Matchday 3 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stages has ended and there have been some surprising entrants into the knockout stages and even some surprising table toppers. Chelsea players have generally performed positively in the World Cup so far and here’s how they all did individually:
Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper) Senegal
Mendy is yet to keep a clean sheet in the World Cup so far though Senegal has allowed four big chances in three games, and all the goals Mendy has conceded were from big chances. The Chelsea ‘keeper commanded his area well against Ecuador and his distribution has been impressive during the tournament, unsurprisingly.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Centerback) Senegal
Blues man Koulibaly was brilliant, despite the absence of the clean sheet. He made 16 defensive actions including 10 clearances and 4/4 tackles won. He scored his first goal for Senegal and won 10/12 duels including 7/7 ground duels. He, along with Mendy, helped Senegal to the Round of 16 where they play England.
Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder) Croatia
Kovacic was OK against Belgium but he wasn’t great by any stretch of the imagination. His distribution was good, completing 91 per cent of his passes and winning three fouls. His dribbling was poor and he won half of his eight duels. The Chelsea midfielder helped Croatia to the knockout stages, where they play against Japan.
Denis Zakaria (Central midfielder) Switzerland
Zakaria came on for the final 21 minutes of the game against Serbia, making his first appearance in this World Cup. He wasn’t great, as he won just 2/5 duels, though he made three important interceptions. Switzerland needed to win the game against Serbia and they did, with Zakaria coming in for the last 20 minutes to shore up the midfield. Switzerland is also through to the knockout stages, where they play against Portugal.
Christian Pulisic (Left Forward) United States
Pulisic delivered big when his country needed him the most by scoring the only goal against Iran to push his team to the Round of 16 stages. United States had played very well in their first two games but they were yet to secure a win. They needed that win to go through to the knockout stages. He was injured in the Iran game and was subbed off at halftime. His shooting was very good and he generally was a positive influence on his team.
Hakim Ziyech (Right Forward) Morocco
Ziyech was very good for Morocco again. He scored a goal early on, pouncing on a misclearance by the Canada goalkeeper in the fourth minute, stroking the ball into an empty goal from about 25 yards out. His dribbling and distribution were good. The CFC forward contributed to 50% of Morocco’s goals directly in the group stages to not only help his country to the Round of 16, but also to top Group F.
Kai Havertz (Forward) Germany
Havertz was excellent when he came on for Germany. He scored two goals to lead Hansi Flick’s men to an important victory, unfortunately even that wasn’t enough to push the Germanns to the last 16. Havertz was big for his country, not just in goal-scoring, he also created a clear-cut chance. In 24 minutes he took five shots, three shots on target, scored two goals, and created a big chance. Brilliant.