Chelsea vs Barcelona – Combined XI ahead of UCL clash | OneFootball

Chelsea and Barcelona meet in a huge Champions League clash tonight. Ahead of their Stamford Bridge blockbuster, we’ve put together our Combined XI from the squads on show.

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia – Barcelona

Joan Garcia’s recent return to fitness is a big boost for Barcelona, with the goalkeeper signed as the club’s new number one in the summer. It followed a campaign at Espanyol that saw Garcia lead the league for saves and expected goals prevented. He’s part of a talented group of Spanish shot-stoppers right now.

Right-back: Reece James – Chelsea

Reece James is enjoying an uninterrupted run at Chelsea for the first time in a while, having overcome injuries to impress this season. James, at his best, has all the attributes required of a modern full-back, with strength, athleticism, and technique in abundance. Club and country will be praying he can stay fit.

Centre-back: Ronald Araujo – Barcelona

Ronaldo Araujo has not totally convinced Hansi Flick but there will be a queue of clubs interested if he becomes available. The Uruguayan is a terrific competitor and a leader in the Barcelona side.

Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona

Has become indispensable to the Barcelona backline at just 18 years old. Cubarsi is already approaching a century of appearances for the Catalans and looks like the next La Masia graduate set to spend a decade in the side. He has the examples of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol to follow and, arguably, the natural talent to eclipse them.

Left-back: Marc Cucurella – Chelsea

Marc Cucurella comes out on top in the battle of the Spanish national team left-backs. Cucurella has made that his role his own since Euro 2024, where he starred in La Roja’s success. At Chelsea, he has overcome a challenging start to become one of Enzo Maresca’s most trusted lieutenants. Tonight will be a real test, up against Lamine Yamal.

Midfield: Moises Caicedo – Chelsea

Simply everywhere. Moises Caicedo is Chelsea’s all-action man, covering every blade of grass in pursuit of success. The Ecuadorian continues to go from strength to strength, emerging as one of Europe’s best midfield lynchpins at Stamford Bridge.

He’d need to be at his destructive best to hold the fort in this attack-minded Combined XI…

Midfield: Raphinha – Barcelona

Raphinha returned from a hamstring injury at the weekend in good news for Barcelona. Last season, the Brazilian claimed La Liga’s Player of the Season award after inspiring the club’s title success, in addition to ending the 2024/25 campaign as the Champions League’s joint-top scorer.

In total, he scored 38 goals and provided 23 assists. A fifth-place finish at the Ballon d’Or felt somewhat undervalued.

Midfield: Cole Palmer – Chelsea

Another player on the cusp of a return and how Chelsea have missed him. Palmer’s injury-hit start to the season has denied football fans regular viewing of one of the Premier League’s most watchable players.

A Champions League clash with Barcelona might just be the perfect platform to return.

Right-wing: Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

A freakish footballer whose ceiling remains excitingly unclear. Yamal has returned 66 goals and assists for Barcelona at just 18, already claimed a domestic double at club level, and helped Spain to European Championship success.

Runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 2025, he’s already undisputedly among the world’s best. That accolade looks inevitable at some point in the near future.

Left-wing: Marcus Rashford- Barcelona

Marcus Rashford’s renaissance has been one of the feel-good stories of the season. After a fairly toxic period at Manchester United, he’s been reenergised after leaving the Premier League.

The 27-year-old’s red-hot form has delivered six goals and seven assists in just 13 starts, including four goals in the Champions League.

Forward: Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona

The clock might be ticking towards Robert Lewandowski’s 38th birthday, but the Poland international has lost little of his goalscoring touch. This season he’s amassed eight in just 10 La Liga games, at an average of a goal every 64 minutes. Class is, indeed, permanent.

Read – Five classic games between Chelsea and Barcelona

See more – Six infamous bust-ups between teammates

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