As countries begin to name their final squads for the 2026 World Cup, there have been a large amount of Chelsea players not selected despite their quality.
The international tournament, which gets underway on June 11, will mean there is yet another summer without a real rest for a number of Chelsea players, following their Club World Cup exploits last year.
Pedro Neto is one of those already confirmed to be going, with Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella set to play key roles for their nations this summer.
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Xabi Alonso has addressed the futures of Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea are already the big winners of the World Cup with players left out
However, Romeo Lavia has been dropped by Belgium, and Reece James is the only representative from Chelsea in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
This means that Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have missed out, as well as Joao Pedro, Andrey Santos and an injured Estevao Willian from Brazil.
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-LEEDS
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
While it is a surprise some of the more talented Chelsea players in the squad will not be at the World Cup, it has to be seen as an advantage for the Blues going into a new era under a new manager.
Xabi Alonso will officially start work with the club on July 1, and immediately take to the training ground to get the players working in his style of play.
It remains to be seen if this will be a back three, but if it is then the players are going to need time to learn how to operate in that system.
Those who are around instantly for the new manager face a great chance of being involved in his early plans, and having some top names in that group will be a real boost.
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Alonso already sees Pedro and Palmer as two of his untouchables, and will now have the chance to enjoy a full pre-season alongside them.
Lavia has continued to endure a rough run with injuries this season, and having a full summer off would be the best port of call for him.
The same can be said for Estevao, who was seriously considering putting himself at real risk by representing Brazil at the World Cup despite his hamstring injury.
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