Pre-Season

Budget FPL defenders hard to find in 2019/20

Fantasy Premier League managers looking for this season’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) probably wouldn’t have been too inspired upon the game’s relaunch in late June.

A budget defender is a prized commodity in the Fantasy world, particularly when we are trying to accommodate as many premium assets as possible.

There are no underpriced gems that are immediately apparent in the £4.0m bracket, although pre-season can often throw up a name to consider from this select group – as was the case with Wan-Bissaka 12 months ago.

There is more choice in the £4.5m rung as we hunt for the next Matt Doherty (£6.0m) but there are still plenty of names to sift through and disregard in this price band, too.

Finding the best cut-price options at the back is something we’ll be doing in the article below as we look at all 76 defenders currently listed below the £5.0m mark.

The £4.0m Enablers

Martin Kelly (right) was used as an emergency centre-back by Roy Hodgson last season

At the time of writing, there are 13 defenders priced up at £4.0m.

Martin Kelly (£4.0m) saw the most Premier League minutes among this baker’s dozen last season and indeed he is currently the most-owned defender in his price band, sitting in more than one in five FPL squads.

Kelly started all of Palace’s final seven fixtures and made 13 appearances in all.

Each of those run-outs came at centre-half, however, as he filled in for the injured James Tomkins (£5.0m) and/or Mamadou Sakho (£5.0m).

Any Fantasy manager hoping that Kelly will be given the nod to replace Wan-Bissaka at right-back might be disappointed, then, with Joel Ward (£4.5m) having deputised in that position last season in the games that the new £50m Manchester United signing missed.

There also seems a good chance that Roy Hodgson will use some of the cash from that sale to bolster his options at full-back.

Kelly could still start the season in the Palace starting XI should Sakho or Tomkins not recover but long-term the prospects don’t look great for regular minutes.

At Bournemouth, Diego Rico‘s first-team opportunities (£4.0m) look bleak following the capture of Lloyd Kelly (£4.5m) while Jack Simpson (£4.0m) may very well be fourth-choice centre-half when the Cherries have a full complement of stoppers fit. Kelly, indeed, can also play centrally.

Ben Gibson (£4.0m) had just one league run-out last season but may only be a Ben Mee or James Tarkowski (both £5.0m) injury away from a stint in the first team: Mee was an ever-present last season, with Tarkowski missing just three games.

Max Kilman, Grant Hanley and Winston Reid (all £4.0m) are further down the centre-half pecking orders at their respective clubs, although Nuno Espirito Santo had positive things to say about Kilman in April:

Max is 100 percent integrated into the squad. He’s improving. We try an individual approach with him, trying to, first of all, get him better as an athlete. That includes a lot of aspects – nutrition, gym.

And then we integrate him into a full training session with the first team, because playing and training with us will improve his level.

He’s gradually improving and he will have his chance, for sure. He will have his chance.

Former Wolves stopper Richard Stearman (£4.0m) is currently the backup option for John Egan (£4.5m) in the Sheffield United backline, while John Lundstram (£4.0m) has been classed as a defender despite being a central midfielder by trade.

We are unlikely to see much of the tough-tackling Lundstram, though, given that he has not started a single league match in 2019 and indeed struggled to make the match-day squad in the second half of last season.

Watford duo Marc Navarro and Sebastian Prodl (both £4.0m) each failed to clock up more than 100 minutes of Premier League football last season and are some way down the pecking order in their respective positions, while youngster Ben Johnson (£4.0m) was only called on by West Ham after an injury crisis at right-back in Gameweek 28.

Academy product Kayne Ramsay (£4.0m) only had one run-out for Southampton last season and will be hoping for more of a look-in this year, given Ralph Hasenhuttl’s record for placing trust in his youth team players.

The possible switch to a 4-2-2-2 (Hasenhuttl having mostly used a three-man central defence last season) would seem to further impinge on his first-team chances, however.

‘Big Six’ Backups

Rob Holding’s season was ended at Old Trafford in December

Konstantinos Mavropanos and Carl Jenkinson (both £4.5m) made only five starts between them last season and would seem unlikely to be challenging for a first-team place at Arsenal come Gameweek 1, although Crystal Palace have reportedly been linked with a move for Jenkinson as they seek a replacement for Wan-Bissaka.

