Awards

Why Sadio Mane was the best-value premium FPL midfielder in 2018/19

Sadio Mane (£10.3m) is the first midfielder to take his place in our Team of the Season.

While the Senegal international was the only the fourth-highest-scoring midfielder in Fantasy Premier League last season, his total of 231 points was more than any defender or forward managed in 2018/19.

The Liverpool winger was the most popular midfielder in our end-of-season poll, gaining 19.73% of the vote:


PlayerNumber of votesShare of vote
Sadio Mane1,06619.73%
Raheem Sterling1,05419.51%
Ryan Fraser86816.07%
Mohamed Salah83315.42%
Eden Hazard65612.14%
Son Heung-min3536.53%
Diogo Jota2294.24%
Gylfi Sigurdsson1212.24%
Luka Milivojevic1182.18%
Richarlison581.07%
Paul Pogba470.87%

The Statistics

Mane and Salah bagged 44 league goals between them last season – more than five other top-flight teams managed overall and only three fewer than Wolves scored

After hitting the back of the net on 22 occasions in the Premier League last season, Mane was one of three players – the others being Mohamed Salah (£13.2m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) – to share the Golden Boot award.

That was by far Mane’s best-ever tally for league goals scored in a single season and was more than twice as many as he managed in 2017/18 (ten).

The Senegal international’s total of 25 attacking returns (he also registered three assists) and 231 points were new personal bests in FPL.

Returning 22.4 points per million spent, Mane was the best-value premium midfield or forward option (£8.0m and above) in the game.

Salah, Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) and – only very marginally – Eden Hazard (£11.0m) were the only outfield players to register more FPL points per match than Mane (6.42) in 2018/19, meanwhile.

Mane recorded the same number of double-digit hauls as Sterling (nine) and one more than Salah managed (eight).

Just over two-thirds of Mane’s points came at Anfield, as the points breakdown table shows below:

HomeAway
Total points15576
% of points67.1%32.9%
Points per match8.164.47
Double-digit hauls63
Blanks712

In terms of underlying statistics, Mane was unsurprisingly towards the top of the key performance indicator charts.

The Senegal international was fourth among FPL midfielders for attempts on goal and efforts on target, ranking fifth for penalty box touches.

Salah was the only player in Mane’s position to register more shots in the box and big chances than his Liverpool teammate.

No midfielder recorded as many headed goal attempts as Mane last season, underscoring the 5’9″ winger’s aerial prowess.

Over a quarter of Mane’s efforts on goal in 2018/19 were headers.

Creativity was an issue as his assists count suggests: Mane ranked joint-24th among FPL midfielders for key passes and joint-26th for big chances created.

SEASON RECAP

Mane celebrates his Gameweek 2 goal against Crystal Palace. This was the second of nine double-digit FPL hauls that the Senegalese winger recorded in 2019/20.

Scoring four goals and registering eight bonus points in the first four Gameweeks of the season, Mane was the form FPL player in the first month of 2018/19.

That proved to be the high point in an inconsistent first half of the season, with Mane blanking in ten of his next 13 league appearances and missing out on a further two matches through injury.

A brace in the 4-1 win over Cardiff, two assists in the 3-0 victory at Watford and a goal in the home success over Manchester United were his only attacking returns between Gameweeks 5 and 19.

That unreliability – particularly at home, where there were six blanks in his first nine starts – was a source of frustration for his owners and captainers but his returns became more predictable in the second half of 2018/19.

It was at Anfield that Mane became a dependable asset, with the Senegalese winger delivering attacking returns for his owners in nine of his last ten home appearances – the only blank being the 2-1 home win over Spurs.

Mane averaged 9.7 points per match in those final ten home games for Liverpool, with the premium FPL midfielder banking returns of 13 points or more in victories over Watford, Burnley, Huddersfield and Wolves.

His away form was still patchy, though.

In Liverpool’s final nine away games of the season, Mane blanked on seven occasions and only pocketed attacking returns in matches against West Ham and Fulham.

