English Premier League Team of the Week
This week's B/R English Premier League Team of the Week, comes with a distinct dash of Latin seasoning. And that's especially true as one moves farther up the pitch.
At the back, there's an English backbone with representatives from Norwich, Reading and Southampton. And the British Isles are represented with one player each in midfield and attack.
The rest showcase the league's ever-increasing Latin flavor. Just like the league itself, the combination makes for a highly interesting team.
Check out our selections in the coming slides and make sure to add your thoughts in the comments below.
Complete Team
1 of 12Here is this week's complete team. Click through the slides for more information on each player.
Goalkeeper: John Ruddy (Norwich)
Defenders: Nicky Shorey (Reading), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Michael Turner (Norwich), Carlos Cuellar (Sunderland)
Midfielders: Jose Enrique (Liverpool), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Shane Long (West Brom)
Keeper: John Ruddy
2 of 12Club: Norwich City
WhoScored.com Rating: 8.7
Norwich produced the stunner of the week by beating Manchester United 1-0 at Carrow Road on Saturday. Anthony Pilkington scored the winner with an expertly taken header, but goalkeeper John Ruddy made it stand up.
Ruddy recorded six saves, a number that fails to relate how many crosses he caught and United attacks he squelched. WhoScored.com credits him with three effective clearances. That number, together with his team-high rating, hints at Ruddy's importance to the Canaries on Saturday.
One more hint: Just before the final whistle, Ruddy made one last save on Paul Scholes to preserve the famous victory.
Left-Back: Nicky Shorey
3 of 12Club: Reading
WhoScored.com Rating: 8.1
Former England international (look it up—two caps) Nicky Shorey recorded an assist from his left-back position as Reading beat Everton 2-1 for their first victory of the season.
Shorey made six key passes according to WhoScored.com, and also made two clearances, won two offsides and played 16 crosses (nine of which reached the target).
The Royals, who are now out of the relegation zone on goal difference, still have plenty of work left if they hope to survive their return to the top flight, but both Shorey's performance and Saturday's result will serve as encouragements.
Right-Back: Nathaniel Clyne
4 of 12Club: Southampton
WhoScored.com Rating: 7.7
Nathaniel Clyne recorded nine tackles, two interceptions and six clearances for Southampton as the Saints downed fellow relegation strugglers QPR 3-1 at Loftus Road.
Offensively, the 21-year-old full-back chipped in with an assist, three crosses and an 81 percent pass-completion rate.
Clyne might not be as famous as newly minted England international Wilfried Zaha, but his performance Saturday further strengthened the growing reputation of Crystal Palace's youth system.
Center-Back: Michael Turner
5 of 12Club: Norwich City
WhoScored.com Rating: 7.4
Midfielder Anthony Pilkington scored the winner and keeper John Ruddy made the lead stand up, but centre-back Michael Turner deserves his share of credit for Norwich's upset of Manchester United as well.
Turner made a whopping 13 clearances, as well as two tackles and one interception. He also blocked a shot and completed 83 percent of his passes.
Center-Back: Carlos Cuellar
6 of 12Club: Sunderland
WhoScored.com Rating: 8.4
Carlos Cuellar headed in the second-half winner as Sunderland won 3-1 at 10-man Fulham on Sunday. He also completed three of five long balls and 88 percent of all his passes.
Defensively, the Spaniard won five aerial duels, blocked one shot and recorded 10 clearances, three tackles and two interceptions.
Midfield: Jose Enrique
7 of 12Club: Liverpool
WhoScored.com Rating: 8.8
Normally a defender, Jose Enrique was deployed as a wide midfielder when Liverpool hosted Wigan on Saturday. The move worked, with the Spaniard setting up Luis Suarez's second goal and scoring one of his own.
Enrique completed four key passes according to WhoScored.com, along with five crosses and the through ball for Suarez's second goal.
Defensively, he made three tackles and one effective clearances.
Midfield: Santi Cazorla
8 of 12Club: Arsenal
WhoScored.com Rating: 9.1
Generally this season, the pattern has been that whenever Santi Cazorla is on his game, so are Arsenal. Against Spurs, it took a red card on Emmanuel Adebayor to get the Gunners going—but then they really purred.
Cazorla, as usual, was a key figure for Arsene Wenger's side, completing four dribbles, three crosses, eight accurate long balls, two accurate through balls and 87 percent of all his passes. On the scoresheet, those stats translated to one goal and one assist as Arsenal routed their bitter rivals 5-2 at the Emirates.
Midfield: Theo Walcott
9 of 12Club: Arsenal
WhoScored.com Rating: 8.7
Samir Nasri deserves an honorable mention (and credit for his 9.0 WhoScored.com rating), but while the Manchester City man had "only" an assist, Arsenal's Theo Walcott had an assist and a goal. Thus, he earns a spot in our team.
Walcott, who still hasn't signed an extension with Arsenal, demonstrated his value with an 88 percent pass-completion rate, three successful dribbles and 13 crosses.
Manager Arsene Wenger said this week that Walcott will not be sold in January, even if he doesn't sign a new deal (via BBC Sport). Saturday's performance suggested that the Gunners might be wise to do what it takes to sign Walcott past this season.
Forward: Luis Suarez
10 of 12Club: Liverpool
WhoScored.com Rating: 9.3
Every week it seems Luis Suarez makes a case to be included in the Premier League's best XI. This week, his case could not be ignored.
Two more goals helped Liverpool ease past Wigan on Saturday, and Suarez's total of 10 goals are now best in the league. Beyond the goals, he recorded four key passes, five dribbles and two crosses.
After a rough campaign last season, the Uruguayan is proving himself as one of the league's most valuable players this time around. Liverpool have gone seven matches unbeaten, and if Suarez keeps up this form, the future is bright.
Forward: Carlos Tevez
11 of 12Club: Manchester City
WhoScored.com Rating: 9.5
Carlos Tevez scored twice (once from the penalty spot) and assisted another as Manchester City moved atop the table with a 5-0 thumping of Aston Villa at the Etihad. The Argentine forward now has six strikes on the season, which after a slowish start is looking more promising for City by the week.
Tevez completed 89 percent of his passes and recorded five key passes and three accurate long balls.
Forward: Shane Long
12 of 12Club: West Bromwich Albion
WhoScored.com Rating: 8.1
West Brom beat Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday, and if the reports are correct that Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo is now under pressure, he might want to blame Shane Long.
Long, a 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international, scored West Brom's opener and set up Peter Odemwingie's second-half winner. Work rate does not show up in the stats, but Long's contribution had Chelsea's defense in fits throughout the match.
After Long outplayed Chelsea's Fernando Torres, most onlookers would have been shocked to know Chelsea were the club with a £50 million striker on the pitch.
