Pre-Season

Sanchez and Martial up front while Man City train without key players

As expected, both Manchester clubs look set to name makeshift line-ups in Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League, as a result of the World Cup.

City are travelling to the USA with very few of their key players following the summer tournament, while United manager Jose Mourinho has actually revealed which of his forward options will likely start against Leicester on August 10.

We’ve updated our list of World Cup absentees now that pre-season training and matches have begun in earnest. This has included adding on the minutes played by players involved in the third/fourth place play-off and the final, and tracking who has returned to training with their clubs.

Very few players who made it as far as the knockout stages have returned yet, while a large number of those eliminated in the group stages are beginning to trickle back to training.

ARSENAL

  • SEMI-FINALS: Danny Welbeck | 0 starts, 11 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINALS: Lucas Torreira | 3 starts, 304 minutes
  • LAST 16: David Ospina | 4 starts 399 minutes
  • LAST 16: Granit Xhaka | 4 starts 360 minutes
  • LAST 16: Stephan Lichsteiner | 3 starts 267 minutes
  • LAST 16: Nacho Monreal | 0 starts 0 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Mohamed Elneny | 3 starts 244 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Mesut Ozil | 2 starts 180 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Joel Campbell | 1 start 113 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Alex Iwobi | 1 start 64 minutes

Arsenal look set to be largely unaffected by this summer’s World Cup, furthering their Fantasy appeal in the early part of the season. The last player to return to pre-season training for them will be England’s Danny Welbeck (£6.5m), who made it as far as the semi-finals with England, but only played 11 minutes of football. His absence shouldn’t cause any issues for new manager Unai Emery, who is expected to start both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£10.5m) in the Arsenal forward line, as he did against Boreham Wood.

Hector Bellerin (£5.5m) looks set to benefit from new signing Stephan Lichsteiner’s (£5.0m) involvement at the World Cup. The experienced international started three of Switzerland’s matches as they made it to the last sixteen. Emery’s decision to sign Lichsteiner from Juventus appeared to be focussed on providing cover for Bellerin, so the rotation threat was minimal anyway, but the World Cup has cemented his starting berth for the first few weeks at least.

Nacho Monreal (£5.5m) may miss some training after going to the last sixteen with Spain but he did not feature in Russia so may still be fresh. Likewise, Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) started just one match for Nigeria as they were knocked out in the group stage while Mesut Ozil (£8.5m) was only involved twice for Germany’s shock first-round exit. Goalkeeper David Ospina (not on FPL yet) made it to the last sixteen with Colombia having played every minute for his country, but he is now firmly third choice behind Bernd Leno (£5.0m) and Petr Cech (£5.0m).

The only area of concern for the Gunners appears to be in holding midfield. Mohamed Elneny (£5.0m) and Granit Xhaka (£5.5m) both played every minute of their respective nations’ campaigns in Russia while new signing Lucas Torreira (£5.0m) made it to the quarter-finals with Uruguay. One of them will have to be in the starting line-up for Gameweek 1, without a full pre-season in north London. That is likely to be Elneny who is expected to join up with Arsenal in Singapore next week at the same time as Ozil and Iwobi.

BOURNEMOUTH

Bournemouth had no players at the World Cup.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

  • LAST SIXTEEN: Jose Izquierdo | 1 start, 70 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Mat Ryan | 3 starts, 270 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Leon Balogun | 3 starts 270 minutes

Brighton look set to be largely unscathed by World Cup absences this season. The Seagull that spent the longest at the tournament was Colombian midfielder Jose Izquierdo (£6.0m), who reached the last sixteen. Having left Russia shortly after July 3 after just 70 minutes of football, Izquierdo could still form part of Brighton’s Gameweek 1 first-team but he will, of course, be late back to pre-season training. Last season he was not always a first-team regular anyway, making just 23 starts.

New signing Leon Balogun (£4.5m)’s last match in Russia was on June 27 having played every minute of Nigeria’s Group D campaign. The centre-back left the tournament with enough time to have a break before returning to training on Thursday July 19, so it’s worth tracking our Scout Notes over the coming weeks to see how often he features in friendlies. For now, Shane Duffy (£4.5m) and Lewis Dunk (£4.5m) look the go-to options in Brighton’s defence again.

Mat Ryan (£4.5m) was eliminated in the group stages with Australia which means he returned to club training at the same time as Balogun. As a goalkeeper, he is less likely to miss out compared to Izquierdo and Balogun, although it’s still worth tracking how often he plays in pre-season.

BURNLEY

  • SEMI-FINALS: Nick Pope | 0 starts, 0 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Johann Berg Gudmundsson | 2 starts, 153 minutes

Nick Pope (£5.0m) is Burnley’s last active World Cup player, his return from Russia delayed as England made it all the way to the third/fourth place play-off. While the Clarets’ goalkeeper did not play any minutes in Russia, he was still heavily involved in England training when he would normally be resting. Tom Heaton (£5.0m) has also worked with the Three Lions over the summer, so the World Cup doesn’t really change the fact that either one of the two goalkeepers could be number one for Gameweek 1. The former Man United man has started Burnley’s friendlies so far.

The most likely to miss out on a place in the Burnley starting XI early on, is Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m), although he has now returned to training. The Icelandic midfielder only started two matches in Russia, played 153 minutes and was knocked out in the group stage – but he sustained a muscle injury against Argentina which kept him out of the 2-0 defeat to Nigeria. Gudmundsson did return for their final group stage match but it is not known close to full fitness he was, with Iceland’s passage into the knockout rounds riding on their fortunes against Croatia.

Any doubts hanging over Gudmundsson could open the door on the right of midfield for Aaron Lennon (£5.5m). If he is not involved in the first few weeks of the season, Robbie Brady (£5.5m) could assume Gudmundsson’s set-piece responsibilities before his return to the side, although he is still shaking off a pre-season knock too.

CARDIFF CITY

  • GROUP STAGE: Aron Gunnarsson | 3 starts, 253 minutes

The only Cardiff player at this summer’s World Cup was Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson (£4.5m). An important figure for both club and country, he started all three group stage matches before being eliminated at that stage, but he has now returned to training with the Bluebirds.

CHELSEA

  • FINAL: N’Golo Kante | 7 starts 595 minutes
  • FINAL: Olivier Giroud | 6 starts, 546 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Thibaut Courtois | 7 starts, 630 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Eden Hazard | 6 starts, 518 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Ruben Loftus-Cheek | 3 starts, 274 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Michy Batshuayi | 1 start, 113 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Gary Cahill | 1 start 90 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINAL: Willian | 5 starts, 359 minutes
  • LAST 16: Andreas Christensen | 4 starts, 306 minutes
  • LAST 16: Willy Caballero | 2 starts, 180 minutes
  • LAST 16: Cesar Azpilicueta | 0 starts, 0 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Victor Moses | 3 starts, 270 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Antonio Rudiger | 1 start, 90 minutes

Chelsea have travelled for a pre-season training camp in Australia without a single member of their World Cup contingent. The Blues may rank highly for defence on our season ticker but Russia’s summer tournament looks set to seriously damage their chances of keeping clean sheets in the first few Gameweeks. N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) will surely be absent early on, having won the final with France, and upon his return the former Leicester City man may not be at his absolute best. The defence will certainly struggle without him to provide his trademark protection from midfield.

Several defensive players will also be arriving back in London too; so many in fact, that a fair few will almost have to start Gameweek 1 without full pre-season preparation. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (£5.5m) should be okay to return to the side despite going all the way to the third/fourth place play-off with Belgium, but that’s on account of his position more than anything else. Gary Cahill (£5.5m) went deep with England although he only played in one match, as did Germany’s Antonio Rudiger (£5.5m) on his way to being eliminated in the group stage. Andreas Christensen (£5.5m) looks a risk having played 306 minutes on the way to the last sixteen with Denmark.

