With well over two months until Chelsea get back to Premier League action, the majority of the squad will be spending their summer in Brazil, taking part in the biggest football competition in the world. No fewer than 17 of Chelsea’s current squad are making the trip to the World Cup, including a few who are set to depart the club this summer.
Here is the full list of Chelsea players who are looking to make their mark on this summer’s tournament, a list which spans eight countries and three continents.
Brazil – Luiz, RAmires, Oscar, Willian
Hosts Brazil have no fewer than four Chelsea players in their squad, and they all have a good chance of appearing in the tournament opener against Croatia on the 12th of June. PSG-bound defender David Luiz is joined by midfielders Ramires, Oscar and Willian. In total, that’s around £119million worth of talent by today’s prices. The latter three could well be returning to Stamford Bridge with another medal, as Brazil are many people’s favourites to lift the trophy for a record sixth time.
Cameroon – Eto’o
Brazil are joined in Group A by Cameroon, so Chelsea’s four Brazilians will face off against Samuel Eto’o on the 23rd of June. Eto’o only signed on a one year deal last summer, and is widely expected to move on during the close season. With Croatia and Mexico joining them in Group A, the Africans face a tough task to make it out of the group but Eto’o has one last chance to show what he can do on the biggest stage of them all.
Spain – Azpilicueta, Torres
Spain have called up Cesar Azpilicueta and Fernando Torres for the defence of their World Cup trophy. This is Azpilicueta’s second international tournament for Spain, following last summer’s Confederations Cup. Torres makes the final 23 man squad ahead of Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente, after finishing as top scorer at his last two international tournaments. They are joined by Brazilian-born Diego Costa, who is set to join the Blues from Atletico Madrid this summer.
England – Cahill, Lampard
Despite John Terry and Ashley Cole retiring from international football, Chelsea still have two players in the England squad for the World Cup. Gary Cahill will be there, and he’s likely to start at the heart of the defence. Frank Lampard, who is set to leave the club this summer, has been named vice captain for the tournament and should have a key roll in helping to protect a lead and close games out late on… assuming England get themselves into such a favourable position.
Nigeria – Moses, Mikel, Omeruo
African Champions Nigeria boast three Chelsea players in their squad. Victor Moses, who spent last season on loan at Liverpool, John Obi Mikel and Kenneth Omeruo, who finished the season on loan at Middlesbrough, are all included. Nigeria are due to face Lionel Messi and Argentina, but with Iran and Bosnia making up their group they have a great chance of making it to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Germany – Schurrle
Andre Schurrle is Chelsea’s only representative in the Germany squad, who are the third favourites to lift the trophy. Schurrle made the European Championships in 2012, making two appearances. He has forced his way in to the Germany team as a more regular starter since then, but with their abundance of talent he faces a fight to start in their first game of the tournament against Portugal on the 16th of June.
Ghana – Atsu
Christian Atsu joins former Chelsea man Michael Essien in Ghana’s World Cup squad, with the Black Stars set to face Schurrle’s Germany in Group G. Atsu joined from Porto last summer, and spent last season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem. Ghana face the USA in their group opener, which is a rematch of their last 16 clash from South Africa four years ago. With Germany and Portugal in their group, Ghana look unlikely to make the knock-out stages for the third consecutive occasion, but this is football so you just never know.
Belgium – Hazard, Lukaku, Courtois
Tournament dark horses Belgium have three Chelsea players in their squad, although two of them spent last season on loan. Eden Hazard is joined by Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois in the squad, but Hazard’s younger brother Thorgan missed out despite being named in the 30 man squad. This is their first World Cup appearance since 2002, but their young, talented squad means they are the fifth favourites for the trophy, according to the bookies.