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A London rivalry that hardly needed an extra touch, and then José Mourinho and Frank Lampard entered the fray on opposite sides.
Once united in blue, two-time Chelsea manager Mourinho assumed command of Spurs just over a year ago and has since gone head-to-head with Lampard on the touchline three times.
Chelsea doubled over Tottenham in the Premier League last season, in what was a difficult first six months at Mourinho’s job.
But the Spurs beat their rivals in the Carabao Cup in September, via penalties, in a match marred by the disputes of the two coaches in the first half.
This season Tottenham have gone to a wheel and head to the treetop weekend, but Chelsea, two points behind, have a chance to overtake them this afternoon.
But which players would enter a combined XI and what star names would be missed? Sportsmail takes you through the team, based on the players available for Sunday’s contest.
GOALIE
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
In the summer, this was an easy choice. Chelsea’s then number one Kepa Arrizabalaga lacked confidence and essentially couldn’t play a game without making a mistake.
But the signing of Edouard Mendy for £ 22m has turned Chelsea’s fortunes at the back, with the former Rennes goalkeeper, who plays international football for Cameroon, keeping five clean sheets in his first six games amid a rebound in the form of Lampard’s team.
That said, Tottenham currently have the best defensive record in the division, having conceded just nine goals, and their captain and World Cup winner Hugo Lloris is a major factor in that strength.
BACK
Reece James (Chelsea)
This wasn’t an automatic pick, but given his explosive start to the season, Reece James is the No. 1 pick on defense.
The 20-year-old has thrived in a three-month period that has seen him not only usurp club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, but also make his international debut for England, impressing with his crossing ability and defensive ability for both the club and the for the country.
Although Matt Doherty is back in the race, in addition to Serge Aurier being in decent form, James gets the nod at right back.
CENTER OF BACK
Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Amidst different defensive teammates, Kurt Zouma has been a constant for Lampard and seems to have found some consistency alongside his obvious potential.
The 26-year-old has been with the club for six years, but now he seems to have finally found his place in West London.
He has already scored two goals and his aerial dominance has been crucial in the Blues’ unbeaten streak that extends to 10 games in all competitions.
Eric Dier (Tottenham)
Having permanently moved from defensive midfield to central under Mourinho, Dier has become a dominant presence in the Spurs defense.
Although he has made a few mistakes behind England, he has been defensively dominant in virtually every Spurs game he has played in the Premier League.
In fact, it is telling that of the nine goals conceded, three of them came against West Ham, when the English international was absent due to a minor injury. Mourinho has always rated the 26-year-old and appears to have made Dier a leader.
LEFT BACK
Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
This was a difficult selection and a choice between two summer signings that have started to work in their respective clubs.
Sergio Reguilon has been the reliable outlet Mourinho was looking for as a left back, confining Ben Davies to a spot on the bench and, in particular, beating Riyad Mahrez against Manchester City last week.
But after missing the first three games through injury following his £ 50 million move from Leicester, Ben Chilwell scored in his first start against Crystal Palace and hasn’t looked back since – he gets the nod on the left flank.
MIDDLE FIELD CENTER
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham)
What a signing the former Southampton captain has proven to be this season.
Hard-working, demanding and destructive, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has added the much-needed nibble on a successful Mourinho team.
The Dane was ambitious in saying that he could thrive at a traditionally bigger club, and has so far proven worth more than the £ 20 million Spurs coughed up in the summer. He is already a stone in Tottenham’s midfield.
N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
He may not be operating at his incredible, unplayable level of 3-4 years ago, but N’Golo Kante remains a vital cog in the Lampard machine.
He has played all but seven minutes in the league this season and has shown signs of returning to his best after a 2019-20 campaign plagued with injuries and a surprising decline in form.
His stamina, anticipation and off-mark pace make the 29-year-old World Cup winner central to the flow of great games – his battle against players like Hojbjerg will go a long way in deciding today’s victor.
Mason Mount (Chelsea)
This was the most difficult selection decision, between two players who have performed above the strangely mediocre expectations that the spectators placed on them.
Tanguy Ndombele, who looked like a shadow of a £ 54 million player in his debut season at Spurs last season, has become his thing this season, and along with compatriot Moussa Sissoko is finally unleashing his pockets of talent on the English game.
But Mason Mount simply has a choice here. Smart with his movement, fit in a variety of positions and skilled on the ball (as evidenced by his assist to Callum Hudson-Odoi midweek), the 21-year-old is increasingly silencing skeptics week after week.
Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Not surprisingly, the South Korean makes the team, having already scored nine goals in all competitions.
But it’s his association with Harry Kane that has made headlines, and the pair are closing in on the all-time record for goals scored by coming together.
Son also tends to step up in big games, as illustrated by his attack on City last week: will he get involved on the spot and make a difference at Stamford Bridge? You wouldn’t miss it.
Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)
Of the £ 230 million summer talent the Blues invested in over the summer, the former Ajax playmaker has drawn the most surprising attention in attack.
While Timo Werner is struggling with his skill in front of goal, Ziyech has improved match by match and acclimatized to English football immediately.
Blessed with a host of tricks and a one-foot wand, it was his home display against Sheffield United at the Bridge, his highlight so far. His battle against Reguilon will be fascinating.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
The England captain has taken his game to a new dimension in recent months and is the best player in the Premier League right now.
More than his 12 goals in all competitions, it is Kane’s endurance game, tenacity off the ball, and street knack for playing with defenders that has propelled the Spurs to a place at the top of the league.
He is likely to face a seasoned enforcer in Thiago Silva, as well as Zouma, on Sunday. But judging from the way he flourished against City last week, Kane will undoubtedly have a huge influence on the course of this contest and how serious the Spurs title challenge really is.
XI COMBINED: Chelsea 6, Tottenham 5
HOW OUR COMBINED XI WOULD BE ALIGNED
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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