea has lacked an official anthem for many years, and the song "Blue is the Colour" sung by fans is decades old and obviously somewhat out of date.

“You can buy another watch,” Roy shrugged, “but tonight’s money can build another school.”

Arsu smiled and took a sip of champagne, a playful glint in his eyes beneath his eyelashes: "You're so kind-hearted."

She leaned closer and lowered her voice: "But I guess you'd rather hear me say that you look really cool playing football?"

"Too many people say the second part, but the first part is quite original."

During her conversation with Roy, Arsu inadvertently revealed her background.

She was born in June 1983 in Bugurma, Tatarstan, Russia. Her father is Larif Safin, the Russian oligarch who attempted to acquire a stake in Manchester United at the end of last year.

Safin is not only a member of the Federation Council of Russia, but also one of the founders of the energy giant Lukoil, where he served as vice president. Although he later sold some of his shares to enter politics, he still holds a considerable number of shares.

Lukoil's total assets amount to $117.8 billion, ranking it among the world's top 500 companies, while Safin's political and business background gives him extensive influence in Russia and Europe.

Arsu glossed over these points.

Arsu himself is by no means just a rich second-generation heir who relies on his family's halo.

She debuted as a child prodigy at the age of 15, became a phenomenon in the Russian pop music scene at 18, and conquered the European music market at 20.

Even without her father's resources, her voice, stage presence, and business acumen were enough to propel her to the top.

In 2000, Arsu became the first Russian singer to sign with Sony Music, and with the help of Universal Music, his albums were promoted to 35 countries around the world.

In 2001, she reached the peak of her career, winning the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Artist and becoming a rising star in the international music scene.

Since then, she has continued to rise in popularity, sweeping awards at home and abroad, and securing endorsement contracts with several international brands in Russia, with her commercial value constantly increasing.

The two were chatting happily, and Arsu was amused by Roy's jokes and kept laughing, his eyes sparkling with interest.

A moment later, a young woman dressed in a minimalist black dress walked gracefully over.

There was a half-lip print on the rim of her champagne glass. Before she could speak, Arsu smiled and took her arm: "Dasha, you're late. This is Roy from Chelsea."

Dalia Zhukova nodded slightly, her well-defined collarbone resembling a modern sculpture under the light.

Roy noticed that she spoke with a California accent. The girl had immigrated to the United States with her mother at a young age, graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her father was a Russian arms dealer who was currently living in London.

“We were just talking about Michelin three-star restaurants in Greece.”

Arsu's shoe tip brushed against Roy's trouser leg. "It's a pity some people are flying to Athens tomorrow to play in the Champions League."

Dalia suddenly chuckled: "The Acropolis in Athens is most beautiful at sunset. The columns of the Parthenon cast very long shadows. I always loved watching this scene from the terrace of that old café in the Plaka district."

This Russian socialite is currently a regular visitor to the Abu Art Foundation.

The most famous incident involving her was in 2006 when Abramovich's wife, Irina Shayk, issued an ultimatum in Rome, demanding that Abramovich choose between his family and his mistress, Daria Zhukova (the couple had five children).

Abramovich chose Daria Zhukova.

The two went through a divorce, and Irina subsequently received a $3 million settlement.

In 2008, Abramovich and Dalia Zhukova officially married in a low-key private wedding in Moscow.

During the conversation, Roy discovered that Daria Zhukova was not only elegant in speech, but also quick-witted and insightful.

She was able to easily engage with Arsu's discussions about the music industry, ranging from record sales to tour planning, and even mentioning the differences between Russian pop music and the European market, demonstrating her deep understanding of the entertainment industry.

When the topic turned to football, she spoke eloquently, providing a precise analysis of Chelsea's 4-3-1-2 formation, and even pointing out how Roy's running routes as a left center forward tore apart the opponent's defense.

Roy was secretly amazed by her insight.

This is definitely not knowledge that can be learned in a short time.

When she discusses Mourinho's counter-attacking tactics, she is able to incorporate specific match examples.

When evaluating Roy's goal-scoring style, she uses vivid metaphors like "the explosive power of a ballerina." Her language is neither exaggerated nor deliberately showy, yet it always reveals its sharpness in the details.

Roy had no idea at the time that Dalia would later marry Abu and become his second wife.

After all, to him, Dalia was just a clever and interesting person he met at the party. He had no interest in these gossip stories outside of the football circle and was too lazy to inquire about them.

Gossip off the football field is never on his watchlist.

