Premier League 2023-24: Team of the Week for Gameweek 9

The first week of games post-October break is completed

A Tottenham Hotspur win against Fulham FC completed the bouts of matchday 9 of the Premier League. The win earned them the right to sit at the top of the PL stack for now with 23 points. Elsewhere Man City's goal difference puts them above Arsenal. Chelsea and Manchester United are steadily climbing the ladder. Problems still persist for newly promoted campaigners Burnley and Sheffield United.

Numerous players shone with their talents as PL resumed after the October International break. We have put together a team of the week in regards to the conclusion of matchday 9 of PL games.

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Guglielmo Vicario - Tottenham

The man in between the sticks for the side chosen is Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur. Due to his performances, one may have forgotten out injured Hugo Lloris. Vicario arrived this summer from FC Empoli and has featured in each of the 9 PL games for Spurs. Only 8 goals have crossed the goalline with him on duty. Plus the goalkeeper added another clean sheet to his haul in the last game.

RB: Kieran Trippier – Newcastle United

Newcastle United dominated Crystal Palace at their home ground St James' Park. A 4-0 thrashing by Eddie Howe's men edges them closer to a European spot finish. Kieran Trippier's assist to Jacob Murphy kickstarted things. Trippier now leads the PL assists chart with 6 assists. The right back's assist to Murphy sets him apart from the other Magpies players as he becomes the first ever to assist a goal in four consecutive PL games.

CB: Cristian Romero - Tottenham

At the heart of the backline in a 4-3-3 formation, we give way for Cristian Romero. The 25-year-old Argentina national was one of the key players in the home win over Fulham. Ange Postecoglou has started Romero in every PL game so far. The centre-back has even rewarded the trust with 2 goals.

CB: Harry Maguire – Manchester United

Manchester United won their respective game at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United. Scott McTominay and Diogo Dalot continue their good run of form. But it was Harry Maguire who won the Man of the Match award. The centre-back had gone down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag but given the chance, Maguire has shown how good he can be once again.

LB: Marc Cucurella – Chelsea

Right now the hardest thing to do for any Premier League player is to keep Bukayo Saka quiet for much of the game. One player just did that. In the Chelsea and Arsenal derby showdown, left-back Marc Cucurella made the man his. Cucurella had arrived at a hefty price tag of £63 million in 2022.

RCM: James Maddison - Tottenham

Former Leicester City player James Maddison earned the Player of the Match in a 2-0 win over Fulham. The playmaker scored the second goal. This has taken his 2023-24 Premier League goal tally to 3 while the midfielder has 5 assists as well. Maddison has adapted very well after joining Spurs this July.

CDM: Declan Rice - Arsenal

Declan Rice continued where he left off. Before PL games were stalled to shift focus to International games in October, Arsenal had a huge battle against Man City. Rice was at the heart of the team's formidable performance. Now post the break, matchday 9 saw The Gunners go 2-0 down by 50 minute mark against Chelsea. Rice scored a long ranger that changed the entire momentum as the game finished 2-2.

LCM: Douglas Luiz - Aston Villa

Douglas Luiz and Villa Park are right now the best combos for The Villans. The midfielder played an impressive role in the 4-1 win over West Ham. The Brazilian netted a brace past Alphonse Areola of The Hammers. This PL season Luiz has scored in every home game so far.

RW: Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

In the Merseyside derby, two goals from the Egyptian King swept away all three points in favour of the Anfield hosts. The Reds' trust in the winger's ability can be seen in the way they dealt with the mammoth £150 million approach from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in the summer. Recently the player took home the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month award for September.

ST: Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa

The striker has been in fine form under head coach Unai Emery. Ollie Watkins hammered home a goal to aid in the 4-1 win over West Ham. The player's work rate is commendable. Such a high energy level has caused a lot of trouble and mismanagement of possession by the opponents.

LW: Son Heung-min - Tottenham

The captain led his side as a leader does. The South Korean forward opened the scorecard with a goal in the 36 minute against Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. And coach Ange Postecoglou will be pleased by the perfectly weighted pass he gave away to James Maddison. Maddison ended the ball further in the back of the opposition net.