Awards

Vote for the best FPL midfielders of 2019/20

After discussing the runners and riders between the posts and in defence, our end-of-season Fantasy Premier League awards series continues with a look at the midfielders up for nomination.

Overall score, points per match and value are all factors to consider as we invite you to vote on the candidates listed below.

FPL has been something of a midfielder’s game for the last few years, with the last six highest-scoring Fantasy assets all being classified in this position.

The three players with the most FPL points in 2019/20 were midfielders, as were the top six players with the best points-per-match averages.

We might have even more to choose from next season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang and Marcus Rashford possible candidates for reclassification.

2018/19 Team of the Season Review – Midfielders

  • Goalkeeper: Alisson
  • Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Matt Doherty
  • Midfielders: Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Raheem Sterling, Ryan Fraser, Eden Hazard
  • Forwards: Raúl Jiménez, Sergio Aguero

Three of last year’s Team of the Season are up for nomination again, with Raheem Sterling, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane all matching their achievements in 2018/19 by cracking the 200-point mark.

We’ll discuss their credentials in detail below.

With regards to the other two, their follow-up acts have been rather less celebrated.

Eden Hazard has long since ceased to be an FPL asset, of course, with the former Chelsea winger moving to Real Madrid last summer.

The Belgian has scored only one La Liga goal in what has been a stop-start, injury-ravaged campaign.

As for Ryan Fraser, the fact that his FPL price dropped £0.7m over the course of 2019/20 pretty much tells its own story.

The Scotland international managed less than a third of the attacking returns he had delivered in the previous campaign, registering just one goal and five assists en route to his lowest points tally in four years of being a Premier League player.

His time at Bournemouth ended in acrimonious circumstances, too, with the winger having refused to sign a contract extension beyond June 30 and thus playing no part in the Cherries’ ill-fated attempt to beat the drop.

Now a free agent, it’ll be interesting to see where the Scot ends up in 2020/21 and how much his starting price falls – which seems inevitable – in FPL.

2019/20 CANDIDATES

KEVIN DE BRUYNE

 1

While there is plenty of debate elsewhere, it’s difficult to imagine Kevin De Bruyne not making our end-of-season XI.

The Belgian was the highest-scoring FPL asset in any position in 2019/20, racking up 251 points and finishing some distance ahead of Mohamed Salah thanks to his final-day haul.

Starting the season off at a now-unthinkable £9.5m, De Bruyne’s ownership had almost quintupled by the season’s end (he finished the campaign as the most popular asset in the game) as he broke Salah’s two-year hold on top spot in the overall points table.

The City midfielder had a torrid time with injuries in his previous campaign (hence the price drop) but missed only two league matches for fitness reasons this time around, starting 32 of the 36 fixtures he was available for.

This included an unbroken run of starts from Gameweeks 9 to 27, with rotation only really affecting him when City were faced with a glut of dead rubbers following the mid-June resumption.

De Bruyne began the season with attacking returns in each of his first six starts, returning three double-digit hauls over that run.

There were a pleasingly symmetric 10 returns of 10+ points over the course of the campaign, with his hauls in Gameweeks 17+ and 38+ representing high points.

Only two midfielders – both of whom were at the budget end of the scale – represented better value for money than De Bruyne (23.7) based on points per million, despite his end price of £10.6m.

And only Bruno Fernandes (9.0) averaged more points per match than the Belgium international (7.2) in 2019/20.

MOHAMED SALAH

If 233 FPL points represents a ‘poor’ season in some people’s eyes, then you must be a special player.

Mohamed Salah‘s total of 29 attacking returns was his lowest since moving to Merseyside in 2017 but only De Bruyne outscored him on the points front this season and even then, the Belgian only pulled clear in Gameweek 38+.

There were parallels with 2018/19, with a decent start giving way to more middling returns in the autumn and then an explosion of points around Christmas.

After registering just two double-digit hauls in the first 15 Gameweeks, Salah then delivered five such points bonanzas in his next ten appearances – one of which came in Double Gameweek 24.

As had been the case against Huddersfield the previous season, the Egyptian saved one final massive score for the run-in, registering 18 points against Brighton in Gameweek 34+.

Salah enjoyed home comforts more than most and he was a reliable pick for the captaincy when at Anfield, with 15 of his 19 goals arriving on Merseyside.

In only four of his 18 home appearances did he blank.

Salah began the season at £12.5m and ended it there, and he’ll surely be in a similar bracket next season.

Whether he’s as widely owned, given the wealth of premium midfield options that are set to be available, is another question.

SADIO MANE

Finishing only 12 points behind his Liverpool teammate above, Sadio Mane ended up as the third-highest-scoring FPL asset of the season.

There was only one fewer attacking return than Salah, too, with the Senegal international supplying 18 goals and 10 assists despite playing over 100 fewer minutes than his fellow premium midfielder.

Removing penalties (and any bonus that came from it) from the equation, Mane actually outscored Salah in terms of attacking returns and FPL points – although we Fantasy managers care little for how our hauls arrive.

Mane turned out to be the better-value pick based on starting prices (£11.5m v £12.5m) but, ending the season less than half a million behind his teammate, there was little to separate the pair come Gameweek 38+.

The Senegalese winger racked up eight double-digit hauls in all, just two of which came this calendar year.

From an underlying stats perspective, there were similarities to 2018/19 with Salah dominating the shot count (over 50 more than Mane this season) but his goal conversion rate being significantly inferior.

In four of Mane’s last five seasons has he hit at least 20 attacking returns and he’ll surely be priced around the £11.5m-£12.0m mark again next season.

BRUNO FERNANDES

The inclusion of any January transfer window signings in an end-of-season poll will be greeted with derision in some quarters but late arrivals have forced their way into contention in the past, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Papiss Demba Cisse having previously made our team of the year.

