Premier League TOTW using PFF FC Grades and Metrics - GW6 📊
Welcome to the PFF FC Team of the Week series. Our analysis team selects an XI using PFF FC event data, physical metrics, and our unique grading system. To read more about how we grade players, click here.
GK: Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham
Vicario registered a clean sheet and an 81.8 shot-stopping grade in Tottenham’s 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, ranking 3rd best among all goalkeepers in GW6. Vicario completed 48/52 passes, with 3 line-breaking passes and 2 passes completed under pressure.
LWB: Leif Davis, Ipswich Town
Leif Davis played an important part in Ipswich Town’s draw against 5th-place Aston Villa. Davis was excellent on the ball, receiving a passing grade of 86.3 (3rd among FB’s and 14th overall) and a crossing grade of 92.8 (1st among FB’s and 2nd overall). Davis was able to complete 3 crosses, complete 84% of his passes, and generate 6 chances (1st among all Ipswich players).
CB: Micky Van de Ven, Tottenham
Micky van de Ven’s assist for Tottenham's opening goal against Manchester United was one of the most memorable moments in the Premier League this season, the Dutchmen ran over half the length of the pitch passing multiple United defenders, where he crossed for Brennan Johnson to score. On the ball, Van de Ven completed 85/87 passes, with 3 of them line-breaking, as he excelled in his role progressing the ball up the pitch against United’s low block after they were reduced to 10 men.
CB: Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
Van Dijk won 5 challenges and made several crucial interceptions vs. Wolves. He also contributed significantly to the build-up play, completing 92% of his passes, including key long balls that shifted the play to Liverpool's advantage. His 89.6 passing grade ranked 1st among all CB’s and 3rd among all players for GW6.
CB: William Saliba, Arsenal
It was another standout performance for William Saliba who was instrumental in neutralizing Leicester's attacking threats, boasting an impressive 88.7 fifty-fifty duel grade and winning 6 challenges throughout the match. On the ball, he was equally impressive, completing 60 of his 63 passes, including 5 line-breaking that helped ignite attacking sequences.
RWB: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold makes his way into our TOTW for the first time this year after a strong all-around showing against Wolverhampton this past Saturday. TAA generated 3 grades over 70+, 83.6 passing (5th among FB’s). 75.4 crossing (6th among FB’s) and a 72.7 defending dribbles (8th among FB’s). TAA successfully defended 2 of 3 dribbles and won 67% of his challenges on the day.
CM: Declan Rice, Arsenal
Declan Rice has stepped up for Arsenal in the absence of their captain Martin Ödegaard, being a creative force in week 6. He generated a passing grade of 88.2 (2nd among CM’s and 8th overall) and a crossing grade of 79.8 (3rd among CM’s and 10th overall). Rice completed 93% of his passes, completed 4 line-breaking passes, and created 4 chances.
CM: Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham
Dejan Kulusevski joins our TOTW after a stellar performance at Old Trafford. Kulusevski led all players in week 6 with a passing grade of 91.1. He completed 89% of his passes, completed 6 line-breaking passes, and created 9 chances, the most in week 6 of any player. To complete his performance, Kulusevski received a shooting grade of 72.7 (6th among CM’s and 20th overall).
LAM: Cole Palmer, Chelsea
4 goals was the stat line that mattered most from this weekend for Cole Palmer. Brighton could not contain him with all 4 goals coming in a twenty-minute burst in the first half. Palmer’s shooting grade of 95.4 was the best recorded so far by any player in the league this season. He also had another good game distributing the ball, creating 4 chances for teammates with a passing grade of 89.1, which was only bettered by Kulusevski across all midfielders.
RAM: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal
Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Saturday saw another excellent performance from Saka. A crossing grade of 94.6 was the highest of any player in week 6, and also the best crossing grade from any player this Premier League season. His impeccable delivery from wide areas culminated with an excellent far post cross from a corner that immediately led to Arsenal’s third goal in the 94th minute to regain the lead. Alongside that, a passing grade of 85 and tackle resistance grade of 79.4 both ranked in the top five of all wingers this week. His 7 chances created was second only to Dejan Kulusevski.
ST: Dominic Solanke, Tottenham
Scoring in his third straight game for Spurs, Solanke led the line brilliantly as Tottenham dismantled Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Of Solanke’s 4 shots in the game, 3 were on target with an overall shooting grade of 81.9. He also had the best passing game of any CF this week, recording a 78.7 passing grade, and won 75% of his aerial duels. After a slightly curtailed start to his season with injury, Solanke now looks to have settled in at Spurs and will hope to continue his goal scoring form going forward.
PFF FC's Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 6.