MY ACCOUNT
Manchester City welcome Chelsea to the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime in a huge clash at the top of the Premier League.
Both squads are brimming with world-class players capable of producing moments of magic in the blink of an eye.
But who would feature in a combined XI? We have had a crack at picking a side from both camps.
Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)
Edouard Mendy has barely put a foot wrong for Chelsea since signing from Rennes 18 months ago but Ederson gets the nod in goal.
The Brazilian has kept 30 Premier League clean sheets since the start of last season, making just one error leading to a goal in that time.
Right-back: Reece James (Chelsea)
Both Kyle Walker and Reece James are high-class right-backs and compete regularly for the starting spot in the England side.
But while Walker has been a consistent performer for years, James’ recent form has taken his game to the next level and his delivery from wide ensures his spot in the side.
Centre-back: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Manchester City splashed £61million on Ruben Dias before last season and it is safe to say the Portuguese has been worth every penny.
Dias, 24, has quickly established himself as one of the world’s best centre-backs and is a real leader in the City dressing room.
Centre-back: Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Thiago Silva continues to defy his advancing years with assured performances on a weekly basis for Chelsea.
Having originally signed a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge in 2020, the 37-year-old will now remain part of Thomas Tuchel’s Blues squad until at least the summer of 2023.
Left-back: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
A right-footed left-back is not for everyone, yet Joao Cancelo continues to defy the norm in his marauding role for City.
Over the past 18 months, Cancelo has featured on both sides of City’s defence and has a lengthy highlight reel of wonderful goals and assists in that time.
Central midfield: Rodri (Manchester City)
Now into his third season at the Etihad, Rodri gets better with every passing game after taking a little time to adapt to the Premier League when he first joined.
N’Golo Kante is unlucky to miss out of this side but with the Frenchman’s injury issues, Rodri has had more chances to shine recently and takes the holding role in this XI.
Central midfield: Jorginho (Chelsea)
A vital cog in Tuchel’s Chelsea midfield ever since the German took over 12 months ago, Jorginho is a near certain starter even when everybody is fit.
Capable of picking up the ball from the centre-backs and finding his more creative team-mates, his fine penalty conversion rate also adds an extra string to his bow.
Attacking midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne gets into this side every day of the week, despite being overshadowed by team-mate Bernardo Silva at times this season.
The Belgian has been at the top of his game ever since he joined City and would claim a place in any team on the planet.
Right winger: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
Often overlooked as one of City’s best players, Mahrez has been quietly going about his business once again this campaign with a number of impressive displays.
He has scored 13 goals and set up five others in 25 games across all competitions — a level of consistency Chelsea’s wide men simply do not have.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Romelu Lukaku is the only real choice when it comes to a striker in this side, given Gabriel Jesus’ tendency to be deployed out wide.
The usually free-scoring Belgian has not been as prolific as he would have liked since returning to the Premier League but expect that to change in the second half of the season.
Left winger: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Bernardo Silva reportedly wanted to leave City in the summer and make a switch to LaLiga.
But it is a good thing he did not after a stunning first half of the campaign which now has him in the running for individual accolades come the end of the season.
Do you agree with our line-up? Let us know by tweeting @LiveScore.
