Opinion

The Burning Question – Do we sell or keep Kane before Gameweek 22

During this most wonderful time of the year, we’re frequently told that it is better to give than to receive.

So in the spirit of Christmas, the first in a series of Burning Questions asks whether it’s time to give Harry Kane the elbow, or continue to receive meagre points – albeit with the potential for a whole lot more – from the out of sorts Spurs talisman.

To consider this conundrum, we’ve brought together a panel of heavy-hitting Fantasy managers to team up with our regular Fantasy Football Scout contributors.

Last season’s top two in Fantasy Premier League, Ben Crabtree and Uwais Ahmed, are joined by the current leaders of both our “live” and “career” Hall of Fame – Jay Egersdorff and Peter Kouwenberg – to study the issue.

To counter balance their expertise, this week our very own Mark takes his turn to debate our first festive Burning Question – do we sell or keep Harry Kane before Gameweek 22?

Jay Says…

For me it’s a short-term keep.

Harry Kane faces Stoke City and Brighton in quick succession – and both at home.

Likewise, he has no Champions League duties to worry about midweek as Spurs are though as group winners already and I’d expect Mauricio Pochettino to rest a number of key players.

They desperately need to get back on track in the league; their title bid is all but gone while the Champions League places are slowly drifting away too.

Yes, they’ve had a rocky patch, but I’m expecting Spurs to return to the mean.

Look at Everton a fortnight ago – people were backing them for a relegation battle, but two wins inside a week has seen them back in mid-table, which is a more accurate reflection of their default status.

Two good home matches in a week is a similar opportunity for Spurs, and I see them earning maximum points, with Kane a key architect.

As regards the Double Gameweek 22, I think it would be wise to have a free transfer carried over from Gameweek 16 or 17.

This would allow a Kane downgrade ahead of Man City and then Burnley away – two fixtures where, if he’s still off form, you’d expect long odds for him to regain his scoring streak against two mean defences.

The second free transfer would enable you to redistribute the money freed up by selling Kane as another forward might emerge by then.

It’s fair to say that Alvaro Morata is currently the only nailed-on big hitter and he’s sat on four yellows – another argument for the idea of a short-term Kane ‘wait and see’ option.

Peter Says…

Just over a third of us have blindly gone from week to week increasingly desperate that Spurs’ own ’Arry Kane must be about to rediscover the form which has brought him matching Premier League Golden Boots.

And week after week, the naked truth has been that Kane – and Spurs – are more pinchbeck than prolific this season.

Captaincy options aside, this game is about finding value.

At 12.8, the striker is the FPL Goliath for price, yet 17 players are within ten points of him (and many ahead of Kane’s 82), while Mohamed Salah is disappearing over the horizon with a 31-point advantage.

Significantly for Kane’s owners, that collection includes Pascal Großs (6.0), Richarlison (6.6) and Aaron Ramsey (7.2).

Put bluntly, the value now lies in midfield and defence, and the output of the premium strikers no longer justifies the heavy investment required.

For me, Kane will probably be handed his P45 before Spurs visit the Etihad in Gameweek 18.

No doubt he’ll score before returning to my squad for that alluring Double Gameweek 22, but so will many other options who cost half Kane’s fee and will allow me to strengthen all round for the hectic Christmas period.

Ben Says…

Given the double in Gameweek 22, where he should be essential (we’ll see), transferring him out means using two free transfers out of the next seven on one player.

In fact, it might work out at more than two transfers as that 12-something million gets spread around the team: bye bye Elliot, hello De Gea; bye bye Loftus-Cheek, hello Ramsey etc.

Factor in the potential points Kane can get against Stoke City, Brighton and Southampton and it’s a simple decision to keep him for most managers.

However, if you want to do better than most managers, could a Kane sacrifice be rewarded by the FPL gods with differential captain points and multiple player upgrades?

I actually think yes, there will be a few ways to make ditching more profitable than keeping. It’s just extremely risky and difficult to find them.

There are against the grain, ahead of the curve and differential decisions to make that fly you up the rankings, but for me this isn’t one of them.

Selling is a high risk, low probability move. Captain Kane against Stoke for me, because definitely this time he’s definitely “due”.

