Troy Deeney names his Premier League team and manager of the week after latest round
BBC football pundit Troy Deeney has selected his Premier League team and manager of the week following the most recent round of matches on 31 August 2026. His XI and manager choice are listed with accompanying commentary on individual performances.
Deeney, who provides a team and manager of the week after every round of Premier League fixtures this season, picked Konstantinos Tzolakis, Semi Ajayi, Nordi Mukiele, James Tarkowski, James McAtee, Bruno Fernandes, Rayan Cherki, Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa, Joao Pedro and Erling Haaland, with Matthias Jaissle named as his manager of the week. The selections cover players from Hull City, Sunderland, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea and others. Each entry is accompanied by Deeney's assessment of the performance that earned the place.
On the defensive side Deeney highlighted Konstantinos Tzolakis of Hull City and described his contribution as: "Again, another massive performance, another clean sheet. Hull have taken everyone by surprise, but it's because of that defensive shape and defensive organisation, and obviously, he is at the heart of that as well." He added of Semi Ajayi (Hull City): "Coming up with Hull is the only way he was going to ever play in the Premier League. He has been doing the rounds in the Championship for years. A real good solid pro. He has taken this opportunity and he's been an absolute beast, so fair play to him." On Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland) Deeney said: "He was great last season, a real, real powerful centre-half. Again, a top performance from him. Fulham had no shots on target - he was a massive part of that."
Deeney reserved particular praise for James Tarkowski of Everton, saying: "It was a captain's performance for Everton. Just one of those guys that you just want in your team. No one ever respects him, no one ever rates him, but when you play against him and when he's in your team, he's a real bloke. Proper captain, proper leader of men, and kept going right to the end. And ultimately, even though the two Bournemouth defenders decided to mark themselves, he was the one who got the goal."
In midfield Deeney named James McAtee (Nottingham Forest) and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). Of McAtee he said: "He absolutely ran the game at Anfield from start to finish. Getting on the ball in the pockets, half-turn, playing forward. He was the reason they were any good, and he's very, very good, but won't be spoken about in the same breath as the goalscorers." On Fernandes Deeney commented: "There's not much more to say. Captain Fantastic, three goals, an assist, and nearly scored from the halfway line. Where would Manchester United be without him? Relegated is the answer." Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) was singled out with the words: "My favourite player in world football to watch. Amazing the way he's gifted with the ball, the way he manipulates the ball, and also the way he's able to think for himself. And I just like the fact he's carefree. He just wants to play football, so that's great."
Among the attacking picks Deeney included Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa of Newcastle and Joao Pedro of Chelsea. He wrote of Elanga: "Back-to-back weeks, another great goal, another great performance. Just looks like he's had another lease of life under this manager. And I wonder whether we're going to see the Elanga that we saw at Nottingham Forest, just terrorising defences with that pace. But also, before he even gets there, they're just worried about what he can do." On Wissa he said: "I had to shoe-horn him in because ultimately he's been great through the middle, but the two strikers have actually scored more and played better than him. But Wissa's a massive part why Newcastle have done well, although he's not being talked about enough in terms of the application that he puts in. So much so, that Woltemade could be sold. That's how much of a good job Wissa has done." About Joao Pedro he wrote: "He has had an unbelievable start to the season. I think under Xabi Alonso, and with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers behind him, he's going to have an unbelievable season. But also the fact that he wasn't even picked for the World Cup. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti was there, and Joao Pedro looks like he has a point to prove."
Deeney described Erling Haaland (Manchester City) in unambiguous terms: "The beast, the Viking, the new haircut. Two goals, comfortable. Just looks like actually playing football is too easy for him. He looks like scoring goals is just becoming a bit boring and he's probably trying to think of ways to do it better." He selected Matthias Jaissle as his manager of the week and commented on Jaissle's early season impact: "What a start to the season he's had. Also, the demeanour he gives off is young Jose Mourinho vibes. Very Jose at Porto, without saying he's the Special One. Calm, confident, a little bit arrogant at times, but also just looks like you want to play for him. Looks like he knows what he's talking about."
Do you agree with Troy's selections? Readers are invited to share their views using the comments form below the piece, and can follow their Premier League club on BBC Sport or use the site’s quizzes and news alerts to receive further coverage.
