Interview

Meet the FPL Manager: Top 300 manager and captain picker extraordinaire

Joe chats to Chama, who is currently in the top 300 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) after resolving to improve his captaincy picks.

Chama’s career history as an FPL manager was not that impressive ahead of the 2021/22 season. He knew he could never win the game with only a couple of top 50,000 overall finishes to his name since 2014.

That all changed this year when he focused his game on ensuring he had the best captain pick each week.

In the latest Meet the Manager video and podcast, Chama explains to Joe how he selects his armband candidates. This involves an intricate, evolving matrix plotting the teams with the best fixtures, top premium picks and worst defences to target.

Thanks to taking the time to look at captaincy strategy across the campaign he has achieved an incredible captaincy average better than the overall number one, which has propelled him to among the very highest rank places.

From Bruno Fernandes’ (£11.6m) early-season hauls to Son Heung-min‘s (£11.1m) recent 42-point haul in Gameweek 32, his captaincy picks have been exemplary.

Chama also takes some time to chat about his plans for Gameweek 33 and who will be handed the armband this time around.

Given his success so far, his selection is not to be missed ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.

Incredibly he still has not deployed his Triple Captaincy chip. He reveals which remaining set of fixtures he plans to use it as he attempts to climb even further up the rankings.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

167 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Does this look reasonable? I'm not sure if it's worth trying to put together a plan to bring Kane into this team for the rest of the season.
    Got 2 FT, 1.6 ITB, no chips left.

    Schmeichel (Ramsdale)
    TAA Cancelo Silva Doherty* (Digne*)
    Salah Son Kulusevski Saka (c) (Raphinha*)
    Lacazette Broja (Greenwood*)

    GW33: Raphinha, Doherty & Digne > Brownhill, Tarkowski & Taylor (-4)
    GW34: Lacazette > Kane

    Would have just enough money to get all Salah, Kane and Son.

    Alternatively I could just do Raphinha > Maddison (c) and save the other FT but it would mean no Kane for the rest of the season.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I’d also just leave Kane now. Raph >> Maddy sounds good

  2. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Raph to Maddison
    Son C

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Reply fail to SKENG

      1. SKENG
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all. Would you FH here? 2FTs. Still with WC and BB also.

    DDG
    TAA. Cancelo. Doherty*
    Salah. Saka. Kulu. Martinelli

    Kane. Weg. Toney
    
(Foster, Dalot, Raphinha*, Tierney*)

    1. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Doc and Weg
      to Schar and Wood?

      You can WC them both out in a few weeks!

  4. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Play James or Broja?

    Broja would normally be benched but has a double...
    Whereas James might feast or not play at all!

    1. SKENG
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Broja

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'm playing James, Broja 1st bench. Dont want to risk missing James tearing up Arsenal's weakened left side

  5. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Lacazette hasn't scored in open play in 2022. The way Arsenal risked everything on banishing loads of players and getting nobody in in January really looking more and more like a masterstroke everyday.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Might as well try Nkeitiah/Martinelli upfront

      1. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Wish they try it after gw33 though...stuck with the donkey for this gw

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Xhaka and Partey are the weak links IMO. Arsenal, like many other teams, need to find a good DM. More defensive solidity will provide a better platform for Martinelli and Saka to get forward and stay higher up the pitch.

      Ramsdale
      Tomiyasu White Gabriel Tierney
      ????? Lokonga
      Saka Odegaard Martinelli
      Lacazette

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      As long as others were scoring, Laca was providing assists and creating chances, it was fine. But if you ask me, Nketiah should start the next one. Something's gotta change quickly.

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Laca has blanked in the last 4 but returned in 9 of the previous 11 games and has been the main man up top since Auba moved on.

      Nketiah hasn’t started a PL game yet this season and just a single assist to his name in the 12 games he has been brought on … 4th place is up for grabs so I can’t see Nketiah starting over Laca because there is so much to play for, but anything is possible.

