Scout Notes

Goals for Salah and Jimenez as Aguero grabs two assists

The launch of Fantasy Premier League 2019/20 meant that our international round-ups took a back seat for a few days.

This extended Scout Notes article, therefore, recaps all the action involving Premier League players over the last week, as we bring you up to speed on the Copa America, Africa Cup of Nations, Gold Cup and the European Under-21 Championship.

Africa Cup of Nations

Egypt 2-0 DR Congo
Uganda 0-2 Egypt
Zimbabwe 0-4 DR Congo

The host nation have played twice since we last brought you an international round-up and went through to the round of 16 after back-to-back 2-0 wins.

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Aston Villa right-back Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.5m) got on the scoresheet in both matches, with both players lasting 90 minutes in each game (El Mohamady being substituted in stoppage time of the win over Uganda).

El Mohamady opened the scoring in the win over DR Congo, prodding home after Salah’s cross had caused panic in the opposition box.

The Liverpool winger then latched onto a pass from Trezeguet before finishing confidently to put the hosts 2-0 before the interval.

Salah had earlier saw an excellent chance deflected narrowly wide and had a free-kick saved.

Salah had better luck from a dead-ball situation in the win over Uganda, curling home a superb free-kick to put his country 1-0 up.

The advancing El Mohamady doubled the Pharaohs’ lead on the stroke of half-time with a drilled low shot after Salah had narrowly failed to connect with an Ayman Ashraf cross.

The Liverpool man was later thwarted by goalkeeper Denis Onyango when clean through on goal.

Mohamed Elneny (£4.5m) played 152 minutes across these two matches, while West Ham’s Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) was an unused substitute both in this fixture and in DR Congo’s 4-0 win over Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Egypt’s round of 16 match will take place this Saturday.

Senegal 0-1 Algeria

While Salah and Egypt are safely through to the last 16, Sadio Mane (£11.5m) and his Senegal side will have to get at least a draw against Kenya in their final group game on Monday night to ensure progression.

That’s because the Lions of Teranga fell to a 1-0 defeat to Algeria on Thursday, with Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) and co booking their place in the knockout rounds.

While not at his exhilarating best, Mane was still at the centre of most of what Senegal did.

The Liverpool winger provided the key passes for the only two shots that his nation had on target and headed over a corner with the last chance of the game.

Mane ought to have had a penalty in the second half, too, when he was sandwiched by two Algerian players.

Mahrez was quieter by comparison, narrowly missing the target with his one effort on goal in the 71st minute.

Cheikhou Kouyate (£5.0m) was deployed in defence by Senegal while Idrissa Gana Gueye (£5.0m) was an unused substitute.

Morocco 1-0 Ivory Coast

Having only made a cameo appearance off the bench in the win over South Africa, Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m) was an unused substitute as Ivory Coast fell to a 1-0 defeat to Morocco.

The Crystal Palace winger – reclassified as an FPL midfielder next season – played just over 20 minutes of football in his side’s opening two Africa Cup of Nations matches.

Zaha made the starting XI in the Ivory Coast’s final group fixture on Monday evening, however – we’ll have a write-up of that match later in the week.

Romain Saiss (£4.5m) was on the winning side as Morocco’s stay in Egypt was extended.

The Wolves defender cleared a Jonathan Kodjia (£5.5m) header off the line in the first minute, the Villa forward playing the whole 90 minutes for Ivory Coast up front but unable to add to his goal he scored against South Africa.

Serge Aurier (£5.0m) had provided the cross for that Kodjia effort but the Spurs right-back was forced off with a hamstring injury after 69 minutes and, according to the player himself, his tournament could be over.

The Spurs right-back position is one we’ll be monitoring over the summer, then, particularly if Aurier’s issue proves to be a serious one.

Nigeria 1-0 Guinea
Madagascar 2-0 Nigeria
Burundi 0-2 Guinea

Naby Keita‘s (£6.0m) Africa Cup of Nations could potentially be at an end, with the Liverpool midfielder lasting just 71 minutes of his country’s 1-0 defeat to Nigeria before being withdrawn.

