Transfers

Market Forces – Gameweek 6

Sergio Aguero’s renaissance was inevitably felt in the market this week.

A total of 8,310,169 transfers were made for Gameweek 6 – much higher than the 6,384,221 made at the same point last season. While we have 1.1 million more players in the game, we saw just 7,142,233 in Gameweek 5 so, clearly, there has been far more activity.

Managers rushed to get in City representation for the plum home tie against Crystal Palace, and many earned rewards in another whirlwind weekend which saw all of last season’s top six secure victories.

Leading strikers were banging in the goals for fun, but big wing-backs such as Marcos Alonso and Ben Davies blanked to punish their recent investors.

So how did the market react?

Continuing our series of weekly articles, we at whogottheassist.com are reviewing and commenting on trends and behaviours in the market, looking at common themes and giving our view on the viability of the transfers taking place.

The power-three strike force

Alvaro Morata is at the forefront of many Fantasy managers’ minds at the moment.

The Spanish forward netted a hat-trick this at Stoke City to bring his tally to six goals and two assists in six league matches – a hugely encouraging start to his Stamford Bridge career.

Not surprisingly, he is the most popular target so far this Gameweek, with over 200,000 transfers-in.

The men being sacrificed in the most part are Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino and Wayne Rooney.

Jesus didn’t kick a ball for Man City after a full match in the EFL, Firmino registered a third successive blank and Rooney failed to produce in what many had pinpointed as a favourable match-up versus Bournemouth.

However, with Morata there remain concerns that he could just be a flat track bully.

He was playing against a Stoke City defence beset with injuries and also missing the influence of Kurt Zouma, who was ineligible against his parent club.

When Chelsea played Arsenal in Gameweek 5, he was competently shut out of the game by Shkrodan Mustafi and, with Man City next up, it may be that new owners may miss out on instant returns. The much-improved City defence have allowed the fewest shots so far (41) and claimed four clean sheets from their six fixtures.

Elsewhere, with Romelu Lukaku, Aguero and Harry Kane all delivering points, we were left coveting a fourth striker slot.

The trio are all seeing purchases due to successful returns and, with cheaper forwards the ones being ditched, it seems many managers are now committing to a “power-three” forward line.

Budget strikers offer alternative

Ronald Koeman’s ‘Ni-asse’ was saved by his forgotten striker Oumar at the weekend.

The 5.0 man – who wasn’t even registered on FPL prior to kick-off – delivered from the bench, scoring twice as Everton came from behind to beat Bournemouth and bring a four-match winless run to an end.

Notably, Niasse wasn’t named in the Europa League squad, meaning that he looks primed for league action this weekend against Burnley, and perhaps for matches to follow.

Everton’s much vaunted fixture swing is now underway, with the visit of Burnley and a trip to Brighton up next. Over 45,000 managers have taken a punt on Niasse so far.

However, even with a brace and no European football, he will still face stiff completion from the likes of Rooney, Sandro Ramirez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a starting berth.

Given Koeman’s previous stance on the Senegal striker, it perhaps won’t take much for him to lose confidence in Saturday’s match winner.

Elsewhere, other cut-price options emerged such as Tomer Hemed for Brighton who, also priced at 5.0, scored his second goal of the campaign.

However, his 30,000 new owners look set to suffer instant punishment after he picked up a retrospective charge for a stamp on DeAndre Yedlin. A three match suspension looks likely.

Tammy Abraham has been tempting us as a third striker option since the season kick-off. His second goal of the campaign against Watford earned him maximum bonus points and has convinced over 30,000 new owners to risk investment, boosting his value to 5.6.

The Swans have a kindly trio of fixtures to come, with West Ham, Huddersfield and Leicester City all looming. Although Paul Clement’s decision to start with Wilfried Bony over Abraham suggests there is still need for caution.

In addition, other than Crystal Palace, the Swans are the least potent side on show, with the fewest shots and shots (40) in the box (28) recorded so far.

Wing-backs clipped by dominant centre-halves

This was a Gameweek where centre-halves dominated their wing-back rivals.

Marcos Alonso and Benjamin Mendy both drew blanks to sting those who had invested premium funds in defence.

