When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 237 He's just scared, not that he knows he's wrong (Seeking monthly votes!!!)

At noon on January 15, 2005, Morientes' flight landed at Heathrow Airport.

Accompanying him were his long-time agent and his wife, Victoria, making this clearly not a simple trip.

After clearing customs quickly at the airport, the three traveled to the Lancaster Hotel in the city center in a black Mercedes-Benz arranged by the club.

After a simple lunch and rest, at 2:45 pm, they set off again in the gloomy, rainy winter of London. The vehicle traveled north along the A503 highway and arrived at the VIP entrance of Tottenham Hotspur's home stadium, White Hart Lane, at 3:00 pm.

A large number of Tottenham fans had gathered outside the stadium. In just one hour, Chelsea would face Tottenham in the 22nd round of the Premier League.

Morientes deliberately opted for a low-key outfit with a dark coat and scarf, but as he passed through the media passage, a reporter from the London Evening Standard still managed to capture a clear photo of his face.

A reporter asked Morientes, "Liverpool are in dire need of a center forward right now, but you chose Chelsea. Is this because of Roy? What's your opinion of Roy and coach Mourinho?"

When asked by the Evening Standard, Morientes responded: "Roy did brief me on Chelsea, but the final decision was based on sporting considerations. Liverpool is a great club, but Mourinho's vision is inspiring."

Regarding the two key figures, he made the following comments:

"Roy is the smartest partner I've ever worked with. Last season at Monaco, he scored 17 Champions League goals to help us win the title, and he assisted me in six of my 12 goals."

"Mourinho is a true tactical master. Although we Monaco eventually eliminated Porto, his meticulous tactical structure and in-game adjustments left a deep impression on me."

After listening to the reporter's question, Morientes naturally put his arm around his wife's waist and turned to leave.

When the two had walked about ten meters away, Victoria suddenly tugged at the hem of her husband's suit and said in a low voice, "Moro, to be honest, meeting Roy was probably the luckiest thing that happened to you during your playing career."

"second."

Morientes shook his head slightly, his gaze falling on his wife's face. "The luckiest thing is meeting you."

The wind was biting cold at White Hart Lane, but Chelsea controlled the game from the start.

Chelsea's three lines moved like a precise machine, pinning Tottenham back in their own half.

Roy moved with unimpeded freedom on the left flank, making Tottenham's defense tremble with every touch of the ball.

Victoria was adjusting her scarf when she was suddenly startled awake by a burst of exclamations from the crowd.

Roy made several changes of direction on the left flank, and Parmarot, who was defending him, stumbled and fell on the grass.

"Oh my god"

Morientes leaned forward unconsciously, gripping the armrest of his seat tightly with his right hand.

"That's the kind of player he is!"

When Roy flicked the ball with his heel to get past the recovering defender Nabet, the Spaniard suddenly turned to his wife and said, "You can never guess what he'll do next."

Victoria looked into her husband's shining eyes and heard him say with unusual excitement, "Seriously, if he stays at this level, in ten years, people will be debating who is better, him or Pelé or Maradona."

The Tottenham fans in the stands were in an uproar, and the entire stadium was filled with an atmosphere of anxiety and helplessness.

"Is nobody going to do anything about this? Roy's practically strolling around our penalty area!"

"There's no way to defend against him, he's too fast, and his changes of direction are too agile."

"Why don't we just give him a good whack? Cripple him, and the match will be much easier."

"Are you crazy? We're not a championship contender."

"At least for now, Arsenal can't win the championship."

"."

In the 33rd minute, the deadlock was broken.

Roy received the ball near the halfway line, dribbled past two defenders, and broke into the penalty area.

Just as he was about to shoot, Naibette, who was chasing back, hastily kicked out and tripped the Frenchman in the penalty area.

Without hesitation, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, and White Hart Lane erupted in boos.

"Corrupt referee! Diving!"

"That's not a penalty! Naibette touched the ball first!"

"The referee took money! It happens every time they play against the league leaders!"

"Roy just dives; the Premier League is full of actors like that now."

"Shh—! Go back to Stamford Bridge!"

Amid a chorus of "F**k off" chants, Roy placed the ball steadily on the penalty spot and took a few steps back to stand still.

The entire White Hart Lane stadium fell silent instantly, with only a few scattered boos remaining.

He took a deep breath and calmly stared at the bottom right corner of the goal.

With a running start, the rhythm suddenly stopped, and Robinson indeed lunged to the left first.

