Pre-Season

The Best Budget Midfielders to Buy in FPL 2018/19

Having run the rule over the various goalkeepers, budget defenders and premium defenders available in Fantasy Premier League this coming season, we now switch our attention to the cut-price options in midfield.

With so many premium assets to choose from and only £100m to spend, the need for at least one budget option in midfield drives our search for this season’s Luka Milivojevic.

Part of the appeal of these sub-£6.0m players is that there is generally at least one break-out star among them each season; Wilfried Zaha, Josh King and Riyad Mahrez were all, once upon a time, budget gems in midfield.

Not that all Fantasy managers will be overly concerned about unearthing the next Pascal Gross; some FPL bosses will be happy to choose a £4.5m-rated midfielder simply as bench fodder, depending on their strategy.

Budget midfielders can take different forms. Some will be peripheral squad players, others defensive midfielders whose Fantasy appeal is limited, but there are always a handful of assets who have the potential to deliver substantial attacking returns for precious little investment.

The £4.5m Bracket

At the time of writing, 42 players lie at the bottom of the midfield barrel. The most we can realistically expect of the midfielders in this bracket is appearance points and the occasional attacking return, perfectly illustrated by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tom Carroll last season.

While assets from the “big six” are available for £4.5m, such as Mohamed Elneny, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ethan Ampadu and Scott McTominay, their involvement with their respective clubs is likely to be limited at best.

One of the eye-catching candidates at this price is Arthur Masuaku. The West Ham United wing-back has been reclassified as a winger this season after his “out of position” performances in 2017/18 further up the left flank. Masuaku attempted twice as many take-ons as any other defender last season and delivered 100 crosses, but the early indications from the Hammers’ pre-season friendlies are that Masuaku will be returning to an orthodox full-back role in 2018/19.

Dale Stephens is a classic “set-and-forget” midfield bench option in this bracket. The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder started 36 of the Seagulls’ matches last season, chipping in with three assists. Southampton’s Oriel Romeu, who featured in 34 of the Saints’ 38 league fixtures in 2017/18, is another budget alternative who offers the security of starts – if precious little else.

Aron Gunnarsson has the potential to be another reliable budget option who will steadily accumulate appearance points and not a great deal more. Having been out of contract with Cardiff City this summer, the Iceland captain has recently penned a new deal with the Bluebirds and, when fit, was a first-choice pick in midfield for Neil Warnock’s promotion-winning side. Gunnarsson also possesses a dangerous long throw – as demonstrated in Iceland’s 2-1 win over England in Euro 2016 – which could lead to an unlikely assist or two.

Having recovered from a knee injury that effectively ended his season in September 2017, Nathaniel Chalobah is one to monitor at Watford. The former Chelsea midfielder’s early-season form for the Hornets won him an England call-up before his untimely setback.

Jason Puncheon is a nostalgic pick at £4.5m. The Crystal Palace midfielder’s 2017/18 season was ended prematurely by injury but the 32-year-old has returned to action in pre-season, scoring in the 6-1 win over Halmstads. Palace’s fixtures in the opening nine Gameweeks are appealing, but doubts remain over whether Puncheon would feature anything other than intermittently.

The £5.0m Bracket

Ruben Neves is currently proving the most popular pick in this price bracket, sitting in over 15% of the embryonic FPL squads. While the Portugal international is a sure starter for Wolverhampton Wanderers next season, his role as a deep-lying playmaker – similar to that of Jonjo Shelvey at Newcastle United – is the reason for what seems on the surface a bargain price. All six of Neves’ Championship goals came from outside the opposition box last season, as did 90 of his 93 attempts on goal.

Another star in the second tier of English football last season was Tom Cairney. Also available at £5.0m, the Fulham midfielder’s appeal was increased following the arrival of box-to-box midfielder Jean Michael Seri. The athletic Ivorian would seem a great foil for Cairney, allowing the latter more freedom further up the pitch. Cairney’s passing statistics (no Championship player who made more than ten starts had a better passing success rate or made more passes per game) would, if repeated, fare well on the Bonus Points System in FPL. Cairney has also scored 25 goals for Fulham over the last three seasons combined.

Completing our look at the £5.0m-rated options from the newly promoted clubs, Joe Ralls was Cardiff’s first-choice penalty taker in the Championship last season and most regular starter in the centre of the park. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Josh Murphy, meanwhile, would seem to be competing for one of the two wing spots in Neil Warnock’s side.