Alonso owners were extremely unfortunate to see their man blank after being substituted in the 58th minute. Insult was added to injury as team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta, who is 0.6 cheaper, earned two assists, a clean sheet and a bumper 14-point haul.

This has sparked over 81,000 saleas of Alonso, with 25,000 managers making the straight swap between Chelsea’s two Spaniards: the third most popular direct switch of the Gameweek so far.

The point to be made, we think, is that if Alonso had played just two minutes more it is likely we wouldn’t have seen one third of those trades, illustrating just how sensitive to point totals rather than context the market really is.

We also saw other centre-backs continue to perform, with the likes of Phil Jones and Nicolas Otamendi bringing in valuable points for their owners.

Otamendi has had over 68,000 managers acquire his services, having started in every Gameweek so far.

With 23 points in his last three matches, he offers a cheaper alternative to his more expensive counterparts in the wing-back roles, although Vincent Kompany’s return to fitness will put rotation back on the agenda.

Jones mustered a clean sheet and also got three bonus points.

Over 92,000 managers have swooped for the England defender, making him the third most bought player so far this Gameweek. His price has already risen by 0.1 as a result, but he’s still great value, at 5.2, for a United defender who is assured of his start while Victor Lindelof continues to acclimatise.

Crystal Palace visit Old Trafford next. The Eagles are yet to score in the league and their main striker, Christian Benteke, will be sidelined. It all adds up to further rewards for Jones and instant dividends for his Gameweek investors.

City goal rush maintains investment

A 5-0 win against Palace meant that City are now 16 goals to the good from their last three Gameweek outings.

We’ve already mentioned Aguero, but his creative sidekick David Silva is another who continues to draw in new owners. With an 11-point return from a pair of assists – he now has six in six matches this season.

After a disappointing 2016/17 campaign, the Spanish playmaker looks to hitting new levels in Fantasy terms and appears essential to Pep Guardiola’s gameplan. Over 110,000 managers have brought in the midfielder thus far, making him the second most bought player this Gameweek.

There are no real surprises for which sales are fuelling the Silva wagon, with over 16,000 stragglers still owning Paul Pogba trading him out. And those on City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne – who continues to be be put in the shade by Silva as a creative force – are also making the swap.

Over 18,000 have shifted De Bruyne for Silva, which has given managers an extra 1.6 million to play with, enabling other possibilities such as the popular Roberto Firmino to Morata trade.

The Man City supporting cast also impressed yet again, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane fetching 13 and 16 points respectively.

Sane is now the sixth highest-scoring midfielder (and Sterling the eigth), despite neither playing more than 300 minutes in total. The market has also noticed them both, with Sane earning over 62,000 new owners and Sterling attracting more than 51,000.

Their hauls came at the expense of Gabriel Jesus, who is the third most sold player already, with over 118,000 exits.

However, the rotating cast alongside the core of Silva, De Bruyne and, perhaps, Aguero will surely bring missed minutes and perhaps disappointment further down the line.

Coutinho buys chips for the red roulette

Back fit and firing for Liverpool, at 8.8 Philippe Coutinho represented fantastic value for those managers brave enough to adopt him early on.

A 13-point haul has already led to over 78,000 transfers-in and a price rise to 8.9. But with just 5% ownership, he remains a convincing differential at this stage.

However, with Sadio Mane returning for the Gameweek 7 trip to Newcastle, Coutinho may be forced into a deeper role and to share the points with Jurgen Klopp’s attacking front three. Liverpool’s fixtures are tightening too, with Manchester United and Spurs to come over the next three Gameweeks.

The (so far) reliably productive Mohamed Salah is also growing in popularity, but Firmino owners appear to have lost patience after three successive blanks.

Over 139,000 managers have moved him out – more than any other player – with over 43,000 of them choosing to replace him directly with Chelsea’s Morata.

Conclusion

The rise of alternatives like Morata and Alexandre Lacazette, alongside the return of Aguero to FPL prominence, has challenged the Kane/Lukaku-heavy template sides we saw at the start of the season.

It’s worth recalling that in the first five Gameweeks, we were highlighting the movements toward a strong backline, with the other positions being undercut to move cash to the defence.

