European Team of the Week: Murphy, Son, Griezmann star

Each week, we will bring you the best performers across Europe’s top five leagues (English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Spanish LaLiga, French Ligue 1 and Italian Serie A) using the unique WhoScored ratings system.

The ratings are based on a comprehensive algorithm that uses Opta data during live matches, with over 200 raw statistics, that gives us a single rating from 1-10 (1 being bad; 10 being excellent) weighted according to a player’s influence within a game.

Find out more about how the ratings are calculated at WhoScored here. And these are the top players from the last round of action.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Goalkeeper: Etrit Berisha (Empoli) – 8.94 rating

Empoli scored more goals against Fiorentina on Monday night (2) than they had managed in their eight previous games in Serie A this season (1), yet it was goalkeeper Berisha who stole the show against La Viola in their 2-0 win at the Artemio Franchi. Indeed, Berisha made a total of seven saves to play a key role in lifting Empoli out of the relegation zone.

Right-back: Carlos Soler (PSG) – 8.23

Despite playing out of position at right-back in PSG’s 3-0 Ligue 1 win over Strasbourg, Soler still put in a fine performance and got a rating of 8.23. The 26-year-old followed up his goal on the half-hour mark with an assist for Fabián Ruiz‘s 77th-minute strike, those coming from respective returns of one shot and two key passes.

Centre-back: Isaak Touré (Lorient) – 8.51

Lorient battled to a 2-1 home win over Rennes in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon with towering centre-back Touré the star performer. The 20-year-old bagged what proved to be the winning goal on the stroke of half-time at Stade du Moustoir, while his defensive resolve — 10 clearances, three interceptions, one tackle and five aerial duels won — ensured Les Merlus secured all three points.

Centre-back: Craig Dawson (Wolves) – 8.39

Wolves came from behind to beat Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with Dawson putting in a player-of-the-match performance at the Vitality Stadium. The experienced centre-back held his own against the Cherries, making six clearances, five tackles and three interceptions as Bournemouth struggled to get the better of the 33-year-old.

Left-back: Diego Rico (Getafe) – 8.08

Rico put in a solid display in Getafe’s 1-1 draw with Real Betis in LaLiga. He provided the assist for Borja Mayoral‘s 17th-minute equaliser at the Estadio Coliseum, from one of three key passes he made in the match. The Real Betis attack also struggled against the 30-year-old, who managed five tackles, four interceptions and three clearances.

play

Getafe vs. Real Betis – Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Getafe vs. Real Betis, 10/21/2023

Right midfield: Jacob Murphy (Newcastle) – 9.34

Our Player of the Week is Newcastle’s Murphy. On his first Premier League start of the season, the winger was superb as the Magpies downed Crystal Palace 4-0 at St James’ Park, with the 28-year-old directly involved in three goals. Murphy opened the scoring in the fourth minute, then helped himself to a pair of assists either side of half-time. Two shots, two key passes, two clearances and one successful dribble saw him finish as the top performer across Europe.

Central midfield: Aleksandr Golovin (Monaco) – 9.16

Golovin continued his good form in Ligue 1 with his third and fourth goals of the season in Monaco’s 2-1 win over Metz on Sunday. The 27-year-old got the better of goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja with two of his four shots and was unfortunate not to add an assist having created four goal-scoring opportunities.

Central midfield: Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) – 8.81

The Brazilian’s brace in a 2-1 win over West Ham on Sunday means Luiz has scored in six consecutive home Premier League appearances for the Villans, a record for Unai Emery’s side. The 25-year-old struck with two of his three shots against the Hammers, while he also put in three key passes and three tackles.

Left midfield: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli) – 8.55

Kvaratskhelia looks to have rediscovered his best form for Napoli following a slow start to the Serie A campaign. The 22-year-old netted twice in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Verona, scoring with two of three shots. “Kvaradona” (a nickname he has picked up from comparisons to the legendary Diego Maradona) also made two key passes and completed one dribble.

play

Griezmann hat trick powers Atletico past Celta Vigo

Antoine Griezmann scores three as Atletico Madrid cruise past 10-man Celta Vigo.

Striker: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – 9.01

Griezmann became the second player to score a LaLiga hat trick this season (after Almeria’s Luis Suárez) as he played a starring role in Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 win at Celta Vigo on Saturday. Griezmann struck with all three of his efforts on goal (though one was arguably meant to be a cross) and created two goal-scoring chances as well.

Striker: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham) – 8.91

The Tottenham captain was directly involved in both goals in the 2-0 Premier League win over Fulham on Monday night as he opened the scoring with a thundering effort shortly before the break, then turned provider for James Maddison after the restart. In total, the South Korea star had three shots, three dribbles and four key passes during the game.