Chelsea Players in the World Cup

For Chelsea fans worldwide watching the World Cup, a number of you will be watching and supporting a team just because the team has a Blues in it. With that, here is a list of Chelsea players who will be playing for their national teams in the World Cup in Russia.

Teams you can root for: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, England, France, Nigeria, Spain

1)      Eden Hazard, Belgium, Attacker

Belgium’s captain and arguably Chelsea’s finest footballing talent in recent years, he will be embarrassing the opposition with his dribbling and tricks in a star-studded Belgium side. He is expected to be utilised as a winger or second striker playing behind ex-Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

With a low centre of gravity, Hazard’s primary strength lies in his dribbling and pace where he has been praised for his ability to keep the ball and turn unexpectedly at pace, making him hard to dispossess or mark. His understated strengths includes his passing (expect him to lay unsuspecting rabona crosses or dummies) and timing of his runs through the defence.

2)      Thibaut Courtois, Belgium, Goalkeeper

The man who replaced the legendary Petr Cech has been a regular and starting goalkeeper for Belgium Red Devils for the past couple of years.

The avid basketball fan is an excellent shot-stopper with amazing reflexes to deal with shots across goal which many would not have been able to catch. He is an assured performer at the back who is comfortable with crosses (no less due to his 1.99m frame) but his self-proclaimed weakness lies in low shots aimed at his feet. Expect him to play an important role in the Belgium’s bid for World Cup glory.

3)      Willian, Brazil, Attacker

The ever-reliable winger has been a regular feature for Brazil despite changes to the coach in recent years which goes to show his reliability to perform (Remember the 2015/16 season?). Expect him to strut his stuff with the likes of Neymar in a frighteningly strong Brazilian squad this year.

Willian’s strength lies in his pace and especially, football skills; a trademark of Brazilian players. Called as Chelsea’s most skilful player by his Blues teammates, Willian can often time been seen juggling the ball and attempting tricks on it and this sets him apart from his winger counterpart in Chelsea, Eden Hazard.

4)      Cesar Azpilicueta, Spain, Defender

The one whom everyone calls Dave and Chelsea’s exemplary vice-captain will be part of the Spanish defensive rock which includes Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba.

A strength of Dave is his consistency and reliability in defence which is a required ingredient for a world-class defender. He hardly puts a foot wrong during matches and he does have some pace to deal with pacey wingers. He will have tough competition for a starting spot though, given the plethora of defensive talent that Spain has, but if he plays, expect him to play as a leftback (if the preferred Jordi Alba is injured or suspended) or as a centreback as he has done with Chelsea.

5)      Andreas Christensen, Denmark, Defender

The young defender had an impressive run for Chelsea in the earlier part of the season, even managing to displace David Luiz from his starting spot but he then experienced a dip in form (and confidence) towards the end. The Danish, however, will be expected to start for Denmark if fit.

A successful example of Chelsea’s loan army program, the Danish centreback came back to Chelsea and had to wait his chance to impress. Only 21 years old, his main strength is his composure on the ball which minimises the errors made by him, and his positioning at the heart of the defence which allows him to snuff out the opponent’s chances before it even occur. If he regains his initial form, expect the top clubs to notice him!

6)      Wilfredo Caballero, Argentina, Goalkeeper

Willie will be expected to start for Argentina between the posts, despite being only a deputy and (some say) FA Cup player for Chelsea.

In truth, Caballero is a great shot-stopper with excellent reflexes which may even be better than Courtois. His weakness however, may be in his risk taking which includes coming off his line ever too often and his handling of the ball. Nevertheless, he is a formidable keeper and definitely an upgrade from Asmir Begovic, Chelsea’s previous deputy keeper. Expect the same great shot stopping and erratic punches when he plays!

7)      Gary Cahill, England, Defender

A Chelsea lion and part of the Three Lions who will be in Russia, the Chelsea captain will be a senior team member in a relatively young England squad.

Cahill is a solid defender good with his head, thus expect him to contribute some headed goals but his strength lies in his willingness to put his body in the line to clear away any danger. He will be crucial in providing the guidance and stability at the heart of the England defence.

