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Hull City vs. Chelsea: Combined XI ahead of Premier League clash

By Craig Pearson

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Robert Snodgrass of Hull City celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Hull City at Turf Moor on September 10, 2016 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Robert Snodgrass of Hull City celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Hull City at Turf Moor on September 10, 2016 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Gary Cahill of Chelsea (L) shows dejection after Arsenal score during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Gary Cahill of Chelsea (L) shows dejection after Arsenal score during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper and Centre-backs

Given Chelsea’s amateurish defending this season, they’ll be lucky to have any defenders in this combined XI. Fortunately for them, they’re up against Hull and not a team of higher quality.

Thibaut Courtois takes his place in goal. Hull City fielded Eldin Jakupovic in the first five games. The Swiss ‘keeper held his own until the team conceded four to Arsenal. Then he was dropped for David Marshall, who then conceded five against Liverpool.

So the Tigers aren’t particularly settled with their number one. Courtois has been reported to be looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge, but the goalkeeper isn’t the worst of a under-performing bunch. So he gets in our team.

MUST READ: Everton vs. Crystal Palace: Combined XI

We’re deploying a surprise 3-4-3 formation, so we have three centre-backs to choose. Which will be difficult because Antonio Conte can’t even find two of his own. Fortunately, John Terry is fit again to face Hull. So the Chelsea captain takes his place in our back line.

Hull have shipped some goals recently, but given Chelsea’s shambolic showings, Hull’s earlier showings in the campaign earn a couple of their players the nod at centre-back. Curtis Davies and Jake Livermore take the two spots alongside Terry.

David Luiz has only played two Premier League games. Whilst Gary Cahill’s recent form doesn’t bolster his case for selection. So Terry, Livermore and Davies take up the three centre-back positions.

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