Skip to content

Premier League XI: Paul Merson picks the perfect side to beat Chelsea

Graphic

Jose Mourinho reckons his Chelsea side are good enough to have made up the entire PFA Team of the Year - but Paul Merson's picked a team he reckons would topple them.

Newcastle and Tottenham are the only two sides to have defeated Mourinho’s men in the Premier League so far this season, and Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal ensured Chelsea will finish the season unbeaten against the current top four.

With Chelsea needing just two wins from their last five games to win the clinch the title, we asked Merson to pick a Premier League side he believes could beat the champions-elect.

Merse's XI contains some surprising selections – including Scott Dann of Crystal Palace and Kieran Trippier of Burnley – but the former Arsenal man has his reasons...

MERSON’S XI (4-2-3-1): David De Gea; Leighton Baines, Scott Dann, Vincent Kompany, Kieran Trippier; Michael Carrick, Jordan Henderson; David Silva, Wayne Rooney, Alexis Sanchez; Harry Kane

Graphic

Merse has gone with Manchester United’s David De Gea in goal, although he admitted he wouldn’t select the Spaniard over Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois if given the opportunity.

He told Sky Sports: “I don’t think De Gea is as good as Courtois, but at times he’s looked better this year because he’s had so much to do. But he’s had a great season because of that, so he gets the nod from me.

“Right-back was a coin toss between Kieran Trippier and Seamus Coleman, but I’ve gone for Trippier, because this team has got to have a real go.

“You’re never going to beat Chelsea if you just sit back, and Trippier is very good at getting forward.

Merson's Tip:
Merson's Tip:

Chelsea to beat Leicester 3-1 with Hazard scoring first - 40/1

“This might seem an unusual one too but – if Diego Costa was playing in the Chelsea side – Scott Dann would be big enough to fight with him and ruffle him up at the same time.

“When you’re playing against Chelsea you have to be big, strong, and good in the air – and Dann has all of those qualities.”

Merson admits Vincent Kompany has had a poor campaign by his own high standards, but he couldn’t resist picking the Manchester City captain.

He said: “I know Kompany hasn’t had a great season, but he still gets into every one of my teams that I ever pick.

“If I’m being honest, there aren’t that many good left-backs in the Premier League at the minute, but I’d have Leighton Baines in there for his quality on set-pieces.

<img border=0 src='http://www.skysports.com/downloads/pundits_merson_660x50.jpg'>

“My two holding midfield players would be Jordan Henderson and Michael Carrick. With people like Eden Hazard, Willian and Cesc Fabregas in that area of the pitch, you’ve got to protect the back four.

“Both Henderson and Carrick can pass the ball and both can read the game – that’s what you need in that area.

“I’d have three playing in front of them two and these guys can roam wherever they like – it’d be David Silva, Wayne Rooney and Alexis Sanchez.”

Live Ford Football Special

With Tottenham’s 5-3 victory over Chelsea on New Year’s Day in mind, Merson has selected Harry Kane to spearhead his attack, with the England international having scored twice in that man-of-the-match performance.

Merse said: “I’m putting this lad up front because he’s the only player I’ve seen give Chelsea the run-around this season – Harry Kane.

“He ran them ragged at White Hart Lane and I haven’t seen anyone do that to Chelsea for a long, long time, and I think he’s good enough to do it again.”

Merson has backed Chelsea to beat Leicester 3-1 on Wednesday at odds of 12/1 with Sky Bet.

Around Sky