And few mid-season captures have quite made the impact that Bruno Fernandes has.

No FPL asset in any position averaged more points per match than the Manchester United midfielder (8.4) this season and while that mean would surely have dropped had he played the entirety of the campaign, 14 appearances is no tiny sample size.

Fernandes scored more points (117) from his Gameweek 25+ debut onwards than the likes of Diogo Jota, Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Pepe did all season, with only three blanks arriving in his 14 starts.

Six double-digit hauls were registered in that time, too, a total that no other Manchester United asset could beat across the whole of 2019/20.

Half of his goals came from the penalty spot but there was plenty to like besides that, with assists arriving from all quarters and his mere presence galvanising the rest of the Red Devils’ attack.

Fernandes’ ownership increased by 2000% following his arrival and his price ballooned from £8.0m to a high of £9.1m; it’d be a major surprise to see him priced up below £10.0m in 2020/21.

ANTHONY MARTIAL

Gameweek 32+ Scout Picks focus on Arsenal, Wolves and Man United

This season will almost certainly have been Anthony Martial‘s swansong as an FPL midfielder, with a positional reclassification looking very likely this summer.

While Manchester United’s attack is one of the more fluid in the division, the Frenchman played ‘out of position’ as a central striker for much of 2019/20 as FPL forward Marcus Rashford took up a role out wide.

This was by some distance Martial’s best-ever FPL season, with the 24-year-old striker racking up 17 goals, nine assists and 200 points and finishing a clear fifth among FPL midfielders in the overall points table.

The arrival of Fernandes and later return to fitness of Rashford and Pogba seemed to invigorate him, with 15 of his 26 attacking returns coming in the final 13 Gameweeks.

Martial averaged 8.0 FPL points per match over this period, which elevated his season mean to 6.2 – the joint-fifth-best in the division.

Having previously had something of a reputation as being injury-prone, he also became a reliable starter after an early-season spell on the sidelines, missing only one of United’s final 29 league matches.

The imminent rebrand will come at a cost: he would have scored 31 fewer goal/clean sheet points as a forward this season, although would have admittedly recouped a handful of those due to the quirks of the Bonus Points System.

RAHEEM STERLING

andys-pp-article 3

Also finishing on 6.2 points per match was Raheem Sterling, who endured a rollercoaster 2019/20.

No FPL midfielder scored as many goals as the Manchester City winger (20) and yet for large chunks of the season, he was persona non grata with Fantasy managers.

Having started the season with a hat-trick against West Ham and goals in his next two outings, the returns started to dry up.

Between Gameweeks 4 and 29, Sterling recorded just six goals and two assists and averaged a fairly dismal 3.95 points per match.

The enforced break from March to June seemed to work in Sterling’s favour, however.

Five of his nine double-digit hauls for the season came from Gameweek 30+ onwards, with Sterling racking up 86 points in the run-in despite beginning three of City’s final ten league fixtures on the bench.

A total of 206 points was his lowest in three seasons – a lack of assists accounting for that – but he nevertheless passed the 200-mark for the third straight year.

That end-of-season flurry may have put paid to any hopes of a price drop in the coming campaign (he started and finished 2019/20 at £12.0m) but he significantly underachieved based on expected assist data – suggesting his teammates’ poor finishing hampered his returns – and there is every chance of an even better year in 2020/21.

JACK GREALISH

A poor 2020 from an FPL perspective blotted Jack Grealish‘s copybook, with the Aston Villa talisman registering only two attacking returns in his final 15 appearances.

It shouldn’t be forgotten how impressive he was before that point, however.

Grealish racked up seven goals, six assists and 14 bonus points in the first 23 Gameweeks of the campaign, averaging a very respectable 5.0 points per match over this period.

Double-digit hauls against Brighton (twice) and Burnley were individual highlights, with Dean Smith’s decision to move him into a front three in Gameweek 7 sparking a real purple patch.

Despite the barren run in the final third of the campaign, Grealish still finished first for overall score (149) and points per match (4.1) among sub-£7.0m midfielders.

Crucially, given the different criteria we’re assessing in this piece, he was also the best-value midfielder of the season based on FPL’s points-per-million metric.

Only De Bruyne created more chances than Grealish in 2019/20 and, with a better finisher than the limited Wesley, Mbwana Samatta and Keinan Davis on the end of his crosses and passes, there would have been more points to show for his efforts.

TODD CANTWELL

For Grealish, see Todd Cantwell.

After netting against Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day, Cantwell didn’t manage anything other than a blank in the remaining 17 Gameweeks of the season as the Canaries struggled for goals.

Despite that shortage of points in 2020, Cantwell still finished as the highest-scoring sub-£5.0m midfielder of the season.

Grealish was the only midfielder who provided better value based on points per million, meanwhile.

His early-season exploits led to a price rise of half a million, with attacking returns arriving against Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester City in the first five Gameweeks.

Originally selected by little more than 20,000 FPL managers, Cantwell featuerd in over 1.8 million squads by Gameweek 7 and four more goals followed between then and Gameweek 21.

The drought that followed has tarnished his legacy but he was the go-to fifth midfielder for many of us in the first half of the season and is deserving of an honourable mention at the very least.

RIYAD MAHREZ

Finishing as the sixth-highest-scoring FPL midfielder but a damn sight cheaper than all bar Martial above him, Riyad Mahrez made big strides following a slightly underwhelming debut campaign at Manchester City.

Mahrez’s total of 25 attacking returns was the same he recorded in his final season at Leicester City but he managed it in over 1,000 fewer minutes, having started only 21 of the Citizens’ 38 league fixtures.

While the Algerian did make a further 12 appearances off the bench in 2019/20, his achievements were all the more commendable given how relatively little pitch-time he was afforded: Sterling, for example, managed just one more attacking return than Mahrez despite racking up over 700 more minutes.

