Two Spurs players in Alan Shearer's team of the week
By Tom Vinall
Alan Shearer has named two Tottenham Hotspur players in his team of the week for gameweek eight of the 24/25 Premier League season.
The former Newcastle United striker has opted for a team of; Jose Sa; Michael Keane, Marcos Senesi, Josko Gvardiol; Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Youri Tielemans, Curtis Jones; Abdul Fatawu, Danny Welbeck, Alejandro Garnacho.
This team certainly goes into the Garth Crooks fitting players in criteria, but some deserves recognition. We felt like Bissouma had been harshly overlooked in other teams, with his goal and general superb all round performance.
Aside from his goal that gave Spurs the lead, the Malian international recorded; five tackles, four clearances, two fouls drawn, seven ground duels won, sixty touches, and a chance created. All whilst playing 81 minutes of the game, before making way for Rodrigo Bentancur.
As for Kulusevski, really running out of superlatives for this man. He has simply been on another level this season, and was once again in the win over West Ham – making his inclusion in Shearer’s team of the week more than deserved.
Just like fellow midfielder Bissouma, Kulusevski did more than change the game state by scoring. The 24-year old recorded; 59 touches, two chances created, 1/1 long balls, four shots, two successful dribbles, eight ground duels won, three fouls drawn, and three tackles. A simply incredible display over the 90 minutes.
Those stats do not show just how good his ball carrying was in tight spaces early on, when Spurs were struggling to find space against a stubborn deep block. Although in general there is a way for it to be quantified, with the Swedish international ranked among the top 1% of players for progressive carries in Europe's top seven leagues in the 24/25 season.
The aforementioned duo are not the only Tottenham players to receive recognition for their performances in the win last weekend, with Destiny Udogie in the WhoScored team of the week, and Heung Min-Son in Troy Deeney’s team of the week.