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28 March 2024

Chelsea’s ‘Messi, Xavi, Iniesta’ simply devastating

Chelsea's Juan Mata challenges Norwich City's Wesley Hoolahan during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London October 6, 2012. (REUTERS)

Published
By Staff

Chelsea do not need Fernando Torres to be firing on all cylinders.

The Blues boast a Barcelona-type Messi-Xavi-Iniesta trio that operate in such an attack mode that a lung-bursting counter attack for the second goal against Norwich on Saturday was breathtaking for its beauty.

Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard are clearly the new Messi-Xavi-Iniesta and in the manner that those three rendered strikers almost superfluous, Roberto Di Matteo need not worry about Torres fluffing chance, as he did early in yesterday’s game.

But, just in case, Torres did head in the first goal.

If John Obi Mikel can fill in the shoes of the enforcer – cue Yaya Toure at Manchester City – it will be hard to deny Chelsea the tag of favourites to win the league and defend their Champions League crown.

While the British players at Stamford Bridge keep the off-field antics at full ante – Ashley Cole now vs the FA, after John Terry – the Spanish, Brazilian and Belgian midfielders wreak havoc on it.

Chelsea went a goal behind to Norwich when visiting skipper Grant Holt slammed home a first-time shot after 11 minutes.

The Canaries song was cut short though, after Torres glanced in header to convert a fine cross from Branislav Ivanovic.

Frank Lampard was next. An attempted overhead kick from Torres rebounded to the midfielder on the edge of the box and Lamps found the back of the net.

Then came the Barca show.

Juan Mata’s two Champions League goals in midweek were followed by two assists.

Mata broke a Norwich attack and launched a counter-attack.

He then rolled a perfect pass to Eden Hazard who sent a curling shot in for 3-1.

Torres once again showed glimpses of his old self – missing a golden chance when Hazard set him free. 

Defender Ivanovic showed him how to finish, sending a Mata backheel into the back of the net.

Chelsea can afford Torres, or Victor Moses to take their time. It was Torres’ fifth goal of the season already. He did not get there until well into the second half of last season.

The memory of Drogba is long gone.

This is a team where all can score.