Pre-Season

The midfield bench fodder options available in FPL

Our analysis of the Fantasy Premier League price list will conclude with a look at budget midfielders.

While we may have struggled to so far pick out many gems among the cut-price defenders and forwards, the sheer weight of numbers among similarly priced midfielders – there are currently 119 such players priced between £4.5m and £5.5m inclusive at the time of writing – suggests there may be more joy to be had in the middle of the park.

With sub-£6.0m midfielders representing more than 25% of all FPL players, we will split this analysis into three separate articles.

This first piece will look at players available for £4.5m, the second focusing on £5.0m midfielders and a final feature to follow on those available at £5.5m.

The £4.5m Options

There are, at the time of writing, 35 FPL midfielders available for £4.5m.

The primary function of a £4.5m midfielder is to be an emergency option on our benches, to be ready to come in for a two-point (or better) return when rotation, injury and/or suspension bites hard.

The first requirement of such a player is that he is a reliable starter.

That immediately rules out a large number of Fantasy assets, although pre-season is yet to start in earnest and we may well see a surprise name emerge from this bargain bin of players.

Possible Starters

Leander Dendoncker was benched only once from Gameweek 22 to 38.

There aren’t too many players at £4.5m who can guarantee us a game.

One of the most popular options in FPL right now is Leander Dendoncker, who currently sits in 9.5% of squads.

The Belgium international had to bide his time to become a regular starter under Nuno Espirito Santo, not making the matchday squad until Gameweek 10 and failing to make a single start in the first half of the season.

Dendoncker’s debut finally came in Gameweek 20 and he went on to start all bar one of Wolves’ final 17 league fixtures.

The central midfielder has scored twice in 2019 and, after his full debut, only six players in his position went on to register more big chances – all of them more expensive in FPL.

Wolves’ participation in the Europa League may lead to some rotation but Santo’s squad is fairly small, so Dendoncker should still get plenty of league starts.

Isaac Hayden is the only £4.5m-rated FPL midfielder who features in more FPL squads at the time being, although the Newcastle midfielder – who started the Magpies’ final 20 games – is seeking a move away from the north-east for personal reasons and his whereabouts next season are still to be confirmed.

Dale Stephens made 29 starts for Brighton and Hove Albion last season, meanwhile, registering two attacking returns.

A regular under Chris Hughton, we will have to monitor the Seagulls in pre-season to see if he features prominently in new boss Graham Potter’s plans.

Matteo Guendouzi offers semi-regular starts but that, arguably, isn’t good enough when we are also concerned about rotation to our heavy hitters.

The French midfielder made 23 starts last season but was named as a substitute on a further 14 occasions, coming on ten times.

Oriol Romeu is perhaps up there with Dendoncker in terms of first-team prospects, having started 21 of the 23 matches that Ralph Hasenhuttl oversaw.

The one-time Chelsea midfield spoiler has scored exactly one goal in each of the last four seasons, which is arguably perfect for those who don’t want the anguish of seeing their third-choice substitute stuck on the bench after a double-digit haul.

We may be able to add Tom Trybull to the mix, with the Norwich defensive midfielder a regular starter in the second half of the season at the expense of fellow £4.5m asset Alex Tettey.

The Rest

Grady Diangana made six starts and 11 substitute appearances last season.

Nampalys Mendy made 23 starts last season but not one under Brendan Rodgers.

Aside from those already mentioned, Morgan Schneiderlin was one of only two other £4.5m midfielders who reached double figures for Premier League starts (ten) but even he looks likely to be a backup again this season.

Grady Diangana was briefly a budget midfielder to monitor last season but West Ham’s plethora of attacking options may again restrict his chances, while the future of anchormen Pedro Obiang (who made 12 starts for the Hammers) and Carlos Sanchez is in some doubt.

Moritz Leitner was peripheral in the season run-in for Norwich after being an ever-present in the first 18 matches (the Canaries being well stocked in central midfield), while youngster Todd Cantwell may well be sent out on loan by the Championship winners.

Henri Lansbury, Birkir Bjarnason and the ‘out of position’ Keinan Davis look unlikely to be heavily involved at Villa, meanwhile.

The likes of Mohamed Elneny, Danny Drinkwater, Matty James and James McCarthy would appear to be backup options or surplus to requirements at their respective clubs, with only Arsenal’s Egyptian making any league starts (five) last season.

