Manchester City vs Chelsea is the big Monday Night Football clash in tonight’s Premier League. Here’s our combined XI between the two giants.
Chelsea and Manchester City boast the meanest defence and most prolific attack respectively in the Premier League, and the two squads combined would make a formidable team.
Here’s our combined XI from the players at Stamford Bridge and the Etihad Stadium.
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
After a couple of somewhat shaky seasons at Stamford Bridge, Petr Cech has found his form again, and despite Joe Hart’s recent return to the Manchester City side after being dropped, the Chelsea man wins out.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Branislav Ivanovic is imperious in the air, and one of the strongest players in the Premier League. He possesses deceptive pace, and is a firm but fair tackler, making the right back slot his own at Stamford Bridge – and in this team.
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
If there is a weak point in both the Manchester City and Chelsea teams, it is at left back.
Chelsea have dropped Ashley Cole, and are playing Cesar Azpilicueta in a makeshift role, while Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini cannot be convinced by the form of either Gael Clichy or Aleksandar Kolarov at the Etihad Stadium.
With that in mind, we’ve shifted Pablo Zabaleta across to the left flank. We found it hard enough not choosing him in his primary position of right back.
John Terry (Chelsea)
John Terry has been instrumental in Chelsea’s miserly defence this season.
The Blues captain has returned to the side under Jose Mourinho, having played something of a bit part role under Rafa Benitez, and has contributed to the Stamford Bridge outfit conceding just 20 goals in their 23 games – including nine clean sheets.
Chelsea have only conceded three goals on two occasions in the Premier League this season – and one of those they won.
Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
When Vincent Kompany is fit, the Manchester City defence immediately functions better.
The Belgium international captains the Citizens as a true leader, marshalling and organising his defence impeccably.
Kompany wins a surprisingly low number of aerial duels given his height, but his defensive partner more than makes up for him in that department, and his anticipation, pace and ability to step up to intercept makes him a vital addition to the Man City side.
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
Nemanja Matic has only been back at Chelsea for a short while, but the Serbian already appears to be an upgrade on John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard at the base of the Blues midfield thanks to his performances at Benfica and Stamford Bridge this term.
Matic has a hulking presence in the middle of the park, brilliant positioning and ability to predict where the ball will go, and could receive his first Premier League start of the season against Man City.
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Yaya Toure is the perfect box to box midfielder, making the second most passes per game so far this season with an average of 72.3 each Premier League match.
The Ivorian has scored twelve goals and provided four assists in 22 matches, thanks to his unstoppable tank-like runs and phenomenal conversion rate from set pieces.
Willian (Chelsea)
Part of Manchester City’s success this season has been based on their wide threat, with the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Jesus Navas and Aleksandar Kolarov ensuring they always have men over to spread play to like a rugby union team.
However, while Navas was a hard name to leave out of this team, Willian has really proven his mettle at Chelsea, and his work rate and creativity earn him a spot on the right side of attacking midfield.
David Silva (Manchester City)
David Silva has made more passes per match than any player in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has the third most assists in the English top flight with seven in 14 appearances (a better assists per game ratio than either Mesut Ozil and Wayne Rooney ahead of him), and sets up more shots than any player too.
He is the most important player in Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Eden Hazard has dribbled past the most opponents in the Premier League, completing 81 take-ons in his 23 appearances.
The Belgian superstar has scored nine goals and provided five assists, prompting Jose Mourinho to suggest he could be a genuine contender for the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or.
Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City)
While Sergio Aguero would undoubtedly lead the line for this combined team if fit, Alvaro Negredo is a worthy replacement in the Argentine’s absence through injury.
The Spaniard was described by Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini as perfectly suited for the Premier League, and it would be hard to argue.
Negredo’s unselfish running, strength, hold up play, and deadly finishing have led him to nine goals and three assists in 16 Premier League starts – and five strikes and one assist in six UEFA Champions League appearances.