Only Fernandes and De Bruyne averaged more attacking returns per 90 minutes than Mahrez among FPL midfielders this season.

Three of his six double-digit scores arrived in the first seven matches of the campaign, with a 17-point haul against Aston Villa in January representing his zenith in a single Gameweek.

It was his contribution in Double Gameweek 30+ that really stood out, however, with the Algeria international scoring 21 points across City’s games against Burnley and Arsenal.

On the negative side, there were 12 scores of exactly one point, with Pep Guardiola’s in-game rotation affecting Mahrez more than most.

SON HEUNG-MIN

Son’s tally of 24 attacking returns was his best ever since moving to the Premier League and he would have gone close to his 2017/18 total of 178 points had he not missed a penalty and been dismissed twice.

His exploits merit special praise as he sat out eight Spurs games through injury or suspension.

Half of Son’s six double-digit hauls arrived in Jose Mourinho’s first four matches in charge in north London.

Under the Special One, the South Korea international’s points-per-match average rose from to 5.1 to 5.9.

While there are more explosive players out there, Son was remarkably consistent throughout 2019/20: on only one occasion did he make more than two consecutive appearances without registering a goal or assist.

ADAMA TRAORE

is-vardy-really-out-of-form 8

One of the most infuriating players to own in the final third of the season due to Nuno Espirito Santo’s propensity to change shape and personnel in attack, Adama Traore was nevertheless one of the best value-for-money assets in FPL up until Gameweek 25.

Indeed, he finished the season as the fifth-highest-scoring midfielder – behind Grealish, Cantwell, De Bruyne and Martial – based on points per million.

It’s easy to forget that Traore began the season as a £5.0m bargain buy.

No midfielder with a starting price of less than £6.0m racked up more FPL points than Traore, who ended the campaign with four goals and nine assists to his name.

From Gameweeks 4 to 25, the winger started all but one of Wolves’ Premier League matches.

Whether many of his owners enjoyed his hauls is another question, given his ‘benchable’ price: his two highest scores of the season both came against Manchester City, with another double-digit return arriving away at Spurs.

From Gameweeks 6 to 24, he averaged a very creditable 5.0 points per match.

HARVEY BARNES

andy-bench-boost-article 4

Like a number of the cut-price midfielders listed above, Harvey Barnes‘ season petered out somewhat towards the end.

Eight blanks in nine post-restart fixtures (five of which were as a substitute) slightly tarnished his earlier work, with the Leicester City winger finishing the season on six goals and 10 assists.

No FPL midfielder priced up at less than £7.0m registered as many attacking returns (16) as Barnes this season.

His 19-point haul against Aston Villa was a real stand-out moment, with his pre-lockdown form (he averaged 8.5 points per match between Gameweeks 24 and 29) representing his best spell of the campaign.

Five assists across four matches in the autumn was another high point.

Game-time was a bit of a problem, it should be said: he made only 24 starts across the whole of 2019/20 and was substituted off in 20 of them.

NOT QUITE MAKING THE CUT

 1

We’ve limited the number of midfielders up for nomination to 12 in this piece, with the heavy hitters (De Bruyne, Salah, Mane, Sterling, Son) accompanied by slightly cheaper alternatives (Martial, Fernandes, Mahrez) and some budget assets (Barnes, Grealish, Cantwell, Traore) thrown in for good measure.

There were others who had strong cases for inclusion, however.

Richarlison finished only four points behind Son after another 13-goal campaign, while only two midfielders scored more bonus points than Willian this season.

Chelsea assets are perhaps a little hard done by in this piece, with Mason Mount another contender from the £6.0m bracket but ultimately finishing with fewer attacking returns than both Barnes and Grealish in the same price point.

Many of you may be wondering where Christian Pulisic is, too.

The American had a superb end to the campaign, with nine attacking returns in as many post-restart fixtures, but that more than doubled his total for the rest of the season.

Pulisic had started just 12 league matches before his late-season flurry from Gameweek 30+ onwards.

Similarly, Michail Antonio ended 2019/20 on a real high note and made a late push for nomination.

From Gameweeks 1-27, however, the West Ham United attacker had registered just three attacking returns in what had been an injury-ravaged campaign.

Don’t Forget to Vote

587 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KdB

  2. Oi! Shadders!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kevin.
    The end.

  3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Big Kev takes this one at a canter 🙂

    Missed 6 games too!

    How long till he gets a Ballon D'Or to go with FPL Midfielder of the year I wonder...

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      OK, but we have to vote for 5 for the team of the season. It's not just about who's the best!

      For me the first four were locks: KDB, Mane, Sterling, Martial. The last spot was difficult and was between Bruno and Salah - hard to give it to Bruno because he only played half a season, but since Salah has been in decline Bruno it is!

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Lol I didn't even realise that oops

        Bruno, Tony, Sterling, Son to go along with him!

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Just a random note because it's always bugged me a bit (don't take it the wrong way): 'bonus' is already a Latin word, so there's no need to Latinise it by going for the fake-latin 'bonimus'.

          If you want to go full Latin with your name, how about Maximus Bonus Punctorum?

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Oh I've gotten that before don't worry 🙂 (Along with the old WHY DO YOU HAVE A ROMAN HELMET ON YOUR GRAV ITS NOT SPARTAN MAKES NO SENSE AAARRRGGHHH!)

            That's just the rock & roll lifestyle I lead Greek Freak - as David Brent once said - I don't play by "The Rules" - just like Beefy* 🙂

            (*Although unlike Beefy I have not hit the odd copper or enjoyed the old dooby!)

            1. Baron Penguin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              You mean Lord Beefy

      2. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Why is Sterling a lock? He's a lock for the team of the restart maybe, but he was a terrible pick before it for the whole season.

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Everyone had ups and downs, other than KDB possibly. Sterling still scored 20 goals and more than 200 points. That certainly qualifies him for the best 5 mids in my view.

