Metrics

Sterling scores as popularity falls among top 10k managers

Raheem Sterling‘s (£12.1m) popularity among the top 10,000 managers continues to shrink, although he punished his sellers in Gameweek 7.

Those that kept faith in the Manchester City midfielder were rewarded for their patience, not just in the form of points for their teams, but for the differential over those around them who moved him on.

After the Gameweek 6 deadline, Sterling sat in 48% of teams inside the top 10k, and was the third most popular midfield asset, behind only Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£9.9m).

However, Saturday morning’s deadline has seen him drop to just 30% ownership in the upper echelons.

That makes him the fifth-most popular midfielder, behind Mason Mount (£6.6m) on 44.4% and Todd Cantwell (£5.0m) on 43.9%.

We knew that Sterling had been ditched by a large number of managers worldwide, but it is perhaps surprising to see his stock fall even among those in the top 10,000.

That said, it is probable that Sterling’s no-show in Gameweek 6 was responsible for shaking up the standings at that level initially as those without the midfielder were among that round’s highest-scorers.

Meanwhile, his performance at Goodison Park, in which he wasted a one-on-one chance with Jordan Pickford (£5.6m), may leave his owners in something of a quandary.

Despite that dreadful miss and a largely poor display, he still managed to get one effort over the line, spotted by goalline technology.

Not surprisingly, de Bruyne is now the most-fashionable asset in any position among the top 10k. The Belgian is currently in 85.8% of teams at this level – and celebrated his newfound popularity with two assists in the win over Everton.

Lundstram continues to be an incredibly popular FPL asset

As he continues to prove his value this season, John Lundstram (£4.4m) has risen to become the most popular defender among the top 10,000.

The Sheffield United man now sits in 64.6% of teams at this level having gone into Gameweek 7 as the top-scoring player in his classification.

This season’s most successful managers so far are generally looking for value in defence as the number of premium options being considered continues to fall.

Martin Kelly (£4.1m) and Diego Rico (£4.1m) are both in the top-five most-owned defenders among the top 10k, bringing the total of sub-£4.5m options to three.

Alexander-Arnold is now more popular than van Dijk in the top 10k but was outscored by him in Gameweek 7

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) has also been on the rise, perhaps at the expense of his colleague Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m).

The right-back was in 32.7% of top 10k teams in Gameweek 6, his centre-back colleague in 36.7% of them.

However, they have swapped over now, Alexander-Arnold now the more popular at the top level. He is in 43.1% of teams in the top 10k, while van Dijk is in just 27%.

Such a switch will have stemmed from Alexander-Arnold’s propensity for attacking returns although, in Gameweek 7, he was outscored by van Dijk, who collected bonus points at Sheffield United.

Up-front, the picture remains fairly similar to before, although it may change for Gameweek 8 given the host of blanks for the popular strikers this weekend.

Teemu Pukki (£7.2m) remains the most fashionable in this position, while Tammy Abraham (£7.5m) and Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) complete the top three – all goalless in Gameweek 7.

Captaincy largely went poorly for most managers in the top 10k

Speaking of goalless, that’s exactly what most of the captains were in the top 10k, as most FPL managers experienced a rotten start to Gameweek 7.

Salah was the most skippered option in the upper echelons with the backing of 26.5% of managers in the top 10k.

He came close to attacking returns at Bramall Lane but forced a strong save from Dean Henderson (£4.5m) when he was played through.

Aguero was just behind the Egyptian on 23% backing among the top 10k, not even start Manchester City’s trip to Everton, featuring only as a 65th-minute substitute – although claiming a late assist.

Ahead of Chelsea’s hosting of Brighton, Abraham was backed as the differential option by 16.2% of the top 10k.

That selection of managers will have been most frustrated to see the forward not take Chelsea’s second-half penalty, dispatched by Jorginho (£5.0m).

Finally, we can see once again that each week brings more weight to the findings among the top 10,000 managers.

In the early stages of the campaign, there was a high proportion of those who had used chips extensively in the first few Gameweeks.

However, we are now seeing that nearly 40% of the managers at this level are yet to use a single chip yet this season.

Meanwhile, 39.9% of them have already used one chip and we can see from the detailed breakdown that the Wildcard is now up to 44.7% usage in the top 10,000 managers.

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

2,228 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Next week is gonna be fun, could be a few double digit points benched for som.

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

      like who TS?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Well I'll be deciding between Gwood and Ceballos. Who both have decent fixtures, Cantwell will be benched by a few I'd guess also

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

          is rashford not likely to be back?

  2. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Why was KDB subbed off early ?

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

      Small injury.

      1. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Will he be ok for next week? I need to get him in before the price rise

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

          Probably but I'd wait for pressers and midweek games as he's a bit fragile.

