The opening weekend of the Premier League brought excitement and mesmeric performances in defence, midfield and attack.
I have selected the best-performing individuals from Gameweek 1. Let’s see who made my team.
For the goalkeeping position, I will choose Konstantinos Tzolakis of Hull City. The Greece international made his debut for the Tigers and kept Manchester United at bay throughout the game. He made five saves in the process.
The right-back position goes to Italy U21 defender Michael Kayode. The 23-year-old was on fire in Brentford’s opening game of the season. He made five recoveries, won 100% of his aerial duels and also scored the Bees’ third goal.
My left-back is Maxim De Cuyper of Brighton & Hove Albion. Though he was deployed on the left wing over the weekend, I still see him as a left-back. He scored Brighton’s third against Aston Villa and completed 90% of his passes, including four accurate long balls.
My two centre-backs are Hull City’s Nobel Mendy and Manchester City’s Marc Guehi. Mendy was making his debut for the Premier League newcomers. He scored on his debut against Manchester United and put in a defensive display to announce his presence in English football.
Guehi was deployed in midfield alongside Elliot Anderson against Bournemouth. The England international was all over the pitch, chasing every ball. He scored Manchester City’s equaliser late in the game, which proved to be the turning point that inspired a late comeback.
I will go with a double pivot in midfield, choosing Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt.
Janelt will play as the No. 6 and operate as a defensive shield. The German scored a goal and completed 89% of his passes. He also put in a defensive shift, making four tackles and winning three of them. He recovered the ball three times and made four interceptions.
Odegaard will occupy the No. 8 role and be the link between attack and defence. He completed 90% of his passes in the opposition half and won two tackles. He scored Arsenal’s third goal in the win over Coventry City.
The right-wing spot goes to Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer. The Englishman was unplayable against Fulham at Craven Cottage. He first teed up Joao Pedro inside the opening 30 seconds before scoring the Blues’ third early in the second half. He attempted eight dribbles, five of which were successful.
The left-wing goes to Arsenal debutant Christos Tzolis. The Greece international was a thorn in Coventry City’s side until he was substituted in the dying embers of the game. He did not get a debut goal or assist, but he was a constant threat on the wing.
The central attacking midfield position goes to Jack Hinshelwood. The 21-year-old is arguably the player of the week. He was unplayable against Aston Villa. He scored twice and completed 93% of his passes.
The centre-forward spot goes to Joao Pedro. After a very good pre-season, it took the Brazilian only 30 seconds to score his first goal of the season. He received a pass from Palmer before dinking it over Bernd Leno. He returned the favour to Palmer in the second half by laying a pass to the Englishman, who hit it through Leno’s legs.
Team in full:
Konstantinos Tzolakis (GK)
Michael Kayode (RB)
Nobel Mendy (CB)
Marc Guehi (CB)
Maxim De Cuyper (LB)
Vitaly Janelt (DM)
Martin Odegaard (CM)
Cole Palmer (RW)
Jack Hinshelwood (CAM)
Christos Tzolis (LW)
Joao Pedro (ST)
https://orange1079fm.com/premier-league-review-of-game-week-one/