Youngsters such as Ethan Ampadu at Chelsea, Luke Dreher at Crystal Palace, Tahith Chong and James Garner at Manchester United, and Callum Slattery and Tyreke Johnson at Southampton will be hoping for breakthrough seasons at their respective clubs but remain only prospects for the future at present. Only Slattery of this group made a league start last season.

Brighton’s Beram Kayal will have his fingers crossed for more game-time under new boss Potter, while defensive midfielder Hamza Choudhury is one to monitor (for starts, if not attacking returns) as he continues his development under Brendan Rodgers.

Daniel Amartey is the other Leicester midfield option at £4.5m but it is difficult to see where the some-time right-back fits into Rodgers’ system when he returns from an ankle injury.

Oliver Skipp made just two starts at Spurs last season, while Domingos Quina and Nathaniel Chalobah – who were in Javi Gracia’s starting XI on just three occasions each – will likely be backup options again in central midfield.

Rafael Camacho has left Liverpool on a permanent deal while Luke Amos has joined QPR on loan from Spurs.

It should be stressed that the above information is how we see the picture in early July and there is plenty that could happen between now and Gameweek 1.

We’ll keep you up to speed on all the developments in pre-season and shine a light on any names from this price tier should they look like threatening some league starts.

1,267 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    '... is arguably perfect for those who don’t want the anguish of seeing their third-choice substitute stuck on the bench after a double-digit haul'

    I've never subscribed to this way of thinking. At the end of the day two bench points is the same as 12 bench points, until your sub comes on and then I'd hope he was someone with a chance of scoring more than 2 or 3pts..

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

      Not to mention you're more likely to benefit (at least slightly) from the price changes.

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This. AWB GW1 last year with his 12 point haul sat on my bench didn’t really matter. I wasn’t going to play him, I used him as an enabler for a better starting XI

      If anything it made me happy that it confirmed he was a starter at 4m. I’d be happy for my fodder to get points as it gives peace of mind that you have that available to you when called upon.

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

        Exactly. How is it better that your non playing sub scored 2 and not 12? It has no effect on your score unless you need him, in which case I know which one I'd prefer 😉

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

        Same

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. Really silly way of thinking.

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

    Sometimes I wonder if substitute options are overlooked. Many times when there has been rotation the auto-subs have made all the difference in a green vs. red arrow at the end of the GW. 2pts is fine, but isn't even an extra 0.5m coverage worth it over the course of the season, especially for midfield options?

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

      Over the course of the season yes but less so at the start as we usually have a better idea of starters.

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

        Fair point. Probably makes less sense for those who jump in with their WC after 3-4 GWs, but not for those planning more long term.

  3. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Am I kidding myself that KdB is enough city attack coverage?

    Have Salah Siggy Zaha and KdB with Kane and King up front. Will no Sterling or Aguerro come back to bite me harder?

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

      You can never have enough City attack but at the end of the day budget is tight and options limited

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. I tried that route, but when I think about watching him play deeper than the full backs while Sterling is lingering at the back post for tap-ins, I’ll be quivering in fear.

    3. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      That's who I'm going with, it's enough for me. He may be subbed off around the 70-80 minute mark more than the other two, but I don't expect him to be drastically far behind in terms of points by the end of the season. Kevin has a point to prove after his injury setbacks last year.

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

        "A point to prove" - the most important statistic

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

          Yes, someone who was barely able to play last year would have a point to prove.

    4. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Also, the signing of Rodri is going to help free up KDB's defensive responsibilities this year.

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

        True, and KdB always had a very direct style of play anyway...hence all the assists.

  4. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Playing around with formations. Any thoughts on this 4-5-1 would be more than welcome?!

    Heaton
    TAA - Robertson - Digne - Zinchenko (if nailed)
    Salah - Sterling - Siggy - Zaha - Pérez
    King

    Dendonker - 4.5 - 4.5

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      6 MFs?

      1. Goat
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Clearly 5.

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

          Are you counting Dendonker?

        2. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Donckers is a midfielder too

      2. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Good spot! Sorry should have said - Aarons/Diop

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

      Nice

      Obvious risk in formation but truthfully not much more dangerous than most fodder benches. If King is out there’s an easy switch at 6.5

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers pings. I’m coming around to this as a viable option now tbf.....

