Gary Lineker and Micah Richards gave Josko Gvardiol their seal of approval following another eye-catching World Cup exhibition.
Lineker and Richards remarked on the defender’s performance following Croatia’s 0-0 draw with Belgium live on BBC yesterday.
Gvardiol gave Chelsea and his other reported suitors plenty of reason to be excited about potentially adding him to their roster in January.
The 20-year-old was crucial to securing Croatia’s important point that just nudged them out of the group stage into the knockout-rounds.
Whilst ensuring his nations narrowly achieved safe passage, he also brought Belgium to their knees.
Roberto Martinez’s Golden Generation could not dust off the rust of an ageing squad, and progression simply looked a step too far.
Perhaps they would’ve had more luck with Gvardiol out of the picture, and Romelu Lukaku actually managing to hit the target.
“Gvardiol, he looks like an exceptionally good defender. He really does,” proclaimed Lineker after the stalemate in Qatar.
“Gvardiol today was excellent and has been excellent all tournament. No wonder there’s an array of teams looking at him because the way he comes out with the ball, the way he reads the game, the way he goes into a tackle,” continued Richards.
Josko Gvardiol checked by Chelsea
Chelsea are apparently amongst the ‘array of teams’ targeting a move for the £77m rated RB Leipzig player once the World Cup concludes.
With Thiago Silva edging ever closer to retirement, and Kalidou Koulibaly yet to impress for the Blues, additional defensive reinforcements feel necessary.
As sturdy figures go, there aren’t many more tantalising in the game right now than Gvardiol.
He is a blend of old-school style tough tackling destructor and efficient passer so vital in the modern era.
His last-ditch tackle on Lukaku late in last night’s match was a prime example of the centre-back’s desire to get stuck in.
WhoScored.com also had the Croatian international for achieving a passing accuracy of 95.2%, the highest of any of his compatriots.
We hope you’ve been watching, Todd Boehly.
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