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The UEFA Champions League final features a battle between two bonafide giants of English football this weekend as Chelsea lock horns with Manchester City at the Estadio do Dragao on Saturday. The two Premier League outfits have exceeded expectations this season and will want to aim for the skies this weekend.
Chelsea have been excellent under Thomas Tuchel this year and have effectively managed to turn their campaign around. Despite their impressive exploits, however, the Blues are yet to win a trophy this season and will need to take it up a notch this weekend.
Manchester City have become a resurgent force under Pep Guardiola this season and stormed their way to yet another Premier League crown earlier this month. The Cityzens could potentially win the treble this weekend and will have to cover all their bases against a strong Chelsea side.
Pep Guardiola look to end European troubles as Chelsea take on Manchester City in UEFA Champions League final
Pep Guardiola is arguably one of the best managers in this history of the game but has shockingly failed to win the UEFA Champions League in over a decade. The Catalan manager last achieved the feat with his all-conquering Barcelona side in 2011 and will want his Manchester City side to repeat the feat on Saturday.
Thomas Tuchel has got the better of Guardiola in both their meetings so far this year and will be confident ahead of this game. We look at a combined eleven that proffers the best players available to both teams ahead of this weekend's showpiece event.
Goalkeeper - Ederson Moraes (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola's unique approach to the game necessitates qualities that most players are unlikely to possess. While midfielders are often best-suited to Guardiola's machinations, a goalkeeper who can live up to the former Barcelona manager's expectations is truly rare.
Ederson Moraes belongs to a specific niche of goalkeepers that could give some of the best passers in world football a run for their money. The Brazilian shot-stopper is the ideal fit for Manchester City's style of play and has also managed to bag an assist in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea have an array of attacking superstars in their ranks and Ederson is sure to be tested on Saturday. The Manchester City goalkeeper also has an impressive defensive record this year and will need to sharpen his shot-stopping skills ahead of this high-profile encounter.
Also Read: La Liga 2020/21: Top 10 players this season according to ratings
Left-Back - Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
Manchester City and Chelsea have an impressive array of full-backs to choose from in the UEFA Champions League final and Ben Chilwell is arguably the cream of the crop. The Englishman has grown in stature in recent months and will have a massive role to play in the Blues' fortunes.
Thomas Tuchel has extensively rotated his defence during his tenure at Chelsea but will likely prefer Chilwell's talent and poise against Manchester City. The former Leicester City defender is a robust presence on the left flank and can make things happen in the final third.
The 24-year-old defender has registered three goals and five assists in the Premier League this season and has adapted to Tuchel's 3-4-3 formation. Chilwell is a wily customer and could give Manchester City a series of issues with his runs.
Centre-Back - Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Manchester City were in desperate need of a world-class centre-back at the start of their Premier League campaign and managed to unearth an absolute gem in Ruben Dias.
The Portuguese defender has rejuvenated Manchester City's fortunes in the Premier League and has barely put a foot wrong in his nine months at the club. The former Benfica man has started 32 Premier League games this season and has been an immense presence in the Cityzens' defensive line.
Ruben Dias has formed an exceptional partnership with John Stones and has helped Manchester City coast to another Premier League title. Manchester City's new-found defensive stalwart has stepped up to the task this season and will face another stern test on Saturday.
Centre-Back - Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
Chelsea have undergone a defensive renaissance under Thomas Tuchel and have shown tremendous improvement over the course of the season. With the German manager at the helm, the Blues have been a tactically robust unit and have used possession as a means to remain defensively sound.
Tuchel's approach has rejuvenated the careers of several Chelsea players and Antonio Rudiger has benefitted immensely as a result. The centre-back seemed to be on the way out of Chelsea last year but has now become one of his side's most important members.
Antonio Rudiger has been Chelsea's most consistent centre-back this season and has become a fixture in the side. The German defender has also improved his passing game and will have to put his best foot forward against Manchester City.
Right-Back - Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Kyle Walker has been one of the most understated members in Pep Guardiola's side over the years and has grown in stature this season. The English right-back endured a slump last season but has bounced back admirably this year with a string of impressive performances.
The former Tottenham defender is an important cog in Manchester City's machine and his lung-bursting runs can potentially create a slurry of chances against Chelsea. Kyle Walker's pace is his best asset and the Blues will need to have a system in place to check the Englishman's runs.
