Pre-Season

Why choosing a budget goalkeeper in 2019/20 could be difficult

Selecting a budget goalkeeper for Fantasy Premier League in 2019/20 could prove a difficult challenge.

Cheap reliable shot-stoppers were hard to come by in 2018/19 and a number of price hikes to that category this time around have made finding one even harder now.

Previous members of the £4.5m club such as Lukasz Fabianski, Ben Foster, Vicente Guaita and Rui Patrício have all risen to £5.0m, leaving the pool at the lower end of the scale quite short of options.

The problem is further shown when we consider the defensive rotation pairings we picked out upon fixture release (when no prices were available to us). Only two of them are comprised exclusively of two £4.5m goalkeepers.

Team 1Team 2
BournemouthSouthampton
BurnleyAston Villa
Crystal PalaceNorwich City
Leicester CityBrighton and Hove Albion
LiverpoolEverton
Manchester UnitedManchester City
Newcastle UnitedSheffield United
Tottenham HotspurArsenal
WatfordChelsea
West Ham UnitedWolverhampton Wanderers

As you can see, only the Bournemouth/Southampton and Burnley/Aston Villa can be undertaken using a pair of £4.5m goalkeepers in 2019/20.

Newcastle/Sheffield United has been ruled out by Martin Dubravka staying at £5.0m, while West Ham/Wolves can no longer be covered by goalkeepers as both Fabianski and Patrício were pulled out of the £4.5m category.

Crystal Palace/Norwich could still happen if Wayne Hennessey (£4.5m) reclaims his place at Selhurst Park but it does seem, at least for now, that Guaita is the main man there.

Furthermore, at this current point in time, the goalkeeper situations at Aston Villa, Burnley, Bournemouth, Southampton and Sheffield United are all far from clear.

Meanwhile, the following £4.5m options are all firm second-choice at their respective clubs:

  • Danny Ward (Leicester)
  • Eldin Jakupovic (Leicester)
  • Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
  • Karl Darlow (Newcastle)
  • Paulo Gazzaniga (Spurs)
  • Pontus Dahlberg (Watford)
  • John Ruddy (Wolves)

Potential set-and-forgets

Mat Ryan has decent fixtures during the early period of 2019/20

By our calculations, that makes Mat Ryan and Tim Krul the only £4.5m options who, before pre-season kicks off, are nailed-on starting goalkeepers for their respective Premier League teams.

Brighton’s shot-stopper might not actually be a bad choice to start the new campaign.

The Seagulls rank third for defence on the Season Tickerover the first six Gameweeks, which feature favourable home matches against West Ham, Southampton and Burnley.

Their away trips during this period take Brighton to Watford, Manchester City and Newcastle.

Only Everton and Bournemouth rank better than that over the first six Gameweeks, but Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) is some way out of the budget range now and it is not currently clear who the starting goalkeeper for the Cherries is, as we’ll explain in more detail later.

Tim Krul will face a barrage of shots in Norwich’s opening six matches.

Norwich are the other end of the Season Ticker over the first six Gameweeks.

They sit rock bottom for that period as they face Liverpool (away), Chelsea (home) and Manchester City (home) during that period.

Outside of those fixtures, they also host Newcastle and travel to West Ham and Burnley.

Obviously, Norwich’s clean sheet potential during this run is incredibly low, considering Liverpool’s ruthless nature at Anfield, and the fact that the meetings with Chelsea and Manchester City are at Carrow Road – where the Canaries conceded more goals than on their travels last season.

However, Krul does have the potential to really rack up the saves over the early part of the campaign.

During the 2018/19 season, the Norwich man finished fourth for total saves in the Championship (136).

With the shots faced column expected to skyrocket for the Canaries this time around, the saves should follow suit.

We also recently unearthed some interesting data on where Norwich conceded shots from in the Championship, with a higher number coming from outside the box beneficial to Krul’s save potential.

Furthermore, Daniel Farke likes his side to play possession football, which starts with the goalkeeper. That’s why Krul finished top of the Championship for completed short-range passes (631) among shot-stoppers in 2018/19.

Both of those statistics should help boost Krul’s bonus potential whenever Norwich do keep clean sheets, which over the first eight Gameweeks seem more likely against Newcastle (home), West Ham (away), Burnley (away), Crystal Palace (away) and Aston Villa (home).

