Troy Deeney's Premier League team of the week includes Verbruggen, Gray and Lavia

BBC pundit Troy Deeney published his Premier League team and manager of the week on 2 November 2026 after the latest round of matches on BBC Sport. His selections featured Bart Verbruggen, Archie Gray, Ezri Konsa, Romeo Lavia and Declan Rice among others.

After every round of Premier League fixtures this season, Deeney produces a team and manager of the week for BBC football. The article presents his weekly XI alongside brief commentary on each selection. Readers are invited to respond using the comments form at the bottom of the page.

On his goalkeeper pick, Deeney said: "He was unreal. Lots of saves which kept Brighton in it, even the last-ditch save where it hit him in the face. Just an impenetrable wall. Brighton should really have lost by two or three goals, but Verbruggen was the reason they didn't." He put Archie Gray in his defence and said: "I'm going with a fully north London back four. Gray scored and defended really well. He was under a lot of pressure when Tottenham were in bad form and got a lot of stick, but now Spurs are starting to pick up I'm going to give him a bit of credit." On Ezri Konsa he added: "He was a beast. Head it, kick it, throw your body in front of the ball. He defended and fought for the team, getting the job done."

Deeney continued with his defensive selections, praising Jan Paul van Hecke and Jurrien Timber. "Van Hecke got a goal and he's really growing into his role at Spurs. I still think he was a little bit overpriced, but all in all he's had a solid start, coming up with a few goals. Micky van de Ven next to him gives him confidence that he can go and be really aggressive, because Van der Ven will cover him with his pace," he said of Van Hecke. Of Timber he said: "Timber got away with a shirt pull on Alexander Isak and I'm really surprised the ref and video assistant referee (VAR) didn't look at it. But again I thought he recovered and defended really well at full-back."

Deeney named a midfield anchored by Romeo Lavia and Declan Rice and included Coventry's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. On Lavia he said: "I thought Lavia was excellent for Chelsea. People will turn to Manchester United having 10 men, but the 60 minutes before that Chelsea were all over the place. Lavia was the only constant breaking up play, keeping the ball moving. Plus he had an assist." He described Rice as: "A proper captain's performance, he gets the job done all over the pitch. He got a little assist for himself, too." On Sakamoto he said: "Sakamoto goes unnoticed by a lot of people, but I think he works really hard for the team and he is very humble in his approach. On Saturday he also delivered in a massive game for his team."

For his attacking choices Deeney selected Johan Manzambi, Ollie McBurnie and Taiwo Awoniyi. Of Manzambi he said: "Another assist for him. He's a 21-year-old who is just flying. His confidence is through the roof and he is taking over this Villa team. Really good player, only going to get better. He was taken off thinking about the Champions League game against Barcelona, but up until that point Fulham couldn't really stop him." On McBurnie he commented: "Grafter, scrappy, endeavour, goals, assists... He had it all in his game. He epitomises what Hull are: a player that's always overlooked, a team that's always overlooked, but they've got some spirit, some fight." Of Awoniyi he said: "Unbelievable solo goal. It's really good to see the big fella back playing and being in a situation where he can impose himself. If Coventry are to stay up, he's going to be why."

Deeney named Frank Lampard as his manager of the week and explained his choice. "He has been really good. Coventry have taken care of business against Sunderland, it's a massive six-pointer those games and his team came out front-footed, aggressive and also did a job on a very good Sunderland team," Deeney said, adding: "Also a massive nod to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for getting the job done at Liverpool."

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