By Henry Vinter | 8 April 2056
They say that motivation is the hardest thing to find when you have already won everything. Tell that to Calin Dimario’s Chelsea.
Just days after wrapping up their 34th consecutive Premier League title, and fresh off a 6-0 mauling of Atletico Madrid, Chelsea returned to domestic duty not with a hangover, but with a flamethrower.
In a display of ruthless professionalism, the champions obliterated Leicester City 5-0 at the Drogba Arena on Saturday afternoon. It was a performance that featured 33 shots on goal, a brace from Júnior, and a rare, glittering perfect 10.0 rating for left-back Luca D’Urso.
D’Urso’s Day of Days
While the forwards filled the stat sheet, the afternoon belonged to Luca D’Urso.
The Italian full-back was simply unplayable. Operating on the left flank, he wasn’t just a defender; he was the team’s primary playmaker. He registered a staggering 23 progressive passes, driving the team forward relentlessly. His 10.0 Match Rating is a rarity for a defender and underlines a performance of total dominance.
The Brazilian Connection
Up front, the Brazilian contingent continued to run riot.
Júnior opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a “close range finish into the bottom right corner”. He doubled his tally in the 69th minute with a header, continuing his electric form since returning to the starting lineup.
Jairzinho, who scored a brace against Atletico midweek, added another to his collection in the 34th minute with a “deflected low drive”.
Valera and Sahar Join the Fun
Top scorer Nacho Valera ensured he didn’t miss out, scoring a “close range finish” just before half-time (45th minute) to effectively end the contest.
And, as is now tradition, Netanel Sahar came off the bench to score. The Israeli striker, replacing Valera, added the fifth in the 82nd minute with a trademark finish into the bottom corner.
The Only Blemish
The only dark cloud on a sunny afternoon was an injury to midfielder Nicola Orlandi. The Italian was forced off in the 67th minute with a twisted ankle following a tackle by Leicester’s Darwin Tutalchá. With the business end of the Champions League approaching, Dimario will hope it isn’t serious.
Next Stop: Madrid
Chelsea have now scored 11 goals in their last two games without conceding. They have won the league, the Carabao Cup, and are cruising in the FA Cup.
Next up is the trip to Madrid for the Champions League Quarter-Final second leg. With a 6-0 aggregate lead, the tie is over, but on this form, Chelsea might just go there and try to score six more.