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By Sam McGuire
Who did make the XI though and what was the justification for it?
Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
Henderson put on a goalkeeping clinic against his former employers as Crystal Palace claimed a point against Manchester United. The shot-stopper was extremely busy at Selhurst Park, making seven saves having faced efforts with an Expected Goals value of 1.9. The clean sheet was hard-earned and well-deserved. His FotMob rating of 9.2 was more than justified. The 27-year-old almost single-handedly frustrated the Red Devils as the Eagles picked up a third successive draw in the Premier League.
Right-Back: Ezri Konsa
The versatile defender impressed as Aston Villa came from behind to claim all three points against Wolves. The 26-year-old scored the second goal for the Villans to cap off a fine performance. Konsa completed 97% of his passes, won 100% of his tackles and triumphed in five of his seven ground duels. It was a dominant defensive showing. Even without the goal, he did more than enough to catch the eye. The goal just ensured everyone recognised his performance.
Centre-Back: Ibrahima Konaté
The Liverpool defender bossed things at Anfield as the Reds claimed a 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. Konaté won 100% of his aerial duels, made two blocks, recovered the ball on six occasions and made six clearances. The France centre-back attempted 110 passes and had a significant hand in two of the goals scored by the hosts. He finished with an assist, having played a Trent Alexander-Arnold-esque ball into the path of Luis Díaz for the opener.
Centre-Back: Cristian Romero
By his standards, he had a quiet game. Romero didn’t score and he wasn’t involved in any controversy. The World Cup winner was solid though, for Spurs, in the win over Brentford. He completed 87% of his passes and 60% of his long passes. The Argentine made three interceptions and 12 ball recoveries as Tottenham came from behind to claim a 3-1 win. He also won two of his three aerial duels. Nothing fancy from the No. 17, but exactly what Spurs needed on the day.
Left-Back: Ashley Young
Young rolled back the years in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City. For starters, the 39-year-old claimed an assist. He created two chances and completed 80% of his passes at Goodison Park. The left-back completed 100% of his dribbles, won 100% of his tackles, recovered the ball on eight occasions and won 100% of his ground duels.
Midfield: Moisés Caicedo
Caicedo bossed things for Chelsea against West Ham United. The £100million signing earned a FotMob rating of 8.5 on Saturday afternoon. The 22-year-old completed 87% of his passes and claimed an assist in the 3-0 win for the Blues. Caciedo was involved in eight tackles and 16 duels. In total, he made 14 defensive actions as Chelsea kept a clean sheet to extend their good start to the season.
Midfield: James Maddison
The 27-year-old was deployed in a deeper role by Spurs in the win over Brentford and it suited him perfectly. Maddison claimed an 8.9 FotMob rating. He carved out three chances for teammates, attempted 11 dribbles and, incredibly, involved himself in 23 duels. The England international was a creative maestro and capped off this performance with a goal, his first of the season.
Attack: Heung-Min Son
Son ran riot against Brentford. The Spurs skipper created seven chances against the Bees and finished the game with two assists. With Dominic Solanke leading the line, the South Korea international was able to operate as more of a creative outlet for Spurs and he thrived in the role. He wasn’t much of an attacking threat himself, finishing the game having taken just one shot. But it highlihted his duality as a player – one week he’s the main man in attack, the next he’s the one pulling the strings as the creator. Thomas Frank’s men had no answer to his exploits in the final third.
Attack: Morgan Rogers
Rogers has started the season in fine form. However, the 22-year-old levelled up against Wolves this past weekend. The Manchester City academy graduate, who has four goals in four England Under-21 appearances, claimed two assists as Villa overturned a 1-0 deficit to pick up all three points. He created three chances at Villa Park and attempted six dribbles on his way to an 8.6 FotMob rating.
Attack: Luis Díaz
Another two goals for Díaz as the Liverpool No. 7 continued his ruthless streak in front of goal. The 27-year-old had four shots, all of which worked the goalkeeper, as he terrorised the Cherries at Anfield. He also created a chance, completed 94% of his attempted passes and tested the Bournemouth backline with five dribbles. His showing earned him a 9.2 rating, his highest rating of the season so far.
Attack: Nicolas Jackson
Jackson has started the season like a man possessed. The Chelsea frontman made it four goals in five starts after netting a double against West Ham United. He also created two chances in the win over the Hammers, and assisted Cole Palmer for his goal. It was a performance that any centre-forward in the Premier League would’ve been proud of. He was ruthless and efficient in the final third.
(Images from IMAGO)
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