We examine which Chelsea players will compete in the finals in June 2022/23 after the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League group stage is through, as well as how the other players fared.
Due to the forthcoming winter World Cup in Qatar, the campaign was shortened, with six group matches being played in a record amount of time over the previous two international holidays. Given that the majority of the games were played in June after the conclusion of a protracted domestic campaign, for some people, that presented challenges.
Others have succeeded, though, and as we've mentioned here, a few Chelsea players will be in the semifinals next summer.
The top four
On the final day of Group A1 play, Mateo Kovacic became the first Chelsea player to secure a spot in the UEFA Nations League finals in June as Croatia defeated Austria 3-1 to take the group lead.
The midfielder played in each of the group's six games for the World Cup runners-up, whose impressive wins in Paris and Copenhagen over France and Denmark, respectively, proved crucial in deciding the fate of the group.
Italy, led by Jorginho, won Group A3 after defeating England and Hungary back-to-back, earning a spot in the semifinals against Croatia.
The Azzurri, who were denied entry to the World Cup in Qatar, will now try to advance further than they did in the previous Nations League, where they were defeated 2-1 by Spain in the semifinals.
La Roja secured their place in the round of 16 with a thrilling victory over Portugal on the last day. Former Blue Alvaro Morata scored the vital late winner in Lisbon, setting up a potential rematch between Italy and Spain the following year.
In the Nations League, Azpilicueta and Zakaria face off against each other. For Luis Enrique's team, Cesar Azpilicueta started in half of the group games, and Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marc Cucurella are also hopeful that their performances over the next few months will earn them recalls in time for the summer tournament.
Dropping down
The Three Lions will be unseeded in the Euro 2024 qualifying draw, which takes place on Sunday, October 9, as a result of England's relegation, which also means they will play in League B when the Nations League resumes in 2024/25.
As a result, players like Mason Mount, Reece James, and Raheem Sterling may face Belgium, Italy, Spain, or Portugal in their quest to advance to the following major international competition. With Mount scoring one of their four goals, they finished winless in the group stage.
A goal is scored by Mount versus Germany.
Wales finished with just one point in Group A4 despite being in a difficult group containing the Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland. That occurred in a 1-1 draw in mid-June with Belgium, the top-ranked team in Europe; as a result, they were dropped to the second division.
Next average campaigns, France, Switzerland, and Germany will all remain in League A the following season. Following a 2-0 loss to Denmark, Les Bleus narrowly averted relegation on the penultimate day, while Die Mannschaft only managed one victory in Group A3.
Both teams will be looking to turn things around at the 2018 World Cup, with Didier Deschamps anxiously anticipating N'Golo Kante's return to full fitness after rejoining Chelsea training earlier this week.
Albania finished third in Group B2 after Armando Broja scored once during the group play.
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