Accordingly, Emerson Palmieri (£5.5m) and Davide Zappacosta (£5.5m) could be favoured by new manager Maurizio Sarri early on, amid suggestions he wants to do away with a three-man defence and wing-backs like Marcos Alonso (£6.5m). Azpilicueta is renowned for his durability and will probably slot straight back into central defence alongside either Cahill or Rudiger, with Christensen is unlikely to feature at least initially. With Antonio Conte now out of the job, David Luiz (£5.5m) may even get a look-in, given he’s had more rest than Cahill, Rudiger and Christensen this summer.

Further up the pitch, Eden Hazard (£10.5m), Willian (£7.5m) and Olivier Giroud (£8.0m) all going deep into the tournament opens the door for Pedro (£6.5m), Ross Barkley (£6.0m) and Alvaro Morata (£9.0m). The two midfielders feel more likely to be involved with Morata potentially on his way out of the club. Gonzalo Higuain has been linked with a move to Chelsea, and if that is completed before the start of the season than Giroud’s absence will mean he’ll slot straight in, having played just 132 minutes in Russia.

CRYSTAL PALACE

  • GROUP STAGE: Luka Milivojevic | 2 starts, 171 minutes

Crystal Palace will be largely unaffected by the World Cup with just one player involved in this summer’s finals. Luka Milivojevic (£6.5m) started just two matches in Russia and played 171 minutes before coming home after the group stages. He should be back with Palace next week, affording him enough time to not miss much Premier League action. In the unlikely event that he does miss a game or two at the start of 2018/19, Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m) might assume his penalty-taking responsibilities. Palace currently top our season ticker for attack in the first six Gameweeks so it’s worth investing in their midfielders and/or forwards.

EVERTON

  • SEMI-FINALS: Jordan Pickford | 7 starts, 699 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Gylfi Sigurdsson | 3 starts, 270 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Idrissa Gueye | 3 starts, 270 minutes

England World Cup hero Jordan Pickford (£5.0m) will have a very late return to the Everton camp this summer, although as a goalkeeper, he could be involved from Gameweek 1. In the unlikely event that Pickford does not play in the first few Gameweeks, Maarten Stekelenburg is available at £4.0m – so it’s worth seeing what happens in the Toffees pre-season matches.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.5m) and Idrissa Gueye (£5.0m) played every minute for their respective countries before both being knocked out in the group stages. The pair are expected back in either the third or fourth week of July and could be with the group when Everton fly to Portugal on July 20. That should mean neither of them misses Gameweek 1. Davy Klaassen (£6.0m) currently looks the only alternative to Sigurdsson and was not used much last season.

FULHAM

Fulham had no players at the World Cup.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

  • LAST 16: Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen | 2 starts, 229 minutes
  • LAST 16: Jonas Lossl | 0 starts, 0 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Aaron Mooy | 3 starts, 270 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Ramadan Sobhi | 0 starts, 56 minutes

Two of Huddersfield’s defensive players went to the second round of the World Cup with Denmark, although one looks more prone to rotation initially. Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen (£4.5m) made two starts in Russia playing 229 minutes of football, while Jonas Lossl (£4.5m) remained an unused understudy to Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m).

Further up the pitch, Aaron Mooy (£5.5m) was a key player for Australia and feels more likely to be affected by his World Cup campaign than new signing Ramadan Sobhi (£5.0m), who didn’t make a single start and only played 56 minutes. But neither one is particularly likely to miss involvement in Gameweek 1 as a result of their exploits, as they return to training this week.

LEICESTER CITY

  • SEMI-FINALS: Harry Maguire | 6 starts, 654 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Jamie Vardy | 1 start, 166 minutes
  • LAST 16: Kasper Schmeichel | 4 starts, 400 minutes
  • LAST 16: Adrien Silva | 2 starts, 156 minutes
  • LAST 16: Shinji Okazaki | 1 start, 67 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Wilfried Ndidi | 3 starts, 270 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Ahmed Musa | 2 starts, 207 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Kelechi Iheanacho | 2 starts, 147 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Yohan Benalouane | 0 starts, 49 minutes

England World Cup hero Harry Maguire (£5.5m) looks set to miss the first few Gameweeks of the Premier League campaign, having racked up 654 minutes with England on the way to the World Cup’s final weekend. That probably leaves the door open for Jonny Evans (£5.0m) and Wes Morgan (£4.5m) to start at centre-back from Gameweek 1 to 3.

Maguire’s compatriot Jamie Vardy (£8.5m) has a better chance of making into the side to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday August 10, having only registered 166 minutes in Russia. However, the 31-year-old struggled with a muscle injury and was later still involved in full training while on England duty and may require extra-time to rest before returning to Premier League action.

Unfortunately for Leciester, the alternative centre-forwards were also involved for their countries at the World Cup, although to less of an extent than Vardy was. Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.0m) made two starts and played 147 minutes for Nigeria before leaving at the end of the group stages while Shinji Okazaki (£5.5m) made it to the knockout rounds with Japan playing just 67 minutes. Neither one of them will be fully fit for Gameweek 1 but may be in better shape than Vardy.

Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m) was ever present for Denmark on their journey to the last sixteen but as a goalkeeper he may find it easier slotting back in for Gameweek 1. If not, Eldin Jakupovic (£4.5m) would be the alternative choice between the sticks.

LIVERPOOL

  • FINAL: Dejan Lovren | 6 starts, 670 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Jordan Henderson | 5 starts, 483 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Trent Alexander-Arnold | 1 start 79 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Simon Mignolet | 0 starts, 0 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINALS: Roberto Firmino | 0 starts 82 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Sadio Mane | 3 starts, 270 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Mohamed Salah | 2 starts 180 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Marko Grujic | 0 starts, 0 minutes

Several important Liverpool players could see their early Premier League starts and performances limited by the World Cup. Competing in the final will almost certainly rule Dejan Lovren (£5.0m) out of Liverpool’s first two Premier League fixtures. Any one of Joel Matip (£5.0m), Joe Gomez (£5.0m) or Ragnar Klavan (£4.5m) could fill the void alongside Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) while he takes extended leave and returns to pre-season training very late. Gomez and Klavan have rotated around each other in friendlies so far, both playing 45 minutes in each of Liverpool’s two matches so far but Matip has registered some minutes now.

New signings Naby Keita (£7.5m) and Fabinho (£6.0m) both have a strong chance of starting in the initial Gameweeks for Liverpool, with club captain Jordan Henderson (£5.5m) still in Russia by the final weekend. The central midfielder was a key player for England en route to the semi-finals, playing 483 minutes and picking up a knock against Croatia.

The typically ruthless front-three of Mohamed Salah (£13.0m), Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) and Sadio Mane (£9.0m) could begin 2018/19 a little out of sorts. Neither one of them really played enough minutes in Russia to jeopardise starts but Salah may still be recovering from the knock sustained in the Champions League and Firmino was still with the Brazil squad well into July. Salah and Mane are expected to link up with the Liverpool squad ready for the US tour but the pair will have already missed four pre-season fixtures by that point. Adam Lallana (£7.0m) has impressed in pre-season friendlies so far and could come in for any of them while Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings (£5.5m) and Dominic Solanke (£5.0m) are also waiting in the wings.

