The Matchday 33 FotMob Team of the Week is dominated by players from two teams. Aston Villa have three players in the XI following their 4-1 humbling of Newcastle United. Arsenal also have three players in the XI after their professional showing against Ipswich Town. But who makes the cut and why?
By Sam McGuire
Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega
With Ederson out injured, Ortega manned the goal for the reigning champions at Goodison Park. The 32-year-old claimed the FotMob Player of the Match with a rating of 8.4. He made two saves in total, one was a big, sprawling save to thwart Jarrad Branthwaite just after half-time when the score was 0-0. It turned out to be a pivotal moment, with City going on to claim a 2-0 win with two late goals. The former Arminia Bielefeld shot stopper, once again, showed his value to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Right-Back: Pedro Porro
Porro didn’t deserve to be on the losing side on Monday evening. The Spanish full-back starred for Spurs as Nottingham Forest claimed a 2-1 win over Ange Postecoglou’s men. The 25-year-old had well over 100 touches and created the most chances of the match with seven. He assisted the Tottenham goal with a wonderfully weighted cross from the right flank. It was one of 23 crosses he put into the Forest box. He also won 100% of his tackles and won six of his 13 duels.
Centre-Back: Ibrahima Konaté
Despite uncertainty surrounding his future, Konaté put in a dominant showing against Leicester City as Liverpool moved to within one win of the Premier League title. The French centre-back is reportedly in talks over a new deal at Anfield amid interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but he was fully focused against the Foxes. He was the most accurate passer of the ball of any player to have played over 45 minutes, finding a teammate with 93% of his attempts. He won 100% of his tackles, made 10 recoveries and 100% of his duels on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.0.
Centre-Back: Dean Huijsen
Huijsen was brilliant with and without the ball as Bournemouth claimed a 0-0 draw away at Selhurst Park. The Dutch-born Spain international, who is being courted by most of Europe’s elite clubs, completed 90% of his 99 attempted passes. He also carved out a chance for the Cherries too. The 20-year-old won 100% of his tackles, made eight clearances, three interceptions and 100% of his ground duels. He was also the victor in 50% of his aerial duels as Bournemouth claimed a clean sheet.
Left-Back: Ian Maatsen
Maatsen caught the eye for Aston Villa in their dismantling of Newcastle United on Saturday evening. The left-back scored a goal and created a chance for Unai Emery’s side as they recorded a 4-1 win over the Magpies. He completed 82% of his passes, attempted three dribbles, won three of his six tackles and won seven of his 11 attempted duels. The 23-year-old was dominant down the left flank for the Villans.
Midfielder: Martin Ødegaard
Ødegaard was back to his brilliant best for Arsenal in their 4-0 win over Ipswich Town. The skipper created five chances for teammates and picked up an assist for the Gunners. He completed 89% of his 101 attempted passes, hit the woodwork with one of his three efforts, and attempted four dribbles at Portman Road. He was accurate with 100% of his long passes and won 50% of his duels, showing his duality as a player. He was a playmaker and a disruptor.
Midfielder: Declan Rice
Rice was also fairly dominant for Arsenal in the middle third. The England international completed 95% of his attempted passes, won 100% of his tackles and 50% of his ground duels. He also won 67% of his aerial duels. He assisted a goal for Mikel Arteta’s side and created three chances in total. This sort of performance is becoming the norm for the versatile midfielder.
Midfielder: Youri Tielemans
The Belgian maestro ran the show for Villa in their 4-1 win over Newcastle United. The 27-year-old completed the most passes (71), he won the most tackles (five) and won the most duels (11), on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.6. He carved out three chances for the hosts and was fouled on three occasions. He was a difference-maker, a tempo setter and a game-breaker for Emery’s side in one of the most dominant showings of the season in claret and blue.
Attack: Bryan Mbeumo
What a season Mbeumo is having. The Brentford attacker now has 18 goals and six assists following the 4-2 win over Brighton. The 25-year-old scored twice and assisted one more on his way to a 9.6 rating. Mbeumo also completed the most dribbles (four), created the most chances (seven) and won the most duels (12). The Cameroon international was the most fouled player (four), and had nine touches in the penalty area. He as unstoppable for the Bees.
Attack: Ollie Watkins
Watkins was back in the Villa starting XI, displacing Marcus Rashford. He made the most of his opportunity too, scoring and assisting in the 4-1 win. He had a total of five shots and created two chances at Villa Park. Watkins also hit the woodwork twice, completed 100% of his dribbles and had an astonishing 10 touches in the penalty area on his way to earning a FotMob rating of 8.9.
Attack: Leandro Trossard
Trossard was picked to lead the line for the Gunners against Ipswich and he responded by scoring twice in the 4-0 win. The Belgium international had a total of four shots at Portman Road and created one chance, a performance that earned him a FotMob rating of 8.8. The double took his goal involvements tally to 12 for the campaign and he’s proving himself to be a huge asset for Arteta and his team.
(Images from IMAGO)
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