Chelsea face a big test in the form of Manchester City this weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Despite suffering an early season blip, the Premier League champions will be full of confidence after beating Atletico Madrid away from home in their midweek fixture in the Champions League.
The trip to Stamford Bridge is arguably City’s toughest test of the season so far after an impressive start to the campaign.
Both managers boast a wealth of riches, so we’ve combined both the squads, without taking injuries and suspensions into account. Here’s our combined XI:
GK – Thibaut Courtois
The winner of last season’s Golden Glove, Courtois edges Ederson here through experience.
RWB – Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker was on the move this summer for big money and he’s a step above Victor Moses in this position.
Naturally stronger in defence and equally threatening in attack.
CB – Cesar Azpilicueta
The Spaniard oozes class as he continues to impress as a revolutionised central defender.
CB – David Luiz
Despite being a little reckless at times, Luiz has been in incredible form since returning to Chelsea. He’s suspended for the game on Saturday but would make a combined XI.
CB – Nicolas Otamendi
Otamendi has been an important cog in Guardiola’s defence this season.
His strong performances have helped City to three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League.
LWB – Benjamin Mendy
Chelsea rivalled Manchester City for Mendy’s signature over the summer, which shows both coaches rate him very highly.
Unfortunately, the French defender is due to spend several months on the sideline through injuries after an impressive start to his first season in the Premier League.
CM – Tiemoue Bakayoko
Chelsea’s summer signing has bolstered their midfield significantly and looks like a real handful for opposing players.
Bakayoko has formed a brilliant partnership with N’Golo Kante as the two look like they could be two of the most dominant midfielders in the league.
CM – N’Golo Kante
Kante has been influential in the middle of the park for Chelsea since joining from Leicester. He’s replicated those performances in the Champions League as well this season.
With Manchester City favouring such an attacking formation, there isn’t much competition for central midfielders.
RW – Kevin De Bruyne
The former Chelsea player has been one of the player’s of the season so far.
The 26-year-old has registered four assists in all competitions and come in for some very high praise from his manager.
For Chelsea, it’s still a case of the one that got away.
LW – Eden Hazard
Joining De Bruyne in the attack is another of league’s best attackers in the form of Eden Hazard.
The Belgian was a standout performer during Chelsea’s 2-1 midweek victory over Atletico Madrid and will be full of confidence going into the game on Saturday.
ST – Sergio Aguero
Alvaro Morata can feel hard done by here after a free-scoring start to his Chelsea career.
However, Sergio Aguero remains one of the classiest forwards in the entire league.
The Argentine has started the season brilliantly with six league goals. Unfortunately for City, he will be sidelined after a car accident left him with fractured ribs.