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Why Sterling over Salah? Salah was far more consistent over the season and delivered predictably at home as well. Just because he's declined compared to his insane 300+ point season doesn't make him not a top 5 mid in the game.

            1. Greek Freak
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              No reason - just personal bias I guess. Mane was just as good as Salah for less money.

    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      do think he's the only player who comes close to messi these days

  4. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    long term jimenez owners maybe owe traore a vote, otherwise found him quite underwhelming unless you had him for those man city games

  5. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Views on Leicester assets?

    For half a season 3 Leicester was quite a common play. Europa will be tricky of course but it's hard to see too many getting that much of a price bump aside from Barnes and Vardy. Second half of the season form was pretty naff - does that outweigh first half excellence?

    Wondering most about the mid priced mids. Tielemans? Barnes?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Schmeichel, if 5.0, could be an option for S+F keeper if the fixtures are decent.
      Otherwise I’ll be waiting to see on price and form for Ricardo, Maddison and Vardy

    2. Alberto Tomba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They've tailed off in the second half of the season.
      Unless Vardy comes out the blocks strong, I'd rather wait to see in case they they become premium priced assets performing at mid-table standard.

      What's the odds of them winning the PL with that lot 😉

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think the Europa League will hurt their prospects in FPL.

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        And I'd also expect some new signings in part to have enough squad depth for Europa League, which will mean more rotation -- and Rodgers already does quite a lot of rotation. I expect most FPL managers will be avoiding their midfield.

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I am almost 100% certain that I will have none of their attacking players. Yet if they have very nice fixtures in the beginning, I might (just might though) consider Smeichel at 5.0 or a defender.

  6. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who’s doing fantasy spfl then? If I’m still interested after 3 weeks I’ll view it as a success 🙂

  7. Alberto Tomba
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I'm surprised Willian didn't make the cut for the midfielder vote.

    ..Just because he wasn't hyped on this site enough, the forgotten man.

    1. Oi! Shadders!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. This site seems to underestimate him. Very rarely does anyone suggest transferring him in, and he's never part of 'the template'.

    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      maybe the clustering of his points, 2 more explosive spells with long frustrating spells in between. although sterling is there and grealish (kind of only 1 spell) is there too. points for price wise he did well

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cantwell is there too, who had no spells whatsoever 😀

        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          do have to adjust for 4.5 mids though, personally voted for him, maybe bias involved (and luck to have caught the 10pters despite barely starting him)

          1. Greek Freak
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I had Cantwell too - ppg in my team: 2.3 😛

            1. Greek Freak
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              As I've said elsewhere, I would've had a great season if I didn't spend the first half of it running around like a headless chicken trying to find the right mid-price and budget options!

              (That was tongue-in-cheek of course - finding those right options is exactly where a lot of the skill is!)

              1. applebonkers
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                yeah, always easier to look at in hindsight, cantwell and grealish had no real history of goals so makes sense to have not really known who to trust and commit to early on

        2. Alberto Tomba
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah I think a few of us did well by him early in the season. I wonder if Cantwell will leave his hometown or whether he'll try and get them back up.. From the little I saw he was the CR of Norwich as the season progressed

          1. Jerr63
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Sorry Alberto I’m trying to get used to all the abbreviations. I had Todd Cantwell in my team for part of the season. What does CR indicate please?

    3. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He had an honourable mention at the end but I agree, he was perhaps the most hard-done-by. We limited the candidates to 12 here and tried to achieve a blend of the premiums, slightly cheaper assets (Mahrez, Martial etc) and the bargain buys. That tricky £7.0m+ price point was perhaps a lot to do with it. He had an excellent run-in but 20 blanks in 27 appearances before that would have maybe been more forgivable had he been in fifth midfielder territory.

    4. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think it's because he doesn't excel anywhere for FPL - lots of minutes but not many returns, it's just how he plays. Joint 10th for goals from midfielders, joint 8th for assists... Pretty much identical to Pulisic who did it in half the time with fewer blanks!

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        For Pulisic to be basically in the top 15 midfielders on points, whilst barely making the top 100 midfielders on minutes makes for a mouthwatering FPL prospect for next season

        Hopefully they are kind to him on pricing & we get an 8.5/9.0 elite midfielder on our hands

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Was comparing his stats among Chelsea players, and whilst he isn't at Hazard levels, they were still hugely impressive.

          Given his struggles earlier in the season, I'm keen to see how he does next season - the impact of Wener and Ziyech will be interesting to see.

        2. Goonsquad245
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Pulisic kind of reminds me of Son - explosive/good but might not actually end up playing that many minutes with injuries etc. I wonder if we'll see a similar route in terms of pricing over the seasons (think Son has been steadily progressing from 8m up to 9.5 over the seasons)

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Historically a troll in FPL

  8. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Reposting since I put it on the previous thread...thanks!

    This is not exactly an FPL question, but do any of you have recommendations for books about football strategy and tactics? (Note: audible books preferred, but kindle is fine too). They might even be very basic "starter" level - I've been watching WHU since 1996 - but I grew up in the USA so American football is the sport I know the most intricately and I think it would be interesting to dig into some of the main tactics such as why certain formations are better for certain teams, and even more obscure strategies and rules - that sort of thing (and hopefully in an entertaining book)! I listen to a lot of podcasts like the one from here and also the Guardian podcast, and sometimes Football Daily, etc, but rather than just Google it, I thought I'd ask you guys first! Thanks for any suggestions! Cheers!

    1. Oi! Shadders!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Try 'Inverting the Pyramid' by Jonathan Wilson.

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ah, the pepper guy, okay, I will check it out, thanks!

    2. Alberto Tomba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Are you Roy Hodgson in disguise?

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Was I too obvious lol

  9. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    That's a pretty hefty hike in performance from Son under Mou - 5.1 to 5.9 ppm. Any theories why?

