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

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Goal Keeper:

Thibaut Courtois

There has been a lot said about Thibaut Courtois since his arrival at Chelsea in 2011. Highly rated, the young goalkeeper looks set to take over as the Chelsea No.1 in a few years, assuming Chelsea can fend off interest from some of Europe’s best clubs. Recent reports from Spain and England suggest that both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are preparing bids, as well as current loan club Athletico Madrid. With such demand, and praise coming from the continent over, the Belgian seems to be fast-tracking his development somewhat. Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois-one of Europe’s finest?

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

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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