Keita, who was making his first start for club or country since the beginning of May, reportedly aggravated his recurring thigh injury which subsequently caused him to miss Guinea’s 2-0 win over Burundi.

Although Guinea have sneaked into the knockout stages in third place, Keita has reportedly flown to Liverpool for treatment – though may well return to Egypt should the prognosis at Melwood be positive.

Nigeria also made it through to the round of 16 but only after a shock defeat to Madagascar.

Leon Balogun (£4.5m) played 180 minutes across these two matches but the Brighton centre-back was at fault for Madagascar’s first goal, allowing goalscorer Lalaïna Nomenjanahary to nip in when attempting to shield the ball on the edge of his box.

Substitute Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m) played a big part in the island nation’s second, fouling an opponent for a free-kick that was subsequently deflected in off the Leicester City man.

Ndidi had played the full 90 minutes of the win over Guinea, a match that Alex Iwobi (£6.0m) also started.

The Arsenal winger came close to breaking the deadlock in that game but saw a curling effort superbly saved.

Iwobi was thrown on as a 60th-minute substitute with Nigeria trailing Madagascar but couldn’t salvage any consolation for his country, who had, it must be said, already qualified from the group stage.

Cameroon 2-0 Guinea-Bissau
Ghana 2-2 Benin
Cameroon 0-0 Ghana

Gaetan Bong (£4.5m) was an unused substitute as Cameroon beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations opener, with the Brighton full-back playing the first 74 minutes of his country’s 0-0 draw with Ghana four days later.

Christian Atsu (£5.5m) was substituted with a hamstring injury after only 15 minutes of that stalemate with Cameroon, having lasted the distance in Ghana’s 2-2 draw with Benin.

The Newcastle United midfielder faces a scan on the problem but looks set to miss Ghana’s final group stage match against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.

Tunisia 1-1 Mali

Southampton new boy Moussa Djenepo produced a positive display in the 1-1 draw with Tunisia, his pace causing Mali’s opponents problems at the back and leading to eight fouls on the Saints’ winger.

Djenepo was replaced after 75 minutes.

Mali take on Angola on Tuesday in their final group game, with qualification looking likely.

Kenya 3-2 Tanzania

Victor Wanyama (£5.0m) played the full 90 minutes and picked up a booking as Kenya edged a five-goal thriller to keep alive their hopes of qualification to the round of 16.

Kenya may have to pick up at least a point against Senegal in their final group match to progress but can still qualify as one of the best-place third-place teams.

Copa America

Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (4-3 penalties)

Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) had 120-minute run-outs as Brazil edged past ten-man Paraguay on penalties.

Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m) had been sent off for felling Firmino on 58 minutes – an incident that saw a penalty award downgraded to a free-kick after VAR intervention – but despite racking up 26 shots on goal, the Selecao were unable to breach the Paraguayan defence.

Jesus fired a glorious chance wide after a Firmino knock down before Willian (£7.0m), on as a 71st-minute substitute, struck the upright with a low shot.

Alisson (£6.0m) had a comfortable evening as Paraguay, spearheaded by Miguel Almiron (£6.0m) in attack, could only muster one shot on target.

Ederson (£6.0m) was an unused substitute, while Fernandinho (£5.5m) wasn’t fit to feature because of a knee injury and Richarlison (£8.0m) missed out due to mumps.

Firmino missed his spot-kick in the shootout but Almiron, Willian and Jesus were all successful, the Manchester City striker scoring the decisive penalty to see Brazil through to a semi-final against Argentina on Tuesday.

Venezuela 0-2 Argentina

Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) claimed two assists to set up that aforementioned meeting with Brazil.

The Manchester City striker’s off-target drive was backheeled in by Lautaro Martinez for Argentina’s opener, before Venezuelan goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez spilled Aguero’s low shot to allow Giovani Lo Celso a simple finish.

The premium FPL forward was withdrawn after 85 minutes, having only had one other attempt on goal.

