Moving Target
13 August 2025 712 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Jack Grealish (£6.5m) hasn’t been an appealing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) option for some time now – but does a loan move put him back on the Fantasy radar?

And, just as importantly, what does his arrival mean for FPL’s most owned Everton player, Iliman Ndiaye (£6.5m), and the budget-friendly Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.0m)?

We weigh everything up in our Moving Target article.

GREALISH: THE FPL HISTORY

Checkered, is probably one way of reflecting on Grealish’s FPL history. There’s been as many so-so seasons as decent ones, not helped of course by being prone to rotation under Pep Guardiola.

Really, at City, there was only one half-season – the second half of 2022/23 – when he was alive as an FPL asset. Eight returns in nine matches was a high point as he steered City to another Premier League title.

So, it’s his time at Villa that perhaps deserves a closer look in this article.

An average of 5.2 points per game (5.9 before his season-interrupting shin injury!) in 2020/21 was better than any current £6.5m-and-under midfielder managed in 2024/25:

IS ‘VILLA GREALISH’ SET TO RETURN?

Grealish

Playing in the half space on the left, given freedom to roam, create and win free-kicks, and on set plays: that summed up Grealish’s time at Aston Villa.

If all turns out well, that’s what we can expect at Everton, too.

Made to adapt to play the Manchester City way under Pep, now Everton may be fitting around Grealish and his natural game.

“Maybe it was my mistake to play him as a winger. But in Aston Villa, he started from, I would say, the left position, the winger position, and after going more inside. Here it’s a more fixed position, more in the places.” – Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish, speaking in December 2024

“I think we’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League, and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to.

“I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad, so hopefully we can help him achieve that over the course of the season.

“We’re all looking forward to working with him and providing a platform for him to show the best version of himself.” – David Moyes on Jack Grealish

“I think that’s the main thing, to have a fresh start. I just felt it was the right time to move on and try something new.

“When I spoke to the manager, he says he wants me to, in the final third, be creative. And I feel like I want to have that way about me where it’s like I was before, where I had no fear. Sometimes you will lose the ball and miss chances but then also, you want to be able to play that killer pass and have an end product. So that’s the main aim.” – Jack Grealish after signing for Everton

ASSIST POTENTIAL

MIDFIELDERS SORTED BY CHANCES CREATED (CC) IN 2019/20

 

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 1

FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
712 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Evasivo
    • 15 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    One to watch, alike many other Everton assets!

    1. the FPL Derby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Agreed. He needs to get his fitness up to speed first.

  2. Meta12345
    • 1 Year
    4 months, 1 day ago

    If both romero and van de ven start today, would they start on saturday?

    1. the FPL Derby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I don't know, but it was interesting that Ben Crellin has chosen Romero for his GW1 team. He's currently on six straight sub-10k finishes!!

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Interesting, VDV and Milenkovic or Romero and Williams?

      2. Meta12345
        • 1 Year
        4 months, 1 day ago

        How you know ben crellin’s team?

        1. the FPL Derby
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Go to You Tube and put 'Crellin team' - it should come out top. I find the interviewer's technique really annoying, but to listen to Ben Crellin - it's worth the pain.

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Yes unless injured

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I thought you was trolling with this yesterday. You don't think they can play 2/3 games a week?

      1. Meta12345
        • 1 Year
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Managers tend to rotate when there is only 2 days of rest

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          At CB hardly unless your Pep

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Less than 3 days turnaround between the 2 games and this injury history

      https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/micky-van-de-ven/verletzungen/spieler/557459

  3. the FPL Derby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    We have a Derby at Epsom, a Kentucky Derby, and a Greyhound Derby... and now we have the inaugural running of the "FPL Derby."

    700+ runners.
    Code xac8c0

    1. Charlie Price
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Joined

      1. the FPL Derby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Nice one. Welcome aboard Charlie.

  4. LeicesterA
    • 10 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    Here we go again! Excited for the season ahead. Been a busy summer so a quick first RMT. Would love any opinions / major flags…

    Verbruggen - Dubravka
    Virgil - Ait-Nouri - Cucurella - AWB - De Cuyper
    Salah - Palmer - Gakpo - Reijnders - Malen
    Watkins - Joao Pedro - Marc Guiu

    Thanks!