MANCHESTER CITY

  • FINAL: Benjamin Mendy | 0 starts, 40 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: John Stones | 7 starts, 654 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Kyle Walker | 5 starts, 448 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Kevin De Bruyne | 6 starts 540 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Raheem Sterling | 6 starts, 454 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Vincent Kompany | 4 starts, 376 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Fabian Delph | 2 starts, 220 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINALS: Gabriel Jesus | 5 starts, 406 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINALS: Fernandinho | 1 start, 155 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINALS: Danilo | 1 start, 90 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINALS: Ederson | 0 starts 0 minutes
  • LAST 16: Nicolas Otamendi | 4 starts, 360 minutes
  • LAST 16: David Silva | 4 starts, 327 minutes
  • LAST 16: Bernardo Silva | 3 starts, 238 minutes
  • LAST 16: Sergio Aguero | 2 starts 178 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Ilkay Gundogan | 0 starts, 59 minutes

Just two of Manchester City’s players who went to the World Cup have been named in their pre-season training squad for their trip to the USA, namely Bernardo Silva (£7.5m) and Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m). That means the Citizens look set to struggle with both team selection and fitness in the early part of the 2018/19 season, with Russia’s finals claiming 16 first-team players. Seven of those made it as far as the last four while all but one of that contingent got through to the knockout stages.

Of the Manchester City options available in FPL, only Aymeric Laporte (£5.5m), Leroy Sané (£9.5m), Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m), Phil Foden (£5.0m), Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m) and Brahim Diaz (£5.0m) were not involved in the World Cup in some way.

While it would make sense to invest in those players initially, it is entirely possible that the tiredness of their team-mates may reduce their output anyway. After all, of those six World Cup-less players, only three of them look likely to start (Laporte, Sané and Mahrez) so a large portion of City’s Gameweek 1 starting XI will be taken from those who have had a busy summer.

Ederson (£5.5m) should retain his starting berth in goal having not registered a single minute with Brazil but in front of him, only Laporte looks a sure starter. John Stones (£5.5m), Kyle Walker (£6.5m) and Vincent Kompany (£5.5m) all lasted the full tournament with England and Belgium respectively, while Nicolas Otamendi (£6.5m) got to the last sixteen with Argentina. Aside from Mendy, full-back could be a serious area of struggle with Fabian Delph (£5.5m) and still in Russia by the final weekend while quarter-finalist Danilo (£5.5m) picked up an injury at the tournament.

Fernandinho (£5.5m) may be able to feature from the beginning of the campaign having only played 155 minutes largely as a substitute with Brazil. Alongside him Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) should feature after just 59 minutes played in Germany side knocked out in the group stage.

In attack, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) and Gabriel Jesus (£10.5m) shouldn’t be involved for a few weeks, presumably allowing Sane and Mahrez to get some minutes behind Sergio Aguero (£11.0m), who managed just two starts before Argentina were eliminated by France in the second round, although he will be absent from the US training camp. David Silva (£8.5m) may also be a doubt for early inclusion having been an important figure for Spain until the round of sixteen.

MANCHESTER UNITED

  • FINAL: Paul Pogba | 6 starts, 539 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Jesse Lingard | 5 starts, 536 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Ashley Young | 5 starts, 448 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Romelu Lukaku | 6 starts, 476 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Marouane Fellaini | 3 starts, 316 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Marcus Rashford | 1 start, 220 minutes
  • SEMI-FINAL: Phil Jones | 2 starts, 180 minutes
  • QUARTER-FINAL: Victor Lindelof | 4 starts, 360 minutes
  • LAST 16: David De Gea | 4 starts, 397 minutes
  • LAST 16: Marcos Rojo | 3 starts, 225 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Nemanja Matic | 3 starts, 270 minutes

Alexis Sanchez (£10.5m), Anthony Martial (£7.5m) and Juan Mata (£6.5m) are set to lead Manchester United’s forward line in the first few weeks of the season, according to manager Jose Mourinho. He admitted this week that he is unwilling to involve any player who went to the World Cup early on.

Both Romelu Lukaku (£11.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£7.0m) were in Russia until the penultimate day of the tournament. Paul Pogba (£8.0m), Jesse Lingard (£7.0m) and Marouane Fellaini (£5.0m) are also expected to be missing from the United midfield initially with Fred (£6.0m) another of the likely beneficiaries. Nemanja Matic’s (£5.0m) group stage exit may not see him miss too much football, but he will remain a selection risk initially, especially in light of Mourinho’s comments.

The absence of England defenders Ashley Young (£6.0m) and Phil Jones (£5.5m) could justify investment in either one of Luke Shaw (£5.0m) or Diogo Dalot (£5.5m) and Chris Smalling (£6.0m) or Eric Bailly (£5.5m) at centre-half early on.

Marcus Rojo (£5.0m) and Victor Lindelof (£5.0m) went to the knockout stages too and are unlikely to be selected during the first few Gameweeks.

David De Gea (£6.0m) played 397 minutes for Spain as they were surprisingly knocked out by Russia. As a goalkeeper he may be fine to slot straight back in. Keep an eye on our pre-season Scout Notes though as one of Sergio Romero (£5.0m) or Lee Grant (not yet on FPL) could feature in De Gea’s place.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

  • GROUP STAGE: Aleksandr Mitrovic | 3 starts, 268 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Ki Sung-yueng | 2 starts, 180 minutes

Newcastle look set to be largely unaffected by the World Cup with just two of their players in Russia, neither of whom has returned to training yet. The one who played the most minutes Aleksandr Mitrovic (not on FPL yet) may not even be a Newcastle player much longer after a successful loan spell at Fulham has already raised suggestions he may move there permanently. Either way, he was back home soon after Serbia were knocked out in the group stage.

New signing Ki Sung-yueng (£5.0m) started two World Cup matches, missing out on South Korea’s final match of the tournament with an injury. Accordingly, he may be absent from the first few Premier League fixtures, with Jonjo Shelvey (£5.5m) and Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) set to benefit.

SOUTHAMPTON

  • LAST 16: Maya Yoshida | 4 starts, 360 minutes
  • LAST 16: Cedric Soares | 3 starts, 270 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Jan Bednarek | 2 starts, 225 minutes

Southampton’s World Cup absences will only be in defence, with two centre-backs and one wing-back set for an extended summer break.

The probable absence of right-back Cedric Soares (£4.5m) in Gameweek 1 (maybe 2) will be the bigger issue for Mark Hughes to solve. Nathan Redmond (£5.5m) and Shane Long (£5.0m) have been tested on the right-hand side of a 3-5-2 during pre-season so far, which could continue until Cedric returns.

At centre-back, the signing of Jannik Vestergaard should tide Southampton over while Maya Yoshida (£4.5m) misses a Gameweek or two. Jack Stephens (£4.5m), Wesley Hoedt (£4.5m) and Ryan Bertrand (£5.0m) have operated as the back three so far. With that new signing, Jan Bednarek (£4.0m) was unlikely to feature even if he hadn’t gone to the World Cup with Poland.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

  • FINAL: Hugo Lloris | 6 starts, 540 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Kieran Trippier | 6 starts, 558 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Harry Kane | 6 starts, 582 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Toby Alderweireld | 6 starts, 540 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Jan Vertonghen | 6 starts, 540 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Dele Alli | 4 starts, 364 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Danny Rose | 2 starts, 212 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Eric Dier | 2 starts, 257 minutes
  • SEMI-FINALS: Mousa Dembele | 2 starts 178 minutes
  • LAST 16: Christian Eriksen | 4 starts, 400 minutes
  • LAST 16: Davinson Sanchez | 4 starts, 399 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Son Heung-min | 3 starts, 270 minutes

Tottenham will find themselves with some selection and fitness problems at the start of 2018/19, especially in central defence and attacking midfield. No Premier League side has more players still in Russia by the final weekend than Spurs’ nine.

