Chelsea and Bayern Munich combined XI: Blue midfield
Chelsea face Bayern Munich in what could be its final game of the season, but what would a combined XI of the two sides look like?
If the Blues are to keep their season going beyond this weekend, they will need to overturn a three-goal deficit away from home. Standing in their way are the German champions, Bayern Munich, who boast one of the most star-studded squads on the planet. A Chelsea side currently riddled with injuries may struggle to squeeze into a combined XI of the two sides, but there are certainly holes in the Bavarian side that a number of Lampard’s boys could fill.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich
Probably the easiest decision. On the one side, you have a World Cup, Champions League and eight-time Bundesliga winning goalkeeper with four appearances in the FIFPro World XI. On the other, you have Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Chelsea No.1 is statistically the worst performing goalkeeper in Premier League history (among those with over 10 appearances) with a save percentage of just 54.5. On top of this, Arrizabalaga didn’t even move for almost a third of the shots he has faced this season whereas his German counterpart is one of the most dynamic goalkeepers of the modern age. Neuer has managed 20 clean sheets out of 47 games this season across all competitions, conceding fewer than one goal per game. Need I say more?
Right back: Joshua Kimmich, Bayern Munich
This position would most likely have gone to Munich’s Benjamin Pavard, who can also slot in anywhere on the backline. However, a recent injury makes him a potential doubt for Saturday’s encounter. In his place, I’ve opted for Joshua Kimmich. A more defensive choice than Chelsea’s Reece James, Kimmich has been a staple of Bayern Munich’s defence for near half a decade now. However, his attacking capabilities should not be ignored. He has provided the second-most key passes per game for the German outfit, generating a respectable 13 assists.
Centreback: Kurt Zouma, Chelsea
A major similarity between the two teams is their clear weakness at the back. Azpilicueta would undoubtedly have made this side had it not been for the injury sustained in the FA Cup Final.
Similarly, Nikolas Sule of Bayern could be worth a punt, however, he has only recently returned from a lengthy injury. We must then pick from the selection of centrebacks at Chelsea’s disposal. On this occasion, I’ve opted for Kurt Zouma. The Frenchman has played over 600 minutes more than his centreback partners and if Lampard trusts him then that is good enough for me.
Centreback: David Alaba, Bayern Munich
For the second centreback position, Munich offer up two choices—Alaba and Jerome Boateng. On this occasion I have opted for the former. Both players offer a wealth of experience and Bayern’s defensive record speaks for itself. Alaba, however, offers a more versatile and youthful option—still only 28—despite being at the top of the game for the best part of a decade. With rumours of unrest, it is unsurprising that so many top sides, including Chelsea, have been linked to the Austrian defender.
Left back: Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich
A Man of the Match display in the first leg will have surely left Chelsea fans feeling uneasy. The young Canadian is one of the hottest prospects on the planet and for good reason. The flying fullback has 12 goal contributions across all competitions. Defensively, he has provided more tackles per 90 minutes than any player from either side. With Marcos Alonso suspended, this was a no-brainer.