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England v Italy: Chelsea-Inter Best Combined XI
Ahead of Tuesday’s big Champions League return clash at Stamford Bridge, Carlo Garganese selects his best combined XI from the Chelsea and Inter teams…
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Mar 15, 2010 9:30:00 AM
By Carlo Garganese
Please note that injured players are not considered…
Goalkeeper
Julio Cesar: With Petr Cech and Hilario both injured, Julio Cesar comfortably defeats rookie Chelsea shot-stopper Ross Turnbull. The Brazilian has developed into one of the top three goalkeepers in the world over the last two years, and he will be key to Inter’s chances of progression in west London.
Defence
Maicon: The battle at right back was much closer than it perhaps would have been a year or so ago. Then, Maicon was the undisputed best full back in the world, while Branislav Ivanovic was struggling for game time at Chelsea. Since then, Maicon has dipped ever so slightly and Ivanovic has arguably been Chelsea’s most consistent stopper this campaign. Maicon wins out, but only just.
John Terry: The Chelsea skipper may have struggled horribly since his affair with former team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel was exposed but in one of the weakest defensive eras in decades Terry often stands out as a guaranteed performer for his club. If Terry is at his best, this often filters through to his colleagues too.
Walter Samuel: This may be a slightly surprising choice for many, especially when you consider Lucio’s indomitable first leg display and Ricardo Carvalho’s high performance levels for five or six years now, but Samuel has been the more consistent out of these three players for a while now. Lucio and Carvalho have had the odd off-day despite their undoubted class – the former as recent as Friday night when he was tormented by Catania – so ‘The Wall’ wins.
Javier Zanetti: A fit Ashley Cole would take this position, followed by Christian Chivu, but as both are injured Argentine legend Javier Zanetti is drafted back into defence. Chelsea were so short at left back in the first leg that they employed winger Florent Malouda in the role.
Midfield
Esteban Cambiasso: Started the season slowly, but has really picked up since the turn of the year and was outstanding in the first leg in Milan. Protects the defence like few other anchor men in Europe, and with Michael Essien injured he comfortably defeats John Obi Mikel.
Frank Lampard: Although he turns 32 in June and perhaps doesn’t get up and down the pitch as much as in his prime, Lampard Jr remains arguably the most prolific midfielder in circulation. This season he has scored 16 goals, which is a total any attacker would be proud of.
Wesley Sneijder: The Dutchman has disappointed a little of late but he has certainly added an extra dimension to Inter’s play this season after arriving from Real Madrid. His busyness, short, sharp passes and razor like pot-shots from distance could cause Chelsea problems at the Bridge unless Mikel closes him down.
Attack
Diego Milito: Must surely be the most under-rated striker in world football. Only this season is Milito getting his chance to showcase his pedigree at the highest level and he has continued his prolific goalscoring record since arriving in Europe six years ago finding the back of the net 19 times from 34 games this term.
Didier Drogba: Undoubtedly the world's best target man striker, if Inter stop Drogba they will go a long way to stopping Chelsea. The Ivorian is quite simply a physical beast, with bull-like strength, pace and aerial prowess. Has scored an incredible 27 goals in just 33 games this season – enough said!
Florent Malouda: Has been reborn since 2009, and has impressed under coach Carlo Ancelotti this season. A dangerous outlet down the left hand side, his head-to-head with Maicon should be very interesting on Tuesday night.
THE BREAKDOWN
Although seven Inter players are chosen to Chelsea’s four, the final score would have been 6-5 to the Italians had Ashley Cole and Michael Essien not been injured. Form can also be considered. At earlier parts of the season, for example, Nicolas Anelka could have won the nod but the Frenchman has disappointed of late. Esteban Cambiasso has also picked it up recently, and maybe would not have been selected in this team before Christmas.
What would be your combined Chelsea-Inter XI? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Goalkeeper
Julio Cesar: With Petr Cech and Hilario both injured, Julio Cesar comfortably defeats rookie Chelsea shot-stopper Ross Turnbull. The Brazilian has developed into one of the top three goalkeepers in the world over the last two years, and he will be key to Inter’s chances of progression in west London.
Defence
Maicon: The battle at right back was much closer than it perhaps would have been a year or so ago. Then, Maicon was the undisputed best full back in the world, while Branislav Ivanovic was struggling for game time at Chelsea. Since then, Maicon has dipped ever so slightly and Ivanovic has arguably been Chelsea’s most consistent stopper this campaign. Maicon wins out, but only just.
John Terry: The Chelsea skipper may have struggled horribly since his affair with former team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel was exposed but in one of the weakest defensive eras in decades Terry often stands out as a guaranteed performer for his club. If Terry is at his best, this often filters through to his colleagues too.
Walter Samuel: This may be a slightly surprising choice for many, especially when you consider Lucio’s indomitable first leg display and Ricardo Carvalho’s high performance levels for five or six years now, but Samuel has been the more consistent out of these three players for a while now. Lucio and Carvalho have had the odd off-day despite their undoubted class – the former as recent as Friday night when he was tormented by Catania – so ‘The Wall’ wins.
Javier Zanetti: A fit Ashley Cole would take this position, followed by Christian Chivu, but as both are injured Argentine legend Javier Zanetti is drafted back into defence. Chelsea were so short at left back in the first leg that they employed winger Florent Malouda in the role.
Midfield
Esteban Cambiasso: Started the season slowly, but has really picked up since the turn of the year and was outstanding in the first leg in Milan. Protects the defence like few other anchor men in Europe, and with Michael Essien injured he comfortably defeats John Obi Mikel.
Frank Lampard: Although he turns 32 in June and perhaps doesn’t get up and down the pitch as much as in his prime, Lampard Jr remains arguably the most prolific midfielder in circulation. This season he has scored 16 goals, which is a total any attacker would be proud of.
Wesley Sneijder: The Dutchman has disappointed a little of late but he has certainly added an extra dimension to Inter’s play this season after arriving from Real Madrid. His busyness, short, sharp passes and razor like pot-shots from distance could cause Chelsea problems at the Bridge unless Mikel closes him down.
Attack
Diego Milito: Must surely be the most under-rated striker in world football. Only this season is Milito getting his chance to showcase his pedigree at the highest level and he has continued his prolific goalscoring record since arriving in Europe six years ago finding the back of the net 19 times from 34 games this term.
Didier Drogba: Undoubtedly the world's best target man striker, if Inter stop Drogba they will go a long way to stopping Chelsea. The Ivorian is quite simply a physical beast, with bull-like strength, pace and aerial prowess. Has scored an incredible 27 goals in just 33 games this season – enough said!
Florent Malouda: Has been reborn since 2009, and has impressed under coach Carlo Ancelotti this season. A dangerous outlet down the left hand side, his head-to-head with Maicon should be very interesting on Tuesday night.
THE BREAKDOWN
Although seven Inter players are chosen to Chelsea’s four, the final score would have been 6-5 to the Italians had Ashley Cole and Michael Essien not been injured. Form can also be considered. At earlier parts of the season, for example, Nicolas Anelka could have won the nod but the Frenchman has disappointed of late. Esteban Cambiasso has also picked it up recently, and maybe would not have been selected in this team before Christmas.
Julio Cesar
Maicon – Terry – Samuel – Zanetti
Sneijder – Cambiasso – Lampard
Milito – Drogba – Malouda
Maicon – Terry – Samuel – Zanetti
Sneijder – Cambiasso – Lampard
Milito – Drogba – Malouda
What would be your combined Chelsea-Inter XI? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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