Manchester City vs Tottenham combined XI: No room for Gabriel Jesus... but who do we prefer between Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero?

  • Manchester City play Tottenham at the Etihad on Saturday evening 
  • Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham were a bigger club than City 
  • Sportsmail has chosen a combined XI of Tottenham and City players

Mauricio Pochettino thinks Tottenham are a bigger club than Manchester City but do they have the players to back it up?

City manager Pep Guardiola will have something to say about that as they prepare to play Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 

Here, Sportsmail provides a combined XI of Tottenham and City players. 


 

HUGO LLORIS, TOTTENHAM

Only David De Gea at Manchester United rivals Lloris for consistency in the Premier League.

The number crunchers say Tottenham’s No 1 has conceded three fewer goals than he was expected to based on shots faced this season. Claudio Bravo has let in seven more than expected.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris makes Sportsmail's combined XI here

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris makes Sportsmail's combined XI here

 

KYLE WALKER, TOTTENHAM

Such a vital cog in Pochettino’s machine, buccaneering forward and becoming an auxiliary winger.

Has admirers, Manchester City are included in that list, but Danny Levy would be loathed to lose Walker given his continued rise.

JAN VERTONGHEN, TOTTENHAM

There are significant reasons why Spurs have conceded fewer goals than anyone else in the Premier League this season and Vertonghen could well be top of the list.

Comfortable on the ball but allows his full backs to get on with flying forward, with the Belgian holding fort. Set to miss his first game of the season on Saturday.

Tottenham's Kyle Walker is among the best full backs in the Premier League

Tottenham's Kyle Walker is among the best full backs in the Premier League

TOBY ALDERWEIRELD, TOTTENHAM

The responsibility will be down to Vertonghen’s compatriot Alderweireld to keep the back door shut at the Etihad Stadium.

The only two occasions Spurs have let two goals slip in league games came in November with the 27-year-old out through injury. The best partnership in the country and not one to break up.

DANNY ROSE, TOTTENHAM

It would take a world-record fee for a full back for Levy to even entertain any offers for Rose next summer as his stock continues to rise.

Rose’s average positions during games are interesting - way up the park - and it’ll be up to City to counter that on Saturday.

Tottenham's Danny Rose, on the opposite flank to Walker, is another star full back

Tottenham's Danny Rose, on the opposite flank to Walker, is another star full back

 

FERNANDINHO, MANCHESTER CITY

Still out suspended, but his absence was obvious during last week’s defeat by Everton when the midfield were over-run.

He is a leader in the central areas, tough in the tackle and gives City an edge which allows those flair players ahead of him to flourish.

ILKAY GUNDOGAN, MANCHESTER CITY

Started his City career majestically. Silky on the ball and a busy body running between the lines. Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier might well feel unlucky to miss out but Gundogan was showing signs of really imposing himself on the Premier League before that season-ending injury last month.

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan makes our XI here ahead of the likes of Eric Dier

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan makes our XI here ahead of the likes of Eric Dier

 

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN, TOTTENHAM

Oozes class and an assist king who is beginning to chip in with more goals now. Eriksen has assisted eight of Tottenham’s league haul so far this campaign.

Wicked at set pieces and drifts into the sort of position which provoke uncertainty.

Christian Eriksen has been in fine form this season for Tottenham 

Christian Eriksen has been in fine form this season for Tottenham 

DELE ALLI, TOTTENHAM

One of those players you just cannot leave out of any team like this. A phenomenon for Spurs after the hype of last summer’s European Championship.

Killer instinct in and around the box, has the upper body strength to bounce defenders off and flawless decision-making.

Tottenham and England star Dele Alli sails into our XI with his 'killer' instinct

Tottenham and England star Dele Alli sails into our XI with his 'killer' instinct

KEVIN DE BRUYNE, MANCHESTER CITY

The one Manchester City player to truly come out of this slight slump with genuine credit. De Bruyne ran the game against Everton in that first half and the only man to have chalked up more assists (9) than Eriksen.

A real talismanic figure for Guardiola and puts more fear into the opposition than anyone else in sky blue.

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne pictured playing during their game against Everton

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne pictured playing during their game against Everton

 

SERGIO AGUERO, MANCHESTER CITY

A place won partly on reputation - Aguero has been the best striker in this country for years without the recognition he deserved - but City’s main man does have 11 Premier League goals this year.

Harry Kane has 13 to his name, five of those after the turn of the year, but Aguero’s consistency amid niggling injuries in recent seasons cannot be overlooked, in turn with his huge importance to City. 

Sergio Aguero has made it into our XI ahead of Tottenham striker Harry Kane 

Kane has two more league goals this term than Aguero, but the Argentine's importance is huge

Kane has two more league goals this term than Aguero, but the Argentine's importance is huge

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