Written by Samuel Brady
Sub-edited by Cameron Winstanley
Hello and welcome to my Premier League team of the week for the weekend just gone. I have gone through and analysed this weeks top performers for each position, in my opinion, and decided to go for a 4-3-3 formation this week. Let me know your thoughts and who would you keep and swap?
GK: Ederson (Manchester City)
Ederson was only one of two keepers to keep a clean sheet this weekend, the other being Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, but Ederson gets the number one spot for this week. The city keeper made a spectacular save from Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to preserve his sides lead, as well as making three saves from all three of Arsenal’s shots on target to take all three points in what was a tightly contested game.
LB: Lucas Digne (Everton)
Considered as one of the best attacking left backs in the league, Lucas Digne is continuing his fine form in sync with his clubs’ current exploits. The Frenchman bagged himself an assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header against Liverpool as well as 3 key passes, 5 aerial duels won (most) and 7 clearances (joint-most) in another top-class performance. Digne, formally of Barcelona, will surely be a target for some of Europe’s top clubs next summer if he continues his scintillating form with the Toffee’s.
CB: Michael Keane (Everton)
Everton continued their unbeaten start to the campaign in dramatic style against fierce rivals Liverpool. One of the standout players, and unlikeliest goal scorers, for The Toffee’s was centre back Michael Keane. Keane put away his header following a James Rodriguez corner to bring his tally for the season up to 2, as well as 65 touches, completing 44 out of his 52 passes (84.6%) and playing one key ball (FootballFanCast) in the 2-2 draw.
CB: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Included in this week’s team alongside teammate Ederson is Man city’s Ruben Dias. The Portuguese summer signing has slotted in seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s back line after much unrest with their defensive issues of late. Dias was solid in the win over Arsenal having registered the most touches (102), most passes completed (89) and most aerial duels won (4) (SquawkaFootball). Dias looks set to become a much-needed leader in the city rear-guard, which they’ve struggled to find following the exit of legend Vincent Kompany, and Dias looks to be returning every penny spent on him so far.
Embed from Getty ImagesRB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
No one ever underestimates Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s defensive qualities, but he demonstrated against Newcastle on Saturday evening that he also has an eye for goal. The United right back drilled his strike into the top corner to put The Red Devils 3-1 up in stoppage time and all but seal the result in a game which United found themselves down in early on. Wan-Bissaka also became the 116th different player to score for United in the Premier League in what was his 38th league appearance for the club (OptaJoe).
CM: Manuel Lanzini (West Ham)
The man who undoubtedly scored the most important and spectacular goal of the week belongs to Argentine, Manuel Lanzini. Brought on as a late second half sub after the Hammers had pegged Spurs back to 3-2, Lanzini struck an absolute screamer from roughly 25 yards out into the postage stamp to end the game as a 3-3 draw and steal the show away from Gareth Bale’s Premier League return.
Embed from Getty ImagesCM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Ask any United fan who their top player is, and chances are it’ll be the Portuguese international. Fernandes has been integral to United since his transfer from Sporting Lisbon and is the catalyst for most of their attacking prowess. Despite missing his first penalty for United, in which was his 11th taken from the 12-yard spot since joining (1 miss, 10 scored) Fernandes once again propelled United to a much-needed victory over Newcastle. The playmaker scored in his third successive game to put United in front on 86 minutes, as well as providing an assist which now means he’s been directly involved in 19 goals in his 18 Premier League appearances for the club.
CM: Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool)
Thiago once again showed off his class and elegance in Liverpool’s draw with Everton. The summer signing, who left Bayern at the end of his contract, has proven why he is regarded as one of the top and most consistent midfielders in the game. The Spaniard dictated the middle of the pitch having racked up a 92% pass accuracy, 3/5 accurate long passes, 2 chances created, 4/4 dribbles completed, 8/13 duels won and 2 interceptions in what was his full debut for the Premier League champions. His performance was tainted by a knee injury following a red-card challenge from Richarlison, but Liverpool will hope he’s back on the pitch as soon as possible.
Embed from Getty ImagesFW: Timo Werner (Chelsea)
Timo Werner has proven time and time again just how deadly in front of goal he can be. Fresh off the back of his goal-laden season at RB Leipzig, it’s no surprise that he now has brought his finishing instinct to the Premier League. Werner’s two goals against Southampton were his first this season but also provided an assist for Kai Havertz. Despite ultimately drawing the game the German registered a 92% pass accuracy, 2/3 dribbles completed and 1 key pass. A glimpse of the attacking talent he has in abundance.
FW: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Harry Kane very rarely misses and Sunday’s game against London rivals West Ham was no different. Tottenham ultimately threw a 3-0 lead away in the dying embers to draw 3-3 but Kane’s performance still deservers some merit. The Spurs captain scored two goals as well as an assist for Heung Min-Son. Kane’s deadly finishing and unselfish link up play gives him the number 9 shirt for this week.
FW: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford seals the final forward spot this week after the United striker put in a top performance against Newcastle. Rashford’s game by numbers was an 85% pass accuracy, 4 ball recoveries, 3 key passes, 2 assists and one goal which capped off an overall good night for The Red Devils who were in desperate need of win following their poor start to the season.