  5. Crashjct
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Here’s my team:

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA VVD Digne Laporte (Kelly)
    Salah Sterling KDB Moutinho (Dendoncker)
    King Deulofeu (Nketiah)

    Are there any other 5.5 Mids to look at besides Moutinho? Or, should I look at downgrading KDB or a defender instead? Thank you in advance for any advice?

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

    another good tinker

    ederson

    smith / trent / robertson

    armstrong / siggy / de bruyne / salah

    king / giroud / vardy

    button / christensen /dendonker / kelly

  7. Bakeyournoodle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Kane or PEA (in draft)?

    Sterling, Aguero, Mane and Salah all gone already.

    1. pm17
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Kane. (There's uncertainty over PEA with Zaha and Fekir possibilities)

  8. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    It looks as though Tielemans is going to sign for Leicester.

    I'd imagine that he'll be priced at 6.5M, which would certainly put him on my watch list.

    Any thoughts on him vs. Perez?

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

      I'd imagine Perez will be better for goals and Tielemans for assists but who knows? Depends on how Rodgers plays them, but I reckon Leicester are going to be very exciting this season.

      Vardy and Perez double up for me atm

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        You think Maddison could be the chief creator in this team, with the likes of vardy, perez and one of barnes/gray all benefitting from him and tielemans creating?

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

          I see it as potentially Vardy up front with Perez on the right, Barnes on the left and Maddison and Tielemans more central or maybe Maddison instead of Barnes

          1. Lovren an elevator
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Gray is deadwood?
            Makes sense, he hasn't really pushed on in the last couple of years

    2. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      If he comes in at 6.5 he will be in my team.

    3. Jaws
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No way it will be 6.5, it will be at least 7.0, rather 7.5. Better check his PPG.

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

    What's all this flexibility talk? It's about points, not flexibility and if you think the best value is in having five premium defenders go for it. If it all goes tits up rolled over transfers, wc and hits are your flexible friends. People really over think this game sometimes

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Flexibility and points tend to go hand in hand

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

        What is flexibility, saving a hit? Hardly a reason to pick a team that you think won't do as well as the one you really want.

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Not really, just giving careful consideration to price points and making your route to buying/selling certain players as easy as possible.

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yer. Overrated ain't it. Most of the folk playing the game as long as we have will probably agree with you. I kind of agree with price points and it is somthing I'm going to take into account this season.

      People start looking into the game so deep that they forget that points mean prices. Making the game a lot harder than it needs to be

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

        I'm sure I've been playing as long as both of you, and while points are the priority some simple additional flexibility can mean avoiding hits each GW and the use of early WC's. It's not rocket science.

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

          Who said anything about hits each game week? A hit or two and you would have the same 'flexibility' as others. My point is simple, if you believe that starting with five premium defs is the way to go then do it. If it turns out to be a great success then why would you be looking to change anyway? If it bombs a couple of hits at most will sort it.

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

            And if people want to use that strategy it's fine, good luck to them. I'm simply talking from experience having played this game for many years that to dismiss having a flexible team/structure at the beginning because it's 'over thinking the game' is not exactly fair either.

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          But what if a 'successful FPL player" ( What even defines success?) takes regular hits as part of his style , and many do. You are now making out that hits are a bad thing and should be avoided? That's not necessarily true.

          If you end up not having the better players who score the points simply because there are no other price points for that position you could end up being disadvantaged.

          Would you go without KDB simply because 9.5 isn't a good price point in terms of alternate players? Makes no sense

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

            No, I am talking about those who take repeated hits over the course of the season, -8s here and there, and a -16 when things are really bleak. Those are unsustainable for anyone who wants to break into the top 10k.

            As long as they are strategic hits (e.g. responding to injury, rotation or price changes with no other backup options) they are perfectly fine.

            1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              People taking that many hits are just there for the craic. They not competing with anyone. They are usually no threat. Ideal to play against in cash leagues

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

                Let me know if you know of any, and I'll happily sign up.

                1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Sadly they are harder to come by. I know a few competetive ones. It's good to be in a mix of each

    3. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Completely disagree. Flexibility is what makes all the difference and can turn a 'good' GW to a great one. WC and hits are the way to go if you're not overly concerned with achieving a high rank.

