Transfers

Market Forces – Gameweek 8

With nine of the 20 goals scored in Saturday’s matches arriving the Etihad Stadium, it was once again Manchester City who were responsible for sending waves of Fantasy managers to the market.

Elsewhere, a sterile performance from Spurs and a typical bus-parking masterclass from Manchester United left Crystal Palace and Watford to generate the excitement.

But it was a Gameweek of rather average points returns. That perhaps disappointed the 202,030 who had made Wildcards active unless, of course, they had been used to max out on City assets. Meanwhile, those who missed City’s seven-goal share appear to have wasted little time to scramble to correct matters.

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

Another weekend in the City

Pep Guardiola’s evolution of Man City into Barcelona circa 2009 is well underway, with the victory over Stoke City another chilling masterclass that sets the bar for the chasing title contenders.

On the back of another rampant victory – taking their goal tally up to 29 – the market fireworks have exploded in sky blue with City contributing six of the current top eight most popular transfer targets.

Raheem Sterling is leading the way, with over 155,000 transfers in so far.

At only 8.1 it’s difficult to question the value he offers in the midfield. He has already risen in value by 0.1, and it would be no surprise to see a further increase before Friday’s deadline.

Team-mate Gabriel Jesus is currently the second most bought player. Now up to 10.7, he is drawing traffic from Alvaro Morata, Alexandre Lacazette, Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane and has had over 130,000 transfers in.

But there is some need for caution when considering this pair.

Aguero was fit enough for the bench on Saturday and again in tonights Champions League tie with Napoli. We can only speculate on how he will be integrated back into the starting XI and what it means for Jesus and his minutes, or perhaps even Sterling.

The timing of the Morata to Jesus trades – in particular – can be questioned.

The Spaniard is back for tomorrow night’s Champions League tie with Roma and has the fixtures to kick-start a profitable relationship with Eden Hazard as his number 10.

The aforementioned Aguero is also drawing new owners, despite being unused against Stoke, with 59,000 taking the plunge in a bid to catch the bandwagon early. Morata and Kane are the main fall guys here.

In City’s midfield, David Silva is still gaining plenty of attention as his newfound consistency continues. Only Henrik Mkhitaryan can better Silva’s 1.3 million acquisitions over the season, with the Spaniard claiming 64,000 new owners ahead of Gameweek 9 so far.

Leroy Sane has picked up almost 59,000 transfers in after his 10-point haul, while De Bruyne – who lest we forget was sitting in many a side on Gameweek 1 – is also attracting investors once more, with 52,000+ paying the premium for his services.

Mourinho shuts up shop as other defences falter

Manchester United recorded a seventh clean sheet from eight Gameweeks, this time proving their worth against an attacking Liverpool side, luring more managers to shop for their resilient defence.

The option who is attracting the most attraction is Phil Jones, who at 5.2 represents the cheapest and most convincing route into Mourinho’s backline.

Over 95,000 managers have already brought in the England international, in expectation of further clean sheets to come, with Huddersfield up next potentially providing instant dividends.

For those who insist looking for something reassuringly more expensive – with perhaps a slightly greater upside – Antonio Valencia is also enjoying a hike in ownership: over 46,000 have now brought in the Ecuadorian, who leads the way as the top scoring defender in the game.

It was a Gameweek to forget for many other premium defenders, with clean sheets scarce and poor points output on show.

Ben Davies – owned by nearly a quarter of FPL managers – was unexpectedly ruled out for Spurs, and has suffered 71,000 sales off the back of that no-show and his absence from tonight’s tie in Madrid.

Other popular options like Cesar Azpilicueta and Kyle Walker even inflicted own goals, heaping misery on their owners. Walker had gained 25,000 new owners and a price rise before Saturday’s misdemeanour.

This season has been unique in the level of investment we’ve seen in defenders, often at the expense of midfield spend.

Davies is the key example, but others like Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso have had their time in the sun. However, with many faltering in Gameweek 8, we’d suggest watching to see if this sparks a trend that drives managers reallocating funds further up the pitch. Could heavy midfield investment return? Points from Hazard against Watford may just be the key to that.

Have the prayers for a cheap third striker been finally answered?

Tammy Abraham reasserted his goalscoring potential, netting his third and fourth goals of the campaign against Huddersfield.

With 23 strikes for Bristol City in the mid-tier of the Championship last season, we knew he possessed a poachers instinct, and that has now started to reveal itself in the top flight.

