As of December, Theodore Bjorn had racked up 22 goals in the Premier League, firmly holding the top spot in the Golden Boot race.
He was equally dominant in the playmaker rankings, leading the charts with a staggering 23 assists.
Following the demolition of Manchester United, Transfermarkt released its monthly valuation update.
Theodore's back-to-back masterclasses against the Premier League's "Big Six" caused his market value to skyrocket, shattering the €100 million barrier to reach a staggering €110 million.
Naturally, the endorsement offers flooded in.
Staying true to his routine, Theodore deferred all commercial negotiations to his agent, Jonathan, keeping his total focus on the pitch.
The schedule was ruthless.
After conquering Old Trafford, Aston Villa had to travel straight to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Currently, Chelsea was languishing in 8th place, a dismal return for a club of their stature.
Manager Frank Lampard faced immense scrutiny from the Blues' faithful.
The pressure on the Chelsea legend was crushing.
This match was seen as a potential tipping point. If Lampard could secure a home victory against the runaway league leaders, it might buy him time.
If he suffered another heavy defeat, the Roman Abramovich axe was likely to fall.
Immediately following the Chelsea fixture, Theodore was scheduled to fly to Norway for a crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Spain.
A victory in Oslo would secure Norway's early progression to the main tournament.
...
December 5, 2019.
Stamford Bridge was packed to the rafters.
Despite Chelsea's domestic struggles, the die-hard Blues fans turned up in full force under the lights.
In the dressing room, Theodore allocated the 10 free attribute points earned from the Manchester United mission.
Currently, his highest attributes were Long Passing (100), followed by Long Shots and Stamina (both 98), and Heading (95).
Operating under the philosophy that elite, maxed-out skills dictated matches, Theodore poured the points into those core strengths.
[Long Shots: 98 → 100]
[Stamina: 98 → 100]
[Heading: 95 → 100]
[Remaining Attribute Points: 1]
He dumped the final point into his Speed.
[Speed: 77 → 78]
His updated profile read:
Host: Theodore Bjorn
Age: 17
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Position: Midfielder
[Physical Attributes] Speed: 78 Strength: 87 Jumping: 76 Fitness: 75 Stamina: 100
[Technical Attributes] Long Passing: 100 Short Passing: 75 Through Balls: 75 Curve: 75 Finishing: 73 Long Shots: 100 Set Pieces: 69 Heading: 100 Penalties: 68 First Touch: 81 Vision: 84 Dribbling: 83 Ball Control: 73 Interceptions: 65 Tackling: 74 Slide Tackles: 75 Defending: 67
Overall Rating: 89
Level: A! Star
Player Skill Cards: Andrea Pirlo Peak Long Pass Card, Xabi Alonso Vision Card, Bastian Schweinsteiger Physicality Card, Jürgen Klinsmann Peak Heading Card, Pavel Nedvěd Peak Stamina Card, Raheem Sterling Box Shooting Card, Jack Grealish Dribbling Card, Cristiano Ronaldo Peak Long Shot Card.
Curiously, despite maxing out three crucial attributes, his Overall Rating remained locked at 89.
It seemed the progression curve flattened dramatically as he approached elite status.
Theodore shrugged it off; his current arsenal was more than enough to dominate.
...
At 8:00 PM, the teams lined up in the narrow Stamford Bridge tunnel.
"Theo, I never thought I'd be lining up against you," Tammy Abraham said, breaking the silence.
The Chelsea striker had spent the previous season on loan at Villa Park, firing them to promotion and winning the Championship Golden Boot.
His lethal form had earned him a recall to his parent club.
However, without a playmaker of Theodore's caliber feeding him, Abraham had managed only three goals in his first 14 appearances for the Blues.
"How are things?" Theodore asked, giving his former teammate a quick embrace.
Abraham offered a tight smile. "So-so. Chelsea is a massive club, but I miss the days at Villa Park. You guys are flying. I watch all your games; never expected you to be top of the league. Congrats by the way."