Juan Foyth (£5.0m) – suspended for Gameweeks 1 and 2 – and Nicolas Otamendi (£5.5m) were part of an Argentinean backline that was scarcely troubled by a Venezuela side featuring Salomon Rondon.

Roberto Pereyra (£6.0m) was an unused substitute.

Colombia 0-0 Chile (4-5 Penalties)

Yerry Mina (£5.5m), Davinson Sanchez (£5.5m) and Alexis Sanchez (£7.0m) all played 120 minutes in a quarter-final that Chile dominated.

Clear-cut chances were thin on the ground but Chile edged through to the last four after success in a penalty shootout, with Alexis scoring the decisive spot-kick.

Jefferson Lerma (£5.0m) was an unused substitute.

Uruguay 0-0 Peru (4-5 Penalties)

Lucas Torreira (£5.0m) emerged as a 57th-minute substitute and scored from the spot in the shootout in Salvador but the Arsenal midfielder will now head back to his club after Uruguay were seen off 5-4 on penalties.

Gold Cup

Mexico 1-1 Costa Rica (5-4 on penalties)

Raul Jimenez‘s (£7.5m) stay in the CONCACAF Gold Cup was extended as Mexico edged past Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.

For those worrying about the Wolves forward’s minutes over the summer, there was further concern as he endured a 120-minute run-out in Houston.

Jimenez scored his fourth goal of the tournament when putting his country ahead on 44 minutes, turning and shooting in the Costa Rican box after seeing an initial effort blocked.

The Mexican striker saw a tame spot-kick saved in the subsequent shootout but his country prevailed 5-4 on penalties, setting up a semi-final against Haiti on Tuesday night.

USA 1-0 Curacao

The USA are also through to the semi-finals of the Gold Cup after a narrow win over Curacao.

Christian Pulisic, who had been rested to the bench and only introduced as a second-half substitute in the dead rubber against Panama last week, played the full 90 minutes against Cuco Martina‘s Curacao in Philadelphia.

The influential Chelsea winger produced a superb bit of trickery on the left flank to cross for Weston McKennie to nod in from close range.

As usual, much of the USA’s play came through the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder and he himself had two presentable chances early on in the game.

The USA face Jamaica in the semi-finals on Wednesday night.

European Under-21 Championship

With England exiting at the group stage, there was limited interest from a Fantasy perspective in the semi-finals and final of the European Under-21 Championship.

Matteo Guendouzi (£4.5m), Leicester’s Alex Pascanu and Brighton’s Tudor Baluta all bowed out at the semi-final stage after starting for their respective countries, with Pascanu sent off for Romania in their 4-2 defeat to Germany.

The main draw was Pablo Fornals (£6.5m), who starred in Spain’s 4-1 semi-final win over France and claimed a superb assist (a cross with the outside of his boot) for his country’s fourth and final strike.

Having lasted the distance in an influential showing in the semis, Fornals was more peripheral in a 72-minute run-out in the final as his country secured a 2-1 win over Germany to lift the cup.

987 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Does anybody have any thoughts on this team?

    Ryan, Button
    TAA, AWB, Maguire, Mendy, Prödl
    KDB, Sterling, Mane, CHO, Neves
    DCL, Deulofeu, King.

    Would like to get a better keeper

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I would prefer to downgrade KDB, and upgrade Mane to Salah. I'd also revisit CHO, isn't he injured - I feel he's one for later on in the season. Neves is a CDM, and nothing more than that. I'd avoid AWB until we know how Utd start. Otherwise it's decent, I actually like the forward line. See what price Che Adams is and perhaps upgrade DCL to him.

    2. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Who is this ‘DCL’ chap?

      1. Worsle90
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Dominic Calvert-Lewin, old man. Of the Somerset Calvert-Lewins, I believe

        1. FPL Joker
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Thanking you.

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          😀

  2. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Trying to put together Kane/ Salah team. Decision really KDB plus 2.5m or Sterling! Thoughts on this side? (Think probably only after preseason and Charity Shield will it be possible to decide on KDB)

    Pickford
    Trippier Van Dijk Mendy Robertson
    Salah KDB Peréz Pereyra
    Kane King

    Stekelenburg Dendoncker Fredericks Xander Silva

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Like it

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

      I'm thinking Salah Kane KDB is the way to go too, very similar to my current draft.