Rob Holding (£4.5m) is still making his way back from a long-term knee injury but could be one to watch when fully fit, given that he had racked up nine straight starts before rupturing an ACL in December.

That said, Arsenal’s defensive record requires serious improvement from last season – particularly away from home, where they kept fewer clean sheets than any other Premier League side.

Davide Zappacosta (£4.5m) could depart Stamford Bridge this summer but if he stays and Chelsea are unable to recruit, then the Italian right-back may only be a Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) injury away from offering Fantasy managers a budget route into the Blues’ backline.

That’s easier said than done, of course, given that Azpilicueta has made at least 37 top-flight appearances in each of the last four seasons.

Reece James (not priced up by FPL) is another option at right-back, meanwhile, although is currently recovering from an ankle injury.

All of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur’s defenders are priced at £5.0m or higher.

Newly Promoted Options

‘Overlapping centre-back’ Jack O’Connell scored three goals and registered three assists last season

All bar one of the defenders representing Sheffield United, Norwich City and Aston Villa cost less than £5.0m in FPL.

The exception is the Blades’ attack-minded wing-back Enda Stevens (£5.0m), who banked four goals and six assists last season.

Jack O’Connell, John Egan and Chris Basham (all £4.5m) were United’s regular centre-halves in manager Chris Wilder’s 3-4-2-1, with O’Connell and Basham given license to overlap in this unique system.

George Baldock (£4.5m) ousted Kieron Freeman (£4.5m) from the right wing-back position midway through last season, although one goal and two assists says much about the difference between him and Stevens.

This position might very well be one that Wilder looks to reinforce this summer, too.

With 15 clean sheets in their final 23 games last season (21 shut-outs in all), the Blades had the best joint-best defensive record in the English second tier.

Norwich City’s offensive full-backs Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis (both £4.5m) are the obvious draw at Carrow Road, although the Canaries’ troubling defensive record (57 goals conceded and just 13 clean sheets) last season and tricky-looking opening five fixtures will be a deterrent.

Ben Godfrey (£4.5m) is a goal threat at centre-half alongside Christoph Zimmermann (£4.5m), with Timm Klose (£4.5m) having lost his place in the second half of 2018/19.

The Villans are short of numbers at the back after relying heavily on the loan market last season.

Axel Tuanzebe and Tyrone Mings (price TBC) have returned to their parent clubs, having ended the season as Villa’s first-choice centre-half pairing.

James Chester (£4.5m) was a regular before February but didn’t play in his side’s final 20 fixtures and has since admitted that the knee injury that sidelined him is one he will have to manage for the rest of his career.

Dean Smith has recruited Kortney Hause and Matt Targett (£4.5m) already, which will dent Neil Taylor‘s (£4.5m) first-team chances at left-back.

Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.5m), who scored two goals and registered eight assists last season, is perhaps the pick of Villa’s defenders from a Fantasy perspective but Smith will surely reinforce the right-back position this summer too after the departure of Alan Hutton.

El Mohamady has already scored twice for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations but will arrive back to the Midlands late in pre-season as a result of his involvement in the tournament.

You can read much more detailed reports on these three teams’ defensive options in the articles linked below.

READ MORE: Our guide to Norwich City defenders
READ MORE: Our guide to Sheffield United defenders
READ MORE: Our guide to Aston Villa defenders

Top-Half Assets

Ruben Vinagre made only seven league starts in 2018/19

Three of the ‘non-big six’ sides who finished in the top half last season have defenders available at £4.5m but they are a mixed bag at best.

Caglar Soyuncu and Wes Morgan (both £4.5m) will likely be backup options to Harry Maguire (£5.5m) and Jonny Evans (£5.0m), although the two Manchester clubs are said to be circling around Maguire this summer.

Christian Fuchs (£4.5m) won’t see much game-time, meanwhile, with new recruit James Justin (£5.0m) able to deputise at left-back should Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) pick up an injury.

Romain Saiss and Ruben Vinagre (both £4.5m) are two cut-price options at Wolves.

Vinagre, in particular, would appeal should there be an injury picked up by Matt Doherty (£6.0m) or Jonny (£5.5m).

Saiss played at both centre-half and central midfield last season, although was never a ‘nailed’ prospect in either position and made only 12 starts.

All of West Ham’s defenders apart from Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) are available at £4.5m or less.

Their cut-price availability is for good reason, though: only relegated Huddersfield and Fulham kept fewer clean sheets than the Hammers (seven) last season, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side shipping 55 goals in the process.

Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m) would appear to be the first-choice centre-back pairing, with Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m) next in line.

Balbuena had more efforts in the box than any of his teammates last season, despite only making 23 appearances due to injury.

Uncertainty over the full-back positions dents the appeal of Arthur Masuaku, Pablo Zabaleta, Ryan Fredericks (all £4.5m) and Cresswell, although Fredericks is surely the long-term right-back solution with Zabaleta turning 35 midway through next season.

All of Everton’s defenders are priced at £5.0m and above.

Eagles and Magpies

Jamaal Lascelles has dropped in price having failed to find the net last season

Of the sides we have not yet discussed, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are the two who had the best defensive records in the Premier League last season based on goals conceded (48 and 53) and clean sheets registered (11 and 12).

Rafael Benitez’s exit and Newcastle’s awful opening run of fixtures is an immediate turn-off, however.

Uncertainty over their new manager’s preferred personnel and formation also abound, although Jamaal Lascelles looks the pick of the bunch at £4.5m.

Javier Manquillo and the injured DeAndre Yedlin (both £4.5m) will do battle again for the right-back slot, while the likes of Florian Lejeune, Paul Dummett, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark (all £4.5m) offer Benitez’s replacement – if not Fantasy managers – plenty of options at centre-half.

Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) and Fabian Schar (£5.0m)’s increased goal and assist threat has seen those two players priced higher, with Ritchie a possible ‘out of position’ asset to watch in 2019/20.

Joel Ward and Scott Dann (both £4.5m) were very much backup options at Selhurst Park last season and only deputised in their respective positions when injuries mounted.

Hodgson will surely look to reinforce his defence over the summer following Wan-Bissaka’s departure, with Ward no doubt hoping that Palace draw a blank in the transfer market as he appears to be next in line at right-back.

Dann will be primed for a start in Gameweek 1 should Mamadou Sakho and/or James Tomkins (£5.0m) fail to recover from injury but his long-term Fantasy appeal isn’t great.

The Rest

Lewis Dunk has remained at £4.5m in FPL this season but Shane Duffy’s price has risen

Watford were the only club not to keep a clean sheet in the final 12 Gameweeks of the season and conceded more big chances than any other team in that time.

Interest in the Hornets’ backline may be lukewarm, then, although matches against Brighton, West Ham and Newcastle appeal in the opening four Gameweeks.

The sheer number of defenders available to Javi Gracia (there are ten listed in FPL) is off-putting, while the two who may offer the best chance of attacking returns – Craig Dawson and Jose Holebas – will cost £5.0m.

Craig Cathcart (£4.5m) did score three goals from centre-half and made more top-flight appearances than any of Watford’s defenders last season but faces competition for his place from Adrian Mariappa, Christian Kabasele (both £4.5m), Dawson and, to a lesser extent, Prodl.

Adam Masina (£4.5m) was mostly a backup to Holebas in 2018/19 while Daryl Janmaat and Kiko Femenia (both £4.5m) interchanged at right-back – if one of those two can nail down a starting spot ahead of Gameweek 1 then they may stoke modest interest, given their attacking mindsets.

Bournemouth and Southampton’s home fixtures interchange perfectly this season and each south coast club have defensive options available at £4.5m.

Southampton centre-backs Maya Yoshida, Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek (all £4.5m) scored only one goal between them last season, however, while only Huddersfield kept fewer clean sheets than the Saints in the 23 matches that Hasenhuttl oversaw.

Bournemouth duo Simon Francis and Charlie Daniels (both £4.5m) are currently recovering from long-term knee injuries so fellow full-backs Lloyd Kelly and Adam Smith (both £4.5m) may well be in line to start in Gameweek 1.

The pair registered only three attacking returns between them last season, however.

The Cherries’ first seven fixtures are among the best in the division although they have never been a defensively sound side: Eddie Howe’s troops have conceded at least 60 goals in each of their four seasons in the Premier League, with 2018/19’s tally of 70 goals against their worst ever in the top flight.

Somehow, though, they kept ten clean sheets last season.

Chris Mepham is another option at £4.5m but will have to oust Nathan Ake or Steve Cook (both £5.0m) at centre-half first.

Burnley are another club who can be paired in a rotation: the Clarets’ home fixtures dovetail neatly with Aston Villa’s.