    Only Bruno OOP Martial and the big boys from City and Pool better it. 5.1 takes him down a level to the likes of Mahrez, Pulisic and Dilva - still great of course.

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe because it coincided with a large chunk of Kane's injury and Son playing as the outright striker.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah

        Just looked - it may be as simple as that. 47 points in 9 matches post lockdown gets him back close to the 5.1 average

    2. Berge20
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane injury and switch to more counter attacking style

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      That was true of Alli when Kane was injured too. Alli was playing CF and on pens. After the restart, Alli went back to his usual position and then got injured (i.e. BAU for Alli).

  10. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon all,

    The final instalment of Boris and Co's Pundit Playoff has just gone up, detailing the winners (and the losers). A big thank you to him and the team for all the hard work they've put into making this season a bit more fun. 🙂

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/07/31/pundits-playoff-we-have-a-winner/

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I deployed a slightly different approach to captain at some points this season, and at times used the same logic with transfers (at times to my detriment).
      And that was basing captains and transfers on fixtures.
      So for instance when Kane had 4 nice fixtures I would get Kane in and cap him for those 4 weeks straight and not deviate from it.
      I also did this one of some players I transferred in and said, right he has 6 green fixtures, no matter how he does he stays for those 6 minimum.
      I didn’t keep track of it too well, the captain idea tended to work quite well, however there was two instances where the same idea for transfers backfired and that was Pepe havin 3/4 home games in a 5 week period or something. And then I had Zaha for like 7 weeks of green fixtures.
      Pepe got me 1 or 2 returns but ultimately a fail, Zaha was absolutely atrocious and then when he finally got two returns, VAR rules them both out -_-

      In general I kind of like the idea, you just need to pick the right players, not donkeys. I only use that strat at times with differential picks, I certainly don’t play like that all the time.
      Next season I will be using it again, especially the captain method.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Oops reply fail

  11. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Has anyone here ever played a set-and-forget captain for an entire season with any success?

    KDB, for example, or Salah?

    1. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe not but some may be seriously considering KDB as set and forget for example. The case becomes stronger by the day

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think I'd be tempted by Bruno if he stays fit. Takes a lot of hassle out of the game.

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      why would you do that? As if honna cap KDB at Chelsea when Salah has NORWICH or whatever, just ain't gonna happen

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        KDB vs Chelsea isn't actually a bad fixfure, tbh. We're obviously talking fixture proof players here.

        1. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          whether it is or isn't there's no way I'm avoiding Liverpool at home to cannon fodder just coz they're not set and forget

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Granted, but these fixtures don't always pay off. I think the argument in favour of a permanent captain means instead of trying to second guess their hauls and ending up disappointed you simply double their season tally and be done with it. I'm on the fence myself.

    3. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think the problem with this strategy is that you can never be sure who the highest scoring players in the game are going to be... even the greatest players can have slumps in form, for example if you settled on Sterling I think there would have been no way you kept captaining him after half of the season. I also doubt you would think of KDB at the start of the season. New options can emerge too. I think that in hindsight this is a good strategy, bu when it comes to implementing it, there can be some problems...

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, I think what's swaying me is Bruno's form. If he kept that up for a season it's the equivalent of 318 points. As a set-and-forget captain there's 636. I finish inside the Top 4k this season yet only managed to rake in 504 points from captaincies. It's bizarre.

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I've thought about the possibility also of a "set-and-forget lite" option where you pick a captain for a fairly long "term" of maybe 8 or 12 weeks, and you only consider changing the captain at the end of a "term". Then you would still have the ability to get off of a bad captain eventually, but resist your urges to switch more frequently.

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Oh okay. To cover a fixed run of decent fixtures you mean?

          1. FPL Theorist
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Could be. Or could just be to rein in your itchy trigger finger.

            I would think of it kind of like how many countries intentionally use elements of "indirect democracy", trying to put checks on a mob being swayed by temporary passions to support a radical demagogue by having certain positions elected for long terms or even for life. It is supposed to serve as a check on excesses of democracy.

            In the FPL case, you would be trying to rein in your own future behaviour, where you know you have a tendency to over-react to one or two captain blanks. You are basically saying you don't trust your momentary decision-making when it comes to captaincy, so making a commitment to a certain captain for a designated time is how you are going to exercise the necessary self-control to stay the course on your long-term plan.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KdB would have netted you just over 500 points plus VC - ok but nothing more. There were only 3 non appearances so the excess wouldn’t be that great.

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Assumption perhaps here that you can identify the top scorer from GW1

      KdB was a 9.5 mid most avoided. Mo Raz were easily the template options early season. If you had perma capped either of those the downside would have become obvious early on. You’d have had to keep Mo through injury and Sterling through pathetic form

      This is retrospection analysis. No one but no one would have gone KdB perma cap preseason

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Perma-captaining City players probably not the smartest move, for sure. But if Bruno comes out firing from the off, etc...

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Until he gets injured rotates falls out of form and KdB or Mo or Sterling or Vardy or whoever goes in a blinding run etc etc etc etc etc etc

          Low upside in any event. You need to hit a 300 point season to make it worthwhile given all the opportunities you’ll pass up. A 250 point season is possible but that’s on the low side of low middling

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Well obviously nobody's going to captain an injured player.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Quite - rather my point

              Also how many people are going to stick with C on a player who goes through a lull in form playing for a team with a lull in form?

              Permacap fairly early on last season would’ve been Vardy. He had 140 points halfway in. Even if you “cheat” by selecting permacap late on you’re quite likely to come unstuck.

              1. Drexl Spivey
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                I see what you're saying. Like I say, I'm on the fence. Chopping and changing every week though just seems too much like transferring in the previous week's high scorers, only to be let down. I try and bring players in over a six week run if I can. I can't count how many times I fluffed the armband last year gunning for plum fixtures all the time. I wonder what the Top10k average is for captain returns over the season?

