Chelsea vs Al Hilal predicted XI: 4-1-4-1 to get to Club World Cup final?

Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho gestures on the pitch after the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle at Stamford Bridge in London on February 5, 2022. - Chelsea won the game 2-1 after extra time. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s Italian midfielder Jorginho gestures on the pitch after the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle at Stamford Bridge in London on February 5, 2022. – Chelsea won the game 2-1 after extra time. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Jorginho (No. 5) Defensive midfielder, Italy

Jorginho was very good against Plymouth. Calm. His distribution was top class, completing all four attempted long balls and creating one chance. In fact, not only did Jorginho make more interceptions than any Plymouth midfielder, he made more interceptions than any midfielder on the pitch. He also made more than any player on the pitch not named Malang Sarr or Joe Edwards.

One of the things that comes with ranking high in individual awards is that there’ll be more scrutiny on your performances, especially when many don’t agree you should be ranked as highly as you were. Now, Jorginho has to make six tackles, six interceptions, block five shots and created four big chances every game to “live up to the award.” In fact, he already lived up to the award when he performed as well as he did leading up to it. He has nothing to prove to anyone.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 8) Central midfielder, Croatia

Mateo Kovacic was good as usual. He was as good as Jorginho distribution wise but was much better in dribbling. They were both strong in the duels and they both created one chance each. The Chelsea central midfield was strong against Plymouth, never losing control of the game. They were a big part of why the Blues dominated the League One side from start to finish.

N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Central midfielder, France

N’Golo Kante did not play against Plymouth, not that he needed to though. The Blues now go into another competition in strong contention for a trophy and Chelsea can count on the Frenchman to do what he always does in semifinals and finals.

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