He paused, his competitive edge returning. "But that streak ends tonight, mate. We need this win."
"We'll see about that," Theodore replied smoothly.
Led by referee Chris Kavanagh, the teams marched out onto the pitch.
In the Sky Sports gantry, Martyn Tyler and Gary Neville set the scene.
"Welcome to Stamford Bridge for a massive Matchday 15 clash," Tyler announced. "Frank Lampard's struggling Chelsea host Dean Smith's flawless Aston Villa."
"Let's look at the teams," Neville began. "Lampard sets Chelsea up in a 4-2-3-1."
"Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal."
"A back four of Reece James, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, and César Azpilicueta."
"A midfield pivot of N'Golo Kanté and Mateo Kovačić."
"An attacking trio of Willian, Mason Mount, and Christian Pulisic."
"With former Villa loanee Tammy Abraham leading the line."
"As for Aston Villa, Dean Smith reverts to a 4-4-2," Tyler continued.
"Tom Heaton in goal." "Matt Targett, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, and Ahmed Elmohamady."
"A midfield four: Conor Hourihane, Marvelous Nakamba, John McGinn, and Theodore Bjorn."
"With Jack Grealish playing off Wesley up top."
"Aston Villa's record at Stamford Bridge is abysmal," Neville noted. "Their last victory here was back in 2011. And no Villa fan needs reminding of the 8-0 thrashing they took here in 2012."
Down on the touchline, Frank Lampard shared a warm embrace with Villa assistant coach John Terry, two Chelsea legends reunited.
Chris Kavanagh blew the whistle, and the match erupted into life.
The Blues fans were in full voice, and the home side responded immediately.
Abraham knocked the ball back to Mason Mount.
Hailed as the "Crown Prince of the Bridge," the 21-year-old Mount was tasked with inheriting Lampard's creative mantle.
Mount pinged a sharp, raking diagonal out to Willian on the right flank.
The Brazilian winger executed a blinding series of stepovers, violently shifting his weight and exploding past Matt Targett.
The Villa left-back was left completely flat-footed.
Reaching the byline, Willian whipped a dangerous cross into the box.
Tyrone Mings and Tammy Abraham launched themselves at the delivery. Having trained against him for a year, Mings understood Abraham's movements perfectly.
He engaged physically, ensuring Abraham couldn't get a clean connection.
The header lacked power and looped harmlessly into Heaton's gloves.
Heaton quickly rolled the ball out to Theodore.
Instantly, the Chelsea trap snapped shut.
N'Golo Kanté and Mateo Kovačić converged on the teenager with terrifying speed.
Knowing Kanté's reputation—the man who covers the 30% of the Earth that water doesn't—Theodore didn't risk a dribble.
He instantly popped the ball off to Grealish.
Grealish took a heavy touch and forced a wild shot from distance that sailed high into the Shed End.
For the opening ten minutes, Chelsea dictated the tempo, dominating possession.
Dean Smith had instructed his side to sit deep, absorb the early pressure, and frustrate the hosts.
In the 10th minute, Chelsea manufactured an opening.
Kovačić drove forcefully through the center circle, drawing both Grealish and Hourihane toward him.
As the Villa shape contracted, Kovačić slipped a deft pass out to the overlapping Reece James.
The 20-year-old right-back found himself in acres of space.
Without a claret and blue shirt in sight, James drove hard down the right flank.
By the time the Villa defense scrambled to cover him, it was too late.
James delivered a vicious, whipping cross to the back post.
Abraham and Mings contested the initial flight, but the ball sailed cleanly over both of their heads.
Lurking at the back stick was Christian Pulisic.
The American winger met the dropping ball with a fierce volley.
Thwack!
The shot flashed inches wide of the near post, rippling the side netting.
"A warning shot from Pulisic!" Tyler exclaimed. "Chelsea are suffocating Villa in these opening exchanges."
"They have effectively neutralized Theodore Bjorn," Neville observed. "Kanté and Kovačić are man-marking him out of the game. If he can't get on the ball, Villa have no out-ball."