West Ham defender Issa Diop has been named in Gazzetta dello Sport’s European Team of the Week (via Sport Witness).
After helping West Ham keep a clean sheet against Tottenham Hotspur on their way to a historic 1-0 win, Diop was recognised with the weekly accolade in the Italian newspaper.
Diop featured alongside world-class Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in the Team of the Week.
Issa Diop vs. Tottenham
Diop was a rock at the back for the Hammers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday. And his statistics from the game (sourced from Who Scored) prove just that.
With two tackles, three blocks, six interceptions and eight clearances, Spurs could not find a way past the 22-year-old powerhouse.
The Frenchman nearly got on the scoresheet, too. In the final moments of the game, he burst from defence and went through on goal but could not get the power to beat Lloris.
Diop was crowned man of the match by Sky Sports News for his inspirational display and has now been acknowledged by Gazzetta dello Sport.
European Team of the Week
Diop and Mane are the only two Premier League players in the Team of the Week. The West Ham defender is placed in the middle of a back three, alongside Mexer (Rennes) and William (Wolfsburg) with Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) in goal.
The midfield quartet includes Nice hat-trick hero Youcef Atal and Lyon star Nabil Fekir. Mane and Messi are in a front three alongside Fortuna Dusseldorf’s Kenan Karaman.
Mane scored twice against Huddersfield Town while Messi’s goal against Levante earned Barcelona the title in Spain. Diop is in good company after a top performance this week.
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