Scout Notes
31 July 2016 2019 comments
Paul Paul
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores less than four minutes into his Manchester United debut. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard nets twice in his first summer outing, Roberto Firmino is amongst the goals as Liverpool see off AC Milan, whilst Leicester are hammered by Paris Saint Germain.

Following our earlier round-up, here’s our summary of the key events from Saturday’s late kick-offs.

Man United 5 Galatasaray2

Zlatan Ibrahimovic needed little time to announce himself to Man United fans last night.

The Swede showed just why he’s the second most popular forward in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game by firing an acrobatic opener less than four minutes into his Red Devils’ debut.

Jose Mourinho named Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the right of a 4-2-3-1, with Wayne Rooney tucked in behind the lone striker and Anthony Martial on the left.

Not to be outdone, Rooney bagged a brace, with one arriving via the spot after Ibrahimovic’s half-time replacement, Marcus Rashford, was brought down in the box.

Second-half subs Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata were also in the goals and Michael Carrick emerged from the bench to provide an assist.

It was Antonio Valencia who stood out for United last night, though – the raiding right-back served notice of his intentions for the season ahead by assisting three of the Red Devils’ goals. Priced at 5.5, the Ecuadorian is shaping up to be a decent differential on the back of this display – he sits in just 1% of FPL squads compared to Luke Shaw’s 16% ownership.

After the match, Mourinho conceded yesterday’s outing was all about building up fitness levels after United’s proposed clash with neighbours City was cancelled last week, thus leaving his players one less pre-season fixture:

”The most important thing was to play, to give minutes to the players. To the ones that played less, they played 30 minutes. To the ones that played the most, they had 60, 65 minutes. They need to play. We lost a week in China and some of the boys who played today, they trained for two days. We made that decision to give them 30 or 45 minutes of the game, feeling that it would be better for them than even a double training session. I am happy that out of such a big group we have just Timothy [Fosu-Mensah] and Chris Smalling with little injuries and apart from them, no injuries and everything looks like it’s going well”

Man United: De Gea (Romero 67); Valencia (Memphis 67), Bailly (Rojo 67), Blind (Jones 67), Shaw (Darmian 67); Schneiderlin (Carrick 46), Herrera (Fellaini 46); Mkhitaryan (Lingard 46), Rooney (Mata 67), Martial (Young 46); Ibrahimovic (Rashford 46).

Paris Saint Germain 4 Leicester 0

Claudio Ranieri named a somewhat experimental side as Leicester suffered a chastening 4-0 loss at the hands of the Ligue 1 champions in the early hours of this morning.

With Jamie Vardy still sidelined after undergoing wrist surgery, the Foxes opted for a 4-4-2 set-up, with Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki starting up front before new boy Ahmed Musa replaced the latter at the break.

Ranieri started with new signing Luis Hernandez and Ben Chilwell at full-back, whilst Daniel Amartey was partnered by summer acquisition from Nice, Nampalys Mendy, in the centre of the park. The duo struggled to cope with PSG as Leicester still come to terms with the departure of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea over the summer.

The Leicester manager made numerous changes over the course of the second period, with only four players – Kasper Schmeichel, Robert Huth, West Morgan and Ulloa – handed the full 90 minutes in a match to forget.

After his side’s defeat, Ranieri conceded that the Foxes missed both Kante and Vardy and reckons Riyad Mahrez may be affected by the recent talk over his future:

“Of course when you lose a player like Kante it is normal you have to arrange something different. Also without Vardy we lose something of our strength. Riyad maybe he is distracted from all these rumours and speculation. But that is also experience for my players. It is important he understands, stays with us and improves his fitness. He has to play for the team like last season.”

Leicester XI: Schmeichel; Hernandez (Simpson 46), Huth, Morgan, Chilwell (Fuchs 46); Mahrez (Gray 66), Amartey (Drinkwater 46), Mendy (King 66), Schlupp (Albrighton 46); Ulloa, Okazaki (Musa 46)

Real Madrid 3 Chelsea 2

Eden Hazard emerged from the bench to score twice in his first appearance of the summer under Antonio Conte.

The Blues boss made just two changes to the side that beat Liverpool in midweek, bringing in Oscar for the suspended Cesc Fabregas in central midfield, whilst Pedro took the place of Victor Moses on the left of a 4-2-4.

