Troy Deeney names Premier League team of the week
BBC pundit Troy Deeney picks Bart Verbruggen, a north London-heavy defence and Coventry's Frank Lampard among his standouts, and asks supporters whether they agree.
BBC football pundit Troy Deeney has named his Premier League team of the week, with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen singled out as the standout performer. Deeney described Verbruggen as an "impenetrable wall" whose saves kept Brighton in the game, including a last-ditch stop that struck him in the face, and argued Brighton could otherwise have lost by two or three goals.
Deeney selected a defence drawn entirely from north London clubs: Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke of Tottenham, plus Ezri Konsa and Jurrien Timber of Arsenal. He praised Gray for scoring and defending well after facing criticism during Tottenham's poor run, and said Konsa "was a beast" for his wholehearted defending. Van Hecke drew credit for scoring and settling in at Spurs, while Deeney called him overpriced but solid. He noted Timber appeared to escape a shirt pull on Alexander Isak that he was surprised neither the referee nor VAR reviewed, though he felt Timber recovered to defend well.
In midfield, Deeney chose Chelsea's Romeo Lavia, Arsenal's Declan Rice and Coventry's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. He said Lavia was Chelsea's only constant in breaking up play and keeping the ball moving during a difficult first 60 minutes against Manchester United, and also provided an assist. Rice earned praise for a "proper captain's performance" across the pitch, with an assist of his own. Sakamoto was highlighted for his humility, hard work and delivery in a major game for Coventry.
Further forward, Deeney picked Aston Villa's Johan Manzambi, Hull's Ollie McBurnie, Coventry's Taiwo Awoniyi and Coventry's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's team-mate role in a front line that also featured the Villa youngster. He said the 21-year-old Manzambi is "flying", with confidence high and an assist to his name, and was withdrawn with the Champions League game against Barcelona in mind after Fulham struggled to contain him. McBurnie was described as a grafter who embodies Hull's overlooked but spirited character, while Awoniyi's "unbelievable solo goal" was praised, with Deeney suggesting the striker could be key if Coventry are to stay up.
Deeney named Coventry boss Frank Lampard as his manager of the week for an aggressive, front-footed performance against Sunderland in what he called a massive six-pointer, and gave a "massive nod" to Arsenal's Mikel Arteta for getting the job done at Liverpool. The selection is Deeney's opinion, and he invited supporters to share their own picks and views through the comments form.
Supporters are asked whether they agree with Deeney's choices and who would make their own Team of the Week. Their responses would represent fan opinion rather than verified fact.