Toby Alderweireld (£6.0m) and Jan Vertonghen (£6.0m) made it to the last four with Belgium, playing every minute of the tournament aside from the 1-0 win over England in the group stages. Meanwhile, Davinson Sanchez (£6.0m) racked up 399 minutes with Colombia as they were knocked out in the second round. The only first-team cover for those three individuals is Eric Dier (£5.0m), another long-term resident in Russia during the World Cup. So, barring any defensive additions over the summer or promotions from the youth ranks, they are probably all going to have to start in Gameweek 1, and are unlikely to be completely ready for the new season.

The full-back areas are an easier problem for Mauricio Pochettino to solve with Kieran Trippier’s (£6.0m) heroics with England and Danny Rose’s (£6.0m) inclusion in the England squad paving the way for Serge Aurier (£6.0m) and Ben Davies (£6.0m) to have the monopoly on each flank for several weeks. They started and performed well in Spurs’ first pre-season match of the season, a 6-0 win over Southend United.

Attacking midfield will provide a real puzzle, though. Dele Alli (£9.0m) and Christian Eriksen (£9.5m) both registered over 350 minutes of football in Russia, the former staying in the country until the competition’s final matches. Son Heung-min’s (£8.0m) involvement with South Korea didn’t go beyond the group stage but he will now participate in the Asian Games in August, hoping to win the tournament to avoid two years of military service, although he is now in training with Spurs. Erik Lamela (£6.5m) and Lucas Moura (£7.0m) look to be the chief beneficiaries here with selection doubts over Alli, Eriksen and Son. They were another duo to impress against Southend, the former netting a hat-trick and an assist.

Up front, Spurs may have no choice but to start Fernando Llorente (£6.0m) if they don’t sign another centre-forward, with Harry Kane (£12.5m) may not start a league match until Gameweek 3.

Finally, Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) may miss some of the early season after winning the World Cup with France. Michel Vorm (5.0m) is currently the understudy who could get some minutes, and did so against Southend.

WATFORD

  • GROUP STAGE: Nordin Amrabat | 3 starts, 256 minutes

Watford’s World Cup absentee is unlikely to cause too many problems for manager Javi Gracia. Nordin Amrabat was knocked out in the group stage with Morocco and there is plenty of cover for him at Vicarage Road too. He was even loaned out to Leganes last season so is clearly not an important figure. Assets such as Gerard Deulofeu (£5.5m), Richarlison (£6.5m) and Roberto Pereyra (£6.0m) will all have easier routes into a Gameweek 1 line-up with Amrabat’s later than usual return to pre-season training.

WEST HAM UNITED

  • LAST 16: Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez | 4 starts 330 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Cheikou Kouyate | 1 start, 118 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Lukasz Fabianski | 1 start, 90 minutes

Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m) could retain his role as a centre-forward for West Ham at the beginning of 2018/19 after all, after starting up front in their latest pre-season friendly. Javier Hernandez (£6.5m) will miss some pre-season training and maybe Gameweek 1 having gone to the last sixteen with Mexico while Andy Carroll (£5.5m) is now out for three months after ankle surgery. The only other alternative is Jordan Hugill (£5.0m), who is clearly not up to the same level as Arnautovic.

If Cheikou Kouyate (£5.0m) misses out for West Ham then Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) will find it easier to work his way into the Gameweek 1 team, as will Mark Noble (£5.0m) and Pedro Obiang (£4.5m).

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

  • LAST 16: Rui Patricio | 4 starts, 360 minutes
  • LAST 16: Raul Jimenez | 0 starts, 54 minutes
  • GROUP STAGE: Romain Saiss | 2 starts, 180 minutes

John Ruddy (£4.5m) may get a few extra weeks as Wolves number one goalkeeper if new signing Rui Patricio (£4.5m) arrives at training late. He and Portugal were knocked out in the second round by Uruguay.

Romain Saiss (£4.5m) started two matches for Morocco in Russia but left the country after the group stage. He may be back in contention by Gameweek 1, although a whole host of central defensive and midfield will benefit if he is in not.

Raul Jiménez (£5.5m) returned to training this week having played just 54 minutes for Mexico this summer. He may be competing with Leo Bonatini (£5.0m) and Rafa Mir (£4.5m) to start early on.

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628 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Are there nailed 4 mil. defenders ? I have already Paltier, but need one more because i want to downgrade tomkins or cedric to 4 mil. in order to upgrade wilshare to deulofeu or someone better...

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wasa-casablanca (Palace)

      1. Aarono23
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Wan Bissaka is looking a good possibility. Played good when he came in last season and is currently ahead of Ward in the Palace pre-season friendlies

      2. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        nice one ! is he nailed ?

        1. Boris Bodega
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          No, hence the 4m pricetag

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

            It’s looking like he will be first choice.

            1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Not the same as being nailed

      3. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        not nailed.

        no 4.0 defender is nailed and choosing any with the view to starting them is a risk

        that includes schelotto, bednarek, wan-bissaka, peltier

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

      No 4.0 defenders are nailed at this moment imho

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

      Interesting consensus from most of you.

      I’d have thought Wan-Bissaka especially is looking like he’ll be a sure starter.

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

        He has played just 7 PL games ever I think .... he may start, he may not - hence not nailed at all.

  2. Aarono23
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I keep seeing Lacazette referred to as a 10.5m player in articles on here. Is he not 9.5m?

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yes he is 9.5

  3. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A) sane sanchez mane
    B) salah morata azpi

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      I'm currently on B... I can't imagine being sat there on the opening weekend without Salah.

      Although the Morata situation could change quickly if Chelsea move for another striker like Higuain.

  4. Value - PPM divided by new price
    Olivier Bernards watch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Some numbers that might be on interest to y'all: the figures below represent the players' points per match from last season divided by their new price. This is just the obvious way of representing value in a way that works for players that only played part of last season (e.g. Robertson, Kennedy etc).

    Def’s
    Jones — 0.909
    TAA — 0.88
    Robertson — 0.833
    Monreal — 0.833
    Moses — 0.78
    Tomkins — 0.77
    Alonso — 0.769
    Ottamendi — 0.707

    Mid’s
    Kennedy — 0.78
    Ramsey — 0.72
    Silva — 0.682
    Salah — 0.646
    Sterling — 0.627
    Gross — 0.614
    Mahrez — 0.6
    KDB — 0.56
    Ritchie — 0.55
    Lingard — 0.557
    Mane — 0.53
    Hazard — 0.485

    Fwd’s
    Wood — 0.6615
    Arnautovic — 0.657
    Kun — 0.618
    Auba — 0.609
    Wilson — 0.6
    Vardy — 0.5444
    Firmino — 0.515
    Kane — 0.472
    Lukaku — 0.436
    Morata — 0.4333

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      forgot GK's

      GK’s:
      Karius — 0.92
      Fabianski - 0.911
      Ederson — 0.88
      Ryan — 0.8444
      DDG — 0.766

    2. Petrichor II
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, I like to do this to find value. Thanks

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Phil Jones, what a guy. Never let me down.

      1. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        i know...makes Bailly pretty irresistible for the start of the season

      2. Petrichor II
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Hye Berbs. May I ask u something. Ive done what he did.

        5.5 ppm for Jones, but total score and minutes played is not so much for Jones. Why? Injury? Or he is not nailed when fit?

        1. Olivier Bernards watch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          i know you're not asking me, but Jones wasn't in the team for most of the 1st half of the season if I remember right.