Goalkeeper rotations

Bournemouth/Southampton

This is arguably the more problematic defensive rotation pairing of the two at this stage, although it could be cleared up by Gameweek 1.

Asmir Begovic (£4.5m) appeared to be the undisputed number one at the Vitality Stadium last season, starting every match in the first 22 Gameweeks.

However, he was inexplicably replaced by Artur Boruc (£4.5m) in Gameweek 23. The Polish international was the goalkeeper of choice for all but two of the matches between then and Gameweek 36, with Begovic coming back in for Gameweeks 32 and 33 only.

Despite playing half as many minutes as the Bosnian (1,080 to 2,160), Boruc kept four clean sheets to his five.

He also recorded significantly better minutes per save figures too (25.7 to 35.4).

Mark Travers threatens to confuse the Bournemouth goalkeeper situation even more

However, both Begovic and Boruc are threatened by youngster Mark Travers (£4.5m) who came from out of nowhere to start both of Bournemouth’s last two games of 2018/19.

There was contrasting fortune between both of those appearances.

Travers kept a clean sheet, made five saves and earned one bonus for an eight-point haul against Spurs in Gameweek 37 before conceding five times at Crystal Palace on the final day of the campaign.

The 20-year-old missed Ireland’s Euro 2020 qualifiers due to a fractured thumb but he is expected to be fit by the time pre-season begins for the Cherries.

He has also been linked with loan moves to Norwich and Leeds United but he has gone on record in the local press as wanting to stick around for the new campaign.

“I want to play for this club and hopefully I can do that. But at the end of the day it’s down to the manager and backroom staff with who they want to play. I just want to try to have good pre-season and get in the manager’s thoughts.” – Mark Travers

Manager Eddie Howe clearly rates Travers very highly given the comments he made about him after his debut against Spurs.

However, the crucial line from these quotes is, of course, the stress on the fact that a decision will have to be made over the summer over which goalkeeper will be number one come Gameweek 1.

“It was a great display from (Travers), he’s someone we really do believe in. He’s got great temperament and attitude to the game. He played like it was a training session and that’s a huge compliment. He showed real confidence with his feet. He kicked the ball well, made some saves and impressed with his all-round game management. It’s a nice problem to have and a decision I’ll have to make in the summer, in terms of what to do with all the goalkeepers we have. Mark hasn’t been out on loan this season. Aaron Ramsdale, who we rate highly as well, has been out on loan and done really well. It’s great to have two young, promising goalkeepers in our ranks, and of course we’ve got the two experienced goalkeepers at a top level as well. It’s slightly unusual that Mark hasn’t been out on loan to experience League One or League Two. That was the risk we took, but going on his training and the way he has conducted himself all season, as well as the club that we are – trying to give young players opportunities to develop – we decided to do what we did.” – Eddie Howe

Deciphering the Southampton goalkeeper situation is somewhat easier.

Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) started all but one match between Gameweeks 1 and 26, a Gameweek 21 trip to Chelsea.

Angus Gunn (£4.5m) made his first league start of the campaign then and kept a clean sheet, made six saves all for an 11-point FPL haul.

He then started all but one from Gameweek 27 until the end of the campaign.

Fraser Forster (£4.5m) came in for his first start since Boxing Day 2017 in Gameweek 37, where Southampton were decidedly poor and lost 3-0 at West Ham.

Angus Gunns is reported to be the favourite at Southampton currently but there’s a long way to go before Gameweek 1

The Southampton Daily Echo are reporting that Gunn is the first choice for Ralph Hasenhüttl for the 2019/20 with McCarthy and Forster expected to fight it out for second-choice.

Given the late-season run-out for Forster, when McCarthy was injured, concern from those looking in from the outside is certainly understandable.

Hopefully, pre-season matches can clear up any lingering doubts over the Southampton goalkeeping situation.

However, we should also point out the drawbacks of backing Bournemouth and Southampton in their home games.

The Saints kept just three clean sheets in front of their own supporters last season, only Manchester United registering fewer (two).

Furthermore, their first four at St. Mary’s in 2019/20 see them host Liverpool, Manchester United, Bournemouth and Chelsea.

