Awards

The lessons learned from 2018/19’s Goalkeeper of the Year candidates

The Fantasy Football Scout end of season awards have now been launched, with the first poll available at the foot of this article and in the sidebar of our website.

We start with the goalkeepers, offering the chance to pick your favourite shot-stopper of 2018/19 from a Fantasy Football perspective.

Overall points, price and value across both Fantasy Premier League and Sky Sports Fantasy games are all factors to consider.

It must be said that the goalkeeper position is a tricky one to pick from this season.

The high-performing assets were largely more expensive ones from clubs that required attention in other positions while most of the budget options proved reliable only for short spells at a time.

Before getting underway, let’s have a glance back at last year’s team of the season, with a particular focus on 2017/18’s selected goalkeeper.

2016/17 Fantasy Football Scout Team of the Season Review

Goalkeeper: David de Gea

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andrew Robertson

Midfielders: Mohamed Salah, Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Pascal Groß

Forwards: Harry Kane, Roberto Firmino

David de Gea did not have the best 2018/19 season

The 2017/18 campaign was an impressive one for our Goalkeeper of the Year David de Gea. He finished the season with more FPL points than any other shot-stopper (172) and claimed the Premier League Golden Glove for the first time in his career.

That came from a total of 18 clean sheets, a personal best for de Gea during his time at Manchester United.

In the end, the Spaniard topped our poll with 49.6% of the votes, seeing off competition from Burnley’s goalkeeper Nick Pope (33.5%).

However, de Gea followed up one of his best Premier League campaigns with arguably his worst.

2018/19 was not one to be invested in Manchester United’s number one.

The Red Devils kept just seven clean sheets across the course of the campaign, the lowest they have ever recorded during de Gea’s time at the club.

He was forced into more saves than he has ever made, the 123 made this year eight more than he produced in 2017/18, but they accounted for little with the huge drop-off in clean sheets.

That and his lofty price of £6.0m ensured de Gea kept him from offering very much to Fantasy managers in 2018/19.

However, there were some options in his price point who were the epitome of consistency this year…

Alisson Becker

Alisson won the Golden Glove award this season

Once again, this year’s top-scoring goalkeeper was also the Premier League Golden Glove winner as Liverpool custodian Alisson (£5.9m) secured a 176-point haul.

However, to some extent, Alisson flew very much under the Fantasy radar considering the huge interest in Liverpool assets.

The majority of keen managers were tripled-up on the Reds at least once in the campaign, the options in defence and midfield commanding a larger chunk of the quota.

The likes of Andrew Robertson (£6.7m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.8m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.7m) all offered the same route into Liverpool’s excellent defence as Alisson but also added other avenues for points.

The two full-backs were exceptionally creative and combined for a total of 25 assists, while centre-back van Dijk finally delivered on his goal threat and netted four times.

Meanwhile, Alisson could not really match those additional aspects with those of his own.

He managed just 76 saves, the 17th-best in the league, as Liverpool and van Dijk in particular, largely stifled their opponents.

In fact, even Joe Hart (£4.2m), whose last appearance of the season was in Gameweek 19, recorded more stops than Alisson this season.

That translated into very few bonus points for the goalkeeper too. In the end, he secured just nine across the course of the season, the same as Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m), and fewer than seven of his team-mates.

Ederson Moraes

Ederson’s role for Manchester City has been as much about distribution as it has making saves

Not far behind Alisson for overall season score was Ederson (£5.7m). The Manchester City man finished with 169 points, eclipsing the 158 he secured in 2017/18.

Much like his compatriot, the Brazilian counterpart’s route to success was largely built on the huge number of clean sheets his team kept.

His 20 shutouts across the course of the campaign were just one short of Alisson, but still more than the previous 10 Golden Glove winners.

However, one thing that he did have over his Liverpool counterpart was his security of starts.

While there were three defenders at Anfield who were relatively assured of regular game-time, Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) was the only defender to fall into that category at Manchester City.