                1. pingissimus
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  You got unlucky

                  In theory I play the same game. Did well on C this time. Better luck. Did best in two spells - leaving it on Vardy in his prime run when he couldn’t help but score. He wasn’t that explosive but I got zero blanks. Think there’s something to be said for runs of captain loyalty if fixtures and form looks good.

                  I also did well late on. I was more adventurous there but only once brought in a premium to be C. Aside from that I simply picked my best option. KdB against Pool was the pick.

                  Think psychologically it helped not to bring in players for C potential.

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tbh it isn't a good idea. Getting C wrong is annoying, but this is a competition. We don't know now who is the most scoring player next year. Had I been forced to choose my permanent C last autumn, it would have been probably Salah. And many would have chosen Sterling over KdB.

      Some players are good options when they are in form (Vardy), but when he is not performing, choosing him would be simply stupid. I think we should perhaps look at rotating captains (Mo at Anfield for example).

    7. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I don't think it's a great idea because you'd have to be seriously bad and unlucky at picking captains to have a lower captain score than if you perma-captain someone.

      There are exceptions of course, but you have to get lukcy at basically predicting who's going to be the highest scorer of the year. Perma-capping Salah when he scored 303 points would've been great, but even with my various captain fails I still got more points from my captains this year than if I had perma-capped the highest scorer.

    8. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Next season I’ll be capping Salah @ home, KDB all others. Most probably, thats assuming their home, away rotation matches up. If it doesn’t I might have to rethink it and utilise Bruno as well.

    9. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah season before the one just gone.

      Worked well!
      Don't think anyone stands out above the rest now quite as much as Salah did then though...

      Also there were some weeks when it really wasn't the best decision, but I stuck with it because it's what I decided to do.

      I think for those debating it, the better option is to pick the most sensible captain every week, not necessarily the same player. This stops you from picking garbage like Alli/Pukki on a random week due to some gut feeling.

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers mate, great to know it has been done!

  12. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Has to be Bruno for the sheer Points per match ever since his January arrival. Unrivalled.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KdB and Bruno are the first two names imo. Bruno was the game changer for MU.

  13. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If Salah and KDB are priced similarly who will you get?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mo

  14. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah. KDB is a trap next season

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Whoops. Reply fail to above

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Loved having KdB as a 9.5 mid pretty much the whole way through but he’ll be a different proposition in the 12.5 bracket - significant loss of value. Just another super premium mid 🙂

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This man knows

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He was underpriced from the start
        And now he's got pens as well.
        But yeah true, another super premium mid.

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And why is that?

  15. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lads, if the prices were as follows:

    Salah - 12.5
    Mane - 12
    Bruno - 11
    KDB - 12.5
    Sterling - 12

    And for argument sake, all had comparable fixtures in terms of difficulty which and how many of these would you include in your 100m Gw1 team?

    Cheers

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only Salah. Auba possibly classed as a mid so if he is then getting him in too.

      1. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Auba at 11.5m would you say?

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Might stay the same?

      2. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Salah is in decline tho

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB and Bruno

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Probably this for me too. Although KDB vs Sterling could be tricky. If Aguero is back, then I'm not sure we'll see Sterling continue like he ended the season.

    3. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mane, Sterling and Bruno probably.

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB and Bruno

    5. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Haven't done too much thinking just yet...

      Currently thinking I'll almost certainly have KDB, then either one of Bruno/Salah to compliment.

  16. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Random transfer predictions:
    - King or Cilson to Spurs
    - Grealish to Arsenal
    - Hilsom to Villa
    - Willian to Spurs
    - Sarr to Everton

    1. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I can’t see Grealish to Arsenal. They want 80m. Arteta needs Partey and defenders first and foremost tbh.

      1. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Although if Grealish did end up at Arsenal, would be a juicy FPL consideration for me aha

      2. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        80 mil? Lmao for real?

        1. JURGENAUT
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I’m sure that’s what I read on Skysports

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Ha

        2. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I think that is just a round-about way of saying they don't intend to sell. They might as well set some price and then if someone is crazy enough to pay such a high price, then let him go.

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Actually I’m not sure about Sarr, I’d think one of him or Doucoure to Everton though.

  17. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    It’s interesting how everyone has differing opinions on the combination of premium players they are planning to go with irrespective of fixtures. Some appear locked in on Salah or KDB without second thoughts and others more cautious. There’s also the debate of is Mané better value than Salah at the back of last season. This season will be a rollercoaster with so many options and reclassification of positions, can’t wait aha.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If Auba is classed as a mid it will change everything.

      1. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I have a feeling he won’t be reclassified but I guess we’ll see soon

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Could very well happen when the FPL website are hinting...

          FPL Scout's club review: Aubameyang position vital in new campaign https://www.premierleague.com/news/1744596

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      aha

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, I think much of this is from team structure as well.

      If you're going to start with three premium players and be fairly template, you'll probably start with one premium each from Liverpool, City, and United.

      If you're going to start with only two premium players, then you have to leave one of those out initially. And it's hard to tell which one without knowing the fixtures.

      Or if you like being maverick, then you might start with three premiums, but double up on one of those teams while ignoring one.

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    BBC gossip column saying Jimenez on his way to United after Wolves agree a deal for Braga’s Paulinho?

    Man, say it ain’t so

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why on earth do Man U want Jimi??

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not a clue. Stupidity in transfers rather than focusing on what they need - a keeper (unless they go for Hendo), a centre back and a right mid

    2. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If that happens, Paulinho in FPL could be one to watch

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He could be indeed. Had a good season, but that is at Braga... Prem a whole different beast.

