Members

How Zouma’s future could impact Everton defensive potential

Everton’s defensive potential in 2019/20 could depend on some external factors.

The Toffees have already been targetted by Fantasy Premier League managers a team to invest in for Gameweek 1.

That’s because they top the Season Ticker for the first six matches of the new campaign.

At the time of writing, Lucas Digne (£6.0m) is sat in 28% of teams, signifying the interest in Everton’s defence for the start of the season.

He was a key part of helping his side keep eight clean sheets in the last 11 matches of 2018/19.

But Digne was not the only important member of the back-four that produced such an impressive achievement.

Alongside the Frenchman was Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma, who spent the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Goodison Park.

As things stand, the Frenchman is back at his parent club and was involved in Chelsea’s first pre-season friendly.

With Zouma’s future currently up in the air, there may be some who are cooling their interest in Everton defensive assets.

So the aim of this article is to assess his contribution to the Toffees defence last season so we know whether or not a potential absence from the team at the start of 2019/20 would reduce the clean sheet potential of Digne, Jordan Pickford (£5.5m), Seamus Coleman (£5.5m) and the like.

MORE TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS CONTENT

Arsenal | Aston Villa (manager) | Aston Villa (defence) | Aston Villa (attack) | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Man City | Man United | Newcastle | Norwich (manager) | Norwich (defence) | Norwich (attack) | Sheffield United (manager) | Sheffield United (defence) | Sheffield United (attack) | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

559 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TFP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I'd be very, very grateful for any thoughts on the following.

    Ederson;
    TAA-AWB-dunk;
    Sala-Perez-KDB-Siggy
    Kane-King-McGoldrick

    Button, Noble, Aarons, Diop.

    ITB: zero.

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not a fan of AWB at United unless their defence dramatically improves... Don't know much about McGoldrick but he's cheap and on pens so could be a good pick.

      I would personally just get dendoncker over noble giving you some space to upgrade AWB to Digne or something like that 🙂

      1. TFP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        thanks. yeah, i'm not wild about AWB, as you suggest he was a last minute replacement for Digne due to being 0.5 over budget...

        i honestly think noble is *much* better than the other dirt cheap mids.

    2. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Who is Mcgoldrick?
      Downgrade ederson and upgrade mcgoldrick. I like it overall and noble decent sub.

    3. Bumbaclot
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Noble to donkey
      mcgoldrick to andone
      AWB to VVD

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Assuming your 3 cheap defs rotate, but I'd be inclined to downgrade the keeper and upgrade AWB at least. Interested in McGoldrick if nailed and on pens, but presumably Robinson will take the place of either him or Sharp or a bit off both.

      1. TFP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        thanks (all).

        I don't think McGoldrick is *totally* nailed but, we'll see, he has a chance, at the very least he's probably obscure enough to avoid early price falls if not picked, and cheap enough to just leave on the bench whilst fighting the inevitable other fires that will pop up pre-wildcard.

        1. TFP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          but on balance i think i'm going to can him & go with a 4.5 third forward, just as an early season pre-wildcard measure.

    5. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Liverpool vs Norwich at home and you only have two Liverpool players?

  2. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Best 6m option to complete this defence?

    ederson button
    robbo digne xxxx dunk kelly

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Walker

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Azpi

    3. Foogle
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Azpi another option?

    4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Stretch 0.5 for VVD he is lightyears ahead of any option at 6

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Only possible if I do digne > coleman. Worth it?

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          100% without a doubt

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            What's the rest of your team?

          2. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            cheers

      2. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I've just come to the same conclusion whilst tinkering. Vvd has to be part of a pool defence double up along with Salah.

  3. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    The thing that makes Haller so appealing is his potential supply. West Ham's attacking mids could be up there with the best this season. I really fancy them to do well.

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      hear this every single year

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Like 'Kane never scores in August'?

        1. OLDHERMAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          LOL. But this man is truly a beast.

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yes. The rehabilitation of Snodgrass has changed everything. But the mix will be hard, even for Pellegrini, to get right.

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      What price do you think he will come in at? 7m?

  4. Jafoole_88
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    just nit-picking here, but diego rico or jack simpson for my 4m def slot? who's more likely to play? (appreciating that neither are going to get many minutes). thanks

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

      Rico currently most likely as their LB spot is unsettled. Simpson has a chance if ake goes and they don’t replace him

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Definitely one to monitor... think we all want to find the new wan-bisaka!