8)      Ruben Loftus Cheek, England, Midfielder

The Chelsea loanee currently plying his trade with Crystal Palace, Ruben Loftus Cheek has been the surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad, ahead of Adam Lallana and Jack Whilshere.

Loftus-Cheek is a slightly more defensive all-rounder midfielder. He has the height to challenge in aerial duals and is adequately good with the ball on his feet. While he may not be a confirmed starter for England, perhaps this experience will help to develop him better for the next few years.

9)      Ngolo Kante, France, Midfielder

He really is everywhere isn’t he? Chelsea’s timid Player of the Year is one of the confirmed list of players who is bound to go to Russia even if he is competing for a squad brimming with talent from front to back. (So much so that Anthony Martial who would walk into any of the other football side fails to make the cut.)

N’golo is the epitome of a defensive midfielder. His small stature might have helped him in this regard. His acceleration and pace combined with his precise timing to intercept makes him a formidable presence on the pitch and attackers will find it hard to get past him. A master of ‘blindside defending’, he is adept in ‘stealing’ the ball from players feet where they least expect by running through their blindspot. Expect to see him showcase to the world why he is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world right now.

10)   Olivier Giroud, France, Attacker

The France striker has worked his way into a squad where one might say he should have been a deputy to Chelsea star signing, Alvaro Morata. But in the national side, he have always been France’s main striker in the past few years.

It is no surprise why he is though. His general weakness is his speed which makes him ill-suited to a pacey style of play adopted by most clubs in the Premier League. However, where he lack in pace, he has abundance of attributes which makes him a great striker. Excellent heading skills, great control of the ball and most importantly, an eye for goal with his shooting and positioning skills. He may or may not play all of France’s games as the squad is already brimming with talent, but if he does, do expect some goals from him!

11)   Antonio Rudiger, Germany, Defender

The hustleman who is possibly the best Chelsea signing of the season is also part of the Germany national football team.

He has gradually warmed the hearts of the Chelsea supporters with his gung-ho, no nonsense defending but also his entertaining antics outside the pitch (let’s not forget his FA Cup celebration dance, shall we?). He has some pace and with his current form, he is possibly the best defender in the Chelsea and maybe even Germany’s backline. Expect the same of him in the World Cup!

12)   Victor Moses, Nigeria, Attacker

Victor Moses was the surprise find for Chelsea in their title-winning season last season. Not for the real Chelsea supporters though, as he has always impressed during the pre-season. Moses was initially an attacking winger in the Chelsea side and as a result, was behind on the list for a starting spot behind the likes of Hazard, Willian and Pedro until the introduction of the RWB position. In his new role, he had to learn to defend and ever since his transition, he has made the position his home turf. But for Nigeria though, he will resume his role as an attacking winger.

As an attacking winger, he has pace and good dribbling skills. He is more direct with his running, choosing to run directly at defenders and thus causing them to back off and that sets him apart from his other winger counterparts in Chelsea. If he succeed in his pressing (with the ball), he will be through on goal but if he don’t, against a calm and composed and better positioned defender, he may lose the ball. Expect the same style of play out of him in an exciting Nigerian side!

13)   Kenneth Omeruo, Nigeria, Midfielder

A player Chelsea fans may have forgotten, the 24-year old defender has been playing out on loan at Turkish side, Kasimpasa. Nevertheless, he is still a Chelsea player and will showcase his talent this coming World Cup.

He plays in primarily a centre-back position and is characterised with his sturdy defending and good positioning. If he does well in this World Cup, perhaps Chelsea will recall him on loan. However, it seems ever more likely that he will be sold before the next season commence.

14) Michy Batshuayi, Belgium, Attacker

The spongebob-loving social media banter expert will head to Russia on the back of impressive performances for Borrusia Dortmund while on loan. Although he would most likely appear as back-up to Romelu Lukaku, he may get to showcase his talent as a sub or in an expendable match (if Belgium were to dominate their group).

Batshuayi plays primarily as a target man and tries to get into good positions to score. His hold-up play is decent and he has a strong shot. His weakness, though, may be in his overall contribution to the team as he tends to be the kind of player that other players feed the ball to and he isn't much of a dribbler. He has been scoring goals though, be it by luck or effort, so expect him to score some in the World Cup!