Chelsea: Combined XI in FA Cup against Leicester City
Chelsea’s upcoming match against Leicester City in the FA Cup will be a good one, but what would the starting XI look like if the two squads combined as one?
If Leicester City and Chelsea combined squads, it would be nearly impossible to beat them. A 4-3-3 formation would be used as that is a common play style of both Frank Lampard and Brendan Rodgers. Now that we’ve got the formation, who would take the pitch for the Blues and Foxes’ combined XI?
Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel is the easy choice here. He is a top goalkeeper in the Premier League based on overall skill. He’s amongst the best statistically as well, contending for most clean sheets and most saves. Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga is nowhere to be found in those lists. Schmeichel’s performance is a big reason why the Foxes are where they are at the moment, whereas Kepa is responsible for Chelsea dropping a couple of points throughout the season.
Right back: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta is the best of the numerous superb right backs playing for Chelsea and Leicester City. It is close between he and Ricardo Pereira, but Azpilicueta has the slight edge. Regardless, right back is probably the most debatable position on this list. The Blues’ captain leaves it all on the pitch and is one of the most consistent, durable players in the Premier League. He plays along the entire right flank; defending with class, but also playing higher up the pitch and involving himself in the attack.
Centerback: Caglar Soyuncu, Leicester City
Caglar Soyuncu has risen to the occasion for Leicester City this season and established himself as a top class centerback. Questions arose over who would start at the back upon Harry Maguire’s departure, but Soyuncu quickly answered those inquiries. Soyuncu’s defending has played a big part in Leicester City’s winning ways this season. His level of play has helped Brendan Rodgers’ side concede less than 30 goals in the Premier League, only Leicester and Liverpool have accomplished that.
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Centerback: Antonio Rudiger, Chelsea
Antonio Rudiger has not played too much this season, but when he’s been on the pitch, he’s played well. Injuries kept him out for much of the season. Luckily for Chelsea, he seems healthy nowadays. In the matches he has played under Lampard, Rudiger has been Chelsea’s best centerback. Although he has made some mistakes, there have been many more moments of him defending well and preventing goals. He’s been Lampard’s go-to central defender as of late for these reasons.
Left back: Ben Chilwell, Leicester City
Once again, an easy selection here. Chelsea has had an issue at left back since Antonio Conte’s second season. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell is having a breakout season for Leicester City. Chilwell’s speed, passing ability, defending and goal scoring makes him the great young player he is. Chilwell has quickly progressed into one of the Premier League’s top left backs, getting looks from some top clubs like Chelsea.