Chelsea vs. Arsenal combined XI: Five Blues defenders should be enough

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori of Chelsea celebrate following their sides victory in the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Molineux on September 14, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: N’Golo Kante of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on November 9, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Defensive midfielder: N’Golo Kante, Chelsea

Can everyone stop moving N’Golo Kante around, please? Let the man do what he does best: run, tackle, intercept, run some more, win the ball back, pass it to a teammate, win a marathon and then some.

But most importantly, take way the burden of attack from the diminutive Frenchman and let him be himself. Let him do what he loves to do, let him be what he is – the world’s greatest defensive midfielder (who can also start attacks, if that’s what floats your boat).

Central midfielder: Mateo Kovacic, Chelsea

With N’Golo Kante to mop up, this side needs a midfielder who can dribble out of tight spaces and carry the ball forward before sliding it through for one of the two forwards. That player is Mateo Kovacic, who is looking like another one destined to blossom away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Croatian has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season and it would be just wrong to omit him from this side. No room for registas here, sorry.

Central / attacking midfielder: Willian, Chelsea

A bit of shoehorning on this one, but it would be a grave disservice to leave Willian out after the season he has had so far. In this combined XI Willian can start on the right of midfield, with a license to roam in the final third, dragging centerbacks out of position and generally being a menace.

Sit down, Mesut Ozil.

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