The World Cup is officially underway. Hosts Qatar and Ecuador kicked off the controversial tournament yesterday in Al Khor and the madness of all-day football starts today.
Today sees six teams kickstart their World Cup campaign as Group A and B tick off their opening round of fixtures. The first game is England's opening clash against Iran at 1pm, followed by Senegal and the Netherlands at 4pm. The other fixture in England's group between Wales and USA kick-offs in the evening at 7pm.
Monday is the first day of a jam-packed football schedule coming up. From tomorrow, there will be four games each day for the next 11 days as we progress through the group stages of the tournament before the round of 16 kicks off on Saturday December 3.
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With plenty of eyes set to be on England's game against Iran, there are plenty of players of interest to Chelsea supporters in action today. football.london brings you the members of Graham Potter's squad who are in action today and the players that have been linked with a move to west London.
Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher
The first glimpse of Chelsea players in action in Qatar comes in the first game today as Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher look to overcome a potential banana skin against Iran.
Mount and Sterling are strong contenders to start for Gareth Southgate's side later today after regularly being selected by the Three Lions boss. However, Gallagher is set to be a bit-part member of the England squad in the World Cup with plenty of midfielders ahead of him.
Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly
Next up, many people's wildcard to do well in the tournament, Senegal, face Louis van Gaal's Netherlands in their opening game in a fixture that could showcase the Lions of Teranga's qualities.
Chelsea pair Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly will be hoping to lead their nation to a repeat of their 2002 quarter-finals finish. Aliou Cisse's men come into the tournament as champions of Africa and boast the likes of Sadio Mane in their ranks. May well be a team to keep an eye on.
Christian Pulisic
With USA set to take on England in a highly-anticipated clash on Friday, attacker Christian Pulisic first has to overcome Rob Page's Wales side later this evening. Pulisic will be hoping to find form for his nation after struggling for the Blues this season.
The Americans, like Senegal, have been backed by some as dark horses for the tournament with an array of talent dotted around Europe. Pulisic is expected to start alongside Borussia Dortmund Giovanni Reyna in attack as they look to get off to the best start possible.
Ethan Ampadu
Group B possesses many Chelsea players and Ethan Ampadu is the final one in the list with Wales. Currently on loan to Italian side Spezia, Ampadu played a key role in getting his country to their first World Cup since 1958.
It's unclear whether Ampadu will start against the US today, but the fixture provides Potter and Chelsea supporters a chance to watch the 22-year-old in action after spending the last three seasons out on loan.
Frenkie de Jong
The curious transfer case of Frenkie de Jong has continued to prolong past the summer transfer window as the Dutchman's future persists to be linked to London. Todd Boehly isn't alone as the interested parties, with Manchester United and Liverpool also said to be keen.
With the January transfer window opening very soon, interest in the Barcelona man is expected during the tournament. Netherlands are favourites to progress to the knockout stages from their group. Maybe Mendy and Koulibaly can sweet talk the 25-year-old to move to west London.
Denzel Dumfries
Another name who was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer was Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries. The right-back was identified as a competition for Reece James but the move never materialised.
The Blues saw multiple bids and counter offers rejected by Inter, with the Italian giants wanting £35million-plus for their Dutchman. Dumfries went onto record to suggest Chelsea's interest had flattered him. The position remains a key area to strengthen even more following James' injury.
Sergino Dest
Dumfries is not the only Netherlands right-back that has been linked, nor is the only right-back in Milan. AC Milan's Sergino Dest was linked with a move last January as Barcelona looked to sell the 22-year-old, but he remained in Spain before moving to Italy temporarily in the summer.
Dest has only featured nine times for Stefano Pioli's side but was named in Van Gaal's squad to provide back-up to Dumfries. However, with him out of favour at Barcelona, he may be available in the summer once his loan at the San Siro comes to an end.
Weston McKennie
As with De Jong, the transfer battle for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie looks to progress into the January transfer window. Reports last month suggested Chelsea had been joined by Arsenal and Manchester United for the American as Potter seeks out another central midfielder.
McKennie will now join Pulisic and his national teammates for the World Cup. Like many players, the tournament presents a pedestal for them to showcase the qualities to open the door for a January move. With his time in Turin not going to plan, the World Cup comes at a perfect time for McKennie.
Stefan de Vrij
The summer signings of Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana have not stopped further reports linking more centre-backs to west London. Stefan de Vrij was named as one of Boehly's alternatives to Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde in August. Neither of the three arrived.
With Thiago Silva ageing and Fofana missing large parts of his opening months as a Chelsea player, the 30-year-old could potentially be re-visited in the future to replace the Brazilian as he approaches the end of his deal in Milan.
Jeremie Frimpong
Another right-back to keep an eye on is highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong. The former Manchester City academy player has seen his stock increase drastically in Germany after signing from Celtic and has been the subject of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
With James missing the World Cup, the Blues recruitment team will have an eagle-eye on possible incomings in the position. Frimpong, who told SportBILD he was a Chelsea supporter as a kid, is one to keep an eye on due with Leverkusen not expected to request as high of a transfer fee than Inter would for Dumfries.
Memphis Depay
Boehly attempted a late move to sign Barcelona forward Memphis Depay in the summer, but a complex situation did not allow the move to happen. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was signed from the Spanish giants, a move that hasn't really worked in the first half of the season.
Following Robert Lewandowski's arrival to the Nou Camp, as well as suffering a thigh injury, Depay has made only three appearances all season. However, he will travel to Qatar with the Dutch side looking to earn a move away from Barcelona in the January transfer window.
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