Awards

Team of the Season – Roberto Firmino

Our Team of the Season for 2017/18 is completed with the addition of Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian earned 31% backing in the recent forwards poll to claim a place alongside Harry Kane up front in a 3-5-2 formation.

Reclassified from a midfielder to a forward in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), he offered a strong double-up option alongside Mohamed Salah as a route into Liverpool’s prolific attack.

Starting at a bargain £8.5m, Firmino opened up with a pair of 12-point hauls in the opening three Gameweeks.

He added a further five double-figure tallies, serving up 15 goals, eight assists and 29 bonus points.

Firmino’s all-round style of play boosted his ability to bring in additional points in the Bonus Points System (BPS).

The Liverpool striker created more chances (57) than any rival up front and sat second for successful tackles, with 65.

As a result, he was awarded bonus points in 12 of the 13 matches that he scored in.

That kind opening price tag ensured that the Brazilian was a hot property in FPL – more than 4.6m managers drafted him in, second only to Harry Kane (5.4m) overall.

Ending the season at a cost of £9.5m, his £1.0m price rise was more than double any other forward apart from Kane (£0.6m).

Firmino allayed any fears over rotation by appearing in 37 of The Reds’ matches – more than any team-mate.

Only Salah (34 to 32) was named in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI more often, with appearances off the bench mainly down to late-season progress in the Champions League and a congested festive schedule.

In terms of goal threat, Firmino was again second to Salah for shots (84 to 144) and efforts on target (37 to 66) for the Merseysiders.

Assessed against 2016/17, he received more big chances (from 14 to 17) and created more big chances (from 10 to 11).

On the downside, Firmino’s minutes per shot (from 30.7 to 33) and key pass (from 40 to 49) both dropped a little last term.

Nonetheless, a total of 181 points – one more than the previous campaign – earned him third place in the FPL forward standings behind Kane and Jamie Vardy.

The Prospects

Firmino’s price may ultimately determine how we assess his Fantasy appeal next season.

Certainly, a rise is inevitable in light of last term’s success. While a cost of up to £9.5m would be regarded as acceptable, a hike to £10m or £10.5m would likely deter many.

Given that Salah is poised for a hefty jump in price, those looking to invest in Liverpool may limit their interest to the Egyptian if Firmino also climbs into the premium bracket up top.

There’s no doubt that Salah’s consistency and ability to provide huge hauls gives him a considerable edge over his team-mate – he averaged 8.4 points per match to Firmino’s 4.9.

Firmino, on the other hand, required patience last time around.

He scored in just two of his 15 appearances from Gameweek 2-17 and finished the campaign with a single goal in seven fixtures.

While such sporadic returns were made easier to stomach by his price tag, a premium-priced Firmino would need to be far more reliable to be worth the investment.

There would be no surprise to see Firmino again claim a place in the top five forwards next time around, with his role as the spearhead of Liverpool’s attack undoubted.

That consistency of selection under Klopp clearly works in his favour, while a role as understudy to Gabriel Jesus for Brazil in this summer’s World Cup should keep Firmino relatively fresh for the start of 2018/19.

Depending on the price rise, though, he may have to up his output to remain such a popular pick.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

717 Comments Post a Comment
  1. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why are so many people choosing Nandez - doesn't seem nailed on?

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He is nailed, just not a good fantasy pick.

      1. UshFPL
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Why?

          1. UshFPL
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Cheers. Who do you prefer at that price?

            1. Prøfeßör …
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Al Dawsari seems to be rated as a punt.

              I think most of them are 4.5s in 5.0 clothing, it may be better to just get a 4.5.

    2. ***00tennis***
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      had Nandez originally but poss waist of URU player.

      Al Dawsari same price seems a better punt & a fun CAP choice for day1 v the rusty ruskies

  2. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Gylfi, anyone?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No

    2. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No I've eaten already, but thanks.

    4. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No

  3. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any love for Modric? Will apparently be playing no. 10 instead of a deeper position, and I feel like I should have at least 1 Croatian player because of their kits!

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Perisic the only one I'd ever consider from that team and he's a forward so no.

  4. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I think we need a hot topic for Werner Vs Muller, Hazard Vs Lukaku and other similar teammate arguments.

  5. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this first draft?

    Salah Lukaku Lewa
    Coutinho Nandez Eriksen Ziyech Kagawa
    Kimmich Muenier Mendy Idowu Yoshida
    Navas Uzoho

    Thanks.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I really hate this upside down team thing. McDonalds have a lot to answer for.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I agree. I though of posting the proper way, but decided to follow everyone else 😉
        World Cup vibe 😛

    2. ***00tennis***
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Mo out for game 1 no?

  6. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A or B?

    A. James Rodriguez, Godin, Schmeichel
    B. Isco, 5.5 def, Muslera

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A.)

  7. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Muller & Godin
    B) Meunier & Coutinho

    (I already own Paulinho fwiw...)

    1. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A.)

  8. Prøfeßör …
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A bit late but Hakimi starts.

  9. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hummels, Boateng or Hector?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Boateng

    2. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hector

  10. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best midfielder for 6m or under is?

    A Lo Celso
    B Cueva
    C Someone else?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Nandez?

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B.)

  11. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    McDonald’s league code? Should be a HT

    1. FFFrog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      It's on the front page, bottom of the right hand side.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        It's on this page bottom right too 😉

        1. Eden Wizard
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Mobile site, no it’s not.

      2. Eden Wizard
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        None existent on the mobile site, any danger of people answering the question round here? Smart arses everywhere.