Roy deftly pushed the ball with the instep of his foot, sending it rolling along the grass into the bottom right corner. 1-0.

He turned and ran towards the center circle expressionlessly, with the Tottenham goalkeeper pounding the ground in frustration behind him, and the stands erupting in shouts of disapproval.

Roy was jogging slowly toward the center circle, with waves of boos from Tottenham fans behind him.

He suddenly stopped, turned around to face the stands, and put his right hand to his ear as if listening intently.

He then raised his index finger and shook it from side to side, a faint smile on his lips, his eyes clearly saying, "Call me whatever you want."

The stands erupted in chaos, with shouts of anger nearly lifting the roof off.

Roy calmly raised his right hand, put his index finger to his lips in a "shh" gesture, and glanced at the stands with a hint of disdain.

This action completely ignited the fans' anger, and curses were mixed with objects being thrown down.

But he had already turned around and continued jogging, as if none of this concerned him.

Tottenham's recent attack was precisely intercepted by Makelele.

42 minutes.

The French defensive midfielder passed the ball back to Terry, and the Chelsea captain looked up and observed for a moment before sending a 40-yard long pass without hesitation.

The ball pierced the gloomy London sky and plunged into the heart of Tottenham's half.

At this moment, Chelsea's attacking spearhead had already launched like an arrow.

Robben cut inside from the right wing, drawing away left-back Edman.

Duff made a diagonal run down the left flank from midfield, forcing Carrick to track back.

Roy, who was originally on the left wing, suddenly switched positions with Robben, like a sharp knife stabbing into the weakest right flank of Tottenham's defense.

Tottenham's defenders panicked.

Nebert and Parmarot simultaneously lunged at Roy, who had the ball, but the Frenchman flicked his ankle, and the ball flew between the two men, skimming the grass, and accurately found Duff who was making a run down the wing.

Mourinho placed Duff in the left central midfield position in this match, which can be considered a tactical experiment.

The Irishman made no adjustments and passed the ball back directly; Roy had already appeared like a ghost on the right side of the penalty area.

Ridley King had to abandon his defensive position to help defend, but Roy suddenly slowed down when surrounded by three defenders.

His left foot lightly tapped the ball repeatedly, completing five subtle changes of direction in a small space: first, he feigned a cross to the middle, then he faked a shot with his right foot and cut back, and finally he used the inside of his left foot to suddenly cut the ball behind him, then turned and accelerated towards the baseline.

This move caused Naibette to completely lose her balance and stumble into her teammate.

In a split second, Roy squeezed through the remaining half-meter gap, fell to the ground, and completed the stab.

Despite Robinson's best efforts to block the shot, the ball still grazed his shoe and rolled into the far corner.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!! Roy! It's Roy again! My God! That was a goal that was a work of art!"

"Chelsea's counter-attack tore apart Tottenham's defense like lightning! Look at this combination: Terry's precise long pass, Duff's clever overlapping run, Robben's selfless stretching of space, and finally Roy's waltz in the penalty area!"

"To break down this fatal blow, pay attention to Roy's final decision. At the moment of his cutback, he actually had at least two options: he could force a right-footed shot into the near corner, or he could cut the ball back to Lampard who was following up."

"But top strikers always choose the most lethal option! Naibette's right leg has blocked the normal shooting angle, and Ledley King is sliding in from the left to block it. At this point, the only option is to dive and shoot to take advantage of the moment when the goalkeeper's center of gravity shifts downward."

"Look, when he fell, he deliberately used his left arm to brace himself and maintain his balance, which ensured the accuracy of his right-footed shot. The ball went perfectly into the deadly angle between Robinson's legs and the near post. That's why we say that even the way top strikers fall is honed through countless trials!"

"The ball was very fast, but it was completed while the player was on the ground. For an average player, the success rate of a shot from this position is less than 20%, and this is the second time this season that Roy has scored in a similar manner."

In the 49th minute, Robbie Keane fell in the Chelsea penalty area after contact with Gallas, but referee Poll crossed his arms to indicate no penalty.

Amid the roars of Tottenham fans, Drogba began to frequently attack the home team's defense. Naibette made two precise sliding tackles to stop the Ivorian's breakthroughs, and Robinson even rushed out of the penalty area to make a flying tackle to clear the ball.

The offensives came one after another.

When Maicon received the ball on the right wing, Edman was already in position, ready to pounce.

