With both Manchester clubs starting the season in such scintillating form, it’s perhaps no surprise to see their domination of the WhoScored Premier League XI for August. Champions Man United have four players in our eleven, with Man City providing two. Our team contains four new signings, with just two of the side playing for teams outside of the top four so far. Here’s the lowdown on the stand-out performers:
Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea. WhoScored rating 7.62
The right-back has been a revelation under Andre Villas-Boas. Bosingwa’s attacking tendencies down the flank have been crucial to the new manager’s tactics and he has been key to the side’s two home victories in particular over the last month.
He has been Chelsea’s second most creative player, making 2.3 key passes per game and picking up 1 assist, setting up Florent Malouda for a late winner at home to West Brom. Bosingwa has also scored 1 goal from an average 0.7 shots over his 3 appearances and in possession, he has made 65.3 passes (with an 81% accuracy), joint-top with John Obi Mikel for the Blues.
From out wide the full-back has made 2 successful crosses per game, joint-top with Lampard, and has also shown great trickery on the ball; Bosingwa has made 2 successful dribbles per game and been dispossessed just 0.3 times on average. Defensively, he has also played his part- 1.7 tackles and 1 interception per game, in addition to a 100% aerial duels success shows just how important a player he has become under the new regime.
Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal. WhoScored rating 7.40
The Belgian’s displays have been the one positive aspect of Arsenal’s league season so far and it was no coincidence that the 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford came in his absence. A look at Vermaelen’s defensive stats shows he has the highest tally per game for each of the four key areas- tackles (3), interceptions (4), clearances (9) and blocked shots (1). Compare this to the likes of stand-in centre half Johan Djourou- 1 tackle, 1.5 interceptions, 1.5 clearances and 0 blocks, and it’s clear just how much his presence boosts the Gunners back-four.
In possession, Vermaelen has made 56.5 passes per game with an 88% accuracy, but with no key passes, he tends to keep it simple, though he has played 4 long balls per game from the back as he looks to spark Gunners attacks from deep. He has also averaged 1.5 shots, showing his danger in the opposition area, with the only real negative side to his stats being a surprisingly low 44% aerial duel success.
Ashley Young, Manchester United. WhoScored rating 7.99
The new boy has slotted in seamlessly since this summer having moved from Aston Villa. Young is joint-second top scorer, with 2 goals in his three games, and has averaged 2.7 shots per game, only bettered by Wayne Rooney (5.3) and Nani (3).
As a creative force, he is top for assists (4) and has averaged 3 key passes per game. Young has made 46 passes per game with an 87% accuracy and has managed 1 successful cross per game. He made 1.3 successful dribbles per game – only Anderson (1.7) made more- and he’s been the most-fouled United player, 3.3 times per appearance. His defensive work could be better, though- just 0.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions on average, compared to Nani on the other wing, with 2.3 and 1 respectively.
David Silva, Manchester City. WhoScored rating 8.35
The Spaniard has been pivotal to Man City’s eye-catching start to the season. Prompting and probing from deep, Silva’s role as a playmaker with a license to roam from his right wing starting berth has seen him average 59 passes per game, with a fantastic 92% accuracy. As a result, he’s made 2.7 key passes on average, the third-highest tally of any City player.
Joint-top with Edin Dzeko for successful dribbles (2.3), he tends not to cross the ball often, averaging 0.7 per game compared to the likes of Samir Nasri (2), using his incisive passing more on the deck. Silva has also scored 2 goals in his first three appearances, and has averaged 3.3 shots per game, the third-best of any City player, as well as picking up 1 man of the match award so far.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United. WhoScored rating 8.97
Rooney’s goal at West Brom opened his side’s goal account for the new campaign in matchday 1 and he hasn’t stopped scoring since. A total of five goals, spread over his three appearances, has fired United to the top of the table and it’s no surprise to see Rooney has been the side’s biggest goal threat, with 5.3 shots per game.
He has also been the Red Devils’ chief creator, with 4 key passes per game, though has surprisingly picked up just 1 assist in spite of setting up 12 goal scoring chances. His love of dropping deep and linking with the midfield is highlighted by 49 passes per game- Tom Cleverley is top with 54, showing just how much of the ball Rooney sees.
He tends not to bother with mazy runs- just 0.3 successful dribbles per game-but plays his part defensively, with 1 tackle and 1 interception per game. Rooney has picked up the man of the match award in 2 of his three games so far.