That streakiness on the road was a downside throughout the whole of 2018/19, with Mane blanking in 12 of his 17 away appearances and returning only one double-digit haul away from Anfield after Gameweek 4.

Ownership

Mane’s ownership and price peaked in Gameweek 38

Starting 2018/19 in 758,512 FPL squads, Mane’s ownership swiftly passed the two-million mark after his early-season heroics and he sat in 2.42 million Fantasy teams by Gameweek 6.

Mane’s price had risen from £9.5m to £10.0m in that time but he was back down to his original starting price again by the end of 2018 as his inconsistency saw over 1.2 million FPL managers desert the Senegalese winger.

Mane’s ownership grew every week from Gameweek 24 to 31 as his returns – at home, anyway – became more reliable, with his price returning to £10.0m by the time Spurs visited Anfield in Gameweek 32 and never again dipping below that mark.

A lack of a Double Gameweek for Liverpool saw over 100,000 FPL managers cash the Senegalese winger in but it was fitting that his ownership (2.45 million) and price (£10.3m) reached their apex in Gameweek 38.

Mane was the most-owned midfielder in the top 10k come the end of the season, sitting in 74.12% of these squads.

The Prospects

Mane could be in a similar price bracket to Sterling next season

A price rise is inevitable for Mane next season and he could potentially be available around the £11.0m mark based on the starting price of Sterling last season (the City winger having recorded 229 FPL points in 2017/18, only two fewer than Mane managed in the campaign just gone).

The Senegal international will still very likely be cheaper than Salah next season and it could be that the Egyptian is the fall-guy for those considering a double-up on Liverpool defender instead.

Mane outscored his more expensive colleague in 2019 by 128 FPL points to 110 and, for those who regularly captain a premium option with a home fixture, he recorded fewer blanks than Salah at Anfield this calendar year (one versus three).

Even if Mane had been available (and stayed) at £11.0m in FPL this season, his rate of points per million spent would still have comfortably trumped Salah’s (21 v 19.6) – although it remains to be seen what price the Egypt international is in 2019/20.

Mane’s away form is a concern, of course, and some Fantasy managers may baulk at the idea of forking out mega-bucks for a premium midfielder who blanked in 12 of his final 15 away league appearances.

An advantage Salah may have over Mane next season is his penalty-taking responsibility, with VAR being rolled out for the first time in the Premier League and James Milner (£5.6m) perhaps becoming even more of a bit-part player given that he turns 34 midway through 2018/19.

The article we published yesterday, of course, suggests that we might not see as much of a rise in spot-kick awards as first anticipated.

One thing worth considering ahead of next season is Mane’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations this summer.

The Senegalese winger will be involved for his country in Egypt, with the tournament starting on June 21.

Should Senegal progress to the last four of the competition (and they are among the bookies’ favourites for the trophy) then they will have played seven competitive matches over the summer and face a final or third-place play-off in mid-July – three weeks before the start of the Premier League season.

The same goes for Salah, of course, and there may be a degree of trepidation about both Liverpool midfielders from a Fantasy perspective in the opening Gameweeks of 2019/20.

Mane started last season on fire despite participating in the 2018 World Cup but Senegal were eliminated in the group stages and were back home by the end of June.

208 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Dont be Sadio, be Happio Mane.

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

      He should be happy......

      22 goals this season
      Golden Boot Winner
      Only 1 defeat all season
      97 Points in the PL
      PL Runners up Medal

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

        Don’t forget 4th highest scoring mid in the game!

      2. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        And ch.l. winner

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Don't tempt fate mate I'm nervous enough as it is!

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

        "Runners Up Medal" lmaoo

  2. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Another great Riggo article - great work! 🙂

    I love reading about the statistical value of players. It's one of the most important factors in maximising your points from a given budget, but I haven't seen much focus on it in the past.

    Captaincy complicates things slightly, but I think it's best to have the two highest-scoring players in the game (Salah and Sterling atm) for captaincy, then fill the rest of your squad with as much value as possible.