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Everyone had high hopes for Rico last year (supposed to be decent on set pieces I think it was), but couldn't even get in the side in the end. Maybe this is his year.

    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Rico has apparently got himself into a World of trouble. So, although he looks the most attractive, it is Simpson who gets my vote.

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

        What you mean ?

  5. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    The most important thing about any fantasy comp regardless of sport is about unearthing value early to build value. Virtually every template I see is maxed value players from last season which invites price regression( including some that have detrimental changes like Deulofeu position change) and absolute garbage benches

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Looks like you will do well this year then if everyone else's team is shite 🙂

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        What's doing well?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Top of FFS league for sure

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I agree. That is why everyone here is silly and should be like me, build a team to smash the first 2 GWs then WC when these mysterious figures emerge

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        ... or you could build a team ... “to smash the first 2 GWs” ... but flexible enough so you didn’t have to WC in GW3.

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I've argued this with him the other day

        2. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Colossal fixture shift, return of son, the emergence of the best Leicester and Chelsea value options. All makes sense to do it then

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I think its good to start with proven FPL assets personally. Hard to pick which new players will provide good value before season starts... I'm sure no one would have predicted Fraser or Jimenez to perform as they did before last year! Key is to jump on those value assets quickly 🙂 Garbage bench is fine from the start imo, we have transfers and a wildcard to play and first few weeks should have lowest rotation levels.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        A good well owned player in each position is important. That said I always go 4.5/4.5 home rotating keepers

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Personally I don't like rotating goalies as I always bench the wrong one :/

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Garbage players = cheap = difficult to 1 trade transition

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Bench doesn't score points though I'm fine with dendoncker and garbage 🙂

    4. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      In before Deulofeu harrick in gw1

      1. farmerfat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Hatrick*

    5. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Most believe that one starting bench option is enough before the 1st wildcard and I think that's reasonable. Other than that, more value players will be unearthed only after preseason, like AWB was last season, and Ahmed Hegazi the season before that

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        awb was clearly a good option before gw1 to be fair

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Only after preseason, that's what I meant

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            ah ok

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        That's kind of my point. I haven't even bothered logging in yet. People losing their mind redoing their teams when transfers and preseasons to enjoy

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Only natural though. When the game starts you're excited to build a squad

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          You are the judging everyone's teams and criticising 'maxed out prices' etc but haven't even logged in? BS

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            What's the argument? I never make my team until the last couple of weeks but can comment on the RMTs I'm seeing posted

            1. Wild Rover
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              How can you judge without knowing player's prices or tinkering to see what is possible? I accept you may not make your team until late but no way does someone who spends all day on a FPL forum acting like a boss not even log in and look at the game 🙄

              1. Kiwivillan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                I'm using fuzzy logic

              2. Kiwivillan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                Also talking points are more interesting than RMT after RMT

        3. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          not sure anyone is losing their mind

      3. TFP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        if you're going with only 1 bench option that guy had better be good.

        that said, at least of your bench players should clearly be junk, otherwise you'd be wasting cash.

        i think 1 or 2 viable options are both reasonable.

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

      true but you dont have to make these moves before gw1, just get ready to use early ft’s to move fast on players that look promising

    7. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      “... The most important thing about any fantasy comp regardless of sport is about ...” points.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        That's obviously true but you can make things more advantageous

    8. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      In my view it's about picking a high percentage of players that are likely to play and do well. Then, choose from teams that are likely to do well and focus on low TSB % players - if they start bringing points in, it's very likely their value will rocket.

      For example, Zinchenko selected by 2% and Siggy by 16% - they are template picks to a certain extent, but if they start returning points as expected, then their value will rocket.

      We don't need to jump on extreme differentials to gain value - even Salah and Sterling will gain value if they perform well.

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Many teams with KDB 12%, Vardy 11% , Perez 11%, coleman 3.5%. That should be good to build value

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        It was on last season on FFS podcasts that if expensive player costs x he should be C material or you could probably find better value elsewhere that score the same points

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          *It was only last season...