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

    Pre-season starts on Saturday! Boreham Wood v Arsenal XI. Should be a close match.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Good to see you around mate! Can't wait for Nketiah to score a hattrick and find his way into some starting elevens around here.

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

        Pre-season is going to completely transform these RMTs 😆

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

          Never forget that week every team was full of Everton assets after their 22-0 pre season win.

  4. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    All I need from you good chaps is to know which are the two best midfielders and two best strikers to have sitting on the old bench, in the unlikely scenario that the little rapscallions will be called upon?

    Much obliged, old bean.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Dendoncker, Romeu

      Wickham, Nketiah (?)

      1. FPL Joker
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Much obliged. Can’t see the Arsenal whippet getting a game with arguably two of the best strikers in the league in front of him.

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

      I wouldn't worry about having a strong bench early on. Just 1 or 2 playing cheapies is fine until your 1st wildcard.

      1. FPL Joker
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        This is what I mean, old bean, who exactly are said ‘playing cheapies’?

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

      Dendoncker / Hayden / Stephens at 4.5. Jorginho / Kante / Rice/ Torreira, etc at 5 (mids). Don't think there are any playing 4.5/5.0 forwards although Shane Long at 5.0 may get some games...

      1. FPL Joker
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks ever so much.

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

    Evening,

    Been tinkering and came up with this 5-3-2. Feel that a defence-heavy team is the way to go this year.

    Appreciate your thoughts/comments. Thanks

    Guita
    Laporte - TAA - Robbo - Digne - Luiz
    Salah - Sterling - Fraser
    King - Deulofeu

    Button / Dendoncker - Hayden - Nketiah

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Welcome to the dark side brother. This one is different it’s good to see there is still variation amongst our 532s and yours is one of the coolest

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

      solid - would rather Heaton over Guaita (and keep the money ITB for potential Fraser/King/Deulo upgrade)

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

      Ha, thanks. Hadn't seen Guita in many teams and like the look of Crystal Palace fixtures early on. I think 532 / 523 will be popular this time.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I like the Fraser pick a bunch

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

      Yes, Burnley keeper could be an option, good shout.

  6. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Nailed it:

    Ryan Button
    Robbo TAA Digne Alderweireld Kelly
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Zaha 4.5
    Giroud King 4.5

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

      I quite like it. Giroud could be great value if he starts most games.

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

      There’s still ages to go mate

  7. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Does the noises coming From Zaha deal put anyone’s else off getting him, talk of him not training etc

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      This far out, not an issue 🙂

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Well CPL won’t sell him for less than half of their value of him. He can make a fuss all he likes at the end of the day he claims to be a fan of the club and they’ve given him everything so he can whinge all he likes. We had the same thing with Arnie last year but he came around eventually.
      I think the talks of no training is suspicious as he is away with Ivory Coast at AFCON but we can roll with it still

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Lol now he’s saying he an arsenal fan. Anyway arsenal need to get the money so I don’t Know what he’s expecting here

  8. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    1. Thoughts?
    2. Where to spend £0.5m..

    Ryan - Button

    VVD - TAA - Laporte - Mendy - Digne

    Salah - Sterling - Sigurdsson - Stephens - Dendoncker

    Jota - King - Janssen

    Any comments appreciated 😀

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

      I'd keep it in order to do Jota/King -> Giroud/Arnie or whatever after 2 weeks

    2. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Ryan>Fabianski maybe?

      Can't see anywhere else to upgrade with 0.5mil

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

      VVD to Robbo

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        True!

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

      Might get lucky and require Zinchenko instead of Mendy.

