Chelsea vs Barcelona: Combined XI

Midfielders

This was the most difficult part of the squad to short-list from, with a host of top quality midfielders available to be selected. we often hear of a selection dilemma like this one being a good head-ache to have. Trust us when we say, it wasn't.

It's never fun to bench players like Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Roberto, Andre Gomes, Paulinho, Kante, Pedro and Willian. Alex Vidal, we'll bench, no problem.

Central Defensive Midfielder

Sergio Busquets

Arguably the best in the business in his position, Sergio Busquets is the one that makes Barcelona's style of play tick. He is one of the most intelligent players in the world game and is sorely missed by the Catalans when he is out with injury. The Spanish international makes football look terribly easy.

2428 - No player has attempted most passes in Spanish La Liga in 2017 that Sergio Busquets (2.428, 90,24% successful). Organizer #Opta2017 pic.twitter.com/fB8QEOXJVY

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 28, 2017

Brilliant in possession and without possession, Busquets has come through the ranks at Barca's academy and is deeply cherished by the fans. Only still 29, with speed not a key factor in his style of play, the World Cup winner is destined to be around for a while to come.

Good for the rest of us. For Chelsea come this Tuesday night, not so much.

Central Attacking Midfielder

Cesc Fabregas

Despite the lack of as-much-playing-time as he would've liked under the Italian, Cesc Fabregas is still widely regarded as one of the best, when it comes to assisting goals. In 112 appearances in European Cup Competitions, the former Arsenal man has been involved in 53 goals, has reached the final with Arsenal in 05/06, and was on the wrong side of the ill-fated 2012 return leg in Camp Nou.

Few will doubt his ability to pick out the perfect pass for new team-mate, also a former Gunner, Olivier Giroud, to build on the relationship he has already fostered at Stamford Bridge with one Eden Hazard.

The languid midfielder is no stranger to pressure situations, having lifted the World Cup and the Euro Cup twice, with his native Spain. The Spaniard has returned from injury and will be rearing to go up against his former side, where he was much criticized for his lack of consistency.

Tuesdy night is the perfect opporunity for him to set the record straight.

Central Attacking Midfielder

Andres Iniesta

The maestro, Andres Iniesta has been on the top of the game ever since he first walked onto the pitch for F.C. Barcelona. The Spaniard is true royalty in the world of football.

There is nothing the legend has not won. You name it. He's got it. The League title, the League Cup, the Champions' League and the Euros, all multiple times over. And of course the big one, the World Cup. He has narrowly missed out on the Ballon D'or on two seperate occasions, owing to the bias towards goal-scorers in the voting process.

If there was an award for the best midfielder every season, there's little doubt that the Catalan would've had a seperate cabinet for individiual trophies won over his career. Far from finished, he's still the focal point of the Barcelona attack.

A seperate article or two might need to be written on his style of play and the effortless nature in which he conducts hiself on the pitch. No matter which ground he plays on, a standing ovation is all but certain for the 'genius'. A word we don't use lightly.

Chelsea fans still have nightmares about the last-minute stunner he scored at Stamford Bridge, to knock Chelsea out, in the 2009 semi-final, sending 10-man Barca into the finals and eventually to the title. They will be hoping there isn't a repeat, this time around.