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

      I disagree with Salah this season. He didn't live up to his £13.0m price tag.

      I can't think of any players recently (last 5 seasons) who have been priced at £12.0m or above who have lived up to their price tag to be honest.

      Because of vice-captaincy, Sterling was a better pick for the captaincy this season. And Mane, Hazard, Sterling all offered better value than Salah.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I think the Hudds TC just sneaked Salah over the line as a success for many owners this year

        That and the bourenmouth hattrick combined with his long run of steady but unspectacular captaincy returns for the first 15 or so weeks and his little explosion of pens at Christmas

        He didn’t knock it out of the park by any stretch though

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          And if he’s a forward next year he could be all but dead as a long term FPL option

      2. Paddyb1982
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Sanchez 2 seasons ago

  3. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Has anyone else heard the Sadio Mane song by Sheck wes?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I don't know what a Sheck wes is, but I can already tell I'm not going to like it.

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

      Wayne Rooney?

  4. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    De Ligt to United starting to sound likely 😯 https://i.imgur.com/sUYac.jpg

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

      Odds slashed from 12/1 to 6/4 and Barca gone from 1/7 to evens...

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

        Get the dosh on Barca quickly

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'd be amazed if he chooses UTD over the likes if Barca, Bayern, PSG & Juve.

      But we do need a leader and someone who can play out from the back and he fits the bill perfectly.

      I know UTD will have to offer him crazy wages to join but it will be worth it.

      Clearing deadwood like Rojo, Sanchez, Darmian will help as well.

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

        We’re Manchester Utd Ffs

        Im just happy to see a player choose to go somewhere because they want to play and win trophies rather than just going where the money is

        1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          🙂

        2. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Sure there's a Pool supporter hidden in there somewhere

        3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          "WE ARE Man UTD. . "

          What does that even mean?. A club in decline and no obvious way out comes to mind.

          You can't even offer Champions league football next season so why would any top player join over a team that can offer. Seriously I think some of you fans need a reality check. The glory days have long gone I'm afraid. The true UTD fans will see this and admit that ( and don't get me wrong, many of them do )

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Raiola's pockets will well filled, and De Ligt would probably get £350,000-a-week, but I agree, I think he's worth it.

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

        He's the one player that is worth it.

        He's young, such a leader, we need a commanding CB.

        He can also pass the ball out the of the back ready for when we have more players that are suited to a possession based tactic - he might even bring the best out of Lindelof.

        I'd rather spend BIG on De Ligt than spend mediocre on a few other players that just won't cut it.

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Agreed. Let's hope for the best.

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

        Yeah
        It'd be a heist if Ed gets it done

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

      lol

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

        You lolled when I said Hazzard could be benched for the last league game 😉

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

          Lol at double z

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

      Amen

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

      "BREAKING NEWS

      Man Utd have ruled out a move for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, Sky sources understand."

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

        😀

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

        More likely they've told they have no chance. Why would you rule out buying the player you really need?

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

          Exactly.
          I also read same article.
          It says more to follow ....

      3. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Feck.

      4. Dr Van Nostrand
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Lol as if they ever stood a chance

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

        Not Utd quality anyway

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

          Well that's true!

      6. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Phil Jones & Chris Smalling for another season hahahaha

      7. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        😆

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

      I’m a bit more cautious than most here.

      I’ll confess most of my exposure to him was the semi v Spurs. But having watched Llorente of all people paralyse him and Blind I’m cautious.

      He looks a great prospect but he’s still that and not the finished article - shouldn’t be that close to vvd money imo.

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

        I agree. I think he's got great potential but noticed he gets dragged out of position at times. I know many United fans will hang this on Woodward but I'm not sure this one would be his fault. This is all smells of Mino Raiola and I hope United use the whole situation to stop dealing with him.

    7. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Poor boy

    8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Remember how promising Phil Jones was at 18

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

        Sir Fergie said he was the next Edward Duncans didn’t he?!