    1. the FPL Derby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I can't see any red flags, but you've spend a lot of money on your back line, some of which could have gone on big hitters in midfield.

      1. LeicesterA
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Fair. I’m just minded of having a strong back 3, who I personally think will score more than any sub-6 mids. But I know it’s a bit different.

        1. the FPL Derby
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Yep, fair play to you... It's growing on me. Having two semi-decent defenders for the bench means you'll be less inclined than many of us to make panic transfers.

          1. LeicesterA
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Thanks mate. That’s my thinking. The 3 Premium defenders, Salah, Palmer, Gakpo, Watkins and Pedro would be rigid, with the 5.5 mids rotating based on fixtures… but the added benefit of having decent enough defenders to play if needed.

            Until it all unravels after a gameweek or two 😀

            1. the FPL Derby
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Sounds good to me. Best of luck.

  5. The Nuttmxn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    What are people's thought on Johnson at Tottenham?

    1. Flynny
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Doubt he is nailed

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I think his time will be impacted by the arrival of Kudus and he's likely to be used as an impact sub in a number of games.

    3. Moon Dog
        4 months, 1 day ago

        I don't see him being great value at 7.0m. And Spurs keep getting linked to wingers, so I'm sure he'll get more competition soon.

    4. King Kun Ta
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      AWB or Diouf? Ta!

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Ive gone Diouf, heard mentality/group think, couldn't tell you why so much love tbh

      2. the FPL Derby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Of those two, I prefer Diouf; however, I prefer Andersen to him. Same price.

    5. I Member
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      A) Watkins + Anderson
      B) Mateta + Rogers

      1. CheesyZoot
        • 6 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        A for me

        Do we know if Rogers will be fit?

        1. Udogie-style
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          He's in training

      2. Under my Cucurella
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        A

    6. Charlie Price
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Superb in depth analysis Neale as ever.

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Thank you, Charlie!

    7. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Is Diouf or De Cuyper a better pick?

      Both average around a goal in 14-15% of games, Diouf is about 4 years younger so less career stats to go at albeit he edges it on goals scored for Slavia Prague.

      Who has better assist potential?

      Cheers

      1. Udogie-style
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        I've got both

      2. Casp123
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Tough choice, I went for De Cuyper purely on the basis that as a football club Brighton are the least likely to have a crisis.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Fair

      3. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Diouf is playing further forward as a wingback if it helps, De Cuyper left back

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Cheers

    8. CheesyZoot
      • 6 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      4-5-1... stupid or could work?

      Sanchez,
      VdV, VVD, Williams, Aina
      Salah, Palmer, Kudus, Anderson, Ndiaye
      Haaland

      Usual fodder bench....

      Thoughts?

      1. Galza
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        I’m going with it. Haaland up top.
        What can go wrong 🙂

      2. Galza
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Looks alright, but I don’t really like the Forest defence double. Could work though. GL

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 6 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          What does your defence look like?

          1. Galza
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Pretty cheap…

            Sanchez
            Diouf / VDV / DeCuyper / Dorgu
            Salah / Palmer / BrunoF / Rice / Arias
            Haaland

            1. Galza
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Dubravka / Esteve / Guiu / Kroupi

      3. Mr Turnip 1
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Formation = good.
          Salah, Palmer, and Haaland = not good.

      4. Udogie-style
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Rogers and Mateta or Wirtz and Fulkrüg?

        1. Under my Cucurella
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          W & F

      5. Moxon
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        What formation are you currently on?

        I like the look of 4-4-2

        1. Udogie-style
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          3-4-3

        2. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          2553

          1. Moxon
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Bench boost, nice!

        3. Moon Dog
            4 months, 1 day ago

            352

          • just a man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            3-5-2

        4. Jordan.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          first salah draft
          verbruggen
          munoz/konsa/diouf
          rogers/reinjers/salah/bruno
          mateta/strand larsen/haaland

          dubravka/dorgu/rodon/miley

          salah (c) gwk 1,4,5 is very persausive over palmer

          1. Wezzy
            • 1 Year
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Similar to my Salah/Haaland draft….like the Mateta/Strand Larsen picks.

        5. Philosopher's Stones
          • 5 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          A: Salah + Wood + Gakpo
          B: Haaland + Wirtz + Gakpo

          1. Udogie-style
            • 2 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            B purely because Forest attack looks blunt right now. Switch Wood to another forward and it would be a tougher decision.

