Troy Deeney Reveals His Premier League Team and Manager of the Week Selections
After each round of matches in the Premier League this season, BBC football pundit Troy Deeney shares his picks for the Team and Manager of the Week. Below are his selections for this week.
Deeney invites fans to voice their opinions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
James Trafford (Leeds): Trafford has faced significant pressure following his move to Leeds. He felt he deserved more playing time while representing England at the World Cup, and following the transfer, he delivered a solid performance for Leeds against Nottingham Forest, becoming one of the few goalkeepers to secure a clean sheet.
Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford): Lewis-Potter excelled both defensively and offensively, contributing a goal in a standout performance. His efforts reflect his pivotal role on the team, particularly during Brentford’s match against Tottenham.
Nobel Mendy (Hull City): Mendy showcased exceptional power and defensive skills, scoring Hull’s second goal. He proved to be a formidable presence and is critical to Hull’s defense.
Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea): Lacroix made a notable debut, bringing experience and composure to Chelsea’s defense while also assisting a goal. His ability to read the game added maturity to the team’s performance.
Maxim de Cuyper (Brighton): De Cuyper scored two goals and stood out with his aggressive play, which set an energizing tone against Aston Villa.
Marc Guehi (Man City): Guehi played as a holding midfielder, scoring an equalizer and offering a calming influence on the field. He demonstrated more control than City’s record signing, Elliot Anderson.
Vitaly Janelt (Brentford): Janelt performed strongly, scoring against Aston Villa while consistently interrupting the opposition’s play with solid defensive work.
Christos Tzolis (Arsenal): Tzolis’s acquisition from Club Brugge has elevated Arsenal’s game. He brings an impressive goal and assist tally, alongside a strong work ethic, resembling key players like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Anthony Elanga (Newcastle): After facing challenges last season, Elanga emerged as a crucial player under a new formation, exhibiting remarkable speed and skill, capped off by an impressive goal against Liverpool.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Palmer is ready to prove himself this season, following a year marred by injuries. His recent performances reflect enhanced agility and determination on the pitch.
Joao Pedro (Chelsea): Pedro, a former Watford teammate, is expected to have a stellar year ahead as he seeks validation for previous criticisms.
Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City): Jakirovic showcased tactical brilliance in his game plan against Manchester United. His strategic decisions allowed Hull to maintain a solid performance despite some defensive weaknesses. His adept management style earned praise following a successful previous season in the Championship.
Do you agree with Troy’s selections? Who would be in your Team of the Week? Have your say using the comments form below:
After every round of Premier League matches this season, BBC football pundit Troy Deeney will give you his team and manager of the week.
Here are this week’s choices.
Do you agree? Give us your thoughts using the comments form at the bottom of this page.
James Trafford (Leeds): It’s been a big-pressure move for Trafford going to Leeds. I think at the World Cup with England he thought, ‘I should be playing more’ and he obviously didn’t get the time and needed a move away. He produced a strong performance for Leeds at Nottingham Forest and was one of the few goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet.
Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford): He was excellent defensively and attacking wise and got his goal. He is one of Brentford’s underrated players and sort of sums up their team. Nobody speaks about him or Brentford but they hammered Tottenham.
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Nobel Mendy (Hull City): He was so good and powerful. He offered so much defensively to Hull and scored their second goal. He was a real powerhouse. Hull will definitely need him and he is one of those defenders where you think, ‘I don’t want to play against him’.
Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea): Lacroix just added a level of experience and calmness to Chelsea and also got an assist. He read the game and understood what was needed and provided the maturity that will add so much to Chelsea going forward. It was a very good debut for the France defender.
Maxim de Cuyper (Brighton): He scored two goals and was excellent for Brighton. Opponents Aston Villa were poor, but if you watched the first 20 minutes you would see he was really aggressive and really set the tone with the pressure.
Marc Guehi (Man City): I’ll have Guehi in as my holding midfielder. He should have scored two against Bournemouth because he missed a massive chance before he ended up scoring. But he got the equaliser and offered a lot more of a calming presence than City’s £116m record signing Elliot Anderson – Guehi controlled the game a little bit more.
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Vitaly Janelt (Brentford): He is one of those big, powerful and dominant players who does the basics really well. He mixed that with a goal against Villa and you don’t really speak about him, but he was always the one breaking up play and doing the horrible things really well.
Christos Tzolis (Arsenal): A lot of people are talking about Arsenal and how they’re great. That is absolutely true. And so is the bit of business they did bringing this young man in from Club Brugge. So many goals and assists he brings to the team, but also a calming influence and tenacity as well. Look at Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, he feels to me like both of them in one. He has a lot more output than those guys. He’s going to be a beast for this year.
Anthony Elanga (Newcastle): Last season I though he was treated poorly by Eddie Howe because he was one that kept being put on the bench, being introduced late or would be the first one to come off. But he showed in a new formation, under a new manager and somebody who believes in him that he can use his pace and power. As a result he looks like a completely different player and he looked happy. He ran past Milos Kerkez like he wasn’t there despite the Liverpool left-back having a five-yard start and produced an unbelievable finish for his goal.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea): One we were all talking about, and should’ve gone to the World Cup with England. Feels like he’s got a point to prove, feels like he’s been working hard. The injuries from last year skewed everyone’s vision. This is going to be a breakout season for him. Everything he did was positive. Ran forward with pace, looked like he could move. He had those issues with the groin but now he’s chopping and turning.
Joao Pedro (Chelsea): My old Watford team-mate and someone who will make everyone question when they said he wasn’t good enough. He’s going to have a breakout year.
Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City): Tactically brilliant and had a gameplan for Manchester United. His side gave a bit of space away but wouldn’t get transitioned on, gave away a lot of cheap fouls. Went forward in the wide areas, crossed it and finished the action. He was very impressive in the Championship last year, spoke well but never got too high or too low. He’ll take a few by surprise but I’m concerned they won’t have the quality in the team. For now, who cares?
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Do you agree with Troy’s selections? Who would be in your Team of the Week? Have your say using the comments form below:
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