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

        I doubt the difference between a good week and a great one is ever 4pts and it's a myth that you can't get a high rank by taking hits.

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

          I'm not saying strategic hits can't pay off from time to time when it makes sense, but not repeatedly which many often do. I'm talking about flexibility in terms of having a relatively decent bench that can compensate for those winter weeks and CL nights when rotation is prevalent.

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

            That's a different matter altogether. What we are talking about here is formation, not bench strength

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

              Flexibility and bench strength means being able to adjust your formation when the fixtures get tough, player form drops off or get rotated. If you want to talk about 5 at the back specifically, with the defenders people have in the current template it's more a case of too many eggs in one basket - that's just my opinion, but again everyone has their own strategy to consider.

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

                Can't have too many eggs in the points basket 😉 It will be interesting to see how it pans out as it's never been done by large numbers before.

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

                  True, and if 5 at the back is still driving people here to a great position by Christmas I will happily raise my glass to them for taking that gamble and reaping the rewards it could bring.

          2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            But players on your bench are not earning points. The whole idea is to pick 11 players a week to get you as many points as possible. Especially at the start where your budget hasn't grown . You can't possibly know what rotation there will be in Winter. As we have all found out the hard way in the past. If you start trying to guess what team a manager will put out then that's asking for trouble.

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

              If you manage to pick a starting 11 that never gets rotated / injured or subbed off early then that's fantastic. Yes, the idea is to maximise your potential with the starting 11, but you'd be foolish to ignore the potential benefits of sub who can compensate with more attacking potential than the vast majority of the 4.5m fodder seen here so far.

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        How can flexibility turn a good gw into a great one?

        That last sentence hasn't been proven at all. Couple of the overall past winners in the past took an ample amount of hits.

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          * remove 1 x " past "

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

            Ah, so you do care about grammar after all? 😀

            1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Not one minuscule 😆 .

              Check most of my posts and it will answer that question.

              I just don't like giving the grammar pigs reason to break out a new box of Kleenex and absorbing in their own self importance . If ya get what I'm saying blud 😀

              1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Check the grammar of that last paragraph...my word !!

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

      It's another one of those things like coverage and ownership. It doesn't mean anything.

      Just look for the value, for me that means 3 Liverpool defenders and 3 Bournemouth Midfielders and attackers.

      If hits are +ev then take them, I go weeks without a hit and them if there is a big fixture shift I'll take a planned -12.

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

      I see flexibility as just having a premium in each position and pref the highest value players for example Ederson/TAA/Salah/Aguero will mean you can jump on any player when they start to fire.

      Agree though that it does not mean more points, cheap forwards/keeper with Salah/Sterling and 5 prem backs could be the best formation this season!

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

      For me flexibility is usually subliminally poking at where your own individual management style lies on the scale between “player orientated” at one extreme vs. “ structure orientated” at the other extreme

      It’s not black & white, and there are lots of shares of grey (oo-er!) but the classic example is someone who has an RMT with Kun but no Sterling... then you question them on why and they say “because I need at least two up top”....

      But then when you question them a little further - do you think Kun will outscore Sterling? The answer is invariably “no”... which gets people thinking a little differently.

      There are generally serious aversions amongst FFS denizens to playing a back 5 for example, even though we have by far the best lineup of defenders in the history of FPL, who FPL have also managed to price extremely generously vs. their attacking compatriots

      This indicates that many of FFS have a fair bit of “structure orientation” in their management style that creates a dissonance when they pick a formation that doesn’t have at least two strikers and 4 midfielders - because of the lack of “flexibility”

      FWIW - I think you pick the best players you feel give your team the best chance of scoring the most points over certain time horizons - if it happens to look “inflexible” on paper, then so be it

      But I can also see the argument for wanting to leave yourself as many easy routes as possible to as many in form players as possible in as many positions as possible - which more lopsided formations perhaps don’t facilitate as easily as good old 3-4-3 or 4-4-2

  10. pm17
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Template Breaker
    Ederson. 4.0
    Robbo Azpi Alderwireld Digne 4.0
    KDB Zaha Siggy Pulisic Lerma
    Kane Vardy 4.5
    442/352
    Any thoughts?

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

      No Sterling or Salah or Mane? City's opening fixtures are amazing and you've only got one of their attacking players...