            1. Under my Cucurella
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              This

        6. Casp123
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Where should I save 0.5m to make this team affordable?

          Sanchez (Dubravka)
          Chalobah, N.Williams, Van de Ven (De Cuyper, Esteve)
          Salah, Palmer, Wirtz, Ndiaye (Reijnders)
          Watkins, Mateta, Strand Larsen

          1. Udogie-style
            • 2 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            If you're going to bench Reijnders may as well downgrade him. It's the first fixture that looks great for him.

          2. the FPL Derby
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Because Strikers don't pay as well (in FPL points) as midfielders, I'd stick to only two good ones. You've got three brilliant ones. I'd remove one of them and spend it perhaps mainly on your defence. Don't ask me which one to remove though!!

            1. Casp123
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Its a good point. I'm stuggling to find a sub-6.5 striker who I think will play. Not buying the Guiu hype. Muniz maybe?

              1. the FPL Derby
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 2 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                I love Muniz and was really hoping he'd go to Leeds, but I think he's heading for Atlanta - on the other side of the pond.

        7. tim_oriordan
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Brothers and sisters, please rate this team for me.

          Sels
          Porro, Murillo, Tosin
          Salah, Palmer, Gakpo, Rogers, Reijnders
          Watkins, Pedro

          Dubravka, Munoz, Guiu, Esteve

          1. Galza
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Solid team. GL

        8. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Final team for GW1!

          Sanchez
          Porro | Neco | Diouf
          Salah | Palmer | Bruno | Rogers | Reijnders
          Watkins | Bowen

          Dubravka | Gundmundsson | Esteve | Guiu

          Good luck all!

          1. Galza
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            I like this one… GL

            1. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Thanks mate you too!

        9. kysersosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Defence options

          A)Cucurella, Frimpong and Konsa

          Or

          B) Cucurella, Milenkovic, N. Williams

          Other defenders are Hartman and Rondon.

          Assuming that Bradley wont be fit and spot is Frimpong's to lose.

          1. TekkerDude
            • 1 Year
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Structure wise A but I prefer a different 4.5 like de cuyper , VDV and dorgu

            1. kysersosa
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Good comms. Will look at 4.5's and who rotates best. Dorgu sounds uber attacking and could just be a set and forget.

            2. Under my Cucurella
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Agree with this

        10. TekkerDude
          • 1 Year
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Rate my team please! This might be GW2 bench boost

          Sels
          RAN frimpong reinildo
          Palmer Wirtz KDH reijnders
          Haaland (c) gyok Ekitike

          Dubravka Arias Dorgu Esteve

          Let me know your thoughts, I appreciate all suggestions!

          1. Flynny
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Nice. Some rarely seen gems here. I like

            1. TekkerDude
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Yeah it’s a bit out there but games are there to be fun

        11. Coupes
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          “Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has suffered a hamstring injury in training”

          Tark fire sale?

          1. TekkerDude
            • 1 Year
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Maybe - 0.5 more u can get to RAN or frimpong tbf

          2. Flynny
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Just removed him. And spent the extra 1m to get Rogers who seems to be training

          3. Valar(Keith)
            • 16 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            More like a keane wagon for us poor folks (I don't even know if he ll start)

          4. The Sociologist
            • 6 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Maybe just double up on Murillo and Milenkovic instead.

        12. RealSocialDads
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          What do we reckon here?

          A. JSL in 3-4-3
          B. Mateta in 3-4-3
          C. Ndiaye in 3-5-2
          D. Rogers in 3-5-2

          A and C leave some ITB, Mateta maxes the budget

          1. TekkerDude
            • 1 Year
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Who’s JSL?

            1. TekkerDude
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Oh strand Larsen in that case
              in order
              A
              D
              B
              C

            2. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Jonas Strand Larsen

          2. Under my Cucurella
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            B with D second

          3. Mr Turnip 1
              4 months, 1 day ago

              D
              B
              C
              A

          4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            A) Bruno Gakpo Watkins Gyökeres
            B) Rogers Reijnders Haaland Bowen

            Kelleher
            Cucurella RAN Frimpong
            Palmer Wirtz xxx xxx
            xxx xxx Pedro

            1. RealSocialDads
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              B

            2. TekkerDude
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Ooh that’s close I would say B for captaincy but consider Ekitike for Bowen (you can make cucurella Murillo)

