After 64 intense matches, the 2022 FIFA World Cup has reached its conclusion. It's been dubbed by some as the greatest World Cup in recent memory.
Now, that's a debate for another time, but nobody can deny how entertaining the competition was. Argentina came out champions in the end after a six-goal thriller in the final ended in penalty shootout glory for the now three-times champions of the world.
It really was a one-off World Cup, with the tournament taking place in the middle of the season. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the campaign goes for clubs, who are not used to this distraction.
READ MORE: Graham Potter learns three valuable Chelsea lessons after dramatic 2022 FIFA World Cup
For Chelsea, the break from club football may have come at a good time. After a promising start to life as Blues head coach, Graham Potter saw his side beaten in four out of their last five games in all competitions before players jetted off to Qatar.
Potter needs to ensure his side are now focused on the task on hand – which is ultimately to secure Champions League football once again for next season. Some players will come back to Cobham more confident than others ahead of Chelsea's Premier League return against Bournemouth on December 27. So, with that said, football.london takes a look at the winners and losers from the Chelsea squad in Qatar.
Winners
Hakim Ziyech
Morocco were the surprise package in the World Cup and became many people's favourite team to watch once their nation were out. Ziyech helped inspire the African side to a fourth-place finish with some brilliant performances in Qatar.
The 29-year-old winger has had barely any game time at Chelsea this season but will be hoping he has done enough to persuade Potter to put him in his plans for the remainder of the campaign. He literally couldn't have done anything more at the World Cup to make a claim.
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic stands in similar stead to Ziyech when it comes to Chelsea. Both have been deprived of game time in recent seasons and both are being linked with a move away. But like his Blues teammate, Pulisic did very well at the World Cup and helped inspire his country, in this case USA, to the Round of 16.
The American has undeniable talent but consistency has always been an issue since arriving at Chelsea. He has been used recently, sometimes at wing-back under Potter, but he needs a run of matches in the side to fully show his worth and ultimately save his Chelsea career.
Thiago Silva
Despite being 38-years-old, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Silva would have a strong World Cup. The Brazil international will be disappointed about his nation being knocked out at the hands of Croatia in the quarter-final, but he can be proud of his personal displays.
Silva hardly put a foot wrong for Brazil in their run to the last eight of the competition. The former Paris Saint-Germain defender will be imperative for Chelsea in the second half of the season as they look to improve on an underwhelming start to the campaign.
Mateo Kovacic
Kovacic enjoyed a fabulous World Cup. The Croatian seems to split opinions of the Chelsea fan base sometimes, but the midfielder was tremendous for his country as they claimed third-place after beating Morocco at the weekend.
Playing in a three-man midfield alongside the brilliant Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic, Kovacic was one of the standout performers in Qatar. He may be handed a rest, a deserved one, when Bournemouth come to Stamford Bridge on December 27, however, considering he had fitness issues going into the World Cup.
Losers
Edouard Mendy
Unfortunately for Mendy, his poor form continued in the World Cup. Overall, Senegal, who also had Kalidou Koulibaly captaining the side, had a strong tournament and getting out of the group can be deemed a success.
However, Mendy was at fault for multiple goals in the World Cup. It's a big season for the Chelsea man, with Kepa Arrizabalaga taking his place as first-choice keeper going into the tournament. If Kepa retains his place for the remainder of the season, then Mendy may have to consider leaving the club in the summer.
Denis Zakaria
Zakaria travelled with the Switzerland squad, who were thrashed by Portugal in the Round of 16, but only played in two games, accumulating a total of 57 minutes. It kind of sums up Zakaria's start to life at Chelsea, where he has been in the background for the majority of time since his loan switch from Juventus.
Mason Mount
Mount played four times for England in the World Cup. The 23-year-old started the Three Lions' opening two games against Iran and the United States, but was then dropped for the win against Wales.
The Chelsea attacker then started on the bench against Senegal, coming on for the final 14 minutes. So it didn't come as much of a shock when he was left on the bench for England's quarter-final defeat to France on December 12, though he did make an impact winning a penalty when he was eventually introduced. It was far from the dream tournament for Mount.
Conor Gallagher
Gallagher was perhaps a surprise inclusion in the England squad. Considering he has not played that much for Chelsea this season, many were left shocked when they saw the Cobham graduate in Gareth Southgate's squad.
The 22-year-old did not play a single minute while out in Qatar. He wouldn't have expected to be a starter for England by any means, but he would have hoped for at least one appearance in England's five games.
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