Pro Pundits

Why I’m thinking of selling Raheem Sterling after another awful Gameweek

Let’s Talk FPL’s Andy reflects on another Gameweek to forget in his latest Pro Pundits piece.


Two weeks ago I scored 25 points in Fantasy Premier League. In my article I wrote: “It’s unlikely I’ll have a worse Gameweek all season”.

It got worse.

Gameweek 11 was brutal. While I scored eight more points than in Gameweek 9, the red arrow this week was huge and I fell nearly 700,000 places to 993,288. Where do I hand in my FPL badge?

Scoring 33 points in total, when John Lundstram (£4.8m) gets 21 on his own, is hard to take. It’s not even about benching him – I don’t even own him! I have no excuse.

My transfer was Nicolás Otamendi (£5.3m) to Harry Maguire (£5.4m). I don’t think many people were looking to bring in Manchester United defenders but I liked the look of the underlying defensive team stats, the next four fixtures and the potential for attacking returns. In hindsight I should have considered the fact that Man United don’t possess a player that can successfully deliver a ball into the box. Attacking returns look unlikely.

Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) was one bright spark. It feels as though the whole community is talking about Jamie Vardy (£9.4m) as a captain for Gameweek 12 but Abraham is only seven points behind the Leicester striker, with 175 fewer minutes played.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) was the only other player I owned that didn’t blank. He did what he’s done all season: delivered attacking returns, but without a clean sheet. I’m just trying to imagine the huge scores once the clean sheets come.

When I look at my team for Gameweek 12 I don’t like what I see. 

I own too many players I want to get rid of, and not enough players I want for longer term. I feel like I’m behind on transfers already, and if I just look to patch the side up each week I’m going to be behind for some time to come.

Trying to be critical of my decisions so far this season, I’d say I’ve made too many short-term transfers. There was Kevin De Bruyne (£10.2m) to Son Heung-min (£9.6m), knowing I’d want the Belgian back as soon as he was fit. While I feel a bit unlucky not to have gotten points from Neal Maupay (£6.1m) this weekend, he was another player brought in knowing I’d want rid of him just two weeks later because of the fixtures.

That’s why I’m looking at taking my second points hit of the season and making it a -8. I want players I can potentially hold for six to eight Gameweeks so I can “reset” my team and not be forced to chase but instead can look for new opportunities over the next few weeks.

I’ve also got to look at priorities. Lundstram looks almost essential but ahead of a run against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, I’m hoping the points will slow down before I have a spare transfer to use on him.

Looking at the Season Ticker in the Members Area, the fixtures for Leicester and Wolves over the next six to seven Gameweeks look great.

Raúl Jiménez (£7.2m) and Vardy have everything you could want from an FPL point of view: nailed-on, form, fixtures and penalties. 

Vardy is already highly owned and rising, but Jiménez is owned by 11.8% and dare I say it, still a bit of a differential?

They’re both picks you can rely on, and hopefully won’t give me needless headaches in the coming weeks.

We talk a lot about the underlying statistics and that Vardy can’t sustain them but the man is clinical, gets plenty of big chances and takes most of his shots in the box. My new front three would be Abraham, Vardy and Jiménez and, as you can see from the last four Gameweeks, that looks promising.

The tough decision for me is how to fund this move. A switch from a 3-5-2 formation to 3-4-3 requires three transfers and a lot of cash. It’s why I’m looking at removing Raheem Sterling (£12.1m).

It’s not an easy decision for me as I like the security blanket a player like Sterling provides and I’m certainly not taking him out thinking he’s not going to score plenty of points this season. If you look at the last four Gameweeks, he’s still getting plenty of chances and creating them, with an expected goal involvement (xGI) of around 3.4 over the last four Gameweeks.

The top reason I’m looking at making this move is captaincy. I don’t see me wanting to captain a Manchester City player until Gameweek 20, and even then Vardy plays West Ham and Liverpool face Wolves.

Instead of keeping one player at £12.1m who I won’t captain, I’d be spreading the funds to more value players, and also players who could be genuine captain options in the coming weeks.

With Liverpool’s fixtures looking extremely appetising over the Christmas period, a permanent Sadio Mane (£12m) captain could be ideal. Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) will have to show some serious form against Manchester City and Crystal Palace for me to not remove him in the next couple of weeks. The strategy would be to have one premium player who I can look to captain most weeks, with value players elsewhere. From there it’s just crossed fingers.

Captaincy this week however is going to be much more interesting and I’m looking away from Liverpool and Man City players. While it could be an open game, it also has the makings of a tight affair with Liverpool not wanting to lose their six-point lead and Man City not wanting to be nine points behind this early in the season.

If I bring in Jiménez and Vardy, then my front three are all contenders. Despite Aston Villa being middle of the road in terms of goals conceded they are still conceding a lot of shots in the box, the most over the last four Gameweeks with Palace a close second. That makes the Mexican a shrewd differential choice.