Phil Bardsley and Matthew Lowton (£4.5m) will tussle for the right-back slot but offer little in the way of attacking threat, while Kevin Long (£4.5m) will again provide backup at centre-half.

Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) is a possible prospect from Gameweek 5 onwards, with the Burnley left-back – an ever-present in 2018/19 – ranking joint-seventh among FPL defenders for completed crosses last season.

Those crosses only translated into one assist, however, so his low price tag is warranted.

Brighton, who fare well on our Season Ticker in the opening half-dozen Gameweeks, complete our look at budget defenders.

Shane Duffy has risen to £5.0m following his five-goal campaign in 2018/19, leaving Lewis Dunk as the stand-out option in the £4.5m bracket.

Dunk himself registered three attacking returns last season but a lack of clean sheets (only seven for Brighton) meant that he again failed to crack the 100-point mark in FPL.

Deputy centre-halves Matthew Clarke and Leon Balogun are also available at £4.5m.

Full-back rotation was rife last season, with not one of Martin Montoya, Bernardo or Gaetan Bong (all £4.5m) making more than 24 starts or registering more than one assist each.

Graham Potter’s arrival could change the landscape at the Amex, of course, with the former Swansea boss bringing a more attack-minded mindset to the south coast.

826 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is anyone considering Grealish? At 6m I think he frees up a bit of money that you might spend elsewhere.

    Current team is

    Ryan (Button)

    Robbo Van Laporte Coleman (Kelly)

    Salah Sterling Fraser Zaha (4.5)

    King Jiminez (4.5)

    Was thinking of dropping Salah to Mane and Fraser to Grealish freeing up 2.5m

    Would use that to upgrade King to Wilson and get a bench player that actually plays.

    Any thoughts chaps?

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Don't talk yourself into this.

    2. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Can actually upgrade Coleman to Digne and then get Kante in as a sub for saftey

  2. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Who will Man City’s starting midfield battery consist of from Fernandinho, D Silva, KDB, Rodri, Gundogan?

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I feel most of the matches still Fernandinho, DSilva and KDB

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fernandinho to start with Rodri gradually replacing him as he gets familiar with the system. KdB, Dilva and occasionally Gundog and Foden ahead of him.

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hard to know, there will be rotation. I suspect Rodri will be in the 11, replacing Fernandinho, before long. CM's De Bruyne and then David Silva, Gundogan or Foden sharing minutes.

  3. thorvaldsson
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Why not Giroud?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not enough info yet. If he becomes first choice then he’s a great pick but many doubt he will be

      1. thorvaldsson
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'll reevaluate. Thanks.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No reason not to leave him in for now if you want him, we should know by the time we kick off who is first choice

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Bats could be the one.

  4. Kimmich
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Looking for opinions, thanks in advance.

    Ryan
    Robertson - Diane - AWB
    Salah - Siggy - Zaha - Perez
    Aubameyang - Wilson - Giroud

    Button - Kelly - Fredericks - Dendoncker

    1. Kimmich
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      *Digne

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      wow no City at all...the first team I've seen 🙂

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Why AWB?

    4. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wilson to King for starters.....
      AWB can then become VVD or LaPorte
      I'd also ditch Auba and Giroud - for maybe a 6.5 and fodder to get Sterling in,

  5. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Seeing so many drafts on here with Man City players but without even one playing substitute. We all know Pep’s rotation will hurt us all at some point so surely playing subs is a must?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I've got Foden and I'm getting beat up over it. 🙂

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Considering it myself. If he doesn’t stat he will get plenty of sub appearances and he will be the main beneficiary of Silva being phased out

      2. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        ...and we haven't even started on the Origi pick.... 🙂

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No one else is factoring the possibility of Salah, Mane and Firmino being rested for GW1. If just one of them is, Origi's in. Even if not, he's a demon supsub with a late goal in him. And he's CHEAP!

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            He's been in my team and he may still make it for the very reason you mention.
            Currently on DCL but the 0.5mill would come in handy.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not if you are likely to wild card early. Peps rotation usually means a sub appearance anyway

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Dendoncker looks to have secured a spot in midfield, no?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I wouldn't say nailed, but he should see plenty of gametime.

    4. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’m currently on KDB and Laporte.
      My thinking is that if both are fit then they surely are more immune to Peps rotation than some of their counterparts...