        And why Wolves would want to sell Jimenez anyway is beyond me

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I assume they'd be getting well north of 50 mill for a 29 year old. Hard to say no to and it may be they're due for a bit of a reboot themselves. Small squad really.

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      10m fpl price tag if he goes to UTD?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sadly would probably at at least 0.5-1.0 onto his price. Hope it’s just a rumour

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cant see Wolves letting him go unless it’s for crazy money, what would Wolves be without Jimi. A mediocre side at best

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Budget forwards will be the order of the day next season and hopefully Werner at no more than 9.0 lol

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Think Werner will be 10

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Then I will be skipping.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Oooof

      Just when I thought I'd be able to have Jim as a tidy - if pricey - differential early on. Was sceptical but now thinking this will happen.

      Martial POO now feels quite likely

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        POO?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Reverse OOP

          Mid classed as a forward

          1. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            ta

    5. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It's not happening. Just rumors

    6. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nah cant see it,they use Man.Utd to up his price and probably end up in Juve imo

  19. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chelsea's attacking assets were very well priced start of the season.

    Would you will pick Werner at 10.0?

    1. Licky
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Very possibly.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Think that is way too much for a newbie fwd never having played in the PL tbf.

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably.

    3. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Morata was 10.5m I am pretty sure of it. So I don't see why Werner would be less than 10.0.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Morata was 10.0

      2. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yep, Morata was 10.5, and was also really good at the beginning too (it's later that he started to flop!).

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          OK maybe he was 10 but the point still stands.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Tammu's price will be going so will be interesting to see what Werner is set at.

            I still say no more than 9.0

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              *Tammy*

              1. Greek Freak
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Tammy will be no threat to Werner other than the usual occasional rest probably, but we've talked about this before!

                I looked into Morata btw to see just how good he was in the beginning, found an article from November 2017: at that time, he was third among forwards in ppg behind Aguero and Kane, and had a 71% goal involvement in Chelsea!

                I wonder why it went so wrong. I mean, clearly him not being as good as people expected is one explanation, but it's amazing how he all of a sudden was drained of all confidence.

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  There was a scout review in a previous article which was talking about Werner being a beteer option playing of another striker.

                  I would not rule out Frank going with a diamond midfield and two up top.

                2. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Plus Werner can play wide as well based on the scout review.

                  At 10.0 I can safely say Werner will not go into my squad from the start. Way too much risk at that price.

                3. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    I read somewhere that a family member of his died and he lost confidence and was homesick, not sure if it was true

                    1. Greek Freak
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 8 months ago

                      Ah, that would certainly explain it if true. Given that he was still scoring well into November of his first season it does indicate that his early returns weren't exactly a fluke.

                      1. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 8 months ago

                        That won't be a problem for a while due to covid.

                        1. FOO FIGHTER
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 8 months ago

                          Sure, but it is a problem.

                        2. Greek Freak
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 8 months ago

                          Didn't seem to be a huge problem in the Bundesliga. And it's definitely not going to be a problem until we get crowds back, which won't be as soon as the government seems to think.

                      2. JURGENAUT
                        • 3 Years
                        3 years, 8 months ago

                        Oh okay, that’s news to me. Out of curiosity, how many points did you finish on last season + rank? You seem really on top of things already, seems like no rest at all for you buddy aha. Thanks for the article pal.

                        1. FOO FIGHTER
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 8 months ago

                          Lol, my rank was sh*te. 322k.

                          Must say, I have learned alot about FPL since joining FFS last season.

                          I took loads of hits and was not patient enough with players which was probably my downfall.

                          My highest rank this season was 66k this season in GW26 and all went tits up from there 😀

      3. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not in my GW1squad but on my watchlist. Gotta be convinced he won't be a Higuain/Morata clone.

      4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes

    4. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Posted this this morning:

      Jimenez to Man U - how that gonna work? Will he rotate with Martial? At Wolves he''s nailed on in my squad; at United probably not.
      At Wolves, esp if not in EL, he'll play every PL game; I doubt he will with United. If he is the main striker and is flanked by Rashford and Martial, that knocks Greenwood out. Depressing all round. Or at least all 4 will get reduced minutes, making all of them less attractive in FPL. And if Sancho is added, shheesh, Pep roulette will get a run for its money!

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I wonder if he'd take penalties. He's statistically the best penalty taker in the Premier League after all.*

        *I've chosen >20 penalties as my representative sample. There are of course some players who have never missed, like Stanislas, but have taken much fewer.

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah. Very much hope that’s just a bollocks rumour like when they were “close” to Haaland lol

    5. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea make an offer for Ter Stegen.

      Gotta think it’s unlikely to happen but lord if it did, Chelsea defensively would be brilliant assets (especially Azpi/Alonso - or Chilwell - attacking wise too). And with Ziyech, Werner, and whoever else they can buy... title challenge?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Loads of GK's will be linked with Chelsea. Even Kepa mentioned he may have played his last match for them.

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Prob means they approached United for Hendo and got knocked back.
        I'd say centre back is still a weak spot along with Frank's ability to organise a defence, but they'd have a squad to consolidate Top 4 - i.e. 4th imo. I can see the current Top 4 being the same next season. But Chelsea will pull away from challenges from Spuds and Arse, and if Wolves sell Jimi, I don't think they'll be knocking at the door either.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          If Jim goes it will open the door for Jota again.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            He was kinda disappointing though. I'd want convincing.

    6. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I don't get how you can rule a player out of your team without knowing the fixtures? Don't get me wrong I'm not saying I'll stack my team with relegation fodder if they have good fixtures but Werner for example, if Chelsea have very easy fixtures to start with is it that much of a risk?

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I'm seriously considering Werner regardless - I'd want some piece of the Chelsea attack and I'm worried about rotation among the attacking mids.

