Mix n Match: Tottenham engine with Chelsea flair in mixed side
Published:As Tottenham Hotspur welcome Chelsea to White Hart Lane, we take a look at what a combined line-up from the two sides would look like.
There is no place for Willian, the player they tussled over in the summer months, but some other new signings do make the cut in a team set up in the 4-2-3-1 system both sides have used this season.
In goal, Hugo Lloris gets the nod ahead of the dependable Petr Cech despite his penchant for testing the limits of his penalty area.
Lloris has been superb this season, with Spurs conceding just one goal in all competitions so far.
Despite that defensive record, Jan Vertonghen is Spurs’ only representative in the back four.
The Belgian is joined by David Luiz at centre-back in a partnership that has plenty to offer going forward, as well as resolute defensive qualities.
Branislav Ivanovic beats Kyle Walker to the right-back spot due to the Spurs man’s defensive frailties, while Ashley Cole is a shoe-in at left-back.
Spurs’ Brazilian pair of Paulinho and Sandro take the central midfield slots, and their main competition is probably from team-mates Mousa Dembele and Etienne Capoue, as Chelsea have limited options in the position.
Sandro brings the bite while Paulinho acts as the link between defence and attack, as well as chipping in with the odd goal.
Both teams have plenty of attacking midfield options, so much so that even Juan Mata cannot get a game at Stamford Bridge.
Oscar, the man who has usurped him, takes the number 10 slot just ahead of Christian Eriksen, with Erik Lamela on the right-flank and Eden Hazard on the left.
Lamela has yet to start a Premier League game for Spurs, but the talent he demonstrated at Roma has been obvious in his cameo appearances, as well as in the Europa League and Capital One Cup.
Chelsea and Spurs both brought in a big name striker this summer, but Roberto Soldado has impressed far more than Samuel Eto’o thus far, and gets the nod upfront.
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