Scout Reports

Jota a viable “out of position” FPL option

A starting price of £6.5m for a midfielder who plays for a club newly promoted to the Premier League is an eyebrow-raiser.

But then, Diogo Jota – who has UEFA Champions League experience and 14 Portugal under-21 caps to his name – is no ordinary, Championship-level midfield workhorse and Wolverhampton Wanderers are no naive top-flight rookies.

While survival will be the primary target for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side next season, the West Midlands club has significant financial resources, access to a well-connected super-agent, an intelligent head coach and a gifted young squad that should see them hold their own in the Premier League.

Jota was one of six astute loan signings made by Santo last season (including centre-half Willy Boly and striker Leo Bonatini), all of whom played a part in Wolves’ promotion-winning campaign.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder’s contribution was as important as any Wolves player’s in 2017/18, with Jota finishing as the Championship winners’ leading goal-scorer on 17 league goals.

Jota has made his move to Molineux permanent over the summer, the deal having been agreed with parent club Atletico Madrid in January.

While fellow Portuguese star Ruben Neves (£5.0m) – sitting in over 15% of Fantasy Premier League squads – is the most popular Wolves asset in FPL at this early stage, Jota has also attracted significant investment – his ownership of 8.1% is higher than that of Theo Walcott, Richarlison and Cesc Fabregas, among others, in the same price band.

The History

Having spent his formative years with Gondomar SC and Pacos Ferreira, Jota began his senior career with the latter club in 2014/15.

Scoring one goal and assisting another on his debut in Pacos’ 4-0 cup win over Atletico SC Reguengos, Jota then went on to make ten league appearances for the Primeira Liga side, scoring on a further two occasions.

An excellent 2015/16 season in which he scored 12 Portuguese top-flight goals led to a move to Atletico Madrid, but the young attacking midfielder was not to make a solitary appearance for the Spanish giants.

A season-long loan with Porto in 2016/17 saw Jota in and out of the first team, with 12 of his 27 league appearances coming as a substitute. The youngster was on the scoresheet on eight occasions, three of which came in the 4-0 win over Nacional early in the season.

Jota’s first taste of Champions League action peaked with a goal in the 5-0 win over Leicester City in December of that campaign.

That Wolves were able to convince the young Portuguese midfielder to move to a side playing in the English second tier in the summer of 2017 demonstrated the club’s financial muscle and ambition.

As well as scoring on 17 occasions, Jota registered five assists across Wolves’ promotion-winning campaign.

The Prospects

Playing much of last season on the left of a front three in Santo’s unwavering 3-4-3 formation, Jota has also, on occasion, been deployed as the spearhead in the Wolves attack.

Jota indeed started as the nominated “centre-forward” in Wolves’ 1-1 friendly draw with Ajax, with fellow Portuguese wingers Helder Costa and Diego Cavaleiro flanking him.

It remains to be seen in which position Jota starts the season and all eyes will be on Wolves’ remaining four pre-season friendlies to ascertain further clues. Jota certainly has competition up top: Mexican striker Raul Jimenez has arrived from parent club Benfica on a season-long deal, while Wolves have made Leo Bonatini’s loan move a permanent one over the summer.

Bonatini scored on 12 occasions in 2017/18 but all of his goals came in the first half of the season, with the Brazilian striker subsequently enduring a five-month barren spell and losing his place in the side.

Santo may, meanwhile, decide to gradually ease Jimenez into English football following his loan move. The Mexico international is far from guaranteed to plunder league goals: in four seasons with Atletico Madrid and Benfica, Jimenez has not hit double figures once.

Jimenez’s physicality and ability to bring his team-mates into play may ultimately see him lead the line, but Jota is a goal threat in whichever position he plays. The Portuguese midfielder, indeed, scored in the 2-1 win over Basel on July 10 while drifting in from the left flank.

Jota’s total of 120 goal attempts last season was unsurpassed by any other Wolves player (only Brentford’s Ollie Watkins had more in the Championship), as was his minutes-per-shot average of 30.3.

Eighty-three of Jota’s 120 shots were from inside the opposition penalty area; those tempted by Ruben Neves’ budget price should note that the £5.0m-rated midfielder only had three efforts on goal from inside the box.

Jota also edged his compatriot in terms of creativity, producing 53 key passes to Neves’ 37.

