It was a very mixed bag for Chelsea from Thursday night's international and World Cup Qualifying fixtures with Thomas Tuchel set to have a big task in picking up one of his key players.
Jorginho, Christian Pulisic and Thiago Silva were all competing with their home nations as each looked to move a step closer to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Edouard Mendy's fate is to be decided later on Friday with Senegal facing Egypt in what is a rematch of the Africa Cup of Nations Final, as Mohamed Salah and co look for sweet revenge after what happened in Cameroon.
Petr Cech had sent a good luck message to both Jorginho and Mendy ahead of their crucial games, whilst Tuchel just wanted good things for the players who set to be embroiled in key games ahead. "Very easy – a holiday for the players that have the chance," Tuchel said after the Middlesbrough FA Cup win
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"That they recharge and disconnect from football because they deserve and it is also very important that they take this possibility to come with a fresh mindset for the last eight weeks of the season and the guys who go for international duties I hope they have the success they want and they come back not injured."
With this in mind, football.london takes a look at what happened to the aforementioned trio of Chelsea players on Thursday night.
Jorginho pain
The shock story from the night was seeing Roberto Mancini's side fall to a shock defeat in the first qualifier knockout against minnows North Macedonia. Despite dominating possession and having many more shots than their opponents, an injury time winner from Aleksandar Trajkovski sent the whole of Italy into meltdown with Mancini's future as Italy manager now looking uncertain.
Jorginho says this defeat will 'haunt' him going forward as the players now plan their long-term recovery. "It hurts when I think about it, because I do still think about it and it will haunt me for the rest of my life," he told Italian outlet Rai Sport post-match.
"Stepping up there twice and not being able to help your team and your country is something that I will carry with me forever, and it weighs on me. People say we need to lift our heads and carry on, but it's tough."
Remarkably, despite numerous Ballon d'Or calls from the likes of Gianfranco Zola and large proportions of the Chelsea fan base, Jorginho has never played in a World Cup for Italy, with the regista turning 34 when the 2026 competition comes around and obvious question marks about whether he will still be a part of the team at that stage. Regardless, Tuchel now has a big job in trying to help his No.5 move on from the setback upon his return to Cobham, as he would hate to see this mistake made now filter through to his club career.
Pulisic injury worry
The USMNT international who shed some light on the "crazy situation" at Chelsea regarding the sanctions on the club, couldn't be the hero on this occasion for Gregg Berhalter's side against Mexico. Especially as he missed an amazing chance in the 35th minute before adding more injury fears that Blues fans have come accustomed to as he looked to be nursing a slight problem.
In the end, it finished in a 0-0 draw between the USA and their bitter rivals, with both still looking strong contenders to progress World Cup qualifying group alongside Canada who sit at the summit currently. Pulisic's next outing for the US comes on Monday night when they host Panama at home.
Thiago Silva does it again
The veteran defender who had admitted his desire to replicate Paolo Maldini's longevity earlier this week made a great start on this promise with his commanding performance against Chile. Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Phillipe Coutinho and Richarlison were all on the score sheet for El Selecao as Tite's side hit four past Chile to move seven points clear at the top of their south American qualifying group.
Despite all the goals and something Chelsea fans will love to see is what happened in the 66th minute of proceedings in the Maracana in Rio. As Chile were launching a counter attack, the 37-year-old completely poleaxed the attacker with a clean sliding tackle which was greeted by raucous applause from the locals. Bolivia is up next for Silva and co next Wednesday before he returns back to England to resume club duties but his Maldini quest has started on the right foot.
He tweeted: 'Such a great night! Thank you all for the support. Congratulations my teammates.'
Two Chelsea loanees in action
Ethan Ampadu and Billy Gilmour racked up important minutes for Wales and Scotland respectively with the former of the pair involved in the more important game.
Gareth Bale's inspired Wales overcame Austria by a 2-1 margin in their World Cup qualifying knockout fixture, whilst Scotland let a 1-0 lead slip late on to in their friendly to draw to Poland courtesy of a Krzysztof Piatek injury time penalty.