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          as in Duncan Edwards .......? 🙂

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

    Great article & completely agreed.
    Mane was best Premium Midfielder alongside Raz.

    We © home players against bad teams (generally) where they did the damage & at 2/3m less than Mo Salah.
    I got on the train in gw 27/28 i guess. Happy with his hauls.

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

      Salah should only be priced £0.5m more than Sterling, Aguero and Mane next season IMO. Hazard probably won't be in the game. Auba and Kane should be £0.5m less than those 3. Vardy another £0.5m less or perhaps £1.0m less because he plays for a non-Top 6 club. Laca the same as Vardy

      So something like

      Salah - £12.0m
      Sterling, Aguero, Mane - £11.5m
      Auba, Kane - £11.0m
      Vardy, Laca - £10.0m

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

        Laca at 10 - if he’s about - seems cheap imo.

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

          Laca scored fewer points than Vardy and at a similar rate (pts per 90 mins) to Vardy. So hard to justify him being priced equivalent to Auba and more than Vardy. Maybe they will put him at £10.5m

      2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Salah will be 12.5 minimum,
        Sterling 12m, Mane 11m Kane 12m, Aguero & Auba 11.5m, Vardy & Laca 9.5m

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

          Mane, Vardy and Laca will be bargains at those prices IMO.

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

        Agreed.
        But i think prices will be:
        Salah : 12.5/13m
        Mane Raz Kun Auba : 11.5m
        Vardy Laca Sane KDB Son : 9.5m
        And the CDM hurricane : 12m

        1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah I think Salah will be 13m tbh, Mane may sneak in at 11m, but 11.5m more likely too, do think Raheem will be 12m though

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

            Shouldn't be tbh (Raz)
            I think all of Mane Raz Kun Auba Kane should be same priced

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

    When do player prices come out for next season?
    Getting the itch already!

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

      We'll get a couple of early notifications of the main players to wet our whistle's but the vast majority will only be known on release day.

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      fantasyfootballfix have predicted all of theirs already, let me know if you wanna see any (membership costs £8 otherwise)

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Redmond?

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

          He's in my team next season if under 6m 🙂

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

            No way hes under 6.0

          1. Supersonic Marv'
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Perhaps that will knock a few quid off his price.

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

              Assuming he's still alive

              1. Supersonic Marv'
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                I once ran over a full size bright orange traffic cone on a campsite which got lodged under my wheel arch, so I know how stupid he must feel to be fair. I simply didn't see it.

        2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          They're saying 5.5m but can't see that, 6m for me

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

        Jimenez
        Son
        Robbo
        Taa
        Fabianski
        Raz
        Mane

        1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Jimenez 8.5m
          Son 9m
          Robbo 7m
          Taa 6.5m
          Fabianski 4.5m
          Raz 12m
          Mane 11m

          Is what they're saying

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

            Really really can’t see Fab being 4.5 - that’s be an effective price drop on one of the best points per mill value players over the season

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

              why would he be 5m when he kept 7 CS?

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

                He scored 143 points over the season. That bettered Kepa, Dubravka, DDG and Schmeichel. Does it matter how he won them?

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

                  That says more about how sh*t DDG & co was.

                  5m for a wham keeper would be fcking madness..

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

                    Leicester and Newcastle had 5.0 keepers last season - I’m not sure I’m seeing the difference.

                    If you strip out Etheridge and Pickford who has triple penalty saves he was the best value keeper over the season - and from memory he was 4.7 for at least half of it.

                    4.5 seems really odd to me.

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

              Yeah
              He's a save points machine & fpl knows it too. He may face an awkward season like dubravka at 5m this season.

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

                They have known it for 5 yrs. He has never been more than 4.5m

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

                  Ha ha
                  I'd love that buddy 🙂
                  Fabianski + Henderson Gk pairing !!

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

                  Just checked I think every number 1 keeper in a top ten side from 2017/8 started the season at 5.0 (Heaton Dubravka and Schmeichel being the losers) You might be disappointed this time.

                  You’re right about Fab’s general record though. So it might happen.

