Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Guardiola on Haaland’s fitness and “sharp” De Bruyne

There were more pre-season friendlies contested in the last 24 hours and we’ve got all the goal, assist and line-up information you need in this latest Scout Notes article.

Having covered Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in our afternoon round-up, here, we turn our attention to Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton.

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.

MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 CLUB AMERICA

  • Goals: De Bruyne x2
  • Assists: Mahrez

Match highlights

Despite being named on the bench, Erling Haaland (£11.5m) was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Club America in Houston.

The Norwegian hitman missed out with a minor injury complaint, although Pep Guardiola has since confirmed it isn’t anything serious:

“Next game he’ll be ready. He had niggles, we don’t want to take risks, maybe against Bayern, we will see. He made two sessions, we don’t want to take risks. The season is so long; we will have time, don’t worry. He had some problems last season at Dortmund but we try to handle it; it’s not a big issue. We want to take care of them. When we come back we want to be fit; the player has to be fit to be ready. It will come.” – Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland

In Haaland’s absence, it was Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) who stepped up with two goals before he was substituted after 71 minutes. The first strike was simply outstanding, as he curled a wonderful 18-yard effort into the far corner from the edge of the box, while the second arrived from a cute Riyad Mahrez (£8.0m) through ball.

“Last pre-season he arrived in bad conditions because of injuries. He took a long time to get his best condition but the start of this season was the opposite. We saw in sessions he’s sharp and strong and he continued with the same level as last season, it was his best season in terms of scoring goals and he’s started really well.” – Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne

Away from the premiums, Julian Alvarez (£6.5m) led the line up front and impressed with his ability to link play, while another new signing, Kalvin Phillips (£5.0m), slotted into defence as he replaced Nathan Ake (£5.0m) for the second half.

And that’s a situation worth monitoring, too, with Ruben Dias (£6.0m) unwell and Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) perhaps unlikely to be fit for the season opener.

“Julian (Alvarez) was incredible, defensively he is quite similar like Gabriel (Jesus). Gabriel is probably the best, but he is close to him in aggression and how intuitive he is, he makes the runs and with the ball he’s absolutely brilliant. He can keep the ball and you can link with him without a problem. We have the feeling we signed a top-class young player for the next years to come, and we are delighted. The job that Marcelo Gallardo did at River Plate, we have the benefit, and hopefully he can grow up in an important league like the Premier League.

All the young lads did really well, and Stefan (Ortega), he did well. We are impressed with how good a keeper we have now – his composure, we are impressed. Kalvin (Phillips), he already knows perfectly (the Premier League) – he needs time to understand what we want him to do and help him with his movements and shapes. We are very pleased.” – Pep Guardiola on his new signings

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ortega; Walker, Ake (Phillips 45), Mbete, Cancelo (Wilson-Esbrand 45); Rodri, Bernardo (Lewis 76), De Bruyne (McAtee 71); Mahrez (Palmer 45), Grealish (Kayky 77), Alvarez (Delap 71)


ORLANDO CITY 1-3 ARSENAL

  • Goals: Martinelli, Nketiah, Nelson
  • Assists: Lokonga, Saka

Match highlights

Arsenal earned another pre-season win with a 3-1 victory over MLS outfit Orlando City, thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli (£6.0m), Eddie Nketiah (£7.0m) and Reiss Nelson (£5.0m).

Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) was a second-half substitute and certainly livened things up after coming on, combining with Nketiah – who was interestingly used down the left flank on Thursday – for the youngster’s second-half strike.

Notably, the duo have already racked up a combined seven goals in four pre-season outings.

“We want to build those relationships and they haven’t played a lot of minutes together yet, the same with Martin (Odegaard) and Gabi (Martinelli), for example. We have to start to do that, we obviously do it in training, but to put it into practice in matches is important and you can see that they’re finding themselves with good timing and it’s important because they are two players with a big goal threat.” – Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah being used as a strike partnership

Elsewhere, with Takehiro Tomiyasu (£4.5m) still struggling with injury problems, Ben White (£4.5m) moved to right-back after coming on and performed well, while Emile Smith Rowe (£6.0m) missed out with a minor thigh complaint.

Away from the on-field action, Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m) was spotted watching from the stands ahead of his imminent transfer, with Arteta later discussing his ability to play in midfield and as a left-back:

“He can play in both (defence and midfield). He was a natural no 10 early in his career and we converted him into a left back which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing. That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full back so I’m really happy.” – Mikel Arteta on Oleksandr Zinchenko

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale (Turner 45); Cedric (White 45), Holding (Saliba 59), Mari (Gabriel 34), Tavares (Bellerin 84); Elneny (Partey 60), Maitland-Niles (Odegaard 45), Lokonga (Xhaka 60); Pepe (Saka 60), Martinelli (Jesus 45), Nketiah (Nelson 74)


CHARLOTTE FC 1-1 CHELSEA

  • Goals: Pulisic
  • Assists: Batshuayi

Match highlights

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw and beaten on penalties by MLS side Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.