Twenty years later, after divorcing Abramovich, this Russian socialite married the grandson of Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarkos.

She changed her title from "ex-wife of an oligarch" to "mistress of a European old-money family".

"I have to go."

Roy glanced at his watch, then stood up to say goodbye to Arsus and Dalia.

Arsu seemed to want to chat a little longer, and asked him with a smile, "Really not going to have another drink?"

But Roy shook his head and pointed out the window: "We have to catch a flight early tomorrow morning."

Roy went over to say goodbye to Abu, but Abu stopped him: "Don't rush, let's get to know a few more people."

He took Roy to meet several Russian business owners—some in the oil industry, some running football clubs, and others in finance in London—all of whom were quite wealthy.

Roy exchanged a few brief pleasantries with them, clinked glasses, and soon took his leave again.

This time, Abramovich simply patted him on the back and said a Russian proverb: "See you on the field, and may luck flow like vodka."

Just as Roy pressed the elevator button, a crisp sound of high heels came from behind him.

He turned around and saw Dalia walking towards him, carrying a black handbag and smiling.

“I should go too,” she said, standing beside him, the faint scent of her perfume wafting over. “This banquet is too lively; it makes me want to get some fresh air.”

The elevator doors opened, and the two of them walked in one after the other.

The elevator slowly descended.

The two continued their conversation, with Dalia sharing her insights on football and Roy recounting some interesting anecdotes from the field. During the brief descent of the elevator, their conversation expanded from football to art, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Dalia suddenly swayed, her high heels slipping – the aftereffects of the champagne seemed to be kicking in.

Roy instinctively reached out to support her arm, but she leaned closer, a slightly tipsy smile on her face, and whispered:

"Want to come to my place for a drink? I have a bottle of Georgian red wine that's much more interesting than tonight's champagne."

The elevator stopped on the first floor with a "ding".

Roy glanced at his watch and smiled apologetically: "I'm afraid I can't make it tonight. I have to fly to Athens with the team first thing tomorrow morning."

Athens?

"We are playing Panathinaikos in the Champions League."

"Champions League match?"

Dalia raised an eyebrow slightly. "What a coincidence, I was just planning to take a short vacation in Athens."

She took a step forward, her high heels clicking crisply on the marble floor. "I've heard that the atmosphere at Panathinaikos' home stadium is quite...exciting."

Roy recalled the information the coaching staff had prepared about their opponents: the frenzied Greek fans and the deafening whistles.

He shrugged: "At least it's warmer than a cold Moscow night."

Besides Panathinaikos and Monaco, they also have CSKA Moscow as a group stage opponent.

"Then it's settled."

Dalia pulled a business card from her handbag and slipped it into his suit pocket. "After the match, win or lose, I'll save a bottle of Georgian red wine for dinner. I know a restaurant at the foot of the Acropolis where the caviar is fresher than in London."

"You don't know me very well; I rarely lose."

Dalia suddenly burst out laughing.

She'd seen too many athletes who pretended to be profound, but this was the first time she'd encountered one who spoke of arrogance so openly.

Roy showed little interest in flirting with Dalia.

Dalia is indeed intelligent, but intelligent people are often complex.

He doesn't want to get too involved with women who are so calculating right now; he'd rather find some simple and straightforward girls.

Although it's just a transaction of interests, at least it saves time and effort.

The press conference room at the Stade Louis II in Monaco was packed.

The defending champions are about to host CSKA Moscow in the first round of the Champions League Group H. New head coach Laurent Blanc straightened his suit and tie and began his pre-match speech in front of the flashing cameras.

"As the defending champions, we certainly hope to go further in the Champions League. Qualifying from Group H is the most basic goal, and it would be even better if we could finish first in the group. Although Deschamps has left, the core of the team remains. Last season's heroes, such as Evra, Pršo, Adebayor, Squillaci, and Rodriguez, have all stayed, and Ribery is also in very good form this season. We have also brought in promising young players like Arshavin, Zokora, Evgeni Aldonin, and Kalou."

"Chelsea is a tough opponent, especially Roy. Last season in the Champions League, he scored 17 goals for Monaco, making decisive contributions in every match from the group stage to the final. To be honest, Monaco will never forget the magical moments he created here – the fans called him 'The Devil,' the kids in the youth academy were all imitating his style of play, and every one of them joined Monaco's youth academy to become Roy. There's still a picture of him lifting the Champions League trophy hanging in the locker room. Although he's wearing a Chelsea shirt now, I believe the fans will give him the loudest applause when he returns to the Stade Louis II."