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

            looks spot on for me. perfect I would say for my possible team structure.

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

            😮
            Robbo
            Taa
            Mane
            Son
            All below my expected values. Would love if it happens 🙂
            Thank you

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

        Why do people care what some randoms at fffix thinks the prices will be? My own guesses are worth as much.

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

          £8?! A fool and his money..

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            I've got some magic beans for sale if you're interested.

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              I have a rock that keeps tigers away

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

                Oh dear.

                Read that wrong at first!

  7. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who will take over a Juventus do people think? I've seen Sarri mentioned.

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

      Sarri with a bumper 3 year contract

    2. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Seen some italian reporter guarentee its pep.

  8. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    *clicks on brown pooh emoji and blocks FFS poster

    😎

  9. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    The end of season votes are less than a normal captaincy vote

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

      Surprising !!

  10. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Transfer rumors are one thing. But price change rumors are whole new level. Slow down and relax guys.

  11. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Wonder what manu fans think about lingard and rashford recreating goals on youtube. Future looks bright for social media stars lol.

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Well if they can't do anything worth while on the pitch they might as well entertain the fans on youtube. Perhaps a rap album might be an idea.

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

        The new Hoddle and Waddle?

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          That's a bit unfair. Hoddle and Waddle were good footballers too.

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Those two overrated punks are not fit to lace Chissy Waddle's boots. He's a footballing legend

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            *Chrissy

      2. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Reading the comments is more entertaining. Loving it

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

      I hate Lingard. Rashford is ok but needs to not get too influenced by Lingard or he will end up in the trash bin of useless footballers too.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Rashford really isn't that great.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          To say he really isn't that great is a bit weak imo - that statement needs to be expanded upon to be of any value - and it's all relative - Is he prime Messi/Ronaldo level? Absolutely, categorically not.

          But relative to most strikers in the premier league he is quite decent.

          And relative to most strikers of his age is he excellent - he is unquestionably of way above average ability (and output) for his age

          At 21 Ronaldo had scored 21 league goals in 120 league appearances for Man Utd
          At 21 Messi had scored 31 league goals in 79 league appearances for Barcelona
          At 21 Rashford has scored 27 league goals in 111 league appearances for Man Utd... who have been a shambles for most of his time playing for them

          He has a lot of potential, more than most young players in the world at the minute

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            In comparison to how much people rave about him I don't need stats to say that he isn't as great people make him out to be. I can see how wasteful and inconsistent he is on a weekly basis . He isn't a good finisher and isn't very good in the air either. Sure he is young and sure he has time on his side but come on, the hype surrounding him is rediculous. Thing with good finishers is that it isn't necessary something you can improve on that much, it's a natural instinct combined. He has pace and has that little step over but apart from that what makes him so fantastic ? They really needed him and he didn't deliver so it's not as if he can single handidly win games . So how can he be compared to the top players ( and I don't mean Messi and co who are untouchable)

            Pointless throwing stats about as they don't always tell a story and sometimes it's typical of users on this site to just start throwing a few numbers round and think that answers any question ( no offence to you personally) . Will he improve? Maybe. Is he world class ? Absolutely not

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              The degree to which people rave isn't a very objective measure though... there are other measures by which you can judge a player... it is quite odd to say that, for his age, he is anything other than a very good player though

              For a 21 year old he is a good finisher, not many players his age have scored as many premier league goals as he has, many of which have been ''good'' finishes - again, not a very objective measure

              Is he a ''fantastic player''? As i said, its all relative - relative to CR7 & Messi in their pomp he is light years behind them, no one would disagree with that, and I've yet to see anyone say that he's better than those two, because he blatantly isn't

              But relative to the vast majority of 21 year olds in world football (and also relative to a 21 year old Messi & Ronaldo) he is a very good player

              So if you are saying Rashford really isn't that great compared to Messi & Ronaldo in their pomp, that's hard to argue with, but also not the most earth shattering of news

              1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                No one said anything about comparing him with Messi and co? Where did I say that? I even stated that I wasn't including that comparison. I didn't even say he wasn't a very good player. I said he's not that great ( as the hype that surrounds him.

