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Best West Ham players to sign on FPL in 2018/19 – Complete Members’ Analysis

West Ham United’s line-up for their trip to Anfield in Gameweek 1 will have a very different look to the side that sleepwalked to a 13th-place finish in 2017/18.

Summer signings Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m), Issa Diop (£4.5m), Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m), Ryan Fredericks (£5.0m), Jack Wilshere (£5.0m), Andriy Yarmolenko (£7.0m) and Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) all have realistic chances of starting against Liverpool a week on Sunday, while new manager Manuel Pellegrini has ditched the three-man backline favoured by predecessor David Moyes in favour of an attacking 4-3-3.

West Ham were a team of contradictions last season; no side conceded more league goals than the Hammers, but only the clubs finishing in the top seven kept more clean sheets.

Similarly, while their total of 48 goals scored was the eighth-best in the division, their underlying attacking statistics were mostly unremarkable – more of which we will discuss later in this article.

A grim-looking opening run of fixtures in which the Hammers play five of the “big six” in the first nine Gameweeks will likely deter too much Fantasy investment in Pellegrini’s side, but in Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m) the east London club have a player bang in form and in high demand among Fantasy Premier League managers.

In-depth data on West Ham’s season is available in the Members’ Area, while Fantasy Football Scout members can also read our detailed analysis of the key statistics in the feature below.

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2,316 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Twister Sunday
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Has the new 'disgusting' orange Man City goalkeeper kit put anyone off Ederson as a pick?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

      Lamenting the lack of yellow in Watford's jersey this year too.

      1. Twister Sunday
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Agreed. Was all set on Ederson as a 'set & forget' but it's now hurting my eyes! Damn you FPL!

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Said the Twister Grav 😉

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Prove it

      Start the season with no enderson

      1. Twister Sunday
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I have FPL OCD & certain things preclude me from picking players... for example I couldn't pick Shaw, Mendy, Robertson as 3 left backs also hurts my eyes!

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I like it

  2. Dippyegg
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    This is giving me a patchy beard!

    A) azpi + Richarlison
    B) Coleman + siggy

    Please help me decide?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A easy.

    3. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Easy question

      A

    4. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Luiz and siggy?

    5. Steirish
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

    6. ROLLING THE DICE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Definitely A.

      1. Dippyegg
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks all. 4:1 in favour of A so that’s sorted 🙂

  3. Beanz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    1st draft RMT please:

    Ederson
    Shaw Robertson Dunk
    Salah Sanchez Jota Richarlison
    Arnie Auba Zaha

    Stek Cairney Peltier WanB

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Try posting in the new RMT Community Article 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/02/rmt-collection-gregor/

  4. SwissWavey
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Oh carp. Have I got to find a replacement for Wood now? Just as I was feeling fairly happy with my team. Grrr

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Whats happened to woody?!

      1. SwissWavey
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Several comments about him being injured tonight

        1. Lovren an elevator
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Poor kid. He's pretty good at the whole scoring goals thing. He was my back up option incase Zaha didn't work out...I'm thinking of switching to Mitrovic anyway tbh. You dig too?

          1. SwissWavey
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Nah, for some reason I'm not keen on him at all

    2. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Mitrovic

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Poor replacement.

        1. European Bob
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Really, how'd you figure that? He's been bang in form

        2. SwissWavey
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          What about a straight swap for Vokes? Would he be Wood's replacement?

          1. European Bob
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Could be a good shout that

            1. SwissWavey
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              And I'm really not feeling the love for Fulham. Think they're gonna struggle big time, that's just my gut feeling

              1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                nah Fulham have enough quality, they wont drop out the EPL anytime soon. You know they have spent more on transfers this window then all other newly promoted european clubs put together.

    3. BucketHead
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      How about ings?

      1. SwissWavey
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, could do, will have to wait until FPL changes teams though

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        King is an option also.

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Was the injury bad?

  5. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Doherty, Cedric or Tomkins?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm Doherty for the moment

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I'm edged towards him too. Santo likes his WB's high up the pitch, he seems pretty nailed now and because Jonny isn't attacking, I'm wondering whether more attack will come up the right for wolves this season now?