    5. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'm aiming at hopefully 2 playing subs, definitely at least 1

  6. Our Tiny Windows
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I’m trying to be pragmatic enough to go 5 at the back and stick to it.

    Alisson
    VVD AWB digne Mendy Trippier
    Salah Bernardo Zaha
    Aguero Giroud

    seems to work and I have Kante first on bench.

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Rather have Siggy/Fraser over Bernardo, but like the team overall

  7. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone tempted by tom heaton as a set and forget. Decent price at 4.5

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson enters the chat

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think whoever out of Heaton or Pope gets the gloves for Burnley will be a better pick than Ryan.

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Agree.
        I’m currently on Ryan until we get a clearer idea during pre season...

    3. Kante FC
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Was first choice keeper for the 2nd half of last season. One thing that is stopping a lot of people from picking him is that he turned down a new contract offer and only has one year left on his current deal. Pope has signed a new long term contract so might be first choice.

    4. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Tempted, yes.

    5. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes; that’s what I have at the moment. Burnley’s defence so much more secure with him between the sticks plus no Europa league to worry about.

    6. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, Burnley keepers have been great in the past.

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Good thing about Ryan is you can get his deputy for £4m though. A Ryan and Burnley rotation works quite well so I might go with that but if just going for the one than I would think the Burnley keeper will outscore Ryan.

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I think Burnley tend to concede a lot of long range shots so the goalkeeper there has a higher percentage of easier saves to make.

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

    Set-Piece FC

    Ryan
    TAA Digne Trippier
    Salah KDB Siggy Mili
    Vardy King Ings

    Ritchie on the bench + 0.5m ITB

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think Mili could be a good shout

      1. Queenofthestoneage
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Depends on Zaha

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Not so sure that Zaha matters quite so much this season with VaR/ new hand ball rule.

          Mili doesn’t miss penalties

          1. Queenofthestoneage
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            True!

    2. Markus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah he underscored last season for sure (eg difference with expected assists which isn't exactly his fault, probably mainly jesus). It's just frustrating that a more advanced position doesn't seem to have boosted his output. Would have to look at exact games/heatmaps/touches to understand that better as does seem strange n can't quite get my head around it

      1. Markus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Reply fail

  9. Markus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any reason why bilva doesn't seem to increase his output playing rw in comparison to midfield? (in fact went down in terms of both goals and Assists per 90) it seems counter-intuitive and puts me off owning him this year when he will probably play more in that position with the wealth of other midfield options?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He's the archetypal assist-to-the-assister. Pep loves him, he mkes things tick, but he just isn't a great FPL asset.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hmm, I reckon he’ll increase his output again this year though, he could make a mockery of that price tag.

      1. Markus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah he underscored last season for sure (eg difference with expected assists which isn't exactly his fault, probably mainly jesus). It's just frustrating that a more advanced position doesn't seem to have boosted his output. Would have to look at exact games/heatmaps/touches to understand that better as does seem strange n can't quite get my head around it

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah, didn’t City’s overall goals scored take a drop in the run in though? When they’re putting teams to the sword again then he could be gold.

          1. Markus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah you're right in run in when they scored on average 10% less as a team. Only notable hammering was vs Chelsea, but he didnt have a shot in that game!

  10. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Team A or B?

    A)
    Ryan, (Button)
    Mendy, TAA, Digne, (Diop, Kelly)
    KDB, Salah, Mané, Zaha, (Dendoncker)
    Deulofeu, King, DCL

    B)
    Ryan, (Button)
    Mendy, TAA, Digne, (Diop, Kelly)
    KDB, Sterling, Mané, Zaha, (Dendoncker)
    Giroud, King, DCL

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Salah & Deulofeu

      Vs

      Mane & Giroud

      A) for me (until we get more giroud info at least)

      1. Worsle90
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Salah or Sterling, yes

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Oops - my bad, I’d go B instead then

          1. Worsle90
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks, will wait to see if Giroud sways it

  11. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone going without Bournemouth assets?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Probably me.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm surprised, what's your thinking ?

    2. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      At least one for first 2 GWs (SHU, AVL), I’d say

      1. Worsle90
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wilson, King and Brooks for me....one of us will be off to a bad start.

  12. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) VVD and Siggy
    B) TAA and Maddison

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Longiss
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    4. Zale
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

  13. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Milivojevic or King?

