Premier League Team of the Week

The Premier League Team of the Week column returns to Playing for 90 following a fallow few weeks from the team. Here, co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you what he considers as the past weeks team of the week.

Boaz Myhill (Goalkeeper)

Perhaps harsh not to include Joe Hart who is yet to concede a goal in the Premier League this season, yet Boaz Myhill has been brilliant for West Brom this season, in light of the absence of Ben Foster.

Myhill is averaging 0.60 punches and 3.8 catches per game so far this season, while he has kept three clean sheets so far.

Matteo Darmian (Right-back)

Matteo Darmian has been the most consistent right-back this season, with honourable mentions to Bacary Sagna and Nathaniel Cyne. Darmian is averaging 2.11 interceptions and 3.17 tackles per 90 minutes this season.

The Italian full-back was great against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon against Liverpool, and is looking value for money so far this season.

Vincent Kompany (Centre-back)

What a turnaround for Vincent Kompany. The Belgian defender was very poor throughout the 2014/15 campaign but has come back this season with aplomb. Against Crystal Palace Kompany was often tested to his limit, yet remained assured throughout.

Laurent Koscielny (Centre Back)

The French central-defender was in fine form on the weekend as Arsenal beat Stoke City 2-0 on Saturday, with Koscielny astute throughout. Whoscored rated the Frenchman with an 8.6/10 for his performance on the day; illustrating his performance for the Gunners’ backline.

More from Playing for 90

Aleksandar Kolarov (Left-back)

Aleksandar Kolarov was often a man of derision since his big money move to Manchester City but this season he has been in sensational form. On the weekend Kolarov was as good as ever, both going forward and defensively.

Kolarov took two shots and completed one dribble on the day, while he completed three tackles too.

Riyad Mahrez (Right-wing)

And now we’re onto the player of the season – so far. Riyad Mahrez really has been impressive – and his performance at home to Aston Villa on Sunday may be the pick of the bunch for the season so far.

Mahrez bagged two assists against Villa on Sunday and was unlucky to have not scored – yet his overall game was sublime – a constant threat. Mahrez has four goals and two assists for the season so far: one wonders how long he will remain at Leicester if he remains in such form.

Alexander Tettey (Central-midfield)

A surprise inclusion, but in retrospect, isn’t necessarily wrong. Tettey was influential throughout Norwich City’s 3-1 victory at home to Bournemouth on the weekend. The Ghanaian midfielder, who left Rennes for Norwich in 2012, was given a 7.6 rating by Whoscored for his performance.

Tettey completely one dribble on the day, along with three successful tackles and three successful aerial duels.

Dimitri Payet (Central-midfield)

If Riyad Mahrez has been the player of the season so far, Dimitri Payet isn’t far off. The former-Marseille midfielder was sensational against Newcastle on Monday night, wherein he scored two and was a menace throughout.

The Frenchman was mysteriously left out of the French squad for the previous Euro qualification games. Should he keep performing like he has so far then there will be no choice but to pick the attacking-midfielder.

Wes Hoolahan (Left-wing)

Granted Hoolahan plays behind the striker for Norwich City, but he fits into our team of the week through a precarious left-wing berth. The Irishman was sensational for Norwich against Bournemouth over the weekend, wherein he managed an 8.9/10 rating from Whoscored.

Hoolahan has one goal so far this season, alongside four assists and seven key passes.

More from Playing for 90

Steven Naismith (Second-striker)

Steven Naismith – the man for the big occasion. The Scot was only the second player in the 2014/15 campaign alongside Bafetimbi Gomis to score against Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea, and of course score a hat-trick on Saturday.

Not just any hat-trick though – a perfect one (head, left foot, right foot), which left Chelsea stunner – stuck to four points from five games. Naismith received a 10/10 rating from Whoscored for his performance from the weekend.

Anthony Martial (Striker)

While the Frenchman only came on as a substitute his debut as a Manchester United player makes him a worthy player in our team of the week – especially given the lack of goals from striker over the weekend.

Martial left Skrtel for dead in the latter stages of the season, proving he will be more than capable to beat average Premier League strikers throughout his time as a Manchester United player.