  3. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Salah -> Mount/Yarmolenko
    Haller -> Auba (C)

    Worth a -4?

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

      see what auba does but probably not. getting mount important though

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why important out of interest?

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

          ownership going through the roof. he’s rising nonstop and looks the real deal

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

            plus fixtures

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I’d say so

      3 tasty home fixtures for Auba and Mount should at least match Haller. Liverpool fixtures very moderate.

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

    Would you do this for a -4?

    Stirling & Doug Luiz > KDB & Yarmolenko?

    Thoughts would be appreciated pls

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

      prob not

    2. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t think so

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      what about Stirling > KDB then?

      2 sideways? KDB just seems to be so much stronger FPL wise!

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

        doesnt sterling have 6 goals in 6 games?

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

          there is that too!

  5. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    With Liverpool's harder run of games coming up and also their lack of form, is it a good idea to:

    Salah & Ayew >>> Yarmolenko & Auba/Kane?

    Squad currently:
    Pope / Heaton
    TAA / Otamendi / Kelly / Lundstram / Soyuncu
    Salah / KDB / Sterling / McGinn / Mount
    Pukki / Abraham / Ayew

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

      “lack of form”

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Am I missing something with the ‘lack of form’ bit?

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

        klopps job is on the line after a dismal run of 7 straight victories, with liverpool languishing in first place

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

          😆

      2. RyanMK
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Probably an over-exaggeration on my part!

        But I felt like their form has just been okay over the last 3 games. Of course, they have set the standard pretty high to start with!

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

          if auba looks really good tomorrow its definitely an option. still not entirely sold on yarm but as good a punt as any

          pope/heaton rotation is a waste of £

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

    matip looking really nailed at this point. strongly considering switching to him from vvd

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Looking at him too. But also have half an eye on 5.8 Alisson from Pope.

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

        aye

  7. Cahill
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Hey lads, bit lost here

    2FTs, 0.2 itb

    Heaton Button
    VVD Robbo Montoya Rico Lund
    Sterling Salah KDB Dilva McGinn
    Tammy Pukki Greenwood

    Thinking VVD & Dilva -> Tomori & Pepe...daft?

    Any other ideas?

    1. RyanMK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No from me.

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

      not been impressed by pepe so far. not sure why u brought dilva in if rotation bothers u, as it was always inevitable

  8. tadekes
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling and Haller or Aguero and Mount?

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

      A & M for me

    2. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Second one

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

    A & M

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It's Bleedin' Saturday and the freaking Dead Zone Zombies will be spouting soon, Jeees!

      Wassup?

  10. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play Lundstram or Cantwell in GW8:

    Ryan
    VanDijk Otamendi TAA Lundstram
    Salah Mount KDB Sterling
    Abraham Pukki

    Button Cantwell Greenwood Kelly

  11. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Yarmolenko a better buy than McGinn based on fixtures?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Get both ya filthy animal!

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

      rather have mcginn

  12. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    All the elite FPL managers (like me and Mark) don't own KDB 😎

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Talk of the devil.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I'm like Candyman. Say my name 3 times into the mirror and I appear.

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Virgin Virgin Virgin.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Boo.

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Who are you and who is Mark?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I'm a high profile member of these forums with a huge Twitter following.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Ah ha, Had a few wee fruit based drinks and the delusional troll returns to form (!!!)

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I've had 2 cans of Tizer. That's it

    3. Jon Snow
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not owning him makes watching Man City games significantly less fun. Increased clenching and sweating every time he whips in one of his 99 accuracy passes

  13. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Another red arrow on its way (should have held Martial really 🙂 ) but TV will boom again this week by 0.6 or quite possibly more. Seems back to front really.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ice caps are melting thank God.

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

      tomori will enjoy his meteoric price rise from my bench, from where he sat and watched otamendi concede and get booked

  14. Mr.Bojangoals
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Need to make a decision tonight!

    Son + Wickham -> Yarmolenko + Firmino for a -4?

    (I have 1.4 ITB)

    Need to do it now before Yarmo rises price tonight in order to afford it.

    Full team is:

    Ryan (Pope)
    Pieters Otamendi Lundstram (Dunk, Kelly)
    Mount Son KDB Mané Sterling
    Pukki Abraham (Wickham)

    1. Mr.Bojangoals
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I feel Yarmo can run Son close for points. I know that's a big shout but his stats are amazing.

      Alternatively, I can use that money freed up by that move elsewhere on my team.

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

      no

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

        pick 1 keeper and upgrade def

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn’t

  15. Too Mane Men
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else wondering how the average is so high?

    Can only assume it’s due to most people playing 11 already.