  6. Bumbaclot
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Which of these options guys

    A. Ederson/balbuena/+0.5

    Or

    B. Fabs/Walker

    Thanks

    1. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

  7. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Heaton
    Coleman Ake Ward Robbo
    Sterling Grealish Siggy Salah
    Kane King

    Need a 4.5 central defender to complete my 4-4-2. Got Raz on the right and Salah on the left. Siggy and Jack thru the mid

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Grealish is Villa's best player but not likely best scoring mid

      1. OLDHERMAN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Who will be, then, in your view?

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      haha playing real positions...nice 🙂

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

        Ward is not 🙁

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

      Add two more villa players quickly in case Heaton joins, then you’ll have 4 and you won’t even have to make another transfer all season

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        😮 Genius

        1. Exeterslowly
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Not heard that transfer rumour about Heaton before.
          I have tried to get Kane Sterl, Salah and TAA in the same team but it is proving impossible to get the right balance. I hate this game haha!

          1. Exeterslowly
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            What about this:

            Ederson
            TAA, Coleman, Maguire, dunk and Balbuena
            Salah, sterl, Zaha, Perez, Hudson/james
            King, Jota, Origi

          2. EL_FENOMENO
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Just copy my team and place TAA instead of Robbo 😉

  8. Kevin Malone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How’s she looking?

    Lloris
    TAA Robbo Digne Walker Laporte
    Salah Maddison Sterling
    Deulofeu King

    4.0 4.5 4.5 4.5

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      decent mate

    2. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I would prefer to have 4 or 5 mids, and less money in defence. Looks very good though

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        benefit is you can get 2x 4.5 mids who should start

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I agree

  9. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I challenge you to do this crazy challenge he this year. Remember those that went salah-less last year? Well now I dare you to go Aston Villa-less. Good luck reaching top 1m ha !

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yes!!!

      1. Exeterslowly
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Am I missing something? Why would anyone pick a villa player in their team. Too much tinkering and will probably end up like Fulham?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          You're not paying attention. There's already a couple of decent articles by non Villa fans about how comparing Villa to Fulham is lazy journalism

          1. Exeterslowly
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Haha your right. Maybe I should have done some research before jumping in about Villa!

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              We won 10 in a row in last 12 league games

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Only got promoted thanks to get rid of Bruce after 11 games. New owners 3rd richest in UK. Getting our new players in early. Fulham signed 5 on deadline day etc

          1. Exeterslowly
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks for that. I don’t think it changes my mind unless mings is worth £4m

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Sure but midfield is a gold mine and potentially Moraes at 6m but need to see him in action

              1. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                But it’s a lot of players who haven’t played together as a unit before, no?

                Unlike, say, Norwich, who are keeping most of the team that got them up.

  10. dimo_fpl
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I think this team ticks all the boxes ;

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Digne Taylor
    Salah Sterling Perez Pereyra
    Kane King

    Button ~ Dendonker ~ Kelly ~ Greenwood

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure it does, no City def and too many captains? This is why Vardy is quite good I think, slots into that 'don't have to cap' role nicely.

  11. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I’m not sure how well this ended up: attempt at BBGW1 with view to WC GW3 what u think

    Pope (SOU) Leno (new)

    TAA (NOR) Kelly (EVE) Zinchenko (whu) Holebas (BRI) Digne (cpl)

    Salah (NOR) Fraser (SHU) Siggy (cpl) Pereyra (BRI) Iwobi (new)

    Auba (new) King (SHU) Origi (NOR)

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I know he's on penalties and all, but for the first few GWs I would rather have Richarlison instead of Siggy

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

        I’m half with you. I feel far more comfortable with Siggy in my team currently but if I see Richarlison getting involved in pre season back scoring goals then he is in

        1. The Bad Seed
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          This exactly. Pre-season will say it all for Richi.

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Like it. Iwobi and Kelly possible weaknesses. Goalies ...

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

        Thanks doos! On current info we can assume their naildness I think but I agree they aren’t ideal. Also boo you on the keepers I think they’re the optimal value choices to start with. Gives (SOU, new, BUR) in first two weeks.

  12. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Hey guys! Please help me out with my team!