                He's a good player, I don't doubt that. He is young, he can improve. I heard Talk Sport guys on drive going on about him being world class already. This is the kind of hype he is getting. He is not world class imo

                When he's playing for UTD sure any good striker will score goals, the chances they get but how many does he miss, how many times has he shot straight at the keeper. How many times as he just not had any impact? Regardless of age, like I say , you don't necessarily always improve your finishing and he has to if we are calling him world class.

                Michel Owen was world class at his age, him and Rashford are miles apart

                1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  The original statement was 'literally 'Rashford isn't that great'' - which is quite limited and we needed to tease out a little bit who he isn't that great in comparison to

                  Amongst attacking players Messi & Ronaldo are the gold standard so always a good place to start with any comparison - and when you peel back the statement a bit we could see that Rashford at his age actually compares quite well to Messi and Ronaldo when they were his age

                  Owen is another great example of a supremely talented player at that age - he was far head of Messi & Ronaldo at 18, and probably would have achieved similar status if it wasn't for injuries - but similar to Rooney, he peaked quite early - Rooney as we already mentioned is another example of a world class 21 year old

                  When you look at the big picture though, Rashford really is not out of place in a bracket with a 21 year old Messi, Ronaldo, Owen and Rooney, and he is certainly up there with the best 21 year old forwards in the world at the minute, which to be fair, isn't a bad place to be, for a 21 year old!

                  (And if only Sanchez and Lukaku knew that they just have to turn out for Man Utd to score goals 😉 )

                  1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 10 months ago

                    What do you define world class as ? I suppose it's subjective because we all have ideas of what world class means?

                    For me

                    Someone who constantly performs in the big games = not Rashford

                    Someone who has balanced all round ability = not Rashford

                    Someone who is consistently influential at the top level and their team isn't as complete when he's missing = not Rashford ( he doesn't even start EVERY game.

                    So if you think he's world class then what's your definition? This is perhaps why we are coming to different conclusions

                    Let's forget about the age factor for now.. I didn't say he's not that great for a 21 year old. He may never get any better , he may become world class. But concentrate on now

                    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 10 months ago

                      I would define world class as being amongst the best players in the world in a particular group, those groups including position and (particularly for younger players) age group

                      As I said - is he among the best forwards in the world at the minute? In my opinion (and I'd imagine the vast majority of opinions) - no

                      Is he among the best forwards in the world for his age? In my opinion, yes

                      And for a 21 year old forward to be amongst the best 21 year old forwards in the world - it's not a bad place to be...

                      So I think your original statement could possibly be expanded to: Rashford is obviously not currently among the best forwards in the world, but he is unquestionably of way above average ability (and output) for his age

                      I also find it intriging that he has actually scored more goals in less appearances than Ronaldo had at his age - that is not a bad start to a career

                      As an aside, but somewhat related note (given we are talking about young utd forwards who polarise opinion) many will remember watching Cristiano Ronaldo for his first 3 seasons at utd and many will remember the criticisms that were levelled at him, including being a show pony, not being a clinical finisher, being quite selfish etc, but all of a sudden he returned from the Euro's (Rooney wink-gate etc) a different beast - he had matured, he had worked and he built on the obvious raw talent he had and things clicked...

                      It will be very interesting to observe Rashford over the coming seasons to see does he get anywhere near the same improvement curve - he certainly has comparable ability to Ronaldo at that age which is never a bad thing 🙂

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

              Haha, you basically just said, "We dont need experts". I hope you are disappointed tonight.