Chelsea’s defence did little to convince after heading into the break three goals behind, though Conte’s decision to ring the changes gradually allowed his side to claw their way back into contention – particularly when Hazard was introduced after the hour-mark.

Stationed up front, the Belgian fired home a Nathaniel Chalobah pass just 15 minutes after entering the fray and bagged a second ten minutes later thanks to an assist from Michy Batshuayi.

After the defeat, Conte’s words on the situation up front will be of particular interest to Fantasy managers. The Italian talked up Hazard’s potential in a central role and also admitted he is uncertain whether Diego Costa will remain with the club for the campaign ahead:

“Eden Hazard played 30 minutes and he is recovering a good shape. I like him in this position, like a forward, and he can be a good solution for us. Also playing as a winger. To play as a second forward he must improve his shape but he is working and he knows his shape can a lot in the same way as the other players…I can say that today Costa is a Chelsea player. He didn’t play in these games because of injury and if he solves the injury and I see in training he’s in good shape, it can be possible to see him in the next game against Milan. But I can tell only this. Today Costa is Chelsea’s player. Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don’t know.”

Chelsea XI: Begovic (Courtois 45), Aina, Cahill, Terry , Azpilicueta; Oscar (Chalobah 45),Matic; Willian (Cuadrado 45), Traore (Moses 75 ), Loftus-Cheek (Batshuayi 45), Pedro (Hazard 65).

Liverpool 2 AC Milan 0

Substitutes Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino both found the net as Liverpool bounced back from the midweek loss at the hands of Chelsea to see off their Serie A opponents earlier this morning.

Jurgen Klopp gave Georginio Wijnaldum a debut in the double-pivot as he rolled out a 4-2-3-1, with Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Philipp Coutinho lining up behind Daniel Sturridge in the first period.

The versatile James Milner was preferred to Alberto Moreno at left-back before moving into the centre of the park as Klopp made six changes at the break.

Moreno and Milner’s replacement, Sheyji Oyo, supplied the assists as the Reds boss made a total of ten alterations, with only Simon Mignolet afforded the full 90 minutes.

Klopp explained his decision to make so many changes and conceded it’s all about boosting players’ fitness levels at this point, with the season now less than two weeks away:

“We still have to work on everything. This is a time for fitness. We use the games but they aren’t Premier League games so we don’t need to think about them too much. It’s more intense than during the Premier League season. We have to train. I am fine with how we are in this moment but we still have a long way to go. On Sunday there will be another session because only a few players played more than 45 minutes. All the rest can train normally. Then Monday next game.”

Liverpool: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold (Clyne 45), Lovren (Randall 75), Klavan (Wisdom 75), Milner (Ojo 62), Henderson (Brannagan 75), Wijnaldum (Moreno 45), Lallana (Stewart 45), Mane (Markovic 45), Coutinho (Firmino 45), Sturridge (Origi 45).

Monpellier 1 Sunderland 1

The Black Cats’ 100% summer record came to an end with a 1-1 draw against Ligue 1 outfit Montpellier yesterday evening.

Fabio Borini opened the scoring with his third pre-season strike – courtesy of a Lee Cattermole assist – whilst Wahbi Khazri and Jeremain Lens went close and Duncan Watmore hit the woodwork for the visitors.

Borini, Vito Mannone, Lamine Kone and Tommy Robson were the only players to feature from start to finish as Moyes rang the changes over the course of the match.

Worryingly for the Black Cats boss, a couple of those substitutions were enforced after Jan Kirchhoff and Billy Jones were withdrawn in the first half. Given that they were already without Patrick van Aanholt, Jermain Defoe and Jack Rodwell, Sunderland’s injury situation looks concerning ahead of their season opener at the Etihad.

After the match, though, first-team coach Robbie Stockdale reckoned the club’s problems aren’t quite as bad as they seem:

“I think our injury picture probably looks a bit worse than it actually is. Jan went off with a little hamstring strain. He will have a scan, which is standard, and we won’t know too much about that for a few days. Billy came off with a hip problem, but it was more of a precaution. Jack picked up a little niggle in training on Friday, but that’s all it was. Jermain is progressing very well actually. I wouldn’t like to put a date on it, but we are confident that it is not half as bad as we originally thought. Anyone who saw Patrick play last year will know that his fitness levels are fantastic…if it had been a competitive game rather than a friendly then he would have played.”

