At a Glance:
- Newcastle travel to Chelsea on Saturday
- A joint XI of both teams means big absences
- Who starts instead of Enzo Fernandez?
Newcastle United face Chelsea on Saturday (March 14th), and both sides will have some of the Premier League’s top talents on display. The Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge could have implications for the Blues’ ambitions to finish in a Champions League qualifying spot.
Liam Rosenior will be without one of his star players, as Estevao has been ruled out with a thigh injury. That’s the same issue Bruno Guimaraes is dealing with, and the Magpies’ skipper will also be absent.
Those two Brazilians are two of the best stars in the top-flight, but do they make a joint XI of Chelsea and Newcastle players? Read Newcastle have decided which players from both teams make the cut.
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
This was an easy decision, given that Chelsea can’t make up their minds about who should be Rosenior’s number one. Robert Sanchez started the season well, but costly errors have resurfaced for the Spaniard recently.
The main dilemma was whether to go with Aaron Ramsdale or Nick Pope, and the former Arsenal shot-stopper just takes it. He has impressed when called upon, although he is still without a clean sheet in his eight appearances.
Right-back: Reece James
It feels wrong to leave Tino Livramento out of any team, but Reece James is the only right-back who is superior in the Premier League right now. The Chelsea captain has been his team’s main man, whether in his preferred position or in a midfield role.
England manager Thomas Tuchel will be spoiled for choice at the World Cup if he has James and Livramento as options. The latter’s future is uncertain amid his stellar season and Arsenal have reportedly joined Manchester City in the race for him.
Centre-back: Malick Thiaw
Spending £35m on a defender can sometimes be a risk, but Malick Thiaw has been a huge hit on Tyneside. The dominant German centre-back’s consistency has ticked all the boxes for Howe, and he’s even been a threat from set pieces.
Thiaw is arguably proving to be one of the best defenders in the country with each performance. He was an excellent signing that came in a difficult summer on the recruitment front at St James’ Park.
Centre-back: Dan Burn
Newcastle can often hang their hat on Dan Burn, who deals with formidable frontmen because of his height and strength. At 33, he continues to prove that age is just a number and watching him bully tricky attackers makes for quite a sight.
Chelsea’s central defensive options leave much to be admired, as Trevoh Chalobah isn’t always reliable. Tosin Adarabioyo can be a bag of nerves at times, and Levi Colwill has spent the season on the sidelines.
Left-back: Lewis Hall
This one might ignite debate, but judging on this season alone, Lewis Hall has outperformed Marc Cucurella. There’s no doubt the Chelsea man has enormous ability, but the Newcastle left-back has been crucial for Howe.
Hall’s performance against Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal midweek was outstanding, completely nullifying the Spanish superstar’s threat. If he continues to handle some of the world’s best attackers, it bodes well for his chances of starting for England this summer.
Central midfield: Bruno Guimaraes
When Bruno Guimaraes was handed the captain’s armband, he knew exactly what the requirements were. A passionate and proud leader, the Brazilian has been Howe’s main man throughout the season.
The versatile midfielder’s injury absence has been hugely problematic and has proven just how influential he is. He has everything you want from a Premier League midfielder and walks into any of the top-flight teams.
Central midfield: Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league, and Chelsea are very rarely troubled when he’s at his best. A throwback to Claude Makelele, he’s not just a tough tackler with a huge energy room, but incredibly gifted on the ball.
If the Ecuadorian gets control of the game on Saturday, it could be a night to forget for Howe. He’ll be hoping Joelinton rises to the occasion but the Brazilian’s topsy-turvy form means he misses out on this XI.
Central midfield: Sandro Tonali
Another tough call to make is deciding between Sandro Tonali and Enzo Fernandez. The Italian gets the nod purely because he offers a more defensive-minded profile.
Tonali has wowed the St James’ faithful throughout his time with the Magpies. That’s not been the case for Fernandez at Stamford Bridge, who has only just started to live up to his £106m price tag.
Right wing: Cole Palmer
While Cole Palmer might not have been at his best this season, he is still one of the best attackers in Europe. When the Chelsea star gets on the ball, he often makes you pay, whether that be with a lethal strike or picking out a teammate with a sublime assist.
Palmer grabs games by the scruff of the neck and is unbelievable in transition, especially when linking up with a number nine. He truly is a world-class talent who Hall will have to keep quiet tomorrow night.
Striker: Joao Pedro
Who’s next? There is absolutely no doubt over Joao Pedro leading the line in this joint XI. There’s a reason Newcastle were keen to sign him, not just last summer but in past years.
Pedro has been in red-hot form as of late and has proven his doubters wrong following his arrival at Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion. Unfortunately, Howe’s big-money signings, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, haven’t come anywhere close to being the much-needed replacement for Alexander Isak.
Left wing: Anthony Gordon
This was a tricky one because Harvey Barnes has been one of Howe’s important players this season. But when Anthony Gordon’s at his best, he is hard to stop and might even be lining up on the left for England at the World Cup.
Gordon is Newcastle’s top scorer this season, and his versatility has seen him play as a centre-forward on occasion. Chelsea fans might feel Pedro Neto or Alejandro Garnacho deserve a starting role, but the stats speak for themselves, as does the duo’s lack of consistency.
