Alan Shearer’s Team of the week Angers Manchester City fans as star player goes missing
Alan Shearer’s Team of the Week for Premier League Gameweek 4 has ignited a firestorm among Manchester City fans, leaving them seething over a glaring omission.
The former Newcastle striker’s latest lineup, unveiled with the Premier League’s signature flair, includes a mix of standout performers from the weekend’s action.
Emiliano Martínez earns a goalkeeper spot, while defenders Cristian Mosquera, Nordi Mukiele, and Micky van de Ven make the cut for their defensive heroics. Midfielders Moisés Caicedo, Martín Zubimendi, Lucas Bergvall, and Noni Madueke shine, with forwards Antony Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and Thomas Frank rounding out the XI. Yet, the absence of one City star has fans fuming, accusing Shearer of bias after a dominant weekend performance.
The controversy centers on Phil Foden, whose exclusion despite a stellar showing in Manchester City’s 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United has left supporters baffled. Foden was the heartbeat of the Etihad side, delivering a fantastic performance with a goal and an assist in the Manchester derby.
His vision and precision dismantled United’s defense, setting up Haaland for the opener before curling a sublime strike past André Onana. At 24, Foden’s maturity and flair earned him Man of the Match honors, with teammates hailing his influence. “He’s the engine driving us,” Haaland remarked post-match. Pundits outside Shearer’s circle lauded his complete midfield display, yet he was snubbed, fueling claims of a Newcastle-tinted lens given Shearer’s Toon roots.
Shearer’s inclusion of Doku and Haaland from City softens the blow slightly, but fans argue Foden’s omission defies logic. Social media erupted with posts like, “Shearer picks Doku but ignores Foden? Absolute joke! #MCFC.” The snub echoes earlier gripes when Liverpool dominated Shearer’s mid-season Team of the Season, leaving City underrepresented. With Caicedo and Madueke grabbing midfield spots, some speculate Shearer favored flair over consistency, though Foden’s stats—goal, assist, and relentless pressing—paint a different picture. The 3-0 win, sealed by Haaland’s brace, showcased City’s depth, but Foden’s brilliance stole the show.
As City chase a fifth straight title, Foden’s form suggests he’s a contender for greater honors, perhaps even the Ballon d’Or. Fans hope Shearer reconsiders, but for now, Foden’s response is clear: let his feet do the talking. The debate rages on, with the Etihad faithful vowing to prove their point on the pitch.