Troy Deeney Names Premier League Team of the Week, Praises Rising Stars

As the Premier League season nears its conclusion, former Watford captain Troy Deeney has unveiled his latest 'Team of the Week,' spotlighting players who have delivered exceptional performances. Deeney, known for his no-nonsense analysis, provides insights into why certain individuals have earned their place, often drawing on his own experiences as a player.

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He's one of those players that goes under the radar. A lot of people are looking at Alex Jimenez because he replaced Milos Kerkez but Truffert has been the best full-back.

This week's selections feature a mix of established stars and emerging talents. Adrien Truffert of Bournemouth earns praise for his understated yet effective contribution at left-back, outshining teammate Alex Jimenez. Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, is an automatic inclusion after scoring a dramatic late winner in the Merseyside derby, a moment that encapsulates his leadership and importance to the team.

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You play the Merseyside derby, you're the captain and score right at the end of the game to nick it. You're in the team.

Deeney reserves particular admiration for Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly, whom he controversially names as his player of the season. He highlights O'Reilly's remarkable consistency, versatility in playing multiple positions including left-back, and significant goal contributions. Deeney even suggests O'Reilly could become England's starting left-back at the World Cup, emphasizing the young player's 'wonderkid' status is well-deserved. The selections also include Xavi Simons, whose individual brilliance is noted as crucial for Tottenham's survival hopes, and Bernardo Silva, lauded for his commanding performance in Manchester City's pivotal clash against Arsenal.

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Pep Guardiola spoke about him being the young player of the year. I think he's player of the season. O'Reilly's been the most consistent performer throughout the campaign.