      Then Digne - - > Coleman would allow King - - > Wilson (a worthwhile upgrade imo)

  9. TATTOOED_2
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Anybody thinking there’s value in Matt Ritchie at 5.5m now he’s classed as a defender?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yes definitely, but not to start as the fixtures are awful

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/20387289

      When fixtures ease perhaps.

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      So much value mate. He will bail himself in my team if their new manager plays him on the wing or any other attacking position. Huge potential there along with set pieces and penalties

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

      I'll get him GW27 for his nice run...

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

        Or maybe GW10

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

    Apart from GW1 all the fixtures are kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday according to FPL. Is that right? Or are we waiting for news on which games are to be switched for the benefit of TV companies?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Erm.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The latter.

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The TV schedule for August/September will be announced on July 6th

  11. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Arnie or Giroud?

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

      West Ham or Chelsea?

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Hulk this

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

      Wait until pre-season is over. It may look like Abraham or Batshuayi is preferred to Giroud.

  12. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Really struggling to decide between KDB and Siggy. Have a draft with both, but then I'm reliant on a 4.5m defender playing every week and they need rotating...

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Siggy for me

  13. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Really love this team, what you guys think

    Lloris

    Robertson TAA Laporte Mendy Digne

    Salah KDB Siggy

    Jimenez King

    Fodder Jorginho first sub

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

      No Aguero/Sterling is scary

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Get you but I wouldn’t have any bother captaining Salah every gw and the defenders will chip in with attacking returns and cleansheets

  14. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Any problems with this?

    Lloris, Button
    AWB, TAA, Mendy, Schär, Prödl
    Mane, Sterling, Maddison, Sigurdsson, Armstrong
    Deulofeu, King, DCL

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

      Salah is worth the 1M over Mané. One expensive - ish attacker will add more flexibility, and the defence looks off

    2. Ultimo Campo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A Rafa-less Newcastle are going to need a few weeks of watching before getting any of their players I think...a few others could be transferred sideways to more assured / players on pens e.g. Mendy > Laporte, Mané > Salah...otherwise good!

  15. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Do people think sterling’s is essential can’t be covered by KDB, extra money goes along way

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Depends what you do with the extra

    2. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Remember Tevez at 9.5 and Aguero at 12 for the 12-13 season? Anyhow, I'm comparing apples and oranges...

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure I'd feel confident captaining De Bruyne too often.

      1. Sergeant Slaughter
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Exactly this

  16. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Shifted some players about and landed on this

    Ederson 4
    TAA Robertson Mendy Digne 4
    Brooks Salah Sterling Zaha 4.5
    Jota King 4.5

    Thoughts?

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

      Ederson + 4 goes to Ryan + Button
      Salah goes to Mane
      This enables Jota to Vardy.

  17. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A. Kane and Bilva

    B Kun and Jimenez

    1. danlynch13
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

    Obviously there is still ages to go, but I’ve been playing around and I’m loving the look of this team;

    Ryan
    Robbo VVD Mandy Awb Digne
    Salah Zaha Frazer
    Aguero Jimenez

    Button | Kante | Dendoncker | Xande

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Sound

  19. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Apologies if already posted, an interesting article highlighting two potential formations Man Utd could roll with during preseason.

    1. Neither formation features Sanchez (7.0m) nor Lukaku (8.5m).
    2. Both formations feature 5 at the back, utilising 3 central defenders and two wing backs, like so:

    Dalot - AWB - Smalling - Lindelof - Shaw

    This could potentially make Dalot and Shaw (Priced 5.0 and 5.5 respectively) very tempting additions should this formation come to fruition.

    I personally have a feeling United just might fix their defensive woes this season and with the price reductions in the squad in FPL, we could see some value.

    Manchester Evening News: The new Manchester United formation Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should trial in pre-season.
    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/new-manchester-united-formation-ole-16513028

    1. Riders of Yohan
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      If Dalot goes rwb that could be huge potential

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

      If Ole plays Sanchez, 7M is a bargain

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Absolute rubbish 😀

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Most likely but the prospect of Dalot as a 5.0 RWB is very tempting and can free up a chunk of my current premium 5 man defence.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I like the first comment where the guy says AWB is a LB and won’t be used on the right 😀

    4. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Dalot has apparently been told he can leave according to Fleet Street. So, this seems highly unlikely.

