The Stock Check makes a return to these pages for the new campaign. Working in tandem with the Watchlist, this offers a same day appraisal of how the day’s matches influenced our view on players and teams.
On a tepid opening day, significant in the main for Leicester City’s defeat at Hull, we nonetheless witnessed a number of players boost early reputations, as a cast of mid-price midfielders and strikers came to the fore.
On the Rise
Nathan Redmond
Redmond overcame first half struggles to burst to life in the second period with a Saints equaliser. His underlying numbers were hugely encouraging – both in terms of creativity and threat. Available for 6.0, Redmond will likely curb interest in Dusan Tadic who also stood out in the 1-1 stalemate.
Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez’s return to penalty duties having relinquished them to Jamie Vardy in the latter part of last season was a huge break for his early adopters. We can now expect the 2% ownership gap between Mahrez and Vardy to open up further.
Ahmed Musa
Leicester’s record signing was thrown straight into the starting lineup at the KCOM stadium following an impressive pre-season. At 7.5 he’s an option in his own right but could also impact on Vardy’s output. He created more than he threatened in today’s defeat.
Demarai Gray
Ranieri made a statement by including the 20-year-old in his starting line-up – clearly Marc Albrighton’s start, at least away from home, now looks very tenuous. Gray is a 5.0 midfield option, fetched an assist and demands to be monitored.
Étienne Capoue
Two goals in a pre-season and a fine opening day effort. Capoue already looks to have established himself as the stand-out 4.5 option in midfield having been given license to join the attack in Walter Mazzarri’s 3-5-2.
Robert Snodgrass
The key figure in the Hull ranks, the former Leeds man hogged set-pieces throughout and provided the shock decisive strike. The three bonus points sealed his day and ensured a rise in stock.
Alvaro Negredo
A debut strike for the Spaniard who leapt to head home Gaston Ramirez’ assist. He was one of several mid-price strikers to flourish on the day, although arguably his forthcoming fixtures (sun wba CPL eve) promote him as the most attractive of that pack. Negredo soared to the top of the FPL “transfers in” hours after the final whistle.
Eric Lamela
The Argentine went into Gameweek 1 with 9% ownership as the fourth most popular Spurs midfielder. He followed up his five goals and nine assists last season with a headed equaliser at Goodison. Lamela showed enough to suggest that his £7.0m price tag could possibly see him challenge Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen (both 8.5) as the go-to Spurs midfield candidate.
Ross Barkley
A goal, four attempts and three chances created. Once again Barkley has started the season strongly – he’s now scored on the opening day for three consecutive seasons. Again, it suggests that he can deliver on his 7.5 price point but we’ve been here before. Deulofeu’s potential as a 6.5 midfield option deployed as a striker, remains a factor.
Salomon Rondon
Another 6.5 striker option to find the net, the Venezuelan boosted his stock following nine goals last season with a day one winner and a pair of bonus points. Like Negredo, the Baggies man boasts obliging forthcoming fixtures (EVE MID bou WHM).
The West Brom Defence
Tony Pulis’ side claimed the day’s other shut-out in the win at Crystal Palace with Ben Foster fetching the maximum bonus points. Gareth McAuley also earned bonus and remains the top owned West Brom defensive asset (9%). Their schedule suggests that further returns are imminent.
Shaqiri
The Swiss international hardly glittered in the Riverside stalemate and yet his curling free-kick brought him to our attention. Stoke’s fixtures are set to improve and further returns from Shaqiri could see the 6.0 midfielder unsettle Marko Arnautovic (7.5) as our chosen Potters asset.
Jordi Amat
Swansea had two 4.0 options earn clean sheets at Burnley, with Stephen Kingsley also fetching two bonus points. But Amat appears to have a stronger chance of retaining his start and warrants monitoring; he was the stand-out performer in the Swans’ rearguard.
Fernando Llorente
A promising debut for the Spaniard which saw him register an assist for Leroy Fer’s late goal. Llorente’s statistics were very promising and indicated that he’s another name in the mid-price that demands assessment.
Willy Caballero
Ousting Joe Hart to the bench, the Argentine could now present another 5.0 option in Pep Guardiola’s rearguard to rival Jon Stones. Doubts remain on City’s defence, however.
Sergio Aguero
Aguero’s stock is already sky high but it seems remiss not to mention the Argentine given his nine point return. This was not one of his more eye-catching shifts and yet still had six efforts on goal, a total matched only by Llorente over Saturday’s matches. Handed the armband by 34% of FPL managers, he duly delivered his expected strike.
Raheem Sterling
The assist for Aguero’s spot-kick was just part of a performance that drew glowing praise from his manager. Can Guardiola revive a player who was once pushing heavy-hitter status at Liverpool? Priced at 8.0, if the Spaniard can achieve that, we will have yet another midfield asset to consider.
In Decline
Jamie Vardy
Owners of the 10.0 striker suffered a sobering day as they witnessed Vardy miss several opportunities and, more significantly, relinquish spot-kick duties to Mahrez. A decline in ownership looks inevitable, even with back-to-back home matches to come. Vardy was top of the “transfers out” table at the time of writing.
The Leicester Defence
Claudio Ranieri’s assets are suffering sales from back to front, with diminishing confidence in the Foxes backline following the reversal on Humberside. N’Golo Kante’s absence already seems to be a factor.
Joe Hart
Dropped to the bench by Pep Guardiola, the 5.5 keeper option went into Gameweek 1 claiming 6.9% ownership: they must surely now be planning an immediate exit.
Hugo Lloris
Another keeper to suffer a blow, the Frenchman was forced to give way on 30 minutes with a hamstring injury. He’ll undergo scans, with Michel Vorm (5.0) destined to deputise during any term of absence – a situation worth monitoring.