      1. pm17
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Fair point...will change in GW 3 to another City attacker

    2. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Toby likely moving on, not keen on Pulasic or Lerma

      1. pm17
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the tip...mite reconsider Toby then for GW 1
        Cheers

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Back to drawing board?

      1. pm17
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry?

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

    The bench will make or break you in this game.

    Having someone to fall back to on the bench who can deliver when the unexpected happens is a great way of making luck in fpl.

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

      See my post above - similar thoughts on this one.

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

      The bench is important over a season , but at the start we all still believe we can win the whole thing and Global #1 won't need a bench 🙂

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

    Interesting mix this one....which pair scores more??

    A) Trippier & Vardy (5-3-2)
    B) Siggy & Perez (4-5-1)

    1. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Hi mates.

    Who do you consider to be the best 6.5 option among these 3 - Deulofeu, Jota or Perez?

    Cheers!

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Jota the best

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

      I like Deulofeu of those three

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

        I'm worried about jota rotation due to Europe.

        On king and deulofeu

        Tempted by perez

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'll probably be going with Dela . He's most certain to start

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        * most games

  14. Kobayashy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Who will be this season's 'dark horse', or who do you believe is currently flying below the radar?

    For me its Pukki, Richarlison, Eriksen, Coleman and Pulisic. Possibly Alonso too.

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah I'm considering Alonso. But probably on a wildcard.

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

        Fair enough!

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

      I'll be watching Yarmolenko closely pre season, also Brooks and Perez could offer excellent value.

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Moura

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

      Emiliano Buendìa.

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

    I'm sure we're all wondering the same thing but is Zinchenko looking more nailed? Just signed a new deal until 2024, Pep has made comments to suggest he is the preferred man. Mendy injured... It looks likely but then you've to consider they've just brought their academy guy back, Angelino?

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

      It all shouts rotation to me. Save yourself a headache.

    2. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Zinchenko should be safe for the start of the season at least imo.

  16. PatrickLee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Would really appreciate feedback on these two options. I think i've finally got it boiled down to these two:

    Option 1:

    Lloris/Button
    TAA, Azpi, Coleman, Laporte, Simpson
    Mane, Sterling, KdB, Perez, Dendoncker
    King, Barnes, X Silva

    OR, option 2:

    Heaton/Button
    TAA, Azpi, Coleman, Laporte, Simpson
    Salah, Sterling, Hayden, Perez, Dendoncker
    Kane, King, X Silva.

    Thanks!

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      2

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

        thanks.

  17. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) A.Smith and Vardy
    B) Azpili and Deulofeu

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Laporte Digne A.Smith
    Salah Sterling Zaha
    King Vardy

    Button; Dendoncker, Romeu, Nketiah

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

  18. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Scout tweet feature on home page not working on iPhone

  19. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    My team is 3 Liverpool, 3 man city, 3 Everton, 2 Bournemouth, and 4 useless bench fodders.

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sweet.

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Haha same. Though I have 2 Everton and one leicester/Watford instead.. Thjnking is just get the best teams (pool and city) and best mid/lower tier teams with good fixtures(Bournemouth, Everton, Watford) and swap players out once form comes in the pictures 3 to 4 weeks in

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

      Good set up, I have similar although a Leicester player sneaks in now and then.

  20. Another Hoops
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Not my team but this team would be a night deciding who to bench.

    Fabianski - Foster
    VVD - Trent - Digne - Dunk - Kolasinac
    Zaha - Salah - Siggy - Fraser - Maddison
    King - Jota - Delefeou

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Having 15 relatively good players is a waste of resources IMO at the start of the season

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

      Good attempt for a GW1 BB team!

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

      I'd enjoy having this team.
      Just bench Dunk, Kolasinac and whoever has the worst fixture out of the front 7 and always captain Salah.
      With two transfers it's easy to do an upgrade/downgrade if you need to and then you have the 'template' set up in terms of budget spread.

  21. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Not much love for Jimenez around here. Why is that? Because of EL? Because Jota is 6.5?

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

      Mainly yes. That plus Europe league rotation and not great opening fixtures.

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

      Pretty much what you said. It depends what Wolves' priorities are, if they go for the Europa League they might even rest him now and then.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I owned both Jimenez and Jota at the end of last season. They were both doing well but I just prefer Jimenez so much more than Jota for some reason.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He's the most selected player in the game lol

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I said around here

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Ah fair sorry, I'm surprised more don't here considering his overall %

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            +1 !

