The biggest match of the weekend will take place at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening when Chelsea host Premier League title rivals Manchester City.Chelsea have been dismissed somewhat this season, in part due to the media’s repeated attempts at portraying a two-way battle between the Manchester clubs, but Antonio Conte’s team have responded brilliantly since their opening day defeat to Burnley.Wednesday’s 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid highlighted the ‘never give up’ attitude Conte has instilled in his players.And that attitude will be important when Man City come to west London later today.Pep Guardiola’s side have been immense this season, winning five of their six matches in the league and scoring 21 goals in the process.Yet Chelsea restricted City to two goals in their meetings last campaign, and that was with Sergio Aguero playing in both matches.The Argentinian will miss today’s match after breaking his ribs in car accident in Amsterdam and it’s in this situation that Guardiola must be relieved he has so many options going forwards.
Merson's Chelsea-Man City XI
But in the eyes of Paul Merson, Aguero and David Silva are the only attacking players worthy of being included in a combined Chelsea and Manchester City XI.
No Kevin de Bruyne. Yep, really.
The exclusion of the Belgian playmaker isn’t the most noteworthy aspect of Merson’s team though, but its delivery.
He appeared with Sky Sports colleague Jeff Stelling to announce his team but kept forgetting who and how many players he selected.
Left wing-back? “I’d go with [Victor] Moses. No, not with Moses sorry, err, the other foot… the wing back… I’d probably go…”
It’s at this point that Stelling realises Merson needs some help.
“[Marcos] Alonso. Yeah so I’d go him,” the former Arsenal man eventually says.
Watch: Merson delivers his XI
Merson appears to forget about N’Golo Kante, last season’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season and had to ask Stelling whether he had room for another striker.
Nobody listens to Merson for his interpretation of the English language but some preparation would have been nice. Watch the video below.
It’s actually unclear who Merson picked in his XI. He said he’s go for Chelsea’s back three without specifying who exactly they would be before saying Vincent Kompany would get in over Gary Cahill when fit.
Kyle Walker and Moses are the wing backs and in midfield, Kante is joined by David Silva and Eden Hazard.
Merson picked Aguero and Alvaro Morata as his strikers.
Just post a graphic of Merson’s XI next time, Sky Sports.