    Pickford (Button)
    TAA, Van Dijk, Digne, Zinchenko (Kelly)
    Salah, Bilva, Perez, Willian (Dendoncker)
    Aguero, King (Silva)

    1. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      just watch out for Zinchenko minutes, I personally prefer Siggy over Bilva, just because Bilva doesn’t get great fantasy returns over than that, looks great

  13. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Would you get rid of VVD or TAA for a 5.5 def (Ake, Trippier, McGuire AWB) to set and forget Ederson with this team?

    Pope
    TAA. VVD. Laporte. Coleman.
    Salah. KDB. Perez.
    Kane. King. Deulofeu.

    Button. Jorginho. Kelly. Dendoncker.

    1. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      No Laporte is enough, team looks great!

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely no way

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldn't ditch the Liverpool lads for anyone. Solid team 🙂

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

      Jorginho to a 4.5 nailed mid to upgrade Coleman to Digne?

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Hmmmm.....probably only Hayden.

        Think Jorginho will offer better value.

  14. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Morning all, how am I looking?

    Ryan, (Button).
    TAA, VVD, Zinchenko, Digne, (Reid).
    Salah, Sterling, Siggy, (Dendoncker), (Hayden).
    Deulofeu, Wilson, King.

    Plan is to bring in Haller & a Chelsea forward quite early on, obviously dependant on price/nailedness.

    If I go with this team, GW1 will be over for me by 5pm on the Saturday - not important, just potential to go very badly.

    1. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Looks fine

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        That's what i like to hear. Will come back to tinkering in a couple weeks.

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Good team to start with

  15. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    if haller will be 6.5, do you take him before king ,jote and deulofeu ?

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Think so

      but probably will be 7 or 7.5

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      no

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Probably, but he's likely to be 7 or more I think.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Probably as I don't see the other 3 options scoring heavily. Think he will be 7 though.

    5. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He will not be 6.5

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

      yeah but he will be 7+ imo

    7. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Will plan team structure to be able to get him in week 2/3 probably. Think he will be 7 or 7.5 m

    8. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      with city opening game, surely you can wait and see on Haller. New signings are always a risk and you have a transfer a week for a reason.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        However, West Ham’s next four after that could see a very quick rise in Herr Haller’s price.

        I may well be tempted to have him from the get go at £7m.

    9. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Definitely, but he will be 7m minimum i think.

    10. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      No because he's not proven in the prem. Easy to jump on once he settles in if he looks good value.

    11. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Haller who?

  16. EMBOLOFAN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    zinch underlying attacking stats aren’t even particularly good. arguably stones a better option as less likely to come off bench on the occasion that otamendi starts?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      What about the actual PPM he got once positions are corrected?

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        if he’s not creating much and is arguably likely to play less mins than stones it doesn’t really matter

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Fair point maybe longer-term, both appear ahead of their positional rivals early doors.

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      If Stones looks first choice then he could be the solution. With Mendy injured I'm hoping zinchenko remains first choice for a while 🙂 he got 3 assists last season which isn't bad

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      It depends how Pep uses him. In the Burnley match last season, he moved inside and formed a double pivot alongside Gundogan when in possession, with Walker, Kompany and Laporte forming a back three. In that game only Bernardo Silva recorded more key passes. It didn't happen that often tho, and I agree in the majority of other matches his attacking stats were quite underwhelming.

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

        This is good forgot he did that. However in the first 3 games against high intensity sides (whu, TOT, bou) it is pretty likely he sticks to his old boring role right?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          It can, and he has done before, used it against high pressing teams. Doesn't always work tho.

  17. JackG55
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Might as well give me the FPL champion crown now

    Ederson
    VVD Robbo Digne
    Salah Sig Fraser Maddison
    Rashford King Jimenez

    Button Dend Kelly Diop

    Thank you and goodnight

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not bad - I like the Rashford and Maddison picks.

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      congrats

    3. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Sterling enters the chat

    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Siggy, Fraser, Maddison to KDB, Brooks and Perez then you can relax

  18. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Really doubt everton boys. Digne and siggy!

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Great fixtures, both solid picks imo

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

      Away at palace isnt a great opening fixture and for the second game you dont know what watford will turn up in gw2. I think just going with one Everton player to start with is the way to go, just feels right

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        exactly

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Palace just lost AWB and likely will lose Zaha and have injuries.

        Watford will concede.

        I think they will be fine.