Christian Pulisic (£6.0m) opened the scoring but the Blues tasted defeat after a woeful panenka penalty miss by Conor Gallagher (£6.0m). Go on, treat yourself

Raheem Sterling (£10.0m) was introduced at the start of the second half but despite showing flashes of promise, generally disappointed alongside Mason Mount (£8.0m) and Kai Havertz (£8.0m) in Chelsea’s new-look front three.

In terms of positioning, it was Mount right, Sterling left and Havertz central, but it was his team’s attacking display that Thomas Tuchel was most unhappy with after the match:

“In general, I would say we played a good first half but unfortunately only for 80 metres of the pitch. The last 20 metres were not good enough, even in the first half. We found a lot of spaces to accelerate and to penetrate the box but we struggled with our decision-making and precision in the last 20 metres. It was simply not good enough for the effort and quality we showed in the first 80 metres of the pitch. The amount of space we had and the amount of attacks we created, there were simply not enough clear chances or deliveries in the last 20 metres. We played a very good match in all the other aspects but in the second half, it took us about half an hour to show some quality and that was maybe for 10 minutes so not good at all – not offensively, not structure-wise, not in effort or the hunger to be the dominant team.” – Thomas Tuchel

Reece James (£6.0m) was deployed on the right of a back three, with Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.5m) on wing-back duties, while on the other side, Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) replaced Marcos Alonso (£5.5m) at half-time.

However, while it looked like a standard 3-4-3 on paper, it was actually a fluid system which turned into a back four when in possession. That meant James would slot in at right-back, which is something to monitor in the forthcoming matches.

Tuchel also provided fitness updates on Timo Werner (£8.0m), Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.0m), Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.5m) and Ross Barkley (£5.0m) following the final whistle:

“Timo had some hamstring problems so we didn’t take the risk with him tonight. Kepa has had some pain that was disturbing him to feel free in the movements, nothing too much but we didn’t take the risk. Azpi took a big knock above his knee on his muscle in training. He ran into Edou (Mendy) in an accident and is in some discomfort but if it was a Premier League match then I think we would have taken the risk. We just felt that today it was not worth it in case he did any further damage and is out for another three or four days. Ross has felt his hamstring for a few days now, the same like Timo. It’s more of a discomfort than an injury but like the others, we didn’t think there was any need to take a risk at this stage of pre-season.” – Thomas Tuchel on his injured quartet

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Mendy; James (Colwill 45), Thiago Silva (Chalobah 45), Emerson (Sarr 45); Hudson-Odoi (Kenedy 45), Jorginho (Ampadu 45), Kovacic (Gallagher 45), Alonso (Chilwell 45); Ziyech (Mount 45), Pulisic (Sterling 45), Batshuayi (Havertz 45)


MINNESOTA UNITED 4-0 EVERTON

Everton were thrashed 4-0 by Minnesota United in the final match of their US tour.

Frank Lampard named a strong XI that included the likes of Jordan Pickford (£4.5m), James Tarkowski (£4.5m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m), but the visitors were blown away by the MLS side as they conceded three first-half goals.

Minnesota are in the middle of their MLS campaign, and their additional fitness levels showed here, but it was a worrying display by the Toffees with a lot of questions still to be answered before their Premier League opener against Chelsea in just over two weeks’ time.

Calvert-Lewin missed a couple of opportunities, but the day was best summed up by a terrible miss by Dele Alli (£5.5m) and a Michael Keane (£4.5m) own-goal.

“The players have to work and understand we were in a relegation battle for a big portion of last season. We had an amazing night (against Crystal Palace) and an amazing run… but, as soon as that finished, I put it to bed very quickly, so the players have to put it to bed as well, because we were in that fight for a reason. And if we don’t want to be in that situation again, they have to be better and I have to be better.

