Undervalued

When reflecting again on this season, gameweek 12 may have been essentially the most pivotal.

After witnessing defending champions endure a humiliating 4-0 loss to , made positive they wouldn’t take this chance without any consideration, regardless that they almost let victory slip away towards Southampton.

Mohamed Salah’s brace secured the victory, creating an eight-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s staff. Traditionally, those that boasted such a lead at this stage of the season have gone on to be topped Premier League champions.

Arne Slot is doing his greatest to handle expectations, whereas Salah has prompt that Metropolis are nonetheless firmly within the title race, with solely 32% of the season accomplished.

Regardless of his commendable efficiency, Salah has not been chosen as one of many two Liverpool gamers in our Staff of the Week for gameweek 12. West London outfits and have two gamers featured, whereas leads with three representatives following one other clear sheet.

We used our Squawka Rating to pick the 11 gamers based mostly on the statistical leaders in metrics related to their positions. Moreover, we’ve included an honourable point out XI for good measure.

GK: Mark Flekken (Brentford)

On the twelfth time of asking, Mark Flekken has lastly stored a Premier League clear sheet this season. Earlier than dealing with Everton, the Dutch goalkeeper had conceded 22 objectives, averaging one allowed each 45 minutes. He however excelled towards Sean Dyche’s males, registering 5 saves, three of which got here from photographs taken contained in the field. He additionally prevented 0.75 anticipated objectives, the very best amongst all goalkeepers who stored a clear sheet throughout this gameweek.

RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)

In per week full of spectacular performances from right-backs, Aaron Wan-Bissaka stood out as the very best. He scored his first objective for West Ham of their essential 2-0 victory over Newcastle. The previous Manchester United full-back delivered a sturdy show at St. James’ Park, efficiently successful two tackles and making two interceptions, additional underscoring that few in his place are higher defensively.

Honourable point out: Pedro Porro (75%)

CB: Nathan Collins (Brentford)

Thomas Frank would have been happy to see his Brentford facet preserve a clear sheet towards Everton and never leak any extra objectives. A lot of this success was due to Nathan Collins, who performed an important function within the coronary heart of the Bees’ defence. Collins received six aerial duels—greater than another centre-back in Recreation Week 12—and made eight clearances, rating second in that class.

Honourable point out: Dara O’Shea (70%)

CB: James Tarkowski (Everton)

Collins’ reverse quantity, James Tarkowski, demonstrated a equally commanding efficiency. He recorded eight clearances and received one fewer aerial duel. Tarkowski’s power lay in possession, which is important for the Toffees, who incessantly discover themselves defending. His retention fee of 92.65% ranked him seventh amongst central defenders in Recreation Week 12, though solely three of these above him additionally managed to maintain a clear sheet.

Honourable point out: Gabriel Magalhães (68%)

LB: Vitalii Mykolenko (Everton)

Down the Everton left flank, Vitalii Mykolenko delivered a powerful show. He recorded 5 touches within the opposition field, surpassing all left-backs in GW12 aside from Josko Gvardiol, who had eight. Mykolenko additionally stood out by successful 4 aerial duels, the very best amongst gamers in his place.

Honourable point out: Rayan Aït-Nouri (66%)

CM: Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

Simply when some folks started questioning Enzo Fernández, he delivered a efficiency that reminded everybody of his capabilities. Let’s begin with the important thing statistics: Fernández performed an important function in each Chelsea objectives throughout their 2-1 victory over Leicester Metropolis. He created the opener for Nicolas Jackson after which scored to double the Blues’ lead. When it comes to underlying metrics, he ranked within the ninety fifth percentile amongst central midfielders in Recreation Week 12 for successful possession within the attacking third, additional showcasing his sturdy counter-pressing skills.

Honourable point out: João Gomes (72%)

CM: Idrissa Gueye (Everton)

Idrissa Gueye delivered a powerful efficiency towards Brentford, showcasing his abilities with a outstanding whole of 18 entries into the ultimate third, which was greater than another participant in his place. Along with his offensive contributions, he demonstrated his tenacity by successful 9 duels all through the match, additional solidifying his influence on the sport.

Honourable point out: Dejan Kulusevski (72%)

RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

It’s broadly acknowledged that Bukayo Saka stands as Arsenal’s most necessary participant. His current efficiency towards Nottingham Forest additional bolstered this view. He not solely scored the opening objective for the Gunners but additionally supplied an help to Thomas Partey, serving to the staff set up a commanding 2-0 lead. Though Saka left the sphere with seven minutes remaining and didn’t full the match, his influence was nonetheless important. He made ten entries into the penalty space, a quantity that no different winger within the Premier League matched throughout Recreation Week 12, that and his 4 scoring alternatives created.

Honourable point out: Mohamed Salah (70%)

No.10: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)

The significance of Dominik Szoboszlai’s current efficiency can’t be overstated, particularly contemplating the aggressive dynamics inside Liverpool’s squad. Though he was anticipated to have a beginning place at the start of the season, the resurgence of Curtis Jones introduced a major problem to Szoboszlai’s place within the lineup. Arne Slot’s determination to incorporate him within the beginning eleven towards Southampton turned out to be a superb alternative, because the Hungarian worldwide showcased his worth on the pitch.

His profitable execution of 4 tackles demonstrated his relentless work ethic, and solely two different attacking midfielders, Dwight McNeil and Cole Palmer, made extra entries into the penalty space. Szoboszlai not solely contributed defensively but additionally performed an important function within the assault, scoring the opening objective and creating three further scoring alternatives for his teammates.

Honourable point out: João Pedro (78%)

LW: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)

Cody Gakpo had a singular alternative to showcase his abilities towards Southampton, marking solely his fourth begin of the present season. Regardless of having participated in all of Liverpool’s first 12 league video games in numerous capacities, he had but to ascertain himself as an everyday starter. Though he didn’t rating or present an help, his contributions had been clear: he recorded one shot on the right track and created a scoring probability. Gakpo made 9 entries into the penalty space, simply barely fewer than Saka’s ten, and accomplished 21 passes within the closing third. His efficiency in that space was solely surpassed by Saka’s contributions.

ST: Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Chelsea can confidently assert that they’ve secured their long-awaited ‘quantity 9’ in Nicolas Jackson, who netted his seventh objective of the season in a stable efficiency towards Leicester Metropolis, setting the tone for gameweek 12. Whereas Jackson had the chance so as to add to his tally, having squandered an enormous probability, he additionally demonstrated his playmaking skills by creating a possibility for a fellow teammate.