The Brazilian didn't slow down; instead, he pushed the ball forward and used his strong right shoulder to forcefully push away the onrushing Edman.

The Tottenham full-back staggered back two steps, and Maicon had already crushed him like a tank.

Ziegler hurriedly came to cover from the inside, but Maicon suddenly stopped and changed direction, flicking the ball out to the outside of his right foot.

Just as Ziegler shifted his weight, he suddenly accelerated a second time, the ball and his body whizzing past the Tottenham midfielder.

When he reached the baseline, Ridley King rushed in to block him.

Maicon remained calm, feigning a cross with his right foot but then cutting the ball back, causing Naibette to kneel on one knee.

In a flash, he drew an arc with his right foot, and Drogba leaped high in the penalty area, outjumping Ledley King to head the ball toward the goal.

Mourinho jumped up suddenly on the sidelines, then angrily flung his hand away.

Drogba's header from Maicon's cross was saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Robinson.

The Brazilian full-back has indeed made significant progress this season, becoming much more solid in both defense and crossing.

In the locker room, Roy was always the first to pat Maicon on the back, and he even used to pull him along during pre-game warm-ups.

After Tottenham's left-back Ziegler took a wild shot in the 64th minute, both sides made substitutions.

Mourinho fielded new signing Jarosik to solidify the midfield, while Tottenham pushed Ledley King into the defensive midfield position.

This adjustment had little effect, as Robbie Keane's shot in the 72nd minute flew directly into the second tier of the stands.

The tension intensified towards the end of the match.

First, Terry tripped Ledley King and received a yellow card, then Makelele and Brown each received a yellow card for a headbutt in the center circle.

When Carrick's free kick was easily saved by Cech, a sense of despair had spread throughout White Hart Lane.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Roy received the ball on the left flank, suddenly changed direction, dribbled past Carrick with a croquet ball, and then used his shoulder to push away Michael Brown who was coming to cover.

He then dribbled inside to the center and sprinted towards the Tottenham penalty area, moving with incredible speed.

Just as Naibette and Ledley King were about to close in on the defense, he flicked his ankle, and the ball slipped through the gap between their legs, finding Gudjohnsen who was making a run down the left flank.

Icelander replaced Drogba in the 76th minute.

The Icelandic striker controlled the ball and flicked it with his wrist, causing Parmarot to stumble and miss.

Near the baseline, Gudjohnsen calmly passed the ball back.

Lampard arrived in a flash and delivered a low, powerful shot with the instep of his right foot.

The ball shot through the crowd like a cannonball, nestling in the back of the net just before Robinson could reach it. 3-0!

"I must point out that Roy's provocative gesture towards our fans was completely unacceptable. As one of the best players in the Premier League, he should be setting an example for the younger players, not humiliating the home fans by making a 'shut up' gesture after scoring. This disrespectful behavior undermines the spirit of football. Of course, I admit he played exceptionally well today, and Chelsea were indeed far superior to us. Makelele completely dominated the midfield, and their counter-attacking speed left us helpless. But to become a true champion, skill alone is not enough."

After the match, Dutchman Martin Jol, who replaced the departing Santini as Tottenham manager, said that he acknowledged Chelsea were better than Tottenham, but believed Roy was "talented but lacking in character".

When asked about the controversy surrounding Roy's "shut up" gesture, Mourinho shrugged: "What happened? I didn't even notice the gesture. If someone is verbally abusing you, isn't raising your finger and saying 'shh' the most polite response?"

"Let me put it more clearly, if someone insulted you like that off the field, if there were no laws in this world, you should have retaliated with a shotgun; if kicking fans were allowed on the field, Cantona could have randomly kicked a few bastards in the stands every game. But our Roy chose the most gentlemanly way: shut them up, and then smash their goal with a goal. What's wrong with that?"

When asked by reporters, Roy remained expressionless: "That gesture? I was just reminding them to be quiet. By the way, I suggest Tottenham fans say a prayer before dinner every night – 'Thank you Chelsea, thank you Roy, at least we don't have to watch Arsenal win the title.'"

"When we eliminated Arsenal in the Champions League last year, someone threatened to have my name engraved on his tombstone. I wonder if that gentleman is here today? I wouldn't mind ordering one for him first."

On January 16, Roy, along with Chelsea teammates Maicon and Abidal, Arsenal's Pedretti, and Morientes, who had just arrived in England, appeared in Birmingham to visit the international motor show hosted by Autosport magazine.

