Premier League Team of the Week: Silva, Cech, Wilson & Pedro Impress
Welcome to the third installment of B/R's Premier League Team of the Week series for 2015-16.
We analysed every game to pick out a star XI from the weekend's fixtures, choosing the best players to form a viable formation. Only the best players in each position from this week's action make the cut, leading to several tough decisions along the way.
A classic 4-2-3-1 reigns supreme, with three players from the Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool Monday night game making the cut—it was a lot more exciting than the scoreline suggests. We have one from Newcastle United, one from Aston Villa and one from Norwich City, among others, but no room for super-sub Adama Traore—to make the selection you have to have started the game.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Petr Cech, Arsenal
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Competition for the goalkeeping spot was fierce this week, with Petr Cech fighting off Jack Butland (outstanding vs. Norwich), Costel Pantilimon (decisive against Swansea City) and Thibaut Courtois (saved a penalty vs. West Brom) for his rightful place. Tim Krul put in a brilliant showing at Old Trafford too.
"When you start with a new club and everything goes wrong, you need to bounce back and this is what I tried to do," Cech told Sky Sports, via BBC Sport, on Monday night. "Today was one of those games where I was in the right place at the right times and helped the team overcome a difficult moment in the first half."
The Czech international produced a series of fine stops, including one on Christian Benteke from point-blank range, to stymie Liverpool's rampant attack in the first half. That gave the Gunners a platform to recover from and grow into the game, testing the Reds back line themselves.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne, Liverpool
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Narrowly beating out Simon Francis of AFC Bournemouth is Nathaniel Clyne, who once again impressed as Liverpool kept a third clean sheet in a row. He's proving to be one of the bargains of the summer at this rate, and Reds fans are currently basking on the glow of having released Glen Johnson and recruited a serious upgrade in this position.
Clyne was defensively very solid and admirably aggressive, snapping at the heels of attackers and warding them away from his zones. On the attack he was quick, tidy and offered a pacey outlet on the break.
A Brendan Rodgers signing, Clyne's performances are buying his manager time and security.
CB: Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
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Is Vincent Kompany back? It's a question we've asked three weeks in a row, too timid to give a definitive response too, but the signs are positive. For the third week running the Belgian cobbled together a strong 90 minutes.
He was a key figure in Manchester City's third successive clean sheet, stepping out of defence and intercepting superbly, playing the aggressive, stopper role he's famed for. Everton didn't threaten too much—it was mostly set pieces and long-range Ross Barkley strikes on goal—but Kompany still acquitted himself superbly, commanding and dominating all afternoon.
CB: Fabricio Coloccini, Newcastle United
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Fabricio Coloccini put in a heroic performance as Newcastle United earned a 0-0 draw against Manchester United in this weekend's early kick-off. The shaggy-haired Argentine turned back the hands of time, banished last season's form slump and came up big when required.
The Magpies defended deep, hemmed in by a voracious Red Devils attack, but Coloccini rallied them men and defended the edge of his own box well. They negotiated a tricky opening 20 minutes, grew into the game a little and kept themselves relevant on the counter-attack—all thanks to some stout early defensive work epitomised by the captain.
Despite possessing the armband, the onus is on Coloccini to prove himself this season at a club stacked with centre-backs. If he continues to perform like this, he'll hold off the challenge of Chancel Mbemba, Jamaal Lascelles and Co. with ease.
LB: Robbie Brady, Norwich City
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Robbie Brady put in a near-complete showing at left-back as Norwich City drew with Stoke City this weekend; both his defensive and offensive work-rate and efficiency impressed.
He bottled up Xherdan Shaqiri fairly well, then pushed forward to attack. Per WhoScored.com he totalled six tackles, dominating his flank and allowing the Canaries to build attacks from it.
The Irishman stands as one of the better crossers in the league and the consistency of his delivery on Saturday caught the eye.
