Pro Pundits

£5.0m Stach one to watch in FPL + the DefCon leaders

22 August 2025 266 comments
Tom Hadley Tom Hadley
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Tom Hadley – a one-time world number one in FPL – is the newest addition to our ever-growing team of contributors for 2025/26.

He’ll be providing data-driven articles every week this season, continuing with this one.

His own Gameweek 3 team plans can be found towards the foot of this article.

FPL kicked off in typical fashion. Late clean sheet wipeouts, big hitters blanking and some narrow DefCon misses. A warm welcome back indeed! 

Can Stach compete with the other cheap midfielders?

Stach

It was the week of the budget midfielder, with Tijjani Reijnders (£5.6m) undoubtedly the star of the show.

Forget Pep roulette: you’ve got a goalscoring midfielder (with pedigree) in that City team for just £5.6m. It’s a no-brainer and the one pick I’m still kicking myself for not going for! 

Elliot Anderson (£5.5m), whom I do own, did impress me a lot, mind. He was relentless against Brentford, taking corners, creating chances and coming close himself on a couple of occasions. He was only one away from the DefCon threshold, too – on another day, it was a big haul.

Above: FPL midfielders sorted by defensive contributions in Gameweek 1

Anton Stach (£5.0m) gave a somewhat similar performance to Anderson’s. On corners, he created four chances and took four shots – all whilst actually hitting the DefCon threshold. For £0.5m cheaper, he is definitely one to watch.

Above: FPL midfielders sorted by chances created (CC) in Gameweek 1

DefCon Leaderboard

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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266 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    What will you do if you were me?
    My defenders are porro hoever diouf decuyper konsa
    As of now i am starting porro diouf decuyper, will u sell konsa or diouf for probably dorgu and start dorgu instead?

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    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      yes you def is really lacking tbh

      Mine is to so mo judgement but surely you do someting to shore it up?

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    2. STHH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      My approach here would be:

      1. Who is starting this week if I did nothing? I would go with Porro (attacking threat, premium defender), De Cuyper (good pick that had a bad first week) and Hoever (worth another week with potential xGI against a weak Bournemouth defence). I expect this will net you 6-10 points, with either an assist for Porro or a clean sheet for De Cuyper.
      2. What is my defence going to be in GW3? I would go with Hoever (EVE), Porro (BOU), Konsa (CRY).

      Diouf is sticking out as not featuring in either week and probably for the next few weeks may not be a strong pick at all (CHE, nfo, TOT, CRY, eve, ars). For £4.5m I would be looking elsewhere. Man Utd have two good fixtures and Dorgu looks very attacking and a great replacement. When United have weaker fixtures in GW4 and 5 you have other options (e.g. GW5 you have defenders against sun, bha, LEE, CHE, TOT).

      I could also see Dorgu netting a double-pointer this weekend, meaning you put Hoever on the bench as first defence.

      Big improvement to the squad overall!

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      1. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Hoever might not be playing after this gameweek due to the new addition to the team.
        So i will most likely sell diouf for dorgu

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    3. THE CON MAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Why sell Konsa? He's missing 1 game and then has a good run.

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  2. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Think im pretty set and good to go here, Bowen has one more week for me, Palmer maybe too..

    Dubravka
    Gudmondsson - Munoz - RAN
    Sarr - Wirtz - Bruno - Palmer - Reijnders
    Haaland (c) - Bowen

    Sels - Diouf - VDV - Guiu

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    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Diouf ahead of gudmunsson for the flukey goal

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      1. Kodap
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        People are saying this, but I have Palmer.. so feels weird to play him against?

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        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          10 months, 26 days ago

          I can see 3:1 Chelsea win but Diouf score

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  3. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Why is everyone buying Haaland (c)?

    Did no one read the previous article?

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    1. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I did not, what does it say ?

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    2. JGIANTS2024
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Articles are just opinions, go with ya gut 🙂

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  4. Tore Andre Flo
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Hoy! Mbuemo or Cunha? Who looked better first game?

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    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Cunha

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      1. Tore Andre Flo
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Why?

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    2. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Bruno

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      1. Tore Andre Flo
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Ha ha! If he cost 6,5 I go Bruno!

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    3. Malkmus
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I think at the end of season they will have very similar points, barring injury. Cunha more central and involved in build up, and looks great, Mbeumo more attacking threat from the right, will get more crosses in and with sesko at 6ft5 and a huge leap that could be interesting. I would go Mbeumo personally.

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      1. Tore Andre Flo
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I am leaning towards Mbuemo…. A lot of people transferring him out! Could be a gem…

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    4. JakubPinkowski
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Mbuemo

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    5. STHH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Honestly both looked great. Hard to judge as Cunha played as CF for a bit, so if Sesko starts there on Sunday he will go to LWF, Mbeumo on RWF and Bruno in the 10.