Ederson still had to compete with the Frenchman for Fantasy interest but outside of him, there was nobody else who could match him for starts.

The Citizens’ domination of possession ensured that very few of their opponents enjoyed prolonged periods of pressure on their goal.

For that reason, Ederson came out of the 2018/19 campaign with just 58 saves, 20 goalkeepers producing more than that.

In fact, such is his inability to add additional points that the total of 116 saves he has made over the last two years is the exact same amount that de Gea recorded in the 2017/18 campaign alone.

Bonus points are a similar chink in Ederson’s armour as a Fantasy asset.

He registered just six this year, the same number as Benjamin Mendy (£6.1m), and fewer than even Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£9.6m). In total, 13 Manchester City players scored higher in the bonus charts than Ederson this year.

After de Gea managed to finally combine regular clean sheets with saves and bonus for the complete premium goalkeeping Fantasy package in 2017/18, it had been hoped that either he or another expensive option could do the same this time around.

However, the fact that both of the two top-scoring assets did so well based on their clean sheet count and nothing more perhaps proved de Gea’s 2017/18 performance was something of a fluke, and the characteristics of the premium goalkeepers remain the same.

Neil Etheridge

Neil Etheridge crept under the radar a little this season but actually offered decent value

The fact that Cardiff were relegated from the Premier League this season may have caused some to overlook some of their defensive strengths.

At the conclusion of the campaign, the Bluebirds had secured 10 clean sheets, more than Wolves, Arsenal and Manchester United, who provided them with their last of the season in Gameweek 38.

They played a part in helping Neil Etheridge (£4.6m) finish as the fourth-highest scoring goalkeeper with 154 points.

What accounted for 32 of those was the Cardiff man’s saves. In total, he recorded 141 of them in 2018/19, the second best in the division.

Those stops, as well as three penalty saves, the joint-most in the division, helped Etheridge score more bonus points than any other shot-stopper in 2018/19 (18).

Every year Fantasy managers look for a side that allows enough shots to trigger additional points in their goalkeepers, but enough defensive nous to keep clean sheets.

That was hard to come by this season, with former favourites for this Burnley, enduring a tougher than usual campaign at the back.

Cardiff’s lowly position in the league, and propensity to be on the wrong end of a hiding, may have caused many to overlook Etheridge.

In games against the top six, they were particularly porous. On three occasions, the Bluebirds conceded five goals in front of their own fans this season, equalling a Premier League record.

However, Etheridge still produced enough double-figure hauls (five) to prove he had the credentials for that mantle all along.

Furthermore, those three saves from penalties obviously scored him a further 15 points and would have helped towards bonus too.

His overall score despite Cardiff’s poor performance does beg the question of whether we should be targetting goalkeepers with a strong record from penalties for 2019/20, especially with VAR coming to the Premier League.

Lukasz Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski was a popular budget goalkeeper this season

Fantasy managers were excited to see save-machine Lukasz Fabianski (£4.7m) make the move to West Ham for 2018/19.

The Hammers looked like exactly the sort of team that would help sustain the Pole’s incredible saves record.

They proved more than capable of helping him in this respect as he finished 2018/19 with more stops than any other goalkeeper (151).

That continues an impressive history for Fabianski, who has now been in the top three for saves in each of the last five seasons, four of those with Swansea and the fifth in London.

Bonus points was another area of relative success for the Polish international as his score of 15 was second only to Etheridge in 2018/19.

However, there were still plenty of reasons to be frustrated for those who owned Fabianski.

While West Ham allowed a similar number of shots per match as Swansea were allowing during his time in south Wales, they seemed to concede with significantly more regularity.

In the end, Fabianski managed just seven clean sheets, only Fulham and Huddersfield recording fewer.

In fact, that total was the lowest the Polish international has ever kept since becoming a regular Premier League number one goalkeeper in 2014/15.

Also, Fabianski’s big returns tended to be sporadic this year. West Ham often lost their clean sheet at home to favourable opposition but kept one against the bigger sides when many managers had benched their goalkeeper.