None of these star players brought their girlfriends with them.

The reporter noticed that Pedretti wore sunglasses throughout, but his expression was noticeably gloomy.

Just the day before, his team Arsenal suffered an unexpected 0-1 defeat to Bolton away from home, falling to third place in the standings, four points behind Manchester United.

The others were chatting and laughing, especially Morientes, who had just arrived in England and was having a lively conversation with Roy in Spanish.

At the auto show, Roy chatted with three Red Bull F1 drivers – Coulthard, Klein, and Liuzzi – for about fifteen minutes, with Minardi team boss Stoddart joining their conversation.

He then patiently signed autographs for fans who recognized him. Although the number of Chelsea fans in Birmingham is limited, getting an autograph from the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner is a joyful thing for any football fan.

Many Chinese students at the scene were particularly excited.

Among these young Chinese students studying in London, more and more are becoming fascinated by Chelsea, especially because of Roy's presence.

This French-Chinese mixed-race football star has a special connection with the East. On the field, he is as ruthless and efficient as an assassin, but off the field, he has a cynical sense of humor.

He would boo fans who insulted him after scoring a goal, and he would say things like in an interview that he suggested Tottenham fans thank him for stopping Arsenal from winning the title.

This anti-heroic style, coupled with his sculpted mixed-race features and fluid playing style, perfectly matches young fans' imagination of a superstar.

The players, dressed in the latest jerseys, kept taking pictures.

Some staff members whispered among themselves that these Chinese students seemed to be well-off, dressed in designer clothes, and many even ordered cars on the spot.

Roy carefully signed autographs for every Chinese fan who came up to him, speaking to them in fluent and standard Chinese: "Thank you for your support."

"To be honest, I'm an Arsenal fan. But Roy, I have to admit, you're my favorite player in the Premier League."

Roy chuckled after hearing the fan's confession.

“Thank you for your appreciation,” he said as he signed his autograph, “but I would much rather you liked the sight of me scoring against Arsenal.”

After saying that, he blinked and handed the signed jersey back.

Meanwhile, other star players are waiting in the VIP lounge.

When Maicon left, he was already getting very close to a blonde British car model. The two were exchanging glances and being affectionate, and it seemed that something was bound to happen after they returned to London.

Roy nodded in understanding, but when he heard that Maicon had decided to order a brand new sports car, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "Looks like this girl is really something."

Maicon put his arm around Roy's shoulder, his voice brimming with ecstasy: "Dude, I'm truly captivated by her."

As soon as the stars appeared, people from all directions swarmed around them.

The car salespeople chased after them, handing out business cards and shoving Aston Martin and Bentley brochures into their hands, constantly talking about "exclusive discounts" and "limited edition colors."

Models in high heels and short skirts deliberately lingered in front of them. Reporters, cameras in hand, seized every opportunity to peek in; if a star athlete lingered in front of a particular car for even a moment, tomorrow's newspapers would be filled with headlines like "Star Athlete XX Spends a Fortune to Order XX Supercar."

Even drinking bottled water can be described as "suspected endorsement of a certain brand".

The same photo can be used to write a fluffy article in the sports section, and then another fluffy article in the automotive section.

On January 17, 2005, Real Madrid striker Morientes officially joined Chelsea for a transfer fee of £641 million, equivalent to approximately €9.3 million.

“It is an honor to join a top club like Chelsea. The ambition and strong squad here fill me with excitement, and I will repay the club’s trust with goals. Although I will not be able to help the team in the Champions League for the time being, I will give my all in the league and cup competitions.”

“I’m especially happy to work with Roy again. He’s the most complete striker I’ve ever met, bar none. Our understanding has always been there. I’m also looking forward to seeing my old teammates Maicon and Abidal. I still vividly remember playing alongside them in Monaco.”

“Mr. Mourinho is one of the best coaches in the world today, and it is every player’s dream to play under him. I will do my best to adapt to his tactical requirements and contribute all my strength to winning more trophies for the team.”

On the evening of January 17, 2005, a reporter from The Sun spotted Chelsea star Roy and his girlfriend Cheryl in London.

That evening, the two of them, bundled up tightly, went to the movie theater, and Roy was not recognized by passersby at all.

After the event, they left in a brand-new white Aston Martin, the latest gift Roy had given to Cheryl.

The car has been confirmed as an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, valued at over £13.

According to The Sun, this is the fifth expensive gift Roy has given to his girlfriend recently.

