Premier League Team of the Season (early selection) — Damien Kayat

# Overview

Damien Kayat published an early-season Team of the Season during the international break, using the break as a pause to take stock of the Premier League so far. He chose a 4-2-3-1 formation but allowed creative license where necessary to fit players who have been influential in the opening weeks.

# Selection approach

Kayat's process favors recent impact and role fit. He acknowledges small sample sizes but highlights players who have produced consistent performances, decisive moments, or successful adaptations to new roles. Brighton's 3-0 win over Arsenal is cited as a defining match that illustrates why certain players appear on his list.

# The XI (summary notes)

• GK — David Raya (Arsenal): Despite a difficult game against Brighton and criticism on crosses, Kayat argues Raya has been one of the league's best goalkeepers recently. A penalty save against Sunderland is singled out as a match-winning moment.

• RB — Jayden Bogle (Leeds United): Repositioned into a right wing-back under Daniel Farke, Bogle has thrived going forward, contributing goals and key assists while retaining defensive responsibility.

• CB — Marc Guehi (Man City): Named as an arguably most consistent defender early on. Kayat highlights Guehi's ball-carrying, improved positioning, athletic recovery runs, and overall steadiness despite a high-scoring City game.

• CB — Ezri Konsa (Arsenal): Chosen over Gabriel for this list, Konsa is credited with stepping in effectively alongside Arsenal's defense, producing physical tackles and contributing to a low goals-conceded run prior to the Brighton match.

• LB — Lewis Hall (Newcastle United): Preferred to Josko Gvardiol in Kayat's view, Hall has been consistent for an uneven Newcastle side. He scored his first St James' Park goal, added an assist, and signed a new contract through 2031.

• CM — Elliot Anderson (Man City): Tasked with replacing Rodri's role, Anderson is described as energetic and influential in setting City's tempo. Kayat compares his influence to a high-energy, box-to-box profile and notes adaptation to heavy expectations following a big transfer.

• AM — Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal): Kayat begins to place Ødegaard among the attacking midfield picks, noting a challenging recent match but maintaining his importance to Arsenal's play. The article excerpt ends while discussing Ødegaard.

# Early-season context and implications

Kayat's XI emphasizes players who have either adapted to new responsibilities (Bogle, Anderson) or maintained high standards despite team ups and downs (Raya, Groß). Brighton's performance vs Arsenal is used as an example of how a single match can influence perceptions during a short early-season window. The selections reflect current tactical trends: fullbacks pushed forward, deep-lying playmakers given creative license, and younger players stepping into high-pressure roles.

# What to watch next

• Whether these players sustain form across a larger sample of matches.
• How tactical changes (for example, fullbacks operating as wing-backs) affect defensive stability.
• If other early-season standouts push into this XI as the campaign progresses.

Kayat's list is explicitly an early snapshot: useful for seeing which players have started strongly and how managers are repurposing personnel, but subject to change as the season develops.