Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
The Champions League rivalry between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain renews at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night with matters locked at one-tie apiece as the two European heavyweights collide for a place in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea knocked PSG out of Europe in the 2013/14 quarter-finals, only for the reigning French champions to follow suit and eliminate the Blues a year later in the last-16.
So for the third consecutive year, Angloe-French rivalries will be renewed as Chelsea travel to Paris for the first leg, before the second leg takes place at Stamford Bridge in three weeks’ time.
Chelsea may be going through their worst season under Roman Abramovich’s ownership, but their squad remains paced with a number of players who are capable of turning a game on its head in an instance, while PSG’s star-studded line-up needs no second introduction.
But who would feature in a side made up of the two sets of players?
Click on the gallery below to find out.
PSG vs Chelsea combined XIShow all 11 1 /11PSG vs Chelsea combined XI PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) Remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world despite Chelsea’s struggles this season, and gives the Blues some hope of stopping PSG’s highly talented attack at the Parc des Princes. Keeps the solid Salvatore Sirigu out of the side…just.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) Likely to start in his natural right-back role due to John Terry’s absence meaning Branislav Ivanovic is needed for centre-back duty. The Spaniard has been Chelsea’s best defender this season, albeit in a makeshift left-back role, and he can be relied on to try and resist the PSG attack. Serge Aurier’s indefinite suspension for homophobic comments aimed at PSG manager Laurent Blanc makes it a simple decision to make.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Thiago Silva (PSG) The Brazil defender not only commands the back-line for PSG and keeps his team-mates in check, but also poses a serious threat from set-pieces as Chelsea have discovered in the past. A shoe-in for most teams in the Champions League.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Marquinhos (PSG) The rapidly improving centre-back is a possible transfer target for Chelsea if reports are to be believed, but he could be forced to be played out of position tonight to cover the suspended Aurier. That said, he is an outstanding centre-back who would boost Chelsea’s back line no end should he be plying his trade at Stamford Bridge.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Maxwell (PSG) Perhaps the forgotten figure at PSG that has become one of the most dependable players in recent years. Does a lot of the hard work down the left flank and offers his team-mates an easy out-ball, a trade he clearly learnt at Barcelona given their attractive passing style. Can pose Chelsea problems with his crossing ability, too.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Blaise Matuidi (PSG) Voted the best player in France last year and rightly so. The central midfielder is capable of protecting the back-four when needed, but has shown a talent for sending pin-point passes forward for those ahead of him to attack. A reliable tackler when play breaks down who possesses the creative talent to unlock the sternest of defences, he could prove to be the key player against Chelsea.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Thiago Motta (PSG) The midfielder who holds back when the rest of the team are surging forward. Motta would offer an extra line of defence that negates part of the counter-attack tactics regularly depoloyed against PSG in Ligue 1, and he is a mainstay in the midfield under Laurent Blanc, despite lacking the eye-catching skill that some of his team-mates possess.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Willian (Chelsea) The Blues’ best player of the season by some way waltzes into the combined XI after single-handedly keeping Chelsea out of the relegation zone earlier in the campaign. The Brazil midfielder has proven to be devastating down the right flank and a natural threat from free-kicks, but he is not afraid to roam across the pitch and showed as much with his goal on the left against Newcastle on Saturday.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) Enjoying a return to form under Guus Hiddink, although the less said about his form under Jose Mourinho this season the better. Expected to be deployed in a more advanced role tonight to allow Chelsea to deploy two defensive-minded midfielders, which will allow Fabregas to surge forward and try to link up with striker Diego Costa.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Angel Di Maria (PSG) Has gone about putting last season’s disappointment at Manchester United behind him with a strong start to life in Paris, scoring nine goals in Ligue 1 and three more in Europe. His link-up play with Zlatan Ibrahimovic – especially on the break -0 has been a joy to watch so far this season.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea combined XI Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) A return to form this season after last year’s lull has seen the 34-year-old remind Europe why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous striker’s in football. Has already notched 21 league goals this season and two more in the Champions League, with an incredible six goals coming in his four outings and a record on nine goals in his last eight matches.
2016 Getty Images
PSG vs Chelsea kicks off on Tuesday 16 February at 7.45pm. Follow the action live with the Independent’s live blog throughout the evening.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies