Deeney Names Premier League Team of the Week: Cherki, Doku In — SkimNews
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- Troy Deeney named 11 players and a manager in his Premier League Team of the Week, headlined by Manchester City's Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku and Chelsea's Jordan Henderson and Joao Pedro.
- Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) was hailed as "the best football player to watch in world football," with Deeney noting he thrives despite the club being widely disliked over the cheating allegations.
- Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) made the XI after changing the game with a goal and an assist and getting Ryan Gravenberch sent off; Deeney wrote that if Doku plays like that all season, City "will probably win the league and go deep in the Champions League."
- Enzo Maresca was named Manager of the Week for galvanising his side with an "us versus the rest of the world" mentality and a tactical switch that brought on Doku, with the team "top of the league and just rolling away."
- James Justin (Leeds) earned a spot for scoring "an unbelievable goal" against Arsenal, with Deeney praising his transformation from Leicester into a versatile wing-back/centre-back who "doesn't get anywhere near enough credit."
- Ethan Pinnock (Coventry) was included after Deeney conceded his pre-move scepticism was wrong, calling the former Brentford man "excellent" and a "calming influence" on the squad.
- Riccardo Calafiori was described by Deeney as "probably Arsenal's best forward at the moment," combining defensive solidity with goals and assists.
Why it matters: Deeney's column doubles as a soft endorsement of Manchester City's title credentials, with three City players plus Maresca featured and an explicit prediction that Doku's form could deliver the league and a deep Champions League run. His praise for Cherki also doubles as a pointed defence of City amid the cheating allegations narrative, framing the team as galvanised by an external siege mentality rather than weakened by it.
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