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

      They are playing Europa the Thursday before league starts, so not keen from the start but should still be a good option through the season.

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

    DCL is nailed right? Tosun just isn't up to it. I think DCL's finishing is a bit meh, but if he starts the season well his could be the first price to rise. What do you guys reckon?

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Nope. Wait for preseason but Richarlison can easily play up top.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think hes pretty nailed unless they sign a new striker

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think he's a trap if I'm honest. For only 0.5 more you get King/Deulofail/Jota

  23. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Looking at swapping out KDB, Bilva and Coleman for Sterling, Perez and Lascelles?

    Any better? Leaves me with...

    Ederson

    TAA, Robertson, Ake, Lascelles

    Sterling, Salah, Perez, Zaha

    Vardy, King

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty good. Personally dont think its worth it to have a 6.0 keeper. Get a 4.5 and use funds elsewhere imo.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like this, nice balance. I'd be tempted to do Perez to Maddison by saving 0.5 on Ake or Robbo/TAA to VVD

  24. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Only 2 questions remain for me I'm unsure of.

    1) Ederson & Dendoncker
    Or
    Ryan & Zinchenko

    2) Robbo or TAA

    For no. 1 I definitely want a nailed City defender/keeper, and I think I would rather have a nailed one and play Dendoncker rather than have one which is rotated and play Ryan.
    I'm hoping pre season will help with this re Zinchenko nailedness.

    2 is so tough and I understand those with both. Robbo arguably slightly more nailed but TAA has the corners and free kicks.

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Most would say Ederson and Dendoncker, but I prefer Ryan and Zinchenko personally. TAA for me, I don't think nailedness is really an issue until the CL begins.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        So do I, but only if Zinchenko is virtually nailed.
        Thanks

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not Dendoncker

      TAA

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

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

      0) These will not be your final two questions.

      1) Either B or neither, dependent on Zinchenko's chances of being nailed (I'm not hopeful)

      The first option is bad mainly because playing Dendoncker every week is just not going to get you points, but also because, in my opinion, the £1.5 difference between Ryan and Ederson will get you much fewer points than a suitable £1.5 upgrade elsewhere (King --> Wilson, for example).

      Remember your goal is not to fit in a City defender - your goal is to maximise points, and it's conceivable that you can do this without a City defender. The Pool defenders, Coleman + Digne are all better picks. Laporte is the only one really worth considering at this stage, though a nailed Zinchenko would be very tasty.

      2) It's marginal, but TAA's better PPG means I'm going for him.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Hmm there was 65 points between Ryan and Ederson last season. Which is more than I think Wilson will outscore King if he does

    4. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Go for Robertson over TAA.

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Rate my team guys, first team I have actually liked the balance this for 3-4-3:

    Ryan • Button
    VVD • Digne • Bednarak • Lascalles • Kelly
    Salah • Sterling • Zaha • Siggy • Dendonker
    King • Vardy • Deulofeu

    1. NIKO.
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’d try to get a 3rd premium defender if you can but it looks good

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

    Really am interested to see who Lampard plays up front in pre-season. Giroud, Abraham or Batshuayi could be a bargain

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

      FPL need to get them in the game before Frank reveals all and they bump up the price

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Tammy & Bats, with Giroud coming on for last 30.

  27. Arn De Gothia
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I start to like this, some small tweeks only

    Ederson (4,0)

    Dunk / Taylor / Diop / Robbo / Coleman

    Salah / Sterling / Frasier / Siggy / Kante

    Murray / King / Deulofeu

    Gives ok rotation on 4,5 defs and time to see e few GW:s what needs to change. Right?

  28. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Wilson, Jota
    B) King , Jiminez (Both on pens)

  29. Andy'81
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Grand depart, vive la Thomas.

  30. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thought on this?

    Heaton/Pope
    TAA Robbo Digne Trippier
    Salah KDB Siggy
    Vardy Jimenez King

    Fodder bench

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

      Are you comfortable playin g your Burnley keeper v arsenal and lpool in first 4??

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Not really but there are no better options at 4.5. Season keeper!

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

          Burnley rotate well with villa.....

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks for the advice