Appearing in 44 of Wolves’ 46 league matches last season, Jota looks like a fairly nailed pick this time out – something that can’t be said for several other midfielders in the £6.5m price bracket (Juan Mata, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas, Erik Lamela etc).

Wolves face only two of last season’s top six sides in the first ten Gameweeks, a run of fixtures that includes home matches against Everton, Burnley, Southampton and Watford.

Whilst spending £6.5m on a midfielder playing for a newly promoted side constitutes something of a “punt”, this is a Wolves squad with a wealth of international and European experience to their name. The step up to the Premier League should be far less daunting for Jota and co than it will be for the average top-flight new boys.

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2,362 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Been stuck on this team for a few days now.
    Foster
    Mendy,Robertson,Coleman
    Salah,Mahrez,Jota,Martial
    Aubameyang,Tosun,Wood

    Fabianski,Stephens,Cedric,Wan-Bissaka

    Martial will become Mkhitarian or Willian later.

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

      Cool. It's solid.

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

        Think I'd prefer PVA over Mendy due to him being assured of starts and just as attacking. Cracking fixtures too.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Yeh he is on my shortlist in consideration. Could do Mendy,Foster > PVA,Schmiechel if Kasper moves to Chelsea

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks.Going to try to hold back on taking too many hits this season lol.

    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No holes

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

      Looks great. I would prefer Tomkins instead of Cedric.

    4. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I have a similar side presently and it’s stuck for a few days. I like it.

    5. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Cracking looking team that tbf!

    6. Marco Ni Motet
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Looks solid!

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

    How’s this draft? Any comments ?

    Patricio Boruc
    Robertson Mendy Tomkins Peltier Wan-Bissaka
    Salah (C) DSilva Mkhitaryan Jota Cairney
    Aguero/Auba Firmino King

    Thanks.

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Looks ok. Think I’d want more insurance as my defensive backup though. Try and find .5 to upgrade one of your 4’s to Someone like Cedric

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

        Thanks... maybe Mendy to Coleman or Cairney to 4.5, but let’s see...hoping that Peltier and Wan-Bissaka are nailed.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Yeh so am I but I’d only risk one. Yep those 2 options work or PVA

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If you have/can find .5 get Sakho in for Tomkins.

  3. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    It really comes down to what price ranges the players occupy as to formation. seeing iterations of 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-5-1 a lot (i.e. forgoing the traditional 3 at the front model).

    This year
    GK: Fodder 4-4.5, Premium 5-5.5
    Defenders: Fodder 4-4.5, Premium 5.5-6
    Mids: Fodder 4.5, Budget 5-5.5, Midrange 6.5-7.5, Premium 8.5-9.5, Salah 13.
    Strikers: , Fodder 4.5, Budget 7, Midrange 9-9.5, Premium 11.

    Maybe this move is because structurally strikers are less flexible and there are not exactly amazing options at 9-9.5 (probably a million over priced). Also the low end mids look enticing and premium defenders we are spoilt for choice.

    You cant have everything so when building your team, the most important thing ive found over the years is just to build it in such a way that your structure gives you enough flexibility to change course without too much disruption.

  4. Tornado
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lamela nailed for first 2-3 weeks? Poch loves him so cld be permanent role

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Son allegedly plays GW1 then off to Asian Games

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

        This isn't the best way of putting it. Son is 'available' for the first game but obvs no indication that he'll play. Lots of logical reasons why he wouldn't.

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

    Am trying to avoid posting too many RMTs, but would appreciate any thoughts:

    Ryan (Button)
    Robertson, Mendy, Douglas, Tomkins (Wan-Bissaka)
    Salah, Mahrez, Mane, Jota (Hughes)
    Aubameyang, Arnie (Sorloth)

    Thanks.

    Previously had Bailly and Costa rather than Wan-Bissaka and Jota.

  6. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    First proper draft for this season, I know a bit light at the back, but overall?

    Pickford speroni
    Shaw TAA Daniels Malone wan bissaka
    Sanchez Salah sane milivojevic Stephans
    Aubameyang Arnie Austin

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’d lose Sánchez to upgrade the defence personally as you’ll get very little return from that group in my opinion. TAA and W-B aren’t guaranteed to start the season.