"However, football is a team sport, and we are confident that we can achieve good results at home."

"CSKA Moscow is a tough opponent; Russian teams always have a difficult time playing at home. But we are the defending champions, and we must show our champion spirit. We must give our all in every game and strive for the best possible result."

On August 14, 2004, the lights of the Stade Louis II were turned on again.

The familiar Champions League theme song resounded through the night sky, and all the Monaco fans in the stands stood up, their singing and applause deafening.

Although this summer, manager Didier Deschamps, who led them to create miracles, and captain Giuly went to Juventus, team core player Roy also transferred to Chelsea, and many meritorious players left one after another.

But at this moment, no one doubts the team's fighting spirit.

A few months ago, they witnessed the most incredible Champions League journey here, sweeping through European powerhouses from the group stage to finally lift the Champions League trophy.

Fans believe that the soul of this team remains.

Even if faces change, that champion's pride will never disappear.

A giant TIFO slowly descended in the center of the stadium, and the entire stands fell silent instantly.

In the image, members of Monaco's championship-winning team from last season stand side by side, together holding up a gleaming Champions League trophy.

The silhouette of head coach Didier Deschamps stands behind the trophy, as if he is still protecting the team.

And directly below the trophy is Roy's silhouette.

He crossed his arms over his chest, making the "Gates of Hell" celebration gesture that terrified all of Europe.

At that moment, the stadium erupted in thunderous cheers, with fans chanting the names of every hero.

Although these people have gone their separate ways, at this moment, they will forever belong to Monaco.

The players lined up and walked out of the tunnel, stopping in unison and looking up at the huge TIFO banner in the stands.

On the screen, the Champions League winners who created a miracle last season are smiling at them.

As Pulsau looked up at the familiar faces on TIFO, his eyes suddenly reddened.

He raised his hand to wipe his face, but couldn't help but smile.

"We are already legends of this team."

Roy's voice still seemed to echo in my ears.

That crazy Champions League night, the miracle they created together, is forever etched in the history of this team.

However, at that time, Pršo could only sit on the bench most of the time, watching Morientes start.

He remembers always clenching his fists and staring intently at every round on the field.

Until the very last moment of the final, when the coach finally called his name, he scored a beautiful goal to seal the victory for his team, proving his worth.

Now, the Croatian veteran has made up his mind.

He will end his career here.

Monaco gave him his most glorious moment, and he will repay the team with everything he has left.

Pulsau gazed at the team emblem on the sidelines, his eyes firm yet gentle.

This is his home.

Ribery touched the brand-new number 10 jersey on his chest.

Last season he was Roy's backup, but now he's finally going to be on his own.

Squillaci and Roma exchanged a glance; as the only two remaining Champions League starters, the burden on their shoulders was even heavier.

Bringing up the rear were two new Russian signings – Arshavin and Aldonin.

They came from Zenit and the Central Army of Moscow, respectively.

President Rybonov watched them from the sidelines. The Russian tycoon was planning to make Monaco a youth training mecca and a springboard for teams from other continents and Russian players to enter the mainstream European leagues.

But now, they have to prove they deserve this red and white uniform.

As the stadium's loudspeakers slowly played that familiar song: "Nous avions dit vouloir btir notre Rome sur sept collines" (We once said we would build our own Rome on seven hills.)

In the stands, tens of thousands of fans chanted the final words in unison: "Et aujourd'hui, nous sommes champions d'Europe!" (And today we are the European champions!)
The song echoed in the night sky, carrying both pride and a touch of sadness.

They did it! In this small stadium, this underdog team truly stood atop Europe.

The lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone on the entrance to the players' tunnel.

Four UEFA officials in black suits walked out slowly, wearing white gloves, and together carried the gleaming silver trophy.

The trophy gleamed under the lights, as if still bearing the sweat and passion of last season's final night.

The entire venue fell silent instantly, with only the clicking of camera shutters audible.

The trophy was solemnly placed on the display stand in the center circle, with the Monaco players standing to the side, their eyes fixed on the glory that the Monaco team had fought for last season.

Just thirty seconds later, UEFA officials carefully lifted the trophy and slowly left the stadium amidst applause from the fans.

The stadium loudspeaker began announcing last season's starting lineup in melodious French:
"Numéro 8, captain Ludovic Giuly!"
"Numéro 30, gardien Flavio Roma!"
Each time a name was called, a cheer erupted from the stands. Until—

"Numéro 10 ROIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" (No. 10. Roy!!!)
The name was drawn out in an unusually long way, and the entire audience erupted in cheers.

