Left Back- Leighton Baines, this was a tough choice between Baines or Assou Ekotto in the end even with Ekotto's great strike I chose Baines for his overall impressive performance against Aston Villa. Baines has established himself as a brilliant Left Back which has earned him 9 caps for his country; whilst defensively he isn’t as solid as Ashley Cole offensively he’s on of the best Left Backs in the premier league and a set piece specialist. The ability he has meant he was linked with a move to 19 times league champions Manchester United, the deal however never materialised. Everton travelled to what should have been a tough fixture away to Aston Villa; it proved to be a lot simpler. Leighton Baines put in a vintage performance down the left setting up Nikica Jelavic for the 3rd goal that ended any real hopes of Villa earning anything from the game. The low cross evaded the Villa defence and found Jelavic who finished brilliantly, continuing the trend of scoring with his first touch in the last 28 games. Overall Baines put in a stellar performance and that has meant he moves into my team of the week ahead of the likes of Evra, Cole and Assou-Ekotto.
Centre Back- Ashley Williams, Swansea's rock, the defender has proved that he is capable on the Premier League stage and has kept some of the best attacking talents on display almost non-existent. He’s a tall, powerful and fast centre back which allows him to keep up with some of the quickest in the league but the physical power and presence to dominate more solid opponents such as Carlton Cole the West Ham forward he faced on Saturday. Williams who is a Welsh international has made 38 caps for his country and at 28 years of age he still has plenty more to come in his career. West Ham were still bouncing from their first game back in the Premier League after relegation, they overcome Aston Villa with a 1-0 win. Swansea outclassed them on every part of the pitch and the score line reflected it a dominating 3-0 win which could of have been more emphatic. The defence in truth had a few worrying moments, the defence however dealt with these problems impeccably which meant they have gone 2 goals without conceding a single goal. Williams was at the heart of the defence alongside Chico Flores against West Ham, he had to cope with the raw power of Carlton Cole this however turned out to be a stroll in the park limiting the forward to only a minute of touches. Williams was one of the best Centre Backs this game week meaning he has earned his place in my team of the week.
Right Back- Rafael Da Silva, the Manchester United full back has been criticised of late for performances that lacked effort and ability, on Saturday he showed his true quality and was one of the best players on the pitch. Rafael recently participated in the London Olympics as part of the Brazilian U23 football team, they reached the final which they went on to lose 2-1 against Mexico and Rafael was blamed for a mistake that led to one of the goals. Manchester United was at home to a strong Fulham side who had recently thrashed Norwich 5-0. Fulham had initially taken the lead but United hit back with new singing Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa. Rafael then completed the goal scoring for Manchester United with a close range header that the goalkeeper couldn’t keep out. Rafael playing behind Antonio Valencia continually got forward and in truth did more attacking than defending; he delivered dangerous balls into the area and was able to enjoy freedom down the right wing after slack defending from Fulham. Rafael showed the quality and ability he has once he shows the right attitude and maturity, his performance against Fulham showed he can become an established right back in the Premier League.
Right Midfield- Eden Hazard, primarily a roaming midfielder he drifts to different positions, the Belgian superstar has wowed football fans with his talents and seems continued to do so. The three matches before the game at home to Newcastle have seen him win three consecutive men of the match awards. The main threat towards opposition is his dribbling ability; he is able to breeze past defenders with his quick feet and ferocious turn of speed. This has meant defenders are fearful and commit rather foolishly and this has allowed Hazard to earn 2 penalties for his team. The Newcastle saw Hazard get on the score sheet for the first time in his Chelsea career, the goal came from the penalty spot after Torres was felled by Vurnon Anita. The penalty was blasted past Tim Krul who couldn’t keep the ball from entering the back of the net; this will not be the only goal Eden Hazard will score this season for Chelsea. The huge transfer fee is already looking to be justified, the talent and ability he adds to the team seems to balance and maybe even outweigh the transfer fee when looking at the likes of Andy Carroll for £35 million pounds. Hazard continues to impress me and this is why I have put him in my team of the week.
Centre Midfield- Santi Cazorla, the Spanish midfield joined Arsenal this transfer window for a fee of around £16 million pounds. This price looks to be a bargain with the displays he has put in the last 2 games for Arsenal, despite two goalless draws Cazorla has shone his ability on the ball is reminiscent of Cesc Fabregas. Cazorla can keep the ball relieving pressure on his side and then put the opposition on the back foot with a defence splitting through ball; he also has a lethal set piece and can strike a speculative long range effort. Arsenal faced a tough fixture against Stoke and it proved to be difficult even with Arsenal in effect dominating the game as is always the case due to Wenger’s philosophy, they were held to a 0-0 draw but had many chances to take the lead but at this moment in time they really do lack a goal scorer. Cazorla was the best player on the pitch and despite not scoring or having an assist to his name he stood out as the star performer creating numerous chances for his team mates. If Cazorla can continue to perform at the level he is currently at it won’t be long before Arsenal striker begin finding the net and Santi will also look to get on the score sheet himself.
