How about this for flowing football from Chelsea? Start off at the back with Jose Bosingwa, pass to Michael Essien in midfield, move on to Ashley Cole at left-back, he shifts it on to Michael Ballack, captain John Terry gets involved from the back, ushers it up front to Didier Drogba who lays off for John Obi Mikel to have a shot.
No, not one of the seven goals against Aston Villa (or Stoke City or Sunderland) as they marched to the Premier League title. Not even a crucial moment on the road to Wembley and FA Cup success.
It is the run of injuries that have blighted Chelsea players' attempts to add the World Cup to their resumes.
Portugal's Bosingwa was the first to succumb, picking up a knee injury in an October defeat to Villa. By March, his season was over after an operation, as were his chances of playing at World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Worse was to follow in January when Ghana's Essien was ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a knee injury. For the remainder of the season, the midfielder battled to get back to fitness, not only to help Chelsea over the line in their double quest, but also to star in the World Cup on his home continent. Alas to no avail.
Then came a freak injury for Cole against Everton in February. A seemingly innocuous challenge on Landon Donovan - on loan at Goodison and ironically a key player for the USA, England's first opponents at the World Cup - led to him being kicked in the sole of the boot and fracturing his ankle.
"It's very bad news," said England manager Fabio Capello at the time. "It's very important to us that he is back." Thankfully, for Cole and England, he is.
Essien apart, all seemed well as Carlo Ancelotti's men lifted the Premier League trophy, but as they prepared for the FA Cup final against Portsmouth, Terry injured his foot in training. It was but a small scare - but the word 'metatarsal' generally sends England supporters scurrying for cover as a major tournament approaches.
Then a heavy challenge from Kevin-Prince Boateng on Ballack during the Wembley showpiece injured the Germany captain's ankle, and he was quickly ruled out of World Cup 2010.
And in the past two days, Drogba has sustained a fractured elbow in a warm-up international against Japan, while Mikel is the latest to be confirmed as definitely out of the entire duration of the World Cup due to a knee injury.
But how can one club be so blighted by injuries?
Have the stresses and strains of achieving the 'Domestic Double' in the most physically demanding footballing country in the world finally taken its toll?
Is it down to an ageing squad being unable to last a full season at peak fitness?
Or is it sheer coincidence, the unluckiest possible twist at the end of a magnificent and memorable season?
No, not one of the seven goals against Aston Villa (or Stoke City or Sunderland) as they marched to the Premier League title. Not even a crucial moment on the road to Wembley and FA Cup success.
It is the run of injuries that have blighted Chelsea players' attempts to add the World Cup to their resumes.
Portugal's Bosingwa was the first to succumb, picking up a knee injury in an October defeat to Villa. By March, his season was over after an operation, as were his chances of playing at World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Worse was to follow in January when Ghana's Essien was ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a knee injury. For the remainder of the season, the midfielder battled to get back to fitness, not only to help Chelsea over the line in their double quest, but also to star in the World Cup on his home continent. Alas to no avail.
Then came a freak injury for Cole against Everton in February. A seemingly innocuous challenge on Landon Donovan - on loan at Goodison and ironically a key player for the USA, England's first opponents at the World Cup - led to him being kicked in the sole of the boot and fracturing his ankle.
"It's very bad news," said England manager Fabio Capello at the time. "It's very important to us that he is back." Thankfully, for Cole and England, he is.
Essien apart, all seemed well as Carlo Ancelotti's men lifted the Premier League trophy, but as they prepared for the FA Cup final against Portsmouth, Terry injured his foot in training. It was but a small scare - but the word 'metatarsal' generally sends England supporters scurrying for cover as a major tournament approaches.
Then a heavy challenge from Kevin-Prince Boateng on Ballack during the Wembley showpiece injured the Germany captain's ankle, and he was quickly ruled out of World Cup 2010.
And in the past two days, Drogba has sustained a fractured elbow in a warm-up international against Japan, while Mikel is the latest to be confirmed as definitely out of the entire duration of the World Cup due to a knee injury.
But how can one club be so blighted by injuries?
Have the stresses and strains of achieving the 'Domestic Double' in the most physically demanding footballing country in the world finally taken its toll?
Is it down to an ageing squad being unable to last a full season at peak fitness?
Or is it sheer coincidence, the unluckiest possible twist at the end of a magnificent and memorable season?
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