      3. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Palace had one of the worst home records in the division last season, only Huddersfield picked up fewer points and scored less goals. For Digne and Coleman, it's a great fixture.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          *Palace had the worst home record

          Only team to record a minus figure on my Ticker. 😉

          1. avfc82
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Huddersfield were worse, think it was 9 points at home, but worst home record of any of the current PL teams right?

  19. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    This is my current team.

    Aside form Zinchenko, who's not necessarily nailed, I've gone for proven assets who have good fixtures.

    Ryan
    TAA Robbo Digne Zinchenko
    Salah Sterling Siggy Fraser
    King Deulofeu

    Button, Dendoncker, Greenwood, Kelly

    Planning to wildcard early as value assets emerge, any thoughts on improvements?

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      its a very safe team and template. I just feel with an early WC plan, perhaps a few more risks are needed. For example (I am not saying do this, just food for thought), go Richarlison over Siggy. Rich past two seasons has hit the ground running then form has faded and can be explosive. Siggy drip feeds points and to take full advantage of him you need to keep him the whole season. Also, with the early WC tactic, imo don't discard Auba, Newcastle and Burnely opening two and can be easily switched to Kane after

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I get your point. I had an excellent start last season and am trying to work out what I did right! I did have Richarlison so maybe he's my lucky charm haha 🙂 Auba is an interesting option. I'm quite set on Sterling and Salah but with 2 excellent opening fixtures perhaps I should give him more though :/

  20. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    If I plan to perma cap Salah do I even need Sterling then?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Sterling is so explosive not going without could be a killer...

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Sterling is a rank killer.

        But by all means go ahead and try a Raz-less team.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      No of course not. Just make up the 230 pts you lose by not owning him somewhere else.

  21. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Haller is a must have

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I look forward to your 'Haller or Giroud'? post 😉

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Haller will be nailed on.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I know, you're missing my point

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Evidently so.

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Just one post?

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy is a must have.
      And Kane.
      Oh and Kendra Lust of course.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        she is one of my favorites

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Has to be up there

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Minging

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Wrong forum, I’m guessing?

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

        Don’t tease HakimZiyech like that

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'm quite excited to see him at West Ham, but a must have? No chance. His two most recent seasons, and his best, he's been playing alongside another striker, be interesting to see how Pellegrini lines them up.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        westham got great long term fixtures. aside from gw 1 which is lovely imo. people won't start with him and he remains as a hidden gem for coming matches

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I'm not saying he won't do well, I think he will and I like him, I'm saying he won't be a must have - very few, if any players, are.

          1. Emiliano Sala
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Tbh, no one is must have

            1. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Sterling, Salah, Trent and Robbo send you their regards.....

              1. The Overthinker
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                Not really

                1. Nomar
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 9 months ago

                  Yes, really..

    4. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      You must know your stuff.
      Tell me more about him.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        25 years old which is great
        15 G 9 A in 29 bundesliga games last season
        Westham paid around 50m € for him.
        Westham is a good attacking team with great fixtures after gw1
        What's not to love

  22. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Pope (if no1) Button
    Trent Robertson Digne Cathcart Dunk
    Salah Sterling Sigurdsson Moutinho Hayden
    Vardy King Greenwood

    Where can I improve? Instead of 5.5/8 I can go 6.5/7 in mdf...

  23. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    want to start with 4 defenders. 2 of them from liverpool.

    for remaining 2 slots there are 3 options:

    Laporte
    Digne
    Zinchenko

    a little tough for me

    1. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Digne for me anyway

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        but it's city, maybe league's best defence
        can you trust everton without zouma and possibly gueye ?

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Digne isn’t just about CS. That’s the whole point of having him. He offers you potential for attacking points every game.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            I wouldn't invest in a defender at 6m who isn't going to get you clean sheets.

            1. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              But you don’t know yet that he’s not going to get CS.

              Or what actually is going to end up happening with Zouma.

              Or if a Zouma replacement will actually be just as effective.

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                Correct. What's your point?

                1. Nomar
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 9 months ago

                  Should be obvious, Andy.

                  1. Andy_Social
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 9 months ago

                    What that we don't know what going to happen? NSS.

                    1. Nomar
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 9 months ago

                      I’m not getting rid of him on the basis of a lot of conjecture about situations that may or may not happen.