I think it’s very close between Vardy and Abraham: they’re posting good numbers, both are in good form and playing for teams scoring plenty of goals. The potential advantage for Vardy is that Arsenal are unlikely to either want to sit deep and defend or be able to, so that should leave space in behind. We saw against Crystal Palace some fantastic through-balls from James Maddison (£7.4m) and Youri Tielemans (£6.5m) which nearly had Vardy through on goal and I’m expecting to witness more of that on Saturday.

Choosing Abraham certainly isn’t a bad decision this week, but there’s something enticing about Vardy and that’s likely where I’ll place my armband.

I can’t help but wonder as I finish writing this if in two weeks time I’ll be back, wondering how I can get Sterling back in.


Andy is the face of Let’s Talk FPL, one of the leading Fantasy YouTube channels and has been a big part of the Scoutcast over a number of years. He has two top 10k finishes and an additional three inside the top 20k over nine years.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 11

517 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A) Bench Dilva and play Lundstram - Boring Tammy (C) + 2FTs next week

    B) Dilva > Martial and bench Lundstram - exciting super cool Martial (C) + 1FT next week

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

      Oh boy this has made my day can’t wait for all the feedback, hope it isn’t split 50/50 again

    2. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Why is Martial cool? Definition of boring, is it going to be 5 points or 7 find out after the break.

      Go with A

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

        Lol thanks, fancy him to do well this week innit as Brighton’s away defence is pretty poo

        1. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Haha just my opinion! Don't think the man is that explosive.

          But you are right, Brighton away is a nice prospect

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

            I know mate I appreciate the input I need it. If only he’d have tucked that penalty away the other week the story might be different

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Myself being a helpless moth to the Martial flame it's B all the way there

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

        There is just something about him isn’t there, it made so much sense at the start of the season and not a lot has changed but I can’t seem to block out the haters on this one

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I'm totally behind Martial as an FPL pick - way too much going for him to not give him a crack of the whip

          He's not a 12.5 forward by any stretch, but he's sure as hell not a 7.5 midfielder either - well worth giving him as long as it takes for the next injury to kick in

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

            Yeah those fixtures from an attacking perspective are so cool aswell. People are coming up saying their open play chances created is dangerously low, I’d be interested in seeing how that differs when martial plays vs when he was injured

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              I just hope he for once makes it easy on us and goes out and gets an early goal or two to straighten his back & settle him a bit - he's an extremely dangerous forward when his head is on properly - Brighton are tricky these days though but should be a good watch

    4. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The only way for me to fund Vardy is to in fact sell Martial this week and I'm actually strongly considering it

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

        Really? Interesting may I see your team and see if I can help you avoid this great loss x

    5. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks

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

      I'm likely to do Dilva -> Martial providing he doesn't get injured tonight so B. Personally I wouldn't captain him but it could easily pay off with no standout skipper this week

    7. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A for shiz.

  2. McSlu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Little dilemma:
    A: Sterling, saka -> martial, maddison

    Or

    B: Sterling, greenwood -> maddison, jimmy

    Heaton
    Rico, soy, tomori, mguire, robbo
    Salah, Sterling, mount, KDB, saka
    Tammy, vardy, greenwood

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

      Wouldn’t be selling sterling mate but surely Maguire and greenwood out if anything, your team is good

      1. McSlu
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate! Have 2FT and 0,4 ITB, so I guess i have to do something

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

      Maddison and jimmy great moves, nice fixtures coming up

  3. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling&KDB to Son& Mane/Salah for free? Own kun also

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Good moves since you have 2FT, you'll need to burn one at least

      1. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks man gl this week

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Only Raz to Mane

      1. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Fair mate but just felt like KDB sitting so deep and we all know son could explode. Safer option is as you say and then have 2FTs over IB again. Cheers pal

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          KDB even if sit deep still created chances
          Jesus wasted 1v1 assist from KDB (from 10 minutes i saw the match)
          Son/Spurs on other hand, are sh.t atm

          1. KDB4PREZ
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Very true mate was my feeling last week to but got a bit knee jerky there lol

        2. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Rodri back soon so he may play further forward again. Getting rid of KDB will surely lead to regret I reckon.

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

    Sterling to Mane? Or save FT

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

      Save imo his GW13 fixtures is way better

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      For free absolutely.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Do it

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

      Ta for the responses. Will probably hold for now

    5. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He's probably the only player I'd be inclined to make that switch for. I say go for it

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

      I would switch especially Liv at home

  5. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What are the fellow CHO owners doing with him ??
    Not sure myself. Waste of FT to bring him in last gw 😮

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Praying he starts buddy and re asses over IB

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers mate
        I'm going to look for another punt (this or next gw) like Grealish/Trossard

        1. KDB4PREZ
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Looking at both myself but even with fixtures I’m leaning towards trossard. Such a talent he is I had him from start and sold when Injured so will prob lean towards him personally

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Exactly same 😀

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I thought last week was his final chance but with Mount possibly a doubt and Pulisic having played 4 in a row, I think we’ve got to give him 1 more week (again!)

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah
        Hopefully he starts & returns
        Don't have a FT atm so would have to take a hit to replace

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

    Which do you prefer this week?

    A) Pukki
    B) Vardy -4

    1. Party time
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I've got both & I expect a double party 😉

        1. Party time
            4 years, 4 months ago

            So no need for a -4 imo

          • TheDragon
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Do you think Pukki can match Vardy this week?

            1. Party time
                4 years, 4 months ago

                I think both watford & arsenal will lose so Pukki & Vardy should haul 🙂

          • ChelseaGuy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            B looks better longer term anyway
            I'd go B

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

            Ah. Can you get B next week free? Who is your captain this week?

            1. TheDragon
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              I can do it free next week.

              Pukki, Abraham or Salah captain this week

              I’m tempted to go Pukki captain (which is odd as I always play it safe with captain). Madness?

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

                Hmmmm it’s tricky. Abraham can do a tidy job as captain. I’m not sure Vardy (c) + Abraham can safely outscore Abraham (c) + Pukki + 4

                I think A for now

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

                  And don’t captain pukki lol

          • Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Just get Vardy buddy
            His ownership is getting higher now & he'll be rank killer if hauls

        2. Malkmus
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A'noon all. Which team is best? Differences in caps.

          A- 352:

          Pope (Button)
          Robbo - Chilwell - Lundy (Rico - JANMATT/4.3)
          Sterling - KDB - Mane - TIELEMANS - GREALISH
          Vardy - Tammy - (Wickham)

          B - 442:

          Pope (Button)
          Robbo - Chilwell - Lundy - TOMORI (Rico)
          Sterling - KDB - Mane - MADDISON (DENDONKER)
          Vardy - Tammy - (Wickham)

          Ta!

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            A

            1. Malkmus
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Thanks !

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

            B. With A you be playing Grealish most weeks whereas B you have better defenders to rotate

        3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Any Salah captain considerers out there?

          City minus Laporte & Ederson & with those merrgoround fullbacks... could be a perfect recipie for him to deliver the long overdue backlash

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I think Ederson will play but City defence is there for the taking.

            I have capped Salah 9 out of 11 GW's and got the armband on Vardy but with Salah being a slight differential I am pondering a switch. Wil see how I feel about it tomorrow.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Vardy looks an overwhelmingly good choice this week allright

              1. Blame it on Traore
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                I RSVP'd to the party nearly a week ago with the armband

              2. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Yeah, I would not want to be an Arsenal defender at this point.

              3. FirMinaMiMo
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                But the gunners ll keep an eye against foxes ...cuz of the recent draw matches

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

            Thinking to get Salah instead of Mane actually. I know it seems odd but just have a gut feeling with Salah

        4. makaveli70
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          1-TC Vardy
          2-TC Abraham
          3-none

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            3

            Keep for DGW.

          2. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Could fly like anything this gw if it pays off (i think this is going to be a low scoring one)
            So go with your gut.

            C for me though as i don't trust any of them to get 10+ this gw

          3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            It's a gamble but I would say 70/30 in your favour....Vardy on fire and Arsenal worse than Barnet

          4. Blame it on Traore
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I'd save it for the doubles. Mane over two games for instance

          5. ChelseaGuy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            3

        5. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          How quickly things change.

          Just before KDB picked up an injury he probably was the player everyone should have had.

          Since his return he has been a bit uninspiring. You surely at this point would not say he is a must have until Rodri is back again and that probably will be around mid December then Rodri still needs to get back to match fitness.

          The fear of owning zero City should not be a fear when many teams on here only have KDB. Others only Sterling.

          Just like Andy, what will make his team more dangerous than yours only owning KDB 'if' you have no City?

        6. Bishopool
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          WC before or after International Break??!!

          1. FirMinaMiMo
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Aftr

        7. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Son or pulisic ????

          Any thoughts?

          1. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Son, less competition and more proven pedigree. Though it does depend on what you’d do with the extra dosh.

            1. FirMinaMiMo
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Thanks for the advices mate!

        8. Zenith UK
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Soo...
          I've already done Ota > Lindelof & Haller > Vardy (no hit)
          I'm tempted to do Auba to Jimi but that leaves me with 5.0M ITB.

          Thoughts?

          1. FirMinaMiMo
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Auba -> (tammy)* or kane

        9. FantasyFooty01
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Into week 6 of last man standing who should I pick next. Comment below. So far picked-
          Arsenal
          Man City
          Leicester
          Man United
          Liverpool.

        10. POLSKA GOLA
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Which is best:
          A) Sterling to Mane
          B) Dilva to Martial
          C) both for -4

          1. Bruno Commando
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            B

        11. Dain Bramage
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          You’ll get him back and regret letting him go

        12. Bruno Commando
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Hi everyone! Is my team g2g? Not sure if benching Lunds will come back and bite me..Too many city and pool players but I'm not sure who to bench!

          Pope
          TAA // Tomori // Rico // Soyuncu
          Mane // Sterling // KDB // Mount
          Tammy // Vardy

          Skeletenburg // Lunds // McGinn // Greenwood

        13. Sancidino
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Did Mark leave FFS?

        14. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yes Janmaat, lovely little surprise!