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Thomas Tuchel's high-flying Chelsea are set to host Premier League leaders Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final fixture on Saturday evening.
The Blues have been sensational since Tuchel took over at the club, as they've lost just one game during his short tenure so far. Barring a freak result at Stamford Bridge when they lost 5-2 to West Brom, Chelsea have been a force to be reckoned with, particularly on the defensive front. Tuchel has done a remarkable job in the little time available to him since replacing Frank Lampard.
On the other hand, the visitors have arguably been the best team across the top five leagues in Europe this season. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have proved to be notoriously difficult to score against this year, and boast of one of the most free-scoring attacks in the world. City are currently on course to win their third Premier League title in four years under Pep Guardiola with a 11-point lead at the top.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City reached this stage of the competition last season and faced Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. While the Blues beat the Red Devils by a scoreline of 3-1, the Gunners got the better of the Cityzens and went on to win the competition.
Chelsea will also hope to make amends for a miserable result during their previous meeting this season, when the leaders blitzed the Blues with a breathtaking display at Stamford Bridge and won 3-1. As they gear up for the crucial semi-final clash, here is a look at the best combined XI between the two sides.
Note: Only players available for the game will be included in the XI.
Chelsea-Manchester City combined XI
Goalkeeper: Ederson Moraes
Manchester City star Ederson Moraes has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world since his arrival from SL Benfica. While he has been criticised for a few high-profile errors that have cost his side on a few occasions over the last couple of campaigns, the Brazilian appears to be back to his very best this year.
Ederson has had a relatively easy job in goal since Ruben Dias' arrival (more on him later) but he's been reliable whenever called upon to protect his side. The 27-year-old has saved 49 out of the 64 shots he's faced in the Premier League, with only two keepers bettering his save percentage of 76.6. He's managed 17 clean sheets in 31 league games.
Edouard Mendy has been in incredible form as well since arriving at Chelsea, but has been outshone by last year's Premier League Golden Glove winner. Ederson is currently having a phenomenal season for Manchester City. He's been as reliable as ever with the ball at his feet and even registered an assist against Tottenham Hotspur this season, along with more actions outside the penalty area than the Chelsea man.
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Defence: Ben Chilwell, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Joao Cancelo
Based off this season, Ruben Dias is arguably one of the first names on the team sheet. The Portuguese defender has been one of the most incredible centre-backs in Europe since his move from SL Benfica and has transformed Manchester City's backline, making them one of the best defences in world football.
Apart from his impact on their defence, he's been an important player on the ball as well — registering more progressive carrying distance in England than any other player — which highlights his ability to drive his side forward.
Dias' preferred partner, John Stones, reprises his role in this XI as he's been as impressive as City's new defensive colossus. After struggling at City for years, Stones is enjoying a career-best season at the Etihad alongside Dias as the two have combined to form a formidable unit together.
Chelsea's defenders have been impressive as well, with the likes of Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen proving to be difficult players to go past. However, City's defensive unit is currently the best in the world and occupies two spots in the middle of this back four.
Joao Cancelo has shown that he possesses one of the most unique skillsets of any full-back in Europe so far. The Portuguese, much like Stones, didn't have a particularly productive season last time around but has grown into an important figure for them. He's operated higher up the pitch and in central areas with ease, easily slotting into multiple systems employed by Manchester City.
Chelsea's summer signing Ben Chilwell rounds off the back four as he slots in at left-back. The Englishman has had a great impact on the Blues since his big-money move from Leicester City, contributing superbly on the offensive and defensive fronts. With two goals and four assists to his name, he has more goal contributions in the league than any player in this backline, and indeed, more than any defender across both sides overall.
Also read: 5 Best right-backs in world football this season (2020/21)
Midfield: Ilkay Gundogan, N'Golo Kante, Kevin De Bruyne
There was little doubt over Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne's places in this XI. Manchester City's devastating midfield duo have been vital to their campaigns in England and in the UEFA Champions League so far.
Gundogan is enjoying his best-ever season in a Cityzens shirt as he's managed to step up during De Bruyne's absence and help City conquer the land. He's been a joy to watch on the ball, keeping things ticking for Guardiola's side and his ability going forward has been particularly impressive this season.
The German has racked up more goals than every other midfielder in the league bar Bruno Fernandes and has dominated midfields on his own this season. Gundogan was awarded the Man of the Match for a brilliant display against his former club Borussia Dortmund in the UCL quarter-finals. He's already been one of City's best players, and when he plays alongside De Bruyne, the leaders are nearly unstoppable.
The Belgian has had a couple of injury scares which have seen him miss nine games, but he's still provided 11 assists with a further five goals for Guardiola's side in the league alone. The reigning PFA Player of the Year is regarded as one of the best in the world, and he is currently playing alongside one of the most in-form midfielders in Europe.
The Belgian and the German make it into this XI over Mason Mount despite the Englishman's incredible form for Chelsea. Mateo Kovacic is set to miss the game due to a hamstring injury, putting him out of contention.
City's majestic midfield duo will be anchored in this XI by the brilliant N'Golo Kante. The Frenchman suffered due to a couple of injury issues over the last couple of years, missing a total of 31 games since the start of the 2019/20 campaign. However, he's seemingly put these issues behind him with a superb campaign so far.
Kante has registered a whopping 3.67 tackles, 2.56 blocks, and 2.65 interceptions per 90 in the league so far — his best figures since moving to Chelsea in 2015 — and has been one of the most impressive midfielders in England this year. He makes it into the side over the likes of Jorginho and Rodri Hernandez.
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Attack: Phil Foden, Kai Havertz, Riyad Mahrez
There are numerous attacking options across the two English giants, but the ones that do make the cut on current form are Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and Kai Havertz.
Mahrez has arguably been Manchester City's most important attacker this season and has produced when it mattered most for his side. The Algerian international has also been in sublime form over the last ten games as he's had eight goals and assists to show for. Mahrez's 0.69 league goals and assists per 90 is the highest for any City player this season.
The winger's teammate, Phil Foden, comes in on the opposite flank as he's been been one of the most impressive U21 players in the world over the last few months. From his scorching goal and assist at Anfield to a superb display against Borussia Monchengadbach in the round of 16, he's grown in stature for Guardiola's side with every passing game.
Although Raheem Sterling has contributed to more goals overall for City, Foden's sublime form gives him the nod over the 26-year-old. Sterling has only two goals and an assist to show for across his last ten games across all competitions for City.
Foden came up clutch for his side during their quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund as he scored the winners across both legs of the tie. His 90th-minute winner against them at the Etihad gave them an edge heading into the second leg, and Foden popped up with a 75th-minute strike settled the tie at the signal Iduna Park.
Chelsea's superstar signing Kai Havertz completes this lineup as a false-nine operating between the two Manchester City stars. With Timo Werner finding it difficult to score on a regular basis, Tuchel has opted to field Havertz as a false-nine in Chelsea's attack and he's done a fantastic job so far.
The German is yet to impress in terms of end product, but as far as his performances are concerned, he's been superb over the last few weeks. Havertz has shown why Chelsea parted with a massive transfer fee to sign him in the summer and, if his displays over the last few games are anything to go by, there's a lot more to come from the former Bayer 04 Leverkusen man. Tuchel would hope for Havertz to make the difference for his side when they lock horns with City.
Also read: Top 10 strikers in the world this season (2020/21)