The Cherries are the better of the two in this rotation.

They kept six clean sheets at the Vitality Stadium in 2018/19 and start the new campaign at home to Sheffield United.

Burnley/Aston Villa

The uncertainty over the goalkeeper situation at Burnley is just as bad as at Bournemouth.

Sean Dyche currently has Tom Heaton (£4.5m), Nick Pope (£4.5m) and Joe Hart (£4.5m) and has a real balancing act on his hands during the summer.

Pope signed a new contract in May to extend his stay at Turf Moor, while it was also reported that Heaton rejected a new contract amid supposed transfer interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Bournemouth (ironically).

What that means for Dyche’s team selection remains to be seen.

Hart started the first 19 games in a row, although he could be on the brink of a Turf Moor exit this summer. During that period, Burnley shipped a ridiculous number of shots.

No team faced more on target than them (116) and which helped Hart make more saves than any other goalkeeper (77) between Gameweeks 1 and 19.

However, nobody conceded more goals during this period either (41).

He managed to get just four clean sheets, Hennessey, Begovic and Patrício securing more shutouts, and indeed FPL points than him from the budget category.

Pope has now recovered from his shoulder injury of 2018/19

Heaton then returned to start every match from Gameweek 20 onwards, which seemed to drastically improve Burnley’s defensive prospects.

Indeed, the Clarets conceded 41 times with Hart between the sticks, but shipped just 27 goals once Heaton had returned, with relatively little change to the back-four in front of him.

However, such is the enigma of the budget goalkeeper in FPL to some extent, Hart still scored more points than Heaton despite conceding more goals.

The former Manchester City man amassed 69 points across his 19 appearances, while Heaton managed just 58 from his half of the campaign.

The two of them also kept the same number of clean sheets, meaning that the main difference between the goalkeepers was the saves, as well as Hart’s solitary penalty stop compared to Heaton’s none.

Despite that, it seems clear that Sean Dyche favours Heaton over Hart at least.

Where the uncertainty lies is deciding between him and Pope.

After sustaining a dislocated shoulder last summer, he failed to make a single Premier League appearance for Burnley in 2018/19.

Pope made two starts in the FA Cup in the month of January, so while he was fit for the second half of the campaign, it was still Heaton who was preferred.

However, it is worth saying that the latter was much further along in his recovery from the same injury last season.

The 2019/20 campaign should see both Heaton and Pope back to their best physical state – so Dyche will certainly face a difficult task choosing between them.

Aston Villa also have a goalkeeping trio to choose from ahead of the new season.

Ørjan Nyland (£4.5m) was the number one at Villa Park last season having just arrived from FC Ingolstadt.

However, he did not play a single match in 2019 after rupturing his Achilles in a December training session.

He is expected to be fully fit for 2019/20 and with two years left on his contract will be hoping to stake his claim for a return to the side.

That said, Nyland did not necessarily impress before his injury. When his season-ending knock was confirmed, Villa had conceded 38 goals in 25 matches, 1.52 per game.

To cover Nyland’s injury, Dean Smith signed Lovre Kalinić but he himself sustained a knock after just seven starts.

Jed Steer is probably ahead in the race to be Aston Villa’s number one this season but is not yet on the game

That’s why Jed Steer was recalled from loan at Charlton and impressed enough to hold off competition from Kalinić once he returned to full fitness.

The uncertainty over the goalkeeper position here stems from the fact that Steer has not yet competed with Nyland – pre-season will have to tell us more.

Interestingly, Steer signed a new contract at the back-end of June and it looks as if he is the most likely to claim the number one spot by Gameweek 1 – although he has not yet been added to the game and neither has Kalinić.

“It’s great to have extended my contract. When I got told last August I could go out on loan I thought that was my Villa career probably over. To be sitting here now and about to embark on the Premier League with Aston Villa is something I couldn’t have imagined. I’m over the moon.” – Jed Steer

We also should make ourselves aware that Jack Butland has been linked with a move to Villa Park. If he were to sign for Dean Smith’s side that could uncomplicate matters, but we will have to see.

Scraping the barrel

There does appear to be little to go on in the £4.0m department at this stage.

The only goalkeepers in this price bracket currently seem unlikely to break into the first teams at their respective clubs.

