This Much We Know – Gameweek 2

Paul Pogba is a game changer. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Mr Popular. Vincent Janssen is an early season villain, whilst penalties and the 7.5 midfielders are the new factors steering our transfer policy. Here’s what we’ve learned from Gameweek 2.

Pogba has changed everything…

Manchester United’s world record signing made a suspect first touch and then proceeded to boss the match against Southampton.

Paul Pogba’s physical presence and energy levels were just unmatched and that saw him dominate from a position on the left of United’s double pivot.

That saw Luke Shaw rejuvenated as an attacking prospect, having been overshadowed by Antonio Valencia in United’s first two competitive outings in all competitions under Jose Mourinho.

It also meant that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not required to drop deep into midfield areas. He could let Pogba own that area of the pitch and sit and wait for opportunities to come his way.

We’re yet to see if Pogba can excel as a Fantasy asset in his own right but we already know that his presence has lifted the potential of those around him.

Zlatan is winning the popularity contest…

Friday’s two goals have seen Zlatan Ibrahimovic rise to become the most popular asset in the Fantasy Premier League.

His inevitable season-long head-to-head with Sergio Aguero is underway and the pair are battling for goals and the loyalty of FPL managers.

Snatching penalties from Wayne Rooney was the latest boost. Pogba’s impact another.

There’s no question to Ibrahimovic has done enough to earn a place in our squads, the question now is how often do we look to him as our captain?

Aguero is relentless…

But Zlatan can’t shake Sergio Aguero off. The City frontman is in no mood to play second fiddle to his rival on the red side of Manchester.

The Argentine looks to be in imperious form. There was no question he’d step up to hammer home City’s penalty at Stoke City and his second goal, a superb glancing header, underlined his potency both on the deck and in the air.

City’s attacking football is unlikely to subside and Aguero’s starts, barring another cruel injury setback, currently look assured.

Essential? He’s as close at it gets.

Mid-price midfielders are now crucial…

With Ibrahimovic and Aguero sucking up our funds in attack, the cupboard is somewhat bare when it comes to big spends in midfield.

Currently, it’s difficult to contemplate moving for Alexis Sanchez or Kevin De Bruyne, whilst Dimitri Payet’s recent bout of sales are not only sparked by his minor injury but also the clamour to get both Aguero and Ibrahimovic working in tandem.

That surely has us depend on a different class of midfielder.

We now have to scour the mid-price for players who can threaten to return double figures for goals and/or assists.

We’re jumping on the early promise shown by Philippe Coutinho, while the likes of Ross Barkley and Erik Lamela are also catching our eye.

Suddenly, this midfield bracket looks key to our seasons, leaving both Sanchez and De Bruyne in the cold.

Sterling’s promise is there to see…

While we’re likely to baulk at the spend on De Bruyne, his speed merchant team-mate is edging his way into our thinking after another encouraging showing at Stoke City.

Raheem Sterling’s end product is still a concern but there’s no question that Pep Guardiola has injected new urgency in the 8.0 prospect – there’s an extra yard of pace, a renewed zip in his turns and shimmies.

A goal would surely breed confidence further. At that point, we wager than his price tag will start to look good value in the current landscape where big spend on strikers is key.

Penalty takers may be more vital than ever…

We’ve seen the likes of Eden Hazard, Riyad Mahrez and now Zlatan Ibrahimovic rise in stock as a result of spot kick duties. Given events on the pitch at the bet365 stadium, we could see all designated penalty takers receive a significant boost.

With referees seeking to clamp down on holding in the box from set-plays, some are now predicting a deluge of penalties.

If that materialises, it will suddenly become essential to prioritise signings accordingly.

Heaton is already showing his worth…

The second ranked keeper in his debut top flight season, Tom Heaton is already blazing a trail on his return.

His ten-point return against Liverpool arrives as the Burnley stopper climbs to the top of the save statistic column, underlining his undoubted potential as a 4.5 option.

Heaton doesn’t need the fixtures to fall kindly to deliver steady returns and, if Saturday’s stubborn display is anything to go by, he has every chance of surpassing his ten shut-out returns from 2014/15.

Gray is not out of his depth…

Andre Gray’s day one blank against Swansea gave us the jitters but Saturday’s display against Liverpool proved one thing – he can deliver in the Premier League.