That trend looks to be turning, with the likes of Alonso beginning to be sold and the Ben Davies gravy train derailed by his one-pointer against West Ham.

Could it be that now we are seeing a re-balancing of squad value, with funds being pushed to the top of the pitch? It looks that way.

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that, alongside Coutinho’s haul, Alexis Sanchez registered his first points of the season last night with an assist for Lacazette’s opener. And Chelsea’s talisman, Eden Hazard, seems destined for a first start against Manchester City.

It might just be that one of those two premium midfielders announces themselves this weekend, sending the market into yet another template-busting flurry prior to the international break.

Given the twists and turns we’ve seen already this season, we certainly wouldn’t rule that out but, for now at least, the big-hitting forwards dominate both our thinking and the market.

Nick and Tom WGTA We're Individual and Matamatics on FFS, and started our own site to add our voice to the FPL community and for FFS in particular.

1,169 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Jesus tucked up in bed before 9, time to sell Kun!

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not really, Jesus came off cause he never touched the ball

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        He is much better when he plays centrally...

        Him or Aguero, or both in some kind of 352

        But on a wing in 343, that's not good for Jesus.

        1. Ambrosiana Inter
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Agreed

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

          City's best team IMO:

          Ederson
          Stones Kompany Otamendi
          Walker KDB Fernandinho Mendy
          Silva Bernardo
          Aguero

    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Of course not

      Aguero will start vs Chelsea

  2. tambourineman
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Llorente on
    Aurier off

    1. tambourineman
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs having looked shaky defensively have switched to 4-4-2, Trippier moving over to RB and Davies to LB

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero denied close range

    1. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Another class pass from silva

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Would have been Silva assist as well.

  4. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    How do you change captains in UCL? Jesus is such a shocking pick.

    1. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Click player > make captain

      1. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Doesn't work right now. I don't even know the damn game.

  5. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Yes Real cs gone

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

    Ronaldo is such a twat, last to join in the celebration of Bale's great goal and hardly even acknowledged Bale's assist for his own goal. Tosser

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing new here

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      And he cries a lot.

    3. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Still love watching Michael Ball stomping him

    4. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Did he not go straight to Bale after he scored? Usually does his jumpy thing

  7. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Salah dead

    1. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not really

  8. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed, sorry

    Anyone playing 4-3-3 with wing backs getting twitchy? I suppose this approach takes a little more patience.

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

      Me, very much so especially only having Jesus and Kane up top when Morata and Kun are better options than the latter.

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

    Didn't get any answers, anybody support this back and fourth?

    Foster
    Davies, Mendy*, Jones, Kolasinac
    Ritchie, Coutinho, Alli
    Kane, Jesus*, Vardy

    A) for a (-4): Jesus+Mendy > Lukaku (C) + Cedric
    then for GW8, Lukaku > Aguero (C)

    B) Jesus > Lacazette, Lacazette > Jesus GW8

    Cheers!

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Jesus to Morata?

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

        I'm planning on a back and fourth to maximize captaincy options, Morata not a captain option against City. Perhaps I'd bring him in GW8.

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

      Prefer A just because I'm not a fan of hokey-cokeying at all

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

        Isn't A exactly a hokey-cokey haha?

  10. MikeDuff
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Jesus subbed off. Kun to get the rest this weekend

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

      Think so

      1. Slam
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        That would suck

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

          Nah, I doubt it, not against Chelsea. Sterling imo

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

      He's not resting Kun against Chelsea I'd have to think.

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

      Rest for the two weeks of no club football? Think again.

    4. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Naaa Jesus never touched the ball that's why he came off

    5. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Can't see it, though the next home game will be a nervy time for owners

    6. Freddo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No

    7. RÏɠBY
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      or they might both play again
      can't really drop points at this juncture and chelsea need to be backed off so one less team to worry about

  11. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Interesting to know what guardiola told Jesus when he came off...Jesus didn't look happy,although he had a crap game

  12. R.C
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Mkhi + Firmino + Alli ---> Rashford + Coutinho + Eriksen for -4

    I know Utd playing CRY but Pool is playing Newcastle, don't wanna waste this opportunity!