Sunderland XI: Mannone, Jones (Larsson 31), Kone, Kaboul (O’Shea 72), T Robson, Kirchhoff (N’Zogbia 25), Cattermole (E Robson 84), Watmore (Gooch 66), Khazri (J Robson 72), Lens (Asoro 66), Borini

Plymouth 0 West Brom 0

Tony Pulis handed seven players the full 90 minutes as West Brom failed to find a way past Plymouth.

New boy Matt Phillips featured from start to finish along with Ben Foster, Craig Dawson, Gareth McAuley, Jonny Evans, Claudio Yacob and Saido Berahino. The summer signing from QPR again looked lively and seems to have nailed down the right wing berth over the summer.

James McClean was preferred to youngster Jonathan Leko on the left, though the latter was introduced just before the hour-mark after impressing in previous friendlies.

Elsewhere, a West Brom XI that included the likes of Boaz Myhill, Callum McManaman and Rickie Lambert earned a narrow win over Huddersfield, with the latter netting the only goal of the match.

West Brom XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson (Wilson 66), Evans; Phillips, Fletcher (Gardner 70), Yacob, McClean (Leko 59); Rondon (Morrison 71), Berahino

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  1. chilli con kone
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Which is the better combo for first 3 GW's?

    A. Zlatan & Mahrez

    B. Vardy & Mkhi + 1.5m

    1. Scab
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      A.

    2. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I am going to say A; not necessarily because they will score more, but because they will have much stronger support. Any points they get will hurt you if you don't own one or both.

    3. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      A

  2. Zebrahimović
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Out of 10?

    Heaton /Foster
    Williams / Shaw / Friend/ Lenihan/ Pieters
    Mkhitaryan/Townsend/Hazard//Eriksen/Fletcher
    Agüero /Long /Lukaku

    Long/Lukaku i'm not happy about but i don't want to mess with the midfield

    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      6

      1. Zebrahimović
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        What would you change?

    2. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Townsend to Bolasie. Williams to Azpi

  3. Scab
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I think im going to go Routelge as my fifth mid. 5.0 is a steal if hes nailed

    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Looks a good shout.

      Although not sure if Ayew leaving will affect his output.

      1. Scab
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        True, worst come to worst hes bench fodder though

    2. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      That is where I am at the moment.

  4. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    LMS up to 879 🙂
    Article out during the week.

    1. Scab
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      880 😉

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Good stuff. Hopefully you can do something like your 14/15 season. 🙂

        1. Scab
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Hope so! was number 1 in the UAE for a couple weeks 😀

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Sounds like I found my new FPL country 😉

    2. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Entrants should rocket once that's out 🙂

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        It will help for sure.

  5. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Still loads to iron out but currently trying to decide on the better option of these. Appreciate any input 🙂

    a) Hazard and Fischer

    b) Mahrez and Townsend

    1. Scab
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Im not very keen on townsend or Palace as a whole. A for me.

    2. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      A for me

  6. Just A Hat
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I have Giroud in my team

    Under the rader pick for me B)

  7. Pirlø's Pen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Got a team with KDB Hazard Kun and Ibra. I really like it but is it maybe overkill having these 4?

    1. Scab
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I think so mate, thats almost half your budget

    2. George James
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      What does your whole team look like?

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Mandanda
        McAuley Friend Mori
        Hazard Fischer KDB Tadic
        Kun Gray Ibra

        Jaku NTaylor Leko 4.0

    3. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      All four nailed for me since day 1

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Mind if I see what your teams looking like mate? Mine is above, v difficult juggling funds

  8. sk66
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Please rate this, in need of tweaking but not sure who.

    De Gea

    Azpi - Friend - Koscienly

    Hazard - Mkhitaryan - Siggi - Kante

    Aquero - Lukaku - Rondon

    Jakupovic - Fletcher - McAuley - Parades..

    100m.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Kante isn't god enough for 4th mid. Paredes could be an issue too.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        good*

        1. sk66
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          yeh not sure what to change though, thinking koscienly is a risky option now that mertasaker is out.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Missed him, would downgrade him for sure.