Walker is prone to the occasional defensive error, however, and cannot afford to put a foot wrong against Chelsea. The UEFA Champions League final could be a career-defining moment for several Manchester City stars and Kyle Walker will likely be in no mood to miss out on the opportunity.
Also Read: La Liga team of the season (2020/21)
Defensive Midfielder - N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
Chelsea and Manchester City have both relied heavily on their midfielders to do the heavy lifting this season and the indomitable N'Golo Kante is one of the best in the business at the moment. The Chelsea midfielder has made a massive impact on Chelsea's campaign and will have a crucial role to play in the UEFA Champions League final.
N'Golo Kante is a unique asset to a Chelsea midfield that boasts the likes of Jorginho, Mason Mount, and Mateo Kovacic. Kante's tenacity and ability to win possession in the middle of the pitch have served Chelsea well and will be key to their success against Manchester City.
The French midfielder has come a long way from his days in Ligue 2 and a victory on Saturday would be the icing on an already impressive cake. Kante has a penchant for big games and will have to be at his best against Pep Guardiola's impressive midfield.
Central Midfielder - Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola is known for bringing the best out of his squad but has arguably surpassed himself with Ilkay Gundogan. The German midfielder struggled with a bit-part role at the start of his Manchester City career but has now become a formidable force in the Cityzens' midfield.
Gundogan's impeccable technique has become the ideal fit for Guardiola's approach to football this season and has produced excellent results. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has scored 13 goals in the Premier League this season and has propelled Manchester City to the league title.
The UEFA Champions League final will likely witness an intense midfield battle and Ilkay Gundogan will have to play his part. The Manchester City maestro is in the form of his life and will need to make the most of his purple patch this weekend.
Attacking Midfielder - Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Mason Mount has arguably been Chelsea's best player under Thomas Tuchel and has spearheaded most of their attacking forays this season. The English starlet has come of age this season and could mark the birth of a stellar European career with a victory in the UEFA Champions League final this Saturday.
The 22-year-old midfielder has been one of Chelsea's most consistent performers and has shouldered much of the creative burden for his side this season. While the likes of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have often flattered to deceive, Mason Mount has been a mature presence in the final third.
Mount has managed five goals and six assists in the Premier League this season and has blossomed into a world-class talent. The attacking midfielder might not see much of the ball against Manchester City and will have to make the most of the opportunities that come his way this weekend.
Also Read: Serie A 2020/21: Top 10 players this season according to ratings
False Nine - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Manchester City and Chelsea have relied heavily on their midfielders this season but the Cityzens do have an ace up their sleeve in Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian star is arguably the best midfielder in the world at the moment and has enjoyed another excellent season with Manchester City.
De Bruyne is one of the most complete players in the modern game and Pep Guardiola has made full use of his star player's unique talents this season. The former Chelsea man has been given an advanced role this season and has often played as a false nine for Manchester City.
Guardiola has opted not to field a striker on several occasions this season and has created a system that has brought the best out of Manchester City's brilliant midfielder. Kevin De Bruyne has excelled in his role this season and will have to bring his exceptional qualities to the fore against Chelsea.
Left-Wing - Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Phil Foden has been nothing short of sensational for Manchester City this season. The English prodigy is arguably one of the most talented youngsters in the sport at the moment and his ability to step up against some of the best teams in England makes him a must-watch in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.
Foden has long surpassed expectations at Manchester City and has astonishingly become David Silva's rightful heir at the club. Pep Guardiola holds the youngster in high regard and has placed immense faith in Foden over the course of this season.
With nine Premier League goals and five assists to his name, Phil Foden is living up to his potential and will play an important role against Chelsea. The versatile starlet is set to play on the left flank on Saturday and could potentially become a club legend at the age of 21.
Right-Wing - Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
Riyad Mahrez endured a difficult start to life at Manchester City and had to fight for his place in the starting eleven. The Algerian star is a supremely talented winger and his brilliance has finally come to the fore at Manchester City this season.
Mahrez adds a spark of wizardry to the Cityzens' game in the final third and will have to make use of his dribbling prowess against Chelsea. The former Leicester City winger can singlehandedly win matches at his best and could carve a unique legacy at Manchester City by pulling a few rabbits out of the hat against Chelsea on Saturday.
Guardiola has largely preferred Riyad Mahrez over the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ferran Torres this season and will likely employ him on the right flank against Chelsea. Mahrez has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season and will want to add to his tally in the UEFA Champions League final.
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