The English Premier League is officially 16 games in, and things are already shaping up, although some players will be departing for the AFCON 2025 tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.
Super Eagles and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey was included in Troy Deeney’s BBC Matchday 16 Team of the Week after a brilliant performance in his side’s 3-2 win over Burnley.
Deeney, who was famously known as a Watford striker before he hung up his boots, took up punditry with the BBC and is now tasked with picking the BBC Team of the Week.
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Super Eagles star included in Deeney’s Team of the Week
Bernd Leno
The German goalkeeper made six good stops as Fulham ended a 74-year curse at Turf Moor, most especially the stop that denied Lesley Ugochukwu from a half-volley.
Malo Gusto
Deeney opted for a back four, with Chelsea’s Malo Gusto taking on the right back position. The French defender found the back of the net and provided an assist in the Blues’ 2-0 win over Everton as they re-entered the EPL top four.
Ibrahima Konate
The Liverpool centre-back hasn’t had the best time this season, but had a good game against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday, hence, he’s Deeney’s pick.
Calvin Bassey
The Super Eagles defender signed off for the AFCON 2025 tournament in style, bagging a goal and could’ve easily had another against Burnley but for his Jet-2 holiday finishing, as termed by club and national teammate, Alex Iwobi.
“He chipped in with a goal at Burnley and might be my favourite personality in football – happy-go-lucky, plays with his heart on his sleeve,” Deeney wrote about the Fulham defender in his column.
“He’s going to make mistakes but doesn’t try to be perfect or polished, and it was another dominant display by him. It looks like he’s at fault for the first goal, but it’s actually Antonee Robinson running out to the left for no good reason.
Nordi Mukiele
The French defender put in a solid shift in the Wear-Tyne derby and was Deeney’s pick for the left-back role. In midfield, the former Watford striker opted for a pivot.
Ibrahim Sangare
Like Bassey, the Ivorian signed off for the AFCON 2025 in style, scoring a belter and providing two assists for Callum Hudson-Odoi in Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground.
What a strike from Ibra Sangaré. pic.twitter.com/VjbGvkxW7A
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 14, 2025
Bruno Fernandes
The Manchester United captain was unplayable in his side’s 4-4 draw against Bournemouth at Old Trafford last night. Fernandes provided the assist for Casemiro’s header just before half-time.
He added his touch of class in the second half, sending a free-kick into the top corner of Djordje Petrovic’s goal to level the scores for Ruben Amorim’s men.
In the number 10 role, Deeney opted for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. The Englishman bagged a brace to secure Villa a 3-2 win over West Ham United.
The victory against West Ham was the 9th in a row across all competitions for Unai Emery’s men, their longest-ever streak. They’ve also won 15 of their last 17 games.
Morgan Rogers’ cold brace in @AVFCOfficial‘s 3-2 win against West Ham pic.twitter.com/9jfya7iA1s
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 14, 2025
“Rogers, fantastic first goal. The calmness and poise to turn and swivel on it. The second, knuckleball. You can try that 10 times, and it won’t go there, right in the top corner,” Deeney wrote about the 23-year-old.
“Making a real argumentthat he should be starting for England in the opening game of the World Cup. He’s growing as a player and a leader. It’s no coincidence Villa does well when this kid does well.
Harry Wilson
On the right flank is Fulham’s player of the season so far, Harry Wilson. The Welshman created two assists in Fulham’s 3-2 over Burnley; one for Emile Smith-Rowe and the other for Calvin Bassey.
To put the cherry on the cake, he scored the third goal for Marco Silva’s side, courtesy of an assist from Samuel Chukwueze.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
The former Chelsea winger bagged a brace against Nottingham Forest in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. He also provided the assist for Ibrahim Sangare’s banger.
Hugo Ekitike
The Frenchman bailed Liverpool out, again. His brace was enough to bag three points for Arne Slot’s side, taking his Premier League tally to seven goals this season.
