‘Ripped to bits’: Tony Adams says £80m Chelsea target for was torn apart at the World Cup

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Tony Adams noted how Chelsea target Josko Gvardiol was given a footballing lesson by Lionel Messi in the last World Cup match.

Writing for the Sun, Adams admitted that Messi’s marvellous display on Tuesday slightly took the shine off Gvardiol’s campaign in Qatar.

Up to the semi-final meeting between Argentina and Croatia, very few opponents had got the better of the RB Leipzig defender.

He halted Belgium’s bruised golden generation, although Romelu Lukaku’s loose finishing largely gave the defender a day off.

The 20-year-old then managed to keep Brazil at bay in the quarter-final, until Neymar netted in the second-half of extra time.

Croatia still progressed to the final four thanks to a successive penalty shoot-out victory.

Their bodies and minds must’ve been aching even before contesting Argentina; just imagine what they felt like after the 3-0 loss.

Josko Gvardiol grated by Messi

Gvardiol certainly had to strain every morsal in his body to try and contain the mini messiah.

It is a mission that so many before him have attempted and failed.

Messi sprinkled some magic dust on the tie whenever his country clicked their fingers for a helping hand.

Arguably his most Messi-like moment was the mazy dribble from just inside the Croatia half that eventually ended up with an assist for Julian Alvarez’s second of the evening.

What made the move more memorable was the fact Gvardiol’s soul left his body on several occasions, as he tried desperately to contain the competition’s most gifted player.

“Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol was touted as the best defender at this World Cup before he got ripped to bits by Messi but he’s only 20,” admitted Adams.

“Gvardiol will grow from his experience as I did and come back stronger. He is a talent.”

Now Chelsea can jump for Josko

Leipzig’s centre-back can certainly draw from his one-sided battle with Messi and hopefully leap to even greater levels.

He is already destined for the very top; Argentina’s captain may have just grounded him for now.

Nevertheless, a move to the Premier League is seemingly on the cards.

Chelsea are apparently working hard on a deal for the Croatia international, having reportedly already made an £80m bid.

Manchester City also seemingly have their sights on Gvardiol, with the two Premier League rivals set for a straight transfer shoot-out.