                      1. Andy_Social
                        • 11 Years
                        4 years, 9 months ago

                        Of course, and neither am I getting him in on the same basis.

          2. Emiliano Sala
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Laporte got some attacking threat too. In a team with really high cs chance

            1. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              I have both in my team right now, if that’s alright with you?

              1. Emiliano Sala
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                Then again, zinchenko is a great value at 5.5

                1. Nomar
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 9 months ago

                  Yes he is. But my worry is that he’s not nailed on.

                  It’s going to be an absolute ball ache the first time City keep a CS and he’s on the bench whilst Laporte picks up six plus BAPs.

                  1. Emiliano Sala
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 9 months ago

                    I guess mendy needs a long time to return to starting 11. 4 gameweeks at least I would so

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      DZ

  24. FPL_Gyarados
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Jiminez no longer the most owned player (41.4%). It's now Van Dijk (41.9%).

    Random stat of the day 🙂

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Even the millions of clueless Man U fans have given up on Man U players.

  25. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Which would you rather play most weeks:

    A) Vardy and a 4.5 defender (A.Smith first two)
    B) Maddison and Deulofeu

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      First 4 weeks? B edges it. Don't think longer than that, WC.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah - not sure I want to be worrying about moving around the 4.5 def depending on fixtures.

  26. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A or B?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      C?

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Tempting tbh

  27. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    This is a great 10 minute watch if anyone gets chance. Eddie Howe mic'd up for the Bournemouth training in La Manga. Such a great coach and quite insightful to say the least. He always refers to Fraser as "wee man" and he seems to praise Diego Rico quite often. I'm a youth football coach so I enjoyed it very much.

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I watched this last night, brilliant.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yep it's a good watch and yes, he gets Fraser's nickname right.

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      *puts Brooks in FPL team

    4. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Like Kelly doing a wheelie into one of his first training sessions at a new club, Rico getting heaps of praise, daniels looking old. Rico at 4m nailed

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I must admit Rico looked like he was the target for praise. He looked quite a tall lad for a full back too

  28. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Does harry Maguire for 5.5m at man United interest you?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Until United sort out their midfield, no.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely not

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

      AV is right they need a CDM badly then defence can be value

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I hope we don't play Hourihane there but seems the manager likes him and just signed new contract. Douglas Luiz signing just pending work permit

    4. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Would prefer AWB

    5. OFord
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      United fan here, I think all of our defenders should be completely off limits. AWB and potentially Maguire are substantial improvements for us but as someone else said, defensive side of our midfield is seriously lacking.

  29. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A) Jota, Sterling, Pope
    B) Vardy, Jimenez, Ederson

  30. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ask Yourself, I like your strategy of building a team for the first two Gameweek's and WC'ing GW3. Something I never really thought about but definitely considering it now. Mainly because I usually wildcard early anyway, so might as well maximise chances of scoring high early on.

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

      That means a lot coming from such a cute dog thank you. That’s the conclusion I came to and it makes the whole team building thing a lot less stressful and complicated

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

        Also mods need to hulk this

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I usually leave WC until I absolutely need it. I’m usually chasing at the early stage of most seasons too (I rarely if ever have gotten off to a flying start), so I like to wait to see what others ahead of me have done first before I WC.

      This season I am trying to load up on players with good early fixtures though.

      Still undecided on a few spots and whether to go 4-4-2 or 3-5-2.

      Definitely not going 3-4-3 this season, though.

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Pass. WC3 is too early for me. Good luck.

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

        My reasons:
        - fixture shift
        - transfer window before season opening so two weeks is a better indicator than you would usually think
        - even from pre season we will be left with a lot of uncertainties over who will best adapt in the league aswell as who emerges as the standout value options from teams with an abundance of options eg Leicester, Chelsea, West Ham etc

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      WCing GW3 means you probably are looking at not WCing again for about 30 GWs. Doesn't seem like an optimal strategy to me.

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

        Maybe by those 30 weeks you’ll nearly have caught up with me

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I can only dream of competing with a master such as yourself.

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Waste.

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

        Less people to worry about than I thought :O you’ll all be jealous when I get to use my WC so early whilst you’re all dead bored of your 442s and 433s