David Button is firmly behind Ryan in the Brighton pecking order.

Pickford has a strong hold on the number one jersey at Everton, effectively ruling out Maarten Stekelenburg as a viable option.

Freddy Woodman at Newcastle would have to get past Karl Darlow (£4.5m) and Dubravka to earn regular starts.

At Norwich, Krul is the undisputed number one, ensuring Michael McGovern (£4.0m) won’t start much.

Finally, Will Norris (£4.0m) is currently behind Patrício and John Ruddy (£4.5m) in the Wolves pecking order.

Of course, with all of these options, they could come into play if injuries were to occur to their respective goalkeeping colleagues.

768 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Pick one

    A)Ryan+Laporte+Moutinho
    OR
    B)Ederson+Dunk+Pereyra

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Can I say neither?

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

      Moutinho and Pereyra are both Yikes! for me

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Haha, fair enough. Will keep tinkering.

    4. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B if I had to choose
      Watford's first 4 fixtures are decent enough
      You can pair Dunk with a Palace defender to rotate; of the next 20 GWs they will have only 4 away matches and only 1 against a top 6 team

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks!

  2. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A | Fraser & King

    or

    B | Brooks & Wilson

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Brooks and King looks the best value to me

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A,just.

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

      Brooks and King and save that money

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        This

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

    A. Alisson, Zinchenko and Brooks
    or
    B. Ryan, Laporte and Zaha

    1. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Zinchenko for laporte?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        If he nails the position I'm all over him. Need to monitor pre-season closely.

  4. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Too weak up top?

    Ryan
    TAA Robbo Digne Zinchenko
    Salah Sterling Siggy Zaha
    Jota King

    Button Long Hayden Hanley

    1. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, especially with Wolves fixtures at the start

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, that.

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

      decent up top but bench seems quite weak.

  5. Markus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Someone persuade me against Ashley Barnes - to me he seems like the classic unsexy pick but steady value point scorer (a la Murray). Only played 2/3rds of last season (2nd part), good ppg, xG v slightly down last season but has shown can meet or exceed in previous seasons. In a team where could easily win by 1 therefore get more bonus points than a king or Jota. On pens. I feel like he's just not a very 'exciting' pick for an 'unexciting' team so overlooked on that basis, but am I missing something?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'd rather go Jota or King. Overpriced by 0.5m imo

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      You're right. He quietly went about amassing a decent point haul as the season went on and Burnley started to get their act together. without a Europa distraction, he and Wood might start quite well. My only issue is I don't much like their opening fixtures; other than that, he's on my watchlist and could come in for the likes of King after a few GWs.

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        agreed...Burnley fixtures are good from GW5 onwards

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Don’t they have a who wins them takes them policy? Or am I confusing them with Bournemouth? Decent shout

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Just go for Murray.

  6. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Surprised with the lack of Duffy/Dunk in the teams on here with those opening fixtures.

    Seems the 4.5m def's rotations are longer the flavor of the month.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'm currently on 5 top-notch defenders, but if I change my formation and need a cheap 5th defender, Dunk's first on my list.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Bri Def is playable in of the first 6 fixts

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          *5/6

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Many have Ryan

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah

        Ederson+dunk=10.5
        Ryan+Laporte=11

    3. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      partly due to Ryan popularity, but I agree, Dunk is an option if going for a premium set and forget style keeper

    4. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Probably going to have Dunk, and pair him with a Palace defender (Ward/Kelly, whoever is a starter) for good rotation

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Think there’s every chance Palace will buy at rb. As it is Kelly is cover for both cb and rb. Ward and Dann are also a bit 2017

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          yeah, have to monitor that...but I like the Brighton/Palace defense rotation schedule

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Right, as it stands at the moment, when AWB leaves and 2 Palace defenders remain injured, 4m Kelly is poised to start. It's unlikely to stay that way when GW1 gets underway. It might be useful to pencil Kelly into your draft but very provisionally.

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Ryan

    6. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Remembering the doubles from earlier this year...

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        They scores 8 + 8 on my BB. no complaints.

  7. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How's this squad looking? Draft number one! 0.5itb.