    2. WibblesTeam
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I have cedric and tomkins

  6. ponsio22
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    With so many premium players coming back late into the season. Can imagine a lot of wildcards are going to be used early doors .

    Would it be better to put some of those players in now and take a hit for the first few game weeks? If it means you bank your Wildcard.

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Placeholders.

      For example.

      Aguero in readiness for Kane

  7. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Rarely do these but..

    A) Mane & Arnautovic
    B) Firmino & Richarlison

    Both are in a 442.

    1. @FPL_Chess
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Neither for me I'm afraid.

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          😯

      • Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A but with Eriksen

      • Totally Hammered
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A for me Berbs...

      • Bedknobs and Boomsticks
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I like Mane over Firm; far greater output for the same price.

        Unfortunately i juat cant see past Arnies tough fixtures, so prefer Richarlison to him.

      • European Bob
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A

      • Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Tough one, that. I would say A, by a slim margin.

      • Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A with Tosun

      • XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I'd want firmino and arnie tbh but A if you must

      • goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks all.

        1. SwissWavey
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I've had all 4 in my various drafts but I'm going without Rich at the mo, keeping the other 3 though.
          Which means Richie will do well, you should go with him!

      • G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A

      • THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I like A

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

          A

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      First half kicked off

    3. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Been at work all day.

      Any big news today or injuries I missed?

    4. TAT
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Which Palace players are best to avoid now that Palace have signed Kouyate and Meyer?

      1. European Bob
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        All of them bar Wan Bissaka

        1. TAT
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          All??

          1. European Bob
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Until at least week 3 with the opening games and by then you'll have a better idea

            1. TAT
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Tempting with some Palace cover, though. Leaves money to be spent elsewhere!

      2. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        McArthur

        1. TAT
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Milivojevic should be safe then?

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Definitely. Only vaguely popular pick is Schlupp that is at risk

            1. TAT
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Good. Considering starting with Milivojevic.

      3. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Schlupp MacArthur can be moved back to LM unless Meyer is used there

        1. SwissWavey
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Meyer won't start wk1 though, surely. Might be able to wait and see

          1. TAT
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            He's a big signing for them, though - could probably steal minutes, at least (?)

    5. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Which one?

      a) DSilva + 3 x 4.5 Defs (Tomkins, Cedric, Doherty)
      b) Richarlison + Mendy+ D. Luiz + 4.0 Def.

      1. Marv25
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        B

      2. European Bob
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        B

      3. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Interesting...I'm leaning towards b as well. Would mean a defence of Robertson, Mendy and D. Luiz.

    6. chaboi1998
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ousmane Dembele's agent is pushing the Arsenal move

      1. European Bob
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Interesting, they could be a force this season

      2. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Makes Arsenal more complicated (more prone to rotation) if it happens.

      3. Goonermeister
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Would be a seriously class signing. Would rotate with mhkitaryan I'd guess

    7. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hi....looking for a 4.5m defender to sit on my bench....would love Cedric- but he seems doubtful for gw1.....looking at .....

      A...kabasele
      B....boly/ doherty
      C....tomkins(already got wan bissaka )
      D....dunk

      Thanks

      1. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Currently on Kabasele but might go Bournemouth

        1. The Mighty Whites
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          ... as in I might go for a Bournemouth defender instead

      2. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A or B with boly imo. Watford’s defensive stats under Garcia ain’t too bad and they have the fixtures

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

          Cheers......

          Not touching Bournemouth defence!!

      3. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        If he's going to sit on the bench, surely having Cedric miss 1GW isn't a dealbreaker

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          True story...

        2. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          But if he does not play gw1 then the masses may sell....and a drop would be on the cards....dont want that surely....

      4. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        B

    8. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Arturo Vidal to Barca looking likely. Agreement reached apparently.

    9. WibblesTeam
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Trying a team with non premium defence

      Ryan Fab
      Morrison Mee Cedric Tomkins Bennett
      Salah Silva Jota Richarlison Stephens
      Aguero Firmino Arnie

      Use the 1.5 to do Firmino > Auba or keep it and do Jota/Rich > Pogba?

