The English Premier League is officially 23 games in, and things are already shaping up, especially at the top of the table with Arsenal’s dropped points at the crux, Soccernet.ng reports.
Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina was included in Troy Deeney’s BBC Matchday 23 Team of the Week after a brilliant performance in his side’s 2-0 away win over Brentford.
Two Nigerian forwards, Samuel Chukwueze and Taiwo Awoniyi, found the back of the net in the English top-flight, but it was Aina’s assist for Igor Jesus that caught Deeney’s eye.
Deeney, who was famously known as a Watford striker before he hung up his boots, took up punditry with the BBC and is now tasked with picking the BBC Team of the Week.
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Super Eagles star joins Patrick Dorgu and Estevao in Deeney’s Team of the Week
Emiliano Martinez
The Argentine goalkeeper was at the top of his game in Aston Villa’s 2-0 win against Newcastle United. The 33-year-old made four saves, but most importantly, thwarted Newcastle’s threat from set-pieces, making several high claims and winning aerial duels.
Ola Aina
Aina has been a rock at the back since his return from a three-month layoff due to a hamstring injury. He’s always been known for his defensive solidity, but he flipped it at the Gtech Community Stadium against Brentford.
The ex-Chelsea man was freed down the right and looked to find an angle for a cross. The chance appeared to have disappeared after the Nigerian defender ran into traffic.
Somehow, the versatile full-back finds a way to clip a cross into Jesus, who then brings the ball down on his chest before firing a volley into the far corner, leaving Caoimhin Kelleher with no chance.
“The Brentford team he faced are well known for getting crosses in from the wide areas. I thought he defended excellently at the far post in Forest’s 2-0 win, and cleared everything,” Deeney wrote in his column about the Super Eagles defender.
“He was good at dealing with how people tried to run at him. He offered a lot going forward, too.”
Marc Guehi
Manchester City’s newest acquisition was like a new car on show against Wolverhampton Wanderers and barely put a foot wrong.
He put his body on the line several times to ensure Pep Guardiola’s men kept a clean sheet. On the ball, he was stellar, completing a whopping 98 passes against Rob Edwards’ team.
Jorge Cuenca
Marco Silva trusted the Spanish centre-back ahead of Calvin Bassey after the Nigerian’s return from the AFCON 2025 tournament, and he put in another good shift.
Cuenca completed 89% of his passes, alongside nine recoveries. To top it all, he wasn’t dribbled past at Craven Cottage.
Ian Maatsen
The ex-Borussia Dortmund wing-back froze Harvey Barnes out at St. James Park, and the same continued when Anthony Elanga came on, and his defensive work earned him a place in Deeney’s team of the week.
Estevao
After 11 games without a goal, the Brazilian teenager turned up in his side’s 3-1 win against Crystal Palace. He put a blinding opener past Dean Henderson before setting up Joao Pedro for Chelsea’s second goal.
Youri Tielemans
The 28-year-old hobbled off with an injury against Newcastle United, but his 74 minutes on the pitch were enough to earn him a spot in Troy Deeney’s team of the week.
Emiliano Buendia
The Aston Villa midfielder broke the deadlock for Unai Emery’s side against Newcastle United, beating Nick Pope from 30 yards.
Patrick Dorgu
The Manchester United full-back beat David Raya with a brilliant strike off the underside of the crossbar at the Emirates Stadium before going off with a hamstring problem.
“He’s been unbelievable since Michael Carrick came in. That goal in the win at Arsenal was unbelievable and worthy of winning any football match in the world,” Deeney wrote about Dorgu’s goal.
Igor Jesus
Jesus surprisingly took the headlines in a league that houses big-name strikers. His goal from an acute angle against Brentford was nothing short of brilliant, and made him the final pick for Deeney’s Gameweek 23 team of the week.