EPL 2016/17: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur – Combined XI

Sripad
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02:  Referee Mark Clattenburg shows a yellow card to John Mikel Obi of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on May 02, 2016 in London, England.jd  (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
What a match this was!

Right Back: Kyle Walker

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19:  Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at White Hart Lane on November 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
Tottenham’s main man in defence

Tottenham's leading man in defence has to be Kyle Walker. The Englishman has got the pace, crossing ability and shooting to make him one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. He can easily be named in the Top 3 right-backs right now.

Walker has used his pace well to make some stunning interceptions this season but fails to adapt when he's given a new role. The North London Derby is the best example. He was asked to play in the right wing-back role by Pochettino, but he failed miserably before he got injured. Hence the reason why he's picked at the right-back position itself.


Center Backs: Gary Cahill & Jan Vertonghen

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16:  Gary Cahill of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Leading the team, finally!

Picking Gary Cahill ahead of David Luiz might be a bit controversial, but the formation of 4-4-2 is something that would suit the Englishman more than the Brazilian. Luiz was awful when Conte used to play 4-2-4 while Cahill was relatively better. The former Bolton man has got a lot of heat for his performances over the last one year but has proved everyone wrong with his consistent performances in the league lately.

He's playing as a left centre-back in Conte's new formation, and that seems to suit him well. He's made the role his own and has managed to keep John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic out of the team.

Danny Rose is suspended for the game, having picked up his fifth yellow card against West Ham. Vertonghen will most likely be featuring on the left, but for the purposes of this article, we have picked him as a centre-back, thanks to the Belgian's versatility .

The centre-back has played quite well so far, partnering with Toby Alderweireld in the centre. Their partnership made sure that they conceded the least number of goals last season. With 6 wins and 6 draws, he's been the part of a setup that hasn't lost a league game so far this season.

The Belgian centre-back was left out of the squad that faced Monaco in the Champions League, as the London club unceremoniously exited the tournament. The Spurs will be looking towards his leadership skills at the back if they hope to pick up all three points in the coming fixture.


Left Back: Cesar Azpilicueta

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15:  Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2016 in London, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Mr Consistent

Calling him 'Premier League’s most consistent defender' would actually be an understatement. He's been brilliant for Chelsea ever since he moved from Marseille and has been on top of his game every single time.

His defensive qualities are hard to find in any other defender right now, and it's his confidence on and off the ball that's making him so good. The Spaniard is now being played as the right centre-back by Conte, and he's switched well.

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