Jermaine Jenas metaphorically jumped for joy whilst watching Josko Gvardiol at the World Cup last night.
Jenas rejoiced in the defender’s display whilst commentating for the BBC on Croatia’s showdown with Belgium.
A combination of Gvardiol’s astute defending, and Romelu Lukaku’s awful finishing, ensured the game finished 0-0.
Croatia’s centre-back passed, tackled and generally glided his way through the game.
He was a rock and a reliable mover of the ball whenever his nation needed him.
Lukaku may have missed the target on several occasions, but he was denied further chances by RB Leipzig’s luxury player.
“He’s got it all. You can see when he comes out with the ball he has the bit to go past people, drive into midfield, and pick passes,” Jenas purred during Gvardiol’s performance yesterday.
“But he defends properly. That’s the biggest thing you want a player like him in your team for.”
Gvardiol wows on the World Cup stage
Due to such an imperious exhibition, combined with a Lukaku disaster-class, Croatia managed to grind out the draw and progress to the knock-out phase.
In doing so, they also battered Belgium out of the World Cup and virtually ended an era of fading stars.
Roberto Martinez’s opponents were not exactly spring chickens; Luka Modric (37), Dejan Lovren (33), Ivan Perisic (33) and Marcelo Brozovic (30) are still as important to Croatia as they were in 2018.
But the finalists in Russia have now managed to add exciting youth to their experienced squad, primarily in the form of Gvardiol.
The 20-year-old is the future of his homeland, with big things already on the horizon.
One of this potentially including a move to Chelsea.
According to reports, Todd Boehly believes he is close to signing Gvardiol from Leipzig, having attempted to do so in the summer.
Based on his delivery on the grandest footballing stage, few would argue against Boehly for pursuing this transfer hard.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
