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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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Chelsea’s Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (L) vies with Manchester City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (L) vies with Manchester City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy, Chelsea

The man between the sticks is one of the most difficult decisions on this list. Edouard Mendy and Ederson have emerged as two of the world’s best goalkeepers over the last few seasons, especially in the case of the former. The latter was arguably there beforehand. Nevertheless, the statistics for both shot stoppers are mind-boggling. Ederson did manage to edge Mendy in Premier League clean sheets last season (19 to 16), but the City keeper played in five more games. Mendy’s inclusion in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season and his UCL Goalkeeper of the Year award see him into this side over his South American counterpart.

Right back: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea

Kyle Walker is a fine footballer, but he cannot lace the boots of Cesar Azpilicueta. While that may seem like an insult to the English fullback, it’s rather a compliment to the Chelsea great. There is no bone to pick with Walker. Azpilicueta has just been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League for a decade now, no matter where he’s asked to play. He’ll go down as an all-time great when he hangs his boots up, there’s no doubt about that.

Centerback: Ruben Dias, Manchester City

Ruben Dias hasn’t been in England very long, but he quickly made his presence known. Man City’s acquisition of Dias is similar to Liverpool’s purchase of Virgil van Dijk, except Dias’ career is just taking off. The Portuguese centerback has already elevated himself into the ranks of elite English top flight defenders. He won Premier League Player of the Season in his debut campaign, as well as UCL Defender of the Year. Dias was also pivotal in helping Man City recapture the title. Suffice it to say, he is one of the first names in this XI.

Centerback: Antonio Rudiger, Chelsea

Antonio Rudiger’s had a rollercoaster career in SW6. Nevertheless, the decisive trait needed to make it onto this list is form. On form, Rudiger is amongst the best defenders in the world. Tuchel has helped transform the German’s game in a back three. Rudiger’s become a wind-up merchant for fun. He infuriates opponents as there is seemingly nothing they can do to get the better of him. Rudiger is deserving of a spot in this combined XI, even though it is a back four, due to his undeniable talent.

Left back: Joao Cancelo, Manchester City

It was mentioned in the previous analysis that form is heavily considered when placing individuals on this list. Joao Cancelo was one of the best left backs in the Premier League last season. Further, Ben Chilwell has only started one game since Chelsea played Man City back in May and Marcos Alonso is shaky as a fullback. Therefore, it was a relatively easy decision to place Cancelo in this spot.

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