Analytics Report: Premier League Player Of The Week – Matchday 9 – Leandro Trossard & Erling Haaland

Leandro Trossard [Brighton & Hove Albion]

A brilliantly entertaining football game transpired at Anfield as Brighton came away with a point in a game they should have won. Under their newly appointed manager, Roberto De Zerbi, the team’s performance was excellent, especially in possession. The way they played, it didn’t feel like Graham Potter was missed.

Also read: Winners and Losers: Premier League Gameweek 9

Brighton’s standout performer against Liverpool was Leandro Trossard. It is one thing to score a hattrick against Liverpool but to score a hattrick against Liverpool at Anfield while getting your third goal at the Kop end is outrageous.

From an xG of 1.3 from 4 shots taken, the Belgian scored 3 goals, all of which were excellent finishes. He completed 2 progressive passes and an impressive 7 progressive carries. Trossard also recorded 3 interceptions and applied pressure on 12 occasions. 80% success in his dribbles and an imposing 5 ball recoveries. Trossard was also involved in 2 shot-creating actions on Saturday.

As you can observe in the map above, his involvement in the overall build-up was critical for Brighton to play through Liverpool vertically. Trossard’s sharpness on the ball is one of his major skills, and in the last eighteen months, he has also added an impressive end product to his game. Versatile, effective, and brilliant to watch, Trossard is one of the most complete players in the league.

Erling Haaland [Manchester City]

It was a tie between Erling Haaland and Leandro Trossard for this week’s best player. Haaland had another explosive game against local rivals Manchester United in the derby on Sunday, as he was involved in 5 of the 6 goals City scored at the Etihad.

From an xG of 1.02, the Norwegian scored another hattrick; he has now scored a hattrick in three consecutive home games for Manchester City. Haaland also picked up a couple of assists as he helped his teammate Phil Foden get a hattrick as well.

The Norweigian was involved in 4 shot-creating actions and 2 goal-creating actions. He also recorded an impressive 4 progressive passes as well as 4 key passes against the Red Devils.