Centre Midfield- Moussa Dembele, another of Belgium’s fantastic prospects and with the team they have at their disposal the World Cup 2014 will be one to look forward to. Dembele has been a part of the Fulham side since 2010 and has been one of their most exciting players to watch with the abundance of skill he possesses. This has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs and if to be believed Spanish giants Real Madrid, in the last 24 hours a bid has been accepted from Tottenham Hotspur in the region of £15 million pounds. The midfielder/striker is a brilliant player he’s physically strong this lets him battle against bigger opponents than himself and still come out on top, his skill on the ball is what has attracted clubs to the Belgian, against Manchester United he put in a brilliant performance and could of helped salvage a point for Fulham if it wasn’t for David De Gea. He easily beat defenders and was able to clip in deliveries into the box that were asking to be met by a team mate. Dembele also had a thunderous drive punched away from De Gea who then produced an instinctive reflex save to deny Dembele Once more. Demebele looks set to complete his move Tottenham in the next few days and is a great move in his career.
Left Midfield- Raheem Sterling, the 17 year old under Brendan Rodgers has been a phenomenon as he looks to ignite his career at Liverpool. Sterling started against Hearts in the Europa League Playoff where he put in a motm performance his constant threat left Hearts defence in pieces and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. His electric pace and dribbling ability is what causes the most threat there aren’t many that can keep up with the youngster once he is in full motion, when one on one with a defender he can easily trick them into committing or making a mistake allowing him to flash past and create a chance. Raheem Sterling was remarkably selected to start against the Premier League champions Manchester City ahead of the experienced Stewart Downing. This was his first start in the league and he didn’t disappoint, Raheem Sterling put in most opinions a motm performance he terrorised Manchester City's back three. He could have easily got an assist to his name when he whipped in a dangerous delivery from the left only to see Borini hit wide from only a matter of yards out. Sterling is proving to be a great player and at 17 years old Brendan will need to make sure he keeps his feet firmly on the ground as he has much to learn.
Striker- Nikica Jelavic, the forward has been a revelation since joining Everton last January scoring vital goals that have earn those valuable points and will be looking to do the same again this season. He isn’t the most technically gifted player he isn’t the sort to dribble past 3 opposition players and then back heel the ball arrogantly into the net, Jelavic is a classic centre forward he relies on his ability of putting the ball into the net this is solely his only aim. Jelavic has made 15 appearances for Everton and has found the net 10 times giving him a brilliant record, his finishing ability is arguably one of the best in the Premier League and astonishingly the last 28 goals he has scored have been with only one touch showing what a fantastic striker he is to have the ability to do such a hard skill on 28 occasions. Everton travelled to Aston Villa and came out 3-1 winners in what was relatively an easy game; Jelvaic got himself on the scoresheet after a low cross from Baines was finished neatly with his first touch past a despairing Shay Given. Jelavic also helped to take Aston Villa down to 10 men after being clipped by Ciaran Clark who was given a straight red card after denying a goal scoring opportunity. Jelavic had a great game and could have possibly added to the one goal he had to his name.
Striker- Fernando Torres, it’s fair to say last season wasn’t the most enjoyable for the amount of goals he scored by his standard but achievement wise it was one of the best a winner of the UEFA Champions league, FA Cup and Euro 2012. Torres cannot be faulted for the effort he puts into each and every game he plays, he will run himself into the ground trying to prove he is good enough and worth the price Chelsea paid for him. Torres had already found the back of the net this season before they paid host to Newcastle. Torres started the game brightly and in the 22 minute of the game drew a foul from Newcastle’s new man Vurnon Anita in the box and a penalty was awarded, Eden Hazard was the man who took responsibility of the spot kick and scored it. Torres did find the net however in the 45th minute where he poked the ball into the net past Tim Krul, overall the performance he put in was typical Torres bursting runs offering options to team mates and drawing defenders into silly challenges. This season he will look to establish himself as Chelsea’s only striker and will look to hit 20 goals this season.
This is my team of the week so you may disagree with some of my choices, please leave a comment on your team of the week or any changes you would make.
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