  7. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Guys,need your suggestions..thinking of starting this team for gw1

    Pickford
    Alonso Davies TAA
    Lamela sane mkhityran mahrez
    Tosun aubameyang Zaha

    Foster Shaw Sessagnon Tomkins

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      TAA not guaranteed to start the season, watch how Chelsea operate over the next couple of weeks. Not convinced Alonso will be value as he’ll be more shackled. The rest isn’t too bad for a Salah-less effort.

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

    Tell me about Van Bisaaka and Schlupp
    Nailed we reckon?

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

      Van Bissaka has played every pre-season match for Palace so far, chosen ahead of Ward - including a match when Roy said he would play his strongest team available.

      Has played well too. Only concern is Ward recently signed a 3 year contract.

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

        Looking like the best 4.0 option

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      WB is pretty nailed, been preferred to Ward for every preseason game. SchlOOP is not nailed but possibly worth the risk.

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Ward has been a little meh the past. AWB could be a gift.

  9. King Klopp
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Best 2 starting attackers for combined 13.5m?

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

      Wood & Zaha/Arnie

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Richarlison (if EVE) and Jota?

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😯
        I'm on Arnautovic and King ATM. Also looking at Reid as a budget slot.

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      King and Wood + 0.5mil

  10. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How do you rate my flexible 532 442 team. Would you sub Mendy at Arsenal in the first game of would that be a little silly?

    Patricio (Stek)
    Robertson / Bailly / Coleman / PVA (Mendy)
    Salah / Mahrez / Siggy / Pereyra (Stephens)
    Aguero / Arnie (Kamara)
    0.5itb

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

      It's really nice. Pereyra? Not sure he's worth a spot with Hughes at 5mil playing No.10.

      Don't bench Mendy. Just play 5ATB and bench Pereyra.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I really fancy the Pereyra punt, think he's a class act and could have a big season! Hughes is a bit meh but he did show glimpses last season so could improve.
        Yeah, its hard to bench a premium defender alright!
        Cheers

  11. Common hypnotist
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is it a good thing or a bad thing to have Fabianski in goal considering their early fixtures. Which is likely to be better save points or clean sheets?

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

      He got monster hauls last season v tough teams. They tend to even themselves out when the goalkeeper is good and the defence lets the opposition take a lot of shots.

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      GK slot is one of this season's biggest dilemma's. Fab currently in my squad but I need to study the options more carefully.

  12. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Patricio - Foster
    Robertson - Mendy - Coleman - Tomkins - Bennett
    Mkhi - Salah - Mahrez - Jota - Cairney
    Kun - Wood - Zaha

    GTG? Would love to hear thoughts on this

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Very close to my team at the top

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        The prices were literally the same too, I think I might do Cairney and Mkhi to Martial and Ward for the start too. Cheers!

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

    Gk Ederson,Fabianski
    Def Keane , Robertson, Cedric, Daniels, Tomkins.
    Mid martial,Salah,delofeu, miki,Cairney.
    Forwards Aguero,Arnautovic,Firmino

    Thoughts appreciated

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

      Tempted to go Sanchez instead of martial and wood instead of Firmino in case the latter is rested or plays only a bit part against West Ham

  14. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is PVA really worth 1.5mil over AWB? I can't see a scenario in which he is, even if AWB does miss the odd game.

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You could be right but like a watered down Alonso it's exciting owning him, he should score a few goals!

  15. Codsall ay i
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on

    Ederson, Foster(for GWs 1,8 & 10)

    Robertson, Daniels, Douglas, Mee, Tompkins.

    Mahrez, Salah, Jota, Martial. Stephens (bench)

    Tosun, Wood, Aguero (to Aubameyang Gw3)

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Template like us. Tosun would share gametime with Niasse though and if I were you, I'd change Ederson to Patricio and Mee to Mendy

  16. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Guys, if martial is nailed, then what's the attack looking like?

