Real Madrid vs. Chelsea Combined XI for Champions League semifinals

Chelsea LW Timo Werner

Now we move to the front line of this combined 4-3-3. Eden Hazard seems like the obvious inclusion, but since he isn’t ready to start, we should move in a different direction. Timo Werner can play in the middle or on the left, but with Karim Benzema guaranteed to be the starting striker in this hypothetical team, let’s squeeze the former Stuttgart man on the left-hand side of the attack.

Werner has made headlines for missing easy chances, but everyone who watched him in the Bundesliga understands that clinical finishing is not how he earns his reputation. The 25-year-old is Chelsea’s leader in goal contributions and an agent of chaos due to his pace and energy. He will be a handful for the Real defense.

Real Madrid CF Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema is quite clearly the best attacking player in this match, even though we have to say that Chelsea have an impressive array of options up front, when you add in the likes of Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham as possible options as well.

But nobody comes close to Benzema, whose 21 goals and 7 assists in the league beat out anyone else’s goal or assist numbers in 2020-2021. Benzema adds so much more than just the basic counting stats with his ability to beat defenders one-on-one from wide positions or drop deep and create like a No. 10. He will bring a different level of attacking class to this tie.

Chelsea RW Hakim Ziyech

But, of course, Chelsea have their own classy forward in terms of technique and creativity. Hakim Ziyech knows a thing or two about knocking Real Madrid down a notch in the Champions League, as he was a key part of that wonderful Ajax team.

Ziyech is second to Mount in terms of key passes per game. While Mount has been Chelsea’s best player this season, Ziyech is Chelsea’s best player in terms of overall quality. He is a brilliant, brilliant left-footed wide creator. All it takes is one pass from this genius to change the game. It’s just too bad Ziyech hasn’t been consistent in his first season in London.