The Top Flight
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Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Combined XI ahead of Premier League showdown

By Craig Pearson

Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Hull City and Chelsea at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on October 1, 2016. / AFP / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)
Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Hull City and Chelsea at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on October 1, 2016. / AFP / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /

Front Three

Both teams have a ton of attacking players. Whether it’s strikers, number 10s or wide players, the selection is plentiful. Given the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovich and Diego Costa, however, both have to start in this combined XI.

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Ibrahimovich started the season on fire, scoring four goals in four games. Since then, the Swede has scored just one goal in four games. Still, Ibrahimovich deserves his place in the team due to the overall effect he has had on the United team.

Costa has been on fire all season so far. Seven Premier League goals in eight games, all evenly distributed form start to finish, show exactly that. The Spaniard looks back to his best – for better or worse. Fiery, aggressive, a goal threat – Diego Costa is back. Both the good and the bad.

Joining Costa and Ibrahimovich in a narrow-looking front three is Eden Hazard. Hazard has been up and down, but has played better again lately. The Belgian started the season well but faded as the Chelsea team faltered.

Since Conte switched formation though, Hazard has looked more lively again. At his best, Hazard is among the very best attackers in the Premier League. He hasn’t always played up to that level, but perhaps that will come as time goes by in Conte’s new setup.

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