Jose Mourinho’s two great sides combined…
A decade ago Chelsea won the league in Jose Mourinho’s first season at the club.
With the Blues looking likely to replicate that again this year, Squawka have created a combined XI of the two sides.
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Here is CaughtOffside’s own XI from the two sides, with a few differences from the first effort…
GK) Petr Cech
This is the 2004/05 iteration of the goalkeeper, not the one who is currently stuck on the bench behind Thibaut Courtois.
The Czech conceded only 15 goals in the title winning season, a brilliant accomplishment. He would still be number one at Stamford Bridge now if it wasn’t for the amazing potential of Courtois.
RB) Branislav Ivanovic
Ivanovic beats Paulo Ferreira to the right-back slot, with the Serb making the position his own despite arriving at the club as a centre-back originally.
LB) Ashley Cole
Despite being deemed surplus to requirements and let go in the summer, Cole was the best left-back in the league for a while.
His replacement Cesar Azpilicueta has played well but is yet to reach the heights of his predecessor.
CB) John Terry
A no brainer, Terry was captain then and is captain now. The man is a legend at Chelsea.
The 2004/05 version was probably slightly better than the current one due to his extra pace.
CB) Ricardo Carvalho
Signed by Jose Mourinho from his former club FC Porto, Carvalho formed part of one of the best defences to ever grace the Premier League.
CM) Claude Makelele
The Frenchman created a new position as the man shielding the back four.
Nemanja Matic is a very good replacement, but he will find it hard to ever be as good as the original.
CM) Cesc Fabregas
The ex-Arsenal man has helped to take the Blues from third place to favourites for the title this year.
His passing is key to how the team function, and how they play without him over the next few weeks will be an indicator of whether they’re able to keep their form up over the whole season.
CAM) Frank Lampard
Super Frank is Chelsea’s all time top scorer, and had to be included. He was brilliant for the club for years before moving to MLS.
LW) Eden Hazard
The Belgian is outstandingly talented and beats Damien Duff to the position. At 23-years-old he could become even better in the coming years.
RW) Arjen Robben
The Dutchman was, and still is a top class winger. The injury problems that plagued his Chelsea career weren’t so evident in 2004/05, allowing him to hit top form.
ST) Diego Costa
Didier Drogba may be a club legend, but he did make a slowish start at the club, only scoring 10 league goals in his first season. Costa has already got that many after playing just nine times.