While the headlines emerging from the draw between Croatia and Belgium while be about the latter's shock World Cup group stage exit, Chelsea transfer target Josko Gvardiol deserves immense praise for his defensive performance that helped Croatia confirm their spot in the last-16.
Gvardiol was the target of interest from Chelsea with Todd Boehly and co attempting to lure him to Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2022/23 season but his current employers RB Leipzig managed to at least secure his immediate long-term future agreeing a contract extension to 2027.
The Leipzig star has again showed why Chelsea wanted to bring him to the club with his national team in the World Cup and after enduring a relatively calm first half in his country's pivotal group stage clash with Belgium, was tested greatly in the second half following the introduction of Romelu Lukaku.
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Roberto Martinez's side soon began to have an attacking say in the contest following a rather toothless first half which meant Gvardiol, who had already shown his ability to make progressive runs and passes from his own half, had to show his outstanding defensive capabilities.
Despite the pressure placed on the Croatian defence, Gvardiol did not crumble and played a crucial role in sealing his nations qualification to the World Cup last-16 where they will meet the winner of Group E which will be either Spain, Germany, Japan or Costa Rica.
Before the pressure rose on Gvardiol and his fellow defenders, Jermaine Jenas, who was on co-commentary for BBC, handed Gvardiol significant praise after he again was the first to react to a dangerous Belgium attack.
"He’s got it all," Jenas said. "You can see when he comes out with the ball he's got the ability to go by people. Drive into midfield with the ball, hit good passes. "He defends properly as well, that’s the biggest thing you’re going to want a player like him to be in your team for."
Lukaku was guilty of missing numerous opportunities but he looked set to convert a loose ball inside the Croatia box only for Gvardiol to miraculously get his foot in front of the 29-year-old and direct the ball away from danger, denying Lukaku what looked to be a certain goal.
Micah Richards, who was part of BBC's panel with Didier Drogba and Alan Shearer, also spoke of Gvardiol's performance at full time.
"Gvardiol today was excellent, he’s been excellent all tournament, no wonder he’s got an array of teams looking at him. The way he reads the game, that tackle on Lukaku in the death."
While the Blues recruited heavily in defence over the summer, a move in the summer for Gvardiol from Boehly would be a huge statement of intent, as the 20-year-old has the potential to become one of the world's best defenders, and to some he may already be in that category.
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