As a club, it (the Minnesota game) reinforced the situation in terms of what we need to do with the squad, because it has to be stronger than what we saw tonight. When you think of where we were last year, we have lost a big player in Richarlison… we wish him well, but our club now continues. We know there is a void in the forward areas, we are short in numbers there.” – Frank Lampard

Discussing his team’s change in system, Lampard said:

“I switched the formation to a back four, and it was really interesting to see. At the back end of last season, we went to a back three and back five to find ways to get results. For me, it was a different test for the players to go into a back four, in terms of defensively, the organisation of the team, and the quality on the ball to move the ball through the lines.” – Frank Lampard

Everton first-half XI (4-4-2): Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gordon, Doucoure, Davies, Iwobi; Gray, Calvert-Lewin

Everton second-half XI (4-4-2): Crellin; Holgate, Godfrey, Mina, Nkounkou; Warrington (Price 71), Gbamin, Alli, Gordon (Dobbin 64); Gray (Mills 64), Rondon

PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

740 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Why are people not interested in putting Pereira in their first 11. Starting No. 10 for Fulham with set pieces as well at just 4.5m.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It's very tempting but like you said 'for fulham'

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        But surely he requires the bare minimum to be of value. And u can make the rest of your team so so much better. Easily fit in 3 premiums as well as premium defenders.

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          If rotating him and Neco gets u let's say 120-130 points and your premium gets you 220-230 it is around the same as two 8m players who will get around 170-180. Plus u get another captaincy option.

        2. WVA
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Yep, it does then weaken your bench though and it only really gets you an extra million so you still can't have 3 premiums. For example in my team below if I start him over Neto and downgrade Neto to a 4.5.

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            I suppose. I'm going Bailey and Andreas as starters in my team to get the other players to be premiums in my team. And I have a get out of jail wildcard if it doesn't work out. I think I wanna try it this year with the mid-season free unlimited transfers available as the replacement for the wildcard that u can spunk early.

    2. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He rotates fixture difficulty really well with Newcastle up until the World Cup so have him rotating with Trippier in my current draft.

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yes I have this with Trippier for the opening 6.

  2. WVA
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    How's she looking this morning?

    Mendy
    TAA Cancelo Doherty Tomiyasu
    KDB Diaz Saka Neto
    Kane Darwin

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

      Pretty good

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Awesome

  3. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Did a little "Darwin bandwagon" draft. Any thoughts?

    Raya
    TAA Cancelo James Cash
    Salah Martinelli Neto
    Haaland Darwin Jesus

    4.0; Neco, Pereira, Dasilva

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I just don’t think the mids look strong enough but that mainly comes down whether you go Saka or Jesus for example.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Can't see Raya getting any points for a while.
      I had a torrid time with James and Cash at the end of last season.
      Love the Martinelli, think he could be incredible value!
      Haaland is already broken and having his minutes managed, KDB looks to be the best player in the world so I'd go for him over Haaland all day.
      I can't decide on Jesus or Saka?

      1. aapoman
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I'm very tempted by KDB if Haaland isn't 100% fit. Thinking about getting him over Son and Kane in a case like that. I think the community shield should give a good idea on Haalands fitness.

  4. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Had to have a go at a Darwin and KDB draft just for a laugh. With Jota and Firminio there too, Darwin in a 451 is probably not feasible but if I went for this it would be Son C GW 1 and then Son to KDB GW2
    I said is was for a laugh but looks pretty good. No Salah or Haaland.

    Henderson

    TAA Cancelo James Cash

    KDB Mahrez Diaz Mount Kulu

    Darwin

    4.5 Neco 4.5 4.5

  5. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Better option?

    a. jesus 4-3-3
    b. saka 4-4-2

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Jesus slightly edges it

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Saka as I think more 8.0 slot will be more important that a 8.0
      Forward slot. So much mor choice with the mids to jump in a form player.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        What Im thinking too, cheers

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      This is the big question

      B is a better formation to start with given all this 8m mids

  6. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    How is this team?

    Mendy
    TAA - Cancelo - James - Perisic
    Salah - Coutinho - Rashford - Neto
    Haaland - Jesus

    4.0 - Tomiyasu - Pereira - 4.5

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Needs more Darwin

    2. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Good team, not sure about perisic yet...

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Too much money in defence, midfield suffers, need an 8m mid in there, Haaland made of glass.

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

    a) Rashford, Johnson
    b) Neto, Martial

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      b

    2. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Short term B

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

      cheers, fellas

  8. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which one do you fancy?
    A. Cash
    B. Trippier
    C. Gabriel

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A for first 3 then shift to C in gw4

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Leaning toward this.

    2. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Gabriel...trippier very close, but I don't necessarily agree all the hype about his attacking returns...

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

      Trippier with his set pieces

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    5. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B all day

  9. Fatboy_Slim
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Hey Guys,

    Currently on this draft and so far I've learned liked this the most... please rate/suggest on the same:

    Raya
    Robertson, Chilwell, Cancelo, Dalot
    Salah(c), Diaz, Mount, Neto
    Kane (switch to Haaland GW2), Jesus
    Subs: 4.0, Neco, Andreas, 4.5

    Should I just go for haaland from the start and have kulusevski for one GW instead of mount? Please suggest...

