Gameweek 2 is over, gameweek 3 approaches, and there’s just a few hours left before lockout to make the moves that ruin your mates in head-to-head this week. It’s early in the year to be talking about the overall best XI, so we’re taking our weekly look at who would have been the team of choice for anyone equipped with a DeLorean. This week’s formation returned to the more conventional 3-4-3 from last week’s heavily defensive line-up. The average points moved verrrry slightly upwards but remains below 30 overall. Let’s dive in.
GOALKEEPER
Pickford (EVE) 30
The madman at the back is the first of three Everton players to make this week’s top XI. Between keeping the sheet clean and his usual over-involvement in outfield passing, Pickford remains a solid call regardless of the fixture.
DEFENDERS
Timber (ARS) 44
Last year’s Saliba and Gabriel is already shaping up to be this year’s Timber and Calafiori, with this week’s hammering of Leeds enough to whip up big points for Arsenal at both the front and back. Two rarely-seen goals from Timber helped catapult him up the rankings this week
Calafiori (ARS) 22
Already the top-scoring player not just in defence but overall this year, Calafiori has found his feet under Arteta in the past two weeks. This week’s trip to Anfield has all the hallmarks of a screeching set of brakes being applied, but for now, he’s THE defender to have so far.
Chalobah (CHE) 22
He’s big, he’s mean, and this week he played for the right team. Chelsea became the second in as many weeks to absolutely batter Potter’s West Ham, with a little help from a rare Chalobah goal. Centre half getting one in? You love to see it.
MIDFIELDERS
Garner (EVE) 29
A deserved victory this week for Everton over a Brighton team that couldn’t score at a musical festival was led by the mids, with Garner the standout player at CM. The pressure of the first game at the new stadium clearly didn’t get to the youngster, with a near-doubling of passes as well as a goal scored. Watch this one.
Cullen (BUR) 25
Burnley’s win over Sunderland may turn out to be a very early relegation 6-pointer, but Josh Cullen is no stranger to the premier league. This week he delivered both a goal and an assist. Already the one to watch at Turf Moor.
Ward-Prowse (WHU) 25
There’s no formula for the perfect fantasy asset, but if there was, James Ward-Prowse would probably plant it in the top corner from the edge of the box. The only shining light amidst some absolute shite this week for West Ham was the veteran playmaker and spot-kicker. While it’s likely his best seasons are behind him, it’s still great to see what a fantasy legend of yore can still do even in the face of overwhelming mandem.
Grealish (EVE) 24
You read that correctly. Everton appear to have successfully purchased the Villa Jack Grealish, rather than the City Jack Grealish, much to the delight of the Hill Dickinson crowd. Grealish was instrumental in attack this weekend and is already looking indispensable for the Toffees.
FORWARDS
Pedro (CHE) 35
Chelsea’s absolute demolition of the beleaguered West Ham was spearheaded by new signing Joao Pedro this week, delivering two assists and a goal of his very own. This one’s paying off for Maresca early, but will it hold up against better competition? Fulham, Brentford and United in his next three make for soft defences and huge opportunity.
Anthony (BUR) 27
Jaidon Anthony looked good this week against a poor team, with an assist and a goal delivered, but don’t go pinning your hopes on Burnley just yet. It’s unlikely he’ll be given as much space against tighter back lines. A good week, and maybe another to come against a Man United in disarray, but unlikely to be a long-term prospect. If you’re already slipping down the table, pick this one up but be ready to drop quickly when the big games come around.
Gyokeres (ARS) 26
Silencing critics from last week who spent as much time talking about his hair as he spent tidying it, Gyokeres may yet be the element that turns the tide in Arsenal’s favour this year. Two assists and a bucket of aerials won put him third amongst forwards this week. The midfielders behind him, particularly Odegaard and Saka, are already feeding him flawlessly. Anfield will be a proving ground for him next Sunday.
If you’d like a little less looking back and a little more looking forward, check out our Jon’s predictions for the week ahead.
Jimi Kavanagh, August 2025
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