Vincente Guaita

Spending much of the season at £4.2m, Vicente Guaita was a great money saver for his Fantasy owners

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vincente Guaita (£4.3m) spent a large portion of the season offering great value for his owners.

After playing second fiddle to Wayne Hennessey (£4.4m) for the first 16 Gameweeks, the Spaniard’s price had fallen to £4.2m by the time he made his Premier League debut in Gameweek 17.

Once he had the starting spot at Selhurst Park confirmed, he offered Fantasy managers an additional route into the Palace defence on top of Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.6m) whose price had been travelling in the opposite direction.

In the end, he kept seven clean sheets in his 20 appearances, the same number that de Gea recorded in 38.

Guaita also added to his value by regularly adding saves to his points scores. At least one additional was added in 13 of his 20 outings this season.

He remained largely under the radar for most of the campaign, owned by just 2.4% come Gameweek 38, and his price never rose back higher than £4.3m offering additional funds for his owners elsewhere.

Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris offered more than many would have expected from a premium option this season

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (£5.4m) offered a slightly discounted option for those chasing a set-and-forget option this season.

Priced at £5.4m by the end of the campaign, he finished inside the top five points scorers among goalkeepers (154).

The fact that the Frenchman never rose above £5.5m all year allowed him to record the same points-per-million than the more popular Ederson.

Interestingly, the 12 clean sheets Lloris kept this season is the fewest he has kept since recording just eight in 2014/15 – but his 145 points is still his highest-ever FPL score.

More than in previous seasons, the Spurs shot-stopper was earning his FPL living through his saves.

His total of 100 was the highest since that 2014/15 campaign, and his minutes per save of 29.1 was actually quite impressive for a premium option.

When you consider that Alisson and Ederson were averaging one every 44.4 and 59 minutes respective, while De Gea, saving every 27.4 minutes, kept fewer clean sheets, in hindsight, Lloris actually offered a decent balance of all aspects of FPL goalkeeping.

Jordan Pickford

Jordan Pickford offered an all-round package for goalkeeping points potential in 2018/19

Following a strong defensive finish to the season for Everton, Jordan Pickford (£4.9m) ended up behind only Alisson and Ederson in the FPL points-scoring charts.

Just as was the case with Lloris, the England international’s appeal this year has been based on an impressive balance of all points-scoring avenues.

Everton kept 14 clean sheets in 2018/19, with eight of those (57%) coming in the final 11 Gameweeks, Alisson and Ederson the only shot-stoppers with more in this department.

However, while those two premium options failed to offer much else in addition to their respective teams’ defensive strength, Pickford contributed 94 saves across the season.

That saw him pick up extra points for them in 16 matches, although they did admittedly dry up a little after Everton’s more solid defensive run got underway.

15 points were contributed by Pickford’s three penalty saves, the joint-most in the division.

As we talked about earlier, the former Sunderland man’s impressive record when faces spot-kicks, witness by England fans last summer as well in the Premier League, could improve his credentials when VAR comes to the top flight.

A combination of these factors also helped Pickford collect 13 bonus points in 2018/19, only Etheridge and Fabianski managing more.

262 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL_Sponge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Knock knock, any other fantasy managers in denial about season ending and lost with what to do? (And so keep checking FFS)

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I don't know what you are talking about...

    2. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      This.

    3. Win'dian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yep, will be denial till the time when multiple days will fly in A single page..

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Etheridge for me. Can only have three Liverpool players and so would rather use that on Robbo, VVD and Mane.

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      No TAAssist?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        VVD and Robbo got more points. I think the best team will be something like this:

        Etheridge
        VVD Robbo Laporte
        Mane Hazard Sterling Siggy Fraser
        Aguero Jimenez

        Pickford and Auba got more points than Etheridge and Aguero, but I think the latter two played better overall.

  3. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Template backline next season.

