Who features in 90MAAT’s TOTW for GW3?
Kasper Schmeichel – Leicester City
Despite his team losing 2-0, albeit to an incredibly powerful Manchester United team with momentum behind them, Schmeichel made sure that the deficit wasn’t increased through his command of the area, aerial presence, and general shot stopping including a fantastic penalty save off Lukaku.
Admittedly for this save he was about a metre off his line but he still had to dive the right way and get his sizeable paw up to claw the ball away from the goal so we can’t take that away from him.
Charlie Daniels – Bournemouth
For those that are yet to see this man’s strike against Manchester City at the weekend, highly recommend giving it a watch, you will not see a football hit cleaner than that. The ball sits up for him just to the left-hand side of the City box and he brings his left foot up and over it to absolutely smash it into the left hand corner of Ederson’s goal.
For me it is on par with Zidane’s strike against Leverkusen in 2001, a truly incredible goal. His all-round performance was outstanding too but he could make it into the team on his goal alone.
James Tarkowski – Burnley
Burnley fans may have worried that by selling Michael Keane for £30m to Everton that their defence would be considerably more leaky than it had been previously however in Tarkoswki it looks like they may have found someone that has the ability to fell the boots of the England international. In this game he defended solidly and superbly, helping his team to earn a point against Spurs meaning that Tottenham’s Wembley hoodoo continues, although don’t tell Pochettino.
Joel Matip – Liverpool
Matip hasn’t been overly convincingly throughout his spell at Anfield but neither has he looked calamitous, a middle of the road centre back, however on Sunday against Arsenal he put in a very solid display. A woeful Arsenal team rarely if ever challenged and the Liverpool defence adequately saw off Sanchez, Welbeck, Lacazette, and Giroud. Matip put his body on the line for his team and you cannot ask for more than that.
Benjamin Mendy – Manchester City
Despite it taking a last-minute winner from Raheem Sterling for City to beat Bournemouth, City put in a solid performance and some of their passing was absolutely spectacular, but what tore the Cherries apart was the constant availability of the City full backs to receive a pass, be it to the feet or as a through ball and Mendy did that. Then to top it all off, he showed incredibly bravery to cross not just first time but also on the volley, he looks an athletic, powerful full back and City should be excited indeed.
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
Despite Guardiola playing De Bruyne as a deep lying midfielder, the Belgian produced a quite outstanding performance. His passing is not only pinpoint but his variety of passes is magical, be it gorgeous through balls, crossfield pings, or driven ground passes, he is the perfect man to compliment players like Jesus or Aguero, without the magical little Belgian City’s strike force would be nowhere near as potent. Guardiola should realise what he has at his disposal and use him higher up the pitch, he will tear teams apart this year.
Cesc Fabregas – Chelsea
Cesc is pure magic. Liquid gold. He oozes class and elegance and while he does not tear around the pitch like his midfield partner, nor does he destroy opposition moves like his ex-partner Matic, but what he does is supply Chelsea’s vicious front three with gorgeous balls that they dutifully tuck away. Chelsea admittedly do look fallible with Cesc and Kante as a midfield two but with a game plan like they had on Sunday it looks like they are an underrated threat to the supposed dominance of the two Manchester teams.
Robbie Brady – Burnley
I’ve put Brady in midfield because I couldn’t get him in the front three but I felt that his performance at the weekend deserved his inclusion anyway. He had a quiet first half but really came into his own during the second, and didn’t he do well. He made Ben Davies’ life horrible throughout the entire second 45 and delivered a pin point pass to release Chris Wood for the equaliser. A magnificent performance and Burnley should be confident for the season ahead.
Sadio Mane – Liverpool
This came against a truly shocking Arsenal side may have shown the Senegalese winger at his best. His searing pace caused the Arsenal defence huge huge issue, not the Englishmen would care as he is set to earn £260,00 a week at Chelsea this season, but Mane showed why Liverpool paid so much money for him. Liverpool fans, if Coutinho does leave you this window then I wouldn’t be too concerned as Salah and Mane will more than adequately fill the void.
Tammy Abraham – Swansea
A man with his physic has no right to dominate defenders with such balance and technique but yet against Crystal Palace on Saturday he did just that heaping the pressure further upon Frank de Boer in the Palace dugout. He put all of his talents on display at Selhurst park and took his goal beautifully but also brought his teammates into the game when required, another Chelsea youth product sent out on loan and I wonder when the West Londoners will begin to regret their decision. An England call up is not far away methinks.
Mohammed Salah – Liverpool
The third Liverpool player to make it into the team this weekend but no one can argue that they don’t deserve to be in it. Salah didn’t perform to the best of his ability when at Chelsea and he himself will admit that, but since his move to Anfield from Roma he has had quite a transformation. He has unbelievable pace and combined with Mane on the other wing they will be a handful for any team, Liverpool fans, get a centre back and another central midfielder and then, and only then, get very excited. Something is brewing up on Merseyside, the rest of the league should be nervous.
Written by Olly Norman.
