Thu. May 28th, 2026
Premier League Team of the Week: Which Players Made the Cut?

Each week, BBC football analyst Troy Deeney presents his Premier League Team of the Week.

Here are Deeney’s selections for this week’s top performers. Do you concur? Share your opinions in the comments section below.

Bernd Leno (Fulham): Leno’s late, game-saving stop secured a point for Fulham in their 0-0 draw, marking it as the weekend’s finest save. While Fulham appeared to be fading, Leno, along with Joachim Andersen, delivered crucial performances against a dominant Brentford side.

Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth): Often overlooked, Truffert’s contribution has been significant. Although Alex Jimenez has drawn attention filling Milos Kerkez’s role, Truffert has excelled as a full-back. His powerful, energetic performance in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle, combined with solid defending and the winning goal, earns him a spot.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): Captaining your team in the Merseyside derby and scoring the decisive late goal secures your place in the team.

Joachim Andersen (Fulham): Andersen, alongside Leno, is recognized for his pivotal role in Fulham’s clean sheet against Brentford, earning them a valuable point. Their solid performances were instrumental in key moments.

Nico O’Reilly (Man City): Praised by Pep Guardiola as a top young talent, O’Reilly is lauded for his consistent performances throughout the season.

Despite attention on Bruno Fernandes, O’Reilly has been outstanding, contributing nine goals from the left-back position.

His versatility, playing as a number 10, covering central midfield, and filling in at left-back, highlights his exceptional value to the team. His likely role as England’s starting left-back at the World Cup reflects his sensational form, deserving of the title ‘wonderkid’ as Manchester City’s standout player.

Xavi Simons (Tottenham): While his goal celebration against Brighton seemed excessive, Simons’ quality, including a crucial assist and goal, offers a lifeline for Spurs in their battle against relegation.

Despite concerns about their survival, consistent performances like that from Simons will be crucial. Improved defending is also necessary to secure wins rather than draws.

Bernardo Silva (Man City): In a pivotal match against Arsenal, Silva outshone both Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Declan Rice, demonstrating his dominance.

His understanding of the game’s requirements and his determination to secure victory were evident, notably in an 83rd-minute header against Viktor Gyokeres.

Silva’s leadership and quality on the ball make him an irreplaceable asset for Manchester City.

Rayan Cherki (Man City): Deeney’s favorite player, Cherki’s skill and agility were on full display against Arsenal as he evaded Gabriel and Rice with ease.

His ability to seamlessly switch between feet makes him unpredictable and a constant threat. Guardiola’s discovery of this 22-year-old talent adds to Manchester City’s already formidable young team.

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingam Forest): A hat-trick, even against Burnley, earns Gibbs-White a spot in the team of the week, marking a captain’s performance.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa): Despite potential fatigue from European competition, Watkins delivered with two goals in Aston Villa’s 4-3 victory over Sunderland, warranting consideration for a return to the England squad.

Erling Haaland (Man City): Despite scoring the winner against Arsenal, Haaland’s overall performance was his best in a Manchester City shirt, showcasing physical strength and a great battle with Gabriel and William Saliba.

His link-up play, runs in behind, defensive contributions, and set-piece prowess, alongside the winning goal, highlight his exceptional performance in a crucial match.

Pep Guardiola (Man City): While attention focused on the pressure on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, Guardiola faced even greater pressure leading Manchester City.

As one of the greatest managers, with the opportunity to win the league and defeat Arsenal, Guardiola’s pressure was significant.

His tactical maneuvering, evident in his late substitutions, demonstrated his control of the game.

Unlike managers who make pre-set substitutions that disrupt momentum, Guardiola’s decisions maintained his team’s advantage.

A title win this season would be particularly rewarding for Guardiola, silencing critics and potentially securing a domestic treble.

Do you agree with Troy’s selections? Who would make your Team of the Week? Share your thoughts using the comments form below:

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Premier League Team of the Week: Which Players Made the Cut?

Each week, BBC football analyst Troy Deeney delivers his Premier League Team and Manager of the Week.

Here are Deeney’s selections for this week. Do you agree with his choices? Share your opinions in the comments section below.

Alphonse Areola (West Ham): West Ham’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth could have been a heavy defeat if not for Areola’s heroics. He stepped up in a crucial moment, displaying exceptional goalkeeping skills. His performance was vital in preventing what could have been a season-altering loss.

Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace): Munoz is a strong contender for player of the season, outshining even some of Arsenal’s top players with his consistent high-level performances.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest): Few would have predicted Murillo scoring in a 3-0 victory for Forest against Liverpool at Anfield. His outstanding performance marks him as a rising force, reminiscent of his impactful displays last season.

Malick Thiaw (Newcastle): After facing criticism in Italy with AC Milan, Thiaw has transformed into a dominant presence at Newcastle, showcasing strength, power, and elegance, suggesting he has found an ideal environment.

Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton): Kadioglu, not a typical left-back, excels in a modern, attacking role. He has proven to be an excellent acquisition for Brighton, highlighting their talent for discovering hidden gems, even after the departure of key players like Pervis Estupinan.

Sander Berge (Fulham) and Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest): Both players are crucial to their team’s success, contributing significantly beyond just goalscoring. They excel at disrupting plays and initiating attacks, driving their teams forward.

Eberechi Eze (Arsenal): Eze is the standout player of the moment. After some initial doubts from fans, including Deeney’s son, his hat-trick in the north London derby has turned him into a fan favorite, admired for his goals, composure, and overall dominance on the field.

