Deeney's Premier League Team of the Week: Foden, Thiaw, Xhaka & More

After each Premier League round, INLIBER's football analyst Troy Deeney shares his updated Team of the Week. This piece presents his selections with concise reasons to help English learners understand the standout performances.

Team of the Week picks

• Bart Verbruggen (Brighton): In a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Brighton peppered the goal with attempts (19 shots). Verbruggen stayed steady as Brighton kept a clean sheet and collected the three points.
• Reece James (Chelsea): Though not used strictly as a right-back, James delivered a show-stealing performance and is singled out as the weekend’s best. An honourable mention goes to Kenny Tete of Fulham.
• Malick Thiaw (Newcastle): Scored twice against Everton and has looked excellent since joining from AC Milan. His brace and overall play have boosted Newcastle’s defensive solidity and attack.
• Luke Shaw (Manchester United): Highly influential, thriving as a left-sided centre-back. His fitness is improving, and United’s direction suggests a potential England call-up later this year.
• Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City): Emerging as a real leader on the pitch, he’s helping drive changes in City’s defence, even if he conceded a late penalty but also found the net.
• Granit Xhaka (Sunderland): The decisive figure for Sunderland, guiding play and stabilising their performance as they ground out a hard-fought result. A standout signing for the club this season.
• Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa): Scored in the win over Wolves and showcased his ball-winning and distribution ability. If he remains fit, Villa will be competitive for European places again.
• Tyler Adams (Bournemouth): A memorable strike from long range, a goal that punctuated a strong display and helped Bournemouth secure a important win.
• Cody Gakpo (Liverpool): A reliable bright spot amid personnel changes at Liverpool; contributed an assist and has grown in confidence, showing he can contribute regularly beyond last season’s 18 goals.
• Igor Thiago (Brentford): Two goals from a powerful forward display, continuing his consistent form and raising questions for rival managers about Brentford’s attack options.
• Phil Foden (Manchester City): Re-emerging in top form with two goals, including a late winner. His all-round game is a reminder of his potential to be a driving force for City and England.
• Regis le Fée (Sunderland): The French playmaker continues to deliver, anchoring Sunderland’s surprising season with goals and key chances. His influence helped secure another important win and keep the momentum going for the Black Cats.

Do you agree with Troy's selections? Share your Team of the Week in the comments below.

Opta's players of the week

Phil Foden

Foden rescued Manchester City at home against Leeds United, finding the net twice to secure a dramatic victory. He opened the scoring in under a minute and finished with a stoppage-time winner, marking a rare double inside the 90 minutes in a single game.

His performance makes him one of the few players in Premier League history to score in both the opening minute and the final minutes of a match, joining a small group of stars to achieve this feat.

Foden’s recent form reinforces City’s plan to rely on him as a key attacker as they push for the title.

Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)

Thiaw opened the scoring just 52 seconds into the match, the quickest goal of the season so far. He also added a second-half strike while helping Newcastle dominate away from home, underlining his growing influence at the club.

His all-round contribution—defense, aerial work, and distribution—continues to impress as Newcastle aim higher this campaign.

Source note: Details from recent Premier League fixtures and analyst insights.

Expert comment

Expert note: The week’s selections show how well-rounded performers can impact games in different roles, from creative midfielders to rock-solid defenders. Foden’s scoring flair and Thiaw’s steady rise reflect teams balancing attack and defence to win tight matches.

Short summary

In this week’s reads, Deeney highlights a mix of proven stars and rising talents who shaped results. Foden’s late heroics and Thiaw’s early impact stood out, while Xhaka, Kamara, and le Fée played pivotal roles for their clubs. The Opta picks reinforce the idea that efficiency in both attack and defence often decides the weekend’s outcomes.

Key takeaway: a blend of star-quality and emergent talents can shift results, with late goals and quick starts proving decisive. Source: BBC Sport