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      King. Both penalty takers but many more goals in open play from the latter

      1. Queenofthestoneage
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thx!

    2. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      King

  14. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    El Ghazi (Villa) could be a steal at 5.5mid

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Watching him for the first few tough Villa GWs. Not selected until tested

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      So inconsistent, but he did improve as the season went on. Massive step up for him tho.

    3. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      who for 5.5 then?

      1. Worsle90
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        4th or 5th mid?

      2. EgyptianKing
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Not many options in that range.

        Djenepo may be an alternative

  15. Greyhead
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Off topic and asking for a friend but if anyone stumbles across Ville Ronka’s team ID then let me know. Ta.

  16. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Are there any stats on what captaining the top captaincy poll choice would have garnered last season? Also, how much do top 10k teams typically collect in captaincy points over a season?

    Trying to compare to whether a perma cap on Salah is better or worse.

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I never understood why people captain the leader of the FFS poll; nor putting it on the same player every week. Where’s the fun in that?

  17. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Why the lack of ownership for Aubameyang? He was joint golden boot winner last season and is cheaper than Aguero, Sterling, Salah, Mane. The guy is guarenteed points and great value for money!

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Arsenal

    2. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. Templatitis

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Arsenal.

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

      Are any premium players 'great value for money' when they are not your captain?
      I've owned him for periods for the last two seasons and probably will do against some point but I'd rather just have one premium player from the start.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yes, Robbo, TAA and VVD.

        Re. Auba - just read today's article here on FFS to see why he's not a popular option.

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          In my mind premium means £10m+, I have all three Liverpool defenders because, as you say, they are good value.

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Having both Sterling and Salah is good insurance (and points) when the one you don’t captain smashes it. Much worse no owning

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Good point

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yet they were all better options than him last season.

    6. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Auba or Laca are now in my provisional side. They gave 2 great opening fixtures whereas Kane has no Son and City. In theory I bring Kane in in week 3

      Sterling did not outperform Auba last season before Auba got rotated - and I don’t see that as a risk in weeks 1 and 2

    7. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He’s too risky to captain, and for that price you want to be comfortable in giving him the armband.

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Why is he too risky to captain?
        He scored over 200 points last season.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I speak from experience in owning him for long periods last season. Same with KDB teo seasons back. Perhaps I was just unlucky.

  18. Zale
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ryan / Button
    VVD - Coleman - Adam.Smith/Diop/El.Mohamady
    KDB - Richarlison - Siggy - Mane - 4.5
    Kane - Giroud - King

    Still deciding on doubling up on Richarlison and Siggy, alternatives are short term on Moura or even Shaqiri
    Or maybe upgrading on the 4.5 to make a rotational pair from 12.5m, or upgrade on 3rd DF
    Pretty much fixed on my fowards, got the coverage i would like to have

    Thoughts?

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

      Article is wrong about Elmo - we have already signed a right back and Elmo's time in the team will probably be limited. Matt Targett is the better pick for Villa.

      1. Zale
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        ah i see.. havent been following too much as of now, still awaiting pre-season, had some doubts on elmo due to AFCON cup as well, Targett it is.

        Cheers!

  19. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    How does this look...

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Coleman Zinchenko(tbc)
    Salah KDB Sigurdsson Perez
    Kane King

    Button Kelly Dendoncker Nketiah

  20. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Based on what we have seen if VAR so far in major competitions with varied results, who thinks it is a good thing for football? I have my reservations regarding it’s impact on excitement and atmosphere, aswell as the fact it still comes down to human interpretation therefore not even 100% reliable. Interested to hear what you think x

    1. Lebowski85
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Overall it's been successful...in that there are few bad decisions going through & ultimately the game is fairer for it.

      However, what makes football the greatest and most unique live sport in the world is the spontaneous, tribal and collective feeling of euphoria that can be experienced.

      This is already massively diluted by VAR. Moments of magic being awarded after 5 minutes delay...or even worse, taken away.

      I think it's a good thing for the game to be fairer. Will it be as entertaining. No chance.

      Those moments that stay with you a lifetime will be rarer

      1. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I mean....the 'second' goal England scored last night could have led to victory, inspired a country & led a generation of women to pick up the sport.

