Chelsea have an impressive 12 players representing their countries on the international stage…
Chelsea have not had the best of starts to their Premier League campaign. While there are not much points between them and Tottenham in fourth, Chelsea sit eighth in the league table. It is by no means good enough by their standards and they will hoping to claw their way back into the top four in the second half of the season.
What the players need is a real confidence boost, and doing well on the biggest stage of them all is the perfect way to accomplish this. Luckily for the Blues, 12 players will be jetting off to Qatar to reignite their love of the beautiful game. The only thing Graham Potter will hope for is they all come back injury-free and refreshed for the second half of the season.
Here are the 12 players to keep an eye out for if you are a blue…
Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling (England)
Raheem Sterling is an experienced professional with the England team and he was their best player in Euro 2020, so he will get consistent gametime. Mount is in a hotly-contested midfield so he won’t play every game but will be eager to impress. Gallagher will come off the bench to get his minutes.
Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
With Sadio Mane out for the start of the World Cup, Chelsea stars Mendy and Koulibaly will be the star-men for Senegal. The goalkeeper and centre-back will start essentially every match to carry the nation with plenty of pride. Don’t rule Senegal out – they have plenty of firepower even without Mane.
Mateo Kovacic (Croatia)
Kovacic has plenty of experience on the world stage. Last time in the World Cup, Croatia had an absolutely stellar run. Kovacic will be the midfield general and hope to inspire the nation again.
Thiago Silva (Brazil)
In what will be his last ever international competition, the Chelsea centre-back will put his defensive expertise to work for Brazil – the country he loves.
Denis Zakaria (Switzerland)
Playing sporadically for both club and country, Zakaria is not too much of an injury concern for Potter. Although, he will hope the youngster comes back with plenty of inspiration and confidence – Switzerland are a strong outfit, after all.
Christian Pulisic (USA)
Being in the same group as Sterling, Gallagher and Mount, Pulisic will leave all friendships behind when the whistle blows. Known as USA’s best and most promising player, Pulisic will look to amaze the passionate fans once more.
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
Morocco are not expected to be big-hitters in the World Cup, which could work in their favour as they are underdogs. Ziyech will certainly start in every game that he is fit, as he is pivotal to his country.
Kai Havertz (Germany)
Havertz has not hit heights this season for Chelsea. He is part of an unmotivated attack. However, Germany are one of the nations you would expect to go far, so if Havertz can hit goal-scoring form, it will benefit the Blues in the second half of their season.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain)
The experienced Chelsea defender will represent his country once more. He is a man of pride, so international success means a lot to him. Spain will be hopeful to make amends for recent disappointments on the big stage.
Who are you backing in the World Cup?