Chelsea legends feature in Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded Ultimate XI

 

Current Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has managed some of the biggest teams in football during his illustrious managerial career. The Italian has worked at Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as we look at his ultimate XI using WhoScored's unique rating system. 

 

However, Ancelotti has only ever spent a full two seasons in charge of a side since 2009/10 - Chelsea and Real Madrid - and while those to make Pep Guardiola's ultimate XI must have played a full season's worth of games, these are relaxed for Ancelotti, where those included had to have made at least 30 league appearances under the 60-year-old. 

 

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Chelsea) - 6.86 rating 

 

Not a surprise choice to kick things off between the sticks in Carlo Ancelotti's ultimate XI, Petr Cech kept more clean sheets (32) than any other Premier League goalkeeper during the Italian's two-year stint at the Stamford Bridge helm. Widely considered one of the best in his position in Premier League history, Cech makes this XI with a WhoScored rating of 6.86. 

 

Right-back: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) - 7.34 rating 

 

Between 2009 and 2011, Chelsea conceded fewer goals (63) than any other Premier League side to ply their trade in England's top tier in both 2009/10 and 2010/11 with Branislav Ivanovic occupying the right-back spot in this Ancelotti side with a WhoScored rating of 7.34. The imposing Serb was one of Chelsea's standout performers during Ancelotti's time at the Stamford Bridge. 

 

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) - 7.44 rating 

 

The first of four Real Madrid stars in this XI, Sergio Ramos was sensational as Los Blancos' captain in Ancelotti's two years in Spain as his team conceded fewer than a goal per game in all competitions with the Italian at the Bernabeu helm. It was the defender's header that helped Real Madrid to Champions League glory back in 2014, one of 11 in league and European action, as Ramos makes the team with a WhoScored rating of 7.44.  

 

Centre-back: John Terry (Chelsea) - 7.28 

 

A Premier League icon, John Terry started all but six league matches under Ancelotti during his two years in west London and his fine rearguard showings saw him yield a WhoScored rating of 7.28 across the two seasons to partner Ramos in defence. The proactive defender utilised a willingness to do whatever it takes to alleviate pressure on Petr Cech's goal as he made more clearances (421) than any other Chelsea player during Ancelotti's time at Stamford Bridge. 

 

Left-back: Marcelo (Real Madrid) - 7.33 rating 

 

Rounding off the defence, Marcelo maintained his push to establish himself as one of the best left-backs in Europe under Ancelotti. The Brazilian registered 13 assists in total during Ancelotti's two years in Spain, a solid return for a left-back, to star at left-back with a WhoScored rating of 7.33. 

 

Right midfield: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) - 7.72 rating 

 

Arriving in the same summer as Ancelotti, Gareth Bale was vital for Real Madrid on the back of his then world-record switch to Spain. The Welshman was one of only five players to register double figures for both goals (15) and assists (12) in LaLiga in Ancelotti's debut campaign at the Bernabeu and, in total, had a direct hand in 49 league goals in his two years under the experienced Italian to return a WhoScored rating of 7.72. 

 

Chelsea legends feature in Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded Ultimate XI

 

Central midfield: Thiago (Bayern Munich) - 8.18 rating 

 

Pep Guardiola failed to make the most of Thiago in a Bayern Munich shirt, with injuries impacting the Spaniard's impact under his compatriot, but Ancelotti maximised the midfielder's talent and that is noted in his fine WhoScored rating (8.18). Thiago enjoyed a fine spell under Ancelotti as he scored six and assisted five in the Italian's sole full season at the Allianz Arena helm. 

 

Central midfield: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - 7.72 rating 

 

Chelsea fans witnessed Frank Lampard at his very best in Ancelotti's first season at Stamford Bridge. The now Blues boss scored 22 goals and provided 14 assists in a fine 2009/10 campaign. Lampard yielded a WhoScored rating of 7.95 that season and, overall, garnered an average WhoScored rating of 7.72 under Ancelotti as he had a direct hand in 48 league goals in total, a stunning return for a midfielder. 

 

Left midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 8.40 rating 

 

The star man in this XI is Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo. To say Ronaldo was phenomenal would be a huge understatement. The Portuguese powerhouse had a direct hand in 104 goals during Ancelotti's two years in Madrid, providing 1.6 goals or assists per game between 2013 and 2015. It means Ronaldo makes this XI with a WhoScored rating of 8.40, that better than any other player. 

 

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) - 7.82 rating 

 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ancelotti enjoyed just one full season together in Paris, but the Swedish striker was sensational in that sole campaign. Indeed, the charismatic frontman netted 30 goals and laid on an additional eight assists in 2012/13, earning the WhoScored man of the match in 13 of his 34 outings to make this team with a WhoScored rating of 7.82. 

 

Striker: Didier Drogba (Chelsea) - 7.91 

 

Like Lampard, Didier Dorgba enjoyed an excellent debut campaign during Ancelotti's two-year Chelsea reign. The Ivorian sensation netted 29 times and provided 10 assists in 2009/10 to land the WhoScored player of the season award with a 8.32 rating. His second campaign may have been less prolific - Drogba chipped in with 11 goals and 13 assists - yet the Chelsea hero makes this team with a WhoScored rating of 7.91.

Chelsea legends feature in Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded Ultimate XI