The FotMob Premier League Team of the Week is dominated by a handful of teams with Arsenal, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Luton Town all having multiple players in the XI. But who makes the Matchday 22 team and why?
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Pickford was a busy shot-stopper as Everton claimed a point off of Fulham during the mid-week round of fixtures. The point wasn’t enough to keep the Toffees outside of the relegation zone but Pickford certainly played his part in giving Sean Dyche’s men the best opportunity of winning all three points.
The England No. 1 made five saves on his way to an 8.4 FotMob rating. He was also fairly accurate in possession, finding a teammate with 70% of his passes in general while completing over half of his long passes.
Right-Back: Conor Bradley
The young Liverpool full-back put on a show at Anfield. With Trent Alexander-Arnold back in the first team picture, there was an expectation that the 20-year-old would drop to the bench for the visit of Chelsea. Jürgen Klopp stuck with the Northern Ireland international though, and his faith was repaid. The No. 84 scored his first goal for the Reds and assisted two others in the 4-1 demolition of the Blues as Liverpool maintained their five-point lead at the summit. The 9.2 FotMob rating was more than deserved.
Centre-Back: Fabian Schär
Schär played a pivotal role in the capitulation of Fortress Villa Park. The Swiss centre-back scored twice in quick succession to help Newcastle United claim a much-needed away victory while also bringing Aston Villa’s 17-match unbeaten run at home to an end.
The 32-year-old also finished the game with a pass success rate of 79% and also made seven clearances as well as making three blocks in the 3-1 win for the Magpies.
Centre-Back: Gabriel Osho
Osho was a juggernaut for Luton in their surprise 4-0 win over Brighton. The centre-back was composed on the ball up against one of the best pressing teams in the Premier League. He found a teammate with 76% of his attempted passes. He won 100% of his tackles, recovered the ball on 14 occasions and won five of his eight ground duels as the Hatters kept an unlikely clean sheet.
Left-Back: Oleksandr Zinchenkho
The Arsenal left-back was at his brilliant best as the Gunners claimed all three points against Nottingham Forest. The former Manchester City man assisted Gabriel Jesus for the opener. It was one of four chances he created at the City Ground. He also attempted 107 passes and found a teammate 93% of the time. The Ukraine international also finished with a 100% success rate in dribbles and tackles.
Midfield: Michael Olise
Olise was, yet again, the match-winner for Roy Hodgson’s men. The 22-year-old assisted both goals for Eze before scoring what tuned out to be the winner against Sheffield United. The former Reading attacker has been a revelation this season and will continue to be linked with a move away from Selhurst Park if he keeps on performing at this level. He was also involved in 15 duels and made seven recoveries before being substituted off.
Midfield: Rodri
Kevin De Bruyne may be back and Julián Álvarez may be the one catching the eye with his goals, but Rodri continues to be the main man for this Manchester City side. He attempted 113 passes against Burnley and found the back of the net, scoring the all-important third goal to really kill the game off. He won 100% of his tackles and won nine of his 11 duels as the reigning champions kept pace at the top.
Midfield: Eberechi Eze
Eze was the difference-maker for Crystal Palace in the 3-2 win over Sheffield United. The versatile midfielder netted twice while also creating two chances for teammates at Selhurst Park. He was successful with 75% of his attempted dribbles while winning five of his eight duels and 100% of his tackles. The 25-year-old levelled things up on two occasions for the Eagles and they then went on to claim all three points.
Attack: Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus put on a clinic at the City Ground. The Brazil international had six shots, created two chances, scored a goal and assisted what turned out to be the winner as Arsenal kept the pressure on Liverpool. The 26-year-old also attempted five dribbles and involved himself in 13 duels to round off an eye-catching, all-round performance.
Attack: Elijah Adeyabo
Adebayo’s FotMob rating of 9.6 was the highest of the week. The 26-year-old forward netted a hat-trick in Luton’s unforgettable 4-0 win over Brighton. The powerhouse forward also created one chance, he attempted seven dribbles and involved himself in 10 duels. Adebayo is now on eight goals for the season having appeared in just 982 Premier League minutes.
Attack: Luis Díaz
Luis Díaz continues to go under the radar. The focus has been on Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez in the absence of Mohamed Salah over recent weeks but the Colombia international chipped in with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win over Chelsea. On the night, he created two chances, had three shots, 12 touches in the opposition penalty area and won five of his six ground duels. He ticked all of the boxes for the Reds – he was a goal threat, a creator and a grafter.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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