In this edition of the UCL 2021 final, Manchester City will be making their first-ever appearance in a European Cup final when they take on Chelsea at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao. The two clubs have set up a date in the UEFA Champions League final and will battle it out for continental glory in Istanbul on 30th May according to IST. Watch Manchester City vs Chelsea Combined XI.
Chelsea will be appearing in their third final to win their second Champions League trophy in their history. Thomas Tuchel’s side have played some brilliant in the continental competition and have beaten the likes of Atletico Madrid, Porto, and Real Madrid to seal a berth in the final.
Manchester City could become the 23rd side to win the European Cup, and the first new name on the trophy since Chelsea’s 2012 triumph. Josep Pep Guardiola, a winner with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, could become the sixth coach to win the European Cup with two different clubs.
We’ve done a detailed analysis on both squads and constitute together a combined XI of both the UCL finalists. Here is Manchester City vs Chelsea Combined XI :
Manchester City vs Chelsea Combined XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Ederson – Manchester City
The goalkeeping position is probably the most difficult to choose while selecting a combined XI of both the teams. Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy has been an integral part of the finalists at the back and has made some match-winning saves for the club. Similarly, on the other hand, Manchester City goalkeeper, Ederson has been equally magnificent, and he has been highly reliable in all aspects this season. Ederson has given his contribution in initiating several counterattacks with his quick release of the ball. As we can only choose one goalkeeper, we will go with Ederson. He is known for his long through balls and his pin-point passing.
Right-back: Kyle Walker – Manchester City
Just like the goalkeeping spot, the place for right back is equally competitive. The competition is between the players from same team, Manchester City.The England international, Kyle Walker has been simply superb this season and has established his status as one of Europe’s most impressive and consistent players in his position.
Joao Cancelo has improved this season under Pep Guardiola. He has finally found his feet at the Etihad Stadium and Pep Guardiola trusts him enough to make him the first-choice right-back over Kyle Walker. Although, Pep has even played with both the right backs by switching Joao Cancelo to the left back position.
Kyle Walker has retained his electric pace and uses it to lethal effect, preventing many a counter-attack with his incredible recovery speed and and hence, Walker makes this line-up.
Centerback: Ruben Dias – Manchester City
Ruben Dias has quietly established himself as one of the best centerbacks in the world. The Portuguese defender has been an influential figure in Manchester City’s impressive run. Dias has been one of the most reliable players under him. The 23-year-old has shown incredible maturity and proved himself as the successor of legendary Vincent Kompany, with his leadership qualities and apparent love of a clean sheet a real joy to behold. He will be leading the defence line of this Manchester City and Chelsea combined XI.
Centerback: Thiago Silva – Chelsea
Thiago Silva has been brilliant this season, despite missing out several times with injury. His performances have been flawless except for a few matches. His record is pretty impressive for a player that everyone wrote off at the beginning of the season. The Brazilian has proven that age is just a number and has used his experience to full effect. There have been several occasions where Silva has read the situation well as forwards have tried to run past him. The former AC Milan defender has commanded the backline brilliantly for his side. He will be leading the defence along with Ruben Dias.
Left back: Ben Chilwell – Chelsea
Ben Chilwell was quick to shut down all critics at his arrival at Stamford as he put in some solid performances. Thomas Tuchel arrived and introduced a system with wingbacks. Marcos Alonso was looking more suited to the role as Chilwell seemed to struggle. But the 24-year-old has worked his way back and finds himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet. Ben Chilwell is definitely one of the best left-backs in the Premier League at the moment. His pace and presence of mind along with pin-point crosses has helped him create a lot of chances from the left flank.
Central defending midfielder: N’Golo Kante, Chelsea
N’Golo Kante is quite simply the best in his position in world football and definitely was the first name on this team sheet. He was facing competition at his position from City midfielder Rodri and Fernandinho, but no one is even close to him at his position in this combined XI. The man just won Man of the Match awards after producing an awe-inspiring display across both legs of his side’s semi-final triumph against Real Madrid. Against the world-class midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro, who have won three consecutive UCLs, the World Cup winner simply steal the show.
Central midfielder: Mason Mount – Chelsea
Mason Mount has been named as 2020-21 Chelsea Player of the Year. He was receiving some bizarre criticism while Frank Lampard was at the duty but Thomas Tuchel has shown that how good Mason Mount is. The young forward has been one of few real consistent components for the Blues throughout the entire campaign. He has been recognised as one of the division’s biggest and most exciting talents. Since breaking into the first-team, he is one of the first choices of manager for starting XI.
Central midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan – Manchester City
Kante is flanked on right side by one of the City’s most influential operators in German schemer, that is Ilkay Gundogan. He is a real smooth operator who has showcased his ability to seamlessly switch between a more defensive midfield role and a more creative berth around the edge of the box. He has scored 16 goals in all competitions as the club’s top scorer. Another option for the midfield was Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese is equally talented as Gundogan, but he has not impressed as much as the former in this campaign. So we have selected the German midfielder for this combined XI.
Right winger: Riyad Mahrez – Manchester City
Riyad Mahrez has been part of Guardiola’s notorious rotation roulette at Manchester City. He has been consistent whenever he has played. The Algerian has scored some crucial goals, as well as scoring both goals against PSG. His performance across both legs of his side’s European semi-final triumph felt like a real defining moment in his career at the Etihad. His performances in the Champions League have been particularly impressive and his recent form makes him one of the most dangerous players in the final game of Champions League.
False-nine: Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City
The name Kevin De Bruyne is definitely not surprising but his position in this combined XI might surprise the fans. He has been used in different roles this term by Guardiola, which has included playing him as a centre-forward and second striker at times. That’s why we have included him as the false-nine in the team at the moment, as regular strikers from both clubs have failed to impress this season so far. Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic, both have not been able to impress by their performances so far.
De Bruyne does not need any introduction. Along with Kante, he would be the one to get his name on this sheet first. His vision, his movement, his passing, everything is just perfect. He is one of the most technically gifted players of our times. His vision and passing abilities are unmatched in Europe.
Left-wing: Phil Foden – Manchester City
Phil Foden is usually deployed off in the left by Pep Guardiola. After playing in recent years, the 20-year-old has finally become a first-team regular this season, taking advantage over his teammate Raheem Sterling in the starting lineup. At present, the England international has impressed with a string of jaw-dropping displays. Though he does not have the physical ability to hold off opponents and maintain possession, his technical skills make up for his lack of muscle. His quick feet and good ball-control make him a great asset in the middle of the park.
