It's that time of the week again as Balls.ie presents its Premier League team of the weekend.
GK - Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough)
Victor Valdes recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season after a solid performance between the sticks for Aitor Karanka's side. While Calum Chambers and Ben Gibson were both in form in defence, Valdes brings reassurance and calm to the back four. If they are to stay up this season then Boro fans will owe a special thanks to the experienced Spaniard.
RB - Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
For the second week running, Cesar Azpilicueta features in the Premier League Team of the Weekend. For the third successive week, Chelsea have secured a clean sheet. The full back has been a key figure for Conte to date while he added an assist to his arsenal yesterday as Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game.
Ashley Cole on César Azpilicueta: "The way he trains and gets up against people, for me, he is unstoppable at right back." pic.twitter.com/MuAIld6nzC
— SportsRooter.com ⚽️ (@SportsRooter) December 18, 2016
CB - Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)
One of the finest defensive performances in England. Despite Spurs conceding inside the opening 25 minutes of the game, Vertonghen composed himself and put in a dominant display at White Hart Lane. The Belgian only lost one aerial battle of the eleven he was involved in against the visitors.
CB - Marcos Rojo - (Manchester United)
Zlatan may headline the back pages of the newspaper but Rojo was instrumental in their victory against West Brom - as United became the first team to defeat them at the Hawthorns since October 29th.
The Argentine defender hardly put a step wrong the entire game as he won all nine of his duels with against his opponents.
Marcus Rojo against West Brom:
100% Aerial duels won
87% Pass Accuracy
15 Clearances
1 Tackle won
What Am Animal under Jose#MUFC #Rojo pic.twitter.com/1qp68OqtsI— BrandonJay (@MrBrandonJay) December 18, 2016
LB - Patrick Van Aanholt (Sunderland)
Possibly more well revered for his attacking flair than his defensive prowess, Patrick Van Aaanholt is quickly becoming the most fearsome full back in the league. Every time he marauds down the wing, he is a threat.
The former Chelsea player has now bagged three goals this season.
This calendar year, Patrick van Aanholt has scored as many league goals as Daniel Sturridge, Arjen Robben and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
— Michiel Jongsma (@JongsmaJongsma) December 17, 2016
Feels good to be important for our team! #PVA #HawayTheLads pic.twitter.com/bqVl4Udxwp
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) December 17, 2016
RM - Victor Moses (Chelsea)
No player has gone through a greater transformation under the guidance of Antonio Conte than Victor Moses. Having started 11 of Chelsea's 17 games, he has become one of the stars of this season. Yesterday was nothing spectacular from the Nigerian but his cohesion with teammates and understanding of movement was fantastic, once again.
Despite only approaching the midway point of the season, it is difficult to see another team toppling them if the Blues continue to play in such inspired form.
CM - Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
Dele Alli remained constantly active during Spurs' victory over Burnley this evening. The former MK Dons midfielder completed 90% of his passes while attempting seven shots on goal before eventually equalising in the 71st minute.
2 - Dele Alli has scored as many Premier League goals at White Hart Lane this season as he did in the whole of 2015/16. Accustomed.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2016
LM - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in Europe, and today against Arsenal was no exception as he sought out Raheem Sterling to set up the former Liverpool attacker for the winning goal which moves City into second place, seven points behind Chelsea.
Kevin De Bruyne now has more assists (38) than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues since the start of 2014/15.
Amazing pass. pic.twitter.com/y8nLY3X6vs— Squawka (@Squawka) December 18, 2016
ST - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)
At this stage the big Swede has silenced his critics as he brought his goal tally to eleven for the Premier League campaign. Yesterday was textbook Ibrahimovic as he scored a routine brace. Undeniably, Manchester United would be worse off without his services.
ST - Jay Rodriguez (Southampton)
An absolutely spectacular effort from Jay Rodriguez secured all three points for Southampton in their south-coast derby against Bournemouth. It was the 27 year old's second of the afternoon.
Thanks to the fans who kept the faith! #WeMarchOn ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Ms1129tFbh
— Jay Rodriguez (@JayRodriguez9) December 18, 2016
ST - Alvaro Negredo (Middlesbrough)
The third Spaniard to appear in this week's Premier League team of the weekend, Negredo's brace inside the opening thirty minutes all but secured his teams points as they were rarely tested by Swansea. Negredo now has five goals this season.