Elsewhere, Jorginho joins N’Golo Kante as a £5.0m route into the Chelsea midfield. The £50m capture from Napoli, who will likely sit at the base of the Blues’ three-man midfield, is not a big attacking threat, having scored on only two occasions for the Italian side over the course of five seasons. The Brazil-born Italy international will, however, start the majority of Chelsea’s matches, given how integral he was to Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli side and how averse to rotation the new Chelsea manager is.

Arsenal’s new midfield general Lucas Torreira, whose game has been compared to that of Sergio Busquets, is another defensive-minded £5.0m asset whose Fantasy appeal is limited.

A deep-lying water carrier is all £5.0m will buy you at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur too, with Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko all available at this price.

A couple of other new faces also feature in this price bracket. David Brooks played on the right of a front three in Bournemouth’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla last week and is a name to monitor, while winger Ken Sema arrived at Watford over the summer from Ostersunds – pre-season should tell us if the Swedish international is anything other than a back-up for Richarlison.

Kenedy‘s second loan move to Newcastle from Chelsea was sealed last week and the Brazilian midfielder is one of the most appealing midfield assets available at the £5.0m mark. Kenedy scored on two occasions and assisted as many goals in his 13 appearances for the Magpies towards the end of last season. Kenedy might be best avoided in the opening few Gameweeks, however: United play Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in their first five matches.

A tough start to the season for Huddersfield Town and the Terriers’ dismal goal-scoring record last season would perhaps deter investment in Alex Pritchard, but the January capture from Norwich City is one of the most advanced midfielders available at £5.0m.

Jack Wilshere hasn’t made more than 30 league appearances in a single season since 2010/11 and will be hoping a move to West Ham can kick-start his career. One goal and six assists in his last three seasons with Arsenal and Bournemouth doesn’t quicken the pulse, however, and there appear to be better options in Wilshere’s price bracket.

The £5.5m Bracket

There are fewer options available in this price bracket than there are at £4.5m and £5.0m, though still plenty to warrant mention.

Gerard Deulofeu‘s move to Watford from Barcelona was made permanent this summer and the Catalan winger is a short-term option for the first three Gameweeks of the season, with the Hornets facing Brighton (h), Burnley (a) and Crystal Palace (h) in August. The former Everton prospect, who registered nine assists for the Toffees in 2015/16, is also available for a full £1.0m cheaper than Richarlison.

Southampton’s set of opening fixtures (BUR, eve, LEI, cry, BRI) is one of the more favourable in the first five Gameweeks and both Nathan Redmond and new signing Stuart Armstrong are available at £5.5m. Redmond already has two pre-season goals to his name and started the 3-3 draw with Schalke in the Saints’ attack.

While the likes of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner (a combined two goals between them last season) are unattractive options for Liverpool, it is easy to dismiss Fernandinho as just another budget midfield pick. The Brazilian, however, scored five goals for City last season and assisted a further four strikes. The only four matches in which Fernandinho failed to feature in were enforced either by injury or suspension; in a team where rotation will likely be even more commonplace this season (following the arrival of Riyad Mahrez), Fernandinho and the much more expensive Kevin De Bruyne are about as nailed-on picks as any City midfielder.

Granit Xhaka is another whose “dirty work” in midfield disguised his attacking returns; the Swiss international supplied eight assists for Arsenal last season and had more shots on goal than any of the Gunners’ midfield.

Rotation in the wide areas last season meant that Jordan Ibe and Ryan Fraser started only 21 and 23 matches respectively for Bournemouth, but with Junior Stanislas recuperating from knee surgery there will be plenty of interest in the Cherries’ budget wingers with home matches against Cardiff, Everton, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Southampton to come in the first nine Gameweeks. Ibe indeed has already netted in pre-season, albeit playing at right wing-back.

Robbie Brady started Burnley’s first 15 matches of 2017/18 before injury curtailed his season and the Irishman will be a player worth monitoring in pre-season if he can return to fitness. No midfielder delivered more crosses than Brady in those 15 appearances between August and December.

Speaking of which, only three midfielders (De Bruyne, Gross, Christian Eriksen) whipped in more crosses than Marc Albrighton last season. With Mahrez out of the picture at Leicester, Albrighton could stake a claim to take more set pieces – although the arrival of James Maddison provides competition for Albrighton on that front.

