Manchester City vs Chelsea – Combined XI ahead of Etihad clash | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend, with both teams chasing Champions League qualification.

The visitors arrive in the fourth and final place, having climbed back into the top four with a win over Wolves on Monday night. For Premier League champions City, securing a place in next season’s Champions League is the minimum expectation after a tough title defence to date.

Ahead of the contest between the big-spending blues of Manchester and London, we’ve selected our Manchester City and Chelsea Combined XI.

Manchester City vs Chelsea – Combined XI ahead of Etihad clash

Goalkeeper: Ederson – Manchester City

Ederson takes the gloves though it’s fair to say neither side has been satisfied with their shot-stoppers this season. The Brazilian boasts arguably the best distribution ever witnessed from a goalkeeper but was uncharacteristically wayward during the defeat at PSG in midweek.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have seen Robert Sanchez make four errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season. Only Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric has made more (5).

Right-back: Reece James – Chelsea

Is Reece James fit enough to start back-to-back Premier League games? Time will tell. The Chelsea captain has made his latest return from injury in recent weeks and scored a last-gasp equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. When fit, James is among the best in the business. Sadly, he hasn’t been fit enough in recent campaigns.

Centre-back: John Stones – Manchester City

The return of John Stones to fitness is a huge boost for Manchester City, with the centre-back bidding to shore up a vulnerable backline this weekend. In the absence of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, there will be an onus on Stones to hold the fort at the Etihad.

Like James, injuries have deprived the Premier League of one of England’s best talents too much of late. Stones is a fantastic multi-functional footballer when at the top of his game.

Centre-back: Levi Colwill – Chelsea

Levi Colwill’s progress this season earns him the nod at centre-back. The 21-year-old ranks in the Premier League’s top 10 players this season for touches, progressive carrying distance and percentage of dribblers tackled. Capable of breaking lines with his distribution and a natural left footer, a regular role with England beckons if Colwill can continue his development.

Left-back: Marc Cucurella – Chelsea

One derided as a big-money flop, Marc Cucurella has transformed the narrative at Chelsea. The Blues beat competition from Manchester City to land Cucurella from Brighton and are now seeing the fruits of that investment. After starring for Spain their Euro 2024 success in the summer, Cucurella has remained a key cog under new Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca.

Midfield: Moises Caicedo – Chelsea

Another investment who has taken time to settle but is now proving his worth in a Chelsea shirt. The Ecuadorian has been relentless in his ball-winning this season and leads the Premier League for passes into the final third. Still just 23, he’s emerging as a leader of Chelsea’s youthful side. Manchester City could do with an all-action presence in Caicedo’s mould.

Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne has shown flashes of his best in recent weeks. After a period on the sidelines, De Bruyne has four assists in his last three Premier League appearances for the Citizens.

Though the brilliant Belgian is creeping towards the end at Manchester City, he remains capable of the magnificent when afforded room to create.

Midfield: Cole Palmer – Chelsea

The one who got away.

Cole Palmer makes his latest return to Manchester City having evolved into a superstar since his Etihad exit. Frustrated at a lack of first-team football, he joined Chelsea in 2023 and has not looked back.

Palmer has 60 goal involvements in 69 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions and has a legitimate argument as the most influential footballer in the Premier League.

Right-wing: Phil Foden – Manchester City

Phil Foden fired Manchester City to the title last season with his performances recognised with the PFA Player of the Year award. It was the culmination of a career-best campaign, in which Foden scaled the heights many had long predicted for him.

Things have been tricker this time around, but back-to-back braces against Brentford and Ipswich offer encouragement. He is a potential match-winner when the top-four rivals go head-to-head this weekend.

Left-wing: Savinho – Manchester City

Among a wealth of inconsistent wide options, we’ve sided with Savinho for the left-wing position.

The Brazilian has averaged a goal involvement every 180 minutes since signing for Manchester City in the summer, a respectable return for a 20-year-old import. His ability to take defenders out of the game in an instant is exciting and there’s more to come from the winger this season.

Forward: Erling Haaland – Manchester City

An obvious selection, here.

It’s now 80 goals in 88 Premier League games for Erling Haaland, who is hunting down a third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot. City have tied down the Norwegian to a new nine-and-a-half-year deal, virtually guaranteeing goals for the next decade.

Read – Guardiola confirms Marmoush ready to face Chelsea

See more – Maresca defends under-fire Chelsea ‘keeper Sanchez

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