Leading stats site WhoScored have included Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Joelinton in their Premier League Team o the Season so far, with the Toon trio featuring alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and ex-Mag Alexander Mitrovic.
The team is based on average ratings and in-depth statistics over the first eight games of the season, suggesting the likes of Schar and Joelinton – who may seem like surprise inclusions – have been two unsung heroes so far this campaign.
Since signing back in January – the first to arrive after our Saudi-backed takeover – Trippier has barely put a foot wrong, combining rock solid defensive displays with creativity from open play and a huge threat from set pieces, earning him a 7.27 rating.
Schar (7.35) has arguably been one of the most underrated players since the arrival of Eddie Howe, improving dramatically under the new boss after he was cast aside and left to rot by Steve Bruce.
If the Premier League was to introduce a most improved player award, Joelinton would have won it with a landslide victory last season, but that form has carried on into the new campaign, with his ability to win the ball back and drive into space helping him earn an average rating of 7.36 – seeing him feature alongside Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Spurs) in midfield.
See the full team below, which also includes Jordan Pickford and Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard:
