Manchester City v Chelsea – Combined XI

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The once buccaneering full-back at Tottenham has fine-tuned his game at the Etihad, equally comfortable racing down the outside to provide width or tucking inside to create midfield overloads and aid Guardiola’s possession-dominant demands.

Centre-back: Ruben Dias – Manchester City

Ruben Dias’ immediate impact at Manchester City saw the centre-back named as the FWA Footballer of the Year last season, having immeasurably improved his side’s defence as the club regained the Premier League title.

The Portugal international has become a leader in the City side and provides a reassuring presence, often remaining the constant as John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake rotate the role as his partner.

Ruben Dias has kept more clean sheets than any other centre-back since he made his Premier League debut:

◉ 23 – Rúben Dias
◎ 19 – Antonio Rudiger
◎ 19 – Ben White

And now he’s popping up with goals and assists. 👀 pic.twitter.com/NKe5dCw9ob

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 12, 2022

His comfortability in possession is also key given City’s dominance of the ball, with Dias ranking third in the Premier League for touches this season and second for progressive carrying distance.

Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger – Chelsea

Aymeric Laporte’s renaissance and Thiago Silva’s evergreen class deserve honourable mentions, but Antonio Rudigers earns selection at centre-back in our combined side.

The Germany international has been rejuvenated under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, excelling in the club’s back three system and starring during Chelsea’s run to Champions League success last season.

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Rudiger provides a fine cocktail of defensive nous, menace and general shithousery – a defender who leaves it all on the pitch and who will be missed next season should Chelsea fail to agree terms on a contract extension.

Left-back: Joao Cancelo – Manchester City

Joao Cancelo has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most complete footballers across the past two seasons, a full-back in name but a player whose roaming brilliance has become key to his side.

Cancelo has provided 10 goal involvements across all competitions for City this season, whilst he leads the Premier League for a number of metrics including touches, passes into the final third, passes into the penalty area and carries into the final third.

5️⃣ assists in 2️⃣ games! 👏

A very impressive week for Joao Cancelo! 🙌#ManCity pic.twitter.com/4YCBeNYtUP

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 11, 2021

The 27-year-old also ranks amongst the league’s leading players for interceptions, shots and progressive carries, an indication of the multi-faceted talents he has brought to the Etihad this season.

Midfield: N’Golo Kante – Chelsea

N’Golo Kante remains irreplaceable for Chelsea and will be crucial to their chances this weekend, the all-action dynamism of Kante set to play a major role in stifling the Manchester City midfield.

Kante rarely produces a bad performance and his mix of ball-winning ability and forward drive will be central to Chelsea’s game-plan at the Etihad.

Injury issues have perhaps prevented Kante from a sustained run of his unique brilliance but when at full fitness he remains one of the Premier League’s – and Europe’s – best midfielders.

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Rodri deserves a honourable mention given his career-best season in City colours this term, but the Spaniard is edged out by one of the best of his generation.

Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne has failed to hit the heights of past seasons in 2021/22 so far, but the Belgian remains one of the Premier League’s finest footballers.

Chelsea’s sale of the midfielder must remain a decision that still rankles at Stamford Bridge, particularly given how the 30-year-old has flourished against his former side with four goals scored against the west Londoners.

When @DeBruyneKev came back to haunt Stamford Bridge 👻#GoalOfTheDay x @ManCity pic.twitter.com/Yj5ea2Dr2t

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 26, 2021

De Bruyne has somewhat gone under-the-radar to score five goals from 10 league starts this season, whilst his expected assists per 90 minute (0.41) is the best in the Premier League.

That the league leaders have performed so impressively without the back-to-back PFA Player of the Year hitting top form is ominous for the sides bidding to catch them.

Midfield: Bernardo Silva – Manchester City

Manchester City’s Player of the Season so far, Bernardo Silva’s return to his best has been a welcome boost for Pep Guardiola this season.

After speculation surrounding his future and desire for a new challenge, the midfielder has since sparkled for the Premier League champions this season to reestablish himself as one of the league’s leading lights.

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Ready to run himself into the ground for the cause but with poise and panache in the final third, he is perhaps the perfect player for Guardiola and arguably the first name on the team sheet.

Right-midfield: Mason Mount – Chelsea

Riyad Mahrez’s scintillating form before departing for Africa Cup of Nations duty would have seen him in strong contention to feature here, but we’ve sided with Mason Mount in a position tucked inside from the right.

No English player has provided more goal involvements this season than Mount, who has already matched his best goal (7) and assist (5) hauls in a Premier League campaign with almost half of the season remaining.