          2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Bear in mind that people ARE throwing the world class statement about. That's why I say he isn't THAT great . All it does is put pressure on him , so typical of this country when they find a young decent prospect

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Again it depends on the definition of world class - is he among the best strikers in the world at the minute? In my opinion, no

              Is he among the best strikers in the world for his age? In my opinion, yes

              Will he stay there and be among the best strikers in the world in 5 years? Who knows, he has a lot of potential - but its impossible to say where that will take him

              Look at Rooney, Ronaldo & Messi at 18 and then look at them when they were 30 - they followed very different trajectories, I would put Rashford easily amongst them at the age of 21 but no one knows what he'll be like at 24, 27, 30 etc

          3. Paddyb1982
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Ronaldo and Messi played as wingers at that age.. Never got to take penos either.. Rashford is a striker

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Rashford has played as a wide forward for the vast majority of his appearances - Lcase in point - load up his heat map for GW1-38 this season... What do you see?

              Also - he has taken one penalty for Man Utd in his career - which was in the 94th minute, away to PSG, in the second leg of a champion league knockout tie - i don’t see scoring that pen as something to be critical of tbh

              Interestingly, when you mention the champions league that’s another metric by which he isn’t wildly out of place alongside a 21 year old Messi/Ronaldo

              Champions league appearances/goals at 21:

              Messi 21/8
              Ronaldo 21/1
              Rashford 18/5

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

          I said hes "ok", hardly huge praise :p But he is still young and has potential if he keeps his head straight and cuts contact with people like Lingard

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            As I said, it’s is all relative - is he prime Messi/Ronaldo level? Absolutely, categorically not

            But relative to most strikers in the premier league he is quite decent

            And relative to most strikers of his age is he excellent

            He is unquestionably of way above average ability (and output) for his age - worth a quick peek at his output again:

            At 21 Ronaldo had scored 21 league goals in 120 league appearances for Man Utd
            At 21 Messi had scored 31 league goals in 79 league appearances for Barcelona
            At 21 Rashford has scored 27 league goals in 111 league appearances for Man Utd

            He has a lot of potential, more than most young players in the world at the minute

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

      They'd be better suited to recreating some of these moments, they've great experience at this

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWCFIKU6TPw

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

      United should off load both of them and sign up the guy taking the corners in that video

    5. Cthulhu @ Left Back
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'm surprised they can remember that far back...

    6. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I bet you didn't think this post would cause such a debate.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        We really need GW1 at this point lol

  12. The Mighty I
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Can anyone point me in the right direction for fantasy world cup cricket advice?

      1. The Mighty I
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

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

        Ben Crellin has branched out to cricket!

        Actually useful with the double and blank rounds.

        Key question is finding that cheap enabler who will play and get some points. With the pricing you probably only need one of them in the team.

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

          Yeah seen that it's very useful.

          Any Minileagues/contests going about?

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

            Chucky has created a league for FFS players. Code to join is SL4DYNFE2SXCLM

        2. The Mighty I
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Phelukwayo at 7.5 as an all-rounder could be a good shout with SA having a double

        3. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Am I correct in thinking the best strategy in a double is to use two chips on your captain (is that possible?)

          For example If I captain imran tahir vs england and use bowler chip will that mean each wicket points are x4?
          Then the triple captain chip vs bangladesh

          1. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            You can only use one chip per match.

  13. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Just saw the Charlton own goal. 😆

    Who gets promoted between them and Sunderland, 1-1 after 51 minutes?

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

      Reckon Phillips had a huge bet on a Sarr OG. Absolutely hilarious.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Surely the keeper is more at fault than the defender for that, right? Haven't seen it but read what happened.

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

      Sunderland, hopefully.

  14. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Charlton 2-1

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

      Ahahahahahaha Sunderland

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

        Quality one-two by the defender 😀

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

          Almost as good as Keogh’s assist for Zamora in the Championship playoff final 5 years ago.

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

      North East clubs and Wembley still don't mix well then.

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

    Sunderland staying in League 1 for another season at least.

    Charlton are going to have a job keeping hold of Lee Bowyer next season.

  16. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    https://twitter.com/JoshCooke34/status/1132312763014025216?s=19

    Guardiola: "I pray to God to protect these players"

    Warnock: "Slaughter your entire family if it means we'll get 3 points"

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

      Love it 🙂

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

      This is awesome !!