    5. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      What a load of crap

    6. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I like those formations a lot actually but they are too similar to the failure of last year

  20. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ederson
    VVD Robertson Digne
    Salah KDB BSilva Maddison Zaha
    King Deulofeu
    Button A.Smith Fredericks 4.5

    Obviously everything will change post pre season.. But ppl see value in defense I see value in the sub 8 mids and forwards due to the ability to capture their form. Kdb will become Son soon at the same price if he fails.. We d all want him in anyway so keeping a straight swap for him ready

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      And regards defense.. Apart from City, pool and Digne everyone else looks a bit iffy tbh.

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Coleman and a Spud maybe, but 4.5-5 range is a wasteland otherwise.

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Tbh it's basically Coleman, spuds, utd, Ritchie in the 5.5 and above range If you've maxed out on city and pool and don't want to double up with Digne. Until a few weeks pass that looks like a bit of a wasteland too 🙂

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            And Chelsea.. But again I'd rather wait and see with them too

    2. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Really, really like this. If going for a 3 atb scenario then this would be the way I think.

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thought about Coleman but I can already foresee the frustration owning 2 Everton defenders.. I want 2 City attackers too so can only get 1 defender from City and 2 from pool since I want Salah. I hate the options below 5.5 million but don't mind the 2 4.5s I have warming the bench if needed or coming on for a plum fixture if one of sub 7.0s have poor form and a tough fixture

    3. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Nice team Valar.

      Zaha is nicely priced but I haven't monitored his ACON progress.
      Same with Salah, just keep an ear out if he's being eased back in as unlikely as that is.

      Sterling an easy placeholder if needed.

      Think this is a solid team though.

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers Irish.. Yeah its more about structure than the actual players. I just love the sub 8.0 attackers this season. Made a slight adjustment and swapped Digne and BSilva for Mendy and Siggy and now I have a pool+ city defense I could trust for the season :)... I like Everton n all.. But they are Everton at the end of the day. Prefer an attacking option from them like Siggy and defenders from pool and city. How's your draft coming along?

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Oh 100%, the structure is essential at the start of the season to avoid an early wildcard. Part of the reason why I'm going for Kun is to spread the funds around, but you having two premium mids accomplishes similar.

          Yep I getcha, Everton are Everton (especially at the start of the season, historically not great other than last season).

          My draft is down below! Thinking of gambling on Everton but I'm wary. Still far from settled on my team.

    4. Alan Watts
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The thing with not having Sterling is once he starts putting in double figures scores, or 20+ scores might be difficult to get him in...

      1. Alan Watts
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Not so sure about structure at start of season - you have chance to optimise team for first 4-5 fixtures, and can then reassess......

  21. Riders of Yohan
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Help me find 0.5 from somewhere! Feedback also appreciated:

    Pickford / 4.0
    TAA / VVD / digne / Laporte / kelly
    Salah / sterling / siggy / Maddison / dendon
    King / deulofeu / nktiah

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

      Digne - Coleman?

      Laporte - Mendy?

      Pickford - Ryan?

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Oh nuts that’s mendy anyway

      2. Riders of Yohan
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks though! Think Ryan might be the way and keep Laporte

    2. Riders of Yohan
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Mendy*

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

      Bin Pickford

  22. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone considering Marcos Alonso? It will be interesting to see how Lampard uses him during pre-season.

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

      At the moment, I’m staying clear of chelsea

    2. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, depends on how he is preseason.

  23. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Do you gents think Solanke could start over King? He cost them a lot currency. Surely he’s going to start in place of King? I imagine last season he was just being bedded in...

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      No

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      If one of king or Wilson is sold or injured then yeah. They are undisputedly the first choice pairing solvable doesn’t come close

    3. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks. Consider me convinced, gentlemen.

  24. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this as a potential team that offers 3x Liv and City players and Kane?

