After each Premier League match this season, BBC football commentator Troy Deeney will select the team and manager of the week for you.
Here are this week’s picks. do you agree? Give us your thoughts using the comment form at the bottom of this page.
[BBC Sport]
[BBC]
Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace): He is slowly building his career and becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Not many people talk about him – there’s no real argument for him to be England’s number one, but you can do that after his performances this season, such as against Burnley. Consistent, efficient, a friend of mine said the best goalkeepers are the ones you never talk about – I don’t think Henderson is talked about by enough people, so that must make him exceptional.
[BBC]
Christian Romero (tottenham hotspur): Very effective in the draw against Newcastle from both an offensive and defensive perspective. The brilliant first goal went past the forward like a true striker and the second – despite it bouncing 16 times – was an audacious overhead kick at the last minute that you have to give him credit for. They didn’t win, but he played really well in the game.
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Jan Paul Van Herk (Brighton & Hove Albion): I don’t usually put players in losing teams, but if a centre-back scores two goals and the team loses 4-3, I think you have to give it a little credit. He is stable and has a wide passing range. The only drawback was that he was missing when Aston Villa were on the trot at the end of the first half and the start of the second half. But I’ll give him the credit for the goal – that’s who I consider a striker to be. He deserves it.
Jaka Bijol (Leeds United): I could have played every player in Leeds’ 3-1 win over Chelsea. He scored his first goal of the season in a stunning performance. Not only did he score a lot of goals, he also defended very solidly. Backing it up after a couple of misses as some Leeds defenders have been playing upbeat. I don’t think defense has been Leeds’ problem – I think it’s been a case of missed opportunities from an attacking perspective throughout the season.
Lewis Hall (Newcastle United): Against Tottenham, it was awarded to the best player on the pitch. I haven’t said this yet, but if he continues at this level of form he will be England’s starting left-back at the World Cup. Excellent level and interestingly many questioned his transfer fee when he was brought to Newcastle from Chelsea. He’s had some injury problems but he looks top class and is now a bargain for Eddie Howe.
Daniel Munoz (crystal palace): Mr. Consistency this season – my best player of the season so far. Their best attacking threat, his role on the right has been given greater emphasis in the absence of Ismaila Sarr – a role he once again produced against Burnley. He and Hall were terrifying – their ability to move up and down, non-stop modern full-backs, clinical ability on the ball, confidence in the final third, and superb midfielders.
[BBC]
Phil Foden (Manchester City): Player of the moment who scored two goals against Fulham. We’ve had a number of conversations now about which Foden we’re going to get. Will we get the Foden from two years ago, when he was the PFA Player of the Season and the best player, or the Foden we saw last year who was sadly missing? He’s been fantastic over the last two weeks and a bit, looking back at his best form and looking back at goals and we all know that changes people’s perceptions. Just before the international break, there was chatter that he might be one of the big names missing out on the World Cup. I don’t know if he takes it personally, but now he’s pushing that he should be there. He made things difficult for Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel.
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Tian Zhongqing (Leeds United): He has missed three games this season due to the outstanding performances of Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo. Now he’s scored, Leeds have beaten Chelsea and everyone has seen his high energy, press coverage and street smarts. He plays in the Premier League like he has been playing for ten years. Little things like knowing when to foul, knowing when to use his energy to beat people.
Mikel Merino (arsenal): I know he plays as a striker, but he will play in midfield. When you string games together like he did – I also want all the Arsenal fans to comment on this and say “Sorry Troy, you’re right again”. I said at the start of the season that he and Kai Havertz would play more games than Victor Chokres because they were better footballers. That’s not a slight against the Gyokeres – they just have different skill sets. Merino’s ability to drop into the pocket, play in ninth position, no centre-back can come close to him and of course keep scoring like he did in the 2-0 win over Brentford is why he’s in the team.
[BBC]
Ollie Watkins (aston villa): I’m happy to see him score again and smile. He had a rough start to the season – it didn’t go well for him. He wasn’t great so it was nice to see him score two goals against Brighton and counterattack against Villa. He dragged them across the line.
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Erling Haaland (Manchester City): I’m rooting for him because you can’t score 100 goals in 111 games and not be in the Team of the Week. Goals, assists. We talk about him every week. monster.
[BBC]
Daniel Farke (Leeds United): Beating Chelsea was a huge result. There’s a lot of pressure this week and there’s talk that if he loses all three, depending on the way the game goes, he’ll be fired. They performed well against Manchester City and performed well against the Blues, who everyone is keen on. They coped with expectations and pressure so well that Enzo Maresca said Leeds were better in every aspect. This is a huge tip of the hat.
Do you agree with Troy’s choice? Who will be your Team of the Week? Use the comment form below to have your say: