Pro Pundits

Why I’m making a move for Adama Traore with an eye on Double Gameweek 24

Let’s Talk FPL’s Andy looks at ways of funding a Liverpool triple-up ahead of Double Gameweek 24.


One step forward, two steps back. That’s the story of my Fantasy Premier League season so far.

The high of my captain Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) scoring in the 95th minute had set me up for jubilation on Saturday evening, only for the decision of not captaining Sadio Mané (£12.3m) or Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m) to bring me crashing back to reality with yet another red arrow and a rank of 592,933.

What I’m finding is mistakes are bringing indecision. Selling Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) in Gameweek 18 turned out to be a huge error. Going into Gameweek 20 I decided to hold my transfers instead of taking a further hit to bring in the Liverpool right-back along with Anthony Martial (£7.9m). That turned out to be another mistake.

When things are going well it’s easy to feel like you’ll keep making the right decision; I find the opposite happens when things are going badly.

If I’d had three green arrows over Christmas I think I’d have already made my decision for Gameweek 21. Instead I sit here writing this wondering whether taking out Dele Alli (£8.9m) before Southampton is the right call. If I make that transfer who do I bring in? There’s Martial, which may mean losing Rashford later on to fund three Liverpool players, or I could just bring in Adama Traoré (£5.5m), who would make the money situation a lot easier.

Is this a case of overthinking or not thinking enough? Is Traoré really the answer? I’m not sure any more and the buzz of sugar from all of the Christmas chocolate and mince pies isn’t helping me think clearly.

I continue to look at my team on paper and am quite happy with it. There’s certainly a Liverpool defender-shaped hole which I’ll rectify soon but other than that, it looks good.

Two free transfers means I have to make a move this week though and with Mané my only Liverpool player, I have to think ahead to how I get two more – hence losing Alli this week.

I can’t watch many more Liverpool matches without owning Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool have a full-back who can pass like De Bruyne and it’s a difficult watch for a non-owner.

This is where Traoré comes in. He lets me get three Liverpool players in just three moves. Given that I can only triple captain one, I’m currently leaning towards double defence instead of attack as going for Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) would mean losing De Bruyne. I think fixtures from Gameweek 24 onwards make it viable but it’s still a tough call. 

When you compare Martial and Traoré it doesn’t actually make for bad reading over the last four Gameweeks. The Wolves winger has created more chances and had more goal attempts, although not as many in the box. The quality of the assist potential looks good as well and it’s even better when you consider Wolves have played Spurs, Man City and Liverpool over those fixtures. 

You’d expect Martial to continue to get the better chances in front of goal but the £2.4m difference cannot be ignored.

According to FPL, Traoré is the second-best midfielder in terms of value over the season (based on points per million) and that doesn’t take into account that he played some of the earlier matches at wing-back. 

Given Wolves rested key players in Gameweek 20, I think Watford away might not be as bad a fixture as it may have looked since Nigel Pearson came in. With Newcastle and Southampton to follow, I think I’ve just about talked myself into buying Traoré.

That’s right, I’m going to buy Adama Traoré. At some point in May I’ll look back at where it all went wrong this season. There’s a few key talking points and this may well be one of them.


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.

2,170 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Traore essential?

    Would you get rid of Ali for him?

    And next week get rid of targett for taa

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No I would keep Alli

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I agree. Bear in mind that many commenters here (including me) have team value 3m-4m higher than Andy's. If you're in that boat, you might not even be looking at 5.5 mid options.

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

      Ok ok, I've not paid much attention for the last couple of days. Where the hell has all this Traore love come from? Have I missed something obvious? I know he's a good price and has done ok recently but what is going on?

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lmao reading is traore essential if the stupidest thing

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

        People looking to ship Grealish. He’s looked good tbf and finally getting some end product to his game but his price is the main reason

      3. skinner
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He's def not essential but he's in good form and certain to make you a bit of profit if you get in early. Get in early for the short term. Don't be one of those people who got on Pukki, Vardy etc too late.

    3. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Take out the two games v city and he has sod all

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        10 points versus Tottenham. 2 Double digit hauls in last 4.

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

    Alli or Martial for next 4 GWs?

    1. John78
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial

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

      Alli

    3. markus808
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stats say Martial, if you have other ways of conducting business then it's up to you, also leaves you with some extra cash. Alli really not delivering for the price point. I have Rashford and planning to get rid of Alli and get Martial and Maddison instead of Alli and Grealish

    4. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If I had Alli, I would keep him. Otherwise, I would get Martial.

  3. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sarr looks a better option than Traore - or am I missing something?

    1. jjandellis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I agree

  4. John78
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kane and Aurier to Jimmy and TAA?

    1. KINGS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Have the same thought. Haven’t executed

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

      Yes

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Absolutely.

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

      Defo

    5. John78
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i guess its clear! transfers made!

  5. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Oohhh Adama Traore

    1. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do you get bonus points if you buy him or something? What have I missed???

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Andy will give you a star if you buy him 😉

  6. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Better off getting dendo over mooy as 5th mid now that the christmas schedule is almost over?

    Other players on the bench are rico and lund

    1. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go with your heart mate. Your team value is good enough to absorb the 0.4 extra of Mooy.

      Mooy is a much bigger threat than Dendo.

  7. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A- grealish and rashford to jimi and martial
    or
    B- son and cantwell to alli and traore

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Need to know team but as Son still on ban B

      1. Joyce1998
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        team is
        pope, button
        taa, soy, lund, dunk, simpson
        salah, grealish, kdb, cantwell, son
        vardy, rashford, greenwood

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          A

  8. Monya Meow Meow
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you lose one of Mount or Grealish to get in Traore?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mount but I wouldn't be falling all over myself to get Traore in.

      1. Numbuster
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        this

      2. Monya Meow Meow
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate.
        Yeah just playing around with my trades this round and his name kinda popped up.

    2. HellasLEAF
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mulling Grealish but can't seem to pull trigger.

      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I am more tempted to get rid of Mount and keep Tammy as my only Chelsea option, their fixtures turn soon.

    3. John78
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not really

  9. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    guys need help
    which 4??

    A- rashford, grealish, alli, traore
    or
    B- jimi, martial, son, cantwell

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Son still banned so A for now

  10. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    WTF? Everyone is selling their pants to get traore! Lol

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      he's playing out of his skin atm, good option but yeah it's ridiculous on here!

  11. Tree House
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best chance of clean sheet?

    Gazza (sou)
    Fab (BOU)

    Thanks!

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fab

  12. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Salah out, Traoré in.
    Done.
    Everyone should follow

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Weird transfer

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

      -12?

      1. Mooster©️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        -16

        1. Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          -56?

          1. Mooster©️
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Sure. As long as he’s on my team. Won’t cap him, though.

  13. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Trossard & Harry Wilson? Great upcoming fixtures for both!

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bournemouth have been pretty turd recently, Trossard could be a good shout

    2. Tree House
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Trossard doesn't start.

  14. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    No Tottenham or man u cover, but have mane, salah and Kdb. That ok now or take out Salah for martial or alli?

    1. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nah. Leave them Pool bad boys in there. 3 games time you'll have a headache to get them back for gw24 dgw

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

      stick

    3. markus808
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dont know, Salah to Martial and another 7.8-9 player could be worth it, it is really hard, but Salah stats are good, but he is not delivering, he should be at that price point.

    4. Bobby
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers for the responses - think I'm still burnt from captaining mo last week and so got the jitters now

  15. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Digne or Rico this gw?

    1. jjandellis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        West Ham manager bounce though?

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Tbh I expect both to end up with 1 point

  16. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can you idiots stop jinxing Traore please

  17. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How does that look guys and what is the best strategy to get extra Liv player?
    3 transfers over the next 3 weeks

    1) Alli Grealish Jiménez-> Salah dendo Dcl (don’t like loosing Jimi and Alli is playing at home vs Norwich)
    2) Grealish kelly Rico -> dendo Vvd/robbo 4.0 def

    Ramsdale
    Taa Soy kelly
    Maddison Mane Kdb Alli
    Vardy Ings Jiménez

    Button Grealish Rico Lundstram

    1. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be on option 2 with VVD which should give you a 4.4 defender or even just do it on 2 moves keeping rico or kelly

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

      I have similar issue and leaning towards 2

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That's a lot of firepower you're losing to be totally dependent on Salah, can't see that woking imo, no need to double on the mids.

  18. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can't wait to get to Gw24. Double out the way and then a nice massive fixture change. Hopefully inside 200k from then

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Which teams have the biggest fixture swings? Kinda admit i'm a bit too lazy to go check every team lol

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        thats why the fixture ticker on here is great, my favourite thing on this site

  19. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth taking a hit to get Salah or Mane in now?

    Foster
    TAA Kelly Lund Rico Chambers
    KDB Alli Maddison Martial Dendo
    Kane Vardy Rash
    £0.8 ITB, 0 FT

    1. jjandellis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Build up FT's?

      1. lifes a pitch
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeh original plan was to build up slowly towards dgw. Just considering this now. Either way its gonna take 2 transfers atleast, just to get 1 of them so maybe with a view to that downgrade maddison -4 and get salah or mane next week.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure I'd be taking a hit, Kane to Jimenez this week and use the funds next week imo.

  20. jjandellis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guaita / Gazzanigga
    TAA / Soyuncu / Targett / Lundstrum / Alderweireld
    Richarlison / Maddison / Martial / Dendoncker / Grealish
    Kane / Abraham / Ings

    5.5m ITB & 2 FT

    Grealish > Salah
    Ings > DCL

    Thoughts?

  21. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I dont care how many titles Pep has won at city bayern or barca i dont rate his as a real top manager.

    Let him manage a club like man united or arsenal in current situation and win them the title.

    Klopp made liverpool from a team struggling to finish top 4, and rebuilt them to a title winning team.

    Pep came to a star studded team favorite to win the title. Heck even pellegrini who was clueless at westham managed to win the title with city.

    Thoughts? Do you Agree?

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Of course Pep is a top manager.

      Have you seen how many managers go to top clubs and make a complete bllx of it...it’s easy to do.

      Agreed with Klopp though...he’s awesome. Not only did he turn the team around but he’s turned the entire culture of the club around. Ex players and ex managers are killing United like a bad smell that hangs around the club from days of old...that’s exactly what Anfield was like...all that has gone with Klopp.

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Let pep manage a struggling team and rebuilt them to a title winning team

        Until then whatever people say i wont rate him. His teams he managed were ready made to win titles with star players all around.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Aye. But just ask Mourinho what top players are like to manage for more than a year or two...or dozens of other managers who can’t handle them. It happens over and over again.

      2. markus808
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Pep is high-level corporate coach, always happy to take over your biggest and richest club and deliver, Klopp is really a working class hands-on team and culture builder, both excel at what they do best. And I'm sure both would not be that good when the roles were reversed.

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I have no doubts klopp will excel with at a richer club with wealth

          Same cannot be said about pep with rebuilding job which is much harder. A top manager should be able to do well in both situations

          1. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            How do you know he can’t rebuild?

          2. markus808
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yes, but he would want to get rid or sell the troublemakers, even if they are stars and sell shirts, I'm not sure many big t-shirt teams want that.

        2. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Horse for courses. Managers like Dyche are another type again. All top managers in their own way.

  22. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Martial or Rash playing up top now.

    1. jjandellis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tony

  23. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Good plans? 2 FT 0 ITB

    Schmeichel
    TAA Aurier Rico Kelly
    Mane KDB Martial
    Kane Vardy Tammy

    Button Lundy Douglas Dendo

    GW21 - Tammy to Jimmy & save another FT
    GW22 - Aurier & Douglas to Williams (one to monitor) & Traore/Trossard/H.Wilson (one to monitor) for free

  24. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Kelly Soy TAA (Holgate Lunds)
    Salah KDB Maddy Grealish (Cantwell)
    Pukki Vardy Abraham

    2FT, 0.7ITB

    A) Maddison to Martial
    B) Abraham to Jimenez
    C) Pukki to Ings/Maupay
    D) Kelly to Webster
    E) Cantwell/Grealish to Traore

    1. jjandellis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C or E

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. Jimbo74
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      E

  25. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What happens to Ings now I've got him in?

    A) he continues to fire and everyone owns him soon

    B) he does exactly what Pukki did when I got him in and plummets

    1. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i reckon good for a few weeks, has on and off patches of good form but another top pick emerges in 3-4 weeks

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        If anything I'd say he stops until Gw24 and then on fire again after as fixtures become juicy. I hope I'm wrong though and he continues

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          That's what I'm banking on, shipping him out for Jimenez this week and may look to bring him back around GW25.

    2. HellasLEAF
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say 1 goal tops in next 2 fixtures.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Danny Ings is a good clinical striker. He has scored fair amount of goals whenever he has played backed up by past seasons.

      Only thing that has prevented him from shining is the injury problems

      So as long as he is fit i reckon he'll continue his remarkable scoring feats

    4. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Could do. That’s the difference between the very best strikers and the rest. Maybe you should have gone for DCL. ...looks like his run may just be beginning.

  26. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    LIVERPOOL FANS!

    What are your thoughts on more CSs in the upcoming 10 or so GWs? Thank you all 🙂

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go with two attackers.

    2. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why?

    3. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      3 cs in next 5

    4. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Only....LIVERPOOL FANS !....?

      What’s the logic behind that?...I’m curious to know why you think a Liverpool fan would know more than anybody else.

    5. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Can't you be a normal person and answer give an answer like Joyce did? haha the question was open to anyone really but LIVERPOOL FANS would surely have a better idea of how their team works.

  27. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Winter GWs killing me

    Henderson
    Sidibe - TAA - Rico
    Salah - KDB - Grealish - Maddison
    Ings - Vardy - Tammy

    Button - Cantwell - Kelly - Lundstram

    1FT 1.0mil itb

  28. Heskey Time
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    If you could have s as my goalkeeper right now for the upcoming weeks who would it be? Fab? Ryan? Foster?

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fabianski?

  29. ChuckN
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? 1FT and 3.4m ITB burning a hole.

    Pope
    TAA Soy Rico
    Salah KDB Alli Grealish Traore
    Vardy Rashford

    Mcgovern Aurier Lundstrum Connolly

  30. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Vardy
    B) Rashford
    C) kDB
    D) Mane