Chapter 50

In October, Chelsea's first match was a major event. On October 3rd, in the 8th round of the 04-05 Premier League season, Chelsea would host the visiting Liverpool at home!

Now, Jowan Xian has made enemies all over the Premier League, much like a streetwalker attracting bees and butterflies, not letting a single man off! However, he still has a good relationship with one manager, Liverpool's young manager, Rafael Benítez.

Even when facing a friend, Jowan Xian had no intention of going easy. He fielded Chelsea's strongest lineup: Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Fabio Cannavaro, Michel Salgado, Claude Makélélé, Wayne Rooney, Kaká, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and Michael Owen.

Putting in the best effort is the greatest respect one can give to an opponent.

The day before the match, Benítez, in an interview with Liverpool's Echo, said that Jowan Xian is the best young talent in world football today, with no equal! He also directly praised Jowan Xian's coaching ability, stating that with Chelsea's momentum this year, winning the championship is not a problem. At the same time, he indirectly expressed his admiration for Jowan Xian, saying he would certainly become a legend in world football.

More interestingly, when Jowan Xian announced the starting eleven in advance in The Times, Benítez, to show respect, also published the starting lineup for the next match in the Echo: goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, defenders from left to right, Traore, Sami Hyypiä, Jamie Carragher, and Finnan; midfielders from left to right, John Arne Riise, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, and Luis García; attacking midfielder, Harry Kewell; and striker, Milan Baroš.

Benítez did not hold back either, fielding Liverpool's strongest lineup.

At the pre-match press conference, Jowan Xian, unlike his usual cool and stylish demeanor, first shook hands with Benítez in a friendly manner, had a brief conversation, and then sat down with a smile to face the journalists.

"Mr. Jowan Xian, Mr. Benítez has praised your coaching ability before the match. What do you think about that?" The Echo reporter was very friendly.

Jowan Xian smiled lightly, "It's mutual admiration."

Hearing this, Benítez blushed and smiled, "Liverpool currently has a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss, which is far from Chelsea's 7 consecutive wins."

Jowan Xian's expression tightened, and he said solemnly, "Mr. Benítez, you are too modest. I know you have focused Liverpool's main efforts on the UEFA Champions League this season. Well... after the group stage, if Liverpool doesn't face Chelsea in the knockout stage, I firmly believe that the final will be between Chelsea and Liverpool!"

Jowan Xian's words finally gave the drowsy journalists something to get excited about: "Is the big-mouth Jowan Xian making another bold claim? Saying he will meet Liverpool in the Champions League final? This is simply ridiculous! Even if your Chelsea is strong, do you have such confidence in Liverpool? Remember, last week in the Champions League group stage, Liverpool lost 0-1 to Olympiacos, a Greek club!"

At this moment, the journalists had already thought of the next news headlines:

"Jowan Xian Flatters Liverpool, Can They Reach the Final?"

"Jowan Xian = Flatterer!"

"Jowan Xian Finally Has a Manager He Doesn't Criticize — Benítez!"

...

Amid the endless speculation of the journalists, Jowan Xian continued to exchange pleasantries with Benítez, constantly flattering each other, which made the journalists feel disgusted.

In recent days, the Daily Mail's football gossip section has extensively reported on Jowan Xian's affair with football model Lucy Piddel, even saying that Cheryl had left in a fit of anger, leading the media to begin doubting Jowan Xian's homosexuality.

But seeing him and Benítez getting along so well, all the speculations vanished. This Jowan Xian is definitely a homosexual, and he must have fallen in love with the elegant Spanish man!

The press conference ended in an atmosphere of infinite friendliness between Jowan Xian and Benítez.

In the dressing room, Jowan Xian's pre-match pep talk revealed his true intentions.

"Guys, I'm sure you've all seen my comments at the press conference. In this match, I don't want any friction with Liverpool! Especially you, Salgado, and you, Makélélé, you must control the physical contact. If you can avoid fouls, do so! We want to give the fans the purest football match!"

Jowan Xian pointed to the opposite dressing room and shrugged, "Of course, you shouldn't hold back just because I have a good relationship with Benítez. When you need to shoot, shoot; when you need to press, press! Giving your all in the match is the greatest respect for the opponent... today, let's aim for a 5-0 win!"

Jowan Xian's words were shameless, and the players all laughed heartily, clapping their hands.

Jowan Xian made a gesture to lower the volume, his expression stern, "Alright, that's all I have to say. Let's go out there, and I wish you all good luck! Don't forget, we are invincible!"