The fans stomped their feet and whistled, as if the devil in the red and white number 10 jersey had returned to the Stade Louis II.

The Athens Olympic Stadium resembles a lit green and white powder keg.

The roar of 70,000 Greek fans shook the stands.

Just two months ago in the European Championship final, it was the French who shattered their championship dreams.

At this moment, they unleashed all their anger on the young man wearing Chelsea's white away jersey.

Roy raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his brow, his short black hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

His tall, 1.84-meter frame stood straight on the grass, sweat clinging his white jersey to his muscular physique.

As Greek defender Gumas roared and charged forward, he suddenly flicked the ball with his toe, leaping up as lightly as a leopard and completing a turn in mid-air.

The moment he landed, he deftly controlled the ball.

Before the deafening boos from the stands had even subsided, Roy had already shot off like an arrow.

The explosive power at the start was like being carried by the wind, instantly leaving the defender two body lengths behind.

His dribbling movements are fluid and graceful, yet each touch carries astonishing power, as if elegance and violence are perfectly blended at his feet.

Roy stopped abruptly, stepped on the ball, glanced up, and gently pushed it to the advancing Joe Cole.

Facing a double-team from two defenders, Joe Cole flicked the ball with his toe, sending it through the gap between them and back precisely to Roy's feet.

The moment Roy received the ball, he gently flicked his left foot, evading the onrushing Mitu.

He suddenly lowered his center of gravity and pedaled three times in quick succession, causing Bazinas to lose his balance.

Just as Kyrgyzslav lunged forward, Roy suddenly pulled his right foot, and the ball, as if glued to his foot, arced through the space between the two players.

Roy, who had broken into the flank, did not try to score. With a flick of his right ankle, he delivered a delicate lob pass over Gumas's head.

With his back to the goal, Drogba deftly flicked the ball backward with the sole of his foot.

Roy appeared like a ghost on the left side of the penalty area, and before the ball could hit the ground, he volleyed it with his right foot.

The ball traced an elegant arc, heading straight for the far corner of the goal.

Galinovic made a desperate dive, but could only fall awkwardly into the net.

"GOAL!!!!! This volley! The arc is like a rainbow falling into the far corner! Galinovic gave it his all, but could only become the backdrop for this masterpiece!"

"17 minutes! 17 minutes! Roy!!! Chelsea's magician! Under the Athens night sky, he has once again proven why he is Europe's most lethal striker!"

"Look at this goal! It's like a poem! Swift as lightning, smooth as silk! Panathinaikos' defense has been completely dismantled, and Roy—he's like a ruthless assassin, delivering the most lethal blow at the perfect moment!"

Thousands of Chelsea fans on their away trip erupted in a deafening roar of "ROI!!!"

"Listen to the Chelsea fans' chants! ROI! ROI! ROI! This name has made all of Europe tremble! The first Champions League goal of the season came so spectacularly, so unstoppably!"

Meanwhile, in London pubs, countless Chelsea fans raised their glasses, and cheers echoed throughout the living rooms in front of televisions.

This goal, from its initiation to its finish, was executed flawlessly, like a beautiful painting.

Mourinho sprang up from his seat, clenched his fists, and slammed them forward.

His eyes gleamed with the light of "This is the football I want."

"Mourinho clenched his fist and roared on the sidelines! This is the football he wants – precise, efficient, and deadly! Roy, once again, has captivated the world!"

Abramovich stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the VIP box, quietly watching the field.

When Roy's goal ignited cheers from the entire stadium, he simply clapped his hands lightly, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

Standing beside him, Irina couldn't help but grab her husband's arm and shake it.

She knew better than anyone how much ridicule Abramovich had endured over the past year—spending a fortune but ending up empty-handed, becoming a laughingstock throughout European football.

But now, looking at the unstoppable young striker on the field, she knows that her husband has finally gotten the result he wanted.

This summer, Abramovich spared no expense in rebuilding the team, and Roy's arrival gave Chelsea the most lethal striker in all of Europe.

At this moment, on the green field below the VIP box, the number 10 player is proving the value of this transfer with a goal.

Abramovich's eyes followed Roy's sprinting figure across the field, and the smile on his lips gradually deepened.

He seemed to have already seen the future – this 19-year-old prodigy striker was at his peak and could play for Chelsea for at least another ten years.

"ten years."

Abu silently recited the number in his mind.

If Chelsea builds around Roy and brings in a group of top players, it's entirely possible for them to establish a football dynasty like AC Milan or Real Madrid.