Although these luxury items are quite expensive, they are just a drop in the ocean for Roy, who earns a weekly salary of £120,000.

The report specifically mentioned that if Cheryl can successfully settle this seasoned lover down, she could become a "housewife" earning millions of pounds a year.

The report humorously noted that Roy was facing "the troubles of a tycoon." Due to his lucrative endorsement contract with BMW (reportedly exceeding five million pounds annually), the contract clauses prohibited him from driving other brands of vehicles in public.

This rendered Roy's recently purchased Bugatti Veyron a mere "display," requiring a chauffeur to drive it or for occasional use on private tracks.

However, this brand-new white Aston Martin DB9 has finally found a clever use. The report joked, "Having his girlfriend Cheryl drive this luxury car not only avoids contractual restrictions but is also much more pleasing to the eye than a chauffeur. At least Roy in the passenger seat can enjoy the scent of Chanel No. 5 while giving directions."

The Sun also revealed that Cheryl is planning to introduce her partner Sarah Handing to Arsenal's French midfielder Pedretti – the honest man who recently broke up with his long-distance relationship and happened to be Roy's teammate during his time at Monaco.

Sarah Harding, known for her striking looks, was named one of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World" by the globally renowned men's magazine FHM. This annual ranking considers multiple factors, including celebrity popularity and physical attractiveness, and Harding's inclusion confirms her status as a sex symbol in the British entertainment industry.

Since Cheryl started dating Chelsea's star striker and Ballon d'Or winner Roy, Sarah has felt intense envy for her friend's remarkable improvement in life and career.

She noticed that Cheryl frequented London's most upscale social venues, wore jewelry worth tens of thousands of pounds, and received luxury gifts from Roy, including a custom-made Aston Martin sports car.

This tremendous leap in material life inspired Sarah to consider dating professional athletes.

She repeatedly hinted to Cheryl in private conversations that she hoped to get to know current Premier League players. While she didn't explicitly state that she was looking for top stars like Roy, she clearly expressed her desire for someone to be at least a regular starter in the Premier League.

Sarah specifically requested that Cheryl prioritize introducing her to suitable candidates.

However, Pedretti faces a formidable opponent: Manchester United's bad boy Alan Smith is also pursuing Sarah relentlessly. The 23-year-old Smith, known for his volatile temper and numerous scandals (his rumored girlfriends range from third-rate singers to prostitutes), is ironically more popular with women. British media joked, "Eight out of ten girls would choose Smith; the other two probably haven't heard the news about his alcoholism and violence."

2005年1月22日英超第24轮，切尔西主场3-0轻取朴茨茅斯，延续了对手50年未能在斯坦福桥取胜的尴尬纪录。

Portsmouth took the initiative after the match started, but shots from Berg and Taylor were both saved by Chelsea's defense.

The home team then took control of the game.

In the 15th minute, Robben received the ball on the right wing and suddenly accelerated, easily shaking off Portsmouth defender O'Neill's marking.

Portsmouth midfielder O'Neill committed a foul from behind with a sliding tackle in a moment of desperation, but referee Riley saw that Chelsea still had possession of the ball and signaled for play to continue.

Robben seized the opportunity to dribble into the right side of the penalty area and, before the defender could block him, delivered a low cross to the center.

Drogba arrived in time and easily slotted the ball home with his right foot from near the penalty spot. 1-0!

Six minutes later, Lampard delivered a pinpoint through ball from midfield, finding Robben perfectly offside.

Portsmouth goalkeeper Ashdown hesitated, neither rushing out to block nor retreating to the goal line to defend.

Robben seized the opportunity to break into the right side of the penalty area and deftly chipped the ball over the hastily rushing goalkeeper.

Just before the ball rolled out of bounds, the Dutchman unleashed a near-zero angle shot with the outside of his right foot, the ball slipping through the narrow gap between the near post and the goalkeeper into the net. 2-0!

In the 39th minute, Robben dribbled to the edge of the penalty area and was about to cut inside when Unsworth tackled him from behind.

The referee promptly blew his whistle, awarding Chelsea a free kick in an excellent position.

Drogba carefully positioned the ball, then took a few steps back to measure the distance.

With the sound of the whistle, the Ivorian player took a run-up and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot. The ball flew like a cannonball through the gap in the wall and nestled into the top right corner of the goal! 3-0!

If it weren't for a crucial interception by the Portsmouth defender, the Ivorian would have almost scored a hat-trick in the first half.