    Ryan Button
    VVD Laporte Ake Gibson Cathcart
    Salah Sight Mili Perez Stephens
    Aguero Vardy Long

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Dreadful - back to the drawing board!
      Cheap GK - a false investment.
      Ake good for 2 weeks only.
      Gibson - will he play?
      Cathcart - is he nailed? Fixtures not great.
      No great reason to get Mili over Zaha imo.
      Perez could be an inspiration but we don't know about Toon right now.
      Long - not exactly prolific for a player you'll need to start every GW.

      4/10 for me.

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Why is cheap GK a false investment? Ryan has done great towards the end of last season and the Ryan/Button combo is basically the cheapest investment you can make to have a guaranteed GK and be able to focus on other areas.

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers but your so wrong.

        Ryan best budget GK.
        Ake has great fixtures, always scores well and will rotate with Gibson and Cathcart who are both first choice when fit.
        Mili/Zaha is 50/50 ATM.
        Perez as a mid is a nice punt.
        Long will be on the bench every gw.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Okay, if you're happy with that.

        2. Marmalade Forest
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          If you plan to bench him every GW, why not go for a 4.5?

          I would think that the 10 or so points he might score for you coming off the bench before Christmas would be less than the extra you’d get upgrading elsewhere.

        3. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          You asked the question and you got a very fair assesment,, the team is fairly kack tbf.

  8. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How's this for first template?

    Fabianski | Button
    Holding | Digne | Fredericks | Robertson | Dunk
    Brooks | Mane | Dendoncker | Loftus-Cheek | De-Bruyne
    Rashford | Aubameyang | King

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

      Loftus Cheek is out for months pal

      1. HAMMERTIME107
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Barkley instead ???

  9. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I'm glad we're over the awful Salah or no Salah discussion from last season.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Are we though? RMTs look 50/50 Salah or no.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      are we though?

    3. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      At least it's balanced out among Salah, Sterling and Mané who are all in the same price range. Last season Salah was basically 3m more expensive than any other mid worth considering.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        yeah guess that's a good point

  10. Jarnathan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Nobody considering Moura? Also for those picking Kane, what about the effect Moura has on Kane?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I am, but hard to know if he will still be in the XI after the City game, which could be annoying

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I have him. Perfect while Son is susp

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He's inked into my starting line up for 3 weeks, as Son is suspended.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Are you out in Cambodia? checked your profile but non stalker!!! 🙂

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I am. Lived here since 2005.

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            There used to be a guy that posted on here that lived in sihanoukville and was sure it wasn't you. Where abouts are you?
            Just interested as I have property in Thailand.

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Wasn't me. Xianoukville now overrun by Chinese - bet he's moved out. I'm ensconced in Phnom Penh. Part of a weekly FPL mini-league run by a little pub called 'The Pub'.

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                For the amount of time i spend out there I'm ashamed to say we've only visited the once so far but deffo going back, lovely people.
                Went to Siem Reap and did Angkor obviously but will try to see more.

                1. Andy_Social
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 9 months ago

                  Haven't been to Angkor for 10 years - is it still standing? Also overrun with Chinese!

                  1. Gnu
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 9 months ago

                    Yep still standing but no thanks to the Chinese who break all the friggin rules.
                    One hand they're out the visiting the world but the tour groups are a disaster, they need to dealt with.
                    Very well known but I loved the Miss Wong bar run by a New Zealander in a 30's Shanghai style.

  11. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How about Demarei Gray for 5th mid?

  12. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ayoze perez anyone? Not expensive and now a mid. Looks tasty

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      imagine I'll have him and Ritchie at some point yeah, could be decent

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Pretty sure Perez will be off this summer - which could still work out well if he moves within the Premier League and is OOP in a more attacking team than Newcastle. Seems to be angling for a move back to Spain, though.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Ritchie false-9 confirmed

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            He and Ritchie are intriguing. Right now without a manager, they're punty in the extreme. I'm waiting for a gaffer to come in and see how they line up pre-season.

  13. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA - VVD - Laporte - Digne
    Salah - Sterling - Siggy - Zaha
    King - Jota

    Button - dendoncker - Kelly - Nketiah

    0.0M ITB

    Too much money in defence ?
    Thanks guys.

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

      V good

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      perfect, same as me, i've just downgrades Digne to Coleman to upgrade Jota to Arnie

    3. ewangri
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Big fan

    4. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I have 10 of the same players. Going 541 instead though, without Jota.