    Guaita/Krul rotation (4.5/4.5)

    TAA - 6.5m
    Laporte - 6.5m
    Digne - 5.5m

    1. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I think they will be bandits and put Digne at 6m

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      TAA should be at least 7.0, imo 7.5. Laporte could be 7.0 if they make TAA and Robbo 7.5. Digne seems ok but they could well price him at 6.0 too.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Absolute criminal, that!
        I speculate that Robbo will be 7.0m, TAA 6.5m, as would be Laporte. But not the fist time FPL towers would screw with us managers.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Template thinking should be discouraged in my opinion, and pricing up popular players is a good way for FPL to do it. Its not fun when certain players have 90+ ownership in top 100k.

          Also remember that Alonso cost 7.0 after a worse season than Robbo and TAA have just had.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Agree

            Not least because I missed the RAM thing and so was always behind.

            I’m wondering whether Ederson might not be the way into City defence next season. He’ll be much cheaper than Laporte who only really hit bps very late season and it may be that that was deceptive. (Not complaining that he did mind)

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Norwich didn't keep cleanies in the championship. Sheff utd though could be a shout

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Will they keep Henderson?

        1. Mr. Hindsight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I think Ole said in the last couple of days, that he hopes that he can go back there and have a full season of Premier League under his belt

    4. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Alonso was priced at 7.0 after his 177pts season.
      TAA should cost 7.0 after such a performance and also because Robertson should cost 7.5.
      Laporte should be at 7.0 too.
      Digne's price should go up to 6.5, like Coleman's did after his strong performance 2 seasons ago.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I'd say robertson and TAA should be equal at 7 by the arguments made here. On has the added attacking edge, one nailedness.

  4. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Does anyone know if there is a site that will compile all the data for this season of FPL for viewing in pre-season once the news prices and teams are released?

    I remember last season I really wanted to be able to watch the player histories of the previous season to see the form curves, whether they had been favored at the tail end of the season, who did well right off the holidays etc. But there was no place to watch that kind of data.

  5. Mr. Hindsight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    So with the season behind us we need something to keep ourselves occupied, so here's a topic to discuss.

    Personally, I like how in UCL fantasy you get points for earning a penalty irrespective of whether it gets converted or not, after all it's not the player's fault that someone didn't convert a Penalty. Also I am a huge fan of the Limitless chip introduced in UCL fantasy this year, where you can form a team without any budget constraints.

    What are the changes that you'd like to see?

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Very easy.
      Winning a pen = 2 pts.
      The limitless chip would be absolutely mental in FPL, would love it! But I think the FH chip is good enough.

      3 tackles by midfielder = 1 pt. Makes CDMs viable options. You'll see more Kantes and Neves and all that in more teams.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        *successsful tackles

      2. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Eearning a pen is like creating a big chance, I don't see why it should be rewarded with points.

        Giving points for anything else than goals, assists, saves, clean sheets and bonus would just make the game less fun.

        1. Mr. Hindsight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I beg to differ, I think there is a HUGE difference between what Opta terms a big chance and a Penalty. The chances of a penalty being converted are almost 80-90%. It has to be different than a big chance where a striker had a great opportunity to head the ball from a cross even though he had defenders jumping on him and the ball coming through a crowd of bodies. In a penalty, it's just you and the keeper with the GK rooted to the line and even when he saves it there is a 50% chance that somebody will scramble it in, surely that's better than a Big Chance. Probably a HUGE chance.

      3. Mr. Hindsight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I want the the limitless chip to replace the TC as it has lost its charm with so much rotation in DGWs.
        Would love that 3 tackle rule.

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A "drunk chip" where you can cancel a hasty transfer

      1. Mr. Hindsight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        lol, would need such a chip in a lot of GWs then, I'm afraid.

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I mean, we need 5 of that !!

        1. Arn De Gothia
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          lol, i know

    3. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      another useful chip would be "captain swap"

      1. Mr. Hindsight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Have multiple captains? Like in Sky or UCL fantasy?

        1. Arn De Gothia
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          sort of yes. had so many bad C choises so anything would do 🙂

          1. Mr. Hindsight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Well multiple captain chances would be better but also make the captaincy less effective as most would start nailing it.

