Troy Deeney Names Premier League Team and Manager of the Week

What changed

Troy Deeney has named his Premier League team and manager of the week after the latest round of matches. His picks include 11 players from Crystal Palace, Brighton, Leeds, Coventry, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, with Enzo Maresca chosen as manager.

The selections are:

• Walter Benitez, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jefferson Lerma, James Justin, Ethan Pinnock
• Riccardo Calafiori, Jordan Henderson, Matt Grimes, Rayan Cherki
• Joao Pedro and Jeremy Doku
• Manager: Enzo Maresca

Why it matters

This is less a table of famous names than a list of match-turning moments. Benitez’s save from Liam Delap’s shot, which struck him in the face, kept Palace alive. Kadioglu made a crucial block for Brighton. Lerma moved from midfield into central defence, scored and helped Palace build from the back.

Several choices also reward players who changed how their teams could play. James Justin’s versatility and goal for Leeds stood out. Pinnock has become a physical and calming presence for Coventry, while Grimes showed he can move the ball at Championship level and against Newcastle.

The attacking picks carry the biggest sense of momentum. Henderson scored twice for Chelsea. Cherki is praised as the player who makes Manchester City enjoyable to watch, while Doku changed the game with a goal and an assist after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off. Joao Pedro is tipped for a huge season alongside Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.

Deeney’s strongest verdict is on Maresca. Manchester City won at Anfield, but the selection credits the manager’s tactical decision to bring on Doku and his ability to turn the match into an “us versus the rest of the world” contest. If Doku keeps producing at that level, City’s title and Champions League prospects could improve. That remains an informed opinion, not an outcome established by the selection itself.