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On Sunday, March 1, two clubs from London will battle each other to lift the first major trophy of the current season. Chelsea will be aiming for their fifth League Cup title and their third under Jose Mourinho after lifting the cup back in 2007 under the guidance of the Portuguese. Tottenham Hotspur will also be hunting for their fifth cup victory and their first major trophy since winning the same competition back in 2008. Coincidentally Chelsea were Spurs’ opponents on that night also.According to the history of the fixtures between these two sides, Chelsea have a far superior advantage, but the last time these two sides met, the Blues were humbled by their opponents 5-3. But, past results and form matter very little in the finals of major competitions and it eventually boils down to which teams can perform under pressure while wanting the trophy more.On the eve of the cup final, here is a look at the combined Chelsea-Tottenham XI based mainly on the players’ performance in the competition:
#1 Goalkeeper
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Petr Cech: After the return of Thibaut Courtois from Atletico Madrid, Petr Cech was relegated to the bench by Jose Mourinho. The veteran’s first appearance of the season came in the Capital One Cup when Chelsea played Bolton Wanderers and he made two further appearances in the competition against Shrewsbury and Derby County. Cech lost his place to Courtois for the semi-final against Liverpool, but he may return to the starting lineup for the final. This is a competition he has previously won twice with Chelsea already in his illustrious career.
#2 Defence
Branislav Ivanovic: Ivanovic has won the League, FA Cup and Community Shield with Chelsea and a League Cup win against Spurs will complete his domestic set in England. The Serb has featured thrice in the competition this season of which his two starts were against Liverpool in the semi-final and he scored an extra time goal against Liverpool in the second leg of the semi-final to ensure Chelsea’s safe passage to the final. He has vowed to win the trophy for his compatriot Nemanja Matic, who is suspended for the final.
John Terry: John Terry hasn’t let age affect him much and he continues to be an important member of Jose Mourinho’s defense just like he was during the Portuguese’s first spell at Stamford Bridge. The League cup was the first trophy John Terry lifted as Chelsea’s captain back in 2005 and he will be rewinding the good old days if Chelsea do it again. This season, he has started and finished three games in the competition on the way to helping his side to the final.
Jan Vertonghen: Vertonghen joined Spurs in 2012 and after nearly three seasons with the club, he is yet to feature in a cup final for the club, let alone win a trophy, and the Belgian will be hoping to help end his club’s trophy less drought with a win against Chelsea. The 27 year old has played in all of Spurs game in the competition en route the final while also managing to keep three clean sheets out the five games they have played.
Filipe Luis: Filipe Luis was one of the best full backs in Europe last season and so when he moved to Chelsea, he may have not expected to play second fiddle to Cesar Azpilicueta. Luis’ appearances for Chelsea have mainly come in the cup competitions and he has featured in all five of the club’s matches in the tournament while scoring a goal against Derby County in the quarter finals. The Brazilian is in his first season with the club and hoping to lift his first major honour with the club.
#3 Midfield
Cesc Fabregas: The former Arsenal man has finished runner up in the competition twice while playing for the gunners and therefore will be hoping it will be third time lucky for him. In 2007 he played in the final against his current employers Chelsea in a losing cause and later in 2011 when Arsenal made the final, he missed the final through injury. Fabregas has featured thrice in the competition this year and provided an assist in Chelsea’s 3-1 in over Derby County in the quarter-finals.
Ryan Mason: Ryan Mason has been a Tottenham Hotspur player from 2007, but he was never in line to represent the club’s first team over the last few seasons. Under Mauricio Pochettino, he has taken huge strides forward and his breakthrough came in the League Cup. Mason came on as a substitute for Spurs against Nottingham Forest in their opening game in the competition and scored a brilliant goal to turn the tie around in his club’s favour. He is now an established member of the Spurs side and will be hoping to win his first major career trophy.
Eden Hazard: Arguably the best player in England this season and therefore this list would be incomplete without him. Hazard is yet to win any trophies in England after nearly three seasons and for a player of his caliber, that is a long drought. He has already scored twice in the competition this season. His first was in the quarter final against Derby County and the second a crucial penalty against Liverpool at Anfield.
Christian Eriksen: Although his teammate Harry Kane is stealing much of the limelight these days, Spurs would be in a spot of bother now if it wasn’t for this man and his late goals. Eriksen’s form in the League Cup this season has been incredible. He played a crucial part in helping his side dismantle Newcastle United in the quarter final by providing three assists for the four goals Spurs scored on that night and the he scored two goals in the second leg of the semi-final against Sheffield United.
Oscar: Oscar has seen his playing time reduced considerably this season, but nevertheless the Brazilian continues to be a vital part of Chelsea squad. He has started three games in the League Cup this season and scored the winning goal for Chelsea against Bolton Wanderers in the opening game of the competition. If Chelsea win the cup, it will be Oscar’s first trophy in England.
#4 Forward
Harry Kane: Kane is the man of the moment and the hottest property in England right now. The last time Spurs met Chelsea; Kane dismantled the famed Chelsea defence by scoring two out of the five goals his side scored on that night. His form in the League Cup has been impressive as well. He has scored one goal each against Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion as well as provided the assist to one of Erisken’s goals against Sheffield United. Spurs fans will be hoping that Kane can once again produce a match winning performance against Chelsea like he did before.
#5 Manager and substitutes
Manager: Jose Mourinho
No questions here. One of the most experienced and successful managers in the league right now and one who has lifted the trophy twice before as Chelsea’s manager. The League Cup was the Portuguese’s first trophy during his first spell and it could be his first during his second spell as well. Mourinho is an experienced campaigner and he will have learned from his mistakes when his side were humbled by Spurs on New Year’s day.
Substitute: Thibaut Courtois, Kyle Walker, Kurt Zouma, Mousa Dembele, Nabil Bentaleb, Deigo Costa and Nacer Chadli.