In the second half, Chelsea continued to control the game, with Cech making a crucial save from O'Neill's tricky free kick to keep a clean sheet.

Mourinho brought on Gudjohnsen, Thiago and Roy to keep the attack active.

The scoreboard at Stamford Bridge was already locked at 3-0, but Roy wanted to add another exciting moment to the night.

When he received the ball on the left side of the penalty area, he was immediately double-teamed by Cissé and Primos.

Two defenders clung to his jersey like glue, but Roy deftly flicked the ball with his heel to Joe Cole near the sideline.

"Roy has the ball! Roy!! Still dribbling—Cisse and Primos can't stop him!!!"

Joe Cole understood immediately and sent the ball back into the penalty area with a low, through pass.

"Pass to Joe Cole—pass back! Roy breaks into the penalty area!!!"

At this moment, Roy had already shaken off the defense and made a ghostly incursion into the penalty area.

He first used his left foot to hold the ball in front of him, then immediately flicked it with his right foot, as if the ball was glued to his foot, and headed straight for the goal.

Stefanovic rushed forward to block, but Roy suddenly feinted to the right, a move that caused the Serbian defender to lose his balance and stagger in the wrong direction.

"Left foot hooks – right foot pushes – Stefanovic is stunned!!!"

The area inside the penalty area immediately descended into chaos.

Roy seized the opportunity, using his right foot to cut the ball to the left and create an opening, giving him a momentary shooting chance in the narrow space created by the crowd.

"Adjust—Shoot!!!"

Just when everyone thought Roy would opt for a delicate chip shot, the Premier League top scorer pulled off a jaw-dropping performance. In the blink of an eye after shaking off the defender, he pointed his left foot and unleashed a powerful volley towards the goal!

The ball shot up like a cannonball, followed a steep parabola, and then crashed hard against the underside of the crossbar before violently bouncing into the net.

Before goalkeeper Ashdown could even make a save, a muffled thud was heard as the ball sent white waves crashing into the net.

“SUPER ROI—SUPER ROI—SUPER ROI—GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!”

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!!! That was incredible!!!"

"Roy! Roy! He's the magician from Stamford Bridge!!!"

"Look at that goal! Look at that dreamlike footwork!!!"

"Primos and Cissé were completely fooled!!!"

"Stifanovic is completely disoriented!!!"

"That's absolutely the goal of the round!!! No, it's a contender for goal of the season!!!"

"Super Roy! Super Roy! He's the king of the Premier League!!! Look at that goal! Look at this bastard's will to win! This is Roy! This is the fucking Roy! Seventy minutes on the bench? So what! This madman lets everyone know the game has only just begun the moment he steps onto the pitch! Twenty minutes? Ten minutes? Even if he only gets sixty seconds, this fanatic will tell the world in the most insane way: 'I'm the star!' The lights at Stamford Bridge will always shine for him! This damn, beautiful, incurable football genius!!!"

The entire Stamford Bridge erupted in cheers, with 40,000 fans rising to their feet to give a long and enthusiastic round of applause for the imaginative goal.

This week's English League Cup will feature a highly anticipated match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Manchester Evening News reporter Matheson focused on analyzing the competitive form of two young players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben.

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo made a bet with manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the beginning of the season to score 10 goals, and has scored 8 goals by the end of the new year, including several key goals.

After the start of the new year, he continued his excellent performance in the FA Cup matches against Exeter City and Aston Villa, helping his team win both games with his winning goals.

With Manchester United facing a packed schedule including 14 Premier League matches, the fourth round of the FA Cup, the League Cup semi-final, and Champions League games, Cristiano Ronaldo's improved form has significantly boosted the team's morale.

Although Ferguson kept a low profile in public, acknowledging Chelsea's strength, he privately hoped to undermine their confidence by defeating them.

If Robben plays in the League Cup, he will be in direct competition with Ronaldo.

Statistics show that Ronaldo scored within the first minute of the league match against Aston Villa, and kept the opponent's three full-backs busy throughout the game.

In the FA Cup replay, he once again scored to help his team advance. These performances prove that he is fully capable of competing with Robben.

In comparison, Robben's statistics are more impressive.

In the last league match, the Dutch winger contributed a goal and an assist, and also created a crucial free kick that helped Drogba score.

The Manchester Evening News analysis points out that Robben has become Roy's most effective partner on the front line, and his cooperation with Roy is significantly better than the combination of Roy and Giuly.

In an interview, Roy didn't hold back his praise for Robben: "Arjen is a true world-class talent. Yes, world-class! If you ask me, he's the best talent of this generation in the Netherlands. Van der Vaart? Come on. He said a lot of sour things about me when I won the Golden Boy award, and I never responded. But now it seems he owes me an apology. I sincerely hope to work with Arjen for a long time. As long as he stays healthy, our teamwork will become more and more seamless."

British tabloids have recently been buzzing with rumors that David Beckham might return to the Premier League and join Chelsea. The News of the World even claimed that Beckham has already registered his son Romeo at a nursery near his Hertford mansion in London, and that he will return to England with his son in September.

But Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho poured cold water on the idea in an interview with Sky Sports.

Mourinho likened stars like Beckham to "decorative figures," stating clearly: "What I need is a team with strong fighting spirit, not a team of Hollywood stars. The so-called 'galactic superstars'? They are either players who can maintain top form for 60 consecutive games, or they are just decorative figures who are famous for advertisements and scandals."

When a Sky Sports presenter questioned whether Roy should also be considered a "Hollywood star," Mourinho responded firmly: "Roy is a true warrior!"

"He is indeed very famous, but his reputation is entirely earned through his strength. Throughout the European arena, what strikes fear into the hearts of all defenders is his skill and fighting spirit, not his appearance or off-field news."

"When a player can make the whole of Eurasia remember his name, it must be because of his heroic performance on the field, not because of how many commercials he has filmed or how many magazine covers he has appeared on!"

He particularly emphasized his trust in hardworking and dedicated players like Makelele and Drogba, believing that it was the discipline of these "middle-class" players that kept Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.

These remarks were seen as a veiled criticism of Real Madrid's "Galácticos" policy.

Mourinho had previously pointed out that Real Madrid's problem was the lack of pragmatic "middle-class" players to balance the squad.

Analysts believe this means that as long as Mourinho is in charge, Beckham will have little chance of joining Chelsea.

On the evening of January 23, at a dinner in Sheffield, British football commentator Ron Atkinson made a seriously anti-Chinese statement.

At a party, the 66-year-old former ITV commentator openly declared: "The Chinese people have the best contraception in the world - but I can't understand why there's so many of them because their women are so ugly."
These racist remarks immediately sparked strong outrage in the Sheffield Chinese community.

Li Ming, a representative of the local Chinese community, told The Star, "These insulting remarks are disgusting, and we demand that he apologize immediately."

But in an interview with the Sheffield Star, Atkinson not only refused to admit his mistake, but also claimed that "it was just a joke" and said that "it's unbelievable that it would cause such a big reaction."

It is understood that this is not the first time Atkinson has caused controversy with discriminatory remarks. In 2004, he was immediately fired by ITV for using the racial slur "fucking thick lazy nigger" to describe Chelsea defender Desailly.

The following day, Roy published a highly explicit article in The Sun, which The Sun readily accepted without alteration:
"Atkinson, can't you control your foul mouth again? Who do you think you are? Hiding in a drinking party, gossiping about women and spewing vulgar racist remarks, is this what you call a 'joke'? The truly ugly thing in the world is a cowardly face like yours, hiding behind a microphone and spouting nonsense!"

"I'm so ashamed that this bastard can still make a living in the football world! The Premier League doesn't need trash commentators like you, and the football world doesn't need losers like you with a head full of discrimination."

"If I ever see you on the pitch, I'll walk straight up to the stands and tear your stinking mouth apart! Yes, I'll get a red card, but before that, I'll show you what real violence is. You might even get a job for it; a club might hire you to stop me from going on a killing spree in a match. But do you think any club would dare hire scum like you?"

"I suggest you immediately go and apologize to everyone you've offended. Not make excuses, not explain, but kneel down and admit your mistake! If you want to retain even a shred of dignity, shut your stinking mouth forever and stop embarrassing yourself! Football is a million times more noble than you!"

Roy's unreserved and blunt remarks caused a huge uproar in English football.

Fans were thrilled by this straightforward counterattack, and discussion threads on various football forums were being refreshed at an astonishing rate.

Within just a few hours, this incident became the hottest topic in English sports circles.

At 7:30 p.m. that evening, the incident took a dramatic turn.

After multiple media outlets reported that Roy's mother was a Chinese woman, Atkinson suddenly changed his attitude and announced that he would formally apologize for the matter.

