Matchweek 21 in the Premier League was basically a fever dream. If you’d told me a year ago that a relegation-threatened Newcastle would claw back a win against Leeds in a seven-goal thriller with a goal in the 102nd minute, I probably would have laughed. But here we are. Between the chaos at St James’ Park and Chelsea’s continued downward spiral under their new management, picking a Premier League team of the week actually feels like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a roller coaster.
There’s a lot of noise out there. Everyone’s talking about Arsenal’s six-point lead at the top, but the real stories are happening in the trenches.
The Midfield Engine Room: Aaronson and Barnes
Let’s talk about Brenden Aaronson. Honestly, the guy has been a polarizing figure since he first stepped onto English soil. But against Newcastle? He was a different animal. Despite Leeds losing 4-3, Aaronson walked away with a 9.3 rating from Sofascore. He didn't just run; he dictated. He scored twice, including a goal that put Leeds ahead for the third time in the match. It's rare you see a player from a losing side dominate the conversation, but his pressing and clinical edge were impossible to ignore.
Then there’s Harvey Barnes. You’ve got to feel for Leeds fans watching him celebrate that winner. His performance was the definition of "clutch." Coming off the bench or starting, it doesn't matter—Barnes has this uncanny ability to be in the right place when the clock is deep in the red. His winner at 101 minutes and 48 seconds isn't just a stat; it’s the latest winning goal in Premier League history since Opta started tracking this stuff in 2006. That’s pure heritage.
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The Defensive Wall
Defensively, this week wasn't exactly a masterclass across the board—did you see the 4-4 draw between Manchester United and Bournemouth?—but a few individuals stood out.
- Cristian Romero (Tottenham): Despite Spurs losing 3-2 to Bournemouth, Romero was a monster. He finished with an 8.2 rating, basically trying to hold a crumbling building together with his bare hands.
- Maxime Estève: A rock. He's quietly becoming one of those "must-watch" defenders for the scouts.
- Marco Bizot: Between the sticks, Bizot was the reason Crystal Palace walked away with a point against Aston Villa. Four massive saves. Without him, Palace is buried.
Why the Premier League Team of the Week Matters Right Now
Usually, these weekly honors are just a bit of fun for fantasy managers. But in January 2026, they're signaling a massive shift in the power dynamic. Look at Fulham. Harry Wilson is playing the best football of his life. He drew a red card from Marc Cucurella and then buried the winner against Chelsea. That 2-1 result wasn't a fluke.
Chelsea is currently sitting in 8th. They’ve got Liam Rosenior trying to implement a new system, but they’ve developed this weird phobia of long throws. Seriously. They’ve conceded four goals from long throws this season. When you see players like Antoine Semenyo—who just signed for Manchester City, by the way—terrorizing defenses with a literal throw-in, you realize the "beautiful game" is still very much about the basics.
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The Attackers Who Can't Stop Scoring
Igor Thiago is making history. With his brace for Brentford against Sunderland, he’s now the highest-scoring Brazilian in a single Premier League season. He has 16 goals. 16! In a league that has seen the likes of Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Jesus, that’s a wild stat to digest. He’s physical, he’s fast, and he’s playing in a Brentford side that has leapfrogged United and Chelsea to sit 5th.
And we have to mention Benjamin Šeško. The man has had a slow start at Manchester United, but his double against Burnley showed why the club spent the big bucks. He’s got that "Slovenian Ibrahimovic" vibe—huge frame but moves like a winger. His first goal was all about movement, peeling off defenders to meet a Bruno Fernandes pass that was, frankly, vintage.
What This Means for Your FPL Team
If you’re still holding onto big-name defenders who aren't kept clean sheets, you’re doing it wrong. The league is too volatile right now.
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- Target the "Long Throw" Weakness: If a team is playing Chelsea, look for their wing-backs or anybody who can hurl a ball. It sounds primitive, but the stats don't lie.
- Ride the Igor Thiago Wave: He isn't slowing down. Brentford's system is built to feed him, and he's hungry.
- Don't Sleep on Wolves: They’re in a relegation scrap, but they’re unbeaten in four under Rob Edwards. Their 1-1 draw with Everton showed a grit that was missing under the previous regime.
The Premier League team of the week isn't just a list of high scorers. It’s a snapshot of a league that is currently upside down. When Brentford is 5th and Chelsea is 8th, and Manchester United is drawing 4-4 with Bournemouth, you know we’re in for a chaotic second half of the season.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the upcoming Manchester Derby. Michael Carrick has a massive task ahead of him. If he can't shore up that United defense that let in four goals on Monday, Erling Haaland—who just helped City draw with Brighton—will have a field day.
Watch the transfer market closely as we hit the final weeks of January. Semenyo's move to City is a game-changer for Pep's rotation, and it leaves a massive hole in Bournemouth's attack that they’ll need to fill fast if they want to stay in the top half.
The most important thing to do next is to check the confirmed lineups for the Saturday early kick-offs. With managers like Arteta and Guardiola rotating heavily due to Champions League commitments, your "Team of the Week" picks could easily end up on the bench if you aren't paying attention to the Friday press conferences.