Manchester City vs Chelsea combined XI with no place for Lucy Bronze | OneFootball

International Friendly – Gotham FC v Chelsea FC – Red Bull Arena

Harrison, NJ, United States, August 19, 2024: Lucy Bronze (22 Chelsea) celebrates a goal with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (19 Chelsea) during the international friendly between Gotham FC and Chelsea FC at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, United States (EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY). (Rebekah Wynkoop / SPP)

Ahead of Chelsea vs Manchester City, SheKicks selects our combined XI ahead of the top-of-the-table Women’s Super League (WSL) clash.

It is a must-win game for Chelsea, who dropped nine points behind Manchester City after their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last week.

A positive result will bring City a huge step closer to winning their first WSL title in a decade.

However, City play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on February 8th, so two bad results could bring Chelsea, the Gunners and potentially even Manchester United back into the title race.

Below, SheKicks selects our combined XI, based on current form and featuring only those who are available to play in Sunday’s clash.

Manchester City vs Chelsea combined XI

Goalkeeper

Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)

Hannah Hampton gets the nod over Ayaka Yamashita in goal, after establishing herself as one of the top goalkeepers in world football in 2025.

The 25-year-old won a host of awards, including The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper prize.

Despite the points deficit between the two sides, Hampton has kept more clean sheets (5) than Yamashita (5) and conceded just six goals compared to the City star’s nine.

Hannah Hampton lifts Euro 2025 trophy after crucial saves in penalty shootout against Spain

Defenders

Right back – Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City)

The right-back slot is the toughest place in the team, with Lucy Bronze, Ellie Carpenter and Kerstin Casparij all contenders.

However, we have given the nod to Casparij, who has five assists and two goals in the WSL this season.

Her goal contributions compare to three in the WSL for Carpenter, and while it is hard to look past Bronze, the England star has recently been used as a centre-back in Sonia Bompastor’s side.

No defender has a higher average rating this season than Casparij on 7.68. This compares to Carpenter on 7.47 and Bronze on 7.18.

Centre back – Millie Bright (Chelsea)

Despite questions surrounding her future, Millie Bright has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers this season.

Bright, along with Bronze, is one of Chelsea’s key players who are out of contract this summer.

No centre-back has won more aerial duels (31) than Bronze this season, and she impresses across all defensive categories.

Millie Bright (Chelsea FC)

Centre-back – Rebecca Knack (Manchester City)

Joining Bright in defence is Manchester City’s German international Rebecca Knack.

Knack has formed an excellent partnership with summer signing Jade Rose for Andree Jeglertz’s side this campaign.

She missed the start of the campaign with an injury, but she has been excellent since coming back into the team, and was rewarded with a new contract last month.

Left back – Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)

Completing the defence is Chelsea wing-back Sandy Baltimore, who has three WSL goals this term.

The French international is a constant threat down the left flank for the Blues, with only Alyssa Thompson and Aggie Beever-Jones scoring more goals for Chelsea in the WSL this term.

Baltimore was particularly excellent in Chelsea’s 5-0 win over West Ham this month, scoring two goals.

Midfielders

Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)

Starting the midfield is Yui Hasegawa who has been one of the biggest reasons behind Manchester City’s excellent season so far.

The Japanese international helps keep things ticking with excellent defensive work and her ability to get the ball up the field.

Her partnership with new signing Sam Coffey will make Manchester City even more difficult to beat going forward.

With just one appearance to date, it is too soon to consider Coffey in this starting XI.

Manchester City v Chelsea – Barclays FA Womens Super League – Academy Stadium

Manchester, England, March 26th 2023: Yui Hasegawa (25 Manchester City) heads the ball during the Barclays FA Womens Super League game between Manchester City and Chelsea at Academy Stadium in Manchester, England (Natalie Mincher/SPP)

Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)

Starting in the No.10 spot is Vivianne Miedema who has nine goal contributions in the WSL this term.

She has formed an excellent partnership with Bunny Shaw, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 13 appearances.

Miedema, who initially struggled at Manchester City, is no longer the go-to scorer that she was at Arsenal. However, she is still one of the league’s best attacking players.

Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)

Completing the team is Erin Cuthbert, who just gets the nod over Chelsea teammate Keira Walsh based off her form this season.

Cuthbert has been one of the league’s strongest midfielders this season, averaging a rating of 7.52 compared to Walsh’s 7.18, according to FotMob.

Her work rate and intensity are a big reason behind Chelsea’s success in recent seasons.

Forwards

Kerolin (Manchester City)

Brazilian forward Kerolin makes the Chelsea vs Manchester City combined XI thanks to her excellent recent form in the WSL.

Kerolin has netted in recent wins over London City Lionesses, Everton and Aston Villa.

Although she has had limited starts in the WSL this season, her form recently has been better than that of Chelsea forwards, including Sam Kerr, Aggie Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

Bunny Shaw (Manchester City)

Bunny Shaw has been the outstanding player in the WSL this season and there are arguments to why she is the best striker in the world.

The Jamaican striker has scored 13 goals in as many games, six more than the next-best in the WSL, which is Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson.

Given her form, Shaw is comfortably the first name on this teamsheet.

Bunny Shaw (Manchester City FC)

Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)

Completing the Chelsea vs Manchester City WSL combined XI is Alyssa Thompson, who has been one of the signings of the season.

The 21-year-old has four goals and one assist in 11 WSL appearances this campaign.

Thompson has been a bright spark for Chelsea in what, by their standards, has been a disappointing season so far.