Abraham has already risen in value to 5.7, with over 110,000 managers drafting him in. However, it is mostly the expensive forwards being moved on. That means that those managers making the sales are presumably pocketing some hefty loose change to either invest in a combination move or to use for next Gameweek – perhaps in anticipation of a revival for the Chelsea assets.

Mkhitaryan and Alli exodus picking up pace

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s usual double assist has been replaced with a double blank, as have Dele Alli’s braces from last season.

With the fixtures also stiffening in the short term for both players, it has made the task of affording City midfielders rather straightforward.

So far, Mkhitaryan has had over 96,000+ transfers out – more than any other player – with Alli sustaining 77,000+ sales. Both are predominantly being swapped for Man City assets. More than 38,000 have exchanged Mkhitaryan for Sterling, with 20,000 former Alli owners making the same decision.

Notably, Christian Eriksen continues to outshine Alli as the go-to midfielder within the Spurs ranks: a third goal of the season on Saturday lifted him to the top of the overall standings.

However, uninspiring Spurs home form – which has sparked 46,000 Kane sales so far – has meant that managers have largely overlooked Eriksen. He can boast 33,000 new owners to this point, but that’s 20,000 fewer than De Bruyne, the least popular of City’s midfield quartet.

In conclusion

Despite the horizon in the UK turning a reddish hue on Monday afternoon, the Fantasy skies have remained a shocking sky blue.

Managers are stopping at nothing to bring in City attacking assets, and this has shaken up the market once again, with Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and United options all being ushered out at pace.

A tough test against the away day giant killers Burnley is up next for City, while Pep’s penchant for rotation remains a lingering concern.

Aguero is also the crucial factor. There will be some doubtless waiting for further clues to his fate before committing to second and particularly a third City asset, with the Argentine likely to be established as the major draw – eventually.

One thing is certain: those without City cover for Gameweek 8 were punished, and it is clear from the market trends that many have rushed to seek a remedy regardless of the Aguero scenario.

The trend to monitor from this point is the challenge to the premium defender consensus, which seems to have been eroded somewhat this week.

If this is repeated in the Gameweek to come, it may see knock-on effects in particular in midfield, which could reassert itself as a stronger source for points once again.

The fixtures for some of the mid-priced midfielders such as Richarlison (6.2) at Watford and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (5.6) at Stoke soften significantly now. We may see a redistribution of funds from the defence to replace 4.5 fourth and fifth midfielders if they show signs of blossoming over kind schedules.

Meanwhile, Abraham’s form, coupled with further blanks for Kane and Lukaku heading into their head-to-head in Gameweek 10, could inspire some serious movement.

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.

1,618 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool Spurs nailed on to be 0-0. Bavies 9 pointer with 3 baps 😉

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I hope so 😀

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        ' Spurs / Liverpool ' ;o)

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Two very tired teams after tonight

      1. Sir Oux
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Spurs will be after spending the game chasing the ball. Didn't watch Liverpool but I assume they walked much of the time and had a lot of fun

  2. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Kane and Lacazette to Aguero and Morata looking like good moves?

    Also frees up funds for Chalobah to Zaha the following week.

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Naaa, wait one week, Aguero hasn’t played a minute since injured, How can you be sure he’ll even get 30 mins this week?

  3. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Just got in and pretty sure Jesus > Kun is gonna be my transfer this week after seeing that lineup. Who's with me? Safety in numbers

    1. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Pep gonna give Kun the chance to get the record in front of his fans. It's obvious, right?

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      What if he stays on the bench vs Burney? 🙂

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Always a chance. But I have a hunch. Jesus played so much football recently.

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He’s not played a minute yet since coming back from injury

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I'm aware of that. But been on the bench for 2 running games now. He must be ready to play. Jesus needs a rest

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

          If he was ready to play, why wouldn't have got a min? Chances are he's there for an emergency but if they don't need to risk him, they won't.

          1. Rik Waller
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            You could be right. My feeling is that Pep is saving him to start and get the record this Saturday

            1. Naboo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Can get the record from the bench

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

          Does he? Why? He's young and only played 62 mins on Saturday

        3. Ramboros
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          The issue with bruising your ribs is the pain. It could take a while before Agüero is able to complete 60+ minutes without complications.

  4. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Has Rose even touched the ball yet? Running around like a headless chicken

  5. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Only team tonight not to concede in the CL... Does Liverpool have the best defense in Europe..?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      And attack.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      What about those goals conceded against Sevilla and Spartak?

