Four perfect Manchester City 10s make European team of the week

Goalkeeper: Ruben Blanco (Celta Vigo) – 8.21 rating 

Celta Vigo secured a creditable draw with Atletico Madrid at the weekend and much of that was down to the performance of shotstopper Ruben Blanco. The 24-year-old came away from the Wanda Metrpolitano with the man of the match award having landed a WhoScored rating of 8.21 in a superb showing between the sticks. Indeed, Blanco made six saves to secure his spot in this XI. 

Right-back: Ruben Pena (Villarreal) – 8.43 rating 

Villarreal geared up for their midweek trip to Barcelona with a solid 2-0 home win over Real Valladolid, a match in which Ruben Pena landed the WhoScored man of the match gong. While the full-back didn’t have a direct hand in a goal, it wasn’t for want of trying as he mustered two shots and one key pass. However, it was Pena’s defensive resolve that shone through as he made six tackles and four clearances in a clean sheet attaining performance, returning a WhoScored rating of 8.43 in the process. 

Centre-back: Willi Orban (RB Leipzig) – 8.55 rating 

RB Leipzig maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable 3-0 win at Werder Bremen as captain Willi Orban again thrived. The Hungarian garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.55 in the victory, that enough to be named the man of the match, with Orban netting his first league goal of the campaign in the encounter. Four clearances, three tackles and one interception capped a fine display at the heart of the defence. 

Centre-back: Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United) – 8.20 rating 

Sheffield United secured a fine 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday to vastly improve their chances of staving off relegation. It was a huge three points with Jack O’Connell putting in a man of the match performance at Goodison Park. Indeed, O’Connell made more clearances (16) and won more aerial duels (10) than any other player managed in a Premier League match this gameweek as he returned a WhoScored rating of 8.20. 

Left-back: Aaron Cresswell (West Ham) – 7.93 rating 

Rounding off the defence is West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell, who got his name on the scoresheet in the Hammers’ 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday. His free-kick doubled West Ham’s advantage at the London Stadium, that coming from one of two shots, while the left-back was defensively sound as he made three tackles, two clearances and one interception to help gain a WhoScored rating of 7.93. 

Right midfield: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) – 10.0 rating 

The first of four players to return a perfect 10 WhoScored rating, all of whom play for Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez excelled on just his third Premier League start of the season. The Algerian followed up his man of the match performance against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek with another storming performance for City as he scored one and assisted another from respective returns of four shots and four key passes. Three successful dribbles and two tackles capped a superb showing from Mahrez. 

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – 10.0 rating 

Registering his sixth and seven assists of the season in Manchester City’s 8-0 win over Watford, Kevin De Bruyne is the second of four City players to have returned a perfect 10 at the weekend. The brilliant Belgian was at his blistering best to ground the Hornets at the Etihad Stadium, with his two assists coming from eight key passes. One goal from four shots and four successful dribbles meant De Bruyne was good value for his rating. 

Central midfield: Coutinho (Bayern Munich) – 9.77 rating 

Coutinho made more key passes in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over FC Koeln (7) than any other player has managed in a Bundesliga match this season. The fine creative performance yielded a WhoScored rating of 9.77 as the Brazilian assisted once from his seven goalscoring chances made, while the summer arrival also hit the back of the net in the routine home victory. 

Left midfield: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) – 10.0 rating 

Having been named the WhoScored man of the match from Manchester City’s 8-0 win over Watford, Bernardo Silva deservedly made the best XI this week. Silva became just the third Portuguese player in Premier League history to bag a hat-trick in the resounding victory on home turf, while a pass success rate of 96.4%, four tackles and two successful dribbles contributed towards the 25-year-old’s fine rating. 

Striker: Fernando Llorente (Napoli) – 9.05 rating 

Fernando Llorente has now had a direct hand in all three Napoli appearances this season as he scored twice in their 4-1 win at Lecce. The towering Spaniard bagged a brace from six efforts on goal at the weekend, while Llorente was on hand to maximise his aerial presence having won four aerial duels to help land a WhoScored rating of 9.05. 

Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – 10.0 rating 

Finishing off the best XI in Europe this week, Sergio Aguero, too, secured a perfect 10 rating from City’s victory. The Argentine has now scored in every Premier League game this season, totalling eight league goals, while Aguero registered his second assist of the campaign from respective returns of six shots and three key passes. Three successful dribbles helped the striker secure his spot in the European team of the week.