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        It'd create a lot of confusion if they let us change © after GW, something like a chip which automatically select highest point scorer for a particular gw would be fun, instead of TC

        1. Arn De Gothia
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          sure, thats easier

        2. Mr. Hindsight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          But the chip has to be played before the start of the GW. Can't possibly allow one to play after the GW has passed.

    4. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Would the same player earn a point for earning the penalty if he also converts it?

      1. Mr. Hindsight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Well I just checked on the UCL Fantasy and there they give points for both winning a penalty and converting one even if the players are same.

    5. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Similar to a comment above, I’d like to see a chip that you choose and lock in before a given GW, but it automatically captains your highest scorer, post GW.

      Instead of TC chip.

    6. Melvin Udall
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I like the drunk chip and a point for 3 tackles - always felt there is no place for the role of the midfield ball winner in FPL no matter how good he is - specially since its so important in real life.

      What about an "invisible" chip where no one can see your team for a month. Or a "auto team of the week select" chip where you get their scores. Or the ability to win extra wildcards in some kind of way throughout the season.

  6. Celt Abroad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Looking at the team of the year for last year shows how much changes from one season to the next. So for those already picking their side for August - the only certainty is that next year will be very different.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Probably

      But it’s very hard not to pick Liverpool and City being well ahead of the pack in real life and so presumably providing the most tempting premiums.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yep but let them play 🙂

  7. Deporres Martin Odera
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    It was a competitive season for Goalkeepers especially in FPL circles, hence always spoilt for choice as a manager. Could not be sure whether to go for Save Points + Clean sheets or Clean sheets over save points, and most times going for save points potential over fixture difficulty. But my choices would be
    1. Allison (CS)
    2. Fabianski (Save Points)
    3. Etheridge (CS + Save Points)
    4. Pickford (CS + Save Points)
    5. Ederson (CS)
    6. Guita
    7. Lloris

    Waiting on next Season GK prices and see how to balance Price/Fixture/Previous Season Form/Start of Season Form and then decide.

    Between now and then, just read on, watch replays of matches and catch up on the eye test, follow up on pre season and yes, All Premier League Champions League and Europa League Finals.

  8. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone miss RMTs xD?

    Guaita-Krul (4.5-4.5)
    TAA-Laporte-Chilwell-Valery-O'Connell (6.5-6.5-5.0-4.5-4.0)
    Sterling-Mane-Jota-Buendia-Hojbjerg (12.0-11.0-7.0-5.5-4.5)
    Aguero-Jimenez-Sharp (11.5-7.5-5.5)

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

      Template

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Fine, Henderson for Krul then 🙂

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      No Pukki, No fun !!

    3. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Impossible to guess the GW1 team without knowing fixtures and transfers, I think Wolves would rotate more next season if they are in Europa League

  9. Numb
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I don’t really understand so many people voting Allison for this as I saw him in hardly any teams on here.

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Robbo, TAA, Mane, Salah 🙂

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I don't understand Alisson either, didn't even play that we'll.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Welcome to planet Earth, how are you finding the place?

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed

    4. Win'dian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      It's when you compare him to other GKs, and not with his teammates in terms of scoring

  10. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Team for next season sorted, not sure it will be affordable though?

    Kepa
    TAA Laporte Digne
    Sterling Mane Eriksen Miliv
    Auba Vardy Jimenez

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I can answer that now it won't be affordable

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      FH team ??
      😉
      Otherwise 15 would be difficult to get with so much ££ in first 11

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Would need 4x 3.8 fodders , no go

    3. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Nowhere near affordable.

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You'll be more than 10m off

    5. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Absolutely not even close.

    6. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      5.5
      6.5-6.5-5.5
      12.0-11.0-9.5-7.5
      12.0-9.5-7.5

      Bench is not viable. Would love to be wrong, looks a cracking team.

