With the Carabao Cup semi-final showdowns upon us, WhoScored.com take a look at the combined XI of the four remaining teams in the competition of those to have made three or more appearances.
Goalkeeper: Nick Pope (Newcastle United) - 7.52 rating
The first of four Newcastle players to feature in this combined XI, Nick Pope has kept a clean sheet in each of his three Carabao Cup appearances this season, keeping Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Leicester quiet. Across those three games, Pope saved all six shots on target he faced, and this solidity has been a key reason for Newcastle's progression to the semi-final, and the 30-year-old's WhoScored.com rating of 7.52.
Right-back: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) - 7.70 rating
Kieran Trippier has transferred his impressive Premier League showings to the Carabao Cup, as noted by a fine WhoScored.com rating of 7.70. The right-back has made more key passes (16) than any other player in the competition this season, and while he has registered just the one assist across his four outings, Trippier has ultimately been vital in Newcastle's progression to this stage.
Centre-back: Lyanco (Southampton) - 7.24 rating
Four of Southampton's nine competitive wins this season have come in the Carabao Cup, with Lyanco starting all four games on their way to the semi-finals. Three of those four starts have come at centre-back, with Nathan Jones recently electing to use the former Torino man at right-back, a move that paid off as evidenced by their 2-0 quarter-final win over Manchester City. The 25-year-old has so often been in the right place at the right time to alleviate pressure on the Saints goal, as noted by his 22 clearances, and this has helped return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.24.
Centre-back: Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest) - 7.34 rating
Joining Lyanco at the heart of the defence in this XI is Nottingham Forest's Willy Boly. Three of Boly's nine starts for Forest following his arrival from Wolves have come in the Carabao Cup, and it was in the competition the Ivorian scored his first goal for Steve Cooper's side, coincidentally in their quarter-final penalty shootout win over his former employers.
Left-back: Dan Burn (Newcastle United) - 7.40 rating
Rounding off the backline, injury to Matt Targett saw Dan Burn moved to left-back earlier in the campaign, and the towering defender has thrived in the role. Burn scored his first Newcastle goal in the last round of the Carabao Cup as the Magpies secured a 2-0 win over Leicester, and this has contributed to 30-year-old's WhoScored.com rating of 7.40 in the competition.
Right midfield: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) - 7.80 rating
With a WhoScored.com rating of 7.80, Marcus Rashford is the best rated player remaining in the competition. No player has scored more goals than Rashford (4) in the Carabao Cup this season, including a brace in a superb 30-minute cameo against Charlton in the last round, with the Manchester United star enjoying one of his best campaigns to date.
Central midfield: Scott McTominay (Manchester United) - 7.41 rating
The second Manchester United player in the side, Scott McTominay may have lost his spot in the first team, but he's been key in United's progression to this stage of the Carabao Cup, as noted by his WhoScored.com rating of 7.41. McTominay has been directly involved in two goals across his three appearances, scoring once, while nine tackles ranks among the top 10 players in the competition
Central midfield: James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) - 7.36 rating
Linking up with McTominay in the middle of the park is the second of three Southampton representatives to make the combined XI. James Ward-Prowse's only goal in the Carabao Cup this season was a key one as he netted the equaliser in Saints' eventual penalty shootout win over Sheffield Wednesday. The Southampton captain has been unfortunate not to add an assist to his goal having made seven key passes, the joint-fifth most, to help earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.36.
Left midfield: Joelinton (Newcastle United) - 7.32 rating
The fourth and final Newcastle player in the side, Joelinton's nine tackles, like McTominay, ranks among the top 10 in the Carabao Cup this season. The Brazilian has been a key man for Eddie Howe this season, and whether starting through the middle of the down the left, fans know what to expect from Joelinton. With a goal and an assist to his name, both of which came against Leicester, the 26-year-old is good value for his WhoScored.com rating of 7.32.
Striker: Che Adams (Southampton) - 7.66 rating
Featuring on the frontline, Che Adams has scored as many Carabao Cup goals as he has Premier League goals this season (4), despite making 16 fewer appearances in the former competition. A 40% conversion rate is the fifth best of the 47 players to have mustered five or more shots in the Carabao Cup this season, and has helped Adams return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.66.
Striker: Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) - 7.48 rating
Completing the XI is Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson. The Welshman has hit the back of the net twice in the Carabao Cup this season, and is unfortunate not to have registered an assist having created seven goalscoring chances, that ranking joint-fifth in the competition, with Johnson deserving of his WhoScored.com rating of 7.48.
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— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 23, 2023