      I am not convinced by Laca though but he’ll worth considering as punt on FH at that price.

  6. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Don't think so. Raphina to maddison / Barnes and tierney to schar / castagne / justin gives you plenty of doubles and some good singles. Then WC 34, BB 36 and FH 37

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Reply fail to rafa

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Thank you matey!

  7. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    I have decided to free hit in 37.

    Fixtures wise, there are more appealing fixtures.
    GW33 - Newcastle, Man Utd, Southampton, Arsenal
    GW37 - Chelsea, Villa, Everton, Palace + Man City

    Upside is more in gw37.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      so you are planning to roll with few players from those GW37 teams?

      1. pakornk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        not sure what you mean by few?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Few as in just total of 2-3 players from Chelsea, Everton, Palace and Man City in your normal team?

    2. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I agree with this. I think there's too many good SGW players this week

    3. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Are Man City confirmed for 37?

    4. DennisTheMenace
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      u know that Chelsea, Villa, Palace and City aren’t all confirmed. If Chelsea go through to the FA Cup Final they but lose to Madrid in the CL (which is quite likely), they are very likely to have a double in 34/35. If they win both, they are still likely to have a double in 37. It’s like they have a triple GW but one game FA Cup and then two PL games in a GW. If Palace win against Chelsea in the FA Cup, Chelsea will have a double in 37. However, neither Palace nor Villa will if Palace go through to the FA Cup final. That game would likely be rescheduled for 34/35. Also, if Man City beat Liverpool in the FA Cup, they will have a double in 36 not 37. As we saw on the weekend, either team could win that game.

      This means worst case scenario the teams that double in 37 will be: Burnley, Chelsea, Everton and Leicester or Villa, Burnley, Palace, Everton and Leicester.

      Of course there could be an upside of FHing in 37 because there is a possibility that Man City could double in 37. That would change everything.

      However, just in case the worst case scenarios do occur, which wouldn’t be out of the ordinary, I’m FHing in 33 instead. Not only are there 7 teams that double but also in-form teams like City and Spurs have amazing singles. I could end up having 4 players from those two teams alone.

      For 37, I’ll just target teams like Leicester and Everton, who have guaranteed doubles in both 36 and 37. After the FA Cup semis, we’ll know when Chelsea will have their doubles, so they could be a team to target. Also, if Man City double in 37, i already have a plan to bring 2 City players in. I’ll do:
      TAA, Salah —> Cancelo, KDB

      Hope this was helpful and made u think whether it really is worth FHing in 37. Of course it all comes down to the results in the FA Cup but unfortunately that occurs during GW33. Also, listen to the Chelsea game tonight because if they lose, they will have free space in GWs 34 and 35. They would be able to play Man U in one of these GWs.

      1. pakornk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks bro really insightful.

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Is Doherty out long term? Or still unknown?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      apparently 12 weeks (season over)

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate. Tierney likely to be back before him then?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          He is expected to miss rest of the season as well

  9. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Current team:
    Ramsdale
    Cancelo TAA James Doherty* Kilman*
    Saka Salah Son Kulu Raph*
    DCL Broja Watkins*

    Only 3 dgw players 1FT

    FH to something like this?
    Schmeichel
    Schar Cancelo Telles (White, Tsimikas)
    Bruno Saka Son Maddison JWP
    Kane ASM (Broja)

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team. Are you not concerned about not owning Salah Vs Man U?

  10. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    What move should I be looking at for DGW33? Planning to WC either 34 or 35. 1FT, £4.2m ITB

    Sanchez, Foster
    Robertson, Cancelo, James, Livramento, Dalot
    Salah, Son, Kulu, Maddison, Martinelli
    Weg, Broja, Dennis

    1. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      opportunity to get rid of Dennis? Or Schmeichel in for Foster? Really the team is fine, maybe Kulu to Sancho as a short term punt though I don't think there's much value in it

  11. C_G
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    what to do here? 1.1 ITB, 2 FTs, BB left

    Sa Carson

    Alonso Amartey Robbo TAA Doherty

    Salah Raph Ramsey Kulu Saka

    Toney Kane Weg

  12. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all, current rank 7k.

