“Chelsea will kick themselves”

Former England player Glen Johnson thinks that Chelsea must be blaming themselves for not signing Josko Gvardiol, one of the breakout stars at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup, in the summer.

The Croatia international has been heavily linked with a move to the Blues in the summer, but a deal has not materialized. The RB Leipzig defender is now on the radar of Europe’s biggest teams thanks to his dazzling display at the World Cup.

According to Foot Mercato, Bayern Munich is the latest club to show an interest in Gvardiol, along with Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Johnson, who represented the Pensioners from 2003 to 2007, has said his former club made the mistake of not signing Gvardiol in the summer. The Briton told GG Recon:

“They could have signed him last summer, and now he is performing brilliantly at the World Cup, with everyone’s attention. Should Chelsea fail to strike a deal, his performance will wake up a lot of other clubs who don’t realize how good he is. I certainly believe Chelsea will kick themselves, and they will have a much tougher task to sign him now.”

Gvardiol, 20, has made 19 appearances for Leipzig this season, scoring once. His deal with the club runs until June 2027.

Lionel Messi scored Chelsea’s Josko Gvardiol in the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals

Argentina received a 0-3 defeat to Croatia in the first semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday (December 13). Julian Alvarez scored twice, while Lionel Messi word conversion in place to ensure Argentinas go to the finals.

Messi, 35, faced off against Gvardiol, Qatar’s most impressive centre-back during the competition. Their battle returned an overall winner in the 69th minute.

If you are the coach, you tell Gvardiol that he did a great job. Stay in place, don’t squeeze in, force out, make sure you don’t make a mistake. Everything you were taught to do.

But then, in seconds, Lionel Messi destroys your entire belief system

If you are the coach, you tell Gvardiol that he did a great job. Stay in place, don’t squeeze in, force out, make sure you don’t make a mistake. Everything you were taught to do. But then, in seconds, Lionel Messi destroys your entire belief systemhttps://t.co/u8eO1PNGhJ

Receiving the ball just past the middle of the field, Messi started to move the ball along the right wing. Gvardiol quickly joined but failed to get past the Argentina captain as he breached the final third.

Just outside the box, Messi used explosive speed and clever change of direction to leave Chelsea’s goal open before passing the ball back to teammate Alvarez on the cross.

The Manchester City player took the first shot to triple Argentina’s advantage. La Albiceleste is now awaiting the Franco-Moroccan winner in the final on Sunday (December 18), while Gvardiol and Co. will meet the loser of that match the day before in the third place match.