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

      Tis a very good team. Kane is more safe for GW1, could always switch later.

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Looks quite nice. I don't love booking in transfers so normally I'd say just start with Haaland but with questions over his fitness I'd be tempted to say start with Kane and stick for a few weeks, I've moved to KDB from Haaland and think I'll sit on that until GW4/5 and see then how Haaland's minutes are, at most he'll get 2 preseason games (including the community shield) so it's not ideal

      1. Fatboy_Slim
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I agree...for me Kane is a one GW pick just to see how haaland does against west ham away....I'll switch to Haaland in gw2 anyway against Bournemouth at home...that's the plan...what do you reckon?

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Thing is if Kane bangs and Spurs look in good shape how easy will you find it to drop him, especially if Haaland has managed minutes against West Ham? That's the biggest question for me, then you could end up with no City attacker for Bournemouth

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I've been torn between starting with Haaland and booking in that GW2 transfer. Decide to do neither and settle on a 2-premium Salah and KDB.

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          That's a fair call. I might change my mind on Haaland Guardiola’s comments suggest he'll take his time with him at the start of the season (which is sensible to be fair) while KDB is looking great

  10. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on chelsea defensive triple up?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mendy, chilwell and james
      All great value

    2. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Might not be bad but with Tottenham 2nd Gw, I wouldn't suggest it...I'd suggest city triple up instead, not necessarily just in defense

    3. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      If you think they are the best options individually then why not? Personally not a fan of having Mendy as a goalkeeper though

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      They look awful defensively, James at RCB, Chilwell not fit....

    5. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not for me, even the double up could be messy, looks like Kounde won't be joining so not really any time for Chelsea to sign another CB and give them time to settle before the season starts. I'm still going with Chilwell but am well aware that clean sheets might not be as regular as I'd have hoped

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Would have been viable but for GW2. That's why triple Arsenal makes more sense early doors.

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          I don't trust Arsenal either tbh, I think Palace and Leicester will both score against them and I expect Bournemouth will trouble them too

  11. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Pick one. Defenders

    a. martial saka jansson/ white 4-4-2
    b. jesus rashford cash/ gabriel 4-3-3

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Defenders can be different in the same price

    2. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      For short term A is better

      1. Fatboy_Slim
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Sorry B, not A

        1. SpaceCadet
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Thanks

  12. tom66
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) TAA and Bailey
    or
    B) Robbo and Neto
    or
    C) VVD and Bruno G
    Thanks!

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B any day....last two seasons robbo was only 0.1 points per match lesser than TAA, and Neto is better that the other options in his price range

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A or B

  13. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Fabrizio Romano
    @FabrizioRomano
    ·
    Everton want to sign an extra quality midfielder. Frank Lampard has also Leander Dendoncker in the list, he's appreciated by board and manager. Everton, ready to explore this move in the next weeks.

    Contract with Wolves expires in 2023, with option for further season.

    Not very exciting but 5m enabler. Was always my go-to 4.5 mid last 2 seasons.

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Hmmm could be a nice option, huge setpiece threat

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Nah. For example Bailey is much better in that price point

  14. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on not having Kane or Haaland?

    Raya
    TAA - James - Mings - Dalot - Neco
    Salah - Son - Bowen - Martinelli - Neto
    Jesus - Antonio - Forss

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Missing out on city with their fixtures, even defensively, my eye would twitch...

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm on Salah/KDB, so your premiums work for me. It does make me Spurs-free which is a bit of a concern, but only 2 picks out of six from the Big 2 is a no-no for me.

  15. Cube
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which is better?

    A. Son + Callum Wilson
    B. Kane+ Mahrez

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Very close, but B maybe edges it

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      think all four players are good options, but I like B more

  16. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Sanchez Steele
    Trent Cancelo James Trippier Williams
    Salah Mahrez Saka Neto Andreas
    Kane Martial Plange

    Martial and Saka could be Rashford and Jesus + 0.5, but I really want two 8.0 mids in there.
    thoughts?

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Good team, and If it were me, I'd get the 0.5 in the bank....martial is shorter term till Ronaldo returns (which looks likely) so that's a waste of transfer

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

        thought Ronaldo was on his way out..
        cheers.

        1. Fatboy_Slim
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Won't happen...just my opinion based in all the news around him

    2. Cube
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Is Martial really nailed?

      1. Fatboy_Slim
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        For at least 2 gws I believe

  17. zon
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this 442?