Dead-ball specialist Stefan Johansen and winger Ivan Cavaleiro represent Fulham and Wolves in this price bracket, while Cardiff’s top scorer last season, Callum Paterson, and wide-midfielder Junior Hoilett are options for the Bluebirds.

Finally, a special mention of the magic bean himself: Ruben Loftus-Cheek. On loan at Palace last season, Loftus-Cheek’s form for the Eagles saw him called up to England’s World Cup squad. Maurizio Sarri is due to make a decision on the 22-year-old midfielder in the coming days, with Loftus-Cheek keen to play regular first-team football again next season. The dream, of course, would be for Chelsea’s new manager to blood the England youngster in the Blues’ first-team; a £5.5m-rated midfield asset – with more attacking potential than Kante and Jorginho – in a Sarri side would be a godsend.

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697 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    These are my top 3 players to pick from each team ( just my opinion )

    Arsenal: Rambo, Mkhi, Auba
    Bournemouth: Stanislas, Wilson, King
    Brighton: Groß, Izquierdo, Stephens
    Burnley: Ward, Barnes, Wood
    Cardiff: Peltier, Mendez-Laing, Hoilett
    Chelsea: Azpi, Willian and Hazard (at the moment)
    Crystal Palace: PVA, Zaha, Milivojevic
    Everton: Coleman, Siggy, Tosun
    Fulham: Cairney, Sessegnon, Kamara
    Huddersfield: Mooy, Zanka, Mounie
    Leicester: Vardy, Maddison, Gray
    Liverpool: Salah, Firmino, Robertson
    Man City: Sane, Kun, D Silva
    Man Utd: A Sanchez, DDG, Martial for start
    Newcastle: Kenedy, Perez, Lascelles
    Southampton: Bertrand, Elyounoussi, Austin
    Tottenham: Eriksen, Lamela/ Lucas, Davies
    Watford: Hughes, Richarlison, Foster
    West Ham: Arny, Yarm, Diop if nailed
    Wolves: Douglas, Jota, Neves

    These are just opinions and I may have missed some players but hope this helps 😀

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'd definitely have fabianski for west ham

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah

    2. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez ahead of Dilva

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Ah yeah, forgot about him 🙂

    3. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Kane?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Not for the start

    4. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Take a look at Diop’s disciplinary record and he’ll be off your list.

    5. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      KDB?

    6. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I think you got it pretty spot on

      Don't think I'd have neves as a dm.
      I'd argue lacazette over Mkhy. He's not proven anything yet

    7. TheNovocastrian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Good post, I like it and don't really disagree with any. Will look forward to seeing a revised version in a couple of weeks!
      Thanks 🙂

  2. openerhm
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Looking at Chelsea's defence, assuming Azpi starts right back then one of David Luiz, Cahill or Christensen (all £5.5m) has to start cb with Rudiger surely. At that price a Chelsea def could be a bargain. Thoughts...

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

      depends who they sign to replace Courtois

  3. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Salah at 13 is just sooo much 🙁 !

    How is this Salahless team looking?

    Begovic - Fabianski
    Robertson - Coleman - PVA - Douglas - Cedric
    Mané - Sané - Martial - Deulofeu - Cairney
    Aubameyang - Agüero - Reid

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Ok...Now get him and thank me later.

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      it would look better with salah

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Open a word document
      Call it " list of FPL mistakes that I need to learn from"
      Copy and paste this

      "How is this Salahless team looking?"

      Next season it will help you avoid similar mistakes 😉

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ^God these comments are embarrassing

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        A bit. Get why they are writing it though.

        However I do feel Mané at 9.5 offers the same PPM as Salah priced at 13.0

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Points per match?

          1. Salarrivederci
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Points per million

            1. Cok3y5murf
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Never really look at points per million, but if you believe they both offer the same points per million, doesn't that mean they would both provide the same value? If you do, then Salah would give you an added advantage of reliable and explosive captaincy returns, so why not have him?

              1. Salarrivederci
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Just feel like it give you a wiggle room to set up a better overall team (will most likely help you avoid taking too many hits).

                Last season I avaraged 1 hit pr. GW

              2. AndyCook
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  You need to do points per discretionary million really

                  1. AndyCook
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      And have it as points minus appearance points

              3. Salarrivederci
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                It's all math (and ofc some gut feeling and a bit of luck)

                Salah + Townsend = 19.0
                Mané + Sané = 19.0

                I would rather have the latter.