    5. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Forwards are pretty trash

    6. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Do you not fear a 0 point bench and playing with 10 men or fewer?

    7. Harrypottermus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I’m currently planning to go with more in the defence.

      Ederson
      TAA Robertson Coleman Digne Mendy
      Salah Siggy Sterling
      King Murray

      Button Greenwood Hayden Dendoncker

      0.0 ITB

      3 Liverpool, 3 Everton, 3 City plus Bournemouth and Brighton ready for the early fixtures.

  14. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A) Ederson, Digne, Salah
    B) Pickford, TAA, Sterling

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. ewangri
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Both? 😉 A if i have to pick haha.

  15. Limited 4.5 defender options
    Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    All 4.5m defender options:

    Crystal Palace - Dann/Ward - (As it stands Palace have only 4 fit defenders: PvA Dann Kelly[4.0m] Ward)
    Newcastle - Lascelles/Dummett
    Burnley - Taylor/Lowton
    Brighton - Bernardo/Dunk/Montoya
    Watford - Cathcart/Kiko - Janmaat a worry for Kiko?
    West Ham - Diop/Balbuena/Fredericks - Potentially Diop to Manchester United
    Southampton - Bednarek
    Bournemouth - Smith/Kelly - Kelly likely to start LB atm.
    Sheffield U - O'Connell/Baldock - Baldock is a wingback in their 3412, O'Connell is an overlapping CB.
    Aston Villa - El Mohamady/Chester - Elmo very attacking fullback.
    Norwich - Lewis/Aarons - Two young pacey fullbacks.

    .
    Any others you think are worth considering? Nothing really stands out for me, unless Diop moves.

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      are Sakho and Tomkins injuries long term?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Not sure. Hopefully we get news nearer the time.

        They'll surely sign players too.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      For me, only Dunk and Diop are worth considering.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Taylor for Burnley could be ok if Dyche can tighten up their defence again.

        Sheffield have potential for clean sheets.

    3. Little Frank
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Charlie Taylor will be a good pick when Burnley's fixtures improve, was very attacking in the second half of the season.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Absolutely. One to watch.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I’m waiting to see where Clyne fishes up - he’d be 4.5 I’d guess. Palace?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Problem with getting a Palace RB is that PvA is attacking as hell on the left, so the RB needs to be more reserved. Clyne won't dominate baps like AWB did.

        I'm a little nervous about getting a Palace defender after the loss of AWB, and the injury problems of Sakho & Tomkins. I think they could be in trouble this year.

    5. Laporte In A Storm
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Villa fan here - we have signed a French fullback, Frederic Guilbert, who isn't in FPL yet, and it is likely that he will be first choice over Elmo. Elmo has been great for us but he is aging and I won't be putting him in my FPL team.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks dude! Had no idea! 🙂

        1. Laporte In A Storm
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Further to this - looks like Villa are about to by Matt Targett from SOU - wait for pre-season, but very likely to be first choice over Taylor.

          Off-topic, but 17mil though, might be a bit overpriced.

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Well there’s a spanner in the works.

        1. Laporte In A Storm
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          TBH I would keep away from all four Villa defenders - we are trying to replace them all.

          1. Pieterke30
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Sounds good for Kane in GW1

            1. Laporte In A Storm
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Overall this season I am quietly confident Villa will be okay - we have a lot of recruitment to do but we are now well run and our recruitment plans look very sensible.

              Assuming we take the same.formation into next season, Grealish, McGinn and (probably) El Ghazi are nailed. Hourihane is close but apparently we are in the market for a CDM which would give him competition. We have already signed our main striker, Wesley. But our entire defence will probably change.

              Expect high scoring games from Villa, but keep away from def early.on.

    6. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Definitely feels pretty limited in that range, and with their 4.5 goalkeeper counterparts.

      Someone like Bernardo or Dunk might do for me - tend to like a solid squad rotation player that I can count to be fairly solid (and boring) when they have good games.

      Rob Holding when back has also earned a fair few mentions - will be in my thinking though lack of CSs will be an issue

    7. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I was hoping there’d be more Southampton options, Bednarek could be good though.

