Troy Deeney’s Premier League Team and Manager of the Week Selections

BBC football pundit Troy Deeney presents his Premier League Team and Manager of the Week selections after each round of matches this season. Below are this week’s choices. Robert Sanchez (Chelsea): Deeney stated he has previously criticized Sanchez on “multiple podcasts, radio shows and Match of the Day,” believing the player is “the reason that they are going to ultimately end up missing out on the top four.” However, Sanchez achieved a clean sheet “for the first time in a long time,” prompting Deeney to acknowledge his performance and say “well done to him.” Marc Cucurella (Chelsea): Deeney expressed surprise at Cucurella’s performance, admitting, “I didn’t think he was going to be that good.” He also questioned, “Why did Chelsea buy him when they had Ben Chilwell?” but conceded, “clearly they know more than me and they showed what they can do,” noting that Cucurella “is doing really well.” Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): Described as “Composed, solid and brilliant,” Van Dijk delivered “another masterclass” as Liverpool secured their sixth clean sheet of the season. Deeney highlighted his significant contribution, stating, “He’s a huge part of the reason they have only conceded eight league goals so far.” Gabriel (Arsenal): Deeney observed that “Every single time he plays, set pieces, he shows his demand,” indicating that “he is unfazed.” Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth): Deeney commended Kerkez, noting, “He’s been excellent in the past four or five weeks, both going forward and defensively.” Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool): Mac Allister “dealt with everything that Manchester City threw his way,” according to Deeney. He “broke up play, was great on the ball and just seems to be growing into a top-class midfielder.” Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth): Kluivert scored “three penalties” and, in Deeney’s view, “broke a lot of stereotypes about penalties being easy to take – when they are really difficult.” Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea): Deeney remarked on Fernandez’s improved form, stating that “After a slow start to the season and a difficult summer, with his comments and things of that nature, he looks like he is coming out of it the other side now.” He suggested that “Taking the armband off him made him sit and wait, and relaxed him,” contributing to a developing team and Fernandez’s own progress. Deeney added, “Obviously the goal helps.” Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Saka “just seems to be getting better and better in this Arsenal team,” according to Deeney, with “Goals, assists,” and even “giving up penalties now because he knows he’s going to score.” Deeney praised his “level of arrogance and confidence that is excellent.” Kevin Schade (Brentford): Schade earned his spot for achieving “A hat-trick, coming off a long injury from the summer, first start, three goals.” Deeney summarized it as “Job’s a good ‘un.” Marcus Rashford (Manchester United): Deeney included Rashford for the first time, expressing pleasure in giving it to him because “he has come in for a lot of stick.” He qualified this by stating an expectation for more consistent performances, as he is “sick of talking about his potential – he is 27 years old.” Rashford has scored “three goals in two league games for the new head coach Ruben Amorim.” Deeney anticipated this would boost his confidence and suit the team’s playing style, echoing Amorim’s sentiment that “the only person who can want it is Marcus. If he’s in this form, he will deliver.” Arne Slot (Liverpool): Deeney selected Slot as manager of the week following Liverpool’s “huge game” against Manchester City, a match widely anticipated to be a strong contest between title contenders. He described Liverpool’s performance as “excellent,” suggesting they “probably should have won by four, maybe five goals,” and characterized it as “A great, solid performance.” Deeney concluded that they “just look like champions already – champions in the making.”