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What is it? Assuming it’s around 50 or something?

      1. Jon Snow
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Bang on 40

        1. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hm not sure that counts as high

      2. Too Mane Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        It’s 40

        1. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      shocker of a GW for me 🙁

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

      Sterling, KDB, Kane, Pool defence, Mount, Kelly

      1. Too Mane Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Fair enough. I assume the points margins between ranks are very slim. Do you have anyone left to play TM?

  16. In Moyes We Thrust #freeshi…
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What are people's opinion's on Cresswell and Yarmolenko?

    Havne't watched any of West Ham's recent games; is Cresswell just a flash in the pan or is he actually playing very advanced? Yarmolenko, on the other hand, was on my watchlist last year before he got injured so I'm very interested in him. Don't really have any mids or forwards I can shift on for him but I'd get him in this week if I was since his fixtures dip in 5 games time.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yarmo seems more nailed. At least for now. Cresswell is like buying Zinch or Mendy now

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

      both have pretty average underlying numbers, but both capable of overperforming due to having wand-like left foots.

      yarm potentially worth a punt, i love cressa but probably not so much the case with him

  17. Majestic Chanka
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The article title is a bit stupid, or simple at least.

    Someone’s top 10k ownership is going to be hugely affected by performance this early in season.

    By that I mean managers who hold that player will drop out the top 10k if the player doesn’t perform, not that the player is leaving their squads! The 10k isn’t a constant thing!

  18. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pick one mid and one striker:
    A. Mount B. McGinn C. Yarmo
    1. Abraham 2. Wilson 3. Wood

    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      a1

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Still A1

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B1

  19. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    haller > tammy
    or
    Aurier > Tom
    or
    save FT?

    I can play Lund this week to cover Aurier

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ditch the Witch.

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Save for this week

  20. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bit stuck on where to go next chaps, 1 ITB 1 FT

    Heaton Button
    TAA Digne Diop Soyuncu Lowton
    Sterling Salah KDB Mount Cantwell
    Tammy Pukki Greenwood

    Thoughts?

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

      roll

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I’d save

    3. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Save your FT

  21. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Just finished Entourage. Amazing tv show

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The closest thing I'll ever be to living the life of a film star.

      The movie is pretty good as well.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I will watch movie tomorrow.

        Ari Gold is just amazing

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          His rants are insanely good

  22. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Could use some help:
    A) Barnes and Sterling > Auba and Mahrez (-4)
    B) Barnes > Haller
    C) Save

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

      c

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      C

  23. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Have any of the conclusions in the captain sensible articles this season picked out the highest points scorer?

    I haven't gone back and checked TBH.

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Go back and check and let us know, maybe

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Just checked. Every conclusion has recommended the wrong captain.

        1. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Ha thanks - good research 😆

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What about the runner up?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Two thirds of them blanked

  24. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you do Pukki > Tammy?

    Pope
    Otamendi VVD Mings
    Salah KDB Mount. McGinn
    Aguero Wilson Pukki.

    Button. Rico. Cantwell. Lundstram

    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No I wouldn’t

    2. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Na, Pukki at home next so hopefully nabs a goal.

  25. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Söyüncü or Tomori expected to rise tonight? I’m at exactly 4.6 and fear being priced out.

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

      ü shoüld be ok

      1. Wensink
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. Assuming all goes well tomorrow, expect i’ll bring Söyüncü in for Montoya.

  26. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Few of my players gonna drop this GW even today,plan is to wildcard next GW
    But fearing of priced out by vast range week by week.
    Should I wildcard or hold this GW ? As I have decent squad for this particular GW.

    1. Pass
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Still hold

  27. kawaiii
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is Mahrez now a legitimate option as a 3rd City attacker ?
    I know his minutes are limited sometimes, but when he plays look at the stats ?

    1. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hard to say as Bilva and others on the bench today have been playing well too.

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

      Solid option.

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

      everyone said this about dilva and now theyre trying to sell him

  28. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pope button
    Taa digne Kelly lund awb
    Dilva tielemans salah cantwell Dendonker
    Kun vardy tammy?
    I want to get in kdb....

    Wildcard?

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

      Not with the 15 you posted earlier.

      1. rodragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Oh ok.. I want to get in kdb before price rise so if I'm playing wc I have to do it now.... Or just do salah to kdb ?

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

          If you are happy selling Salah and WC'ing, no brainer seeing no profit in Salah.

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

    Sterling > De Bruyne?

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

      Maybe after presser, KDB went off with a niggle.

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

        KDB rising tonight though..

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

          You know the risks.

  30. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    A red arrow. Normal services resume.

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      "Hello, old friend."