    Raya
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James
    Salah Foden Martinelli Neto
    Kane Toney

    4.0 Williams Pereira Greenwood

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      If you could somehow replace toney to Wilson/material, it's a very good team

      1. Fatboy_Slim
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        *Martial

    2. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like it. Good balance too.

  18. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on martinelli?

    1. zon
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Competing with Smith-Rowe for LM. Will be starting with ESM struggling for fitness, but ESM will eat into his minutes during the season. Still good option imo, currently including him.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yes I know exactly as an arsenal fan
        As you said, still a good option specially with that price even if he gets subbed around 70th minutes

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Nketiah played on the left last game.

        Big red flag for Martinelli.

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          He will not start games

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            U say that but u don't really know do u

        2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Hmmm didn't know this. I wasn't convinced on him initially then the ESR situation made me happy to go for him over Odegaard allowing me to go with KDB over Haaland. Back to the drawing board

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            From the article above:

            "...combining with Nketiah – who was interestingly used down the left flank on Thursday"

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      go saka or jesus imo

    3. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Nketiah to start with Martinelli coming on at 60 IMO

  19. The Mentaculus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I bet that felt so good for Darwin to silence the haters last night. Can't resist fuelling the hype with....

    The YOLO draft:
    Meslier
    TAA Cancelo Trippier Sessegnon
    Son Maddison Mount Martinelli
    Haaland Darwin

  20. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Son and Antontio or Mahrez and Kane?

    1. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mahrez and Kane for me

  21. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Lampard might be fired before the season even starts at this rate. Smashed 4-0 by Minnesota...

  22. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    How many of you are thinking of going Salah-less? seems like a big risk-reward situation with him being owned by 60% of players.

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      But why. He faces Fulham, Bournemouth, and Everton in first 6. Can't get better captaincy options than that.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      too risky imo.

    3. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Just dont see it, where is the reward? I don't understand taking the highest scoring FPL player year on year, playing for a team that scores a silly amount of goals year on year out of your team when he has good fixtures all the way to the first wildcard.

  23. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    mahrez or luis diaz? have no city attack in my team. cheers

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Depends on what your rest of the team looks like

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        front 6
        salah sancho bruno g ?
        kane jesus

        thanks

        1. Fatboy_Slim
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          You could do what I'm planning, which is start with Diaz vs Fulham, and switch Kane to Haaland GW2, as Kane faces Chelsea, and haaland faces Bournemouth

  24. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    How is this looking? I’m not too happy with it tbh.
    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Cancelo James Zinchenko N Williams
    Salah Diaz Martinelli Rashford Andreas
    Halland Jesus Greenwood

    1. Fatboy_Slim
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not that bad tbh

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      looks good!

    3. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like it, I have a similar dilemma to you. The Rashford/Martinelli starts problem. They could potentially both be 1 pointers waiting to happen. Would rather just one of them rather than 2, but it's difficult to make the money work.

  25. Fatboy_Slim
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Normally we have 2 wildcards each season, but I'm getting unclear posts about this season....do we have 3, or the usual 2?

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      We have the usual 2 but during the World Cup you'll have free transfers, so it's like a third. The first WC has to be used before the World Cup though (think it's GW16/17)

      1. Fatboy_Slim
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Wow that's a bonus... good for increasing team value

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Yeah and I think it's prime opportunity for bench boost, it'll be like using WC and BB in one GW

  26. Kei19255
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    no salah and weak MF?

    Alisson

    TAA Cancelo James Tripper
    KDB Neta Bruno G
    Jesus Kane Darwin

    **James could be Laporte/Dias/Chilwell

    1. Kei19255
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Sorry thats Neto...

  27. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Morning all.

    Which combination will get more points do you think?

    A. Robertson + Neto
    B. Tomi + Diaz.

    Also have Salah and Trent. Thanks.

  28. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Who likes my midfield power house

    Meslier
    Dias VVD Walker Gabriel
    Salah KDB Son Bailey
    Jesus Johnson

    Andreas Neco Taylor

  29. JamTart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Will be avoiding tinkering until post CS next week now. The city friendly has only strengthened my feeling that I want a non premium city attacker to start but with flexibility of squad to move over 5-8 GWs. Annoyingly starting to think Peps words will see more move onto Kane who I'd panned to bet on anyway.

    Ederson
    Trent, Robbo, James, Tomiyasu
    Salah, City Mid (7-8m), Rash, Neto
    Kane, Jesus.
    4, Williams, Andreas, 4.5

  30. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts please

    Ederson
    TAA-Cancelo-Trippier-Tomiyasu
    KDB-Son-Neto
    Darwin-Jesus-Martial