Uwais Says…

If you look at the fixtures in isolation from now until Double Gameweek 22, you would say that there are some real opportunities for Kane to fire – and fire big.

However, we are now approaching the halfway mark of the season, and I believe that it is proving increasingly difficult to justify his selection until those double fixtures.

He sits second only to Alvaro Morata in the forward standings, but the fact is that given his relatively pedestrian returns of late, his price tag is just too restrictive when considering what else that money could do with our squads.

We now have enough of a sample size from Spurs’ performances so far this season, and the fact is that they are not playing with the same attacking verve and cohesion as we have seen in recent years.

Having watched them closely recently, they seem to be playing safe and what I call ‘ball to feet’ football and Kane does not look as threatening as in previous seasons.

For his price tag of 12.8, you would expect consistent points and occasionally explosive returns.

Given the fact that other premium players such as Hazard, Coutinho, Firmino and Sanchez are now showing signs of life and we also have consistent performers in Salah and De Bruyne to turn to, the fact is that those funds are probably best placed elsewhere at present.

Until Gameweek 22, that is!

Mark Says…

It seems all kinds of wrong to lose faith in Kane.

But such a view is part of my own DNA. While somewhat “maverick” and aggressive as a Fantasy manager, I’m also known to cling to the comfort of FPL’s “top asset”, whoever that might be. Whether it’s Robin van Persie or Sergio Aguero, historically, I’m all over them.

So I’m a Kane zealot, deciding to sacrifice him feels like a wrench and against my instincts.

I can’t deny that I’m tempted, and that the decision to keep him could well scupper my season.

Typically, I turn to statistics to justify my viewpoints and the same applies here.

As we mentioned in The Digest earlier today, after 15 Gameweeks Kane has scored goals at exactly the same rate at the same point in his 29-goal Golden Boot season.

However, this season he’s fired shots at double the frequency (15.2 minutes vs 30.4 minutes) and, for all the talk on the quality of his shots, he’s had 12 big chances to last season’s seven at this stage.

That screams for me to sit tight and wait for Kane’s natural goalscoring instincts to kick back in.

So that’s what I’ll do, perhaps until Gameweek 21 when, if I can somehow manoeuvre to have two free transfers, I’ll be shipping him out temporarily.

If there was a compelling straight swap, I might just reconsider for his tougher short-term fixtures. However, selling him on and redistributing the funds over my squad – which is surely a necessity – doesn’t appeal when I know I’ll want and need him back.

1,491 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Burning questions are my total fave article - we should have more.

    I'll be keeping - because I tend to be risk averse - and I expect I will always have more pressing moves to make every week....

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going to keep because 1. I believe he is one if not the most explosive player in the game and 2. If I sell and I spread the fund I'll never be able to get him back which is scary enough if he goes on a run.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      For me, until Poch gives his first team a proper rest, then Spurs are a waste of space. The reason Spurs are struggling is because Dier, Kane, Alli, Eriksen are playing every game. All the other top 6 have rested and rotated (see Hazard, Azpi last week for example).

  2. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Christensen new JT
    Zapacosta new Alonso

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Christensen to be far more flattered than Zapa

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      All Christensen needs to do now is shag a team-mate's missus and be a racist.

      1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        🙂

      2. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        🙂

      3. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        😆

  3. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Lukaku 1 goal in last 12 games for Man Utd.

    That's Kaku for you!

  4. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Torres assist

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      And subbed

  5. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Chelsea in 2nd place atm.

  6. Leonard hatred
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    zappacosta is rubbish.

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Hes better than Alonso.

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This

  7. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Really poor from Zapdos

    Alonso nailed

  8. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Monreal a better short term choice over Otamendi?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Short term maybe

  9. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Atleti fans cheering Europa League spot

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Could play Arsenal in the final

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Fingers crossed

  10. KJT123
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Lukaku is the most overrated player in world football.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Deli Alli says Hi

    2. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I disagree - he is his country's record goalscorer at the age of 24, with 31 goals in 65 games. His PL record is also very good. His record against the top sides is of course poor, but he is a good player, if not a great one.