  12. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anywhere to find out who´s on set pieces for each country?

      1. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        thanks 🙂

  13. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Werner + Eriksen + Sabaly + Dalsgaard
    or
    B) Neymar + Sanchez + Carvajal + Godin

    Thanks.

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Is Carvajal fit?

  14. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    How important is a last day captaincy option?
    Because then for Rounds 1 and 2 final days, I cant see anyone past J. Rod.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hopefully you should have had a decent captain by then, JRod and Lewandowski are decent last ditch options though.

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        True, but then its safe to have atleast 1 option for the last day

    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Lewandowski and Falcao just as good options.

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I just think there are better options in the FWDs department

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You would really hope that you've nailed a captain way before it gets to the last day.

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah but then you never know right?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I think you're answering your own question here. 😉

          It's not a case that it's needed, but just incase.

  15. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Pick one:

    A. Werner, Eriksen, James, Sidibe, Miranda, Muslera (3-4-3)
    B. Neymar, Paulinho, Marcelo, Kimmich, Godin, Lloris (4-4-2)
    C. Neymar, James, Paulinho, Miranda, Sidibe, Pickford (3-5-2)

    Playing on a local site so prices are slightly different.

    Thanks guys!

  16. Kolarov Fpl Legend
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best Denmark defender?

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Kjær

      1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Tnx, any attacking threat from corners?

        1. Root
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I guess so, he scores goals occasionally.

          4.5M Dalsgaard seems to be a starter too if you want to save money.

          1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            No, I need attacking threat more then money. Thanks again.

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Dalsgaard is the best value.

      1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks

      2. Sanguinista
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Is he nailed on to start? This is what one website says -
        --------------------Kasper Schmeichel-----------------

        Riza Durmissi, Simon Kjær, Andreas Bjelland, Peter Ankersen

        -------------------------William Kvist-------------------

        ----------------Thomas Delany, Christian Eriksen--------

        ----------------Pione Sisto, Yussuf Poulsen---------------

        --------------------Nicolai Jørgensen-----------

        1. Prøfeßör …
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          This website is wrong on so many levels. Who is Rizal Durmisi and Peter Ankersen? Why is Christensen not starting?

  17. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why are people picking Nandez or any 5.0mids? They have no upside and are just like the 4.5m mids that play. Better to just get those and save the 0.5m.

    Only at 6.0 and up can you get midfielders that actually have fantasy potential.

    Cueva, Ziyech, Carrasco, Dzagoev etc.

    That said the mid price mids aren't the best either. Need to go up to 8.5m+ for actually captainable players.

    1. FFFrog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I would normally totally agree with you, but Al-Dawsari and Al-Faraj are both genuine attacking threats with a good first game, nailed on at 5m.

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I disagree. For example, AlDawsari has assist and goals potential in him, Nandez not so much but he is playing on the right side for attacking side so may get some assists. 4.5 mil options are mainly defensive midfielders.

      1. Prøfeßör …
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Have you seen Nandez' stats? I'll give you a clue, C.Sanchez of Colombia is on par/ outperforms him. You can't just say he plays for an attacking side so he's a good pick.

        1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          No I haven't, but I thrust serious people who are writing about him.

        2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          He's better then 0.5 bench fodder is what I'm saying not that he is a good pick in general. If you need money for the big hitters you must have some lower budget picks.

          1. Prøfeßör …
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            He is a 4.5 dressed in 5.0 clothing. Very limited attacking threat and more importantly, takes up a valuable Uruguay slot.

  18. Prøfeßör …
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Fun fact: Saudi Arabia (67) are ranked higher in the current FIFA rankings than Russia (70).

  19. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I haven't seen much discussion of the max captain chip. Thoughts on when best to play it? My initial reaction is that, percentage-wise, it's suited best for the final as it's the only matchday that we only have 1 go at getting the captain right.

    Of course, the final is unlikely to be the day when we'll have our maximum scorer so it's not exactly a high reward strategy, but certainly the one most likely to get us a captain haul every week.

    1. Leeroy357
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Either the final or the semi makes sense. Wasted in the groups because you should get at least 3 chances anyway

  20. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Navas
    B) Schmeichel
    C) Akinfeev
    D) Cabellero

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

  21. Leeroy357
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Pickford (Elhadary)
    Trippier - Carvajal - Kimmich - Sidibe (Hegazy)
    Isco - Muller - Forsberg (Hamed) (C.Sanchez)
    Cavani - Jesus - Werner

    Thinking maybe Forsberg & Sanchez out for 2 mid priced options like Vecino & Gudmondsson/Iwobi but not sure

  22. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Repost.

    Pick one:

    A. Werner, Eriksen, James, Sidibe, Miranda, Muslera (3-4-3)
    B. Neymar, Paulinho, Marcelo, Kimmich, Godin, Lloris (4-4-2)
    C. Neymar, James, Paulinho, Miranda, Sidibe, Pickford (3-5-2)

    Playing on a local site so prices are slightly different.

  23. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Werner + Eriksen
    or
    B) Neymar + Carrasco

    Thanks.

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Werner+Eriksen

  24. New Post
  25. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best 5.5 mid? Currently on Claesson

  26. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Pick 2 out of:
    A) Lewandowski
    B) Cavani
    C) Jesus