  11. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Manchester City CL ban would mean Aguero Sterling Laporte will be in every team 😀
    3 City + 3 Pool.
    9 spots up for grab.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      If there is a ban only takes effect 2000 to 2001 season.doubt it though

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        It'd be a statement of intent though.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’m already going off piste then by thinking Ederson over Laporte. Cheaper and leaves room for next seasons Doherty Digne type.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah.
        I just don't like premium keepers 😮
        Less save points, less fun. Also, Laporte got few attacking return's too as he's got a bullet of header in him

      2. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        But it will take some time till that Doherdigne type shows himself.
        Why not start safer with Laporte and give some time to the season?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I know I know.

          I got burnt last season too thinking DDG must be a banker in a Mourinho defence. I may well not go that way but my suspicion is that the premium defence everyone is eyeing up won’t work with week 1 budgets after massive price hikes

    3. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      It would also mean a) no ucl revenue b) less signings c) lower wage bill

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        And hence a sale of a big asset potentially

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Come on bro !!
        We're talking about Manchester City here, Infinitely deep pockets 😉
        Do you think they even give a damn about all that.
        They are in trouble due to that only actually, violating ££ rules i guess.

  12. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Good luck to Epic Fail and other Villa supporters. Good night "all"

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Appreciate that.

  13. SweepaKeepa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Pickford pricing the hardest to predict. Do you think 5.0 or 5.5?

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

      5.5

      1. SweepaKeepa
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Think you’re right. But then probably also have Lloris, Kepa, De Gea in the same bracket.

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

          In my opinion fair prices for goalies should be

          Alisson and Ederson 6.0
          Kepa, Lloris, Pickford and De Gea 5.5
          Fabianski 5.0

          1. SweepaKeepa
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Agreed.

  14. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think about this 19/20 draft?

    Ederson (7.0) - *useless fodder* (4.0)

    Robertson (7.5) - TAA (7.0) - Laporte (7.0) - Digne (6.5) - *playing fodder* (4.5)

    KDB (9.5) - Siggy (8.0) - Maddison (7.5) - Jota (7.5) - Milivojevic (7.5)

    Wilson (7.5) - Pukki? (5.5) - *useless fodder* (4.5)

    It really lacks a captainable big hitter though.
    One of the 7.5 mids could be downgraded to 5.0-5.5, in order to accomodate an 11.5 Mane or a 12.0 Sterling.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      *sobs*

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

      7.0 is way too much for Ederson, 6.0 is a fair price

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

        Mitrovic's price was 6.5 so Pukki shouldnt cost less, 5.5 is way too low for him

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      "... It really lacks a captainable big hitter though ...". Yup, that's a problem.

    4. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Overestimating many prices imo.

    5. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      As others have mentioned some of the prices seem a bit off. Ederson and Digne should be around 6 and Pukki probably 6.5. It's also very likely that Jota is reclassified as a striker.

  15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Gonna be nigh on impossible to own 3 pool assets next season given their likely prices.... Yikes

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Gomez and Oxlade-Chamberlain may be options. Neither should be too expensive.

      1. SweepaKeepa
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Think Keita will step up a gear too.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Not in week 1 if you also cover City too. The fixture list could be paramount.

      It might turn out to be a race to build team value to get 5 from the big 2 unless you’re happy to play fodder elsewhere.

      Back of the envelope calculation is 4 could come to around 33 (12 plus 3x 7 average) mill and that’s going heavy on defence which can always go pear shaped. That’s not a lot left for 11 others.

  16. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    And so it begins.......

    *also starts sobbing*

  17. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Is it next season yet?

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Almost.

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

    WBA 1-0 up

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Good good.

      They are the only team I want promoted.

    2. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Dawson and Brunt here we go again.

  19. Richd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Every year we say we will go heavy at the back .. and it never quite materialises. What’s different this time around ?

    It’s easier to find budget defenders that can chip in over budget mids/strikers and therein lies the problem.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Because 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 always ends up being the best formation for team of the season.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      The problem this season was the players most had penned in for a big defense (Alonso, Trippier, Mendy, United defense) turned out to have bad seasons.