          1. Petrichor II
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            So, Jones play somewhere like at December until season finish?

            If yes, looks like nailed for me.

            The 'problem' is he is part of the England Squad , rested.

          2. RedLightning
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Wrong way round. Phil Jones played 21 League matches from 13th August to 11th February before getting injured.

            He returned on 18th April to play 2 more matches in the League and two in the FA Cup.

            1. Olivier Bernards watch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              oh yeah, my bad. thanks

              1. RedLightning
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Actually, that's not quite right - see below.

          3. RedLightning
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Phil Jones played the first 11 game-weeks before getting injured and missing GWs 12-16.
            He then played 10 of the next 11 game-weeks (missing one through suspension) before getting injured again.

            He was then out for two months before returning in April to play two more League matches and two more FA Cup matches.

            He was nailed on except when injured or suspended.

            1. Petrichor II
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              So Mourinho loves him. Thanks RedLightning.

              Will go for him when he fit , just prepare alternative players at the same price.

              1. The Real Big Vern
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Likely pairing this season is Smalling and Bailly imo. Bailly was injured a lot last season.

    4. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Any limitations to using this as selection data

      1. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        just the usual really...it's from last season, so it probably doesn't tell us that much about the expected value of players like Mahrez, team selections will change, as will tactics etc (e.g. ramsey may play deeper now).

        However, I do think it shows that we may have been systematically overestimating the value of players such as Kane and KDB (note that KDB's value is that low after a price drop), and underestimating the value of others (Wood, Tomkins, Kennedy etc)

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

          Yeh this. The data is very useful actually.
          Thanks.

    5. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      thx for the crunching, may get back on wood.

    6. Petrichor II
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Well this is why I put more money at the back.

      When u look at line up , and commenting here and there is weak, it is not valid.

      We are not play football in real life to streghten any area except at the back. We play to find most point.

      Point!

      Then defenders always win it.

      Buy a pricy players just to make them captaincy cadidates only.

      Not to looks like blanced here in there. Its a myth.

      1. The Non Flying Dutchman
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        You also need to consider opportunity cost vs the next most valuable player. defenders have a lower spread of points between them. Also defenders can be more easily rotated.

    7. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      oh wow, first hot topic! Vielen Dank 🙂

    8. WesMantooth
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Actually submitted an article on this Subject yesterday. Hopefully it’ll be published

    9. Splatter\\\'s Omerta
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I do exactly the same. I also do points per 90 minutes (last year) per Million (cost this year), which dishes up similar and different results. Some of the players with poor PPMatchPM have great PP90minPM, i.e. those used as subs a lot or taken off at say 70 mins. If you think that such a player will get more starts/full games now, worth considering a balance between the 2 methods. Eg Deulofeu was 0.94 and 0.65 - so suggests that he will be fantasy gold if he plays full matches this season.
      Def shows that for an efficient squad, should concentrate on the back, but then also need a heavy hitter for captain.
      (PP90minPM / PPMatchPM)
      GK - Fab (0.92/0.91), Pope (0.88/0,86) - all GKs v similar as dont tend to be subbed.
      DEF - Jones (0.96/0.91), Lovren (0.93/0.76), BDavies (0.92/0,82), Trippier (0.89/0.78), Robertson (0.86/0.83), Mendy (0.83/0.48), Tomkins (0.83/0.78), Valencia (0.74/0.72), Otamendi (0.73/0.71), Azpi (0.73/0.72)
      MID - Fellani (1.38/0.58), Deulofeu (0.94/0.65), Lamela (0.92/0.34), Lingard (0.91/0.56), Kendy (0.90/0.78), Ramsey (0.85/0,72), Willian (0.83/0.48), Sterling (0.73/0.63), Pogba (0.72/0.64), Salah (0.72/0.65)
      FWD - Wood (0.89/0.66), Giroud (0.88/0.34), Arnie (0.80/0.66), Tosun (0.72/0.56), Aguero (0.71/0.62), Zaha (0.69/0.67) * change of position, Jesus (0.65/0.41), Aubam (0.64/0.58), Firm (0.62/0.52), Vardy (0.56/0.54) Kane (0.51, 0.47), Luk (0.46/0.44)

      1. T Money
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I can't help that think that what we really want is: points per match started per million, i.e. only count matches in which the player was in the starting line up. This would stop the skew of players being subbed on that affects both per match and per minute. Do you know if we can get data like this? I don't have the time to go through every game individually!

        1. Splatter\\\'s Omerta
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Hah, no. This is the limit of my time... 😉 Agree that has limitatations and far from accurate (eg subbed off after 61 mins means gets clean sheet points), but i find comparing the 2 gives more info and the rest is subjective. Eg seeing how effective Deulofeu can be if given game time and then making a judgement call whether think he will get more starts. Or if Lamela gets a load of minutes in the first couple of GWs due to WC absences, then could be a cheap source of points to start with.... Perhaps some uni student with too much time on their hands could build more detailed model ;-).

          1. T Money
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Agreed they're both really useful tools for fpl, and seeing the two side by side is pretty handy to work out how each are skewed as you say. Maybe one day ffs towers will look into points per match started 🙂

          2. FPL Sergeant
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            At the minute I would think Lamela will get a lot of minutes at the start as Sonny is away at the Asian Games. Lamela just ahead of Lucas Moura IMHO.

      2. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        awesome! thanks, that's a very useful extra bit of analysis.

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

        I do something similar but tweaked it because the FPL total points also includes 1 point for each sub appearance. So what I do instead is enter their Goals/Assists/Clean sheets/YC/RC/Bonus points into a spreadsheet. Then their mins played / 90. I give them 2 points per 90 mins. Then calculate a new total points and use that as the base to divide the new games played amount. Then divide by the price to get a value rating.

        Changes drastically the PPG for the likes of Austin and Giroud

    10. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry, I'm going to be "that guy" and point out that using price is flawed as you need to take into account base price, below which is an arbitrary number FPL have applied.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        meh

      2. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        no worries! i'm not pushing for any particular interpretation of this data or anything. But i'd like to understand your point. I'm afraid i don't know what you mean by `base price', or what this means in practical terms, so any chance you could elaborate a little?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I'll try - someone explained it much better on an article than me last year, so apologies in advance if this doesn't make sense!

          Basically FPL teams cost 36 (100 - (7 x 4.0 GK/DEF + 8 x 4.5 MID/FOR)) as you cannot buy individual players for less than these amounts.

          If FPL decided to put the budget up to, say, 250 and add 10 on to every players price, there would be no real change to the game (apart from price changes, but that's not really relevant here), as FPL teams would still cost 36 ((250 - (7 x 14.0 GK/DEF + 8 x 14.5 MID/FOR)), but calculations using total prices would suddenly be skewed.

          So, the amount below the base price doesn't really matter - it's the amount above, and the best way to utilise the "36" throughout a 15-man squad (i.e. Salah would cost 8.5 (13 - 4.5), so in real terms almost a quarter of your usable budget).

          1. WesMantooth
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            It's pretty well covered in the article Jonty reteeted a couple of days ago: https://fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/how-should-you-spend-your-fantasy-budget-to-get-the-best-return-on-investment/

            Although i appreciate the logic that goes in to this way of thinking, I can't help but feel that its got some limitations the same way points per million and value added per million does. Base price might be considered to be 4.0 for gk's and defs, and 4.5 for mids and attackers, but how many players are actually starters at those pricepoints?

            That might suggest that one should alter the base price to he .5 or .0 where theres actually players returning points. And also as the season progresses, we some times get players dropping below the baseprice, but at the same time returns points week in week out. Does this mean we need to alter the logic further?

