Chelsea’s dismal run of play continued with a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in their penultimate game before the World Cup in Qatar.
A total of 12 Blues players will go to the Middle East, leaving manager Graham Potter with a weakened squad to work with over the six-week break as he attempts to manufacture an improvement in results for when domestic football resumes next month.
But who will be among the Blues’ team members on the plane to Qatar?
We look at the Chelsea players that will be competing in the World Cup this winter.
Denis Zakaria
Despite scarcely appearing for the club this season after joining on loan from Juventus, Zakaria has been a key player in Switzerland’s midfield in previous years, alongside Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka.
Thiago Silva
The experienced center half will be making his third World Cup appearance for Brazil, and it is probable that this will be his final participation in the game.
Hakim Ziyech
Ziyech, the top player in a great generation of Moroccan players, returns to the squad after briefly leaving the national team in February 2022 owing to a disagreement with previous coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic will be the poster boy for American football in Qatar, where he will face England in the second group game on November 25.
Kai Havertz
Havertz has been included to the Germany team that will compete for the country’s record-tying sixth World Cup championship, with the forward having scored 10 goals in 30 appearances for the Germans.
Conor Gallagher
Gallagher was a surprising choice in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man England team; the midfielder earned his first of four caps against San Marino in November 2021.
Mason Mount
Mount’s placement on the final roster came as no surprise, as the academy product was frequently one of the first names on the squad sheet during Southgate’s tenure.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling is one game away from making his 80th appearance for the Three Lions, and his performance in the Middle East will be crucial in determining whether the team can win their first major trophy since 1966.
Matteo Kovacic
Kovacic has been one of Chelsea’s standout players this season, but fans will be praying he doesn’t worsen the injury that has plagued him at times this season when on international duty with Croatia.
Cesar Azpilicueta
The 33-year-old is nearing the end of his great Chelsea career, and despite the fact that age has caught up with the fan favorite at times this season, manager Luis Enrique has selected the fullback in Spain’s team for Qatar.
Edouard Mendy
Mendy may have fallen behind Kepa in the Stamford Bridge pecking order, but he remains the number one goalkeeper for Senegal, having made his debut for the African champions in 2018.
