Dollar XI: The Dream Team From The Richest Clubs In England – Chelsea & Manchester City

Goal Keeper:

Thibaut Courtois

Courtois beats Joe Hart as he has been La Liga’s best keeper last season and is much younger. Courtois has been very successful against top attackers like Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and Bale and has made some wonderful saves against them. Joe Hart endured a tough start to the season last year but then got back on track after a short break from first team action. A very good goalkeeper, yet Hart was not at his best last year unlike Courtois.

Defenders:

RIGHT BACK: Pablo Zabaleta

Zabaleta is ahead of Ivanovic purely because he is a natural fullback. While Ivanovic may be burly and strong, he is much better playing in central defence than in Right Back spot. Chelsea may well utilise Ivanovic in the CB spot and play Azpilicueta as a Right Back, but going by last year’s scheme of things, Zabaleta is better rated. The Argentine is an assured defender and is good while attacking as well.

CENTRE BACK: Vincent Kompany

The Manchester City captain is a complete Centre Back. He times his tackles well, is a top quality passer and organiser and has good mobility on the pitch. He makes the team in place of Chelsea Skipper John Terry, who had an outstanding season last year, but more because of playing in a defensive minded team. Terry used his experience to perfection by directing Cahill well and using his mobility. Terry, though, is old and slow, something which is a liability when Chelsea want to press higher up the field, resulting in torn defences when the opponents counter.

CENTRE BACK: Gary Cahill

It took a while for fans to get the fact that Cahill is the real hero for Chelsea last season. Taking guidelines from John Terry and developing into a no-nonsense Centre Back, Cahill displaced Luiz from the starting line-up. He is in his prime and is a mobile, clean and disciplined defender. Martin Demichelis is the one who lost the battle with the Englishman here because of his roller-coaster season last time. Demichelis was considered the weak link in a strong Manchester City team for most part of the season, but during the business end of the Premier League, the Argentine found his best form and showed great character to contribute to his team’s success.

LEFT BACK: Cesar Azpilicueta

This season Azpilicueta may play on the Right Back spot, which is his natural position, but he was extremely impressive in his left back role. He can now operate both as a left back and a right back, something that gives Jose Mourinho a lot of tactical options. Filipe Luis is the one that joined Chelsea this season and is expected to play as the first choice Left Back, but based on last season’s display and the sheer versatility of the Spaniard, he makes this list as a Right Back capable of playing as a Left Back. While Man City used Kolarov and Clichy to good effect, they are rather one dimensional fullbacks. Clichy has fallen down the pecking order as Kolarov’s power has been chosen over his tactical ability. Kolarov is a fully attack minded fullback and is a rather averaged defender.

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Midfielders:

CENTRAL DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: Nemanja Matic

Matic dominates the defensive midfield like no one else in the league. He beats Fernandinho to the spot. The Serb has height, strength, tactical ability and great vision to play in the position. After being bought back in January, Matic has been a regular in the team and a very consistent performer. Fernandinho has also been a great player for the club last year, someone who helped Yaya Toure bombard forward and score goals. He is more attack minded when needed and has a great sense of awareness to intercept passes. But Matic dominates physically and is a very clean ball winner as he barely fouls anyone. His range of passing in deep midfield is also impressive as he fit in perfectly in Chelsea’s counter attacking/long passing game.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Yaya Toure

Toure has been in fine form and has now found out that he is more of an attack minded player than his idol Vieira. Toure’s attacking prowess was the reason City won the league last season. With 20 goals and a number of assists, Yaya Toure is a lethal goalscorer now, and his strength, close control and deceptive pace coupled with a tireless engine makes him an absolute beast in the midfield who can dominate almost anyone with his imposing frame and technique. Cesc Fabregas is the Chelsea man who gives way for the big African. The former Arsenal Captain is a world class playmaker without doubt, but Yaya Toure adds the fear factor- the unconquerable physicality and power which Fabregas doesn’t. Simply based on the ‘beastly’ qualities of Toure and his goals, he wins the battle over Fabregas who is arguably the best deep seated playmaker in the league.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD: Eden Hazard

Hazard was a hero for Chelsea last season as he was the standout performer in the team. With 14 goals and 7 assists along with the ability to contribute defensively as well, Hazard matured into a very good player last season under the strict guidance of Jose Mourinho. He beats Samir Nasri who has been a key figure under Pallegrini. The French man was involved in many goals last season and was a vital cog in the midfield but was not as influential as Hazard for Chelsea.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD: David Silva

Silva had an injury hit period last season but whenever he was on the pitch, he was their best creator of chances. He may be a small man but he works well on the pitch as he showed that he can work off the ball as well, when Juan Mata was struggling in Chelsea. However, it is Willian whom Silva beats to the spot. It is tough excluding Willian from the list especially because of his undying positive attitude for the sport, with his tireless work rate, pace and stamina. Yet Silva, one of Europe’s best playmakers, partners Hazard in this list.

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Attackers:

STRIKER/ NUMBER 10: Sergio Aguero

Aguero makes this position his own by beating Chelsea’s number 10 Oscar. Oscar was industrious and stylish as well last year, but his form dipped after January as his creativity stopped and he became a simple box-to-box player. He had a good World Cup though. Aguero was however, last season’s second best striker based on flair and quality but had an injury hit season. Aguero can score as well as create goals for his strike partner and has an exceptional sense of positioning and an eye for a goal.

STRIKER: Diego Costa

The final position on the pitch boils down to Edin Dzeko and Diego Costa and the winner is the new Chelsea man. Costa scored 27 goals in La Liga closely behind world beaters Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. That itself talks about his ability to finish chances. He has had a good pre-season as of now and looks a real deal in Chelsea’s attack. Dzeko on the other hand has been a really good target man for the team, with his physicality and his ability to position himself well and shoot powerfully. But compared to Costa, Dzeko is more of a rotation player and has limited technique.

Final Team: 6 Chelsea players and 5 Man City Players.

The Dollar XI: Courtois; Zabaleta, Kompany, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Yaya Toure, Silva, Hazard; Aguero, Costa.