Published on by Dan 71 Comments

Just as you thought the sides couldn't get any better ...

Last week’s score: 15/23

Formation: 3-4-1-2: Squad link: http://www.futhead.com/17/squads/4865384/

Goalkeeper

Geronimo Rulli - GK - OVR 83 The Sociedad stopper has started the season well and was rewarded in terms of FUT with an upgrade. That upgrade could be about to get even bigger with Rulli in line for an IF item after making a total of six saves in their 1-0 win. Rulli picked up 3's from Marca along with the MOTM award.

Defenders

Ezequiel Garay - CB - OVR 84 One of the surprise results of the week came on Thursday night when Valencia shocked Real Madrid with a 2-1 win, a result which meant that Madrid have lost more games in 2017 than they had during the whole of 2016. As for the IF it is a difficult one to predict but with Garay picking up 3 from Marca and being 84 rated it makes the Argentine a realistic shout.

Alex Sandro - LB - OVR 84 Sandro has been snubbed on numerous occasions so far and is far from a certainty once again this week. He does have yet another shout though after scoring one of two Juventus goals in a 2-0 win at home to Empoli.

Patrick Van Aanholt - LB - OVR 75 PVA was one of the few players to impress for Sunderland, largely due to his attacking presence rather than his defensive ability. The Dutch defender continued his offensive form with another goal to his name, this time for Palace, as they went on to win 1-0 over Middlesbrough. With the additional incentive of an OTW item I can't see him missing out this time.

Midfielders

Memphis Depay - LM - OVR 80 Depay just didn't cut it for English football and although it is early days in terms of his Lyon career he has already outperformed what he managed for United. Another two goals to his name this week during Lyon's 5-0 home win saw him pick up MOTM with an 8/10 an inevitable IF on the way.

Marco Verratti - CM - OVR 85 PSG recorded an impressive 5-1 win over their rivals Marseille this week and although it was more of a team performance the likelihood is that they will still be picking up an IF. Verratti was the official MOTM with an 8/10 from L'equipe and thus it’s hard to look anywhere else.

Radja Nainggolan - CAM - OVR 85 We always knew that Nainggolan was good but he really has outperformed his expectations this season and another superb performance this week against Inter puts him in line for an 88 rated item. The Belgian, whose position is up for debate, scored both the first and second Roma goals in their 3-1 away win over Inter Milan.

Cesc Fabregas - CM - OVR 86 The first of two players I have selected of whom has recently received a MOTM item is Fabregas, no prizes for guessing the second. The Spaniard got both a goal and an assist for Chelsea in a 3-1 win over Swansea as he celebrated his 300th BPL appearance.

Thomas Muller - CAM - OVR 87 For me this spot is between both Muller and Coman, both of whom received the highest mark available from Kicker but seeing as Muller played the whole game while Coman came on when the game was already over I have opted for the German this time around. Muller claimed three assists in a huge 8-0 victory.

Forwards

Robert Lewandowski - ST - OVR 90 Munich went on a rampage to say the least, putting eight, yes eight, past Hamburg without a reply. Lewandowski was the stand out performer scoring three of those goals but the likelihood is that we will be seeing more than one Munich player included. Lewandowski is the certainty though.

Harry Kane - ST - OVR 85 Despite Harry Kane recently picking up a MOTM item I do not believe that will have any impact on his potential FIF. The striker can't stop scoring and made it three hat tricks in just seven games which is a crazy statistic for anyone. It was at Stoke on the receiving end this time as they fell to a 4-0 defeat.

Substitutes

Ruud Vormer - RB - OVR 77 There is a slight debate over the actual position of Vormer but seeing as he is listed as a RB on the team sheet that is the position I shall be using. The Dutchman scored twice during Brugge's impressive 5-0 win over third placed Zulte, claiming MOTM in the process.

Jens Toornstra - CM - OVR 76 Feyenoord made it 10 consecutive wins with a 2-1 win over fellow title contenders PSV. Toornstra picked up MOTM after his opener with a huge match rating of 8.5, something I have only seen a couple of times previously in Holland.

Valter Birsa - CAM - OVR 78 Recently we have seen a few players, even outside of the top leagues pick up IF's for good performances and in a sense that should be the case. Birsa was brilliant for Chievo in their 2-0 win over Pescara and although he only scored the one goal on paper after an 8 from Gazzetta he really should be in with a shout.

Ozer Hurmaci - LM - OVR 75 The fact that Hurmaci is a gold item helps his chances significantly for me but with two goals to his name he does have a shout to make the final cut. Belediyespor ending up winning the match by a comfortable 3-0 score line and Ozer, who played out on the left picked up MOTM in the process.

Adrian Gonzalez - CAM - OVR 75 Eibar have been very impressive as of late and they continued that good form with a comfortable 3-0 win of which Gonzalez scored two. The Spaniard picked up a perfect 3 from Marca and thus should be able to make a bench spot.

Idrissa Gueye - CM - OVR 82 This one can be classed as a bit of a punt but with the lack of clear BPL options there is a shout for the Everton midfielder. Gueye who has been superb this season scored one of two Everton goals in their 2-0 win, claiming MOTM in the process.

Jamie Vardy - ST - OVR 82 It was the sacking of Ranieri which took the world by storm this week but back in footballing terms it was a successful week for Leicester as they shocked Livepool, beating them 3-1. Vardy scored two of the three and with the lack of gold striker options he could well be included despite being a Monday match.

Reserves

Connor Ripley - GK - OVR 63 We have seen an ever-growing trend of two gold keepers making the cut recently however you really can't ignore what Ripley managed to do on Saturday. The Oldham stopper saved two late penalties to help secure a point with a 0-0 draw against Millwall.

Mattia Caldara - CB - OVR 74 Potentially the best performance of the week came from Atalanta's CB Caldara. The 22-year-old defender helped guide his side to a shock 2-0 away win over Napoli, scoring both goals and helping secure a clean sheet while only playing with 10 men for the final 25. His performance saw him claim a huge 9/10 from Gazzetta which is something you don’t see often.

Jota - RW - OVR 73 Jota has impressed since signing for Brentford, chipping in with multiple offensive contributions. I personally believe he could go to the next level but while in the Championship he continues to improve. The winger found himself with three goals to his name during their 4-2 win over Brentford.

Jakub Sylvestr - ST - OVR 69 I think it’s safe to say that Sylvestri flopped while playing his football in Germany without many disagreeing but Aalborg won't be complaining after he scored all three of their goals during a 3-0 home win over Silkeborg

Conor McAleny - ST - OVR 65 Everton have a bunch of youngsters coming through, many making first team appearances while others are out on loan. McAleny is the latter and arguably is running out of time to impress. The striker who is now playing at Oxford impressed on Saturday, scoring three of their four goals in a 4-0 away win.