    2. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't start with Arsenal defence kos might not start due to euros.

      1. sk66
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        any ideas for 5.0m defender- thought about moreno but has a very difficult first three.

  9. Sheeno
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Which would you choose?:

    A) Coutinho / Deulofeu / Townsend

    or

    B) upgrade Coutinho to Firmino and downgrade one of the other two to one of the following: Bolasie, Ibe, Fischer or Feghouli. If this option then who would you downgrade and who would you replace them with?

    Cheers

  10. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Sagna or Zabaleta is first choice RB under Pep?

    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sagna was sensational last season and again in the Euros. Nice to see him return to form, personally i think he's better than Zabaleta.

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      😮

  11. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Any cherries fans have a view on Bradley Smith then.

    Assumption is backup; but even if he is going to rotate with someone a bit etc. I'll take that ATM.

    1. George James
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I can see him being a regular as the season progresses.

      Good player

  12. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Where do we envisage Silva playing for City? CAM?

    1. Mata-Is-The-Juan
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Only realistic position no? Safe to assume Nolito and KDB play wide. Unless Pep flips the script that is.

  13. Rossamous
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    RMT please:

    Foster-4.0
    Shaw-Fuchs-Friend-Naylor-Pieters
    Hazard-Mikhi-Eriksen-Ayew-Del boy
    Aguero-Benteke-Diomonde

    3-5-2

    1. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Who's Del Boy?

      1. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Deulofeu

  14. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you rather have in your team?

    A) Deulofeu

    B) Townsend

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      A

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks 😉

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Depends if A is going to be nailed on.

  15. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Pick one

    A
    Eriksen Mahrez Martial Redmond
    Kun Batshuayi Gray

    B
    Hazard Mahrez Routledge

  16. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Alright.....heres my draft, tear it apart please

    Petr Cech Yourself, Oops I left the Heaton
    Alderweireld, Azpilicueta, Friend, (Mee, Paredes, these two are fillers until I choose)
    Hazard, Firmino, Ibe, Leko, (Fletcher, filler)
    Aguero, Zlatan, Gray

    0.5 in the bank
    what do you guys think? Im hyped about Hazard, Zlatan, and Aguero

    1. JIM BOB
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Terrible midfield IMO. Sorry 🙁

      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        whats your midfield?

        1. JIM BOB
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Well I don't have Zlatan so can afford Haz, KDB and Mkhitaryan and Ayew.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Stretching the budget when you have to play at least 2 of Ibe, Leko, Fletcher, Mee, Parades every week.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        or 3 when you add Friend.

    3. George James
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Too much on keepers. Down grade Toby to walker and get a united def.

      Upgrade leko to a 5.5 mid (Fischer)

      Strikers are good

      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I havent really looked into keepers yet, who is good and cheap?

        1. Chenku╰☆╮
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          go with cech and jaku or heaton and jaku.

          1. Gazpilicueta
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            what about De Gea?

            1. Chenku╰☆╮
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 7 months ago

              de gea is template so yeah or him.. ~40% ownership.

    4. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Need to downgrade defence to deal with the Leko/Fletcher situation.

    5. Worzel Gummidge
        9 years, 7 months ago

        That midfield is shocking.

    6. Jamie_GAWA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      A or B

      A)Fuchs+Bojan
      B)Morgan+Delofeu

      1. white lightning
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        b for me.

    7. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      What do you think will be Man Utds starting 11 ?

      1. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        De gea
        Valencia Smalling bailly shaw
        Schneiderlin pogba
        Mhki rooney martial
        Zlat

        I could've terribly wrong haha

      2. George James
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        DDG
        Valencia/Bailly/Blind/Shaw
        Schnider/Carrick(pogba)
        Mhiki/ Rooney/ Martial
        Ibra

        1. Arctic_Orangutans
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          No smalling? Blind won't last too slow and not big enough

    8. Machinedred
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      RMT

      Foster/Heaton

      Azpi/Shaw/Stones/Friend/4.0

      Hazard/Martial/Eriksen/Tadic/Hojberg

      Kun/Wilson/Gray

      What would you change?

