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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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Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (C) celebrates after he scores their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 3, 2021.(Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (C) celebrates after he scores their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 3, 2021.(Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Central midfielder: Jorginho, Chelsea

Similar to how Rudiger is one of the world’s best defenders on his current form, the same goes for Jorginho. The Blues’ central midfield distributor won three European trophies in the span of a few months (UCL, Euros, Super League) and racked up individual awards, as well. The Ballon d’Or shouts continue to grow for the technically gifted Italian and it’s hard to disagree at this point. Jorginho has been pivotal to Chelsea’s European triumphs, especially the UCL run. He looks like a transformed player under Tuchel. Further, Guardiola’s public attempts to sign the player from Napoli back in 2018 only strengthen the case for Jorginho to make this midfield.

Central midfielder: N’Golo Kante, Chelsea

There is an embarrassment of riches in the middle of the park between these two sides. Missing out on this list for the Blues alone are players like Mateo Kovacic and Saul. For Man City, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Fernandinho. No matter the shape though, two players are going to make this list every time, the first of which is N’Golo Kante. Kante and the player to be named later are definitively the two best midfielders on the planet at the height of their game. The Frenchman has also seen his name mentioned in abundance as far as the Ballon d’Or is concerned, rightfully so. Kante’s plethora of Man of the Match performances carried Chelsea into the Champions League final, where—you guessed it—he won MotM again.

Attacking midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne, former Chelsea youngster, rounds out the most complete midfield trio anywhere in world football. Does this selection really need explaining? He brings creativity and attacking excellence into the middle of the park. De Bruyne has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best ever players during his time with the Citizens. The Belgian might have just turned 30, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down any time soon. De Bruyne is one of the few players in the two teams who make it into any combined XI on the planet.

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