Troy Deeney names Bart Verbruggen, Declan Rice and Romeo Lavia in Premier League Team of the Week
BBC Sport pundit Troy Deeney has selected his Premier League Team of the Week, with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Arsenal's Declan Rice and Chelsea's Romeo Lavia among the standout picks. Coventry boss Frank Lampard takes the manager's role after a crucial six-point win over Sunderland.
- Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) – "unreal", "impenetrable wall"
- Defence: Archie Gray (Tottenham), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
- Midfield: Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Attack: Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry), Johan Manzambi (Aston Villa), Ollie McBurnie (Hull), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry)
- Manager: Frank Lampard (Coventry), with a nod to Mikel Arteta
Confirmed line-ups
No confirmed line-ups were included in the source article.
What was said
"He was unreal. Lots of saves which kept Brighton in it, even the last-ditch save where it hit him in the face. Just an impenetrable wall. Brighton should really have lost by two or three goals, but Verbruggen was the reason they didn't."
"I'm going with a fully north London back four. Gray scored and defended really well. He was under a lot of pressure when Tottenham were in bad form and got a lot of stick, but now Spurs are starting to pick up I'm going to give him a bit of credit."
"He was a beast. Head it, kick it, throw your body in front of the ball. He defended and fought for the team, getting the job done."
"Van Hecke got a goal and he's really growing into his role at Spurs. I still think he was a little bit overpriced, but all in all he's had a solid start, coming up with a few goals. Micky van de Ven next to him gives him confidence that he can go and be really aggressive, because Van der Ven will cover him with his pace."
"Timber got away with a shirt pull on Alexander Isak and I'm really surprised the ref and video assistant referee (VAR) didn't look at it. But again I thought he recovered and defended really well at full-back."
"I thought Lavia was excellent for Chelsea. People will turn to Manchester United having 10 men, but the 60 minutes before that Chelsea were all over the place. Lavia was the only constant breaking up play, keeping the ball moving. Plus he had an assist."
"A proper captain's performance, he gets the job done all over the pitch. He got a little assist for himself, too."
"Sakamoto goes unnoticed by a lot of people, but I think he works really hard for the team and he is very humble in his approach. On Saturday he also delivered in a massive game for his team."
"Another assist for him. He's a 21-year-old who is just flying. His confidence is through the roof and he is taking over this Villa team. Really good player, only going to get better. He was taken off thinking about the Champions League game against Barcelona, but up until that point Fulham couldn't really stop him."
"Grafter, scrappy, endeavour, goals, assists... He had it all in his game. He epitomises what Hull are: a player that's always overlooked, a team that's always overlooked, but they've got some spirit, some fight."
"Unbelievable solo goal. It's really good to see the big fella back playing and being in a situation where he can impose himself. If Coventry are to stay up, he's going to be why."
"He has been really good. Coventry have taken care of business against Sunderland, it's a massive six-pointer those games and his team came out front-footed, aggressive and also did a job on a very good Sunderland team."
Deeney's praise for Verbruggen is unequivocal, highlighting the goalkeeper's shot-stopping as the difference in a game Brighton could have lost heavily. His defensive selection leans heavily on north London, with Gray and Van Hecke from Tottenham and Konsa and Timber from Arsenal forming a back four that blends youth, aggression and recovery pace.
In midfield, Lavia's inclusion comes with a caveat about Chelsea's chaotic spell before Manchester United's red card, but Deeney credits the Belgian for restoring order and contributing an assist. Rice's "proper captain's performance" is applauded for its all-round impact, including an assist of his own. Further forward, Deeney rewards work rate and end product: Sakamoto's humility and effort, Manzambi's soaring confidence at 21, McBurnie's scrappy endeavour and Awoniyi's solo goal that could be pivotal in Coventry's survival bid.
Lampard's managerial nod is justified by Coventry's front-footed display in a six-pointer against Sunderland, while Arteta receives a "massive nod" for Arsenal's win at Liverpool.
The numbers
No specific statistics were included in the source article.
Deal details
No transfer deals were included in the source article.
Injury and availability
No injury or availability information was included in the source article.
Why Deeney's picks reveal a shift in emphasis
Bart Verbruggen may not have kept a clean sheet, but Deeney's description of him as an "impenetrable wall" underscores the value of a goalkeeper who can single-handedly salvage points. Brighton's defensive frailties were masked by his reflexes, and for a team with ambitions of climbing the table, that reliability is priceless.
The inclusion of Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke alongside Ezri Konsa and Jurrien Timber suggests Deeney values defenders who can contribute at both ends. Gray scored and defended well under pressure; Van Hecke found the net and is forming a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven; Konsa's physical commitment and Timber's recovery speed (despite a contentious shirt pull on Alexander Isak) complete a back four that is as much about character as clean sheets. This isn't a defence of flawless technique—it's one of grit and goals.
In midfield, Romeo Lavia and Declan Rice offer contrasting styles: Lavia the constant breaker-up of play, Rice the all-action captain. Their inclusion highlights the importance of midfielders who can both disrupt and create. Lavia's assist and Rice's assist are proof that defensive work need not come at the expense of end product. Up front, the selections of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Johan Manzambi, Ollie McBurnie and Taiwo Awoniyi reward effort and impact over reputation. Manzambi, at 21, is "taking over this Villa team"—a phrase that signals a changing of the guard at Villa Park. McBurnie's "grafter" label fits a Hull side that Deeney says is "always overlooked," while Awoniyi's solo goal could be the moment Coventry look back on if they survive. Lampard's management of a six-pointer against Sunderland was front-footed and aggressive, exactly what you want in a relegation battle. Arteta's win at Liverpool earned a "massive nod," but Lampard's result was arguably more significant in the context of the season.
Talking points
- Should a goalkeeper who conceded be in Team of the Week? Verbruggen's saves kept Brighton in it, but Deeney's praise suggests shot-stopping trumps clean sheets—a debate that divides fans.
- Is Deeney's north London bias showing? Four of the back four come from Arsenal and Tottenham, yet Timber was fortunate not to concede a penalty for his shirt pull on Isak.
- Romeo Lavia's inclusion is bold given Chelsea's struggles before Manchester United's red card. Does one assist and a tidy 60 minutes warrant a spot over more consistent performers?
- Frank Lampard over Mikel Arteta? Coventry's six-pointer win was crucial, but Arsenal's victory at Liverpool might be the result of the weekend. Deeney's nod to Arteta suggests he almost gave it to the Spaniard.
What happens next
Attention now turns to the next round of Premier League fixtures, where the players Deeney has highlighted will look to justify their selection. Brighton will need Verbruggen to maintain his form, while Arsenal and Tottenham will hope their defenders carry their momentum into demanding encounters. Coventry's survival bid continues, with Lampard's side aiming to build on their win over Sunderland. Meanwhile, Aston Villa face a Champions League clash with Barcelona, and Manzambi's growing influence will be tested on the biggest stage.
Frequently asked questions
Who is in Troy Deeney's Premier League Team of the Week?
Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Archie Gray (Tottenham), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry), Johan Manzambi (Aston Villa), Ollie McBurnie (Hull), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry). Manager: Frank Lampard (Coventry).
Why did Troy Deeney pick Bart Verbruggen as goalkeeper?
Deeney described Verbruggen as "unreal" and an "impenetrable wall," highlighting his many saves that kept Brighton in the game, including a last-ditch save with his face.
Did Troy Deeney mention any controversial decisions?
Yes, he noted that Jurrien Timber got away with a shirt pull on Alexander Isak and was surprised the referee and VAR did not look at it.
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