Chelsea assistant coach Jody Morris names ultimate Premier League XI… and picks FIVE former Blues

Footballers, managers and coaches are having to keep themselves busy during the indefinite break from the game. We’ve seen various ‘stay at home’ challenges involving toilet rolls and tea bags which have been widely shared on social media.

Now Chelsea‘s assistant manager Jody Morris has got in on the act by coming up with his ultimate Premier League XI after being challenged by former Rugby player and pundit Ugo Monye.

His choices are certainly controversial with no Liverpool players making the line-up, and just one Manchester City player getting in, despite their four recent titles.

Chelsea assistant coach Jody Morris was nominated to select his ultimate Premier League XI

He picked five former Chelsea players including his boss and Blues manager Frank Lampard 

Morris had a 17-year playing career before he went into coaching, starting at Chelsea where he played alongside current Blues manager Frank Lampard and John Terry. He selected both of his good friends although with Lampard now his boss it’s not surprising he made the team.

Morris joined Lampard’s coaching staff when he was given his first role in management at Derby County last season and followed him back to Stamford Bridge when he was given the Chelsea job.

But Terry and Lampard are not the only ex-Blues to make the team. Petr Cech joined Chelsea in 2004, a year after Morris left, but he gets the nod in goal while Eden Hazard is selected as a left-sided attacker.

Ashley Cole, who won nine trophies with the Blues including the Champions League in 2012, is in at left back which makes a total of five ex Chelsea players.

Morris spent seven years at Stamford Bridge and played with John Terry who made his team

He also played alongside Lampard who he has now worked under as a coach for two seasons

The rest of the team – aside from City ace Kevin De Bruyne – is made up of players from Morris’ playing era rather than current stars.

Manchester United are also well represented with three former players including Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Paul Scholes made Morris’ initial side before a redacted version included De Bruyne.  

The remaining two come from the Arsenal Invincibles – Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry. 

There was no room for Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk or Mohamed Salah with Hazard, De Bruyne and Ronaldo the only three selections that have not retired from the game.

However, he did include Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold as ‘potentials’ who just missed out. 

Players who didn’t make the cut from Morris’ era include the likes of Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney – who is still playing for the coach’s old side Derby.

The 41-year-old has nominated ‘anyone who fancies it’ to have their say and perhaps some of his selections will pick their own ultimate XI. 

Ashley Cole who won nine trophies including the Champions League was picked at left-back

Eden Hazard is also in on the left side of a front three with Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry

The full selection list made by Morris who has nominated ‘anyone who fancies it’ to have a go