    Raphina and Doherty to come out, would love some feedback on replacements, Maddison the stand out for me.
    That would leave 5.3 itb, already own Schar, thoughts?

    1. Trovsmash
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I have 1 FH and a BB to play for context.

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Just get Laporte/Cancelo/Robbo

    3. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      If you went with Barnes instead, who has slightly better underlying numbers, you could get Walker

      1. Trovsmash
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        I actually had not considered that, i like it

  13. C_G
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    thoughts on these transfers?

    Doherty + Sa + Raph --> Dubravka + Schar + Maddison (-4)?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Nice moves

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Nice

  14. Joey Barton and Friends
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Taking Raphina and Jonny out this week with a WC for 34. Current thinking is to BB this week. Any thoughts on this?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Would need to see your team to suggest anything but if you do have a WC left you can possibly plan a BB36/37 strategy as well

  15. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Kulu or Wood on FH?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Kulu

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Wood

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Probably Wood

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Wood sorry. Just seen Newcastle have a double

    4. Onz
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Wood imo, but I may be biased 🙂

    5. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks! Having both Son and Kane on FH. Taking the chance to leave Salah out, want KDB and Bruno this week.

  16. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do Doherty + Raphina + King > Schar + Maddison + Wood(-4) and BB?
    Or build towards BB 36?

    Pope*
    TAA Cancelo James Gabriel*
    Salah Saka* Raphinha Martinelli*
    Kane Broja*
    Sanchez* Gordon King Doherty
    2 FT 2.7 ITB. 1 FH left

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Nah, probably just BB36.. Raph to Maddision/Barnes and save the other

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Only issue is it will need transfers to get dgw gas for BB 36

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Gks*

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Yes I would go for the BB now & FH36

  17. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Selling Salah vs United seems mental.

    But I really want KDB or Son over him for the remainder of the season..

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Could work out for sure, but you know the risk

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Yep. And not taking the risk has cost me over the past few weeks. Both have been outperforming Salah easily
        🙁

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      We already missed the chance and the right timing. United are atrocious and in disarray. I just can't see Mo blanking.

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Salah would have had some serious football before the Utd game and is looking tired … Utd will be rested and up for it - if ever there was a time to get 2 games out of Bruno instead of one game out of Salah, then it is this week … imho

  18. tokara
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone gg Bruno?

    Both teams will be attacking at Old Trafford

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      whats gg?

      1. tokara
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Going*

        United vs Norwich, dont think any one is defending

  19. aidmata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    DDG* Foster

    Cancelo TAA James Livra* Dawson

    Son Salah Kulu Saka* Raphinha

    Broja* Weghorst* Dennis

    2.7 ITB 1FT

    What would you do with this lot this week guys? FH, WC & BB intact - was originally planning FH this week but now thinking GW37 may be a better option and just bringing in another DGW player this week?

    Plan is to use WC next week regardless.

    Thanks

  20. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the best captaincy option this week if you can't get Bruno/Ronaldo? Is there a chance Maddison gets rested for one game considering the amount of mins he has played recently

    1. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'm considering Son even though he only has one game

    2. tokara
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Spursy

  21. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Used my FT to do Doh > Schar. Have 4 DGW players. G2G or should I make a -4 hit?

    Schmeichel
    Cancelo - James - TAA - Schar
    KDB - Son - Maddison - Martinelli
    Kane - Mateta

    Foster - Cucho - Ramsey - Mitchell

    1. tokara
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      -4 for who in mind?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        James > Justin depending on James' minutes tonight

        1. tokara
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Not worth it

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Nope GTG. Just imagine what James could do to Xhaka / Tavares before you sell...