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Turn up your sarcasm detector 😉

  6. Dr. DOOM
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Ward rise possible? Currently on +95

  7. GuyIncognito
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    People need to stop freaking out about Man City rotation. They are all going to score enough to justify the price even though none of them other than KDB will start every game.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      How do you know this ?

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

      Not even Silva? 🙁

  8. Dr Van Nostrand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I reckon Jesus will still start as he can be rested for the Caribou cup

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

      Caramba Cup*

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Ay Carumba cup?

    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      So could Aguero

  9. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Firmino to Vardy last week looking increasingly pointless.

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

      I done Rashford and he didn't even start ll

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I did it for a hit ffs

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Me too!

    3. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Relax Maribor is extremely poor

  10. Alex_thekid
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    The week i sell that stupid Duffus Taa and he goes and scores

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Gomez seems to be getting Prem games so should probably still sell

    2. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Who is Duffus Taa? Danish player?

  11. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    (J)esus with confidence!

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah?? :o/

  12. Shultan
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Kun & pep just trolling everyone.

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

    Full time at the Bernabeau. Decent results for Spurs.

    1. Dr. DOOM
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Very good result

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

        Got 5/1 on a draw, too

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Beautiful

  14. redbeard
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Took Promes out on WC 😆

    1. VS10_
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      TAA and Coutinho saving my day.

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

      Was just about to ask who owns him 😀

  15. Big P
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I don't see Pep changing formation given their from, which for me would suggest Sane and Sterling are safe.

    Jesus to start are the weekend, but off at 60ish for Kun.

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      That's highly likely I'd say

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Makes very much sense.

    3. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      This

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I agree

    5. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      yup

    6. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

    7. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      +1

  16. Bellerinmondo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Might just get 3 City attackers then chill out about which one of them might be benched or not on any given week

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I suppose the other way to look at this city selection conundrum - Of their big 5 forwards - Sterling, Silva, Sané, Jesus, Kun... four are virtual certainties to start, so if you have 2x city you should be assured of one starting. Better than nothing I suppose.

    Also, if looking for 3x city, KDB is probably best bet as the third as he'll always start

  18. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Match days like this remind me of why I want to see a European Super League.

  19. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I guess we will just keep Salah now?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      We were anyway

      1. TaiwanHC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        What does that mean? Are you selling him?

  20. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Silva could potentially get a rest this weekend too... :o/

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Be typical Pep if Sterling was given the day off 😆

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        You heretic!

    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Don't see why but yes please

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He just got a 20 mins rest

    4. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Why would he?

  21. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Jesus last 3 games for Brazil & City, 5 goals.

    Mind last week Kun declared himself ready and everyone said "lol @ Jesus buyers"

  22. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Need 4 City slots, 3 attackers and a defender

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

      4 attackers*

  23. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling and Silva bodes well for weekend, Jesus playing full nearly maybe not good.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It's 4 days away and at home he'll play

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

    Ederson due a rest at the weekend? Played 90

  25. Judders
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Scoutcast on tonight or what? Cmon lads dont keep us waiting.

  26. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed
    Elliot - (Pope)
    Luiz - Otamendi - Cedric - Mbemba - (Mee)
    Hazard - Sterling - Richarlison - (Carroll) - (Stephens)
    Kane - Jesus - Vardy 1FT 1.8ITB
    What to do?Plenty of options. Had planned Haz and Vardy to Coutinho and Morata for next week but might need to make transfers now

    1. MikeDuff
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Save

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

        Sterling/Jesus for captain?

  27. Fanta sea
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    How worried should Davies owners be now that Rose is back?

    Of course Rose has only played a few mins but the fact he's on the pitch should matter surely.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'm selling him, points and price rises were nice but his job is now done!

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He's not recovered from illness. Keep Davies for now

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      About as worried as me making the top 10.

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Keep for now Rose isn't match fit and league cup next week Rose will play in that

    5. Sahil Yadav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I have my WC so keeping him. It may happen that Rose may come on after 60 min mark, only to bank the CS 😉

  28. Sif
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Real v Spurs was a great game for the neutral.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Not bad for a spurs fan. Can't wait for Wembley.

  29. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with Davies? Next 2 don't look great so may be worth punting on Kola and then at worst getting him back 0.1 extra if I'm wrong, will hopefully make a bit of profit on him too

    1. Naboo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Bought him for attacking returns that can come against anyone, not CS

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Fair point, I'll if he's fit first