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

      A legend of the game and a bald fraud

  17. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Just got home from medieval jousting at Kenilworth Castle...
    Not happy, its not real. Havent seen any blood and feel like Ragnar Lothbrok would have beat all 4 of the knights by himself.

  18. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Not a great season to be a Sunderland fan. Should have walked League one with their resources and now lost at Wembley twice.
    Lots of promise - no trophies.

    Liverpool fans beware.

  19. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Inter - Empoli , what a game !!!

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Tell me about it. I've just watched Fiorentina vs Genoa struggle to a 0-0 bore draw.

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

      Atalanta game was decent, four goals and two red cards, keeps AC out of the CL again.

  20. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    For anyone that missed it, United v Bayerns Legends match is free on Youtube:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYdmzLStPxs

    United lineup: Schmeichel; Neville, Stam, Johnson, Irwin; Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Blomqvist; Yorke, Cole (Solskjaer on after 1 min)

    Some of those players could still get into the United team, given their performances...

    1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      cant watch it in the US 🙁

  21. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Life without fpl is.......

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Like a box of chocolates.

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      ...a time to bury your head in the sand and suntan your buttocks.

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

        You had your comment removed?

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          The world's gone mad.

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

          FFS is part of the global elite who dont want the world to wake up now.

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            I'm two years into an Open University degree on Middle Eastern studies and my OP was related to the topic that enshrines the subject and which I am currently working on.

            Anyway, my point was to suggest to fill in the FPL vacuum with something that may interest you educationally and expand your mind._That's all!

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

              Yeah, I was going to comment on your OP and then couldn't find it. Cheers anyways

              1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                🙂

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

              I didnt want it gone, its an interesting topic. I just suspected it was the kind of topic that could quickly become a discussion hat the mods wouldnt like.

              1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                Yes, the religious and political discourse is frowneed upon and I understand the sentiment on a FF forum.

                It's off season though and thought a little flexibility might be in play especially as the war Hawks are circling Iran.

                Anyway, No Worries.

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

      Real life ...

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

      Buy some Cheesy wotsits

    5. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Refreshing.

  22. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Aston Villa vs Derby County tonight.

    Another late winner like the last 2 nights' playoffs?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Would like to see Villa winning it.

  23. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    There was a terrible commotion outside my house last night and I went outside to see what was going on, and there was four blokes in Arsenal shirts playing football with a cat.
    I was about to phone the RSPCA when the cat went one nil up.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Was the cat wearing a chelsea jersey by any chance?

      That may be an omen if so

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You sure it wasnt Gianfranco Zola ?

  24. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What FPL price for this guy?

    https://twitter.com/louorns/status/1131740319156973568

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

      6

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Interesting.... Young South Americans (actually young players full stop) are so hit & miss though

      I hope he’s more of a Gabriel Jesus and less of a Kerlon, Pato, Robinho etc

      But one to watch

  25. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I made a league yesterday for those playing cricket World Cup fantasy game... https://icc.dream11.com/classic/ Code for FFS league is SL4DYNFE2SXCLM.. The format is similar to FPL this time around with managers selecting a team for a particular Round,whereas in previous editions you could make changes to your team every day.They have introduced chips(free hits) as well which makes it more exciting so hoping more players will join....

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Surprising, the game is currently not available in my country. Why can't they just make it international?

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

        Probably a gambling rights issue or something along those lines. Just depends who’s sponsoring it and what the prizes are.

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

      Not available in my country either. ICC are idiots. All other governing bodies are interested in expanding their sports worldwide, meanwhile these clowns are doing their best to put in as many restrictions as possible.

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’m in Chucky.

  26. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anybody playing the official fantasy cricket World Cup game?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Eyup pal. Can't say too much here but I have an invite for you . You probably know what this is for anyway but mail me at the address below ( the clue is in the email address 😉 )and I'll explain more. It's nothing dodgy or anything. If your worried just create a random throwaway account

      kurt-grohl@gmx.com

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate. Replied 🙂