Football’s most anticipated events of the year have concluded. The Euro 2024 and Copa América 2024 winners were crowned earlier this month.
Chelsea were widely represented at both tournaments. At the Euros, seven Blues were selected to represent their nations. As for Copa América, there were three Chelsea players. Former Blues also represented Chelsea well, with France’s N’Golo Kanté being one of the outstanding performers of the Euro 2024.
Group Stage Exits
- Mykhalio Mudryk (Ukraine)
- Djordje Petrovic (Serbia)
- Armando Broja (Albania)
Mykhalio Mudryk played in two of three group-stage games for Ukraine, starting in both. In a struggling team, he was one of Ukraine’s better performers, often creating chances for his team. Unfortunately for Chelsea’s number 10, Ukraine were last in their group on goal difference, earning one win, one draw and one loss.
Djordje Petrović, who turned out to be Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper for most of the 2023/24 season, found himself on the bench for the entirety of the Euros. Despite a great debut season with the Blues, he was not given the chance to prove his worth at the European Championships. His country, Serbia, were bottom of their group with two draws and one loss.
Chelsea are set to part ways with Armando Broja permanently during this summer window, but no move has been made yet. This decision comes after Broja’s loan spell at Fulham last season. The striker represented Albania at the Euros, playing twice and starting once. He was unable to register any goal contributions for his nation. Albania were last in their group, with one draw and two defeats.
Round of 16 Exits
- Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Romelu Lukaku has been a Chelsea player since 2021. Amidst intense controversy regarding his dedication to the club, Lukaku has been loaned to his former club Inter Milan, as well as Roma. Chelsea are planning to finally sell the forward this summer, although no final decisions have been made yet. Lukaku started every game for Belgium at Euro 2024.
It was a rather dull and disappointing tournament for the striker and his nation. Belgium struggled, especially in terms of attacking threat. Lukaku himself managed just one assist. He played poorly in each game and had three goals ruled out for offside. Belgium were knocked out of the Euros at the round of 16 stage, losing 1-0 against France.
Quarterfinal Exits
- Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador)
- Kendry Páez (Ecuador)
Defensive midfielder Moisés Caicedo represented Chelsea at the 2024 Copa America. Caicedo was Ecuador’s best player in the tournament. Not only that, he was also one of the best-performing players in the entire tournament. He managed one assist throughout the competition, alongside his top midfield performances. Ecuador went home after a 4-2 penalty shootout loss in the quarterfinals, where Caicedo faced a fellow Blue, Enzo Fernández of Argentina.
Although not officially a Chelsea player yet, Kendry Páez is set to make the move to Stamford Bridge for the 2025/26 season. Like Caicedo, Páez started in all four games for Ecuador. The 17-year-old has been called a ‘young Lionel Messi’ by South American fans. Playing for Ecuador, he was impressive, showing massive potential. Impressively, he scored a goal at the Copa América, becoming the second youngest scorer in the competition, aged 17 years and 53 days.
Finalists
- Marc Cucurella (Spain)
- Enzo Fernández (Argentina)
- Cole Palmer (England)
- Conor Gallagher (England)
Conor Gallagher started in one of England’s seven games and was substituted on in another four. The midfielder has been a regular for England recently, but failed to make much of an impression at Euro 2024, as did much of the England squad.
Cole Palmer also represented England at the Euros. Shockingly, he had no starts for England the entire tournament. He didn’t even make an appearance until England’s last game of the group stage. He instantly made an impact, but that did not earn him a start for England’s round of 16 game.
Palmer came off the bench in England’s remaining games, each time turning the game around and bringing an attacking threat to the squad. He provided the assist that sent England through to the finals, and even that wasn’t enough for manager Gareth Southgate to start him. The Chelsea star again came off the bench in the final against Spain. Two minutes after being brought on, he scored the equalising goal that brought England back into the game. It ultimately wouldn’t be enough for the Three Lions to triumph.
Marc Cucurella played in all but one game for Spain, starting six times. He was Spain’s first-choice left-back at the Euros. Cucurella was impressive right from the start. Despite doubts and harsh criticism before the start of the tournament, he was Spain’s best defender all tournament long, and one of the best fullbacks of Euro 2024 as a whole. Cucurella had an outstanding tournament, rounding it off by assisting the winning goal in the final against England. Marc Cucurella is now a champion of Europe with his nation.
Just a few hours after one Chelsea player hoisted a trophy, another did the same. Representing Argentina, Enzo Fernández won the 2024 Copa América. Enzo underwent surgery in April for an ongoing groin injury that had him in pain for six months while playing for Chelsea. As a result, the midfielder was not up to his usual standards during the tournament. However, he was still good enough to start in four of Argentina’s games and he even provided an assist in the semifinal win against Canada.
Thanks to Argentina’s Enzo Fernández and Spain’s Marc Cucurella, Chelsea will be welcoming back two continental champions back this summer.
Main Image: “Chelsea FC” by Ungry Young Man via Flickr