Chelsea delivered a statement of intent in the UEFA Champions League with a resounding 5-0 victory over Napoli at the Drogba Arena. The defending champions, who lifted the trophy last season, looked every bit as ruthless again here. Zain Whatmough was the star of the night, scoring a superb hat-trick to send the Blues top of the league phase standings after two wins from two.
The winger struck first in the 17th minute with a composed finish from inside the penalty area, a goal initially ruled out by VAR before referee Ricardo Santos overturned the decision. He doubled his tally on 37 minutes with a precise shot into the bottom corner, before completing his treble just after the break with a powerful low strike that left Christopher Guerra helpless in the Napoli goal.
McKauley Civzelis added Chelsea’s third with a driven effort from the edge of the area in the 39th minute, underlining the dominance of Calin Dimario’s side in front of 80,046 fans. Late on, Mexican midfielder Fernando González rounded off the scoring with a curling shot from distance in the 85th minute, completing a flawless performance for the holders.
Napoli struggled to cope with Chelsea’s relentless pressing and attacking sharpness. Reginaldo found himself in the referee’s book, while Antonio Jesús and Erik Johansson tried to spark a response but were unable to create clear chances against a well-organised defence.
The result leaves Chelsea top of the league phase table, ahead of Real Madrid and Lyon on goal difference, while Napoli find themselves in the lower half after back-to-back defeats. With Whatmough in inspired form and the team showing balance across all areas, the reigning champions look like early contenders to go deep again in this year’s competition.
The emphatic nature of Chelsea’s European form has already invited comparisons with Real Madrid’s golden sides of the mid-20th century, who defined dominance in the early years of the European Cup. Just as Madrid built an aura of inevitability under Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás, Chelsea’s blend of youth and experience under Calin Dimario is creating a modern dynasty that appears capable of controlling the Champions League era. Their consistency, attacking flair, and defensive stability echo that old Madrid tradition of overpowering opponents with both style and substance.
The Blues will now shift focus back to domestic action, but this emphatic win has sent a strong message to the rest of Europe: Chelsea mean business in the Champions League.