  22. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Would you start White (Have Ramsdale) or Weghorst?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'd probably start White out of these two.

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Arteta

  23. Duncan Edwards
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Can I use my 1FT in the same GW I use my FH? I want to use the 1FT for a future transfer if possible rather than wasting it.

  24. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Would you FH this team? Planning BB36, FH37 for now.

    2FT, 2.1 ITB for Raphinha & Doherty out otherwise.

    Ramsdale Dubravka
    Robertson Cancelo Rudiger Doherty Johnson
    Salah Maddison Raphinha Saka Gordon
    Kane Weghorst Broja

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Just Doc and Raph out no need to FH

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Pretty much this.

        1. cescpistols111
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers guys, thanks for the help.

  25. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    a) Doherty > Laporte
    b) Doherty > Schär; GW35 Gabriel > Laporte

    Ramsdale Pope
    Robertson Cancelo Rüdiger Gabriel (Doherty*)
    Salah Son Kulusevski Saka JWP
    Broja (Weghorst Dennis)

    1FT £2.8M 1FH

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I have both Broja and Weghorst but will be playing Weggy.

      Southampton just as shite and with nothing to play for.

    2. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'll bench Rüdiger instead this game week in either scenario.

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      B but just bench Schär after Norwich. Dont see why you need 5 defenders that good/expensive when you're playing 5 mids. Forwards will need attention (& perhaps money)

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, that's the plan - Schär would be (cheap) bench fodder after Norwich, but will play 451. Agree my attack is poor but will wait till after the dgw to upgrade. Probably Toney/Mateta as too many hits required to get Kane. Alternative is short term punt on Wood instead of Wegs and bench Rudi this week.

  26. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    A) Robbo to Cancelo
    B) A plus Ramsey to Willock (if fit)
    C) Ait Nouri to Stones
    D) Mateta to Broja

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo White Targett
    Salah Saka Kulu Madds
    Kane Nacho

    Sanchez Mateta AitNouri Ramsey

    0.9 ITB

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Stick

  27. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone considering KWP for the double?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Thought about it, the following 3 GW could deliver some nice points as well

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, Walker-Peters and Justin are high on my watchlist.

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Could be a good option, one thing I don't like about owning him is that his points are so unpredictable (pens and beautiful fks being the major source) hence you essentially have to start him each gw regardless of the opposition which I am not sure I am willing to do

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        That's JWP on set pieces, not KWP!

  28. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Schar James
    Saka Salah Son Kulu Maddison
    Broja

    Lewis DCL Kilman Watkins

    Thoughts on this after a -4? 5 DGW players and some good SGW players.
    Or FH to get more Leicester, Kane, Bruno and a few others?

  29. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Doherty+Havertz+Wegworst -> Laporte+Maddison+Wood (-8). Would mean benching Robbo.

    Y/N ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      nah

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe the first 2 & bench Weg, play Robbo?

  30. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Been chopping and changing FH a lot, thoughts here? Too much united? Play Taylor for Laporte?

    Schmeichel
    Laporte Schar Targett
    Bruno Son Madisson JWP
    Ronaldo Kane Wood

    Steele Taylor Brownhill Johnson

    1. TanN
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I would take out Ronaldo and go for someone cheaper who doubles like iheanacho/Weghorst/Broja.

      Then reinvest the cash elsewhere and have one good sub. The rest can be as cheap as possible

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Laca or some one else up top instead of Ronaldo will give a great 5 man midfield of Bruno Son Madisson JWP Saka

      1. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Even Wood - fodder should enable Saka..?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          maybe yes

          Laca Kane Fodder means Cancelo comes in and a much better bench … maybe something like this

          Schmeichel
          Schar White Cancelo
          Saka Barnes/JWP Madds Bruno Son
          Kane Laca
          Foster Taylor Tarks Gelhardt

          1. The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            Thats a more than adequate bench for FH

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 1 month ago

              covid is lurking … imagine playing a FH and only getting 10 starters 🙁