                1. AndyCook
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    You can argue this all day long - why not 9.5 mid and 7 striker over 5.5 mid and 11 striker which is what you have. You can’t pick and choose your arguments it’s an overall budget

          2. Viiksisika
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Is he too much tho? How many players have got over 300 points ever?

            1. Salarrivederci
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              I don't know, but I think the team looks strong without him in it. I could be punished ofc.

          3. AndyCook
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Doesn’t make sense with two 11M plus. Better to drop one and Mane and have Salah and a 7M striker

          4. sirmorbach
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Finally I like my team. Go ahead and destroy my dreams, lads

            Fab / Ryan
            Robbo, Mendy, Coleman
            Salah, Mahrez, Ramsey, Jota
            Firmino, Arnautovic, Tosun

            Subs: Wan-Bissaka, Douglas, Hughes

            1. SW6
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              It looks good. I would try and leave it and come back to it in a week. You'll only make it worse by over-thinking it.

              1. sirmorbach
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Many thanks, mate

            2. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Looks good. As I mentioned below I'm surprised to see Coleman in a lot of teams but not Baines.

              1. sirmorbach
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                That is one to think about indeed, but since I believe Siggy will be taking pens this season I'll go with Coleman. Thanks for your feebdack, much appreciated!

                1. Big boy Bowen
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  No worries, why do you think Siggy is one them btw? He didn't take 1 last season, Rooney took 6 and Baines took 2 (and scored 2)

                  1. sirmorbach
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    Oh well, I now think I might be wrong. I was pretty sure Baines only took them either (i) when Rooney wasn't available or (ii) after Big Sam cut Old Wayne off the role, but yeah, regardless. If his penalties were taken by him with Siggy available, which is likely, I think you may have a pretty good point.

                    1. Big boy Bowen
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      I think Baines went on them after Rooney missed a few. Of course Siggy could be back on them, I'm just trying yo convince myself as I want him lol 🙂

            3. Another Hoops
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Very good.

              But after GW 1 you will struggle to get in another City attacking player or even Auba without destroying your team.

              I do like it though.

              1. sirmorbach
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Thank you so very much! I'll deal with the City problem when time comes

            4. Toniopolo
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              I’m on exactly the same except with auba deulofeu and cairney instead of jota firmino and Hughes, nice team

              1. sirmorbach
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Thanks, mate! Hopefully we'll do good

            5. BigBarn
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Really like it, the structure especially. It's all just subjective preferences in the end, but I'm really not sold on Arnie. I'd personally downgrade and get Auba or Kun instead of Firm, but maybe Arnie kills it. Who knows. It's a lovely bench, though. Very solid squad.

              1. sirmorbach
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Great feedback. Much appreciated, mate!

          5. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Not much love for Baines this year? Could be a steal at 5.5 and on pens

            1. openerhm
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Feel like there's a lot of value in the 4.5-5.5 range this year. Personally prefer Coleman and Bellerin.

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Fair. He is still on pens isn't he?

            2. Coys96
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Wondering that too

            3. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Siggy probably on pens this season

              1. ***00tennis***
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Siggy

                1. Big boy Bowen
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  What makes you think that? He didn't take one last season - Baines and Rooney

          6. openerhm
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            A) Aguero + Deulofeu
            OR
            B) Firmino + Ramsey

            1. Top Lad Dakes.
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              B if you have other city players too

              1. openerhm
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Yh have sane. Do you think he's a good option?

          7. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Siggy should start gw1 right?

            Foster Pickford
            Robertson Mendy Ward Tomkins Peltier
            Salah Mahrez Sigurdsson Cairney Deulofeu
            Auba Arnautovic Kamara

            2.5 ITB, use it where?

            1. sirmorbach
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Personaly I'd go with Ramsey over Cairney

            2. openerhm
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Do you not think Ramsey or Martial offer better value at 7.5m? Also, would either downgrade Foster or Pickford to a gk 0.5m lower. I'd spend the 2.5 either on Kamara -> Tosun/Zaha Or Cairney to another 7.5m mid.

              1. BigBarn
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I love Siggy, and he could absolutely boss it, but this kinda makes sense to me. I'm going Ramsay instead. I'd spend the 2.5 on Arnie to Firmino, though.

