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Chelsea vs Manchester City combined XI: 4-3-3 combination

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the Semi Final of the Emirates FA Cup match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Wembley Stadium on April 17, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the Semi Final of the Emirates FA Cup match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Wembley Stadium on April 17, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the Semi Final of the Emirates FA Cup match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Wembley Stadium on April 17, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian Walton – Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the Semi Final of the Emirates FA Cup match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Wembley Stadium on April 17, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian Walton – Pool/Getty Images) /

Chelsea and Manchester City are set to meet for the first time since their iconic Champions League final bout back in May. The Blues got the better of their northern neighbors late last season, especially when it mattered most. They have also been the better team since that night in Porto. Chelsea is currently sitting atop the Premier League table after the season’s first five games, despite facing a schedule that included Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal. The Blues are unbeaten in domestic play, only conceding two goals (just one from open play, in the Carabao Cup).

Meanwhile, Man City’s perfect record was thrown out the door during matchday one when it was defeated by Nuno Espirito Santo’s new-look Spurs side. This loss and a draw against Southampton have Pep Guardiola’s Citizens on the outside looking in at the top four right now. Nevertheless, one would be a fool to expect them to finish there. Chelsea may have Man City’s number recently, but the defending champion is not a squad that simply rolls over.

Part of the reason these two have been the most successful English clubs over the last decade is their recruitment and willingness to dish out large sums of money to bring in top talent. The Blues broke their own club record just a few months ago by paying £97.5 million to Inter Milan for Romelu Lukaku. The experienced No. 9 has already worked wonders for Thomas Tuchel, and he’ll only get better. Despite spending an arm and a leg, it was Man City who bested Chelsea and broke the record transfer for an English player. The Citizens paid Aston Villa £100 million for Jack Grealish, who has been one of the most creative players in the league thus far.

These two big name acquisitions got supporters dreaming. If the two sides combined forces, who would make the starting XI and who would be snubbed? Here is the combined XI (lining up in a 4-3-3) for Chelsea and Manchester City ahead of their Premier League contest.

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