# Who Has Made Troy Deeney’s Premier League Team of the Week?
Troy Deeney, the former Watford striker turned pundit, has unveiled his Premier League **Team of the Week** following a thrilling round of midweek fixtures. Selected for their standout performances, the 4-3-3 lineup (plus a manager) highlights players who shone brightest amid dramatic results.[1][3]
Deeney’s picks emphasize defensive solidity, midfield creativity, and clinical finishing. **Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)** earns the nod in goal for a commanding display that kept Palace competitive.[1][3] In defense, **Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)** anchored the backline with his trademark composure, even inspiring opponents like Nottingham Forest’s Milos Kerkez to elevate their game, according to Deeney.[1][2] **Harry Maguire (Manchester United)** joins him, delivering a robust performance that belied United’s recent inconsistencies.[1][3]
The full team showcases a blend of established stars and emerging talents. On the left, Newcastle United’s **Lewis Hall** stands out as Deeney’s personal favorite. Despite Newcastle’s loss at Manchester City, Hall’s brilliance was undeniable. “I had to find a place for him because he has been fantastic over the course of the Premier League and even though his goal against Manchester City was a deflected strike, I just thought he was **brilliant**,” Deeney raved.[1]
Hall’s inclusion isn’t a one-off. Deeney has been a vocal admirer throughout the season. Back in December, after a 2-2 draw with Tottenham, he called Hall “**hands down the best player on the pitch**,” predicting he’d become England’s starting left-back for the World Cup if he maintained that form. “He looks top class and like a bargain now for Eddie Howe,” Deeney added, referencing the fee Newcastle paid Chelsea.[1] In January, following a goalless draw at Wolves, Deeney labeled him “**the best player on the pitch by a country mile**,” pushing his England credentials.[1]
At 20 years old (turning 21 later in 2026), Hall has been exceptional since breaking into Eddie Howe’s side at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. A lifelong Newcastle fan, he dazzled with his ball-playing ability before a cruel season-ending injury at Liverpool just weeks before Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph over the Reds. Now back and firing, Hall’s deflected goal at the Etihad underscored his threat going forward, complemented by his defensive nous. Deeney sees him as far ahead of rivals like Tottenham’s Djed Spence or Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly for England’s left-back spot, with even teammate Tino Livramento eyeing right-back duties at the World Cup.[1]
Midfield offers dynamism with **Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)** providing control, **Anton Stach (Leeds United)** delivering a masterclass capped by a stunning free-kick, and flair from **Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)**.[1][4] Deeney praised Stach’s effort in Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Aston Villa: “He was a really good performer… and that free-kick he scored against a World-Cup winning goalkeeper in Emi Martinez means he goes in my team.”[4] The German covered vast ground, created chances, and notched 11 defensive actions before a late concession hurt Leeds.[4] However, Deeney cautioned Daniel Farke’s side to “be careful” with their habit of dropping points late, despite Stach’s heroics potentially attracting summer interest.[4]
Up top, **Diego Gomez (Brighton)**, **Zian Flemming (Burnley)**, **Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)**, and **Raul Jimenez (Fulham)** round out the attack with goals and graft that turned games.[1][3] **Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)** gets the managerial nod for orchestrating multiple strong showings from his squad.[1]
| Position | Player | Club | Key Highlight |
|———-|——–|——|————–|
| GK | Dean Henderson | Crystal Palace | Shot-stopping masterclass[1][3] |
| DF | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | Defensive leadership[1][2] |
| DF | Harry Maguire | Manchester United | Solid tackling[1][3] |
| DF | Lewis Hall | Newcastle United | Brilliant all-round display, goal[1] |
| MF | Nico O’Reilly | Manchester City | Midfield control[1] |
| MF | Anton Stach | Leeds United | Stunning free-kick, work rate[1][4] |
| MF | Eberechi Eze | Arsenal | Creativity[1] |
| FW | Diego Gomez | Brighton | Forward thrust[1] |
| FW | Zian Flemming | Burnley | Goal threat[1] |
| FW | Viktor Gyokeres | Arsenal | Clinical finishing[1] |
| FW | Raul Jimenez | Fulham | Hold-up play[1] |
| Manager | Mikel Arteta | Arsenal | Tactical edge[1] |
This selection reflects Deeney’s eye for players who excel individually, even in tough team contexts—like Hall on a losing Newcastle side or Stach in a draw-plagued Leeds.[1][4] Van Dijk’s inclusion highlights his enduring class at Liverpool, where his presence reportedly sharpens even opposing full-backs.[2]
Deeney’s teams often spark debate, blending nostalgia for his playing days with sharp analysis. His repeated shoutouts for Hall signal a star in the making, one who could define England’s summer. For Leeds, Stach’s nod is a bright spot amid relegation worries, though Deeney urges caution on their late-game fragility.[4]
As the Premier League hurtles toward its climax, expect more from these performers. Hall’s trajectory suggests World Cup glory awaits, while Stach could be transfer catnip if Leeds falter. Deeney’s picks remind us: individual brilliance can light up any fixture.
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Original source: BBC News – Who has made Troy’s Premier League team of the week?
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