    Martial mata Sanchez
    Rashford?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Could even be Martial + Sanchez in a front two until Kaku, Pogba & Lingard return. As a MUN fan I think I'm going to avoid, I don't want to double my pain when we draw 1-1 with Leicester and draw 0-0 at BHA 😉

  17. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    My defence 6.0 / 6.0 / 5.5 / 5.5 / 5.5, feels a little wrong but fortune favours the brave. Premium five atb to start the season!
    Nailing all the price points in midfield too, 13.0 / 9.0 / 7.5 / 6.0 /4.5 and with 0.5itb I kind of like my structure and it's flexibility.
    My only issue is I'm kind of committing to just the one premium striker (Kun/Auba) plus a mid-price, although hoping Arnie will prove to be a set and forget second forward in my team!
    Do you give much thought to structure and balance when it comes to selecting your GW1 team?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      you will have 1 premium defender (or the 6 midfielder) on your bench each week. id rather go for a straight 4-4-2 in that case and upgrade your 6m mid, or get firmino)

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

      Decent setup. Not too dissimilar to mine, but I'm not a fan of the 5.5m 5th defender. That's can weigh you down every week and make the game stressful. I'd recommend a nailed 4.5m fifth defender who can come in for a bad fixture from your 4th mid.

  18. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    What are our thoughts on Danny Ward from Cardiff?

  19. Common hypnotist
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Gylffi or Richarlison(if he moves to Everton?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I dont see what people (or Everton) see in Richarlison

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

        He got goals and assists. whereas Gylffi only does that at Swansea up to now. But fair enough I dropped him last season cause he dropped so much in form.

  20. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    2) IS Tosun a better option than Zaha considering he'll have to share gamtime with Niasse?

  21. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT

    Bego/Boruc
    Mendy Bailley Coleman Shaw (Daniels)
    Salah Sane Martial Siggy Mkhi
    Auba (Quaner, Kamara)
    0.5m

    Plans to turn Shaw/Martial into TAA/Pogba, will be a last minute call on Aguero vs Auba
    Will have 2 City, 2 ManU, 2 Liverpool, 2 Arsenal, 2 Everton, 2 Bournemouth and 3 benchwarmers

    Thoughts that have lead me to 4-5-1 (at least until wildcard)
    1) dont like the 7m strikers (WHM have bad fixtures, Tosun I dont rate, Zaha is reverse OOP).
    2) Firmino + a couple of 5m mids doesnt wow me more than Pogba+Miki, and i dont like punting on those mids better to let them emerge and WC into them
    3) Id love to have Aguero and Auba, but i dont think it works in a team that also has Salah.

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

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fNWmS9tV61I

    Only a pre-season game at Preston, but Arnie already looks the main man and sharp. Even with dodgy fixtures I'm thinking 7m for a nailed striker under an attacking manager is too good to miss.

  23. kwyap123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Many of us are excited of promoted teams players. He scored/assisted double digits of goals, He is OOP, he is good value, catching enough of our attention.

    But I don't want to be get caught again with another Ritchie, Gray...

  24. joshducky100
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Option A: Salah Cairney Helder Costa
    Option B: Mane Willian Jota
    (If B is better, is Mane a good captain option?)

  25. Ole's at the wheel
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Fook it Jota just got a spot in my midfield

  26. ROLLING THE DICE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts appreciated:

    Forster (4.0)
    Laporte Cedric Daniels Tomkins (AWB)
    Salah Sane Costa (Cairney) (Ward)
    Aguero Auba Firmino

    1. Mancunian Utd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Wow! Looks v strong! Seems like 4-3-3 will be a better formation for this squad. Who’s your backup?

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

      Sorry, but that's the most ropey defense I've seen around here. Fast forward to GW2 and some won't play while you won't want to play the rest.

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

    Would love some thoughts on:

    Begovic (Fab)
    Danilo/Coleman/Bellerin (Wan-Bis/Cedric)
    Martial/Salah(C)/Sane/Jota (Cairney)
    Auba/Zaha/Wood

    1. Mancunian Utd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Martial is a big doubt! Recent reports Also have Wood as a doubt

  28. Finnish Fish
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    😆
    8)
    😎
    😡
    😡
    😛
    😛

  29. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    So how many are falling for the Jota trap ?

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

      yes please

  30. Mancunian Utd
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Hi ppl, pls help to rate my team,
    Alisson
    Bellerin/Robertson/PVA
    Mane/Jorginho/Jota/Sanchez(c)/Gross
    Morata/Lacazette
    Sub:Fab/Arnie/schlupp/bissaka
    P.s: option to change Morata to firmino cos I’ve 0.5 left. Thanks in advance peeps!