            3. Norman Conquest
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              not 100% sure siggy will start gw1 and if he does could be an excellent pick now rooney has gone i should imagine set pieces and pens should be his

              1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Plus he will be playing behind the striker

          8. timmmuh
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            A) Lookman and TAA
            Or
            B) Cedric and Gundmundsson

          9. wedgec
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            How on earth has demari gray escaped this articles attention? Likely to play more with no mahrez.

            1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Plus may open the door for
              Daniel Amartey 4.5

          10. Gringo Kid
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            A) Douglas - Deloufeu
            B) Coleman - Hughes

            1. Coys96
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              B

          11. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Who will score more in the first 6 GWKs :

            Tosun or Sanè

            1. Harper (No more Penandes)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Sané easily

          12. olly:)
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            if chelsea signed Schmeichel how many teams u reckon would have him, id get him without a doubt.

            1. Harper (No more Penandes)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Definitely a lot of casuals, if they could only remember that there are other GK's than De Gea

          13. MysticMac17
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Will Emerson start over Alonso do we think? I've been reading that Sarri prefers to play a 4 3 3 formation, meaning that Emerson could be more suited to a full back role than Alonso (considering hes been playing as a wing back during his time at Chelsea). Could be a great option at 5.5 if he does.

          14. stat
              5 years, 8 months ago

              HT between Koln and Watford.
              Watford lead 1-0 after Gray scored at the 7th min, assisted by Richarlison.
              Deulofeu, Chalobah, Kiko didn't start.

            • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Is Willian a viable option to begin with?

              1. the snazzy viking
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                if Hazard leaves then he'll be an even more convincing option going forward

                would be a steal at 7.5

                saying that, I'm not sure I'd start with him but he'd be one I'd have my eye on for certain

                1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  The one I am watching for sure.

              2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                In is in my team at the moment always liked him as a player.

            • the snazzy viking
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              is a Liverpool and City triple up viable?

              (currently on Robbo, Salah + Firmino from Pool and Ederson, Sane and Kun from City)

              1. olly:)
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                if you like ur team like that go for it, but personally i wouldn't like that approach

                1. the snazzy viking
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  thanks

                  which players would you swap out of that lot?

                  1. StoichkovFPL
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    you want to downgrade good players? why?

                    1. the snazzy viking
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      I don't think I will downgrade them in the end but I'd be interested in hearing another perspective 🙂

                      1. StoichkovFPL
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        fair enough but if you feel that this is good choice than dont overthink this.

                  2. olly:)
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    probably go without Kun, don't like him with Jesus battling him for his place, rather Auba

                    1. the snazzy viking
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      cheers, it's really hard to pick between the two of Auba + Kun imo

              2. StoichkovFPL
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Robbo, Salah, Firmino + Ederson, Mahrez, Aguero here

                1. the snazzy viking
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  they all look convincing options for sure 🙂

                  1. StoichkovFPL
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    both attacking teams with good fixtures. what not to like?
                    maybe will change something after first WC but till that very happy to have em all

              3. Harper (No more Penandes)
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Too much imo

                1. the snazzy viking
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  reckon I should swap out one or two of them?

                2. Harper (No more Penandes)
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  I think Robertson is a bit too hyped up, Pool's fixtures are not as good as they look, Palace is a bogey team, Leicester away is not easy for clean sheets and I think left back will get the odd rotation

                  1. the snazzy viking
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    thanks

                    would a Man United/Everton/Spurs/Chelsea defender be better?

                    1. Harper (No more Penandes)
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      United for sure, Davies interests me too. Don't get me wrong Robertson still a solid option, but he is £6.0 which is a premium

                      1. the snazzy viking
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        cheers for this

              4. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Can´t get enough points

                1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  So it´s fine

                2. the snazzy viking
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  cheers

              5. Red Dagger ✪
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I'm tempted to do just that.

              6. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                The only problem with it is that it limits movement within that team which is unwise this early imo.
                If you want a liverpool or city player you dont have it will be tricky to get them in. I am goibg with 2 from each. This gives me freedom to transfer the right 3rd option in once we have more information

                1. the snazzy viking
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  very good point, thanks 🙂

                2. olly:)
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  i have two from each, robbo salah and mendy mahrez. Likely i'll want KDB instead of Riyad eventually though

              7. THFC4LIFE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I have same Liverpool 3 and Ederson Mahrez Kun

              8. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Robbo, Mane + Firmino from Pool and Mendy + KdB (in a few weeks) from City

            • el polako
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              I think that Gundogan is worth a punt for first few weeks - 5.5ml, can play final pass and shot(took a pen last season too) and with KDB potentialy missing initial games - whats not to like ?