            I don't see a problem with using points per mill, only thing is one has to be a little nuanced when applicating it.

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

              Agreed with the limitations. The method doesn't take context into account. You may or may not care if your 4.0 player is a nailed-on starter, for instance. They may be your nailed as your third sub or in your starting XI some weeks. The idea of a base price needs to be reconciled with based points expected, but as you say, this can be 0 or 4.0+ PPM, depending on the season, the gameweek, the position, the player - the context.

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

                I prefer not to use base price into the estimation of value, but take into account when comparing expected outcomes from combinations of player, which I think what RedLighting is alluding to below.

                You're still paying 5.0 for a 5.0 player, but what what I get in terms of pre-calculated value if I compare the value of this 5.0 with this 4.5 vs this 5.5 and this 4.0? That kind of thing

                1. WesMantooth
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Yup!
                  I've looked at points per mill for a while now, and after some healthy discussion after last season i've also applied VAPM to my own spreadsheets. This theory about removing base price is also a good one.

                  The thing is, at the end of it all theyr'e all pretty good tools to give pretty objective views on how valuable a player has been over a period of time. But they dont tell how the players will continue to perform and they dont tell us what the perfect XI is, they only provide more information one can use when building squads or making transfers.

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

                    I'm not fully convinced by VAPM, because it also has a somewhat arbitrary base, although I suppose you could argue that 2 is the most frequent score (I assume), even though 1, 0 etc are possible.

                    I suppose you could use a figure that is an average of point per mil and VAPM as your measure so it's not skewed too much in favour of cheap players nor too much in the other direction.

                    I don't really know. I'm interested, but I never actually bothered to create a spreadsheet. Do you have something you might be able to share so I can get an idea of what people might do?

                    1. WesMantooth
                      • 13 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      I'm not fully convinced either. But VAPM seems to give a fairer valuation at largely different pricepoints, i.e both the player @ 6.5 and the one at 12.5 can be deemed to have "efficient" value. But yeah, to discriminatory against cheaps.

                      4.0=129pts
                      4.5=136pts
                      5.0=143pts
                      5.5=149pts
                      6.0=156pts

                      These are 38game-seasons where VAPM would deem them efficient. The totals in the 5.5-6.0 range are figures that defenders in those pricebracket regularly get, so ingress thats were "the breakingpoint" is.

                      Ive got a spreadsheet I can share. I'll post it below this post. Not sure what you'll be able to do wit it, but hope its something good

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

                        Amazing. Much appreciated!

          2. Olivier Bernards watch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            thanks, this is interesting. i might make a similar list in terms of the difference between price and `base price' rather than simple price.

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

            sorry replied to the wrong comment earlier, or something went wrong.

            this is what you were referring to
            https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/08/11/fixed-cost-and-player-value/

        2. RedLightning
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Base Price is 4.0m for goalkeepers and defenders, 4.5m for midfielders and forwards.

          But who wants a squad full of base price players anyway (apart from the odd one to sit on the bench)?

          I prefer to compare players with realistic alternatives, very few of whom would be at base price, so I effectively look at additional points per game per additional cost when comparing specific players or groups of players at different prices.

        3. Splatter\\\'s Omerta
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          The problem with that is it makes a mockery of calulating value - the points per million. eg a 4.0m defender less their base has infinite value if they score just 1 point....

          1. Olivier Bernards watch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            right, i was also concerned about this. i guess the only option is to adopt a fairly arbitrary convention about the value of players at the base price, i.e. treat all players at base price as if they were 0.1 above base price, or something. but then the value estimates seem a lot less plausible. still, i guess it might make sense with respect to comparing players well above the base price.

            1. nanderson81
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Hi, I new to FFS. I have been reading this thread with some interest. I'm afraid I don't agree with this idea of subtracting base price. In doing calculations such as PPM it will skew it in favour cheaper players. In very simple terms its like saying a £5.0 player is twice as expensive as a £4.5 (1.0 / 0.5).

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

      As I said before, Kane is well overpriced.

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He is, unless you're going to captain him and/or can predict when he's going to explode, or have the cash available to upgrade a cheaper 'value' player who would score fewer total points.

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

          Agreed.

          Although he was anything but predictable last season. It was predictable that he'd explode in that game where he broke Shearer's record, but other than that, he was a captaincy troll more often than not.

    12. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If you're using Arnie shouldn't you use Zaha too? I reckon he's 'top' of the strikers. Azpi seems to be ahead of Ota. and Eriksen is around the KDB mark.

      Firmino, KDB and Azpi are probably good benchmarks to use when assessing pricing given their steadiness last season and predictable pricing this.

      Timing form is obviously important so anyone with a good run of fixtures on or above these benchmarks could represent good value.

  5. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    The best 5.5 mid !? 🙂

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      deulofeu
      neves (unknown quantity)
      kenedy
      cairney

    2. Aarono23
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think there is much value in the 5.5m bracket. Better off looking at the 5s and 4.5s, which Chicken Bhuna has listed below. Would suggest Costa over Neves myself though, however Kenedy is top of the bunch for me.

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Will Hughes

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

      Surely Lookman

    5. Sif
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Brady if fit, watch preseason news.

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

      Gray

  6. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lichtsteiner a good option at 5.0?
    I don't know about nailedness...

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Think he is cover for bellerin

  7. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Chelsea rumoured to be closing in on an €100m deal for Rugani and Higuain

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

      who's place is in danger if rugani signs

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Probably Christensen.

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

          cheers

        2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Cahill?

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Sarri plays a back 4, Cahill wasn't going to start in the first place I don't think.

            1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Alonsos days could numbered if he plays four at the back

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      nice, we need them to spice things up and rip these RMT's to pieces...

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

        Even if Sarri's a great choice and his tactics are spot on, the team will need time. I'm thinking of how long it took Spurs and Liverpool to click with their managers' pressing tactics. I'll consider a Chelsea asset who appears to be great value - maybe an OOP Moses or an RLC, but largely I wouldn't expect fireworks before Christmas.

  8. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lamela worth starting the season with.?

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

      yea a bit like martial prob start but expect to transfer them out after 2 or 3 weeks

      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Might take a punt on him for couple weejs

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

          good differential i am trying to avoid spurs players for the first few weeks i just thought a few of their players looked shot in the world cup and could take a lot longer than expected to recover completely

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

    1. Tomkins and Wilshere

    or

    2. Wan - Bisaka and Deulofeu

    ?

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Both are poor options but a if you must

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

      If all nailed I'd go with B. I prefer Deulofeu to Wilshere.

  10. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Ramsey - Walcott OR Siggy - Jota ???

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy jota

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

        Thanks mate

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy Jota.

      But Im on Siggy & Ramsey both atm.

  11. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    rmt

    foster
    robertson - azpi - mee
    salah(c) - siggy - martial - pedro
    morata - firmino - zaha

    fabianski - daniels - holebas - stephens

    - no city a major concern?
    - pedro is a bit of a punt but with daniels and holebas on the bench I think I have sufficient cover

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You need city defence n attack

  12. Manchester United options
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Fantasy Football Scout Daily Hot Topic

    How are you approaching Manchester United assets?

    Given Mourinho's tendency to play defensively, is a defender a must? Is Luke Shaw looking like a good option, as Young played late in the World Cup?

    Up front, Sanchez, Mata, and Martial could be options if Mourinho intends to have them start. Are you looking at one, two, or even three of them?

    Or are you looking to avoid, as they will be missing key players?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Have DDG but probably avoiding the rest. Unless Jones starts the season.

