Troy Deeney names Gianluigi Donnarumma and Enzo Fernandez in Premier League Team of the Week

BBC Sport pundit Troy Deeney has selected his Premier League Team of the Week, with Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and midfielder Enzo Fernandez both included after the Manchester derby. Enzo Maresca takes the manager's spot, with an honourable mention for Mikel Arteta. Deeney picked eleven players and one manager after the latest round of matches.

What was said

"Not only is he one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he is a big-match player. We've seen it year on year and he's just won Manchester City two extra points against Manchester United. He'll get them 10 points over the course of the season, he's that good. After the Community Shield, people were saying he wasn't good enough and they should have kept James Trafford, but he proved again why he's such a big-time goalkeeper."

— Troy Deeney on Gianluigi Donnarumma

"I thought he was a breath of fresh air in the win at Villa. No-one in that Forest team can do what he does. Pace, power, he can defend and offers you a lot going forward. I thought he was a steal. I can't believe Liverpool and Manchester United didn't go for him. Forest did unbelievable business getting him."

— Troy Deeney on Daniel Munoz

"Had a tough old battle against Brian Brobbey as they beat Sunderland. Last season, he ended up bullying Gabriel for the equaliser and he wanted no part of it. Konsa said 'no problem' and stepped up. That penalty was never a penalty."

— Troy Deeney on Ezri Konsa

"Who knew the big 6ft 5in centre-half could put one in to the top bins, straight off the crossbar? Unbelievable. He goes in just for that strike against Coventry alone."

— Troy Deeney on Lewis Dunk

"What a beast he is. I don't know where Leeds found him but he heads it, kicks it, runs through people. Didn't get the clean sheet against Newcastle but deserved it."

— Troy Deeney on Tarik Muharemovic

"Very, very good. Very underrated. He delivered in a six-pointer because I think Palace are going to be down there, with a goal and an assist."

— Troy Deeney on Leif Davis

"He had his best game in the last two years against Manchester United. He actually did everything the team needed - ran with the ball, looked after it, bought fouls, tried his best to get others sent off. I thought he was a catalyst for the team. His best performance for City so far."

— Troy Deeney on Enzo Fernandez

"Goal and assists. The old head who they brought back steadies that ship - it's a really young team. He is even more important now with no Welbeck, no Milner. He is in and is a steady hand."

— Troy Deeney on Pascal Gross

"Two goals again at Bournemouth. I feel like he's the next one they'll sell. Pace, power, scores goals and works hard for the team."

— Troy Deeney on Kevin Schade

"Was decent in the Championship but he's really taken to the Premier League. Looks like he's stepped up and thought he'll have a bit of this. Two goals away at Chelsea is huge. They probably felt like they should have won."

— Troy Deeney on Mohamed Belloumi

"Steady away, isn't he? Goes about his business. Got one goal against Newcastle, should have had two. Excellent as a forward. Leeds have done something to keep him fit and he's changed the mentality for sticking in there. Maybe it's the Elland Road factor. They won't allow for anyone to not give 100%. He stays in the game all the time."

— Troy Deeney on Dominic Calvert-Lewin

"An honourable mention for Mikel Arteta. Got the job done away again. We could have had Daniel Farke. We'll give it to Maresca. I'm not his biggest fan, but tactically he got it right at Old Trafford. He understood the moment and gave his team the best platform to do what they needed to win. Made a brave call in bringing Cherki off for Ndiaye."

— Troy Deeney on Enzo Maresca

The numbers

  • Donnarumma's derby impact: Deeney says the goalkeeper "just won Manchester City two extra points against Manchester United" and "will get them 10 points over the course of the season".
  • Leif Davis: a goal and an assist in Ipswich's six-pointer against Palace.
  • Pascal Gross: goal and assists for Brighton.
  • Kevin Schade: two goals again at Bournemouth.
  • Mohamed Belloumi: two goals away at Chelsea for Hull City.
  • Dominic Calvert-Lewin: one goal against Newcastle, should have had two.
  • Lewis Dunk: 6ft 5in, scored a strike against Coventry that went in off the crossbar.

Why Deeney picked Donnarumma over the derby match-winners

Deeney's goalkeeper choice is the boldest call. He argues Donnarumma's contribution was worth two points at Old Trafford and that the Italian will earn Manchester City 10 points across the season. After the Community Shield, critics said City should have kept James Trafford, but Deeney says the derby proved why Donnarumma is a big-time goalkeeper.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez earns a place for what Deeney calls his best performance for City so far. He ran with the ball, looked after it, bought fouls and tried to get opponents sent off. Deeney also names Daniel Munoz a "steal" for Nottingham Forest in their win at Villa, believing Liverpool and Manchester United should have signed him.

At the back, Ezri Konsa is rewarded for stepping up in his battle with Brian Brobbey as Arsenal beat Sunderland, with Deeney insisting the penalty against him was never a penalty. Lewis Dunk gets in solely for his strike against Coventry, while Tarik Muharemovic is described as a "beast" who deserved a clean sheet against Newcastle. Leif Davis delivered a goal and an assist in Ipswich's six-pointer with Palace.

Up front, Kevin Schade scored twice at Bournemouth and Deeney believes he is the next one Brentford will sell. Mohamed Belloumi scored twice away at Chelsea for Hull City, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets in for Leeds after scoring against Newcastle and should have had two. On the bench, so to speak, Mikel Arteta is an honourable mention; Deeney considered Daniel Farke, but gave the manager's spot to Enzo Maresca for getting it right at Old Trafford and taking off Cherki for Ndiaye.

Talking points

  • Does one derby save really justify Donnarumma over every other goalkeeper? Deeney says he is worth 10 points a season.
  • Enzo Fernandez in central midfield is the most debatable pick. Was he really "a catalyst" in the Manchester derby?
  • Lewis Dunk in the Team of the Week purely for a goal off the crossbar. Is that sufficient for a centre-half?
  • Daniel Munoz's display at Villa sparking 'what if' questions over Liverpool and Man Utd missing out.

What happens next

Deeney will name a new Team of the Week after the next round of Premier League matches. Until then, the debate centres on whether Donnarumma, Enzo and Maresca truly deserve their spots over the likes of Arteta. Fans who disagree will get their chance in the comments form on the BBC Sport page. The biggest question is whether Donnarumma's derby heroics can really translate into 10 extra points for Manchester City this season.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gianluigi Donnarumma in Troy Deeney's Team of the Week?

Yes. Deeney selected Donnarumma as his goalkeeper after his performance against Manchester United.

Who is in Troy Deeney's Team of the Week midfield?

Enzo Fernandez (Manchester City) and Pascal Gross (Brighton) are the two midfielders in Troy Deeney's Team of the Week.

Who did Troy Deeney pick as manager of the week?

Enzo Maresca, with an honourable mention for Mikel Arteta. Deeney also mentioned Daniel Farke as a possibility.

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