At the same time, Roy made a strong statement, saying he would "fight Atkinson to the death" in all areas permitted by law.

"You all know I'm not a reasonable person. I'm very protective of my own and I hold grudges. If anyone dares to insult me ​​or hurt someone I care about, I will make them suffer even more than I do."

“I will do everything in my power to fight him, and I will destroy him within the bounds of the law. I never swallow my anger, and I can’t even wait one night to get revenge.”

"A gentleman? That's not me. I only know how to repay an eye for an eye, and I always repay it double."

Those familiar with Roy know that he is known for his vindictiveness and that anyone who offends him will pay the price.

Clearly, Atkinson has really bitten off more than he can chew this time.

This incident sparked a rare moment of unity within English football. Chelsea Football Club immediately released an official statement: "We strongly oppose any form of discriminatory language and fully support Roy's legitimate actions to uphold the dignity of his family."

Mourinho stated seriously: "Football knows no color. Atkinson's remarks have brought shame to the entire football world. I am proud to have a player like Roy who dares to take responsibility."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson departed from his usual confrontational style with Chelsea, stating, "As manager, I completely understand Roy's desire to protect his family. Such racist remarks must be thoroughly removed from the football world."

Even Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, who has always been at odds with Ferguson, unusually took the same stance: "This behavior is disgusting. No matter how much disagreement there is on the pitch, we must unite against racism."

The Football Association, the Professional Footballers' Association, the Premier League, and other organizations in England have issued statements of condemnation.

Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and other clubs have also expressed their support for Roy.

An unexpected incident brought the entire English football community together on the same front.

Is it really true that the British football community hates racism that much? Judging from Manchester City's handling of the Oasis band's anti-Chinese racism incident, it's not. The reason this incident caused such a big stir is simply because Roy carries significant weight.

He is the Premier League's top star, an absolute mainstay of Chelsea, and has the formidable Abramovich standing behind him.

This is a matter of interests, not a matter of stance.

After being rejected by friends and Roy's team, Atkinson issued an apology through the Sheffield Star:
"Hereby, with my sincerest apologies, I formally apologize to Mr. Roy, Mr. Roy's mother and family, and all the Chinese women I have offended. My remarks were extremely wrong and unforgivable, and they completely exposed my ignorance and prejudice."

“I am deeply aware that behind those so-called ‘jokes’ lies a trampling of women’s dignity and harm to the Chinese community. I feel particularly guilty about the harm caused to Mr. Roy’s mother and relatives. Such discriminatory remarks based on race and gender are completely contrary to the spirit of sports and basic humanity.”

“I sincerely apologize to all Chinese women. You are the most beautiful and strongest women in the world. My insulting remarks reflect my own narrow-mindedness, not any shortcomings of yours.”

“I promise to make amends for my mistakes with action, immediately attend anti-racism training, and am willing to accept any form of punishment. I once again earnestly ask Mr. Roy and all those affected to forgive my ignorance and wrongdoing.”

Roy did not respond after hearing Atkinson's apology.

He always believed that if a person does not truly fear you, they will never genuinely respect you.

In his view, Atkinson's apology was merely a stopgap measure under pressure, rather than a genuine recognition of his mistake.

He was just scared, not that he knew he was wrong.

————————————————————

On February 1, 2005, on the eve of Manchester United's away game against Arsenal, the verbal battle between the two managers escalated. Ferguson accused Wenger of verbally abusing Manchester United players and threatening him after their 2004 encounter. Wenger retaliated three times within 48 hours, criticizing that "this man has lost control, and if the video is used to determine the outcome, Manchester United will only be in the middle of the table."

London police intervened urgently, warning both sides to stop inflammatory rhetoric to avoid escalating fan clashes. Police spokesperson Nolan emphasized, "Such rhetoric will fuel violence on the field." The two clubs have begun ceasefire negotiations, but the key lies in restraining the words and actions of the two managers.

—The Evening Standard

Real Madrid have signed Robinho for a transfer fee of €15-20 million, with both sides agreeing to a five-year contract with an annual salary of €2 million. The Brazilian starlet will report to the Bernabéu on July 13, ending the race for the club by Chelsea and others. Meanwhile, Real Betis winger Joaquín hinted at a possible move to Real Madrid next summer, stating that he has "no contact with Chelsea and his future is uncertain." AS confirms that the Robinho deal is only awaiting official announcement.

—AS

(End of this chapter)