Which Chelsea players would start for United ?
Note: This selection is based on Actim Stats for the most part, so take this as a starting XI based on current form, not overall quality.
Since we read suggestions about which Newcastle players would start for the top 4 Premiership teams it started me wondering which Chelsea players would actually start for United. Certainly Cech, Lampard and Drogba should be considered, but which players would actually make it into the starting eleven ?
To help decide which players I would pick I have chosen to let Actim stats make the final decision between players of similar ability (a means of reducing my personal bias).
DEFENCE
For me Cech might have the edge over Van Der Sar, but could anyone really justify splitting up the highly impressive back four of Neville, Rio, Vidic and Evra ? Of Chlesea’s defenders Terry would be worthy of serious consideration, but Vidic’s form this season would suggest that if Terry did replace any of our back four it would be Rio. Terry is only just back from injury so based on current form I certainly wouldn’t risk breaking up a very effective back four;
MIDFIELD
Our weakest area is meant to be midfield yet Scholes and Ronaldo are top contenders for Premiership players of the season. Without question Ronaldo would make the starting 11, and a choice would need to be made between Scholes and Lampard. Whilst I feel there is a strong arguement for Scholes the two are still close enough for my Actim rule to apply so Lampard would get the nod.
Giggs and Ronaldo are easy choices on the wings, but defensive midfield would a closer battle between Carrick, Makelele and Essien – Carrick gets the nod based on Actim stats.
FORWARDS
This selection turns out to be surprisingly easy – both Rooney and Drogba have shined this season and I have no problem in placing them in my starting 11. This makes my final 11 as follows;
————— Cech —————
— Neville — Rio — Vidic — Evra —
Ronaldo – Carrick – Lampard – Giggs
———- Drogba – Rooney ——–
Subs: VDS, Terry, Scholes, Larsson, Saha
As I see it just 3 Chelsea players in the starting 11 and 1 on the bench. Perhaps the lineup would favour Chelsea more without the Actim stats rule I used to help make final decisions, but overall I believe the selection is pretty close to what it should be.
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Using “Actim” stats for two positions does nothing to negate your bias – nor does it conceal it – Lol.
February 15th, 2007 @ 16:32One of the most hilarious articles I have read in years.
How many Manchester United players would get in the Chelsea starting line-up ? Maybe 2.
February 15th, 2007 @ 16:51Your desire to select Carrick and leave out Essien is laughable
February 15th, 2007 @ 17:19your article suggests there is a massive gulf between the players of the 2 clubs, yet only 6 points separates them? Are we to conclude that Jose is a far better manager than old man Fergie. Does Actim ratings stretch to managers?
February 15th, 2007 @ 17:19What???
February 15th, 2007 @ 18:28Are you just kidding me, right???
You just say Carrick is better than Makelele or Essien?
And where is A.Cole, Robben and Carvalho?
Ok, lets do this the simple way – a combined Chelsea and United team, not based on Actim stats but on overall quality.
Starting XI
Cech
Neville-Ferdinand-Terry-Ashley Cole
Ronaldo-Essien-Lampard-Robben
Rooney-Shevchenko
Bench: EVDS, Heinze, Carrick, Joe Cole, Saha/Drogba.
Cech over EVDS – I think even United fans would agree on this one.
Neville over Ferriera, Ferdinand and Terry pick themselves, Carvalho and Vidic would make the bench, but that’s about it. Cole over Heinze and Evra, despite the latter’s good form this season.
Ronaldo is a shoe-in, so is Robben on the left (age and pace win him a spot ahead of Giggs). Essien over Makelele and Carrick, Lampard over Scholes (but only because of age).
Rooney over Drogba, and Shevchenko over Saha.
EVDS on the bench, Heinze gets the defender’s spot because he can play either left back or centre back (while Essien covers right-back in an emergency), Carrick over Scholes and Makelele (can be a true CM instead of a purely defensive or offensive mid), Joe Cole as the super-sub, Saha/Drogba on the bench – couldn’t decide here.
Care to disagree?
Please comment. Team has 4 United players and 7 Chelsea players in the starting 11, and 3 United to 1 Chelsea on the bench (with 1 spot undecided).
Manager? Mourinho for his man-management skills.
February 15th, 2007 @ 18:42My God, Sheva over Drogba and Larsson? Carrick over Makelele and Scholes?Carvalho is crap why is he on the bench? What the hell are you thinking? Ashley Cole playing? ARGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH Whats wrong with you?
February 15th, 2007 @ 18:53Both articles are rubbish. EVDS and Cech have been as good as each other, and no one can say one is clearly better than the other, so being a loyal devil i go with EVDS. If Terry replaces anyone then its Rio, Vidic has really been a class apart. Sadly Chelsea dont have a decent RB and Evra has been better than Cole. Ronaldo and Lampard are definates, and Essien is more verstile and has been in much beter form than Carrick and Makelele. I would pick Robben over giggs because of age. Robben is as good as giggs and the fact that giggs now plays only every other match because of age makes me chose robben. Strikers its got to be Drogba and Rooney.
