The FotMob Team of the Week is dominated by two sides for Matchday 23. After dismantling high-flying Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth have four players in the XI while table-topping Liverpool have three in the team. There’s a fifth appearance of the season for an in-form striker too.
By Sam McGuire
Who made the cut though and why?
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea opted to retain Robert Sánchez this summer and loan out the most expensive goalkeeper ever in Kepa. On Saturday, Sánchez was at fault for the defeat to Manchester City. Meanwhile, the Spain international was impressing between the sticks for Bournemouth. The 30-year-old made four saves and kept a clean sheet as the Cherries recorded a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest. He faced shots with an Expected Goals value of 1.02 but repelled all of the away side’s efforts in what was a commanding showing.
Right-Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold wasn’t at his creative best against Ipswich Town, creating just one chance for Liverpool. But what a chance it was though. He put in a cross that was so perfectly weighted for Cody Gakpo to nod home. His overall game was positive though. He struck the woodwork with one effort, completed 83% of his passes, 100% of his dribbles and won five of his seven ground duels. The 8.4 FotMob rating was more than deserved.
Centre-Back: Ibrahima Konaté
Konaté was a behemoth for Liverpool in their win over Ipswich at Anfield. The 25-year-old attempted 125 passes for the Reds and found a teammate 93% of the time. He created two chances and claimed an assist. The France centre-back won the most duels (12) and this was made up of eight out of 10 ground duels and four from four aerial duels. The former RB Leipzig man recovered the ball on six occasions too. He did more than enough for a clean sheet but Arne Slot’s side conceded late on.
Centre-Back: Emmanuel Agbadou
The January signing for Wolves impressed in the defeat to Arsenal. The powerhouse centre-back completed the most dribbles (four), the most passes (58), made the most tackles (five) and won a remarkable 18 duels, the highest total of the match. He was a one-man wrecking ball against the Gunners and did not deserve to be on the losing side. The 27-year-old could prove to be one of the signings of the window if this sort of performance becomes the norm.
Left-Back: Joško Gvardiol
Gvardiol is now on five Premier League goals for the season following his strike against Chelsea. In truth, he could’ve had a couple against the Blues at the Etihad. He was getting into some dangerous positions with great regularity. He had a total of three shots and had an Expected Goals total of 1.1. The versatile defender also completed the most dribbles (five), a remarkable stat considering the talent on the pitch on Saturday evening. He also won five of his seven duels, showing he’s impactful at both ends of the pitch.
Midfield: Phil Foden
It wasn’t just Manchester City against Chelsea on Saturday, it was Phil Foden against Cole Palmer. The latter has had a better season but the former won the battle at the Etihad. Foden scored a goal, completed 88% of his passes, had five touches in the opposition’s penalty area and completed two of his three attempted dribbles. His goal in the 87th minute killed off the tie and earned him a FotMob rating of 8.4.
Midfield: Justin Kluivert
Another week, another eye-catching showing from the in-form Bournemouth maestro. Kluivert has scored in three successive matches for the Cherries now and his haul for the season stands at 11 goals and four assists following his goal and assist against Forest. Having finally found a home, the Dutchman is living up to his potential. He completed the most dribbles (four) and was substituted off after 88 minutes with a pass success rate of 100%.
Midfield: Tyler Adams
Tyler Adams claimed two assists for Bournemouth in their emphatic victory over Nottingham Forest. The 25-year-old was barely involved, all things considered, attempting just 27 passes at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, but he created two chances and both were converted. He did complete 85% of his passes while also winning seven of his 10 duels. He also attempted five tackles and made two interceptions in what was a dominant middle-third showing.
Midfield: Cody Gakpo
Gakpo finished the game against Ipswich with two goals and an assist on Saturday at Anfield. He earned a FotMob rating of 9.2 for his exploits in the final third. He was unstoppable at times, completing two of his three dribbles, having a non-penalty Expected Goals total of 1.09, a total that was comfortably the highest of the match with the Reds only creating chances with an Expected Goals haul of 1.98. He was their main man in a match they simply had to win.
Attack: Dango Ouattara
The Bournemouth striker earned the highest FotMob rating of the week with a 9.6 following his three goal haul against Nottingham Forest. He also had a goal ruled out for offside in what was an exciting showing from the 22-year-old versatile attacker. Ouattara finished with 100% shot accuracy and he completed 100% of his dribbles. He’s now on 10 goal involvements for the season in the Premier League.
Attack: Alexander Isak
Isak’s remarkable run of goals came to an abrupt end against Bournemouth last weekend. The drought didn’t last long though. The Sweden international netted twice in the win over Southampton on Saturday to take his tally for the season to 17. He was the star of the show in the game, with a 9.2 FotMob rating, having landed all four of his efforts on target. He also created a chance and won a penalty that he went on to convert. The 25-year-old is very much in contention for the Golden Boot.
(Images from IMAGO)
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