Feature

Key dates for Fantasy managers over the summer break

The dust is still settling on 2018/19 but we’re already looking ahead to next season.

There is plenty of football to be watching over the summer for those looking to get their fix and some of it may well have a significant impact on Fantasy managers in 2019/20 – particularly the Africa Cup of Nations and Copa America.

We’ve outlined some of the key dates in the article below.

Reopening of the transfer window

Thursday 16 May

The Premier League transfer window reopens for business at midnight on Thursday.

The transfer of players from another national association may only take place once the FIFA Transfer Matching System opens on Tuesday 11 June, however.

Deals can be made by top-flight English clubs until Thursday 8 August, which will likely be a day before the start of the 2019/20 campaign given that a Friday night fixture has been the curtain-raiser in each of the last two seasons.

Some deals have already been arranged, of course, with Aaron Ramsey set to join Juventus on Monday 1 July after having signed a pre-contractual agreement.

The Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga windows all open at the start of July, so that may well be the departure date for Eden Hazard should the ever-strengthening rumours about a move to Real Madrid materialise.

Chelsea, of course, are taking their appeal against Fifa’s two-window transfer ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but will at least have Christian Pulisic to call upon in 2019/20.

Championship play-off final

Monday 27 May

We know already that Norwich City and Sheffield United will be in the Premier League next season and those two clubs will be joined by one of Aston Villa, Leeds United or Derby County in the top flight.

Villa progressed to the final on Tuesday evening and Leeds have a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg of their semi-final against Derby on Wednesday, with the “richest game in football” to be held at Wembley on Monday 27 May.

We’ll soon be bringing you our usual ‘Promoted’ pieces on the Canaries and the Blades, with further Fantasy articles to follow on the play-off winner.

Europa League and Champions League finals

Wednesday 29 May + Saturday 1 June

The Europa League and Champions League finals are all-English affairs, with Chelsea facing Arsenal in the former and Liverpool taking on Spurs three days later.

The result of the Europa League could be particularly significant next season, especially if Arsenal triumph – a victory over the Blues means that they would join Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City in the group stages of next season’s Champions League.

That would mean that the Gunners wouldn’t have to endure the dreaded Thursday/Sunday fixture turnaround for the first half of the season, at least.

It could also lead to further rotation from Unai Emery in 2019/20, of course – the Arsenal boss having largely fielded second-string starting XIs in the group stages of the Europa League this season but having named increasingly stronger teams towards the back-end of the competition, with plenty of changes made on the domestic front in April and May.

UEFA Nations League Finals, European Championship Qualifiers and International Friendlies

Wednesday 5 June – Tuesday 11 June

There will be plenty of Premier League interest in the last four of the UEFA Nations League, with England, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland battling to win the inaugural edition of this competition.

Portugal take on Switzerland on Wednesday 5 June before England and the Netherlands clash a day later, with the final and third-place play-off both taking place on Sunday 9 June.

Qualification for the 2020 European Championship also continues in this week, while there are a number of international friendlies involving South American nations taking place around this time as those countries involved in the 2019 Copa America (see below) ramp up their preparations.

These games take place two months before the start of the new Premier League season so any impact on Gameweek 1 of 2019/20 will likely be minimal but we will keep an eye on any injuries that are picked up by top-flight players over this international week.

2019/20 Fixture Release Date

Thursday 13 June

What it says on the tin: the Premier League will release the fixtures for the 2019/20 season on Thursday 13 June, with the television companies likely to announce which matches will be broadcast live a couple of weeks after that date.

We’ll have reaction on that day and take a look at which sides have the most – and least – favourable runs in the first weeks and months of 2019/20.

2019 Copa America

Friday 14 June – Sunday 7 July

While there is no World Cup or European Championship this summer, there are major international football tournaments taking place in South America and in Africa.

The Copa America kicks off first and ends less than five weeks before the start of the 2019/20 season.

Ten CONMEBOL nations plus Japan and Qatar will take part in the three-week-long tournament in Brazil, with the four teams making the furthest progress having to contest six matches (there is a third-place play-off, as well as a final).

Premier League players taking part will obviously have their domestic pre-season disrupted, which could affect some line-ups in Gameweek 1 – although the Fantasy assets involved in the Copa America last four will have an extra week to recover for the forthcoming season than those who were involved in the 2018 World Cup final/third-place play-off.

The likes of Roberto Firmino, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus, Ederson, Allison and Felipe Anderson could be competing for the host nation, while there are reports suggesting that Sergio Aguero could be back involved for Argentina after a year-long absence.

Manuel Lanzini, Roberto Pereyra, Salomon Rondon, Fabian Balbuena, Miguel Almiron, Maya Yoshida, Alexis Sanchez, Lucas Torreira, Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina are among the other players who could be representing their respective countries and we’ll keep you posted on the squad announcements and these Fantasy assets’ subsequent involvement over the next two months.

2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Sunday 16 June – Sunday 30 June

England are one of 12 nations represented at this summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship and will need to negotiate five fixtures in less than a fortnight in order to win the tournament.