Captain John Terry stood up, extended his hand, and shouted loudly, "We are invincible!"

The players were immediately stirred up, forming a circle, placing their hands on top of each other, and shouting in unison, "We will be invincible!"

At 23:05, the match officially kicked off at Stamford Bridge. The commentator announced the starting lineups of both teams, which were exactly as the managers had announced in advance, not arousing much interest from the fans. Instead, the scene on the South Stand was particularly spectacular and impressive!

The South Stand was silent, and the fans, as if they had planned it in advance, suddenly raised the small cardboard signs in their hands when Jowan Xian waved to the fans as usual. Nearly ten thousand different colored cardboard signs formed a vivid portrait of Jowan Xian, almost identical to the real Jowan Xian, with a black suit, black shoes, and black sunglasses. From a distance, it looked like a huge television screen had been erected on the stand.

Hundreds of camera lenses at Stamford Bridge immediately focused on this sudden scene, and even the fans in other stands stopped their commotion, staring in amazement and excitement. Without the cardboard signs, they all took off their blue jerseys, waving them high, turning the entire Stamford Bridge into a sea of blue!

The Chelsea players watched Jowan Xian with great excitement, and the coaches were overjoyed. Only Jowan Xian remained calm, continuing to wave to the stands without taking off his sunglasses.

With two big wins in the Champions League, seven consecutive wins in the league, and winning the English Manager of the Month, at this moment, every Chelsea fan in the world had put aside all their initial complaints and dissatisfaction, filled only with love for Jowan Xian!

The Liverpool players looked at each other, smiling bitterly. Such a home atmosphere made it hard to have the will to win. Manager Benítez stood on the sidelines, feeling a deep sense of emotion, "This is the ultimate glory of a manager! Such treatment is truly enviable!"

He glanced at the calm Jowan Xian and secretly rejoiced, "Thank goodness I have a good relationship with him. This young man will surely become the brightest star in English and world football!"

In this overwhelming home atmosphere, the Chelsea players were full of confidence and ambition. From the start of the match, they launched wave after wave of attacks on Liverpool's goal.

"Joe Cole's breakthrough... he passes, Owen returns the ball, and shoots! Frank Lampard's powerful shot from outside the penalty area, dangerous! Jerzy Dudek makes a world-class save, diving to the side, and the ball goes out of bounds..."

"This time, Chelsea launches an attack from the left. Wayne Rooney, who has been performing well in recent matches and is positioned as a left winger by Jowan Xian, is back in action. He breaks through the right-back Steven Finnan, cuts inside, and takes a shot himself! Unfortunately, the ball grazes the post and goes out of bounds. The situation in front of Liverpool's goal is tense. Benítez must be very frustrated. Even last season, his team didn't face such a difficult situation against Real Madrid in La Liga, did they?"

The London TV commentator, of course, didn't care about the relationship between Benítez and Jowan Xian, using the method of belittling the opposing team and praising his own team to please the audience.

On the sidelines, Benítez's expression was stern! He, of course, knew the被动 situation Liverpool was in, but... he had no way to change the current situation. Chelsea's attacks came one after another, continuously. When a through ball didn't work, they would shift horizontally or pass back, reorganizing the attack, controlling the ball on the field, leaving Liverpool to watch the performance of Chelsea's players!

The most miserable situation on the field was for Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. These two young midfielders had to face the constant pressure from Kaká and Frank Lampard, and their suffering was evident.

Especially for Gerrard, in England, people always compare him with Lampard. At this moment, Lampard was performing brilliantly, controlling the ball with ease, while he was in a sorry state, constantly making off-the-ball runs. To say he wasn't frustrated would be a lie!

Taking advantage of a clearance that went out of bounds, Alonso quietly came to Gerrard's side and whispered, "Steve, if it really can't be... let's start fouling! If we continue like this, Chelsea will keep attacking, and we won't get the ball, and we'll eventually concede a goal!"

"But the boss said we have to play cleanly and not resort to dirty tricks..." Gerrard was hesitant.

Alonso glanced at the more handsome Kaká and frowned, "Forget it, on the field, winning is the most important! I can't stand that Brazilian kid running rampant in front of me anymore!"

Gerrard sighed, glanced at Lampard, who was performing like an artist on the field, and finally gritted his teeth, "Alright, let's go against the boss's wishes this time and teach Chelsea's bastards a lesson!"