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The start of the Premier League season is less than a month away. This campaign sees Luton Town make their debut in the top flight, as well as Burnley make an instant return to the Premier League.

As customary on the opening day of the new season, two heavyweights come together in what promises be an exciting clash but isn’t always.

Manchester United have travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on the opening day, in years gone by. On the opening weekend of this season, Liverpool are the ones heading to West London.

Both sides are in a period of transition come the start of this season and are expected to make more signings.

But in a parallel universe, what about if both teams joined forces and became a combined team. So, the sports desk at The Sports Buff, gave it a go and made a combined XI. Let us know you’re thoughts of course.

Our formation is a 4-3-3.

Goalkeeper: Alison;

Brazilian Alison Becker has been brilliant since joining the club when he replaced Karius and Mignolet.

The former Roma keeper is amongst the new generation of goal keepers who love to leave their line and sweep up danger.

Alison is also good with his distribution too, which has seen him help his side start attacks. Alison Becker’s counterpart Kepa has seen a revival in form, but Aliso Becker is clearly the better player.

Left Full-back: Andrew Robertson;

Scotland captain and Liverpool left-back not too long was seen as the best in the world in his position.

Due to The Reds’ poor season by their standards last season, he might not be in the conversation now for some, but for us he is a class act.

Ben Chilwell will be Robertson’s rival for this position, but we feel again this position goes to a Liverpool player.

Centre-back: Tiago Silva;

Does his inclusion need an explanation? At 38-years-old his ability is still there and if anything seems to be getting even better.

The first player in our XI from Chelsea and I can assure you he won’t be the last. Silva reads the game as well as he ever has and will be a calming influence.

Joel Matip unfortunately (for him), misses out but deserves a mention, he performed well last term.

centre-back: Benoit Badiashile;

French centre-back alongside veteran Tiago, were one of the few shining lights in a terrible season. Chelsea’s problem was of course scoring goals, not so much stopping them.

Wesley Fofana the big-money signing from Leicester who plays in his position is playing second fiddle and that’s a testament to the former Monaco man Badiashile.

Benoit Badiashile some might say controversially keeps Virgil Van Dijk out of our XI. The Dutchmen has been the shadow of the player he has been since coming back from a knee injury.

Van Dijk’s centre-back partner, Ibrahim Konate can count himself unlucky not to be in this side, it was a tough call.

Right-back: Reece James;

If I was a manager, it’s situations like this, that would make me hate my job, Chelsea right-back Reece James has become a super player and gets the no in the Sports Courant XI.

James’ inclusion means, that Trent Alexander-Arnold misses out. The decision was maybe, just maybe the Chelsea full-back can defend better, but it’s not night and day as some people think.

TAA, is capable of defending, but Liverpool’s way of playing and Virgi Van Dijk’s poor form lead to the right-back being ‘exposed’.

My heart say Trent but head says Reece James, but that was a hard call!

Midfield: Tiago Alcantara;

Talking of hard calls, now we move on to the midfield. The Brazilian born former Spanish player makes the cut in our XI.

The dilemma was does Sabozlai get a place in the team, agonisingly no. Our side would need a play maker and between the sides Liverpool’s Tiago is the best.

Midfield: Enzo Fernandez;

Enzo Fernandez, who is the British record transfer, surely deserves a place in this side. The former Benfica man made Argentina function better in last year’s Wold Cup.

Arguably this was the reason why they won gold in Qatar. Fernandez’s team mate Connor Gallager is a good player, but Chelsea’s midfield looks thin after this summer’s fire sale.

Midfield: Alexis McAllister;

The final midfielder in our starting XI is former Brighton midfielder Alexis McAllister.

Argentina midfielder McAllister when brought into the side after the opening game loss to Saudi Arabia in the World Cup, transformed la Albiceleste’s fortunes, for the better.

The 24-year-old is an athletic player and would give this midfield some bite and fight.

Left wide-forward: Christopher Nkunku;

After Chelsea spent big on him, we weren’t going to ignore French forward Christoper Nkunku. The former PSG academy star has flourished since leaving the French capital.

Nkunku surely had to be in this side, why? The man is a complete player. He can literally play anywhere across the front line.

Similar to a peak Sadio Mane. Former Leipzing player is a goal scorer and compliment his fellow forwards.

Right wide-forward: Luis Diaz;

A few seasons ago, if the rumour mill was to be believed, these two men could have been team mates. But fate didn’t allow that to happen, so there team mates in this team instead.

Columbian Diaz, just like Christopher Nkunku is versatile, which this XI needs. The way we have put this team together is for it to be a case of let the attacking players attacks.

Those players still do need to keep an eye behind them, but prioritise moving the ball forward.

Luis Diaz has had injuries and before his move to Anfield was due to sign for Tottenham, which shows it’s not only Jurgen Klopp and co who rate the player.

The man is a class act and great addition in this side.

Striker: Darwin Nunez;

To give this team the finishing touch, it needs a good striker. Nicholas Jackson did a decent job at Villareal last year, but there is only one man for the job to spearhead this team.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang once upon a tome would have been in this side hands down, but such has been the fall from grace for the Gabbonese.

Broja, is coming back from injury and with Liverpool’s other forwards their similar to Nkunku and Diaz.

So guys, here is The Sports Buff Chelsea and Liverpool combined XI. Do you agree with out choices? Do let us know in the comments.

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