The latest chapter of the Battle of the Bridge takes place tonight as Tottenham make the short trip to face London rivals Chelsea.
Despite their lavish summer spending, Spurs have made a slow start to the Premier League season. Roberto De Zerbi’s team finally secured their first victory on Monday, edging past Coventry.
They will need to raise their level against Xabi Alonso’s in-form Chelsea side, who produced a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Everton last Saturday — a ground where they have traditionally found points difficult to secure.
With the two squads boasting a combined value of around £1.6billion, which players make the strongest combined XI ahead of Saturday night’s derby? Statistics provider SofaScore has assessed the numbers and delivered its verdict.
Tottenham and Chelsea will renew their rivalry on Saturday evening at Stamford Bridge
GK: Antonin Kinsky
SofaScore rating: 6.49/10
Antonin Kinsky takes the goalkeeper’s spot, despite enduring a challenging spell since arriving at Tottenham.
His Champions League debut away to Atletico Madrid last season quickly turned into a nightmare. Two costly mistakes led directly to goals, and he was replaced after just 17 minutes.
Kinsky has since established himself as Spurs’ No. 1, with his position strengthened further by Guglielmo Vicario’s summer transfer to Juventus.
The Czech goalkeeper has recorded only two clean sheets in all competitions this term. However, Emi Martinez is unavailable after suffering a head injury at Everton, while it remains too soon to assess Mike Penders, leaving Kinsky as the selection.
RB: Wesley Fofana
SofaScore rating: 6.92/10
Wesley Fofana is one of two Chelsea players selected in the back four, having demonstrated his versatility during the campaign.
Chelsea have conceded six goals across the three matches Fofana has started, underlining how unconvincing both teams have been defensively at the beginning of the season.
The Blues have shipped 13 goals in the Premier League — a higher total than 13 other teams — and it is an issue Alonso will be eager to resolve.
One of two Chelsea representatives in the back four is French defender Wesley Fofana
CB: Jan Paul van Hecke
SofaScore rating: 7.63/10
Jan Paul van Hecke, who plays alongside Micky van de Ven for the Netherlands, moved from Brighton to north London during the summer. He is still adapting to his new surroundings but has appeared in every Tottenham Premier League match so far.
He is also one of six Spurs players to have scored this season — a statistic that says more about Tottenham’s attacking struggles than it does about Van Hecke’s finishing ability.
CB: Micky van de Ven
SofaScore rating: 6.87/10
Van de Ven partners his fellow Dutchman in central defence, despite Tottenham having conceded 10 league goals.
The defender has been a regular for Spurs, playing 466 Premier League minutes this season. After Monday’s win over Coventry, he should arrive at Stamford Bridge in confident mood.
LB: Jorrel Hato
SofaScore rating: 6.73/10
Jorrel Hato claims the left-back position, with Tottenham’s Andy Robertson and Destiny Udogie both affected by injuries.
Although Chelsea have struggled to keep opponents out, Hato has continued to develop and currently appears to be ahead of Pep Chavarria in Alonso’s preferred starting XI.
CM: Cole Palmer
SofaScore rating: 7.53/10
Cole Palmer’s omission from England’s World Cup squad was a disappointment, but he has responded with an impressive start to the season and is an obvious choice for this combined side.
The England international appears to be thriving under Alonso, having already played more than 600 league minutes.
Palmer will be determined to maintain that momentum after an injury-hit 2025-26 campaign in which he often appeared short of confidence and match sharpness.
He has contributed two goals and three assists so far this season.
CM: Sandro Tonali
SofaScore rating: 7.31/10
Sandro Tonali, Tottenham’s £100m summer signing, completes the midfield.
The Italian has gradually found his rhythm, even if Spurs’ position in the Premier League table fails to reflect his progress.
Tonali has made seven appearances this season and supplied one assist. Over the coming months, he will hope to become a central figure in De Zerbi’s team.
CM: Valentin Barco
SofaScore rating: 7.16/10
Valentin Barco joined Chelsea from Strasbourg in the summer and signed a contract that runs until 2033.
The Argentina international reached the World Cup final, although his clashes with Jude Bellingham during and after the semi-final made him an unpopular figure among many England supporters.
Barco has played in three Premier League matches and twice in the EFL Cup. His performances in that competition — including a goal and an assist in the 6-3 win over Leeds — have secured his place in this XI.
LW: Morgan Rogers
SofaScore rating: 7.48/10
Morgan Rogers’ selection comes as little surprise after his British-record £117m move from Aston Villa.
The 24-year-old has continued the rapid progress he made during his breakthrough years at Villa Park, which also included a first major tournament with England over the summer.
Since scoring on his Chelsea debut, Rogers’ start to life at Stamford Bridge has been almost flawless.
He already has four goals, placing him among the Premier League’s leading scorers. Rogers will aim to surpass the 16 goal involvements he produced last season as Chelsea pursue a return to European competition.
RW: Pedro Neto
SofaScore rating: 7.19/10
Pedro Neto earns the right-wing berth after his decisive two-goal display against Everton last weekend.
The Portugal international managed only five league goals last season, but he is another Chelsea attacker flourishing under Alonso’s approach.
Neto has scored three times and provided one assist this season, despite making only six starts.
Pedro Neto’s match-winning brace at Everton earns him a spot on the right wing in this team
CF: Joao Pedro
SofaScore rating: 7.54/10
Chelsea striker Joao Pedro completes the front three. Like Palmer, the Brazilian has been motivated to prove a point after missing out on selection for his country’s World Cup squad.
Carlo Ancelotti opted for Neymar and Endrick instead, despite Pedro scoring 15 Premier League goals last season during a turbulent campaign for the Blues.
He has started the new league season in excellent form, with only Erling Haaland having scored more than his five goals.
Given Tottenham’s problems in attack, Pedro’s inclusion in this combined XI is an easy decision.