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’m getting shaw and martial as both will be good options for first few weeks imo

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

      i have shaw and martial at the moment they will prob become douglas and mkhi/ramsey by gw 3/4

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

      He’s said he plans to start with Martial and so with his price and the dearth of options at his price you can’t go too far wrong. I’m on Bailly atm and would like one of his defenders but can’t decide which yet, don’t really like shaw because I think Jose will go to great lengths to get him out of the side ASAP given how he seems to dislike him.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Bailly for me too but I'm monitoring Shaw closely. I'll switch if he's starting GW1

    5. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Always had a defender top of the priority list. Right now I’m on Smalling as I believe he is nailed but he could become Shaw so I can upgrade Mata to Martial.

      Smalling provides a long term assurance imo but if what I believe is true(lots of early wildcards) this may not be important.

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

      If Sanches plays up front - I will be on that

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think I'm getting him regardless

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

      Going punty with Sanchez and Martial double up.

      Sanchez already in my season plans due to his history and now settling into the team.

      Martial due to lack of other strikers. He will be shipped out after a few weeks when Rom is back. He’s a good price to do so to Ramsey/Mkhi etc.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think that's a good shout. There's a decent chance of an early WC anyway 🙂

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

          I’d like to hold on to that WC as long as possible...

          It looks strange seeing 2*United in midfield. Not doubled up there in many, many years.

    8. WesMantooth
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'm only looking at Sanchez as a potential OOP place holder for KDB when he gets back or Eriksen when Spuds are full strength. If any defensive options besides degea starts looking nailed long term ill prob include a defender aswell

    9. AleksanderVN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Starting with Sanchez, save a transfer, and downgrade him after GW2 for Mkhi to finance Auba up top.

      Will surely never happen without a hit but it is a plan for now.

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

        At that time Auba will have gained his owners 20 points 😉

        1. AleksanderVN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          As long as Aguero gains 25 I will be okay 😉

    10. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Bailly and Shaw should be starters for the whole season IMO (I know they probably won't be) so I might start with both and hope for the best. Martial is very tempting at his price too, especially given he is an easy trade for one of the Arsenal midfielders

    11. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Bailly for me. Has a free a run at nailing down a CB spot. The replacements are not really better than him. Could be the Jones of last year.

    12. Rotation
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Rotation, players returning from World Cup, Mou's questionable tactics, unhappy players.

      Too many uncertainties for me, likely avoiding everyone then waiting to bring them in on WC.

    13. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just Ddg for me

    14. Fassy
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I believe Darmian is also a option as leftback...

      1. Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Agent was in discussions with Juve yesterday. On his way out immenently.

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

          I’ll pay for his flight.

    15. Aarono23
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Shaw and Martial early doors, if Shaw looks like he will be starting. Then maybe Lingard at some point if he carries on last season's form

    16. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      As most have said, Bailly and Martial.

      Burnt by Bailly last season but will probably only keep for two games. Martial worth a punt. Then GW3 I will swap both for Bellerin & Ramsey.

    17. C-Dawgg
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Avoid for now. Fred had been signed to turn Pogba into a fantasy football point scoring machine though, when he returns he's gonna be an absolute steal at 8.0

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

        I'm waiting to see how the defence lines up to get one of the back 4.

        I was going to have Sanchez as a place-holder and do a straight switch to De Bruyne when he's ready, but now it could be Martial and cash in the bank.

    18. Darth_Krid
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Avoiding at the start of the season until we know what might be the settled back line. Don't fancy any forward options really either.

      To be honest, as a United fan, I really don't like owning our players at all so more than happy to go without.

    19. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I have Bailly and Martial.

      Is Bailly nailed on?

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Possibly. I suspect he will be but it's unclear

    20. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      None for me. If I end up going for a premium GK it will be Ederson, not DDG. Currently two 4.5.

      Defense - too much rotation and no attacking threat anywhere.

      Midfield - could punt on on Martial for the price but right now Im keeping Siggy. Sanchez too expensive for my liking. Mourinho still is his manager

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Also dont like gerting martial for just two games

      2. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Where are the likes? Im right as F!

    21. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Triple up - DDG,Shaw,Sanchez

    22. HNI
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Probably Shaw and Sanchez. Martial is gifted but too lazy to work hard and make it big. I hope to my core that Shaw finally maintains his fitness and live upto his potential.

  13. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Rudider(6m) to nail down a spot under Sarri?

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

      We’ve not got any better options currently and him and Rugani would be a strong partnership, so I’m hoping so.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        that's what I read...yes...thanks.

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I would think so

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

      Rudiger is sooo pap tho.

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

    Something different from RMT or A or B choices.

    What transfers are people hoping come to fruition from a FPL stand point and why?

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

        Cheers mate. Been swapping between the 2 all day

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

      Id like to see Schmeical at Chelsea for that 5m entry.

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

        That's my main one if I had to choose. To good not to take at 5m

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      KDB & Kane will undoubtedly feature in my team for a large part of the season, but not from the off.

      Or are you talking about Bale to United rumours etc?

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

        More meant along the lines of the second one. Schmeical to Chelsea as Horlicks said for example - that's one I'm really hoping for!

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

          Definitely makes Schmeichel my #1 keeper. Just need Madrid to up their pursuit of the WC Golden Glove winner!

          Even the 5.0m Cech making a return would be a good FPL asset.

          I’d also like to see Sandro join United as it’s an area United really need to nail down (but looking less and less likely).

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

      Willian sale could see Pedro become a fab option

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Pedro never a fab option

    5. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'd love to see Bale back in the PL, but don't think it'll happen.

      I don't think we'll see too many big names, or really exciting transfers to be honest, not to the PL at least.

      Hazard will likely leave which is a shame, possibly someone like Perasic to replace him?

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

    Gah. FIFA 18 help.!

    Ive finally qualified for a FUT Champs weekend league. I am in, starts tomorrow.

    I am also in Div 1 about to retain league status with one two points needed (from 3 games).

    NOW. I qualified after winning Div 2. And believe I can qualify again by staying in Div 1.

    If I play today and stay in Div 1, do I qualify for next weekends league too? or is it better to not play anymore, and as soon as the weekend league finishes, play one game, stay in the league and then im in next weekends league too?

    Apologies this is not FFS material.

    1. AleksanderVN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You dont qualify for next week by playing today.

      To be fair you shouldnt play at all today to save up energy for tommorrow. Enjoy some good fantasy speculation instead.

      Good luck in WL

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

        Cheers geez. I played, I won, I retained Div 1 status, and I didnt qualify. Will remember next time to leave Div 1 just inside relegation zone to speed up qualification process. A trick I am sure EA have covered anyway.

  16. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    When is the set piece section going to be updated? I don't want Ibra or Stoke assets 😉

    1. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'd love Ibra back in my team 😉

      It's on our to do list and definitely as friendlies roll on we'll keep it updated.

      Not sure why the old names haven't been taken down though! I'll give that a quick look when I get a minute today

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Ta

    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Today 🙂

  17. Hoofedgod
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Holebas(4.5m) thoughts? Is he being overlooked?

    1. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He's 34.. Don't think he'll be first choice this season.

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      34 year old not overlooked i’n Going kabasele set piece threat Brighton first game

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

        Is he going to be Holebas's replacement? Or does he play elsewhere?

  18. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Higuan @9.5m would be great.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      But unlikely, 10m minimum I fear

  19. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Best Midfield at 7.5 that's gonna start GWK1? Go!

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Tony matial

    2. anish10
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mhki, Martial or Rambo

    3. Fire Chief Moe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Footballer: Keita, FPL: Martial

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

        Keita the best footballer at 7.5m?!