        It was rightly disallowed....but what could have been a memory of a lifetime, becomes a nothing incident in a routine performance for the USA

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          It’s like a door to a parallel universe isn’t it x

    2. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hate it. Kills the flow of the game. Feel like football will turn into NFL where VAR-reviews will be filled with commercials. Looks so silly when the referee runs to a fkn TV and then comes back and makes some icehockey looking gesture

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It's like cancelling Brexit - young people are for it, old people are against it.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I’m young but I love boris Johnson. He’s buffoon enough to think that he can get a new deal with the EU even though they don’t have a commission to negotiate with until the 1st of November (which is why our deadline is 31st October). He’ll then try and take us out on no deal as he promised but has underestimated the power of human being MPs who won’t let him for obvious reasons

    4. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Just another step towards automation of the game. Goaline technology started it, there will be no stopping it. Not until everyone is absolved from any blame.

      As someone who attends games this notion that tv pundits complain and whine about everyone in the ground is unclear on what is happening or it takes too long is utter tosh.

      It doesn't matter wether it is good or bad. It is happening!

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Just because happening doesn’t mean we can’t end it ! Look at what we’re doing to brexit x

        1. Bun Rab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Making a complete ass hat out of it?! Haha.

          Football changes year on year, wether it's outlawing a kind of tackle or changing points for draws or rewarding goals.

          There are a bunch of other rules changing this season too https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/new-rule-changes-english-football-2019-20-season-handball-penalties-celebrations/

          I guess i'm saying it's not good or bad. It's just progress. Though still being booked for a goal celebration when the goal is changed on VAR is kinda funnny.

    5. Robin Cook
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It's an improvement to the game. It's never going to be 100% correct. Of course there will be decisions that will be hotly debated. And the process still can be improved. But it's a great tool for referees. It's such an incredible job to do. (very easily to criticise them from a fan pov.)
      If VAR is not clearly showing a scene, refs should stick with original decisions but it will be very easy to spot very obvious dives etc. - As a result, players behaviour will change as they know it will be punished e.g. a clear foul in the penalty box or a clear dive. And as a result of that, young kids will see and copy less of the big dives to win penalties. It's a step to change the culture of football, even though it has it's limitation and only is a step in the right direction.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I know this is how it seems on paper but it isn’t this simple is it. When the referee has to make the decision they have 10s of thousands screaming at them it is too much pressure I think to make rational decisions

        1. Robin Cook
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          The pressure from a home ground during VAR is the same as during a penalty appeal during the match. The pressure may be even less when it's clear offside situation etc.

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

      Sadly the initial essence of VAR has already disappeared in the microscopic examination of the referrals. What happened to 'Clear and Obvious', seems to have been lost and now all those little jobs worth's are on top of it and making decisions based on micro examination. I agree spontaneous emotions will be killed off and football as we know it will die a slow but bureaucratic death just like everything else in this over regulated world.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        We’ll find a way to make it liberating cheer up Dave Kent is a nice place to live x

    7. OLDHERMAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers from Italy. Hard to answer, honestly. Last Serie A season saw no less than 18 VAR errors - 8 regarding penalties erroneously conceded or denied and 5 regarding red cards erroneously given or not. So you're right, 100% of reliability remains a dream. Nonetheless, of 1.984 episodes verified by the VAR assistant, only 121 has determined a review that stopped the game, and sometimes the "atmosphere" has even increased. Anyhow, I believe Premier League is such a wonderful show that it shoud have been kept as it was, even accepting that the avg. quality of PL referees is mediocre, and believe me it definitely is.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I like your point of increased atmosphere. During the World Cup it did excite me this new fancy feature but as time has worn on I am increasingly able to only see it’s flaws. Mistakes slipping through at such a rate in such an advanced, interrupting solution isn’t good enough for me

    8. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like it. If it reduces all the holding ar corners by half it will be worth it.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This is true it is very annoying

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

        Well if it cut out all the cheating, which is not even part of the brief, it would be better. Pathetic rolling around holding heads for example when its absolutely clear and obvious on multiple replays from numerous angles that contact was in a place from the shoulder downwards and that's the tip of the iceberg. Players staying down to try and stop the game, taking a moment to look up and see if they are getting the attention they expect, where that is not forthcoming they make miraculous recoveries and sprint to defend or attack as is necessary. One could go on but to no end, to me cheating is the worst aspect of the game, its intentional to try and gain an advantage and surely that's unsportsmanlike behaviour that should be eradicated from the game. These are strong highly trained and conditioned athletes who don't flinch going into crunching tackles but who roll around like they have been pole axed if they think it could gain an advantage. VAR could be great if it was used with discretion bearing in mind the pace and the spirit of the game, end of rant i will say no more.

