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After helping the fans find out the best possible line-ups in Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 for Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, we now switch our attention to the Barclays Premier League’s table toppers, Chelsea! It is not an easy task to pick the West London outfit’s best XI especially when you have more than one quality player in some of the key positions, but here goes. You can also compare this lineup with the one we picked based on the ratings from EA SPORTS FIFA 15.
#1 Thibaut Courtois (GK)
PES 2015 rating: 85
Here comes the very first headache! The legendary Petr Cech or the latest young sensation Thibaut Courtois? Chelsea fans will be divided on this one and rightly so since they are both rated among the top 5 Goalkeepers in the game currently.
But with a rating of 85, the 22 year old Belgian edges the fan favorite Cech just like how it is in the real world. In the end, whoever you pick, you run the risk of losing the other one during the transfer window.
#2 Cesar Azpilicueta (RB)
PES 2015 rating: 80
Yes, you read it right! There is no place for Branislav Ivanovic in this lineup. Unfortunately, the Big Seb misses out to the much younger, much agile Cesar Azpilicueta. The Spaniard has been hailed as the best one on one full back in the Premier League over the last 15 months or so.
And with a rating of 80, he is tied with the Serbian, so you again need to take a call to drop one of the fan favourites to the bench.
#3 John Terry (CB)
PES 2015 rating: 83
Captain John Terry is still going strong at the age of 34 and is widely still considered as the best English CB even at this stage of his career. He had a very good season last term and has been continuing the good work so far this season as well.
With a rating of 83, he should be leading the Chelsea backline in the virtual world too.
#4 Gary Cahill (CB)
PES 2015 rating: 83
Gamers must retain Chelsea’s first choice CB pairing in PES as well. Gary Cahill also has a rating of 83 in the game and hence retains his spot ahead of the young Frenchman Kurt Zouma. Cahill has been a regular for the Blues ever since his move from Bolton during the 2011-12 season.
What you can also do is rotate the squad often by bringing in Ivanovic into the mix as the backup CB.
#5 Filipe Luis (LB)
PES 2015 rating: 85
Filipe Luis was among the top 3 left backs in the world last year during his time with Atletico Madrid. He has struggled to hold on to a permanent spot in Chelsea’s lineup, but that has to change at least in the virtual world. You don’t want a defender rated 85 to sit out do you?
Since we have already moved Azpilicueta to the right, Luis can easily be accommodated as the team’s first choice LB.
#6 Nemanja Matic (CDM)
PES 2015 rating: 84
Many critics claim that Nemanja Matic has been Chelsea’s most important player of the season so far. No wonder they lost the first time they played without him. His towering presence in front of the back 4 is crucial and he holds on to his spot since he is rated above (84) Ramires and John Obi Mikel.
At times, he can also come forward and assist you in attack.
#7 Cesc Fabregas (CM)
PES 2015 rating: 83
Cesc Fabregas has certainly added a certain level of creativity in Chelsea’s midfield this season and has been assisting his teammates for fun. And that’s why with a rating of 83, he nails down a spot next to Matic.
He can often combine with the deadly duo of Oscar, Hazard and Costa to create regular chances. Since his performances dipped in the second half of the season at Barcelona last year, his rating has dropped to 83 in the game.
#8 Willian (RW)
PES 2015 rating: 85
Willian has become a key figure in Chelsea’s quest towards the title! His work ethic has been praised by one and all, and with a rating of 85, he certainly keeps out the young Egyptian magician Mohammed Salah out of the first XI.
He scored only 4 goals for the Blues last season and has so far scored 3 in this campaign. But his contribution to the team goes beyond that.
#9 Oscar (CAM)
PES 2015 rating: 85
Jose Mourinho rates Oscar as one of the best number 10’s in the world right now. And with a rating of 85, the young Brazilian should feature in your starting XI without a doubt. He is rated 84 in FIFA 15, so the makers of PES have given him a slightly higher rating. He was his national side’s only goal scorer in that nightmarish semi-final match against Germany in the World Cup.
Having scored 11 goals last season, he has already scored 7 this campaign for Chelsea.
#10 Eden Hazard (LW)
PES 2015 rating: 86
The obvious one! Who in the right mind would leave out Eden Hazard from a Chelsea lineup? You have a decent backup in the form of Andre Schurrle, but with a rating of 86 (two rating points lesser than FIFA 15), Hazard should be the first name on your team sheet.
Having already scored 8 goals in the league this season, he has also been very creative in the final third which has resulted in goals for his teammates.
#11 Didier Drogba (ST)
PES 2015 rating: 86
Surprise surprise! I have personally chosen Didier Drogba purely based on the emotional connect that he has with the club. You can do the same, or if you prefer, you can choose the club’s latest sensation Diego Costa. It won’t make a difference as both these strikers have been rated 86 in the game.
Drogba’s rating in the game could surprise a few as he was rated only 81 in FIFA 15 which seemed to be a fair rating considering his performances over the last 12 months.