    10. @FPL_Chess
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Two questions, if I may:

        What's happening with Fabianski as Adrian is getting all the summer gametime?

        Is Everton's new left-back, Lucas Digne (5.0) going to start, and if so where?

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Fabianski resting post World Cup ?

        2. Totally Hammered
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I think Pelle my well start with Adrian and give them both game time through out the season... Fab will likely start the last pre season game tomorrow...

      • Marv25
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Is Leno definitely first choice?

        1. lugs
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          no

        2. Recoba
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Was just wondering myself. Haven’t seen him in many RMT and curious if it’s down to the opening fixtures, lack of confidence in Ars defense or the Cech threat.

          Seems like a couple bad performances away from getting rotated.

        3. @FPL_Chess
            5 years, 9 months ago

            I think Leno's record of making cock-ups is probably why Cech is saying he'll stay and fight for his place.

        4. The Mighty Whites
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          A - Likely Bournemouth back 4?

          B - Best 4.5 mid?

        5. AlCapwnUK
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          best 5.0 or under leicester defender?

          1. CloudSky
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Pereira

          2. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Evans.

            1. Whats the Huth
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Injuried isn’t he

        6. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Burnley have scored

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Corker of a strike

        7. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          #005 - Until the Shield..

          Ederson
          Robertson | Luiz | van Aanholt | B. Davies
          Salah | Mane | Mahrez | Costa
          Aguero | Tosun

          4m | Wan-Bissaka | Stephens | Kamara

          Tosun becomes Arnie after GW1 🙂

          1. Dušan Citizen
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Then better get Zaha instead of Tosun.

            Would rather have Bailly than Davies. And then upgrade Stephens to Cairney/Hughes/Ralls etc

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Zaha is another good one - I'm looking for a one week punt really.

              Bailly is an awful pick imo but cheers.

            2. Whats the Huth
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              I wouldn’t upgrade a bench player at all.

              I prefer Eriksen over Mane.

              If you want Arnie. Get him now. Don’t see the point in eating a FT down the line

              Otherwise I like it

              1. Pompel
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Yep, planned transfers almost invariably forces you to take hits

          2. Oven Glover
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            How are you going to fund KDB and Haz when they’re back?

        8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          cork goal 2-1

        9. BACKOFTHENET(ZERO)
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Anyone thinking of Moses or too much of a rotation worry?

          1. CloudSky
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Rotation worry? Wont even play.

          2. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Chelsea in general very unknown at the moment. Plenty of potential options once starting team is clearer

          3. Whats the Huth
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Definitely a rotation worry now

          4. BACKOFTHENET(ZERO)
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Ha, right, good. Thanks!

        10. CloudSky
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Cork 2:1

        11. Whats the Huth
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Burnley goal.

          Avoid their players
          Avoid
          Avoid
          Avoid

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

          Any of these best to avoid due to injury, general tiredness, or not looking to start GW1? Or still good picks?

          KDB, Lingard,Trippier, Alexander-Arnold, Kane

          1. CloudSky
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            All of those.

          2. Whats the Huth
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Avoid till they’re back

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

            Kane a doubt or is it just due to his past history of starting poorly?

            1. Whats the Huth
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Doubt

        13. ChelseaKTBFF
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Leicester starting back 4?

        14. WibblesTeam
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Trying a team with non premium defence

          Ryan Fab
          Morrison Mee Cedric Tomkins Bennett
          Salah Silva Jota Richarlison Stephens
          Aguero Firmino Arnie

          Use the 1.5 to do Firmino > Auba or keep it and do Jota/Rich > Pogba? '

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            I think you need at least 1 premium defender. They will outscore their counterparts in midfield and forwards - proven every year.

        15. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Westwood looking nailed worthy? Or just until devour comes back?

        16. The Mighty Whites
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Bailly, Luiz or Coleman?

          1. william prunier
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            The nailed one who can then easily be transfered come gw3/4 when the dust has settled