In an unexpected twist that would make anyone question their morning coffee, former Watford player and current BBC pundit Troy Deeney has chosen not one, but two Leicester City players for his illustrious Team of the Week. It’s a pick that raises eyebrows, especially considering Leicester’s rather dramatic 4-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend. You’d think after such a humbling experience, the Foxes would have faded into the background like an unwanted Instagram filter, but Deeney had different ideas.
The Heroics of “Magical Mads” Hermansen
One of the standout selections is goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who, despite being on the losing side, performed like a magician at a child’s birthday party—pulling off stunning saves that left fans gasping. In his latest column for BBC Sport, Deeney didn’t hold back, labeling Hermansen’s display as “one of the best” he’s ever witnessed from a keeper on a losing team. Now that’s a compliment that deserves a shiny trophy!
During the match against the Gunners, Hermansen had his hands full. Thirteen saves, to be precise! To put that into perspective, that’s roughly equivalent to saving Christmas, one goal at a time. Nine of those saves came from inside the box, which is basically like defending a piñata filled with candy from all sides while blindfolded. His efforts meant Leicester had a fighting chance, keeping the scoreline respectable against an Arsenal side that could have easily racked up five or six goals—if not for Hermansen’s heroics.
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“Honestly,” Deeney mused, “it was one of the best performances I’ve seen from a goalkeeper on a losing team in my life.” Trust me, Deeney has seen a lot of keepers in action over the years—a seasoned expert awarding Hermansen a golden star for effort.
James Justin: The Goal-Scoring Dynamo
Next up in Deeney’s lineup is none other than James Justin, who also had his moment in the sun—or should we say torrential rain given the current weather? In this match, Justin not only scored a brace, but also contributed with a first-time volley that had the footballing world talking. Remember the last time you tried a volley? That’s right—the ball probably ended up in the neighbour’s garden.
Deeney couldn’t resist praising Justin’s technique, saying, “I don’t remember him having much to do defensively.” And for good reason, as Arsenal seemed to have dinner reservations at the Leicester goal all night long. But Justin didn’t just stand there admiring their midfield, oh no! He scored a header and an exquisite volley that had spectators leaping from their seats like they’d just seen the latest superhero movie. Deeney added, “So much could’ve gone wrong with that, but the technique was excellent.”
To be included in Deeney’s Team of the Week marks a notable milestone for Justin. This is the first time a Leicester City player has received such an honor this season, and one has to wonder if this could be the beginning of a beautiful trend. Perhaps next week, Deeney might throw in a few more Foxes for good measure. Don’t you just love a good fairy tale?
Leicester’s Resilience Amidst Defeat
The Foxes may have ended up losing against Arsenal, but the resilience they displayed is commendable. It’s like the underdog movie of the year where the heroes don’t win the battle, but they take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster ride that leaves everyone rooting for them to come back stronger. It’s safe to say that Leicester fans probably had their hearts in their throats, while Arsenal supporters were trading high-fives.
While Deeney’s selections may baffle some die-hard Arsenal fans—where’s the love for their formidable players?—it just goes to show that in football, as in life, sometimes it’s the unexpected performances that steal the show. Hermansen and Justin’s displays were like a delicious twist in a storyline that no one saw coming.
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It remains to be seen how Leicester will respond in the coming weeks. Will they build on this momentum, or will they find themselves caught in a muddle? With Troy Deeney keeping an eye on them and dishing out praise like it’s going out of style, the pressure is certainly on for the Foxes to deliver.
In conclusion, while Leicester may have faced a setback, they are not out of the race just yet. Just as Deeney has recognized their talents, perhaps it’s time for us all to keep a closer eye on them, ready to cheer them on as they seek to overcome their challenges. Who knows? The next match could be their Cinderella moment.
In the world of football, if you fall off the horse, you better get back on and ride it until you can’t ride anymore. Cheers to Mads “Magical” Hermansen and James “The Volley King” Justin for showing us that even in defeat, flashes of brilliance can shine through!
