Troy Deeney snubs Liverpool superstar as impressive Tottenham duo named in Team of the Week
Tottenham’s performances under Thomas Frank have seen his players make headlines once again.
Frank bagged all three points against Burnley in a stunning victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
After Tottenham’s narrow defeat to PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final, there were concerns about whether they would be able to sustain their intensity across the full 90.
But those fears were dashed as soon as Brennan Johnson finished the Clarets off. The Lilywhites’ hard work paid off in that match as Troy Deeney revealed his Team of the Week.
Hugo Ekitike snubbed as Richarlison and Kudus named in TOTW
A stunning double from Richarlison, assisted by Mohammed Kudus, sealed the deal for Tottenham against Burnley.
Kudus was a particular sensation for Spurs. The former West Ham star was as technical as he was efficient on the right wing. Despite landing at Hotspur Way this summer, some already regard Kudus as a top-five Tottenham player.
Both players were named in Deeney’s Premier League Team of the Week. The former Watford striker wrote via the BBC on Tuesday, 19 August, that Kudus looks like he’s had “a new lease of life.”
Meanwhile, Richarlison’s two bangers saw him make the list over Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
It seems that Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike was not high up in Deeney’s list of considerations. The Frenchman netted the first in the Reds’ dramatic 4-2 victory over Bournemouth last Friday.
But two aerobatic goals from the Brazilian seemed to have given him the edge over Liverpool’s new addition for Deeney.
How could this duo progress at Tottenham?
Tottenham fans will be interested to know whether Richarlison and Kudus will form a consistent partnership throughout the season.
Without injuries, this could become one of the most lethal partnerships in the Premier League. While the sample size is small, both have demonstrated that they can work together within different setups.
Against PSG, Frank deployed a 5-3-2 formation, which saw them assume the role of second strikers. While neither registered a goal contribution, both showed a brilliant synergy which allowed for goal-scoring opportunities.
When fighting for possession, either Kudus or Richarlison used their physical build to win back the ball, while the other would run ahead to receive the pass. The roles of outlet and passer made it easy for Spurs to get upfield.
| PSG | Attacking statistics | Burnley |
| 26% | Ball possession | 67% |
| 13 | Total shots | 16 |
| 5 | Shots on target | 6 |
| 1 | Big chances | 2 |
Meanwhile, both played with more intensity against Burnley in Frank’s 4-3-3 formation. Kudus took an active role on the right wing, while Richarlison was purposeful with his positioning in the box. This allowed the winger to find the striker in dangerous positions.
It may be early days, but this dynamic duo has demonstrated that they can be a threat in various formations and systems.
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