Premier League Team of the Week II

Add as preferred source on Google

Right-Midfield: Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough)

The Uruguayan pulled an early goal of the season contender out of his locker with a superb long-range strike against Sunderland that rocketed beyond the back-peddling Vito Mannone and stunned the Stadium of Light into silence bar the noise radiating from the delirious following of Middlesbrough supporters in attendance. The goal knocked the initial stuffing out of David Moyes’ Black Cats before Boro played a string of mesmerising passes which utterly bamboozled the Sunderland defence, with Stuani on hand again to promptly knock the ball into the roof of the net. A delightful double on derby day and the perfect way to score a first two Premier League goals.

Centre-Midfield: Francesc Fabregas (Chelsea)

Despite only being on the pitch for 18 minutes, Fabregas’ influence when thrown on by Antonio Conte at Vicarage Road was too profound for the Spaniard to not be included. His first touch of the ball found Eden Hazard, whose effort was spilled by Heurelho Gomes for the waiting Michy Batshuayi to pounce for Chelsea’s equaliser. He then trumped that with his perfect through-ball which took both Craig Cathcart and Sebastian Prodl out of the game for Diego Costa to run onto and thread the ball through the legs of Gomes and win the game for Chelsea. He proved just how invaluable he is for Conte and Chelsea in his short cameo, and for the sheer volume of his impact he is a deserved inclusion.

Centre-Midfield: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Although his first touch of the ball back at Old Trafford was woeful, Paul Pogba recovered to handle the pressure of his second United debut superbly. The latest world’s most expensive player was assured and calm in possession, composed in all that he did and impressed in all dimensions of his game against Southampton on Friday. He registered nine shots on goal throughout the match which furthermore suggests that he can bring an added bite to the attacking threat in Jose Mourinho’s midfield at Manchester United.

Left-Midfield: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

The Kingston-born England international looks a born again player under Pep Guardiola after his disappointing showing at Euro 2016, but he ran rings around Stoke City like they were training dummies at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, and laid the ball on for Nolito to punish Stoke with City’s fourth of the afternoon. The former Liverpool man looks like a real clas act under Guardiola, with goals the only aspect now lacking in his game, but with Sterling seemingly developing under Guardiola, the Spaniard now has the task of managing Sterling so that the player not only believes in himself enough to fulfil his immense potential, but to actually go that one level higher towards becoming a top, top player.

Centre-Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

The famous veteran needed no motivation to impress on his home debut for his new club, and seems to just ooze class in a Manchester United shirt even at the age of 34 in the challenging climate of the Premier League. His physical prowess was at the forefront of his game once again, rising above Jose Fonte to send a perfect header into the back of the net, before stepping up to convert a penalty with ease after Luke Shaw was felled in the penalty box. He has looked the part for the Red Devils in every game he has played so far, and centre-halves in the Premier League are going to have a real job on their hands shutting him out, for even at this age, he is still a handful and can score goals of real quality.

Centre-Forward: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

The Argentine was once more razor sharp for City as they ran away with it at a venue that hasn’t always been the happiest hunting ground for the boys in sky blue in seasons gone by. Shawcross’ shirt-pulling on Nicolas Otamendi in the box handed Aguero the chance to put City ahead, and putting his penalty disappointment in Bucharest during the week behind him, he confidently slotted the ball beyond Shay Given to put the visitors ahead before his header virtually had Pep Guardiola’s men out of sight by half-time. On this form, Aguero is well on the way to another 25 goals plus this campaign, and time will tell as to whether or not they will be enough this year to bring the Premier League title back to the Etihad.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Manchester City Official.