    Ederson

    Robbo - VVD - Laporte - Lowton - C. Taylor

    Salah - Sterling - Townsend

    Kane - Murray

    Bench: Button - Dendoncker - Guendouzi - Greenwood

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

      Murray no, Townsend no, Taylor no, Lowton no

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

      Head explodes when they play each other answer Shaqiri and Gundongan score in a 1-1 draw!

    3. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Could be a high scoring GW1..... but probably not ...

  25. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Lloris
    Coleman VVD Holebas
    Sanchez Salah KDB Zaha
    King Kane Giroud
    S) Button Dendoncker Aarons Kelly

    Any thoughts please on this lot?

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

      Be interesting to see who the new Chelsea manager (Lampard) goes with as his first choice striker... he’ll have Giroud, Batshuayi, Morata and Abraham

      1. sandman58
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Giroud signed contract extension and Morata not coming back from Spain
        Abraham untested at premier league level....im confident a french world cup winning centre forward will start

        1. Dammed Utd
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Aye Giroud is steal at 7.0 million

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

      Love the Sanchez pick. Think he’ll be 3% or 30% owned by GW2.

      1. Dammed Utd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Man U will start slow

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Plus Sanchez is still at the Copa America. Even if he is first choice, which no one knows, he might not be ready for GW1.

          1. sandman58
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Coleman & Holebas
            or
            Digne & 4.5 def (which one?)

  26. FPL_WILDCARD
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on First draft?

    Alisson
    VVD, Laporte, C.Taylor, Rico
    Mane, Sterling, Sigurdsson
    Kane, Wilson, Long

    Bench: Button, Stephens, Dendoncker, Reid

  27. RomeluStormzy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    7 million midfielders look hard to pick from and look great value this year.
    Zaha, Madison, Willian, Anderson and potentially even Sanchez.

  28. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Which one of these 7m beauties would you have if you could choose just one?

    Arnie, Giroud, Anderson, Antonio, Sanchez, Willian, Pedro Zaha or Milivojevic?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Sanchez

      1. Scotty B
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Really? Why?

    2. Dammed Utd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Giroud or Zaha if he goes to Arsenal

      1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        A happy Zaha at CP would be a bargain at 7.0m
        IF Sanchez cements a place and actually shows up his 7.0 price tag would certainly be closer to 9.0 than 8.0 buy the end of the season (can’t see that happening really)

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

      Milli

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Has to be Luka 🙂

    4. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Sanchez and Zaha

    5. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Even Madisson if he signd for United

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Don't think that he would want to wreck his career by doing that.

  29. Irish Madridista ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    First draft:

    Heaton (wherever he goes)
    TAA - Coleman - Digne - Robertson
    Fraser - Siggy - Sterling - Brooks
    Delboy - Kun

    (4.0 - 4.0 - 4.5 - 4.5... woo)

    0.5 itb to do Sterling -> Salah if needed

    Watchlist:
    Bilva, Vardy, VvD, Allison

    1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Very rare sterling/Kun combo plus 3xEve 2xLiv 2xBou could be an explosive GW1 score for you or a pile of toot. GL

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers!

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

      I can’t comprehend a £13m outfield bench picking up 2 points max.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Bench points don't actually give you real points.

      2. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        So long as they stay on my bench they can get 0 points for all I care haha

        I've been burned by having a solid bench on multiple occasions in the past, trying something different (at least to start) this season. Can't see any of my starting 11 not appearing in GW1, although Brooks and Delboy may change to someone safer.

        Hoping one of my three bench duds turns into something solid that'll pick up value too.

  30. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Do I think this is unchangeable? No.
    Am I happy with every individual for now. Pretty much yea.
    Any suggestions, please and thank you. Keeping in mind I'll hold WC if possible but usually use it around GW4-6.

    Pickford
    TAA - Van Dijk - Coleman - Zinchenko*
    Salah - Sterling - Sigurdsson - Jorginho
    Vardy - King

    *will change if not looking proper nailed.