We’ll be keeping an eye on the Premier League players involved, with the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Phil Foden among those who could be on show in Italy and San Marino.

The competition finishes around six weeks before the start of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, so may not have the same impact on Fantasy assets in Gameweek 1 as, say, the Africa Cup of Nations might – although pre-season preparations will still be affected.

2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Friday 21 June – Friday 19 July

Possibly of more concern to Fantasy managers than the Copa America will be the Africa Cup of Nations, which culminates only three weeks before the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season.

This is the first time that the Africa Cup of Nations will feature 24 teams (previously only 16 countries took part) and the final four nations involved in the competition will have to play seven matches this summer, with there being a third-place play-off as well as a final.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are the obvious worries for the first couple of Gameweeks of the Premier League season, with Senegal and host nation Egypt the favourites for the trophy among many bookmakers.

The likes of Yan Valery, Romain Saiss, Riyad Mahrez, Wilfried Zaha and Serge Aurier – among others – could be involved for their respective countries although Naby Keita will miss out and Jeffrey Schlupp is a major doubt.

As with the Copa America, we’ll keep you posted on the squad announcements and the tournament itself as we monitor the Fantasy assets involved.

2019/20 Fantasy Premier League Launch Day

June/July

Probably not even FPL Towers know when this will take place just yet but we can expect the 2019/20 game to be released in early-July – or maybe even late-June given the pattern of earlier releases that has formed in recent years.

FPL has been launched on the following dates in previous seasons:

SeasonFPL launch date
2018/195 July
2017/1812 July
2016/1719 July
2015/169 July
2014/1516 July

Our content will be ramping up around that time regardless, with pre-season friendlies – including the 2019 International Champions Cup – commencing in early-to-mid July.

The season itself will commence on the second weekend in August.

185 Comments Post a Comment
  1. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What is going to happen over summer that is going to change the current thinking of FPL managers?

    A big name signing or depature?
    A significant injury?
    Managerial changes?

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Classification of captain picks like Salah.

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

      -VAR
      - Man City CL ban
      - No Hazard (sadly)
      - Reclassification of few popular players like Jota, Deulofeu,Salah(?), Kane (CDM 😛 )

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        A Man City CL ban, if it happens, won't come into effect till 2010/11.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          2010?

          1. RedLightning
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            The ban is unlikely to apply to next season's competition because City could appeal, and even take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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

              Ahh. Cool
              A ban in CL could be gold for FPL managers as less Rotation

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

          I didn't get it 😕

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

      Maybe the Copa America nd ACON affecting team selections at the start of the season.

      Thinking of Liverpool in particular. Salah and Mane playing up to June 1st with Liverpool. Then 20 days later the ACON starts and you would think 1 or maybe even both play until 19th July and then another 20 days to the start of the new season.

      Not much time off/rest for those guys this summer and I wouldn't be surprised if they missed the first game or 2 of the season due to Klopp giving them some extra time off.

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

      A clear out at RM releasing Bale would make things interesting.

  2. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Based on this season, which players do you consider essential for next season?

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

      Trent.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mane for home captaincy, TAA, Laporte.

    3. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Kane should fall in price, I imagine.

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

      Duffy
      😛
      (Taa,Robbo,Mane,Raz, Laporte)

    5. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Don't think anyone is essential. As we seen with Salah not being essential this year.

    6. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy

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

      TAA. Even at 6.0m. Mane.

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

        Would be amazed if Trent was only 6m. Expect him to be 7m myself.

        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          6.5

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

            I feel like 6.5 makes him a no brainer. Of the players who've had sufficient minutes only Salah and Sterling have a higher PPG. I think you could be right, but I'm hoping not as 6.5 seems very generous for someone with that amount of attacking threat playing for the best defence in the league.

    8. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Trent, Digne, Sterling and Laporte.

    9. juho
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Salah, Mane, Haz, Sterling

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

    Only 15 weeks til the first international break.
    Can't wait.

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

      And less than 11 hours till the next round of trivia..... lordy.

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

        I have never participated in that trivia lark....

        You all look to be having a cracking time

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

          Don't be fooled, it's like drugs.
          If anyone offers you drugs or trivia, remember, just say maybe.

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

          It was Epic Fail who came up with it which is ironic because he's shockingly bad at it.
          😉

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

            My fear if I took part would be making him look intelligent 😆

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

              Give it a bash.... but you have been warned. 😉

          2. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            It was TFF...

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

              Awkward

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

              Different one Gink

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

    The African cup of nations seems overly long.
    Aside from that, the quality of at least the last 3 has been desperately poor.

    ....Probably still watch it though 🙂

  5. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Chances of Firmino reverting back to FPL midfielder status (taking into account the heat maps)?

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

      No chance. He still plays as a CF. Just because he drops deep doesn't change that.

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

        But he’ll be joined by Mo

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

      Highly unlikely imo.

