The New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is all set to witness the latest showdown of football’s greatest managerial rivalry, with Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur taking on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
It has been a contrasting start for both managers this season. While Mourinho’s men have looked impressive so far, Guardiola and his Citizens side have been struggling to rediscover their form. Despite their different starts, just five points separate the Manchester City from Tottenham, who sit second in the table.
That being said, we have selected the strongest combined 11 from both the squads based solely on their performances in the Premier League this season.
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur Combined Line-Up
Goalkeeper – Ederson (Manchester City)
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have not had their best of starts defensively. While both teams have conceded nine goals in the Premier League, Manchester City have looked much more vulnerable in the defensive end. The presence of Golden Glove winner, Ederson has been vital for the Citizens.
Ederson has faced 20 shots in the league so far and has a good 75 per cent save rate. It’s not entirely his shot-stopping prowess that have helped him make the combined team. His impressive passing range and his ability on the ball has been a major factor for taking him in place of Hugo Lloris. Apart from a single error, Ederson has been one of the better players for Manchester City so far this season.
Right-Back – Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Kyle Walker is arguably the best of the lot. The full-back has been the best and the most consistent defender in the Premier League during the last couple of seasons. The unavailability of Matt Doherty for Tottenham automatically gives the Manchester City man a place in the combined team.
The Englishman has been one of the best performers in the league. While the players around him have either missed out injured or had a dip in form, Walker has been the only player who has played in the same form as the last couple of seasons.
The 30-year-old also has chipped in with a goal that helped his team get over a stubborn Sheffield United. He has also won 63 per cent of his tackles and also had eight interceptions this season.
Centre Back – Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
What a difference a signing can make. Ruben Dias has arguably been one of the best signings of the season so far. The City defence has looked more assured following the arrival of the Portuguese defender. Before his arrival, Guardiola’s men conceded six goals in two matches. But, following his arrival, City have leaked just three goals and have kept two clean sheets in their next five matches.
In the short span, Dias has also ranked in the top 40 players with the most passes and clearances in the Premier League. He has also had three blocks and has a 33 per cent success rate in tackles. His performance against an in-form Liverpool side was the best of his Premier League career so far.
Centre Back – Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)
Aymeric Laporte is arguably the best defender amongst both teams, but his lack of appearances puts him behind Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian has arguably been the best defender for Tottenham. Despite the defensive frailties shown by Jose Mourinho’s men, the last two Premier League matches have shown how good they can be on the defensive end. Mourinho, who has been a long-term admirer of the Belgian, looks to have finally found his general in defence.
Apart from missing the first couple of matches and their collapse against West Ham United, Alderweireld has been assured in defence for Tottenham. In the five league matches that he has played, Tottenham have conceded just five goals and have kept two cleans sheets. Alderweireld has ranked in the top 30 for clearances and has a 57 per cent success rate in tackles.
Left-Back – Sergio Reguilon (Tottenham Hotspur)
This is a no-brainer. While Manchester City have struggled in the left-back department, Sergio Reguilon has looked devastating at left-back for Tottenham. The Real Madrid graduate has been a real upgrade for the North London giants this season. The Spaniard has looked menacing on the attack and decent in defence.
In the short span, Reguilon has already managed two assists and has looked dangerous when going front. He has also made 22 recoveries and has a 57 per cent tackle success rate.
Central Midfield – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur)
Another player who falls under the signing of the season category, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, has been excellent for Tottenham. The Denmark international has provided much-needed balance to a Tottenham side that has been struggling following the departure of Moussa Dembele. Hojbjerg has been an ever-present player for Tottenham, playing almost every match for them.
Hojbjerg has been the fulcrum for the Spurs midfielder this season. He is miles ahead of others in terms of the most passes given this season. He has also had the most touches and made the most passes into the final third in the Premier League so far. Looking at his defensive side, Hojbjerg is the third in most tackles made and has a success rate of 50 per cent. He has also had one block shot, 16 clearances, and 57 recoveries.
Central Midfield – Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
One of the most underrated players in City’s midfield, Ilkay Gundogan has one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League in the last couple of seasons. The German midfielder has assured the City midfield in the absence of Fernandinho. After missing the first couple of matches due to COVID-19, Gundogan has provided a balance to the midfield. In fact, following the arrival of Gundogan, City have looked far better in midfield.
Gundogan does not have outstanding stats like the rest but has done his job without much fuss. He has made over 200 passes with a success rate of over 90 per cent. He is one of those players who might not be in the limelight like the others, but whose absence will be felt by the whole team.
Attacking Midfield – Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
There aren’t many players better than Kevin De Bruyne at the moment. The Belgian midfielder has established himself as one of the best in the world in the last couple of seasons. Despite his relatively poor start to the season, De Bruyne has still shined as City’s best-attacking threat. The Belgian has, at times, been City’s lone attacking threat in what has been a poor start by the Citizens attacking unit.
De Bruyne has already racked up three assists and sit third in the Premier League assist table. Last seasons PFA Player of the Year award winner already ranks first in key passes given this season. Much of City’s attacking threat will now once again fall on the Belgian as Manchester City look to reclaim the Premier League.
Left-Wing – Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)
There aren’t many players with better goalscoring stats than Son Heung-Min at the moment. The South Korean has simply irresistible for Tottenham this season. His link-up play with Harry Kane has seen the South Korean score almost half of Tottenham’s Premier League goals this season.
Son is already miles ahead of his competitors for the Premier League Golden Boot, having scored eight goals in the new season. He has also had the most xG and the second most involvements in goals this season. He has also ranked in the top ten shots on target, shot-creating chances, key passes, and assist per 90.
Striker – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
One of the most complete strikers in the world at the moment, Harry Kane, is one of the in-form players in the league. The arrival of Jose Mourinho has seen the striker finding a different dimension to his attacking prowess. The Portuguese manager’s influence has seen Kane excelling in both goal scoring and playmaking.
In just eight appearances, the striker has scored seven goals and averaged an assist per game. He has also topped the table in most goals creating actions, through balls, expected assists, and assists. His 15 goal involvements are already a record at this stage of the league. Kane’s combination with Son has seen Tottenham ripping Premier League defences apart. If all goes well, it just a matter of time before Tottenham Hotspur finally ends their title drought.
Right-Wing – Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
The only player on this list who will be playing out of his position. Raheem Sterling has once again had a good start to the Premier League. The winger has been Manchester City’s main goalscoring threat, with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus missing several matches through injuries. But, the relatively poor performances of right-wingers from each side has seen Sterling being given the nod ahead of the others.
The winger is City’s second joint top-scorer in the league and is also the second joint assist provider for the Citizens. Despite his decent stats, Sterling has rarely looked like the player that was on fire last season. The winger has, at times, looked far off from his game. However, the England international is always capable of changing a game.
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