    8. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Great post thanks GB 🙂

    9. The Naga Khan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Peoples thoughts on Gibson at Burnley getting a game this season? 4m potential if he's over his mare last season.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Mee and Tarkowski are pretty well established now, I don't think they'll lose their place. There's also a rumour he's been told he can leave: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/burnley/transfer-talk/news/ben-gibson-told-he-can-leave-burnley_362998.html

    10. Black Panther
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Dunk is 1/5 with Sky Bet to move to Leicester. He'll be the best pick of the 4.5 defenders if that goes through.

    11. AB.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Winston Reid (4.0) at West Ham is worth monitoring - especially if Diop leaves. Was first choice CB before long term injury kept him out all of last season. Back in full pre season training now.

      1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Balbuena is good good to great value at 4.5. Before his injury last season he was getting on the end of a number of corners. Fredericks is also likely to cement the right full back position and might be of interest. Either is a better option over Diop if doesn't end up at Manchester United.

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I'm going Fredericks. Seems like a good punt.

    12. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Both Sheffield United players are well worth considering given early fixtures. They both get forward with reckless abandon and he won't change the system.

    13. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Potentially Zappacosta at Chelsea, one to monitor in preseason

  16. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Salah or no Salah?

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Ofc Salah, think he will go for +300p this season.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      cheeky boy!

    3. ewangri
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Depends what happens in Afcon, one to keep an eye on

  17. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Brooks+Wilson or Fraser+King?

    1. ewangri
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Fraser and King for me

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Why not start with Fraser/Wilson, then downgrade to Brooks/King when the tasty fixtures peter out?

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Not enough cash for Fraser+Wilson.

    3. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Brooks+King for me and I'll invest elsewhere

    4. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Fraser and King but prefer just King.

  18. ewangri
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Nice to be back!

    Any thoughts on draft 1 of 1,000,000!

    Heaton(or Pope)

    Robbo TAA Laporte Mendy(if fit) Digne

    Salah Sterling Fraser

    Jota King

    Button Long Stephens Hayden

    Like the big defence and decent midfield, will probably change a lot but good to guage!

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Actually really like this draft lol. Pretty good, but ofc, the bench isn't ideal.

    2. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I fancy an Everton attacker. If not Siggy then maybe DCL - hearing a lot of good things about him.

      1. cravencottage
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Dont know where you would be hearing alot of good things from on DCL- he is terrible

        1. Minion
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          He’s not terrible. He was poor at the start of last season and improved dramatically, nailing down the starting berth up top. Admittedly this doesn’t translate to FPL, he’s not a great option there. But as a footballer, he has a lot of potential but needs to add more goals to his game, which I think will come this season.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I’d shave a mill from the back by going Vvd and Coleman to get Lloris or just perhaps DDG

  19. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Giroud anyone?

    1. ewangri
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Could be a good pick if he starts in pre-season. Willian also depending on who comes in as manager

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Dunno if Batty and Tammy are ahead of him. Let's see what the new manager thinks.

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Have the Arse got a new manager?
        I'm in the dark concerning sports news.

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

          Giroud is a CHE player

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Feed the troll, and he will score!

            1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              No, I really was having a senior moment.

          2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            I'm having one of those senior moments!
            It's all come back to me now. 🙂
            Ty Sir!

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Is Batshuayi on the Chelsea books?

        Thought he was at Dortmund loaned to Palace.

        Completely forgot he was a Chelsea man.

    3. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      If i had an extra 0.5m I'd be very tempted. I reckon there'll come a point this season where he's a great option but not sure that's just yet.

    4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He's made my watch list already.
      BUT, that manager he has to play under is a Tinkerbell Lightweight._imb.

    5. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      really like this pick depending on what Chelsea does

  20. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Your thoughts please:

    Ryan
    Van Dijk-Robertson-Digne-Laporte
    Salah-B.Silva-Zaha-Perez
    Kane-King

    Stek-O'Connell-Romeu-Long

  21. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this 451 with fodder on the bench? O’Connell can be any other 4.5

    Ryan
    TAA, Robbo, Digne, O’Connell
    Salah, Sterling, Bilva, Siggy, Zaha
    King

    Button, Kelly, 4.5, 4.5

  22. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Got 6.0 to spend on a forward/mid - who do you think provides decent value? Looking currently at:

    JWP
    DCL
    Barkely

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      DCL, but only because of the fixtures

    2. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Try to find +0.5 for Brooks or Deulo/Jota

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      There's really nothing in that bracket. DCL maybe best of a limited bunch.
      With Kovacic poised to rejoin Chelsea, Barkley's in a sea of 7m midfielders. For me, JWP flatters to deceive but the new manager might improve him. DCL is not a great striker, but if he's a starter should get a few points here and there.