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Will he start ?

                1. el polako
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  I think he will, deputising for KDB.

                  1. Hotdogs for Tea
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    Fernandinho
                    Sane D Silva Mahrez
                    Jesus Aguero

                    Bench B Silva, Dungodan

                    ???

                    1. olly:)
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      Fernandinho
                      Silva Gundo (in KDB role)
                      Mahrez Sane
                      Aguero/Jesus (not both)

                      ?

                      1. Slam
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        Why not both?

                      2. Slam
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        Hotdog's looks more realistic with Mendy back in the picture

                    2. el polako
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      That's a bit too offensive, with Gundo it would look bit more balanced he really is excellent little player and Guardiola bought him for a reason.
                      Of course second guessing Pep is pointless hence "punt" player.

              2. Top Lad Dakes.
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I got him for 6 weeks last season... he played me.

              3. Jonny JAB
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Surely better off with Fernandinho? Served me very well towards the end of last season and helped me win my ML!

            • JJeyy
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Punt on Richarlison worth it? Now he is fresh unlike 18 months of football last season.

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

              Is Mkhi actually going to have a good season or is he actually just filling a space in your team at 7m?

              1. olly:)
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                not in my team so he's not filling any space. His fellow welsh gooner is though.

              2. THFC4LIFE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                As much as I don’t want to admit it, I think him and Auba will have a great season together

                1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Sure they know each other well from thier Dortmund days.

              3. Another Hoops
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I think he'll do okay but yeah I've also gone for Ramsey.

            • Daaf
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Thoughts on this bunch?

              Fabianski - Ryan
              Robertson - Coleman - Tomkins - Cedric - Daniels
              Salah - Mahrez - D Silva - Ramsey - Gunnarson
              Aubameyang - Wood - Austin

              Crazy for considering Austin?

              1. Viiksisika
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Austin is nailed to my team if he end up getting starting role in rest of the pre season.

            • dbeck
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              How are people planning on using their benches? Load a decent starting and nailed 11 and avoid benching headaches or balance it with a spread of funds and pairings?

              1. Norman Conquest
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                just fodder that plays

                1. dbeck
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Is speroni, caireny, kamara, bennet too weak? Only one I’d say is 100% nailed. Kamara may get sub appreanaces and Bennett may get the nod in wolves back 3 but not a cert

                  1. Norman Conquest
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    depends on the nailledness of the rest of your team i have fabianski tomkins kamara and stephens you would be unlucky if you had to call upon all subs in any one gw so a minimum of 2 playing should be enough

                    1. dbeck
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      Rest of team

                      Ederson
                      Bailey(utd place holder) pva Coleman robbo
                      Salah siggy Mahrez Ramsey (place holder is chels mid emerges)
                      Aguero Wood

                      1. Norman Conquest
                        • 10 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        could be a bit dodgy too early to say on who will start gw1 or not yet

                    2. Red Dagger ✪
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      ^This. At the beginning of the season I usually go with fodder / one or a max two that actually play.

              2. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                A nailed playing bench that can be called upon if any of the starting 11 get injured

              3. THFC4LIFE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                4m keeper 4.5m defender(Tomkins) 4.5m mid (bench fodder) 4m defender (bench fodder)

              4. Reuser
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Paying more attention to it this season. Rotation becomes more of an issue each season, so 3 choosing subs who I wouldn't mind playing and are capable of points.

                Currently on Tomkins, Hughes and Cairney/Costa.

                4.0 non-playing goalie though,

              5. dbeck
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Thanks all. Sounds like cheap but nailed is the way forward.

                Does your approach change through the season? I.e around Xmas

                Curious to know if the cheap approach is good to start the season with knowing you have a wc to use fairly early if needed

              6. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I only worry about that when using bench boost.
                Rotation for all it's talk rarely seems to work.

