Chelsea vs Tottenham combined XI: 3-4-2-1 for all-London team

Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on January 23, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (L) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on January 23, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy, Chelsea

A clean sheet at Goodison Park started the season off well for Chelsea’s No. 1. Edouard Mendy had some terrific close-range saves to make during the match. This decision was a close one between the Senegalese and Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris. Throughout his time at Chelsea though, Mendy single-handedly kept the Blues in numerous games, the match against Brentford immediately comes to mind. Lloris (16) kept two more clean sheets than Mendy (14) over the course of last season. However the French international did concede in the opening weekend whereas the Senegalese kept a clean sheet, which led to the decision. It’s close.

Right centerback: Cristian Romero, Tottenham

Cristian Romero or Cesar Azpilicueta? This was another close one at the back. Tottenham hasn’t been known to have a well-organized defense over the years, but ever since former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte went to north London, the Lilywhites really improved a lot at the back. The Argentine statistically had a much better season than his Spanish counterpart in 2021/22 on the defensive side. Creativity wise, Azpilicueta had two assists to his name.

Centerback: Thiago Silva, Chelsea

This position goes to arguably the best defender in the Premier League. Thiago Silva continues to impress game after game, despite his age. He had another top performance against Everton last weekend and he is just on another level compared to the Tottenham defenders. With Silva in the middle of the back three with his experience and reading of the game, and Romero alongside him with his pace, many forwards would struggle to get past this theoretical defense.

Left centerback: Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea

The Senegalese is a mixture of Romero and Silva, in a way. Kalidou Koulibaly‘s got the pace to track players back, the awareness to sense danger and his all-around experience speaks for itself. Factor in his physical attributes and he is an excellent defender. For many, a contender to be Man of the Match against Everton, that’s how good his performance was on the day. Koulibaly won seven duels and made four recovery runs. This back-three with Mendy between the sticks looks like the great wall of London.

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