            3. Under my Cucurella
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              B but it's close

            4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Cheers guys

          5. Zoostation
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Good to go?

            Verbruggen (Dubravka)

            N Williams Tarkowski Konsa (Diouf, Esteve)

            Palmer Wirtz Rogers Ndiaye (King)

            Haaland Gyokeres Bowen

            1. TekkerDude
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              I don’t like the ndiaye pick at all, love the attack - I would change tarko and Williams to a 6.0 and a 4.5

          6. Flynny
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Feeling quite strong on this - especially with Rogers training....any thoughts? Thanks

            Sels dubravka
            Porro murillo Anderson dorgu esteve
            Salah palmer wirtz Rogers reijnders
            Watkins pedro guiu

            1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Love it!!! Haha it’s exactly the same as my team apartment from I have Milenkovic instead of Maurillo

            2. Udogie-style
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Very nice indeed

              1. Flynny
                • 10 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Lovely. Let's see how.many times it changes in the next 48 hours!

          7. -GK22-
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Anyone got a recommended draft strategy

            Load up on att or mids first?

            1. TekkerDude
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Totally player dependent - this is my tier list

              Salah Haaland
              Palmer Saka gyokores Bruno
              Watkins wirtz marmoush bowen
              7.5 forwards and gakpo
              Rogers JSL evanilson
              6.5 mids

            2. Captain Mal
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Yes, I'd probably pick at least 5 attackers before considering any defenders.
              Forwards more rare than midfielders, so pick the former between two equally good picks.

          8. Udogie-style
            • 2 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Posted on an older article by mistake:

            Hi all. Which option is best here please?

            A) Dorgu, Rogers, Bruno, Fulkrüg
            B) Munoz, Wirtz, Sarr, Fulkrüg
            C) Munoz, Rogers, Sarr, Mateta

            Cheers.

            1. TekkerDude
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              A for sure

          9. Under my Cucurella
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Appreciate some votes on which of these drafts and BB strategies looks best

            A - (BB GW1)

            Sels Kelleher
            Cucu De Cuyper Diouf Dorgu VDV
            Salah Bruno Reijnders Saka PMSarr
            Watkins JP Fullkrug

            B - (BB GW2 - will spend extra 1m wherever it looks best after GW1)

            Sels Dub
            Cucu Frimpong Munoz Dorgu Esteve
            Wirtz Bruno Reijnders Saka I.Sarr
            Watkins JP Bowen
            (+1m)

            1. TekkerDude
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              B

              1. Under my Cucurella
                • 10 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Appreciate it!

          10. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            So no Solanke in starting line-up ..... forget him for your GW1 teams then.

          11. Stimps
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Is this a good BB?

            Perri KDH DeCuyper VDV

            1. Under my Cucurella
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Looks good. You will be wanting KDH to do well at the expense of Perri though I suppose. Maybe a different 4.5 GK

          12. PScholes18
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Anyone wanna RTM and consider option 1 vs 2?

            Option 1:
            Sels - Dubravka
            Munoz - Frimpong - vdv - Murillo - Gudmundsson
            Palmer - Rutter - Gakpo - Wirtz - Reijnders
            Haaland - Watkins - Guiu

            Option 2:
            Out: Gakpo, Wirtz, Guiu
            In: Johnson, KDH, Etikite

            1. the FPL Derby
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Don't like your option 2 much. I like KDH but Etikite may have a minutes issue if Isak joins them.

              1. PScholes18
                • 5 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Would never be an option with Isak ready. Then it would be Isak. Thanks for input. Might just stick with 1.

                1. PScholes18
                  • 5 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Could leave Rutter for KDH and have some funds available. Question is Grealish into the mix.

                  1. the FPL Derby
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 2 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    Not for me. Grealish needs to show his fitness before he's pickable.

                    1. PScholes18
                      • 5 Years
                      4 months, 1 day ago

                      Of course, my point was that he could reduce KSHs potential.

                      1. the FPL Derby
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 2 Years
                        4 months, 1 day ago

                        I don't think so.. I think KDH will be in the middle and Grealish on the flank. Put it this way, KDH is in my team. So if I'm wrong we both go under. 🙂

            2. Under my Cucurella
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              I prefer option 1

              1. PScholes18
                • 5 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Cheers