The World Champions are back in Munich to open their UCL campaign with a thrilling encounter against Bayern Munich.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich meet again in Munich as both sides look to open their account in the UEFA Champions League. Since the famous meeting in 2012, where Chelsea won their first UEFA Champions League trophy, both clubs have met just twice, which was in the 2019/2020 season, where the German giants decolourised the Blues in a 7-1 masterclass over both legs.
Coming into this game, Bayern have won all their Bundesliga games, while Chelsea, who won the Club World Cup in the summer, have two wins and two draws from four games.
Combined XI
Ahead of the game, we have selected our Bayern Munich and Chelsea Combined XI.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Neuer is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and he’s still pulling out impossible saves as he nears his 40th birthday. It’s a no-brainer that he walks into this combined XI.
Right-Back: Reece James
Without injury, James is one of the best right-backs to touch a ball. Now that he’s gotten game time and reduced injuries, he delivered those performances that put him in the spotlight. In the international break, he stole the show, and for Chelsea, he’s reminded the fans what a world-class right-back looks like.
Centre-Back: Dayot Upamecano
In this combined XI, he is the best CB. For Bayern and France, he’s a strong, reliable figure who doesn’t shy away from the rough side of the game. He’s been one of Bayern’s best defenders since he signed.
Centre-Back: Trevor Chalobah
Chalobah comes into this line-up as the highest-rated defender in the Premier League according to WhoScored. He’s been one of Chelsea’s best performers, and hopefully, we see another masterclass today.
Left-Back: Marc Cucurella
Taking nothing away from Nuno Mendes, Marc Cucurella is the best left-back in the world right now. He’s been solid for Spain and Chelsea, while delivering goals and assists to win games for club and country.
Midfield: Moises Caicedo
The best midfielder in the Premier League and in the world, Moises Caicedo, is Chelsea’s midfield general. He’s a ball-winning machine and a force to be reckoned with. According to Squawka, no player has made more tackles (16) OR more interceptions (12) than Moisés Caicedo in the Premier League this season.
He also has the best success rate of any midfielder to contest 30+ duels this season (65.79%).
Midfield: Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich remains an unmovable force in the midfield of the German champions. Time and time again, he shows his class while keeping the tempo for the Bundesliga giants. No player across Europe’s top five leagues had more touches or made more progressive passes than Kimmich last season.
Midfield: Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s star boy and England’s jewel, Cole Palmer, is a genius when he’s in his flow state. In a world where football has become mechanical, Palmer reminds you to play the beautiful game with ease and think outside the box. On his return from injury, he scored for Chelsea against Brentford, giving Chelsea fans a glimpse of things to come this season.
Right-Wing: Michael Olise
Bayern’s player of the year, Michael Olise, has Bayern fans in dreamland. Since his move from Crystal Palace, he has consistently shown the world he’s capable of turning games by his sheer skill and intelligence. He’s growing to become Bayern’s main man and a force to be reckoned with in Europe.
Left-Wing: Luis Diaz
Having just joined Bayern this summer, Luis Diaz has had an immediate impact in the Bundesliga. With three goals and two assists, Luis Diaz has begun to pay his transfer fee back and prove to Bayern fans that he is worth every penny. Chelsea will be familiar with his tricks, and hopefully, they can do enough to stop him.
Striker: Harry Kane
While Joao Pedro has had a flying start to the season, no one comes close to Harry Kane. Picking up from where he left off last season, Harry Kane is tearing up the Bundesliga. Currently, across Europe, he has more goal contributions (8) than any other player this season. With the Bundesliga title already under his belt, Kane will be pushing for more trophies with Bayern this season.