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa): Deeney agrees with Thomas Tuchel’s assessment that Rogers has become indispensable to Aston Villa.

Despite a potentially distracted start to the season, Rogers has settled in well, with his two goals against Leeds proving decisive. He was the key difference-maker in that match.

Callum Wilson (West Ham): Wilson silenced doubts about his form with an exceptional performance, showcasing phenomenal skill and scoring two impressive goals.

Harvey Barnes (Newcastle): Barnes, a consistently impactful player, often shines brighter coming off the bench. Filling in for the injured Anthony Gordon, he demonstrated mental strength by overcoming a missed opportunity to score two crucial goals.

Sean Dyche (Nottingham Forest): Dyche outperformed Arne Slot with a brilliant gameplan, leading Forest to a dominant victory that could have easily seen them score even more goals.

Do you agree with Troy’s selections? Who would be in your Team of the Week? Share your thoughts in the comments section below:

Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze delivered a performance to remember, highlighted by a stunning hat-trick in the north London derby.

His man-of-the-match performance placed him among the elite, becoming only the fourth player to achieve a hat-trick in Arsenal-Tottenham clashes, following in the footsteps of Ted Drake, Terry Dyson, and Alan Sunderland.

Eze has consistently demonstrated his creative prowess throughout 2025. He stands out with the fourth-most goal involvements in the Premier League, trailing only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Bryan Mbeumo.

It’s worth noting that Eze nearly joined Spurs during the summer transfer window.

Morgan Rogers

Morgan Rogers was instrumental in Aston Villa’s comeback victory against Leeds, scoring twice to secure a hard-fought win at Elland Road.

Rogers has earned his place as a regular starter for England under Thomas Tuchel, amassing an impressive 27 goal involvements since his Premier League debut in February 2024. Only Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka surpass his record among players under 25.

Rogers showcased his significance to both club and country with a game-high two chances created and nine dribbles.

Harvey Barnes

Harvey Barnes led Newcastle United to their first Premier League victory over Manchester City under Eddie Howe, netting both goals at St James’ Park.

Barnes is the first Newcastle player to score twice against Manchester City in a Premier League match since Alan Shearer in November 2003.

The former Leicester attacker now boasts six goals for the Magpies across all competitions this season, leading the team in non-penalty goals.

Barnes stood out as the star performer, achieving a 90% passing accuracy, registering four total shots, and recording a team-high five touches in the opposition’s box.

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Premier League Team of the Week: Which Players Made the Cut?

Each week, BBC football analyst Troy Deeney will present his Premier League team and manager of the week.

Here are Deeney’s selections for this week. Do you concur? Share your opinions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham): Despite Tottenham’s home defeat to Chelsea, Vicario’s teammates left him exposed. He faced 18 shots, nine on target, and Chelsea’s xG was 3.36, yet he kept his team in contention, demonstrating unwavering commitment.

Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City): This young player is exceptionally promising. He is naturally a central midfielder for Manchester City, a fact often overlooked. His intelligent play at left-back during the win against Bournemouth was impressive, marking him as a future star in my view.

Gabriel (Arsenal): A constant threat, contributing to another Arsenal clean sheet. He poses a significant challenge from set-pieces. While his assist in the win at Burnley may have been unintentional, his presence made the difference, instilling fear in opponents.

Jean-Clair Todibo (West Ham): Selected for two reasons: West Ham’s victory and his composed, assured performance. While Newcastle may not have been at their peak, you can only beat the team in front of you. Todibo’s on-ball ability and calming presence were notable, suggesting growth under Nuno Espirito Santo’s guidance after some shaky performances.

Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham): He initiated the scoring in the win over Wolves, showcasing excellent attacking play and consistent performance throughout the season. Arguably their most reliable player, he has added goals to his game, a welcome sight given his fitness and health.

Moises Caicedo (Chelsea): A midfielder whose selection is beyond dispute. He was crucial for Chelsea, excelling as a ball-winning midfielder, and his tireless energy drives the team forward. He is arguably the best holding midfielder in world football.

Declan Rice (Arsenal): Another pivotal player in the win against Burnley, delivering an absolute beast of a performance. He scored a goal and is a menace from set-pieces. When facing weaker teams, allowing Martin Zubimendi to sit deep liberates Rice’s energy for more attacking runs, a valuable asset.

Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool): He surged forward to score against a subpar Aston Villa side. His ability to dictate play with and without the ball, coupled with his vision and tackling, were key to Liverpool’s victory.

Diego Gomez (Brighton): Despite scoring twice against Leeds, his elegant, powerful gliding past opponents stood out. Danny Welbeck was also considered, but Gomez’s performance was superior on the day.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City): What more can be said about this scoring machine? Every attack felt destined for a goal. The King of the Jungle is back. While Isak, Wissa, and Woltemade were discussed over the summer, Haaland’s return could see him break numerous scoring records this season.

Rayan Cherki (Manchester City): Playing high on the right is his best position for Manchester City. His ambidexterity is remarkable, reminiscent of Santi Cazorla, who could take free-kicks with both feet. Cherki possesses similar talent and appears fit and sharp post-injury. His connection with Haaland is a clear reason for his acquisition.

Nuno Espirito Santo (West Ham): Observe his passionate celebration of West Ham’s third goal against Newcastle. It reflects his dedication and the team’s spirit. He understands the challenges West Ham faces and aims to guide them through and secure results.

Do you agree with Troy’s selections? Who would make your team of the week? Share your thoughts using the comments form below:

Monday Night Club: O’Neil withdraws from Wolves & disturbance in the goalkeepers’ union

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