          1. Licky
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            This for me.

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Same, Frank has shown that attack isn't really a worry

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Is something to consider but Germany has pretty similar atmospheres to the premier League so seems like that happens on the very rare occasions, can you imagine you captain him and he goes off within 15 mins

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  This is the problem...

            2. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              If United get Jimenez and Sancho I will prob rule out Jimi and Greenwood regardless of fixtures - too much rotation.

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Of course, my point is more for fairly nailed players like Werner for example. I started last season with Wilson and scored 99 gw1 so having Werner first game doesn't really constitute a massive risk for me

              2. Now I'm Panicking
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Everything everyone is talking about is all going to go out the window anyway with likely early blanks, further transfers, players getting extended breaks, injuries etc anyway, and that's without anyone knowing the positions, prices or fixtures.

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    Exactly, I'm not stifling discussion or anything I enjoy talking about football I just really don't get ruling someone out when we don't know any of the things you mentioned

              3. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                So the biggest question...

                Kane's price next season?

                1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Below 11

                2. ZimZalabim
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  even bigger question will he be reclassified as a CB or CDM

                3. diesel001
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  11.0m

              4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Can anyone recommend a good site for transfer rumours?

                  1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    Thank you!

              5. Alberto Tomba
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Lallana looks tasty, having been training with the best team in the world he'll now have starts guaranteed and confidence to boot, though I wonder if he'll actually have anyone to assist. Maybe Connolly at 5.0m? Interested to know what Brighton fans think

                Lallana was so goof for LFC, as recently as 2017 he was amongst LFCs best players.

                1. pingissimus
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Starts guaranteed?

                  Minutes played at Brighton last season make for interesting reading. Maupay would be the most regular attacker but he missed plenty.

                  He's 32

                  1. Greek Freak
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    I think Potter has already shown he likes rotation a lot, and they'll have more attacking options next year. Maupay and Trossard of course, the Scottish Argentinian guy should get more minutes etc.

                    1. FPL Theorist
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 8 months ago

                      Yes, too much competition in the attack.

                      I'd be interested in Lamptey though if he nails down the RB/RWB spot. It would be a wait-and-see, maybe bring in at first WC.

                      1. Alberto Tomba
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 8 months ago

                        Would this not just be because Brighton haven't had a proven star before? Presumably if Lallana arrives in the form we saw of him at Liverpool, they'd be mad not to start him every week.

                  1. Alberto Tomba
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    Absolutely, getting injured rather than underperformance was the reason Lallana ever really lost (and often had to regain) his first team berth.

                2. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Connolly just signed a new contract but Potter also likes roulette.

                  Only player I am interested in from Brighton is Dunk.

                  1. Greek Freak
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    Ah, the sweet memories of his 4 own goals two years ago...

                  2. have you seen cyan
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    this, the rotation is worse then Pep

                3. Brosstan
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Lallana is worse than Gross and Trossard. Why the hell are Brighton even buying him when Potter isn't giving those two regular minutes as it is..

                  1. Alberto Tomba
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    Lallana was a key proponent of Fimino and Mane coupling up nicely, and before that a part of the Sturridge and Coutinho success stories. If he's not injured and had a run in the first team, he's been incredible.
                    He should be a sure starter in any team outside of the big six

              6. Greek Freak
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                I just looked into Scottish fantasy football and the official game looks ridiculously complicated for newbies and casuals. Stuff like "For each fixture round, you have the option of choosing a supersub from the players picked as substitutes. The points of your supersub will then be tripled, but only if this player actually enters the field of play during the real match! He has to start his real match on the bench. If he does not play, he will not score any points. And if he is a starter in his real match, his points will be divided by 2 as with all the other substitutes."

                Couple that with the fact that the only player I know is Jermain Defoe* and it's easy to see how FPL have got it mostly right with their rules in terms of attracting casual football fans (or even non-football fans) to the game.

                *Only a slight exaggeration.

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  I would love to see changes being made to FPL to remove the element of luck and make it more tactical.

                  I know there are timezone issues but would love a live sub option but with a twist. You keep the players poits you subbed off and then get whatever points from the player you brought on. Also cap chip being removed. Think this will make many which are entering dead teams and banking on autosubs disappear 🙂

              7. The Polymath
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                I'm having technical difficulties using this site. The screen pauses too long on the main menu and takes too long to move to another page. Is anyone else having similar problems?

                1. Ógie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Not here anyways.

                  It sounds like you might be having bandwidth issues,try a speed test maybe to see if something is up.
                  https://www.speedtest.net/

                2. jtreble
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Not here. Safari/iOS and Chrome/Windows.

              8. Forza Papac
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Fantasy Football Scotland starts tomorrow for anyone who's suffering from from FPL withdrawal.

                https://twitter.com/FantasyScotland/status/1276107127313104896?s=19

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  FPL is enough...

                  1. Forza Papac
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    😆

                2. Ógie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  It would be a real stab in the dark for me as i don't follow the SPL at all.

                  Who knows,i might give it a try for the craic yet.

                  1. Forza Papac
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    I'm Scottish and had to do some extensive research on bargain players from the lesser teams. It's more or less 6 old firm players and fill in the blanks with guys that will chip in here and there

              9. Cak Juris
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Pulisic & Antonio shall get nomination for best MIDs instead of Adama Traore & Harvey Barnes

              10. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                with so many changes to Chelseas attack next season, do you think they will have actually gelled enough by the start of the season? Or more likely it will take sometime

                Ziyech - Havertz - Pulisic
                Werner

                Im not saying they would be bad, but hmm

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Havertz has not joined yet.

                  1. have you seen cyan
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    They’ll probably get him

                2. Ógie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  They are top quality players so i suspect it will not take em long to settle in.

                  These players will put a lot of options on the table for Frank,maybe too many so it might take him time to find the best systems to best utilize his options.

                  It will probably come down to fixtures to see who if any Chelsea players i will be starting with but i will be watching them closely again this season for potential bargains.