Premier League Team of the Week – Foden, Ampadu, Romero | OneFootball

It’s time for our Premier League Team of the Week after an entertaining round of midweek action, featuring players from Arsenal, Leeds United and Manchester City.

Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson – Crystal Palace

Didn’t have a huge amount to do at Burnley, but came up trumps when required. Henderson made three saves from inside the box to help Crystal Palace to a 1-0 win at Turf Moor, including this brilliant reaction to turn Jacob Bruun Larsen’s effort onto the woodwork. Looks nailed on to make England’s World Cup squad.

Centre-back: Omar Alderete – Sunderland

Has been a brilliant signing for Sunderland. A calm and commanding presence in their draw at Liverpool, his nine clearances were a joint high in the game.

Unlucky to see a header in the second half hit the post.

Centre-back: Cristian Romero

Dragged Spurs back into the game against Newcastle. Two goals for the Argentine, first with a brilliant stooping header, guided past Aaron Ramsdale.

He then delivered late in stoppage time with an audacious overhead kick that found a route in for the equaliser. After a mixed start, Romero recovered to be the visitors’ hero at St James’ Park.

Centre-back: Marc Guehi

It’s no wonder Oliver Glasner is desperate to keep Marc Guehi. The defender’s contract situation suggests an exit is probable in the summer at the latest, but Glasner wants to keep his captain until then.

At Burnley, Guehi was immense. He made 10 clearances, won 100% of his defensive duels (10/10) and set up the winner with a wonderful cross for Daniel Munoz.

Midfield: Ethan Ampadu – Leeds

Stamped his mark on the game against his former club in style, as Leeds upset Chelsea to pull away from the relegation places. The Welshman covered the ground superbly, flying into tackles and striding forward in possession. A real captain’s performance from Ampadu.

Midfield: Ao Tanaka – Leeds

Alongside Ampadu in the Leeds midfield, Tanaka took the game to Chelsea at Elland Road. The Japan international thrived in Farke’s 3-5-2 system, granted greater licence to get forward. It was a tactical tweak that paid dividends, as Tanaka thumped home the second in a memorable 3-1 win.

Midfield: Soungoutou Magassa – West Ham

The summer signing is growing into a West Ham shirt. Mangassa’s heat-map told the story at Manchester United as the midfielder popped up everywhere at Old Trafford in a performance full of heart and hustle.

He won 11 duels in the clash and scored a late equaliser to earn the Hammers a point.

Right-wing: Phil Foden – Manchester City

Phil Foden is back. The Manchester City midfielder made it four goals in two games with a brilliant brace in his side’s chaotic 5-4 win at Fulham.

Foden’s fantastic first, fired in from the edge of the area, has become a trademark, before the 25-year-old dinked in a second. He looks full of confidence right now.

Left-wing: Samuel Chukwueze – Fulham

It’s not often we celebrate a losing effort, but Chukwueze deserves his flowers. Off the bench with Fulham in trouble against Manchester City, the loanee scored twice to bring the Cottagers within one goal of an epic comeback.

Both finishes were straight out of the top drawer, as the winger blasted bouncing balls beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma. Fulham will hope this is the start of Chukwueze turning his clear talent into a consistent end product.

Forward: Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins’ wait for a Premier League goal turned out to be a case of London buses. Having netted just once in the league this season, and none in his previous seven, a double from the 29-year-old helped maintain Aston Villa’s winning run at Brighton.

Watkins certainly did not look like a player short on confidence, with his well-taken double sending a reminder to England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Forward: Mikel Merino – Arsenal

Mikel Arteta hailed an ‘immense’ performance from Mikel Merino as Arsenal’s auxiliary forward delivered again.

A goal and an assist from Merino helped the Gunners beat Brentford and extend their lead at the top of the table. The Spaniard now has 28 goals and assists for club and country in 2025. What a transition it has been.

Read – England’s best and worst-case groups ahead of 2026 World Cup draw

See more – 2026 World Cup draw: Date, details and how to watch

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