‘It was difficult’: Josko Gvardiol admits he found it tough playing against attacker on Chelsea’s books

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Chelsea target Josko Gvardiol has admitted he found it tough playing against Romelu Lukaku at the World Cup.

Gvardiol, 20, is a highly-rated defender that’s enjoying a strong World Cup tournament with Croatia.

The young centre-back helped his nation reach the last-16 in Qatar by securing a 0-0 draw against Belgium, which eliminated their opponents from the competition.

His performances for his country lately, along with his form for club side RB Leipzig, has resulted in transfer links to Chelsea. In fact, 90min report this week that Graham Potter’s side are optimistic that they’re closing in on a deal to sign Leipzig’s rising star.

Josko Gvardiol against Romelu Lukaku

Gvardiol played 45 minutes yesterday against Chelsea-owned attacker Lukaku, who’s currently out on loan at Inter Milan this season.

Lukaku is still returning to full fitness after an injury layout, but came off the bench at half-time yesterday to try help Belgium remain in the World Cup. Alan Shearer explained the striker was nowhere near ready enough to play in terms of his fitness.

Lukaku did actually get a few golden opportunities in front of goal to save Belgium, which he ended up wasting on the biggest stage.

Gvardioal said post-match that the Chelsea loanee was a huge handful to play against.

“OK, it was difficult. It was not easy to guard him, we all know what he is like and his build, but we said that we had to be compact. When we act as one, then we have a solution for everything,” Gvardiol said, as quoted by 24sata.

There’s no doubt Lukaku troubled Croatia when he was on the pitch down to his presence and movement, but his finishing boots were lacking when he desperately needed them.

As for Gvardiol, it was another eye-catching performance that will excite Chelsea fans.

The centre-half made one memorable last-ditch tackle on Lukaku from inside the box, so the youngster is perhaps being a tad modest.

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