      Both looked thirsty to score and there is a healthy bit of competition developing between the two of them. Could see both getting to 20 attacking returns this season.

      If I had to choose one, it's Cunha. Last season when he visited Craven Cottage he picked up 2 goals and 1 assist. He'll have happy memories. Perfect fixture for him to kick on at United.

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      1. Tore Andre Flo
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Thanks! Feels like a coin flip! Can’t have both, but might go Sesko for next game if he goes crazy this round!

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        1. STHH
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Any of these new strikers could end up being the best option this year. I really hope it's Sesko but we will know a lot more by Sunday evening.

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  5. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Forest considering to sack Nuno.

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    1. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      dafaq

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    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Wild. That owner is a malaka to be fair

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  6. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Does this free hit team look ok?

    Raya
    Gabriel Tosin Diakité
    (c)Saka Palmer Semenyo Reijnders
    Haaland Watkins Evanilson

    Dub Hartman Esteve King

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    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Yes

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  7. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Will u do diouf to senesi for free?

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    1. AllArnaut
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Yes

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    2. MJF
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Feels like a pretty low impact move I’d rather save.

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    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Did you watch highlights of West Ham game?

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      1. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Nope. Why?

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        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Ballard late slide stopped certain goal

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    4. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Bah

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      1. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Nah* hold the transfer

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  8. AllArnaut
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Play

    A. Diouf
    B. Van de Ven

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    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      A

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  9. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Anyone knows anything about Stiller? Is he an 8 or a 6?

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    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Ben?

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      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 6 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Dodge-ball fantasy?

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  10. JakubPinkowski
    • 3 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Which one do you think is best for the wildcard? I've got £8m

    A. Joao Pedro
    B. Chris Wood
    C. Mateta
    D. Sesko
    E. Bowen

    Personally leaning towards Mateta

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    1. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Wood

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    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Not bowen but they are all decent

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  11. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    That's a diabolical team

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  12. Ray85
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Is Wilson to Gordon/Mbuemo/Cunha worth the -4? Or stick to the differential this week?

    Also could do Fulkrug to JSL/Evanilson

    Thanks

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  13. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Acheampong to start again? Need to lose Frimpong and I figure if I bring in Acheampong it'll save me 2M to upgrade for GW3...?

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    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Tosin and Fofana fit means avoid probably

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    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Probably Tosin and Chalobah as the CBs with Fofana another option for Maresca to consider. Look elsewhere for replacement

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    3. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Cheers both. Probably go straight to Cucurella, not ideal but not sure who else I fancy.

      Don't want the NFO double up (Sels in goal) and don't want a CRY defender...

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  14. _Greg
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Understand Manchester United are still working on deal to sign Senne Lammens, talks underway.

    Personal terms are almost agreed and Man United are in active talks for the Belgian goalkeeper.

    #MUFC try to anticipate more clubs from France and Italy, also based on exits.

    Via Fabrizio Romano.

    Could see him being priced as a backup and starting. I'd be interested at 4.5m.

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    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Romano has turned into a spoofer. Jackson to Villa now. Last season was Joao Felix to Villa which turned out to be absolute rubbish

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    2. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Dorgu better option

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      1. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Dalot will bench Dorgu now and then.

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    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Nah 5.0m, same as Bayindir and Onana

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      1. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Never know 🙂

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  15. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Thoughts on J.Pedro, is he still worth keeping?

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    1. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      One more week for me

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  16. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Liverpool could be heading into their first injury crisis with both right backs out injured.

    With no overlapping Frimpong we could see Salah get more of the right wing play and increase his shots and assisting output. If this happens then Slot has to consider playing Frimpong behind Salah when he returns from injury.

    Endo could play right back. His defensive recovery pace seemed rather slow and he was caught out for Bournemouths second goal. He also provides less height on set pieces.

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  17. _Greg
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    All documents are signed club to club for Eberechi Eze’s move to Arsenal.

    Eze, undergoing his medical ahead of signature on contract and registration as it must happen before 12pm to be elegible against Leeds.

    Via Fabrizio Romano.

    Palmer > Eze(c) - 4 :mrgreen:

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  18. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Thoughts on this wc draft?

    Sanchez
    Gabriel willaims vdv
    Palmer gakpo semenyo reijnders
    Haaland Watkins Gyokeres

    Dubravka konsa esteve king

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  19. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Which move:

    A. Wirtz > Semenyo
    B. Rutter > Reijnders
    C. J. Pedro > Evanilson
    D. Hold

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Hold

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  20. OptimusBlack
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    GTG and right bench ?
    Sanchez ( Sels)
    Porro Frimpong* Cucurella ( Diouf VDV)
    Salah© KDV Reijnders Rutter Wirtz
    Watkins Gyökeres ( Füllkrug)
    A- Frimpong > Gabriel
    B- Frimpong> RAN
    C- other transfer

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