Another superhuman display from Tom Heaton, a timely world class performance from Sergio Aguero and further confirmation that Alexis Sanchez will be Arsenal’s central figure. Here’s the Stock Check following Saturday’s action.
On the Rise
Tom Heaton
We called the head-to-head between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Burnley stopper and, sure enough, that certainly unfolded at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United striker fired in 12 efforts, with Heaton denying him on four occasions, on his way to another 11 saves.
Heaton has now 58 saves in total, averaging 5.8 per match and therefore almost guaranteeing 2 extra points and 12 BPS on each appearance.
With clean sheet prospects against weaker opponents and save points returned in tougher matches, it seems impossible to match Heaton’s current value in any of the four positions.
He has returned 10.9 points per million, which now tops the FPL season value rankings ahead of Watford’s Etienne Capoue.
Sergio Aguero
As described in last night’s Knee Jerk, Aguero’s response to questioning and criticism could not have been more emphatic.
His two goals typified his renowned lethal finishing, his assist and work-rate his expanding role in the City side under Pep Guardiola’s guidance.
In a matter of days, doubts on Aguero have evaporated with his FPL transfer traffic pulling an about turn – he lost 100,000 owners over the last two Gameweeks, he’s won more than 23,000 of them back overnight.
With Middlesbrough due at the Etihad in Gameweek 11, Aguero appears to have returned to what he does best – offering us a reliable source of goals and an obvious solution to the captaincy question.
Ilkay Gündogan
Three goals in five appearances, with three consecutive starts – Gündogan’s value as a 5.5 option Manchester City’s midfield suddenly leaps out.
Big overnight investment lead to an immediate price rise and ensured that the German has to be a consideration.
However, his minutes are clearly still subject to rotation and, while he played in an advanced role at the Hawthorns, that will surely come under threat once Kevin De Bruyne is re-installed in the starting line-up.
Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean snapped his three Gameweek goal drought with another brace on the road.
His two goals at the Stadium of Light means that Sanchez has returned five goals and two assists away from home.
Notably, he averages 3.0 goal attempts in the box on his travels, but just 1.2 attempts at the Emirates, underlining his increased effectiveness in away trips.
Stiff fixtures against Spurs and Manchester United now follow, although, as the FPL’s top-ranked player, his stock remains buoyant – particularly while Theo Walcott remains an injury concern.
Judging by Wenger’s post-match press conference, Sanchez also appears to be a permanent fixture as Arsenal’s central striker.
Olivier Giroud
Having scored with his first two touches in the 4-1 thrashing of Sunderland, Giroud raised his profile and hinted that he could yet be an option in our seasons.
However, Arsene Wenger’s post-match comments on Sanchez indicated that Giroud’s role would continue to be as an impact sub, or a partner to the Chilean in a 4-4-2.
Philippe Coutinho & Roberto Firmino
Just hours after we analysed the merits of this pairing in our latest Members’ article, the Brazilian’s combined to orchestrate another Liverpool triumph.
Coutinho benefited from James Milner’s absence to take charge of supplying corners, benefiting from two assists as a result.
Meanwhile, Firmino added his fourth strike of the season – he’s now offered attacking returns in three of four Gameweeks.
With Liverpool’s fixtures providing a smooth passage up to Gameweek 19, at least one of this pair look near essential over the next two months.
Jose Holebas
A third successive clean sheet took the Greek wing-back to 33 points over his last four Gameweeks – stunning returns for an option previously priced at 4.5.
His performance in the 1-0 win over Hull City was perhaps his most subdued of the season – he failed to muster a single effort on goal, although he did create two chances for team-mates.
Looking ahead, Holebas’ output also seems set to dip – certainly a Gameweek 11 trip to Anfield seems unlikely to extend Watford’s run of shut-outs. However, with three in four at Vicarage Road to follow, Holebas must surely be held given the value on offer.
John Stones
Belatedly, Stones rewarded his 25.7% ownership with a first clean sheet of the campaign – only the second in Manchester City’s season.
Stones also edged a bonus point in a 4-0 victory – aided by a 97% pass completion rate. No defender has made or completed more passes than Stones.
Forthcoming fixtures with Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Burnley suggest that further clean sheets could be on the horizon. However, as we’ve seen so often this season, you can’t legislate for errors in the City back four, while rotation also remains a concern – even for Stones.
James McArthur
Following his third and fourth goals of the season, only Etienne Capoue has offered a stronger FPL points per million returns than the Palace midfielder.
It’s a stock rise for the Scot, then, although it should be noted that he’s converted each one of his four efforts on target this season, suggesting that, like Capoue before him, he is vastly overperforming, with regression almost inevitable.
In Decline
Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorian missed his opportunity to return a fourth clean sheet of the season against Burnley, having suffered a fractured arm which has seen him go under the knife.
Valencia appears set for a spell on the sidelines, although the exact prognosis remains uncertain.
With United’s fixture list stiffening, there is little motivation to hold and wait out any absence.
Raheem Sterling
While Aguero announced a return to prominance, Sterling’s efforts at the Hawthorns went unrewarded, ensuring that he has now blanked in four consecutive Gameweeks.
With the Liverpool midfield drawing our attention, Sterling’s ownership and stock continues to slide. But his Gameweek 10 numbers remain hugely impressive, suggesting that his recent decline in output is somewhat unfortunate.
With Middlesbrough at the Etihad up next, Sterling could yet revive his fortunes should he be given the minutes to impress against the Teessiders.
Troy Deeney
Deprived of a phantom assist, the Watford skipper emerged from the victory over Hull City with a third successive blank.
Despite having plum fixtures against Middlesbrough, Swansea City and Hull, Deeney has returned just six points over that spell, failing to register a single effort on target.
With a trip to Anfield up next, his stock takes an inevitable dip.
Son Heung-min
Subject to a frantic transfer scramble back in Gameweek 8, the South Korean has stalled badly ever since, providing his new owners with just five points.
His underlying numbers have slowed considerably, while Spurs have struggled as an attacking force, with just two goals in those three matches.
Son was also shifted out to a role on the flank against Leicester City, with Vincent Janssen given the opportunity to lead the attack.
With Harry Kane expected to be close to contention for the Gameweek 11 trip to Arsenal, Son would now seem destined to compete for a continued role out wide. That would put his starting berth in question given the options open to Mauricio Pochettino.
Dejan Lovren
The Liverpool centre-back atoned for a dreadful first-half error at Palace by meeting Coutinho’s corner with a firm header – his second goal of the season.
However, the obvious uncertainty and fragility in Liverpool’s defence on show put another dent in our confidence ahead of their obliging run.
Lovren, at 4.9, remains the limit of the risk we’re willing to take with Klopp’s rearguard.
Liverpool have now made more defensive errors than any other Premier League side.
Christian Benteke
Like Deeney, Benteke has now drawn three consecutive blanks.
Unlike the Watford man, he has at least been showing clear intent and threat.
Nevertheless, with a trip to Burnley up next – a defence that appears equipped to deal with the Benteke threat – confidence in the Belgian is on the slide.
Adam Smith
A fourth booking of the campaign put the enterprising Bournemouth right-back on the brink of a ban.
His owners will now be hoping that the fifth yellow is perhaps picked up in Gameweek 12, ruling him out of the daunting trip to Arsenal that follows.
The Cherries have Sunderland and Stoke up next, with three home fixtures in four to follow the Emirates visit.
Smith is now priced at 4.8 and with Steve Cook and Charlie Daniels available for just 0.1 and 0.2 more, the weapon of choice in the Cherries rearguard is now far more cloudy.
