Troy Deeney’s weekly “team of the week” selection was unveiled on Thursday, with the former Watford striker highlighting a mix of defenders, midfielders and attackers who he felt had delivered the most impressive performances across the Premier League. The focus keyword “team of the week” appears in the headline and opens the story as Deeney announced his picks following the latest round of matches, which saw Aston Villa stun Manchester City and Bournemouth rack up a string of high‑profile victories.
Deeney’s first choice was Aston Villa’s left‑back Zion Suzuki, whom he described as a “big‑game player” who helped launch Villa’s counter‑attack after a clean sheet against City. Suzuki’s defensive solidity and quick distribution earned the nod, even though he could not prevent Erling Haaland’s solitary goal. The former striker praised Suzuki’s ability to win the ball back and start attacks, calling the performance “very, very good” and “excellent”.
Joining Suzuki was fellow Villa defender Matty Cash, whose right‑back display against Manchester City earned Deeney’s commendation. Deeney likened Cash’s showing to that of a captain, noting how the player neutralised Jeremy Doku’s threat and recovered quickly after a brief loss of possession. “He gets the job done,” Deeney said, adding that Cash’s effort “epitomised everything Aston Villa were about”.
From Arsenal, centre‑back Ezri Konsa made the list, primarily for his defensive reliability and the added bonus of scoring a goal. Deeney highlighted Konsa’s “proper defending” and the fact that he contributed offensively, a rarity for a defender. Bournemouth’s James Hill also secured a spot, with the midfielder praised for his “absolutely solid” defensive work and his knack for celebrating successful tackles, a habit Deeney said reflected his consistency.
The Bournemouth left‑back Adrien Truffert was another inclusion, earning Deeney’s praise for balancing attacking intent with defensive duties. Deeney argued that while pundits focus on Manchester United’s struggles, Truffert deserves credit for providing assists and shutting down opponents, underscoring Bournemouth’s resurgence under their new manager.
Fulham’s Shea Charles also featured, despite Deeney’s initial hesitation to reward a player from a club he felt “should be winning”. Charles, who joined Fulham from Southampton, has helped the team secure a clean sheet at Coventry and has been described as adding a “spark” to a side that often appears “lacklustre”. Deeney noted that Charles’ control of the game has coincided with an improvement in Fulham’s results.
Newcastle’s Nico González earned a spot for his composure on the ball. Deeney called him possibly the best signing the club has made, pointing to his ability to manage possession with one‑ and two‑touch play. González, according to Deeney, fits the “Red Bull Salzburg‑style” high‑tempo approach that Newcastle’s manager wishes to emulate, providing a steadying influence in the final third.
Marcus Tavernier of Bournemouth was placed in the attacking midfield role, a decision Deeney justified by pointing to the club’s remarkable turnaround. After a period of poor form, Bournemouth recorded wins over Sunderland, AC Milan and Manchester United, scoring eight goals while keeping a clean sheet. Tavernier’s goal against United, Deeney noted, “gives you a load more” in terms of impact.
On the right flank, Bournemouth’s Rayan was chosen for his pace and power, and for scoring against Manchester United. Deeney suggested that the forward was close to a hat‑trick on another day, underscoring his importance to the team’s attacking thrust.
Tottenham’s young striker Mathys Tel secured the final forward spot after a standout performance against Chelsea. Deeney recalled Tel’s difficult start at Spurs but highlighted his “pace, power, hard work” and a “unbelievable goal” that capped the match.
Rounding out the attacking line was Aston Villa’s Nicolas Jackson, who netted a brace against Manchester City. Deeney praised Jackson’s strength and finishing, noting his tally of seven goals this season, four of them in the Premier League, as justification for his inclusion.
The manager of the week accolade went to Bournemouth’s Marco Rose, whose calm leadership has overseen three big wins in eight days. Deeney contrasted Rose’s composure with the struggles of Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth’s previous coach, emphasizing Rose’s steady hand in navigating the club’s recent surge.
Deeney’s selections reflect a blend of defensive reliability, midfield work‑rate and attacking flair, offering a snapshot of the players who have shaped the latest round of Premier League action. While the list is subject to debate among fans, Deeney invited readers to share their own “team of the week” choices via the comments section, signalling that the conversation will continue as the season progresses.
The next set of picks will be announced after the upcoming matchday, with Deeney promising to keep highlighting performances that stand out in a league known for its unpredictability.
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