Édouard Mendy and Sergio Asenjo
One is the beautiful story of last season in the Premier League, the other has been a safe bet in Spanish football for over 10 years.
Still unemployed five years ago, the Senegalese has established himself as a solid framework for the
Blues
throughout the season with an incredible series of 12
cleansheets
in 22 games.
But the track record and the experience rather tip the scales in favor of the Spanish international (1 selection) double winner of the Europa League (2010, 2021).
With the eventuality that an experimental hinge is aligned, it will have a lot to do to allow the "
yellow submarine
" to write a new page on its European prize list.
Verdict: tie
Thiago Silva and Pau Torres
Just back from Tokyo, the Olympic vice-champion announced that he wanted to “
do everything
” to be part of the game.
If he is aligned, the opposition between the experienced Brazilian (36 years old) and his Spanish junior (24 years old) will be decisive to win this final.
Even if Torres really turned out to be an excellent defender in the eyes of Europe last season, Thiago Silva's experience remains a major asset in this type of meeting with very high stakes.
The Brazilian also seems more complementary with the powerful Rüdiger or Zouma than Pau Torres with the aging Raul Albiol (35) or the newcomers Foyth and Mandi.
Verdict: Chelsea advantage
N'Golo Kanté and Étienne Capoue
Duel of 100% French midfielders in this European poster.
The Frenchman is largely a favorite since his repositioning and his growing influence in Tuchel's playing system.
But beware of the experience of Etienne Capoue who acclimatized very well to the Spanish game and found his game which had made him an ephemeral international in Toulouse (7 selections, 1 goal).
Especially since N'Golo Kanté, often mentioned in discussions for the Ballon d'Or, does not come out of an excellent Euro.
Kanté struggled to keep up with his teammates, no doubt exhausted by the extended season with the London club.
This final will be an opportunity to reaffirm its position as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
Verdict: Chelsea advantage
Boulaye Dia and Tammy Abraham
The first is the star rookie of the summer of Villarreal, the ex-Rémois transferred to the tune of 12 million euros has distinguished himself after scoring in his debut against Lyon.
Since the record is a little more hungry with zero goals in four games.
As for Abraham, he is on the start, barred by Havertz and Timo Werner who regularly occupy the front of the Blues attack.
The London n ° 9 who may have the opportunity to climb his hill or convince his coach to keep him for the coming season.
Verdict: Chelsea advantage
Thomas Tuchel and Unai Emery
This is perhaps the most interesting confrontation.
The two coaches who have succeeded on the bench of PSG have both managed to bring their training to the roof of Europe.
While 'wizard' Emery is already in his fourth Europa League win, what Thomas Tuchel has managed to produce with a stagnant Chelsea side in the Premier League is nothing short of impressive.
After his reunion with his former captain Thiago Silva in defense, the resurrection of N'Golo Kanté in the middle and the young Mason Mount (19) at the forefront, Thomas Tuchel managed to take the Blues to the second Champions League of their story.
The opposition between Villarreal's possession game and Tuchel's counter-pressing game is already promising to be tasty.
Verdict: Villarreal advantage