                It only ever ends up frustrating me: leaving the a player with points on the bench etc

            • StoichkovFPL
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              #watfordfc 2nd half XI v @fckoeln:

              Gomes, Femenia, Mariappa, Hoban, Wilmot, Britos, Holebas, Success, Lukebakio, Deeney, Sinclair

              1. StoichkovFPL
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                where the f#3k is Deulofeu (not Deulofail) ?

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

              Changed things about- how does it look. Weakened defence to put more money in midfield and forwards
              (Willian would be Ramsey if sold or not in plans of new manager)

              Pickford Foster
              Robinson Coleman Cedric Tomkins Daniels
              Salah Sané Willian Deulofeu Cairney
              Aguero Tosun Arnautovic

              1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Looks decent - balanced so easily changed if required.

            • Inter Me Gran
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              People talking about Sørloth which would really free up funds if he was a starter.

              However, what’s the opinion on
              Vardy or Morata??

              1. Viiksisika
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Vardy

                1. Inter Me Gran
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  At least someone who prefers vardy like me

                  1. Norman Conquest
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    wayne is that you

              2. @fpl_phenom
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                He really hoping he’s upfront for Palace... will have to wait and see

            • Top Lad Dakes.
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              A) Keep kamara as cheap striker, with auba and arnie (probably) as others, use 2.5mil on cairney to ramsey
              B) Kamara to tosun, with 0.0ITB

            • Horlicks esq.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              West Ham are not going to gel in time for this season to start. They are going to struggle like Everton did.

              too many new faces at once. it never works!

              1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Yep I agree 100%

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

              Sane seems too good to turn down. He's going to be so hungry after missing out on the WC.

              1. Slam
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Agree he's a decent pick.
                Will Jesus take minutes off him when playing on the left?

              2. Red Dagger ✪
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Agreed.

              3. Cok3y5murf
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Last year, Pep said Mendy and Sane can't play together

                1. Hotdogs for Tea
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Actually Pep said it was Aguero and Jesus who could not play together without (an overlapping full back like) a player like Mendy. Sane was needed (when Delph started because Delph couldn’t overlap) to give width instead of Jesus - I think 🙂

                  He then back tracked on it a few games later and played Jesus and Aguero together

                  Probably just hot air coming out of him 🙂

                2. I Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  No, he didn't.

            • Champ
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              I know this is about FPL, but what is with the bloody menus in restaurants now?

              "Home ground beef burger with slaw and twice cooked fries"

              I guessed that "slaw" was coleslaw. It was. So call it that ffs. Load of wnk

              1. el polako
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                1st world problems...

              2. badgerboy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Did it not come with a fried hens egg?

              3. Hooky
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I'd be more worried about the chips being burned. I have trouble not doing that and I only cook them once

            • Leaf
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Who is on Wolves set pieces/ pens ?

              1. Reuser
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Douglas and Neves on set-pieces

                Probably Jota on penalties

              2. olly:)
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Douglas takes free kicks i think, pens is anyones guess looking at the stats - 6 pens in the league last season, each one taken by a different player.

              3. Leaf
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Thank you both

            • Smurf
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              A lot on here seem interested in Everton’s backline due to their easy (on paper) early fixtures. With Coleman in particular very popular.

              Although from an attacking point of view Silva’s Watford were great at the start of last season. I seem to remember their defensive record was pretty appalling. Any reason people think this will be much different. Silva has an attacking playing style and even Big Sam couldn’t get Everton to defend well, only a few months ago.

              1. olly:)
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                been saying this, but maybe people are picking coleman purely for attacking returns with clean sheets coming as an unexpected extra source of points. Don't see us keeping many clean sheets and personally not choosing coleman (everton fan)

                1. Slam
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Hey mate, where was Wally in the 22-0 pounding?

                  1. olly:)
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    slight knee injury so was rested based on precaution.

              2. Ramboros
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                It's important to separate defensive capability to the ability to keep CS. Hull had a decent amount of CS with Silva. Watford had 3 CS in the first 4 matches, and another 2 before 15 matches played. That's solid numbers for a team that far down the table.

              3. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Place holder for until the WC players return

                Defenders returning to training - August 5 or 6
                Gary Cahill, Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Vincent Kompany, Benjamin Mendy, Phil Jones, Ashley Young
                Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld

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

                  I hadn't thought about it this way, mostly a straight swap or 0.5m upgrade ... unless Coleman/Everton disappoint and his value drops! Either way, happy to take a punt for first 2/3 gameweeks