Combined XI's can be dangerous things.
It's all about timing, as by doing one on the day of a big game you leave yourself open to ridicule if the result doesn't go as you expect, and unfortunately for former Chelsea player Mario Melchiot, exactly that has happened in the aftermath of Chelsea's defeat away to Tottenham.
The Dutch international was asked to make his selection hours before kick-off as part of Sky Sports News' build up to the game, and after Sky presented both himself and Nigel Winterburn with a statistically based side on average rating which contained four Spurs players, not including Harry Kane or Hugo Lloris, Melchiot then revealed his team, which featured just two Spurs men as opposed to nine from Chelsea.
And here is the statistically "power ranked" XI that was also shown:
Has Lloris had a better season than Courtois? Should Harry Kane be in there? What about one of the best performing right-backs in the league this season in Kyle Walker? Spurs fans were not impressed.
Well done @SkySports for booking Nigel winterburn and Mario Melchiot to talk about Spurs v Chelsea combined 11. Basically the Chelsea team ?
— Paul McConnell (@paulmcconnell3) January 4, 2017
Mario Melchiot has the worst football opinions on earth
— Masai Lincoln (@MasaiLincoln) January 4, 2017
Imagine @SkySportsNewsHQ asking Winterburn & Melchiot for unbiased opinions on Tottenham and Chelsea players.
— Daniel Kwarciany (@Two_Grand_Dan) January 4, 2017
Melchiot & Winterburn on @SkySportsNewsHQ rating the chelsea players ahead of our lads .. what a surprise! ? #Predictable #Bellends
— Carys Williams (@carys1112) January 4, 2017
