While there are still a number of current Chelsea players at the World Cup, one who couldn’t wait to leave is now having a rough time of it in North America.
As the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto look to register the first goal by a current Chelsea player at the tournament, a number of former stars have impressed so far.
Kai Havertz has already been amongst the goals for Germany, while Noni Madueke caused some surprise when he was one of England’s star performers in their opening game against Croatia.
Where was that work rate in a Chelsea shirt last season?! 😮
Enzo Fernandez's stunning stats for Argentina vs Austria.
Former Chelsea star Kalidou Koulibaly costs Senegal at the World Cup
There is plenty of Chelsea representation in the Senegal side. As well as Nicolas Jackson and Mamadou Sarr former Blues Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have started both games so far.
With tough opposition in France and Norway, they have lost both of their opening games, and now face an uphill battle to qualify from the group stages.
Many saw their clash with Norway last night as crucial, although they were defeated 3-2 with Koulibaly having a rough time of things.
The former Chelsea defender made two errors leading to goals, putting his country in serious jeopardy despite their recent AFCON final.
They will need to score goals in their final game against Iraq, likely relying on Jackson to find some form at a crucial part of the tournament.
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Koulibaly was delighted to leave Chelsea
The centre-back was highly-rated when he made the move to Chelsea from Napoli in 2022, although it didn’t work out as planned.
The Blues finished 12th in the Premier League, and Koulibaly was one of the first to move on, securing a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
He has since said he was ‘delighted’ to leave Chelsea, although the evidence from this World Cup so far has not shown him in a much better light.
It would be a travesty for one of the best sides in Africa to not make it out of their group, although many will point at Koulibaly’s performance against Norway as a real low point in their tournament.
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