ROONEY SHOCK! SNUBS HAALAND FOR ARSENAL'S VIKTOR GYOKERES IN TOP THREE PICK
Wayne Rooney makes a shock Premier League top 3 pick, omitting Erling Haaland. He ranks Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres 3rd, behind Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo and Man United's Bryan Mbeumo.
Rooney Snubs Haaland
In an unexpected move, Wayne Rooney has placed Viktor Gyokeres among his top three players in the Premier League this season, overlooking Erling Haaland, who has scored 14 goals.
Rooney, a former PFA Player of the Year in 2010, has been closely following the Premier League this season, in part due to his burgeoning career as a pundit.
While Haaland tops the scoring charts for his team after three months of play, Rooney has selected a different Scandinavian striker as one of his favourites this season.
Gyokeres, a Swedish national who joined Arsenal this summer for £64 million, has made a remarkable start to his time at the Emirates Stadium.
In early September, he netted two goals during his home debut against Leeds and added another in the 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest.
Nevertheless, the former Sporting Lisbon player finally broke his goal drought during the 4-0 win against Atletico Madrid on October 21 after going nine matches without a goal for both club and country.
Rooney has been impressed with the striker's overall contribution, despite his only scoring four goals in the Premier League.
Although six players have outscored Gyokeres this season, Rooney still ranks the 27-year-old third among his top picks.
"My third choice would be Gyokeres," Rooney shared with Amazon Prime Video Sport.
"His work rate, commitment, hold-up play, and of course, his goal-scoring contribute significantly. Arsenal has needed a number nine for several years."
Since finding the net in the 2-0 win over Burnley on November 1, Gyokeres has been sidelined.
He suffered a hamstring injury before the international break, which kept him from participating in the Champions League match against Slavia Prague and the 2-2 draw against Sunderland.
Consequently, he opted out of the World Cup qualifying matches for Sweden against Slovenia and Switzerland.
His availability for the important Champions League clash against Bayern Munich next Wednesday or the north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates on Sunday remains uncertain.
In his top two selections, who did Rooney pick?
He placed Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United and Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth ahead of Gyokeres in third place.
"I believe Semenyo has been exceptional for Bournemouth," Rooney commented, recognising his consistency from the last season.
"I would also include Bryan Mbeumo. Despite a tough start to the season for Man United, he has performed admirably. I think he has been fantastic."
With five goals in 11 league appearances, Mbeumo has made a name for himself at Old Trafford.
As Manchester United embarked on a five-match winning streak, Mbeumo's form has noticeably improved.
He’s scored four goals in his last four matches, including the opener in the win against Liverpool and the most recent 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Semenyo, with six goals to his name, is one of the most coveted wingers in the Premier League.
The Ghanaian international’s contract contains a clause that permits him to leave in January if a club pays £65 million. Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham have all reportedly expressed interest in acquiring him.
JARROD BOWEN AND MAX KILMAN ACHIEVE UNIQUE WEST HAM MILESTON
Jarrod Bowen and Max Kilman are West Ham's ever-present iron men, playing every minute this season. Bowen provides crucial goals, while Kilman's leadership and passing are vital for Nuno Espirito Santo's defence.
Bowen And Kilman Break West Ham Player Barrier
At West Ham this season, Jarrod Bowen and Max Kilman have been exceptional.
While Kilman's influence goes unnoticed, Bowen has been West Ham's saviour, frequently scoring important goals.
Neither of the two individuals has missed a single minute of action for the London Stadium team, appearing in every Premier League match for the Hammers.
Since they are the only Irons stars to do so, Nuno Espirito Santo's chances of survival may depend on them.
Why are the only West Ham players that never miss a minute Jarrod Bowen and Max Kilman?
In Bowen's situation, it is clear that the Hammers need goals, and he typically scores them.
In 11 league games this season, Bowen has three goals and one assist; in 250 games altogether, he has 77 goals and 53 assists with the Hammers.
Kilman's situation is a little more convoluted, but the injury to Konstantinos Mavropanos and the fact that both Graham Potter and Nuno have played with three centre-backs have undoubtedly helped him.
Although he is a divisive character in the fan base, his ability to pass from the back makes him an essential member of the backline.
What has Nuno said about the outstanding pair from the Hammers?
Since starting work in East London in September, Nuno has been open about his adoration for Bowen.
The Portuguese manager understands that if the Hammers are to succeed, they must get the most out of the Three Lions star.
"He is tremendously important — he is one of the finest players in England," he stated before the 3-2 victory over Newcastle. He is one of the other players that we must get along with to get everyone in the same frame of mind.
Kilman and Nuno have a past together; during their time together at Wolves, Kilman received his first Premier League start.
"I think he is a vital element of the squad," Nuno said, praising his effect before the team's October 2-0 loss to Arsenal. He can assist with our relationships with the squad, our work ethic during training, our approach to the competition, and our level of seriousness.
"Max has been really beneficial. I am thrilled for him. [200 games] is absurd.
If the Hammers are to have any hope of remaining in the division and ending their terrible run of play, both players must maintain their outstanding performance moving ahead.
LEEDS BOOST: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN GIVES FITNESS CLAIM BEFORE HUGE VILLA GAME
Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin declares he is "as fit as I can be" ahead of facing Aston Villa. The summer signing from Everton feels settled and aims to increase his goal output after a settling-in period.
Farke's Star, Calvert-Lewin's Fitness Claim Settles Villa Selection Debate
Before the Premier League resumes this weekend, Dominic Calvert-Lewin claims he is "as fit as I can be." Calvert-Lewin is anticipated to play for Leeds United against Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday as the international break draws to a close.
The striker joined Leeds United during the summer transfer window, ending a nine-year stint at Everton.
Three days after signing as a free agent on August 15, he was left out of the squad to play his old team. Rather, he did not make his full debut until September 13. Since then, he has started seven of the previous eight games.
The 28-year-old claims he is up and running ahead of what will undoubtedly be a hectic few months, even if he was only able to make the bench against Nottingham Forest the last time.
Calvert-Lewin said on Sky Sports' One on One podcast regarding his early United career: "I would say it has been a good start, could be better, can always be better, being critical. However, I believe that I did not have enough time to truly get into the swing of things.
"I signed four days before the start of the season, right? I was making every effort to stay in shape, but it was not the same as training and playing with a team.
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"After I arrived, my only goal was to increase my level of fitness, which I achieved by exercising and participating in Premier League games—the most-watched league in the world.
"I believe that my output has increased as my fitness has grown, and I believe that I am currently as physically fit as I can be. Thus, all that needs to be done is fine-tune the pitch.
"In terms of the club, the players, and the staff, it has been a pleasure to join and to be a part of a fantastic bunch of guys, and I've fit in fairly quickly.
"I suppose there is something familiar, as when I first came, hearing the accents and stuff like that, it seemed like home."
Calvert-Lewin has only scored one goal in his nine games thus far, and he was even in a chance to increase that total while playing off the bench at Forest.
On Sunday, he hopes to make a comeback to the starting lineup against Aston Villa.