Only a year ago, a Manchester City and Chelsea combined XI would have been dominated by players wearing the lighter shade of Blue.
Chelsea were improving under Frank Lampard, but not enough to be threatening for silverware. Then Roman Abramovich made a bold decision to replace club legend Lampard with former Borussia Dortmund and PSG boss Thomas Tuchel.
They went on to reach the FA Cup final, finish in the top four, and win the Champions League. Tuchel has significantly strengthened his side this summer by signing Romelu Lukaku and Saul Niguez, to become genuine contenders for the Premier League title.
City have also added a £100m signing of their own in Jack Grealish, but will be looking at Chelsea as equals nowadays, rather than a talented side they have the edge over.
So, just for fun, what would a combined XI of City and Chelsea players look like now as the sides prepare to resume their battle on Saturday?
Goalkeeper
Eduoard Mendy won the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year for his performances in the Champions League, but this place is surely Ederson's.
The City goalkeeper has been the Premier League's most consistent goalkeeper in recent years, and is integral to the way City play. He takes the first spot in this combined XI.
Defence
Reece James is a solid option on the right, but Kyle Walker edges him out, just as he did for England over the summer. Ruben Dias is the Premier League's best defender, so is an obvious choice, as is Marcos Alonso by virtue of being Chelsea's best left-back and City's slim options in that position.
The second centre-back spot is the biggest question mark in this side, with John Stones and Aymeric Laporte both solid options. However, there should be a genuine argument for Cesar Azpilicueta to be included alongside Dias.
Azpilicueta has been underrated for years now, yet has led Chelsea to plenty of trophies. He is the glue that keeps a questionable Chelsea back three together, and was superb in that Champions League final that City fans would rather forget. Thiago Silva, on his day, would also be worth debating.
Pick your best combined XI here:
Midfield
Two places are a given here, with N'Golo Kante the best defensive midfielder in the world and Kevin De Bruyne the best playmaker in the world. If ever they could combine in the same team, it would be a joy to watch.
The other midfield place is anyone's guess.
Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are so important to City, while Mason Mount and Saul Niguez are impressive options for Chelsea. Any of those four could justifiably go in this combined team, but on form maybe Mount shades it for now.
Attack
Given City have no strikers, Romelu Lukaku walks into the number nine spot in this team.
On the wings, there is a similar problem to that problematic midfield spot. Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Ferran Torres, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic could all stake claims to accompany Lukaku, as could Gabriel Jesus.
Given his improving influence in the Premier League, and his Champions League final winner, Havertz should get the nod, opposite Phil Foden, who tore Chelsea apart the last time he was at Stamford Bridge. If not selected on the wing, Foden could also be included in place of Mount in midfield.
Possible Man City and Chelsea combined XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Azpilicueta, Alonso; Kante, De Bruyne, Mount; Havertz, Lukaku, Foden.
