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. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    For this GW, Hazard or Kane?

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

      I guess you are referring to captaincy. I just switched from Hazard to Kane

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

        However, don't listen to my advice as I never get it right...

        1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          🙂
          Well its either sell Kane to get Hazard or stick
          Not thinking about captain yet... took me a while to get over my last GW 🙁

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

            I'd want both in my team. If i had to pick one, I'd go Hazard as he's the better pick over the next 5 gameweeks imo.

            1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Kane has 1 more week

    2. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'm more certain of Hazard having a great remainder of the season rather than Kane.
      But ideally try to get both because you'll want Kane for the DGW.

  2. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play?

    A) Mee
    B) Kiko

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

      Depends on the rest of your team really. If you have Pope and Richarlison, I'd probably play Kiko.

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I have both on my bench and playing Daniels, although not sure this is right, feel like i should play Mee due to home fixture, but also think Watford look like scoring in every game at the moment, decisions, decisions

    3. AttackAttackAttack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Watford are the more attacking team so unlikely mee keeps cs imo

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

    Pope, Elliot
    Otamendi, Mustafi, Jones, Monreal, Tarkowski
    Salah, Sterling, Richarlison, RLC, Romeu
    Kane, Aguero, Morata

    1FT, 0.0 in bank

    A) Aguero, Romeu --> Calvert-Lewin, Hazard (-4)
    B) Save FT

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

      yeah i'd hit that.

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      A

    4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks all - definite consensus. Seems by far and away the best way to get Hazard in, but I do feel nervous ditching Aguero! Sod's law is he explodes as soon as I get rid.

  4. jamie1972
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Free hit chip, worth using on the early/unexpected DGW or potentially better value around FA Cup 5th round?

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

      FH could work. I'm doing Kane (triple C)

      1. jamie1972
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Kane TC was my initial thought but was thinking of ditching Kane after the next two, which would leave me needing 2 FT's or a -4 to get him back for the DGW

  5. ROOTY7
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    2 FTs and no idea what to do.

    GroB+ Kola-> Kiko +Ramsey for free?

    Would leave me with this beastly midfield:

    Fabianski
    Kiko Christensen Mee
    Ramsey Salah Hazard Sterling
    Kane Morata Tammy

    Elliot Simpson Carroll Mbemba

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

      Kolasinac is one of the best defensive options imo.

    2. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      i'd just to Tammy to Wood and roll your other free. Kola and Gross have great fixtures.

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

      Not for me.

      Just Tammy -> DCL

  6. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Fabianski
    Kolasinac-Daniels-Moreno
    Salah-Sane-Groß-Richarlison
    Kane(c)-Morata-Firmino

    Elliot,RLC,Mee,Fuchs
    1.2 itb. 1 FT
    Should i just do Fuchs->Christensen?then next week maybe get rid of Elliot or Daniels.

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

      Good plan.

      Not keen on upgrading Sane to Hazard though?

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

        Might be also good idea to do sane->hazard,hmm...just dont know how.

  7. Kryten
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Do will the Brady injury have any impact on Burnley clean sheet potential?

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not necessarily, but it will impact their ability to score. And Wood.

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Can't see why it would.

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

      Not IMO. More on their goal threat from set pieces

    4. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe, but more of an impact on their attack being duller.

  8. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    with the consensus being kane triple captain on the scoutcast granville (aka the red devil's advocate) was especially missed to give the case against

    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      this referring to the dgw of course

    2. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      It was funny how stubborn Mark was regarding the Sanchez vs Kane debate for gw18-21.

      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        can't blame him. sanchez scoring like an 8mil mid. was surprised ozil's name didn't get one mention, he's the guy who can cover sanchez

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

          Kane + RLC out for Coutinho + Firmino would also be a better shout for that period.

          I have had Kane all season and am a big fan. However, the argument to shift him out GW18 is pretty convincing imo.

          1. applebonkers
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            yh definitely a case to get rid, just not sure sanchez is the man to do it with. his scores in nice home games were pretty underwhelming even last season when he was the top mid

        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Agree, Applebonkers. Form very good at the moment.

  9. Harmonica1967
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    G2G for this week?

    Pope
    Ota-Christensen-Ward
    Haz-Salah-Richarlison-Gross
    Morata-Kane (c)

    Elliot, Surman, Abraham, Francis

    1.5 ITB, 0 FT

    Next week I'll ideally either up Richarlison to Ramsey or Pope to DDG. Could also drop Abraham down to DCL which would allow me to up Surman to Ramsey either the week after or next week for a -4. Thoughts?

