Ahead of Chelsea vs Barcelona, SheKicks selects our combined XI as Sonia Bompastor’s side look to go into the international break with a massive Women’s Champions League victory.
Chelsea will be underdogs against the Spanish side who are the only unbeaten side left in the League Phase.
The Blues are unbeaten in all competitions across their last 16 matches, with their last defeat coming in a 4-1 loss to Barcelona on home soil back in April.
Chelsea will need to perform better than they did in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool, if they are to get a positive result on Thursday night.
Below, SheKicks selects a Chelsea vs Barcelona combined XI. Players like Sam Kerr, who is unavailable for the clash, are not eligible for consideration for this XI.
Chelsea vs Barcelona combined XI
Goalkeeper
Cata Coll (Barcelona)
Hannah Hampton would have been selected for the goalkeeping position, but the England No.1 is currently out with an injury.
Cata Coll, who called out Hannah Hampton after Spain’s defeat to England at Euro 2025, is selected over Chelsea’s backup goalkeeper Livia Peng.
The 24-year-old has conceded just three goals in 12 appearances across all competitions this season.
Defenders
Right back – Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
Lucy Bronze gets the nod over her close friend Ona Batlle and Chelsea teammate Ellie Carpenter.
Both Batlle and Carpenter have been in excellent form for their respective clubs this season, but Bronze is still the best right-back in world football.
After scoring and assisting for England against Australia, Bronze produced excellent performances against the London City Lionesses, Arsenal and St. Polten.
Centre back – Millie Bright (Chelsea)
Bronze is joined in defence by her Chelsea teammate Millie Bright, who edges Irene Paredes to make this selection.
Bright recently faced criticism for her decision to stay silent on the Hampton-Mary Earps saga.
On the pitch she has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers with an average rating of 7.43 by FotMob.
Centre-back – Mapi Leon (Barcelona)
Mapi Leon has been in stunning form for Barcelona this season with one goal and five assists in 13 appearances.
The 30-year-old is one of the best defenders in the world when it comes to passing and building play.
She has a 91.1 per cent pass accuracy, with a long ball accuracy of 77.5 per cent.
Left back back – Esmee Brugts (Barcelona)
Netherlands international Esmee Brugts starts at left back in our Chelsea vs Barcelona combined XI over Niamh Charles.
The 22-year-old has three goals and two assists from her 12 appearances so far this season, after providing 14 goal contributions last year.
In the Champions League, she has a 50 per cent cross accuracy and a 93 per cent pass accuracy.
Midfielders
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
The decision to hand Aitana Bonmati the Ballon d’Or for the third year running was largely criticised, as many felt Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey should have claimed the prize.
However, there is no doubt that she is one of the top players in the world, with six goals and three assists so far this term.
Bonmati came off the bench against Real Madrid, so will be fresh and ready to make an impact against Chelsea on Thursday night.
Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Former Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh makes the team, however, there would have been a strong argument to include Patri Guijarro if the Barcelona midfielder was fit.
Walsh has been influential in Chelsea and England’s success in 2025. The Chelsea midfielder recently highlighted how England’s Euro 2025 success could inspire Chelsea to glory in the Champions League.
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Completing the midfield is Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas, who has scored six goals and registered five assists so far this term.
Putellas has scored in each of Barcelona’s three Champions League victories, while also providing a brace in the 7-1 win over Bayern Munich.
She has also created nine chances, had 21 touches of the ball in the opposition’s box and made 16 recoveries.
Forwards
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona)
Lauren James would likely have had a strong argument for the right wing spot if it wasn’t for the injury that kept her out until only recently.
Caroline Graham Hansen has scored five goals and provided two assists in 11 appearances this season.
Ewa Pajor (Barclona)
Ewa Pajor gets in ahead of Aggie Beever-Jones, thanks to her 10 goals and three assists for Barcelona this term.
There had been some concern over Pajor, who suffered a knee injury last month.
However, she has already returned to action, and scored a brace in Barcelona’s 4-0 win over rivals Real Madrid last weekend.
Claudia Pina (Barcelona)
Concluding the combined XI is Claudia Pina, meaning that eight out of the 11 players to make the cut are from Barcelona.
The Spanish international has scored 10 goals and provided four assists for Barcelona this season.
Pina was also the top scorers in the Champions League last season, with ten goals in nine appearances.