        What exactly are you smoking in that grav?

        1. Fire Chief Moe
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Who's better?

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

            Have you seen more of Keita than a several-fan made highlight reels of Bundesliga football?

            Anyway to answer your question:
            Ramsey
            Mkhi
            Willian
            Kante
            Sigurdsson
            Lingard
            Mata
            Martial
            Matic
            Dembélé
            Wanyama

            1. Fire Chief Moe
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Yes. Lol, okay.

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy, Ramsey, Martial & maybe Willian.

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

      Rambooo

    6. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      This article says Martial will start up front

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

        This misleading claim seems to be persisting. The article says:

        Alexis Sanchez (£10.5m), Anthony Martial (£7.5m) and Juan Mata (£6.5m) are set to lead Manchester United’s forward line in the first few weeks of the season.

        It's not the same as 'Martial will start up front' 😉

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

      Siggy

  20. anish10
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Slowly getting there, hows she look:

    DDG - 4.0
    Cedric - Bellerin - Mendy - Robertson - Schelotto
    Mahrez - Mkhi - Salah - Delefeou - Masuaku
    Auba - Firmino - Kamara

    1. Kizza_10
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I like it, the only player that worries me is Mendy, not sure he will start the season after going so far in the World Cup.

  21. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is anyone aware of the homegrown players rule? Chelsea I imagine must play one of RLC, Barkley, Fabregas or Christensen at least I think that could fit in sarri’s team but probably not by his choice. What actually is the law of it?

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

      10 (I think) of the 25 squad must be ‘home grown’ as defined - you can add as many from the U23 squad on top of that as you wish

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I see so they don’t have to start? Cheers for response

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

          No

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Nice appreciated

  22. Sune
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is Guaita #1 in CPL?

  23. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone going with Pedro from the start?

    Seems like he'll fit Sarri's system well and Willian not likely to be fit enough to start after World Cup... Possible bargain at 6.5?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure - I feel exposed without any Chelsea.

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He’s sh** and will probably play the callejon role won’t be involved much I imagine

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      The only way we will get an idea of this is the Community Shield match. Otherwise it’s orely speculation.

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

        *Purely

    4. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If Hazard or Willian leave, and aren't replaced, then yes.

  24. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Latest version of my team in flux. Arsenal heavy, which is a combination of bias and their form n fixtures, might change as we get nearer the first match.

    GK - Pickford & Stekelenberg, purely based on fixtures and hoping Everton start strongly on the defensive front.

    Def - Sakho - excellent value, decent fixtures and a bonus magnet last season, long may in continue.
    VVD - nailed option, think Pool will start better defensively.
    Baines - same reasoning as pickford but hopefully also on pen's.
    Mendy - Attacking stats, on a high and raring to go. Good price for a (hopefully) nailed man city defender.
    Wan Bissaka - fingers crossed....

    Mids - Sanchez, namely I think he will tear Leicester City's defence apart. A two week punt I hope will pay off. Allows me to swap for a city player if he matches last season's form.
    Sané - another two week punt, hoping he is nailed long term and gets off to a flyer. Only Attacking City player I trust from the off.
    Mkhitaryan - torn between this guy and Ramsey, but I suspect Ramsey will play further back. Suspect (and hope) Arsenal will score a few against City at home. Personally felt he underachieved last season, and will be the best value midfielder this season.
    Deulofeu - would rather have Richarlison, but fixtures look good and he started well last season. Best option at 5.5 imo.
    Stephens - Can't see a better option at this price, correct me if I am wrong.

    Forwards - Auba, stats say it all, will likely be a constant in my team should he avoid injury.
    Lacazette - On pen's and links so well with Auba. I may switch to Firmino if Liverpool look like starting the season strongly.
    Zaha/Arnautovic - on Zaha atm, but may switch to the big Austrian if he stays.

    1. Van Djik-Head
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No Liverpool attackers is a VERY bold move

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Agree, I have had Firmino in my team until today. I don't think Arsenal opening fixtures are actually as scary as everyone thinks.

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

        3 LFC + 0 Arsenal midfielders/forwards wouldn’t be surprising.

        But 0 LFC + 3 Arsenal midfielders/forwards...

      3. Adams6
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Crazy more like

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

        #coverage

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

      No need to triple up on Arsenal for those 2 opening fixtures

    3. Adams6
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I like the goalkeeper combo. I've had the very same since I began tinkering, good to have fire and forget for GKs and with those fixtures I think it's good for 9m

    4. Adams6
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What do you think of Pep's reported comments regarding Mendy and Sane not playing together?
      I had them both too but those comments scared me and now I have neither...

  25. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT

    Ederson
    Bailly Bellerin Robertson Coleman
    Cairney Sane Salah Silva
    Aubameyang Zaha

    Subs: Boruc, Cedric, Neves, Madine

    Would you make any changes to the team ?

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

    Ederson
    Robbo, Bailly/Shaw, Cedric/Daniels, xxx(?)
    Salah, Mahrez, Lamela, xxx(?)
    Kun, Firmino, Zaha

    A) 4-3-3 with Coleman/PVA
    B) 3-4-3 with Deulofeu

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      why lame la?

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

        Cant see any player offering more value for money, and hes likely to start.

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

        Great value imo.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          for how long?

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

            Until first wildcard 🙂

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

              We also have FT 😉

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

            Exact same thing with Martial and many owns him

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

          Average xG: 0,35
          Average xA: 0,22

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

        What they said

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          no thanks.

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

            Cool. And the answer to my question is..

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              coleman/you can cover Pva with Tomkins.

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

                Yep. Got Tomkins

  27. liiusions
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I think I've completed FPL...

    Foster Fabi
    Mendy Robbo Cedric W-B Peltier
    Salah Mahrez Martial Stanislas Chalobah
    Aguero Firmino Austin

    Martial good place holder for Ramsey and Stan is the best sub 6.5 mid if fit imo

  28. Fassy
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Every year I build my best long-term team at the start but I always WC quite early. I really think building a WC team is the way to go. Loads of players return from WC. Plenty of new managers. With so many uncertainties I think building a WC team is the best option.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      so you building a Wild Card or World Cup team? I'm confused.

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

      Does WC mean World Cup or WildCard in this paragraph?

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

        Both.

        Every year I build my best long-term team at the start but I always wildcard quite early. I really think building a wildcard team is the way to go. Loads of players return from World Cup. Plenty of new managers. With so many uncertainties I think building a wildcard team is the best option.

  29. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Patricio
    Robertson | Mendy | Cedric | Tomkins
    Mane | Sane | Mahrez | Martial
    Auba | Firmino

    Fab | Stephens | W-B | Niasse (other below 5.5)

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

      Would rather have Salah +6.5 than Mane and Sane

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

        Thanks, best 6.5 to have then?

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

          Jota has been mentioned

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

      Is Patricio a better option than Begovic? I don't think so.

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

        Not sure yet. Hoping Schmeicel to go Chelsea

  30. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Will be keeping an eye on Lacazette over the summer as at 9.5 he could become a very good option. Had a difficult tricky season but finished on 14 league goals and did well at the end of the season in particular. Has also had a good break this summer.

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

      Agree

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

      at 9.5m it's got to be Firmino

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Firmino is a cert in my team so I'm now considering both him and Lacazaette at the beginning to see how it goes. I'm not convinced by the most expensive forward options from the beginning. There's a big rotation risk with Aguero and Jesus whilst Lukaku and Kane are unlikely to start first game. At 1.5 cheaper I'm wondering whether Lacazette could be a good alternative to Aubameyang.