Josko Gvardiol has been one of the standout players at the World Cup and was rewarded for his fine efforts as Croatia edged past Brazil on penalties to reach a second semi-final in a row. The 20-year-old played a major role in his side's dramatic late equaliser in extra time, recovering to pull off a brilliant last ditch tackle.
Croatia then caught out Brazil, moving to the other end of the pitch and scoring through Bruno Petkovic. Playing alongside the experience of Dejan Lovren, and with Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic offering further stability in midfield, Gvardiol has demonstrated his ball-playing and aggressive defending skills.
Chelsea are one of several teams linked with the RB Leipzig man but fell short of securing a deal for him over the summer, seeing him instead sign a new long-term deal. With World Cup displays at the highest level, the Blues facec competition now from Real Madrid and Tottenham too.