Gray’s link up with Sam Vokes will be the key to the Clarets’ survival and, while he may have to scrap for his opportunities, his first-half finish for Burnley’s second goal showed real quality.

With Alvaro Negredo prospering and the away fixtures still unkind, Gray’s popularity is unlikely to soar just yet.

Nonetheless, the striker looks primed to punish both Hull and Watford in forthcoming Turf Moor encounters – his 11% owners are likely to hold firm until then.

Davies may yet be worth the outlay…

The prospect of shelling out 5.0 for a Hull City defender will rarely seem justified.

Curtis Davies, however, is already building a convincing case.

The centre-back dominated for clearances, blocks and interceptions from Gameweek 1 and then topped the rankings for that stat again a week later. With more efforts on goal than any other defender and an assist in the bag, Davies’s stock is currently only limited by an evil upcoming schedule.

Janssen gives us all a headache…

The Dutchman was handed his first start and did enough to suggest it could be a permanent arrangement this season.

Mauricio Pochettino used the convenience of Dele Alli’s illness to find a place for Vincent Janssen against Palace but, from this point on, his policy is far less clear.

Alli and Christian Eriksen’s stock has taken a hit, whilst Harry Kane’s new role behind a lone striker has had similar impact on his outlook.

Janssen may yet deliver as a 8.0 asset in his own right – for now, his arrival has had an unwelcome affect on the Spurs attack and the certainty of Pochettino’s teamsheet.

Prolific Capoue is a no-brainer…

Nobody saw this coming. For all the pre-season promise shown by Etienne Capoue, few us envisaged that he’d translate that to back-to-back strikes by Gameweek 2.

Second only to Ibrahimovic for transfers in, the Frenchman’s value as a 4.6 option is proving irresistible now that his early returns have alerted the masses.

Let’s not get carried away, though. Watford have mustered just 11 shots on goal in their two matches – fewer than any other side.

Sanchez is not a striker…

Arsene Wenger may have been talking up the experiment. FPL managers may even have been rubbing their hands at the prospect. However, the early evidence suggests we won’t be seeing Alexis Sanchez down the middle for too much longer.

The Chilean looks somewhat lost, drifting wide and deep to influence play rather than sitting on the shoulder of defenders.

Arsenal failed to find the net at Leicester and lacked a focal point in their attack.

Like it or not, Olivier Giroud is the best they have for that role right now.

Van Aanholt’s attacking instincts are still sharp…

Six FPL goals last season and already Patrick van Aanholt has started covering up for Sunderland’s slackness with returns.

Given the turmoil in the Black Cats’ rearguard after recent departures and the speculation surrounding Lamine Kone, it would seem unlikely that many will leap on Van Aanholt’s undoubted potential.

However, forthcoming home encounters with Palace and West Brom looks a tempting window to revisit.

Stuani’s goals a product of Karanka’s tinkering…

We could allow ourselves to be excited by Christhian Stuani’s brace at Sunderland – the 4.9 striker option may yet emerge as unlikely asset.

Instead, Stuani’s display should be noted as early evidence of Aitor Karanka’s propensity to rotate in attacking positions.

Albert Adomah was benched. It could be Stewart Downing next and we haven’t even had a sniff of Viktor Fischer.

Hazard has helped reintroduce the Antonio option…

Having tied Michail Antonio in knots, paving the way for his clumsy challenge on Cesar Azpilicueta, Eden Hazard looks to have done the West Ham winger a favour.

West Ham’s injury list may have forced Slaven Bilic to thrust Antonio into an attacking role, but the player’s goal and performance may now be enough to preserve it.

FPL managers are today waking up to a new prospect to slot into that valuable mid-price midfield bracket, with Antonio’s undoubted goal threat back on the table.

Howe is struggling for a cutting edge….

Bournemouth already look in a spot of trouble. Only Burnley and Watford have fired in fewer efforts on goal and while that pair boast strikers to convert opportunities, Eddie Howe appears to be struggling for a goalscorer.

It was hoped that Callum Wilson would fulfill that role but Sunday’s display at the London Stadium offered little re-assurance.

Bournemouth battled to survival without a goal threat last season – but this time around the competition looks fiercer.

The smart money is already on a Palace clean sheet in Gameweek 3.