Troy Deeney loses his mind with Sunderland omission in Team of the Week
Sunderland had just one player in Troy Deeney’s Team of the Week.
After four games, Sunderland are sitting pretty in seventh in the Premier League table, and while the current position means little, the numbers do.
Sunderland’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday saw the Black Cats pick up their seventh point of the season.
Typically, whenever a side has accumulated 11 points by 10 games, they stay up, putting the Wearsiders in good stead.
However, despite the result at Selhurst Park, Deeney has named just one Black Cats star in his TOTW, and it is not the one you would expect.
Nordi Mukiele features in Troy Deeney Team of the Week
For 70 minutes, Sunderland matched Crystal Palace on Saturday, but just lacked that final piece of quality in the forward areas.
Afterwards, it was pure domination from the hosts, which had to be met by some superb last-ditch defending from the Mackems, which they did perfectly.
Nordi Mukiele was key to the result, but Robin Roefs was the hero for Sunderland, as showcased by his Man of the Match award.
Roefs’ stats vs Crystal Palace
- 6 saves
- 2 high claims
- 4 saves inside the box
- 74% pass accuracy
- 1.36 goals prevented
However, Deeney opted to go with Gianluigi Donnarumma in his Team of the Week, despite the fact that the Italian made just two saves in Man City’s win over the Red Devils on Sunday.
In the grand scheme of things, Deeney’s opinion doesn’t hold much value, but it once again goes to show just how big-six orientated the Premier League really is on and off the pitch.
- Read more: Sunderland relegation chances shift in supercomputer prediction after Crystal Palace draw
Nordi Mukiele’s game by numbers vs Crystal Palace
Despite being utilised more as a right-back in his career, Mukiele has been the partner for Omar Alderete in the heart of Sunderland’s defence, and has more than proven his worth there.
Via Sofascore, the Frenchman completed 43 of his 50 attempted passes against the Eagles, with 72 touches in the game.
His defensive numbers were excellent, with seven clearances and three interceptions made at Selhurst Park, showcasing his ability at the back.
He won 75 per cent of his defensive duels in the clash, and while there may not be a stat for it, he completely forced Jean-Philippe Mateta out of the game.
Once again, it is looking like another shrewd piece of business by the Black Cats.
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