Chelsea vs Tottenham Combined XI: Morgan Rogers leads Blues dominance as £85m Spurs signing snubbed

Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon for the first London derby of the Premier League season, with the two sides heading into the contest in contrasting positions.

The Blues sit fourth in the table after collecting 13 points from their opening seven matches, while Tottenham are down in 16th with just six points. Chelsea have also been considerably more productive in the final third, scoring 17 league goals compared with Tottenham's six.

Xabi Alonso's Chelsea have responded impressively to early setbacks, winning their last two league matches against AFC Bournemouth and Everton, scoring seven goals without reply. Roberto De Zerbi's men, meanwhile, finally recorded their first league victory of the campaign with a 3-1 success over Coventry City, offering the Italian some encouragement ahead of a difficult trip across London.

Both defences have shown vulnerabilities, with Chelsea conceding 13 goals and Tottenham shipping ten in their opening seven league matches. However, Chelsea's attacking firepower gives them a significant advantage, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro already combining for 11 of the Blues' 17 league goals.

Here, Football Whispers reveals the best combined XI of Chelsea and Tottenham players this season.

GK: Emiliano Martinez (Chelsea)

Emiliano Martinez gets the nod between the posts with a rating of 7.2, edging out Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. The Argentine's vast experience at the highest level makes him a stronger selection, particularly in a fixture where both defences could come under sustained pressure.

Martinez's composure and experience in high-pressure situations give him the edge in this combined XI. Tottenham's struggles in front of goal have been a major factor in their difficult start, but the Chelsea goalkeeper still needs to be ready to deal with the threat posed by the visitors' attacking players.

CB: Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham)

Van Hecke is the highest-rated defender in this combined XI, earning a score of 7.3. His inclusion is particularly noteworthy given Tottenham's difficult start to the campaign, but his individual performances have been strong enough to earn him a place ahead of his teammate for club and country, Micky van de Ven.

The Dutchman will have an important role to play against a Chelsea attack that has scored 17 times in seven league matches. His ability to compete physically and organise the defensive line will be tested by the movement of Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro.

CB: Wesley Fofana (Chelsea)

Fofana makes the team with a rating of 6.9, providing Chelsea with a mobile central defender who can help cover space behind the backline. Although his score is modest compared with Van Hecke's, his inclusion gives the defence a different profile alongside the Dutchman and Lacroix.

Chelsea have conceded 13 goals in their opening seven league matches, so there is still plenty of room for improvement at the back. Fofana will need to show greater consistency if he is to help the Blues turn their strong attacking form into a serious challenge for silverware.

CB: Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea)

Lacroix completes the back three with a rating of 6.9. The Frenchman joins Fofana in a Chelsea defence that has struggled for consistency, and his presence gives the combined XI another physically imposing option at centre-back.

Chelsea's 13 goals conceded in seven league matches underline the need for greater defensive stability. Lacroix will be tasked with helping to provide that security against a Tottenham side that, despite its problems in the final third, has shown it can create dangerous moments through individual quality.

LWB: Andrew Robertson (Tottenham)

Robertson earns the left wing-back position with a rating of 7.0. His experience at the highest level and ability to contribute in both phases of play make him an appealing option in a system that requires the wide defenders to provide width and support the attack.

The Scot's delivery and overlapping runs could be important for Tottenham against a Chelsea side that has conceded regularly this season. His experience also gives De Zerbi a reliable option in a fixture where Spurs will need to balance their attacking ambition with the responsibility of containing Chelsea's dangerous forward line.

CDM: Sandro Tonali (Tottenham)

Tonali represents Tottenham in midfield with a rating of 7.2. The Italian brings energy, tactical discipline and an ability to contribute in possession, offering a useful counterweight to Chelsea's attacking quality in the centre of the pitch.

His presence is particularly important because Chelsea's midfield contains two of their most productive attacking players in Palmer and Rogers. Tonali will need to help Spurs disrupt their opponents' rhythm while ensuring that his own team can move the ball forward effectively, and is preferred to fellow summer signing, Mateus Fernandes, who cost the north Londoners a whopping £85m.

CM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Palmer takes his place in the combined XI with a rating of 7.5, underlining his importance to Chelsea's attacking play. The England international has registered two goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, continuing to provide a combination of creativity and finishing that few players can match.

His ability to operate between the lines makes him especially dangerous against Tottenham. If Spurs allow him time and space around the penalty area, Palmer has the vision to unlock the defence and the technique to finish chances himself.

CM: Morgan Rogers (Chelsea)

Rogers earns a place alongside Palmer with a rating of 7.4. The attacking midfielder has made an excellent start to the campaign, contributing four goals and one assist in seven league appearances.

His ability to carry the ball forward and arrive in dangerous positions gives Chelsea another dimension in attack. Rogers has also demonstrated that he can contribute directly to the scoreboard, making him a particularly difficult player for Tottenham to contain when Chelsea find space between the lines.

RWB: Pedro Neto (Chelsea)

Neto has been one of Chelsea's biggest surprises this season, earning a rating of 7.2 while impressing in a right wing-back role. The Portuguese international has recorded three goals and one assist across seven Premier League appearances, providing a significant attacking return from a deeper starting position.

His ability to drive forward, beat defenders and deliver dangerous balls into the box makes him a major asset. Tottenham must be careful not to allow Neto too much room down the right, particularly with Palmer and Rogers capable of exploiting the spaces he creates.

ST: Joao Pedro (Chelsea)

Joao Pedro is the highest-rated player in the combined XI, earning a score of 7.6. The Brazilian has scored five goals in six Premier League appearances, giving Chelsea a prolific focal point in the final third.

His movement, finishing and ability to link play with the midfield make him an excellent fit for this side. With Palmer and Rogers supplying chances behind him, Pedro has the potential to cause Tottenham's defence considerable problems, especially given Chelsea's impressive scoring record in the opening weeks of the season.

"Cole Palmer, sensational."
"Rogers, Palmer and Pedro, that's as good as anything." @GNev2 and @Carra23 on Chelsea's front three 👏 pic.twitter.com/SdzR45VOwL

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 24, 2026

ST: Savio (Tottenham)

Savio completes the combined XI with a rating of 7.1, earning Tottenham one of their four places in the side. The Brazilian winger has arguably been one of Spurs' brightest attacking sparks this season, with his performances offering more encouragement than his goal and assist numbers might suggest.

His direct running, dribbling ability and willingness to take defenders on give Tottenham a valuable outlet when building attacks. Savio can carry the ball into dangerous areas and create openings even when his team is struggling to turn possession into clear-cut chances.