  21. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts on the full English?

    Heaton, (Button)
    TAA, Walker, Trippier, Shaw, (Kelly)
    Sterling, Maddison, Alli, (Foden, Stephens)
    DCL, Kane, Vardy

  22. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best upgrade with a spare 0.5

    A) Mendy to Laporte
    B) VVD to TAA
    C) Ings to a 6.5 fwd (not King)

    1. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      C
      Mendy if first choice can be as good as Taa/Robbo

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A unless Mendy is 1st choice, in that case C.

  23. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Didn't Klose lose his place in the Norwich side due to injury?

  24. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    What will you prefer ?
    Bernardo Vardy in 3-4-3 OR
    Fraser KDB 3-5-2

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B&V for me.

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

    This article is inaccurate about Vill at right back - they have *already* signed Frederic Guilbert, he just isn't in FPL yet. He is very likely to be Villa's first choice right back and I would not recommend Elmo as a pick. Matt Targett is your best Villa defender now.

  26. Seano
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please:
    Begovic (Ryan)
    Van Dijk, Laporte, Digne, Robertson (Kelly)
    DeBruyne, Zaha, Salah, (Perez, James)
    Deulofeu, King, Jota

  27. okan58
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    My current team.

    Alisson
    Wan-Bissaka - Van Dijk - Ake
    Salah - Bernardo - Dele - Zaha
    Rashford - Wilson - Jimenez
    Subs: Button, Kelly, Lascelles and Dendoncker.

    What would you say to Mane for Salah and Vardy for Wilson? Would it be better or not?

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think it would, marginally.

      1. Worsle90
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Although I’d do Wilson to King, Rashford to Vardy and Alli to KDB

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would start with Salah & Wilson. Those early fixtures look too good to pass on.

    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I don’t think it would be better. Salah and Wilson for me, although I don’t see much in it.

      1. okan58
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        What do you think about the team in general?

        - You do not have to say much to Alisson. The best and has a good defense in front of him.
        - You do not have to say much about Van Dijk.
        - Wan Bissaka for 5.5 a very good price.
        - Ake is a decent defender. For 5.0 you can not go wrong.
        - You do not have to say much to Salah.
        - Zaha for the price a must.
        - If Eriksen leaves, then Dele will play in his main position and become very, very important to Tottenham.
        - Bernardo is an important player for Pep Guardiola. Is set and can always earn a stake.
        - Jimenez a must for the price.
        - Wilson is a good scorer. Price can be discussed, but it is absolutely fine.
        - Rashford was almost always in the starting lineup last season. I'm optimistic about that.

        Replacement is not that important.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Alisson. & VVD - I would much rather TAA and Robertson
          - Wan Bissaka - could be great but I don’t trust United’s defence
          - Ake - I like him, good fixtures and reasonable goal threat
          - Zaha - I have him also but perhaps Milli will work out better with the intro of VAR
          - Alli - too inconsistent
          - Bernardo - doesn’t score enough points
          - Jimenez - horrible opening fixtures
          - Wilson - if King is on spot kicks then he will be better value
          - Rashford - will have a great season I reckon

  28. Micahrichard
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    1) Jimenez + 4.5 fwd
    2) calvert lewin + murray

    Im playing 1 fwd anyway. which one the best?

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Horrible choices. Jimenez to score more even if tired from tourney and Europa.

  29. iati
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    what about pickford? scored a lot of points last season, has a potential to get some saves and he costs 0.5 less than allison and ederson... added to the great run of starting fixtures i dont see a reason not to pick him over allison and ederson

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

      All about whoever secures the Burnley keeper spot

    2. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pickford, Fabianski, Heaton are the three that I've been switching between.
      Heaton also covers most of Pickford's tricky fixtures if you happen to have £0.5m spare after creating your team.

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He picked up 9 clean sheets after new year. If everton stay that tight then he is a great option. If they play like they did the first half of the season then he won't get near Alisson/Ederson.

  30. wayne50
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hi Fantasy Football Experts, All welcome to join my Leagues.

    H2H League code fjjpw5
    Classic League code antt26

    Leagues are for bragging rights (no money involved).