      Still loads of managers ended up with Laporte, TAA and Robbo and one of Doherty/Digne in the end. Quite expensive.

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I think I’ve worded it badly or been misunderstood.

        I mean everyone’s saying they’ll have TAA Robbo Laporte Digne ... but every season when it starts people only have 1 or 2 premium defenders.. not 3 or 4!

        I’m wondering if people will actually stick to it when push comes to shove when we find hidden gems at 4.0 and 4.5 potentially and when people wanna squeeze that extra premium midfielder in

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Week 1 and week 10 say when squad value is up could be the difference.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Alonso, Mendy and Robbo started amazingly well I think, there was me with cheap turd and I started poorly - luckily Doherty saved me somewhat and then later hero-turned-villain Digne

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I say saved me, I didn't have a good season

  20. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How has Willy not been mentioned in this!? 100% clean sheet record...I want my membership fee back, this is outrageous

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mine has a 0% clean sheet record

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        See a doctor

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          😀

  21. SweepaKeepa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Just 30 days to fixtures announce... and we get to see who rotates well with Travers.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Travers conceded five against palace, what makes you think they won’t buy another keeper?

      1. SweepaKeepa
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I do not. Based on current situation. I may change my mind before August. May.

  22. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Rhymes with Brunt

    Grealish

  23. Jay_
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Any cricket world cup fantasy games due out? Can only find the Telegraph's.

      1. Andy'81
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I'm pretty sure the ICC ran one last time around so I'd be surprised if they didn't again.

        1. Jay_
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Ta mate

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        #JusticeforBrunt

      3. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Has anyone every won the whole thing in their first season? Or say won it with previous poor ranks, e.g over 100k?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          No idea but most winners are one season wonders 😉

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            How? Just how? 😀

            1. Mysterion
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              All skill 😉

          2. FPL Pillars
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Wow that’s a fascinating history. That one really stands out 😀

          3. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            That answers that then! Cheers

          4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            That says everything about FPL and those that are deluded about luck

          5. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            lol@him being in the Elite 64 league

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Wow!! Debut season!

          2. Mysterion
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            😮 could've been a real life "completed it mate" if only he stopped after 15/16

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Imagine it was a dead team as well.
              No transfers, no chips used

      4. Saxe-Gotha
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Well,Greizmann finally leaving Atletico?

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Time for Atletico to bring in another Chelsea striker after Torres, Diego Costa and Morata? Giroud is available.

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Pls no, take Higuain. End the misery loan.

            1. Rotation's Alter Ego
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              The thought of no Hazard and another season of Higuain is horrific.

              Praying we get someone like Jovic

              1. Licky
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                He might be off to Madrid.

                1. Rotation's Alter Ego
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  Rumours (chuck some hefty quote marks on that) suggested that a informal agreement might be made between Chelsea and Madrid that if Chelsea sell Hazard, Madrid will cool interest in Jovic as a good will gesture.

                  Probably completely fabricated, but I can hope 😉

              2. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                A Chelsea team without Hazard. Much more defensive (hence Luiz in midfield). Get Zouma back from Everton too - has proven he can defend in the PL and is far more robust than Christensen (who gets an injury every time he plays).

                Kepa
                Azpi Rudiger Zouma Emerson
                Kante RLC Luiz
                Pulisic Batshuayi CHO

                1. Rotation's Alter Ego
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  I'd still take Jorginho over Luiz - age is starting to catch up with him a bit here and I'm not sure how much more he'd offer over Jorginho other than adding a degree of unpredictability. Besides, no chance Sarri's favourite is getting dropped there 😉

                  Reece James could offer an interesting alternative to Azpi. Mr Consistent seemed to struggle a bit playing outside of a back 3, with his forward contributions and cross accuracy dipping a bit. Still might be too soon for Reece, but he could do with some of that Azpi consistency rubbing off on him.

                  Some grounds to argue Tammy Abraham over Michy too.

