SillySeason’s Team of the Week

Who makes our starting XI after game-week 7?

After another exciting weekend of Premier League football, it’s time for SillySeason to put together their Team of the Week.

After massive wins for Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, it was all smiles in North London, but it’s a Manchester team that sit top of the tree after United beat Sunderland 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Chelsea dropped more points after drawing 2-2 at St James’ Park to struggling Newcastle United, while Crystal Palace saw off Watford in the lone match on Sunday.

West Bromwich Albion host Everton tonight in the last game of the weekend schedule, but here is our Team of the Week.

Goalkeeper – David de Gea – Manchester United

Yes he was against Sunderland and rarely tested, but on Saturday he was the only goalkeeper to keep a clean-sheet.

Wayne Hennessy kept one yesterday for Crystal Palace against Watford, but David de Gea gets the nod for us after a turbulent summer.

His future was in the air and his mind was away from football, according to Louis van Gaal, but since his return he’s shown why Real Madrid wanted him with several top class saves.

Right-Back – Kevin Mbabu – Newcastle United

Technically a left-back, but his debut for Newcastle United was so impressive, we had to get him into the team somehow.

Kevin Mbabu was a shock name on Steve McClaren‘s team-sheet for the Chelsea game, but he looked like he was a veteran with the performance he put in.

Mbabu kept Pedro quiet all game and showed great composure for a young lad who was facing the Premier League champions.

We wonder if we’ll see more of him this season.

Centre-Back – Toby Alderweireld – Tottenham Hotspur

The Belgium centre-back scored the goal to give Tottenham Hotspur the lead at White Hart Lane against Manchester City and that was the moment the game swung in Spurs‘ favour.

After going 1-0 down, Eric Dier made it 1-1 with a low-driven shot, but it was Alderweireld who rose highest to nod Spurs in front in the second-half.

Creating a solid partnership alongside his Belgium team-mate Jan Vertonghen, but this week he’s included due to his aerial threat from attacking set-pieces.

Centre-Back – Scott Dann – Crystal Palace

Another powerful and domineering display from Scott Dann helped Crystal Palace keep their impressive run of form away from home.

A solid 1-0 win over recently-promoted Watford have Alan Pardew‘s men another three points on their travels and it stemmed from the back with Dann showing what he’s capable of.

Left-Back – Nacho Monreal – Arsenal

Nacho Monreal had a stunning season last year for Arsenal, and he was on top form for the Gunners this weekend.

However, it was his attacking threat that gave him the edge in our team this weekend as he provided two goals for Arsene Wenger‘s men. He took the throw-in which allowed Alexis Sanchez to secure his hat-trick, and then he crossed the ball in for Olivier Giroud to steer home.

The Spaniard continues to improve and develop for Arsenal.

Holding-Midfield – Eric Dier – Tottenham Hotspur

Eric Dier is turning into a solid holding-midfielder for Spurs.

His discipline still needs improving, but his transition from a defender to a midfielder has been helpful for Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino.

Dier also got his name on the score-sheet when he sweetly struck a long-range shot past Willy Caballero in the Manchester City goal.

His goal made it 1-1 right on the stroke of half-time and was a massive turning point in the game.

Right-Midfield – Alexis Sanchez – Arsenal

He’s back.

Questions were asked about Alexis Sanchez after a poor start to the new campaign, but against Leicester City this weekend, he showed what he can do.

A perfect hat-trick and the first player ever to net a hat-trick in the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga.

Goals will surely flood in now for the Chilean.

Left-Midfield – Erik Lamela – Tottenham Hotspur

Since arriving at White Hart Lane, Erik Lamela hasn’t been that impressive.

He’s shown glimpses of what he can do, but he’s never produced regularly for Spurs, however, he was brilliant against Manchester City this weekend.

A goal and an assist for the winger helped Pochettino‘s men to an emphatic 4-1 win over City.

The question will be why hasn’t he shown it before now?!

Can he prove it wasn’t just a one-off game as well?

Attacking-Midfield – Juan Mata – Manchester United

Another brilliant midfield display came from this chap.

Juan Mata was brilliant for Manchester United against Sunderland and provided Louis van Gaal‘s men with a goal and an assist.

Another superb performance from the Spaniard, who is showing the form he was in during time at Chelsea.

Mata will only improve with the likes of Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial around him.

Striker – Daniel Sturridge – Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge is back and Brendan Rodgers will pray that he’s back for good now.

Injured for several months and in America over pre-season, Sturridge has been working hard to get fit again and he proved how good he is when playing against Aston Villa this weekend.

A match-winning brace during the 3-2 win and one truly splendid finish as well proves how talented he is.

Rodgers needs him to stay fit if he wants to keep his job.

Striker – Jamie Vardy – Leicester City

This was a tough choice as you have Rudy Gestede getting a brace at Anfield and Ayoze Perez pulling the strings for Newcastle against Chelsea.

However, we went with another option as Jamie Vardy partners Daniel Sturridge.

The England striker got two goals for the Foxes against Arsenal, and despite losing 5-2, he continued his fine form, scoring in the last four games.

Vardy unlucky to be on the losing side.

So there is our starting XI. What would yours be?

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt