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In what has been an intriguing Premier League season, one of the biggest shocks has been the form of Chelsea. When Frank Lampard was brought in as the manager, there were a lot of people questioning his ability, due to his lack of experience at the top level. Moreover, Eden Hazard's departure and the transfer ban on the club made his job harder. 12 games later, the Blues sit third on the table with 26 points.
Trailing them by one point is Manchester City. If Chelsea's season has been unusually positive, City's title defence has been rough so far. A loss at Anfield two weeks ago has left the Cityzens nine points adrift of the league leaders, Liverpool, and they will be hosting Lampard's men at the Etihad on Saturday night. It promises to be the most exciting game of the weekend, with Chelsea looking to continue their impressive run, and City aiming to get back on track.
Here, we take a look at the best players in both these talented teams as we make a combined XI of Chelsea and Manchester City.
Note - Only performances from this season are considered. Therefore, if the player has been injured for a long time/has played fewer minutes, he will not be a part of this team.
Goalkeeper - Ederson
Although Kepa Arrizabalaga has been improving in front of the sticks for Chelsea, Ederson is still the superior goalkeeper. The Brazilian has been his usual, dominant self this season in front of Manchester City's goal, and his distribution is essential to how his team functions.
Ederson's loss was felt by the Cityzens when they visited Anfield, as fans felt that he would have done more about Liverpool's second and third goal of the game than his replacement Claudio Bravo did. He should be fit for this game though, and Pep Guardiola will be pleased about that.
Defence
Right-back - Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker may not be the best version of himself right now, but he is definitely better than his Chelsea counterparts. Cesar Azpilicueta is older and not quite as agile anymore. Although the Spaniard is a better one on one defender, Walker is the better overall fullback at the moment.
The England international had a game to forget at Anfield and he will be looking to get back to his best against Chelsea. He faces a tough assignment, but Walker has proven his mettle before and he will be up for a challenge.
Center-back - Fernandinho
Yes, Fernandinho is not traditionally a center-back. The defensive midfielder has been thrust into the role due to the absence of Aymeric Laporte and due to the poor form of Nicolas Otamendi.
However, the 34-year-old has been doing a commendable job at the back for his team, and put in a decent performance at Anfield despite his team's loss. He just makes the cut over Kurt Zouma, who scored an own goal earlier this season and is yet to be back to his best.
Fernandinho averages 1.6 tackles, 1 block, and 3 clearances per game. His reading of the game is immense, and he should have a crucial role to play in this upcoming game.
Centre-back - Fikayo Tomori
Fikayo Tomori has been one of the best players for Chelsea this season. Under Lampard, the defender has really shined and he easily makes his way onto this list.
Just 21 years old, the England international's impressive performances this season earned him a call-up to his national team. Tomori averages 2 interceptions, 2.6 tackles and 2.4 clearances per game. He has impressed in both the Champions League and the Premier League, and this game will be a great test for him as he faces the likes of Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.
Left-back - Emerson Palmieri
Emerson is yet another defender whose game has improved a lot this season. The left-back is now a starter for the Chelsea team, and he has been putting in some great all-round performances for the Blues this season.
Completing over 86% of his passes, the Italian international also averages 2.6 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, and 1 clearance per game. The 25-year-old is disciplined and a hard worker, and he makes this team over his Manchester City counterparts with relative ease.
Midfield
Defensive midfielder - Jorginho
While N'Golo Kante is the better defensive midfielder overall, Jorginho has been a rock in Chelsea's midfield this season and just makes this list over his fellow teammate. The Italian has played over 950 minutes of league football this season, as compared to Kante's 377. Manchester City's Rodri has just not done enough to be considered here.
Jorginho has an amazing pass completion rate of 88.6% this season, and also averages over a key pass per game. He has been brilliant for the Blues with his tackling and interceptions being vital to their system. His place here is well deserved.
Central midfielder - Kevin De Bruyne
Easily the best midfielder of the league this season, Kevin De Bruyne is also in the argument for the Premier League Player of the Season so far. In just over 850 minutes of league football, the Belgian has been involved in 11 goals - and he has assisted nine of them, a truly astounding figure.
The brilliant midfielder has almost 4 key passes per game while completing 1.5 dribbles. His crosses into the box are one of the most lethal weapons in Manchester City's arsenal, and Pep will be looking towards his star player to conjure up some magic this weekend.
Centre-midfielder - Mateo Kovacic
The former Real Madrid player completed a permanent transfer from the Los Blancos to Chelsea this summer. Another player who has impressed a lot under the tutelage of Lampard, Mateo Kovacic is a vital clog in Chelsea's midfield. He makes it in this list over the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernado Silva, who are yet to find their best form this season.
The Croatian international completes over 90% of his passes and averages 2.3 dribbles per game alongside 2.1 tackles. He is adept both offensively and defensively, and the only thing lacking in his game is that final killer ball. Kovacic slots into this team due to his sublime form so far this campaign.
Attacking-midfielder - Raheem Sterling
This one is a no-brainer. As good as Christian Pulisic has been in his time with the Blues, his minutes have been restricted and he has far to go if he wants to displace Raheem Sterling in any such list. The former Liverpool player is one of the biggest stars in the Premier League and has already scored seven goals in 11 appearances so far this season.
The England international is agile, tricky to defend, and a very potent finisher. If Manchester City is to do a Premier League three peat this year, he is one of the players they will be looking towards the most.
Attack
Forward - Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is a consistent goal threat who can turn any game around in a matter of seconds. The Argentine has been the best Premier League striker of this decade, and he is still at the top of his game. The striker has netted nine goals in 11 appearances so far and is contention for the Golden Boot yet again.
One of the deadliest finishers in the game, Aguero will be looking to bounce back from a bad game at Anfield against Chelsea.
Forward - Tammy Abraham
If the Premier League had a Breakout Star Award, Tammy Abraham would be the prime contender for that honour at the moment. Perhaps no other player has improved this season as much as the England international, who has scored a whopping 10 goals in 12 appearances this season and leads the race for the Golden Boot.
With several man of the match performances and important goals to his name, Abraham's form is the main reason why Chelsea have been performing so well this season. Aged only 22, the striker has the world at his feet and he will be looking to add to his goal tally this weekend.