                  1. Rotation's Alter Ego
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 10 months ago

                    I've been harsh on Luiz there.

                    He does have the best aerial ability in that team both going forwards and defensively.

                    If I'm not mistaken, top for headed goal attempts and aerial duels won in that Chelsea team, and second for big chances created

                  2. diesel001
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 10 months ago

                    I think it is time for Sarri to go. And that mean's Sarri's favourite is no longer undroppable.

                    Luiz is more defensively solid, offers an attacking option at corners, takes free kicks and has a good eye for a long pass.

                    I have seen Abraham in the Championship (Villa, along with Leeds and Derby are the most shown teams). He is like Dwight Gayle. Too good for the Championship, but not good enough for the Premier League.

                    1. Wild Rover
                      • 13 Years
                      4 years, 10 months ago

                      ‘takes free kicks’ 😀

                    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 10 months ago

                      Whilst Sarri has led to a few disappointing (putting it very gently) games, he's still got us to 3rd and two finals, which isn't a terrible achievement.

                      I'm really not a fan of the hire and fire technique and I would like to see Sarri have a second season at developing this squad, considering the amount of tactical changes they've had to deal with in the last few years.

                      Some stability is sorely needed in my opinion, and I feel we might as well give Sarri a crack at it, especially if we get the ban this summer.

                      Agree with the Abraham thing. I don't think he's a first choice striker in a top 6 team - though with a ban and no Hazard top 6 might be a challenge.

                      1. diesel001
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 10 months ago

                        Hope that Derby don't get promoted, you get a transfer ban and then bring in Lampard who will get the time to nurture the squad and be under less pressure because of the transfer ban.

                        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 12 Years
                          4 years, 10 months ago

                          I love Lampard, but think that would be too soon for a dream reunion.

                          On a slightly related topic, must be fantastic for Mason Mount to get managed by Lampard, coached by Jody Morris and play with Ashley Cole - home away from home there

          2. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            David Speedie could do a job for them.

        2. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          No 45 minute "la decision" documentary this time 🙁

      5. Richd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        What’s with all the votes for Allison.

        Very few FFS people had him so I find it very bizarre.

        1. Bada Bing
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          What's so bizarre about it? Are we supposed to vote only for the players we had in our teams? Most, including me, didn't want to spend a Liverpool slot on a gk when they had so many attacking defenders and midfielders to choose from. But that's hardly Alison's fault and shouldn't detract from his great season.

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            We might as well just have the top scorers in each position then and save some time.

          2. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            I think the FFS Team of the Season limits you to 3 players per club and the initial £100m budget. So I would suggest the max points you can get within the budget is with this team:

            Pickford
            VVD Robbo Laporte
            Mane Hazard Sterling Siggy Fraser
            Auba Jimenez

            1. Majestic Chanka
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Gonna have to be five at the back

              Pickford
              Robbo VVD Trent Laporte & Digne
              Sterling Hazard
              Auba Kun Jimenez

        2. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Foster would still be my choice

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            I went for Ederson myself.

            I just don’t really see that allison was much of a fpl asset this season. He scored well but rarely owned by many.. and those that did wanted to switch for a pool defender !

      6. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        None of the WBA players still on have taken a pen this season 😀

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          It shows by the first penalty taken

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          And it shows

        3. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Penalty shoot out, you need more than two takers. Should have practised.

          That Grealish looks a decent player.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Pity he spends most of his time whingeing, appealing and getting in the refs face

            1. Paul Psychic Octopus
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              I've not really seen him play until tonight.

              He and Dele Alli could form a formidable partnership on Instagram.

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                What stone you been hiding under, he was in the premiership 3 years ago.

                1. Paul Psychic Octopus
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  2015-early 2017 not a good time for me following football due to working abroad.

      7. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Villa through then. Who do you think they will face in the play off final?

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Gonna be Dirty Leeds, but a Terry vs Lamps face-off would be interesting.

        2. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Leeds I reckon. I fancy Villa to win this

      8. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Villa in final.

        Epic Fail in heaven