A host of Chelsea stars were spotted across the world playing for respective national teams during the international break, and last night some of them carried their countries through to the World Cup, while others simply had a friendly night out.
Andreas Christensen helped Denmark to become the last country to qualify from the UEFA to the World Cup as he scored a goal to help his side secure a 5-1 win over Ireland. Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen scored a hat trick in the game.
England played out a 0-0 draw with Brazil, but that did not stop players with some Chelsea connection here and there, to give out plausible entertainment. Tammy Abraham, on loan at Swansea City, and Dominic Solanke, who was sold to Liverpool last summer, were both thrown into the mix on the 75th minute. Another loan star, Ruben Loftus-Cheek started the game but was withdrawn in the first half after injury concerns. In Brazil’s corner, Willian was given a run out after the 68th minute against the Three Lions and looked lively for the Selecao.
There were those who got rests as well, as that included Eden Hazard, who the Belgium technical team thought wise to rest with signs he might be used sporadically to avoid setbacks before the World Cup in Russia next year.
His teammate, Thibaut Courtois was also given a well deserved rest in Belgium 1-0 victory over Japan. In that game against Brazil, Gary Cahill was also an unused substitute for Gareth Southgate. Antonio Rudiger is greatly admired by Germany national team coach Joachim Lowe, and that was proven again as he was called on in the second half to help Germany shut up shop against France, in a game that ended 2-2.
The good news for Antonio Conte is that there are no serious injury concerns for him as he welcomes back his stars, and he doesn’t have to release them for international football again until March!