He recalled the glorious history of those European giants, and now, Stamford Bridge also has the opportunity to write its own legend.

On the green field outside the box, Roy was receiving hugs and celebrating with his teammates.

Abu nodded slightly, his eyes shining with determination.

This season is just the beginning, and he's already planning his signings for the winter transfer window.

For Chelsea to truly dominate Europe, they need more top players like Roy.

But at this moment, looking at the invincible number 10 on the field, he knew he had found the cornerstone of a dynasty.

Just five minutes later, Chelsea launched another deadly attack.

Lampard delivered a surgical through ball from the left flank, the ball precisely piercing the gap between two defenders.

Roy accelerated like a cheetah, getting to the ball first amidst the chaos of Panathinaikos' retreating defense.

He deftly led the way with his right foot, smoothly turning around in one fluid motion.

Before the defenders could react, Roy had already unleashed astonishing speed, dribbling straight into the penalty area.

Kyrgyjakos desperately chased back, but lost his balance when Roy suddenly stopped and changed direction to the right, and slid past in a sorry state.

Scassel rushed up from the side and pulled Roy's jersey, but the young striker swung his arm to break free and, just before being pulled down, used his toe to pass the ball diagonally into the penalty area.

Drogba smashed through Gumas's defense like a tank and calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

As the goalkeeper tackled him, the ball arced through the air and slowly rolled into the far corner of the net.

Stamford Bridge's away stands erupted once again as Chelsea extended their lead to two goals in just five minutes.

Drogba got up from the ground, laughing as he pointed at Roy, who had provided the assist for him.

The perfect combination of the two strikers completely tore apart the Greek defense.

Chelsea's Champions League campaign has had a dream start.

Within just twenty minutes, Chelsea completely took control of the game with two goals.

Roy and Drogba, the attacking duo, displayed amazing chemistry.

For the first goal, Roy delivered a brilliant lob pass to Drogba, who skillfully laid it back for Roy to finish the attack.

Just five minutes later, Roy once again broke through the defense with his amazing speed and exquisite technique on the counterattack, providing an assist for Drogba.

Mourinho stood on the sidelines with his hands in his pockets, his face radiating confidence.

This is exactly the performance he wanted—fast, efficient, and deadly.

Cech's goal has remained unchallenged so far, while Terry's defense has repeatedly thwarted Panathinaikos' attacks.

Chelsea fans on the road trip have already started chanting "Blue is the color".

Under the night sky of Athens, Chelsea issued a powerful declaration to all of Europe: this revitalized Chelsea team is ready to challenge for the highest honors.

With the match nearing its end, in the 89th minute, Chelsea were awarded a free kick opportunity 30 yards from the goal.

Panathinaikos' players retreated to their penalty area, forming a tight defensive formation, clearly believing that Roy would choose to pass the ball.

Roy stood in front of the ball and took a deep breath.

He took a running start, swung his leg, and his right foot whipped towards the ball like a whip.

To everyone's surprise, he didn't choose to lob the ball, but instead unleashed a powerful, dipping shot.

The ball soared into the air like a cannonball, then plummeted rapidly after clearing the wall of players, spinning wildly as it hurtled towards the top left corner of the goal, its speed so fast that it made a sharp sound as it rubbed against the air.

Unfortunately, that shot was just too tricky.

Galinovic had fully stretched out his body, but his fingertips were still a few centimeters off.

The ball slammed heavily against the junction of the crossbar and the post, making a crisp "clang" sound, and the entire goal shook.

The rebounding ball, still spinning, landed on the edge of the penalty area, kicking up a cloud of grass.

Roy stood there and shook his head. This shot was almost perfect, just a hair's breadth away from becoming another classic free kick recorded in Champions League history.

Mourinho, standing on the sidelines, couldn't help but sigh and hold his head in his hands, but then immediately applauded his player.

Such an attempt is precisely the kind of courage he admires.

Galinovic fell backward into the goal, completely unable to react.

Lampard charged forward like a cheetah, and just before the opposing defender could block him, he cleverly backheeled the ball back.

Terry arrived quickly and, without hesitation, swung his right foot, unleashing a powerful shot that flew straight into the top right corner of the goal.

The ball slammed into the net like a cannonball, 3-0!

The expeditionary force at Stanford Bridge erupted in cheers, and Terry sprinted toward the corner flag, embracing his teammates tightly.

This goal brought Chelsea's Champions League debut to a perfect close.

(End of this chapter)