  23. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ryan is popular 😮

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not many 4.5 options this year, rotation with Krul is OK until at least GW9

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Never again. Was a horrendois pick for my last season.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Basically just Ryan and Krul to chose from in the 4.5m range...

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I'd wait to see who Burnley, Bournemouth and Southampton choose as their 4.5s rather than settle for those 2.

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

          Heaton or Pope will be my pick and will be quite obvious who's #1 by the time the season starts

      2. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I t kinda feels that we're being pushed towards a prem/fodder pairing which I've never been keen on.
        For me it's either Ederson or Pickford.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Same here. I'm on Ederson but if I need to squeeze in a third outfield Citizen, Pickford steps up. No other candidates.

  24. POLSKA GOLA
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ryan and Krul rotate nicely until 1st WC

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      And when is that?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Gameweek 2?

        1. POLSKA GOLA
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          International break 5-19 October, GW8/9

  25. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Kdb over sterling is so tempting in terms of balancing a team.

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

      No other position you can downgrade?

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Not if want Salah and 2 liverpool defenders. Kdb over sterling allows me aguero over vardy. Feels better to have a premium striker to play with. Plus aguero on pens.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          That's the way I've gone. Hope Kev stays fit!

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Kdb could be a bargain.

    3. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'm tempted too but I'll wait for preseason to decide.

  26. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Hows my team

    Ryan (Button)
    Mendy(or Zinh) TAA Robbo Digne (Kelly)
    Salah Sterling Zaha Siggy (Den)
    King Jota (Greenwood)

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Digne Robbo Ryan

      Or

      Coleman VVD Lloris

      I’d fancy Spurs in their new stadium to be a defence to watch.

  27. mike09
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Gave 5-4-1 a go.

    What do you think?

    Allison
    Robbo - Lapote - Digne- AWB - Ake
    Salah - Sterling - Zaha - Maddison
    Wilson

    Button - Dendoncker - 4.5 - 4.5

  28. BoomXhakaLaca1
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Standard RMT for now:

    Allison 4.0
    TAA Digne AWB zinchenko hanley
    B Silva Zaha James Lucas moura brooks
    Rashford aguero pukki

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Nice to see something different. A few question marks though, Lucas probably won't start at least nt nailed. Uniteds defense I wouldn't go near.

      1. BoomXhakaLaca1
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Agree with United defense alright, just want an attacking full back like AWB in a top team so went with him haha

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Only 3 assist last season much rather have Trippier or another Spurs defender for the same price. Expect them to tighten up with NDombele bossing the mid.

          1. BoomXhakaLaca1
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Oh ya last season you're spot on, but he should be encouraged to go more forward this season under united but could back fire on me also haha

            1. Royal5
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              If Ole can get the best out if him he could come good, but it's a wait and see for me. De Gea cost the a lot of points last season.

  29. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Pick one.

    A)Ederson+Dunk
    OR
    B)Ryan+Laporte

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B for me

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Depends if you need those 0.5
      B for me right now.

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers both!

  30. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Do we think KDB will perform sufficiently well to be worth the extra 1.5million over Bernardo Silva? Bernardo had a great season and was unlucky not to get more assists, obviously KDB has set pieces and long shots on his side but that 1.5m could be handy....

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I think he's the best player in the league when fit. Scary to think how good they were without him.

    2. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Easily. Bernardo is an amazing team player but not really an FPL prospect (Not saying he isn't good value but definitely not premium).

      On the other hand, KdB almost never fails to deliver and 1 goal involvement gets him 3 bonus points.

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Nah, if I were confronted with the choice, I'd pick KdB.

      Although, it does also depend on what you do with that extra money.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Depends on minutes. When Kev was fit he played all of most games whereas Bilva was more benchy.