Alan Shearer has named his Team of the Week for the opening match day of the 2024/25 English Premier League season.
Shearer selected 3 players from Manchester City, 2 from Brighton, Newcastle United, and Liverpool alongside 1 each from Arsenal and Aston Villa.
The 2024/25 English Premier League campaign commenced on Friday, August 16, 2024, with Manchester United defeating Fulham 1-0 at Old Trafford.
Interestingly, Alan Shearer didn’t select any player from Manchester United for his Team of the Week despite football enthusiasts praising the side for a noticeable improvement in their play compared to last season.
Shearer every week chooses his Team of the Week based on his assessment of the performance of players in the concluded match day.
Alan Shearer is a Premier League great and he is the all-time top scorer of the division, with 260 goals in 441 appearances.
Shearer played for just 3 clubs during his playing days, namely; Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle United.
The 54-year-old claimed the Premier League Player of the Year in 1995, while also winning the Golden Boot on 3 occasions (1994/95, 1995/96, and 1996/97).
Alan Shearer won the Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers during the 1994/95 season and he played an instrumental role in the club claiming the crown.
The English Premier League Team Of The Week Selected By Alan Shearer
Anyway, straight to the Team of the Week put together by Alan Shearer, the Englishman went for compatriot Nick Pope in goal, following his sublime display for Newcastle United against Southampton.
Pope made some top saves against the Saints, and he recorded his first clean sheet of the campaign on match day 1.
Shearer opted to go for a three-man defense, with Liverpool’s Alexander Arnold being amongst Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and Brighton’s Jan Paul Van Hacke.
The trio all had their teams conclude their opening league matches without conceding and they were impressive at the duty all through their respective fixtures.
Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town, while Ruben Dias was at the heart of Manchester City’s defense as they picked up a 2-0 win over Chelsea.
Brighton, who currently occupy the summit of the Premier League table, defeated Everton in their first match of the campaign.
Alan Shearer decided to have Manchester City’s duo of Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic in the middle of the park, alongside Joelinton of Newcastle and Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana.
Lewis was stellar against Chelsea, as he amazingly executed his task, much to the delight of boss Pep Guardiola.
Mateo Kovacic netted a stunner against his former side and sealed the win for the Cityzens at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
Amadou Onana scored the opener for Aston Villa against West Ham United, as he took no time to settle into Unai Emery’s side.
Onana was brilliant against the Hammers, thwarting opposition attacking moves and initiating attacks, as the Villains picked up a 2-1 away win over Julen Lopetegui’s side.
Joelinton also netted the lone goal for Newcastle United in their victory over Southampton and he looked lively all through the encounter against the Saints.
Haaland Omitted, Saka, Salah, and Mitoma Noted
In the attacking department, Alan Shearer didn’t go for Erling Haaland, who helped Manchester City beat Chelsea on Sunday, August 18, 2024, by scoring the opener at Stamford Bridge.
However, Shearer picked Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who penned his name on the score sheet against Wolverhampton Wanderers, in the Gunners opening game of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Saka looked fiery in the game, as he registered his name on the goal chart for the season in due time.
Kaoru Mitoma completed the trinity of players chosen by Alan Shearer to lead his attack, and the Japanese was selected after scoring for the Seagulls in their 3-0 win over Everton.
Mitoma troubled the defense of Sean Dyche’s side before he was substituted in the 89th minute for Yasin Ayari.
Alan Shearer also picked Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler, 31, as the tactician who would tutor his XI.