CM: Carlos Sanchez, Aston Villa
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Carlos Sanchez was the best player on the park at Selhurst Park on Saturday...until Tim Sherwood quizzically withdrew him. There's a good chance he's not match fit after another summer tournament and delayed rest period, but he didn't appear to be huffing and puffing—something he's certainly done before.
The Colombian dominated the centre of the park, powering through tackles, cleverly sensing chances to intercept and surging out from deep to initiate counter-attacks. He had the middle third on lockdown; no one came close to rivalling his control over it.
Physicality, firm tackling and clever interception play. That's what he's known for in Colombia, but for Villa he's been a disappointment. If a tricky first season gives way to a stunning second, Sherwood will have one of the better anchor midfielders in world football at his disposal.
CM: Jack Cork, Swansea City
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Jack Cork controlled the game for Swansea City on Saturday in the same fashion Jonjo Shelvey did the week before, but this time couldn't haul his side over the line for the win.
The competition for a place in Garry Monk's midfield is fierce, and Cork, a January acquisition intended to bolster depth and reliability, is doing well to carve himself a place in lieu of the injured Ki Sung-Yueng. At one point it would have been clear Cork would be the man to drop out, but now it's not so sure a thing.
The Englishman attempted 76 passes and managed a 91 percent completion rate, per WhoScored.com, also winning a surprising five aerial duels as he went to battle with Jack Rodwell and Co. in the centre.
RF: Pedro, Chelsea
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Pedro turned in a phenomenal debut for Chelsea on Sunday, providing width, energy, thrust and, most importantly, production in front of goal. It was the sort of showing that had Manchester United fans ruing the fact Louis van Gaal "decided against" signing him, per BBC Sport.
As uMAXit Football's Jack Rathborn noted on Twitter, "Pedro's willingness to move the ball and follow it from deep [represents] another new aspect to Chelsea's game"—they've become more dynamic and more exciting, not to mention absolutely deadly on the counter-attack.
The former Barcelona man scored one and assisted another, playing a key role in the Blues' tough win over West Bromwich Albion and grabbing the Man of the Match award.
AM: David Silva, Manchester City
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As begrudging Everton fans shuffled out of Goodison Park following their 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, many will have been murmuring about the mercurial showing David Silva had just put in for the opposing side.
Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri may have scored the goals to earn the win, but predictably it was Silva pulling the strings in midfield, dancing between the lines and initiating quick one-twos to set up counter-attacks.
"David can play where he wants," Manuel Pellegrini stated post-match to journalists (h/t the Daily Star). "He’s a good player. Last season he also played behind the striker. It was the season he scored more goals in his career so he has different options. I always allow him his movement."
He's one of the finest attacking midfielders in the world, but would his role change if City snared Kevin De Bruyne—a big-money transfer target, according to the Metro?
LW: Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool
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Philippe Coutinho spent his evening being foiled by Petr Cech, striking both the post and the bar as he repeatedly came oh-so-close to giving Liverpool the lead at The Emirates on Monday.
Per Goal.com, "he looked so comfortable on the ball and direct in the final third"—two traits that Red fans have come to expect from the Brazilian's game over the past two years. On form he's their best player, and he's started the season in defining form.
ST: Callum Wilson, AFC Bournemouth
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AFC Bournemouth simply needed the goals to flow—everything else, particularly the approach play, looked absolutely fine—and Callum Wilson brought the cutting edge required to carve out a first-ever Premier League win for the club at the third time of asking.
Wilson impressed in his first two games without scoring, with his hardworking, pressing performance in he unfortunate 1-0 loss to Liverpool catching the eye last Monday. This week he combined that energy with three goals, helping AFCB to a 4-3 victory over West Ham at Upton Park.
A good header, an opportunistic finish and a cool penalty represent an idyllic haul for the young Englishman.
Bench
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GK: Tim Krul, Newcastle United
CB: Martin Skrtel, Liverpool
FB: Simon Francis, AFC Bournemouth
CM: Jack Rodwell, Sunderland
CM: James Milner, Liverpool
Wing: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
ST: Bakary Sako, Crystal Palace