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No. Every time you ask it, it looks worse

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Shuffling the players from same teams is pointless

        1. R.C
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Firmino, Mkhi and Alli all have been poor in last 2 games

          1. Turns
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Alli got an assist and nearly scored. Miki could have 1/2 a leg and he'd still have a chance against palace

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

      Really wouldn't do that

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

      I like it.

    4. MikeDuff
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      They are truly awful transfers

    5. Turns
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Dropping Miki and Alli with those fixtures??? Just save

  13. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Firmino has started every single game pretty much hasn't he?

    If Mane is back I have a funny feeling he could get a rest.

    Hard to tell

    1. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Mane can't play Firmino's role. Only Sturridge could replace him imo

  14. RÏɠBY
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    so jesus coming off at around 55min.. is that a good thing or a bad thing
    he was ok (kind of) first half but second he hardly was involved.. will he play this weekend?

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

      Pretty obvious he's starting the weekend. One of Sterling, Sane or Aguero to be rested this time.

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Wouldnt be so sure

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

      People have short memories

      1. RÏɠBY
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        in what way?

        1. Konstaapeli
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          In a way that they can't remember sh!t for long periods of time.

          Have no idea what WR ment by it 😀

    3. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Sane aguero sterling start

    4. MTPockets
        6 years, 6 months ago

        He wasn't doing much, but assume full strength vs chelsea.

        1. RÏɠBY
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          think so

      • Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah he 'll probably play but he d better show up,not like tonight

        1. RÏɠBY
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          let's hope soo

      • Kalou
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Rest your best player against the league champs....mmm

        1. RÏɠBY
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          gods knows who he thinks that is
          this week 🙂

      • el polako
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        No point overthinking each sub, not all of them are made with next game in mind.

    5. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs cs looking very unlikely

    6. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ever since the missed pen vs Sevilla, Firmino has been invisible.

    7. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Has Mark overtaken Granville now in the league?

      Let's play a game called 'Which Scoutcaster is missing' later

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

        Granville is too busy at the Labour conference.

    8. tambourineman
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kane goal (2)

      1. Freddo
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Kane C.

        Away games = hauls.

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

      Kane goal sissoko assist

    10. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Goal de Arry

    11. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Pep has really got into people's heads. No chance Kun is getting rested for chelsea. Calm down guys.

      1. Freddo
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        It's like they try to act like they don't understand football.

        Top of the table clash away to the Champions, good idea to rest your inform world class striker and hand them the advantage because it complicates picking your fantasy team.

    12. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      OMG, Kannnnee!!!! The one true season keeper if he's not going to get injured.

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

        Tom Carroll. Nice £4.5m fifth midfielder.

        1. fedolefan
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          He's hopeless man. I can't wait to get RLC and keep him forever.

    13. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Essentialllllllllllll

    14. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ok Pochettino

      Now it's time to give Harry a little rest

      Llorente on please

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

        he came on for Aurier didn't he?

      2. CloudSky
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Already on.

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

        Llorente already on the pitch...

      4. Top 210 Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        He is already on for Aurier

      5. seanysheep
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Just incase you missed that he is already on

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

      Think we can safely say that normal Kane business is resumed.

      1. Kalou
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Captain kane over Lukaku this gw?

    16. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hi...any comments on where to improve this wildcard for gw8?

      Thanks

      Elliot krul
      Otamendi luiz naughton mee wimmer
      Salah silva Ritchie rlc carroll
      Kane morata kun

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Don't like teams with two 4.5m mids...find some funds to upgrade RLC....Salah > Coutinho and Luiz > Monreal will give you a bit extra

    17. Big P
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Danilo wagon?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Will he start?

        What about sane.?

    18. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Brace not enough. Need more for his price

      1. Ziro
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Fantasy UCL?

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Umm... no 🙂

    19. Toast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      How about this iB wildcard:

      Elliot
      Jones, Bavies, Naughton
      Eriksen, Mkhi, Silva, Ritchie
      Kane, Morata, Vardy

      Krul, Mee, Mbemba, RLC
      0,2 itb

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Looks decent....

        Don't u want Kane morata and kun??

    20. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kane has 10 goals in September now