The battle of England’s premier football cities…
We’ve put together the ultimate XI’s consisting of Manchester based footballers versus London based footballers.
Star players from Manchester United and Manchester City fill obviously up the Manchester berths, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs stars take up the London spots.
Do you agree with our choices?
Manchester XI
Of course, this side currently features Wayne Rooney, but if one of the Premier League’s most exciting ever transfers does indeed take place – someone else may grab the second striker spot!
United have five representatives, and City have six – but there are no glaring admissions from either side.
Joe Hart starts between the sticks despite a hugely improved season from David De Gea. Maybe in a year’s time, the Spanish stopper will be regarded as Manchester’s number one keeper.
Zabaleta was the best right-back in the league last year, and Patrice Evra has been a more consistent force than French rival Gael Clichy. Vincent Kompany is arguably the finest centre-half in the country, and when he is fit – Nemanja Vidic is probably the first name on United’s team sheet.
Michael Carrick’s passing helped United win a title last season – and the unfashionable England man is slowly starting to win over his doubters. He beats the likes of Fernandinho, Tom Cleverley and Ryan Giggs to a spot along side the beast that is Yaya Toure.
Sergio Aguero nicks an attacking midfield spot from Shinji Kagawa, although the Japanese playmaker started to show his true class towards the end of last term. Rooney and David Silva claim the other spots – and the thought of them supplying world-class goalscorer Robin Van Persie up top is frightening!
London XI
Again – this team could soon be gaining Rooney, and potentially losing Juan Mata or David Luiz. Whether this strengthens of weakens the side is very much a matter for debate.
Petr Cech just beats Tottenham’s hugely impressive Hugo Lloris to the keeper spot. Cech’s consistency over many years has earned him the start- although Lloris’s class cannot be denied.
Ashley Cole remains the league’s best left-back, while the consistency and physicality of Branislav Ivanovic earns him a spot in the other full-back berth. A wonderfully technical centre-half partnership between Jan Vertonghen and David Luiz contradicts the no-nonsense Manchester pairing.
The central midfield positions were very difficult to choose from, and Sandro, but especially Frank Lampard have legitimate claims for inclusion. The guile of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere combined with the box-to-box ability of £17m Paulinho forms a brilliant partnership though.
Mata, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard walk into the attacking midfield slots – although if the positions were not filled with so many world-class players, Santi Cazorla and Oscar would be suitable candidates.
Controversially – Theo Walcott starts up top, until Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham go all out and sign a world-class forward. Fernando Torres has no right to start, nor do Jermain Defoe or Emmanuel Adebayor. Although Wenger hasn’t given Walcott a regular chance for Arsenal in a central striker position – we’re going to!
So – who do you think would win this ultimate match up?
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