    9. Triple C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      What's your money investment, in GKs + Defence and Mids + Strikers?
      Is a ratio like 40/60 or even 50/50 considered a balanced team?
      I know it also depends on fixtures, player's points potential like bonus points, goal threat for defenders, etc.

      I've put 31 mil on GKs + Defence and respectively 69 mil on Mids+Strikers, i.e. I'll start off with a budget defence 🙂

    10. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Which manager will be the first to get the sack?

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        BFS....

      2. Zebrahimović
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Watford

      3. Mata-Is-The-Juan
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        The person Hull appoints next.

    11. Weeb Kakashi
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Pick one

      A
      ERIKSEN Mahrez Martial REDMOND
      Kun BATSHUAYI Gray

      B
      HAZARD Mahrez Martial ROUTLEDGE
      Kun BATSHUAYI Gray

      C
      HAZARD ERIKSEN TADIC Martial
      Kun MUSA Gray

      A,B OR C??

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        C

    12. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Courtois
      Friend Shaw Baines
      Fischer Silva Bolasie Hazard
      Aguero Ibrahimovic Rondon
      Subs Jaku Soaure Evans Barry

      Don't like my palace players.
      Is Ibe a better option than Bolasie and then spend 0.5 to uograde soare to 5.0?

      1. Jonny Sutt
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Rondon - 0 pre season goals and plays for possibly the least creative team in the league
        Gray - 8 pre season goals playing for a team with some attacking know how

        The choice is a simple one for me

        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Boselli says hello

    13. Jonny Sutt
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Does anyone else feel Fischer is too strong for a 5th midfielder but doesn't feel right as a weekly starter in their team?

      1. Zebrahimović
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Na, doesn't feel too bad if you got Ibra/Auguero.

    14. DeathoftheParty
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Most people currently have De Gea with 40.8% then Aguero with 37.9% ownership...

      Yeah, good luck with that.

      1. Mata-Is-The-Juan
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        DDG will, barring injury play all games in a United side that did pretty well defensively. 40% are banking on José maintaining or improving United's defence -- a reasonable expectation IMO. And 1 premium GK is as valid a strategy as rotating two 4.5M GKs.

        As for Kun, he's not only proven near essential when fit but a sure captain pick for most GWs. I get not getting him or starting the season with him, but I'd hardly scoff at the 37% that haven't over thought it and have him in their starting XI.

        1. DeathoftheParty
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Ain't no scoff... the 42.1% without Aguero will be miles behind after week 1. De Gea is a bad choice IMO, Utd might grow as the season goes but to start with I think they'll leak.

    15. Jonny Sutt
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      What are the odds on Ayew moving? Is he likely to stay?

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        WHU sold Sakho and bid 20M pound for him, i think he will go

        1. Jonny Sutt
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          I'm not holding onto him if he goes!

    16. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I just can't make Zlatan fit.

      I am going to have to go without.

    17. LAMB TEA
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      plz RMT

      Foster - Jaku

      Shaw - Pieters/Mcauley - Friend/Francis

      KDB - Hazard - Mahrez - Ayew - Capoue

      Aguero - Austin - Gray

      thoughts?

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        nice balanced setup. just keep a tab on news and tweak..

      2. Eden Hazardous
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        No flaws but I am disappointed that you don't have Gradel. 🙁

        1. Eden Hazardous
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Just realized you are the IM I thought you were...ignore

    18. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      A team with Aguero, Zlatan and Hazard/KDB results in a poor third midfielder.

      DISCUSS.

      1. Ziegler1988
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Wouldn't call Firmino poor

      2. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        obviously there will be some give.. defense has to give for the heavy hitters..

      3. Däzzy
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        If you can get a reasonably cheap defence & a 6.5 million striker you could still probably afford a 7.5 third mid

      4. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        front 8:

        haz, delboy, firminho, mkhit, routledge
        zlat, kun, 4.5 (diomande or campbell)

        may do 4.5> sakho when fit and move confirmed

      5. BB-8
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        All 4 would give a a poor fourth mid 5.5. 3rd would be del boy

    19. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with Manchester City. (Source: Sunday Telegraph)

      1. Pepereina Pizza
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Will his career be buried alongside Raheem Sterling's ?