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

    As if it’s not bad enough having to listen to all his interviews via a translator, why does Bielsa keep looking at the floor and not the camera or interviewer? Hope Derby win, miserable sod

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

      I'm surprised he doesn't just send his assistant to do the interviews! I can't see Derby winning I'm afraid.

      How are things WR? How did your season finish?

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

        Both up and down tbh mate, finished 66k but no time to dwell on that, bigger fish to deal with now. 11 weeks into 24 week chemo after surgery for bowel cancer so you won’t be seeing a rmt from me anytime soon. Not until the game opens anyway 😉

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

          Hope you a better year 🙂

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

          Look after yourself WR, hope to see you well soon 🙂

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

            Cheers 🙂

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

          Take care Sir 🙂

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

            Thanks 🙂

        4. NIKO.
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Get well soon

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

          Hope everything turns out ok.

        6. The Rock
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I'm sorry to hear about your troubles mate. Get well soon!

  7. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Womens World Cup Fantasy Football opens?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mysogynists

  8. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How is Africa Cup of Nations during summer?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      It moved

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

        What, Africa did? 😯

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

            Yeah, but it wasn’t Africa then 😉

          2. Syd.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            🙂

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      European clubs moaning

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

        Thought so. Good call for PL if somebody survives 50 celsius games 😀

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

    Zinchenko, Mina and Loftus-Cheek are a few players who weren't popular this season in FPL, but I could see playing a big part in our teams next season.

    Are there any similarly under the radar players you think could feature more prominently next season?

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

      Had Mina at the start of last season. No thanks

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

        Fair enough 😛

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

      CHO
      Redmond
      Jonny (affordable than Doherty)

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

        I like those picks. If Redmond gets some game time up top next season I think he could be gold. Jonny will probably come in at 5, but he's definitely capable of more attacking returns imo.

        CHO is a bit of a wait and see because of his injury, but if he can get his starting place back he'll surely be very popular.

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

      Zinchenko was classified as a midfielder could be a potential bargain as he should be classified as a defender next season.

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

        Agreed. Think he's a wonderful player too, could definitely see him being a bonus magnet.

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

      Brooks, McNeil, Gunn, Capoue ( If Watford mantain the good form ) and Schar should be in more teams next season for sure.

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

        Good shouts. Brooks is a player I particularly like and should come in cheaper than King, Fraser and Wilson again this season. Could definitely see Gunn being in a lot of initial teams as well if the fixtures are kind.

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

      Loftus-Cheek could be great if he keeps fit. I suspect he will be priced up to 6.5 or 7.0 but that could still be great value.

      Zinchenko will probably be 6.0 defender just based on the security of starts hes had this season, dont see the appeal myself.

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

        I expect Zinchenko to be first choice from here on in. He's a wonderful player imo and has played very well since getting into the team. He should do well for BPS and offers more attacking potential than Walker, think he'll be a steal myself if he can hold down that spot.

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

        RLC is on my watchlist but those injuries!

        It wouldn’t altogether surprise if next season followed the pattern of the last two when he was great for the last 2 months after missing last chunks of the year

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

      Chilwell over Digne?

      (I can see Leicester being excellent next season. Everton I imagine will do the same as this and be a team to dip in and out of when they’re decent.)

      Redmond and JWP but nothing to do with Soton defence.

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

        I think Pereira would be my defender of choice if he were the same price, but Chilwell could come in cheaper. If he comes in at 5 he could be great.

        Redmond and JWP look good, they are a different team under Hasenhuttl.

  10. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Leeds 1-0 up

    Lock up your grannies they are coming to a PL near you

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

    Super sub 😀

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

    Derby goal....Game on!

  13. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Two whipping boys on display here

  14. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Oops

  15. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Great defending again

  16. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    The kids at Derby have done it again

  17. Jay_
      4 years, 10 months ago

      The PL fixture release date in the article is wrong, it's Thursday the 13th of June, not the 19th.

    • Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Classic Leeds

    • Jay_
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Pen Derby, wow

      • Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Leeds fooked

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

        Leeds throwing away leads again

      • Jay_
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Goallll Leeds

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

          Great game

          1. Jay_
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Unbelievable. Classic

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

            All Leeds now, amazing game

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

            Klich has tattoos like 1980’s Laura Ashley wallpaper 😀

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

            Stuart Dallas essential?

          5. Syd.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            The Leeds keeper Casilla is an absolute clown

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

              😀

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

            How did Leeds even finish top half with this keeper? 😯

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

              Pontus?

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

              They were top of the league in January before signing him

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

                Never knew that. I mean I knew they were top but not that he was signed afterwards

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

                  They were 4pts clear of Norwich and Sheff Utd on the date he was signed, but don't really think his signing was a cause for their decline. I think the injury to Roofe was more too blame, plus the Biesla high tempo football with a small squad in a 46-game season took it's toll.

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

            Cards flying around this evening too. Even those on the backroom staff are getting them.

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

              I bet that’s not the last red either.

          8. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Kind of want Leeds to go through. They’ll get pumped with this approach.

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

              Derby will get pumped with any approach