      1. Ginola14
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Will improve, if you want overrated look at Henderson, absolute water carrier yet plays for pool and England

        1. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Awful player and to think something me munchkins were comparing him to Gerard

          1. Syd.
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            This makes no sense as auto correct did it’s usual stuff

      2. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Great? define 'great' please.

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Timing

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He is what he is, he scores goals 😉

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Timing 😀

    6. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Perfect time for that comment

    7. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Timeless.

    8. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ridiculous that anyone can come out and claim that Lukaku - or Dele Alli - are overrated.
      -Chelsea fan.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Alli is overrated though by the media...

      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        What's the Chelsea fan bit all about?

    9. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Agreed. Pobga not far off if your going by value

  11. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    A. Azpi > Kiko, Silva > Hazard

    B. Mustafi > Monreal, Silva > Coutinho

    C. 1 of the above transfers

    2 FTs

    1. Ginola14
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B, wish I'd got cout instead of mane last week

  12. Ginola14
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Ddg
    Alonso / Christ / Maguire
    Mane / Salah C / Rambo / rich / RLC
    Kane / morata
    Daniels / hunny / niasse
    0ft 0.9 itb
    All set, surely a rested mane has to run riot this week? Cheers

  13. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Play 3

    A - Christensen (WHU A)
    B - Ota (MAN A)
    C - Mee (WAT H)
    D - Daniels (CRY A)

    Currently on A,C,D

    1. Ginola14
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A, b ,d

    2. Turbodog
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A c d you have it right

  14. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    English teams reverting to type as soon as they reach the knock out stage it seems.

  15. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Rashford 2-1

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Lukaku down to 1 bap 😎

  16. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Bakayoko

    Hasn’t really adapted to this football game malarkey thingy bob

  17. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Christensen due

  18. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Don't understand why people criticise Lukaku and Alli. They are not 'action' men. They are 'moments' men. They need someone to create for them to do something. Not like their goalscoring records are crap.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      It’s only Banter but Alli is a bit crap

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Says the guy who has been calling Aguero crap all week 🙄

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Off the pace. Not crap.

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Hasn't been on the pace since the international break

    3. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Their scoring records are actually nothing short of spectacular.

  19. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pogba with more assists than people will give him credit for.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He is a very good player

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      How many assists do they give him credit for?

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        A few less than he actually has

      2. Celt Abroad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I’m not good at estimating big numbers, but I’d say he must have at least 1 million assists this season.

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He has what he has. He can't be credited for more than he's got.

  20. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is the Free Hit chip best used as a ...
    A - defensive tool to give you a full 11 players )probably from weaker teams in a big blank game week)
    B - attacking tool to give you premium players in a mini DGW (like 22 with Spurs and the odd WHU player)

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Arguments can be made for both.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yes, which is why I asked the question ... undecided

        1. CloudSky
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Who knows really, its a new thing. Depending on luck could work in both cases. Id go with A based on absolutely nothing but my feeling.

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Whichever one gives you more extra matches from decent players

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Good point, but by GW22 I don’t think we know the big blank game week fixtures, but ...

        Option A will only ever give 11 players in a GW v maybe 7 or 8 otherwise, 4 or 5 extra players that are probably a bit average ?
        Option B could give you 4 or 5 very good extra players in the DGW? But you can add those anyway with FT without really messing things up but you have to undo those transfers to get back Pool/Utd/City players ?

  21. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    AZZAAAAR

  22. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Like Shaw injured

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Again?

  23. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Given only next 3 Fixtures, Gametime, & Form,
    who will probably score more pts? thx

    1 Jesus mnu / swa / TOT
    2 Lacaz sou / whu / NEW
    3 Vardy new / sou / CRY
    4 Firmino EVE / WBA / bou

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      4

    2. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      thx

  24. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Azar assist, og

  25. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Flousdgates if Hazard's goal was in the PL

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      It was an assist

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        See ? Floudgates already open and it's a CL game.

  26. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Lingard as a differential for a few weeks?

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not nailed on enough

  27. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    azarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

  28. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    2FT, 0.0 ITB

    Foster, Elliot

    Monreal, Simpson, Gomez, Naughton, Lowton

    Salah, Sane, Sterling, Gross, Carroll

    Kane, Morata, Vardy

  29. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Wasted by Morata

  30. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Morata missing one on one