    1. Harmonica1967
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      My bad, Dunk is also playing in the back 4

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      GTG

  10. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I'll just leave this here:

    TOT : STK 486 BRI 435 mci -117 bur 245 SOU 363 BLANK [swa 434 WHM 503]DGW

    http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/12222/

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      i rest my case your honour 🙂

    2. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers. Do you think West Ham are going to get relegated? 🙂

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I think there is every chance, yes. But ... if Hart does indeed get dropped, Noble is re-involved, and Arnautovic either retains this work ethic, or is kept at arm's length, then we do indeed have a chance of staying up.

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

      Kane perma-captain?

      I think Kane will struggle against Brighton, City and Burnley personally. Jonty's idea of shifting Kane out for Sanchez from GW18 until the DGW was very convincing.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        No. I have dropped him!

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

          🙂 big call hombre.

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Kane and Eriksen to Hazard and Firmino ... 🙂

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

              I also brought Bobby in this week

              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Good luck to us! 😀

      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I agree, but I have got Hazard ... 🙂

    4. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      So don't get rid, just bench for the blank 🙂

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        See above.

      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Also, Eriksen's and Alli's form is gross, at the moment.

        1. SAY MY NAME
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          ironically Gross form is pretty good 🙂

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            😆 True ...

        2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Ah surprised to hear that Doos! Those numbers look alright, esp the DGW. Agreed on Alli and Erik though. Lost Eriksen for Sane and then Sane for Hazard!

  11. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Fuchs Ward Moreno
    Hazard(c) Salah Coutinho Richarlison RLC
    Kane Morata

    Elliot Otamendi Niasse Wimmer

    Any moves I should be making here?

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

      I'd look to improve the defence.

      1. Weasel51
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I'm planning on turning Fuchs + Wimmer into Kiko + a.nother in the next couple of weeks. Who would you advise

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

          How much in the bank?

          1. Weasel51
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            .4

          2. Weasel51
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            So 4.7 overall

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

              I'd pick any guaranteed starter - Dunk, Duffy, Naughton, Simpson, Kabasele( if you want a Watford double-up), etc.

  12. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope/Elliot
    Christensen/Gomez/Simpson/Naughton/Daniels
    Silva/Salah/Eriksen/GroB/Caroll
    Lukaku/Firmino/Morata

    1 FT 0.0 ITB
    Would you do Silva & Lukaku ----> Hazard & Vardy for a -4 ??
    Any other ideas on this squad ?

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

      Yes

  13. hogree
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    RLC or Daniels? Who would you bench?

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      RLC i think

    2. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      RLC. How much do you bench?

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        do you even lift bro? ;-D

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

      RLC

  14. BJC Rum
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Foster
    Mustafi, kiko, daniels
    Sterling,hazard,richarlison,salah
    Morata,kane, Abraham
    Bench: Elliot,RLC,Mee,suttner
    2FT 0.0 in the bank

    Thinking of fixing up my defence
    Suttner and daniels out for?

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      isn't Mustafi injured? of the other 2 Suttner first, daniels next week

  15. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone considering Sane out for Coutinho?

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

      Plenty are, but I think it's risky. Cout will be playing deeper when mane returns. Upgrade sane to mane perhaps?

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Done & done

  16. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    really struggling which two to bench
    A mee
    B daniels
    C dunk
    D naughton
    Christensen to play, any thoughts appreciated, thanks

  17. adey70
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Advice please! I haven't played Wildcard yet. Current team:

    Foster, Elliot
    Kolasinac, Azpi, Mee, Daniels, Gomez
    Hazard, Salah, Richarlison, Groß, Carroll
    Kane, Morata, Abraham

    Need rid of Swansea players plus Elliot but ticking along nicely in 26,175th. So when to play wildcard? Week 21 to set up for DGW or earlier? Thanks!

  18. jazzy30
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    How does this transfer look like:

    Richarlison+Jesus+King>>Hazard+Doucoure+Calver tlewin for -4?

  19. Craig Sutherns
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope, Elliot
    Naughton, Maguire, Daniels, Mee, Dunk
    RLC, Sterling, Gross, Salah, Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Morata

    2 FTs Carroll and Lukaku for Hazard and DCL.
    I haven't done any -4 all season but do I need to upgrade RLC.

    Thanks
    Craig

  20. Whits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Brady and Kolasinac to Coutinho and Femenia?

    A) YES
    B) NO

    Other defenders I have are Otamendi, Mee, Naughton and Mbemba.

    Thanks

  21. JMeeks1875
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    So sick of being trolled by Mr.Kane. Between captain and injuries he's cost me so many points this season. I rage binned him weeks ago, Then my bottle went so I brought him back for a minus then he gets injured so back out! He's fired, Preferably from a cannon into the fantasy sun!

  22. Edwardio
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Morata or Hazard