February 15th, 2007 @ 20:07rubbish article…whats the point?!
February 15th, 2007 @ 20:51I quite agree. What’s the point? All your article has highlighted is that you know piss-all about football.
February 15th, 2007 @ 21:31Have you actually looked at the current Actim TOTS?
Hahnemann
Finnan – G. Neville – R-Ferdinand – G. Barry
C. Ronaldo – Lampard – Fabregas – Arteta
Rooney – Drogba
That team would DESTROY yours. Though Reina might be a better pick in goal.
And I agree this is rubbish, if you want people to check out your blog frequently, try writing quality, shock crap like this is like crying wolf.
February 15th, 2007 @ 21:53The points raised are defensible so here goes
Matt – Carrick is currently rated 41 in Actim, Essien 51 and Makelele is rated 89. In a straight comparison with Carrick does particularily well in matching Essiens assists (3) and beating his crosses (11 to 9) despite playing fewer minutes on the field (1744 compared to 2597).
Harvey – Actim tends to reflect current form pretty well. The gulf you talk about is more of a reflection on the differences in the current performances from the players and that has been shown quite a bit recently in comparisions of the manner in which recent results have been achieved (larger margins and more convincing performances have been seen from United recently). If Fergie is responsible for these performances then that reflects well on him.
February 15th, 2007 @ 22:18Harz – here are the rankings for the requested players;
Cole …… 90 (Evra 23)
Robben …. 69 (Ronaldo 3, Giggs 21)
Carvalho .. 43 (Rio 10, Vidic 28, Terry, 87)
Ahmed – Cole over Evra ? Robben over giggs (Giggs has more goals, more assists and twice as many crosses), also disagree strongly about Sheva over Larsson and Drogba.
A – Like I said not much between the keepers (Actim has VDS higher) but I don’t believe the ability of the two keepers is close enough to leave it to Actim.
umer – if there is a point it is that if current form of our players is anything to go by we have reason to be confident for our upcoming (and important) matches. Just my slant on the current situation and I would rather present facts than pure opinion. That said I do welcome all replies (Ahmed reply was the most interesting despite some bones of contention).
Rob – At least I present an arguement whereas your reply was abusive and lacking in any substance. If you want to present a counter-arguement then back it up and it will be welcomed – otherwise you are only demeaning yourself.
February 15th, 2007 @ 22:44Brian – many of the players you list do not play for United or Chelsea so I fail to see their relivance in a comparison between the two leading clubs.
February 15th, 2007 @ 22:49With all due respect, I think there would be more than 2 United players.
Cech
February 15th, 2007 @ 23:15Neville
Terry
ferdinand
Evra (current form over Cole)
Ronaldo no contest
Essien
Lampard/Scholes either or.
Joe Cole/Giggs either or
Rooney
Drogba
Believe me, if I had both squads available, even I wouldn’t have as many United players in as you. Carrick? Astonishingly overrated. I’d have Essien any day of the week. Terry over Rio too. Cole/Evra debatable. And Robben would definitley make my starting XI.
February 16th, 2007 @ 01:38The article has to be biased towards Man U (not that I’m opposed to that ;]) because you’re adding Chelsea players to the Utd. starting line-up. If you took a combonation of the teams, fairly, without being concerned about breaking up the back four or other such things, the result would probably end up different.
February 16th, 2007 @ 01:42Hi Jessica – the intent was more a Actim 11 of the combined teams. In most cases the Actim stats were fair to current form, and on the whole player selection between equals was based on their Actim rating. The only exception was in picking Cech over VDS despite VDS having the higher Actim rating. I guess I will be accursed of having a Chelsea bias after that ! lol
February 16th, 2007 @ 02:57i think in defensive midfield the best player for that position is Michael.i would also pick Calvarho ahead of Rioand leaving out Robben is biasness.and obviously Drogba would patner Rooney upfront
February 16th, 2007 @ 15:18Not too bothered about most of your selections – would Terry be as good playing for United or Giggs for Chelsea?
February 16th, 2007 @ 17:21One thing though proves the weakness of the stats. There is no manager of any club or team in the world at present who would not pick Essien if he were available to them. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but Essien is the player United should have broken the bank for, whatever he cost. The man is awesome
Cech
(Comes down to overall quality really)
Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, Evra/Cole
(Can’t decide)
Ronaldo, Makelele, Scholes, Robben
(Makelele/Scholes combo would be awesome!)
Rooney, Drogba
(Two of the best attackers in the Premiership)
— NOW. Mix it up with Arsenal and Liverpool —
Cech
(Again)
Eboue – Ferdinand – Terry – Evra/Cole
(Same problem)
Ronaldo – Gerrard – Fabregas – Robben
(Wow.)
Rooney – Henry
February 18th, 2007 @ 07:52(As much as I loathe him for his antics, he’s better than Drogba IMO)