Cole Palmer and Son Heung-min are automatic starters while Nicolas Jackson breaks into our combined XI for Chelsea vs Tottenham… but why do SEVEN Spurs stars get the nod ahead of London clash?
Chelsea and Tottenham meet at Stamford Bridge hoping to make a major dent in their London rivals’ European ambitions.
Mauricio Pochettino is dealing with such an injury crisis that his team has practically been chosen for him.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou will have to dig his players out of a stupor after back-to-back defeats, although their inspired second half in their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal provides hope.
If either manager is unsure about who to pick, they would do well to listen to Mail Sport’s authoritative advice below.
Without further ado, we present Mail Sport’s combined XI. What can go wrong?
Tottenham and Chelsea renew their acquaintance on Thursday evening in the London derby
Son Heung-min leads the line, flanked by Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer in our combined XI
FORMATION: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
Provided no one takes off their gloves, Vicario is a pretty easy choice here.
He is the archetypal modern goalkeeper, ranking high in the distribution statistics and able to sweep when necessary.
There are doubts about his ability to control his territory. Micah Richards was unimpressed with his sheepishness in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal and Spurs conceded two goals from corners.
Djordje Petrovic is a great goalkeeping option for Chelsea in mid-season, but Mail Sport prefers Vicario.
Guglielmo Vicario brings modern qualities for a goalkeeper, but can improve his presence
Right back: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
Porro has found a happy home at Spurs and suits their playing style well.
He was a good creator on the wing for Ange Postecoglou, scoring seven assists, although his last was in January.
It would have been a toss against Malo Gusto, whose crossing was a sight to behold, but he is out after a knee injury against Manchester City.
Pedro Porro is a dynamic full-back and with Malo Gusto out he claims this spot with ease
Central defender: Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
It has its imperfections, but Romero’s partnership with Micky van de Ven is something Spurs can build on in the coming seasons.
Aggressive, reckless and a good leader, Romero has won over fans after initial doubts.
He has also made a strong contribution in the future: his goal against Arsenal took his total for the season to five goals.
For much of the second half he played so high that he was practically a striker, but his initiative paid off and got his team back into the game.
Cristian Romero scored five goals this season and increased his status among fans
Central defender: Micky van de Ven (Tottenham)
He has been a very strong signing for Postecoglou, £43m well spent.
His pace is dizzying. Against Brentford in January he clocked a top speed of 37.22 km/h – the fastest speed ever recorded in the Premier League.
He also brings with him the coveted trait of being left-footed, which allows him to get forward when receiving the ball from Vicario and spread the ball wider.
Granted, the Dutchman had a poor spell against Newcastle and was arguably at fault for three of their goals, slipping twice, but it has been a positive debut season for him.
Micky van de Ven has recorded the fastest pace in Premier League history and has impressed in his first season at Spurs
Left back: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Destiny Udogie or Ben Chilwell would normally fill this role, but both are absent.
Cucurella has improved this season and put together a solid run of games in Chilwell’s absence.
After arriving at the club, he was seen as a loose cannon and has made progress in reconciling his attacking instincts with his defensive duties.
Marc Cucurella joins our team due to absences but has improved his form this campaign
Central midfield: Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham)
Sarr’s energy in the engine room for Spurs is indispensable.
He had to wait a while for his Spurs debut, which he made in January last season, but this year his effort and ball-winning ability have benefited them.
Yves Bissouma is a similar player and has every right to say he deserves this spot, but he hasn’t gotten that many minutes lately, so Sarr just brings him forward.
Pape Matar Sarr’s energy in midfield is a big plus for Spurs, as is his ability to win the ball
Central midfield: Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
It will be a great shame for Chelsea if they part ways with Conor Gallagher as he has been a rare ball of consistency in a year of disarray.
He is entering the final year of his contract without a breakthrough in talks and while Mauricio Pochettino is keen to keep him, Chelsea’s chiefs may be licking their lips at selling a youth product for pure profit.
His box-to-box efforts will align nicely with Sarr’s enthusiasm for running.
Conor Gallagher has been a rare constant in a troubled season for Chelsea but could be on his way out
Right: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Indispensable in this team, regardless of who is fit.
A run of 25 goals and 13 assists this season speaks for itself. Palmer is electric and conjures magical moments out of thin air.
Mail Sport’s Ian Herbert believes Palmer should send Phil Foden to the Footballer of the Year award. At the very least, he’s high up in the conversation.
He does all this in a turbulent Chelsea team, remember. He thrives in conditions hostile to success.
Mail Sport’s Ian Herbert believes Cole Palmer should name Phil Foden as Footballer of the Year
Attacking midfield: James Maddison (Tottenham)
Has Maddison been the same player since his mid-season ankle injury? No.
Ten games into his Spurs career he has three goals and five assists, with his new employers topping the Premier League.
In his last six league games he has scored no goals or assists and has been substituted in his last nine.
However, his quality is undeniable and fans are confident that he will turn a corner sooner or later.
James Maddison has yet to regain his pre-injury form but is still an important player for Spurs
Left: Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
Before this it was a matter of Jackson, Raheem Sterling, Timo Werner and Mykhailo Mudryk. Perhaps it would have been better to leave the space unfilled.
Jackson has taken a lot of criticism this year, but he has shouldered the burden in a respectable manner.
He arrived for £32 million in two eye-catching months at Villarreal and scored 13 goals at the age of 22. That’s no shame.
Mail Sport moves him to his lesser-known left wing. He hasn’t been a prolific goalscorer, but his technical ability is evident.
Nicolas Jackson has put a lot of effort into his finishing, but he is young and has redeeming qualities
Son Heung-min has taken to his new role as striker excellently and is an ideal captain
Forward: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Son is not a natural striker and has had to fill in for Harry Kane since his departure to Bayern Munich, but he is doing well.
He has 16 goals and nine assists this season, putting him in the lead and adapting to a new tactical style.
The 31-year-old is a talismanic captain and a perfect ambassador for the club. Mail Sport also makes him our captain.