Brazil vs. Belgium combined XI: Two current, two ex-Chelsea in super-team
A clash between two heavyweights of world football provides an opportunity to build an absurdly strong combined XI. Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and the Premier League supply all but one player.
Chelsea have two representatives in the Brazil-Belgium combined XI, while Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham provide one player each. There’s one from Barcelona too and, surprisingly, it’s not Paulinho.
Thibaut Courtois, Goalkeeper, Belgium / Chelsea
Alisson Becker has been carving a solid reputation for himself lately, as evidenced by the number of big clubs looking to sign him this summer. Chelsea are reportedly one of those teams, with Courtois’ future pretty much up in the air. But for this combined XI, we’ll stick our neck out and pick the Chelsea goalkeeper. He may be an expert in how to lose friends and alienate people, but he is still a fine ‘keeper… as long as he keeps those legs firmly shut.
Marcelo, Left back, Brazil / Real Madrid
The 30-year old Brazilian’s bombing runs down the left flank are a potent weapon for any team. It helps that he can also defend a bit when push comes to shove.
Thiago Silva, Center back, Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain
After a brief period in which it seemed like Silva’s best days were behind him, the PSG defender has shown he still has what it takes to compete in the upper echelons. He has marshalled Brazil’s defence superbly throughout the World Cup and will hope to do so for a few more years, at the very least.
Toby Alderweireld, Center back, Belgium / Tottenham Hotspur
The perfect ball-playing central defender? Perhaps. He has been at Tottenham long enough to improve under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino, yet not long enough to become too Spursy. Alderweireld has managed to strike a balance between the two, but will hope to move on this summer before the disease consumes him.
Thomas Meunier, Right back, Belgium / Paris Saint-Germain
Both nations seem to have a shortage of quality right backs, which makes Meunier the one-eyed king in the land of the blind.
Casemiro, Central defensive midfielder, Brazil / Real Madrid
The Brazilian bruiser is the perfect defensive midfielder for this combined XI, brimming with attacking talent. He may not be at the level of N’Golo Kante, but he does the dirty work quite well.
Kevin De Bruyne, Central midfielder, Belgium / Manchester City
A classy operator who can thread the ball through the eye of the needle as easily as he can send a rocket into the top corner of the net. Any team in the world would be lucky to have him. And once they do, they would be insanely stupid to let him go. Ahem.
Coutinho, Central midfielder, Brazil / Barcelona
Deployed a bit deeper, Coutinho can be a menace for opposition midfielders. Another one not averse to having a go from distance, his dribbling ability and passing range is sodding brilliant. too.
Eden Hazard, Left wing, Belgium / Chelsea
You know who he is.
Neymar, Right wing, Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar can be pretty dangerous when he is not rolling away into the distance. In this combined XI, he can switch flanks with Eden Hazard at will, creating pandemonium in the opposition ranks. I would be willing to pay to see that happen, and so will a few clubs in Spain.
Romelu Lukaku, Striker, Belgium / Manchester United
A supremely talented and intelligent striker who is a strong contender for the Golden Boot in this World Cup. He spearheads this combined XI, which is eminently capable of swatting away all comers with ease.
Next: Chelsea can right their backup keepers with Jamal Blackman or Marcin Bulka
Would you make any changes to this combined XI, perhaps Gabriel Jesus in for Romelu Lukaku? Let us know below or on Twitter!