Man City vs Chelsea: Palmer makes combined XI dominated by City
Chelsea make the trip to Manchester City on Saturday evening with the Blues looking to secure a third away win on the spin. City, meanwhile, are looking to keep on the coattails of league leaders Liverpool ahead of their game in hand next week. Here, we take a look at the combined XI of the two teams of those to have made five or more league starts this season. As one might expect, City dominate this side with eight players to Chelsea's three...
Djordje Petrovic (Chelsea) - 6.76
A rare bright spark in a sub-par season for Chelsea, Djordje Petrovic has shone between the sticks for the Blues following his introduction to the first team. Petrovic was thrust into action due to injury to regular number one Robert Sanchez but the 24-year-old is unlikely to relinquish his starting spot anytime soon.
Kyle Walker (Manchester City) - 6.78
The first Manchester City player in the XI is right-back Kyle Walker. The experienced England international has struggled for consistency compared to previous seasons but remains one of Pep Guardiola's trusted star players. Two assists has helped return a WhoScored rating of 6.78, though at 33 years of age; Walker's career at City is likely to draw to a close sooner rather than later.
Ruben Dias (Manchester City) - 6.72
Ruben Dias continues to prove one of the best distributors in the Premier League having returned the third best pass success rate (93.8%) in England's top tier this term. It was Dias' foul on Armando Broja that gifted the Blues the chance to net a last-minute penalty when these sides met in the entertaining 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and he'll be keen to make amends this weekend.
Nathan Ake (Manchester City) - 6.74
Partnering Dias in this combined XI is Nathan Ake, who has earned a WhoScored rating of 6.74 this term. The 28-year-old's pass success rate of 93.6% is just behind Dias in fourth in the Premier League, with Ake routinely putting in a solid shift be it at centre-back or left-back.
With a WhoScored rating of 6.82, Levi Colwill is the highest rated defender to make the XI. Colwill has scored one and assisted another for Chelsea this tern as he continues to build upon last season's stint with Brighton. Like Ake, the 20-year-old is a versatile operate who shines at either centre-back or left-back.
The third and final Chelsea player in the side, it was Cole Palmer who maintained his composure in the dying embers of the reverse fixture when the two sides played out a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge. Palmer has 10 league goals to his name as 'Ice Cole' continues to shine for the Blues.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 7.37
One of the Premier League's form players, Phil Foden of course makes the cut having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.37 this season. Foden is well on course to enjoy his most prolific Premier League campaign to date, with the England international taking his game to the next level during the absence of Kevin De Bruyne.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 7.54
The best rated player in the XI, Rodri continues to prove he is the best in his position in world football. Indeed, the Spaniard has earned a WhoScored rating of 7.54 this season, that in itself the second best in the Premier League. Rodri is averaging more passes per game (106.5) than any other player to help boost his rating.
Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) - 7.44
Pep Guardiola's wildcard, Jeremy Doku may have failed to directly contribute to a league goal since November but the young Belgian is so often a threat when he picks up the ball. No player has completed more dribbles than Doku (56) in the Premier League this season and having struggled in the return fixture; he will be looking to play his part in putting the Blues to the sword on Saturday.
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) - 7.29
While Julian Alvarez has scored just two goals in his last five competitive outings for City, the young Argentine forward is a key man for City. Alvarez has scored eight times and provided six assists for City in the Premier League this season and his versatility in the final third is a precious asset for Pep Guardiola.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 7.52
Rounding off the XI is Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland. Haaland scored his first and second goals following his return to fitness in City's 2-0 win over Everton last weekend to take his total for the season to 16 in the league. He was directly involved in three of City's four goals in the reverse fixture, a return he'll hope to repeat on Saturday.
