Pre-Season

Assessing the budget FPL midfielders in 2019/20

Having already looked at the Fantasy Premier League midfielders in the lowest price rung, we now turn our attention to those in the £5.0m bracket.

With a handful of £4.5m options available for bench fodder status, the £5.0m midfielder has to offer something more to justify the extra outlay.

David Brooks was one such asset last season but has been handed a price rise to £6.5m after returning 123 FPL points in his debut Premier League season.

The £5.0m rung is a curious mixture of defensive midfielders, deep-lying playmakers, reserves, academy products, summer signings and assets from the newly promoted clubs.

At the time of writing, there are 43 midfielders available for £5.0m and we will take you through them all here.

Players who aren’t in this rung have their prices written in brackets.

Players from the ‘Big Six’ Clubs

N’Golo Kante scored more FPL points (116) in 2018/19 than any midfielder available for £5.0m next season.

Of the ten players from the top half-dozen teams available at this price, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are perhaps of most interest.

Kante, indeed, is the most-owned FPL midfielder under £7.0m at the time of writing.

Should Jorginho stay in west London then the pair might be reunited at the base of Frank Lampard’s 4-2-3-1, with the new Chelsea boss having been full of praise for the Frenchman at his first press conference.

Kante played almost all of last season to the right of Jorginho in a three-man central midfield and was afforded more license to get forward as a result.

The former Leicester spoiler’s total of eight attacking returns was his best ever in FPL but we may see him back where he arguably belongs next season, at the base of the Chelsea midfield, now that Sarri has departed.

That may in turn free Jorginho up, although it would seem likely that the former Napoli ‘regista’ will still be sitting deep.

It will be intriguing to note who takes over from Eden Hazard as Chelsea’s first-choice penalty-taker, with Jorginho having scored from the spot in Gameweek 1 of 2018/19.

There’ll likely be little interest in Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira, who did return two goals and four assists last season but who was a substitute in ten of his 34 league appearances and who picked up seven bookings.

Manchester United midfielders Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic (none of whom recorded more than two attacking returns last season) have been joined in the £5.0m bracket by starlet Angel Gomes, who will be among a cluster of academy products hoping for more pitch-time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

At present, though, there is nothing to excite Fantasy managers at Old Trafford at this price in midfield.

Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama look to be further down the pecking order following the arrival of Tanguy Ndombele (£6.0m), while Moussa Sissoko‘s fine contribution to the Spurs cause isn’t reflected in his Fantasy returns (just one league goal since his move from Newcastle in 2016).

Players from Other Top-Half Clubs

Mark Noble has scored each of his last seven penalty kicks in the Premier League.

There are a cluster of players available for £5.0m who represent Wolves, Everton, Leicester and West Ham, all of whom finished in the top ten last season.

At Molineux, Ivan Cavaleiro, Morgan Gibbs-White and Adama Traore were very much second-string players last season.

Not one of these players hit double figures for starts in 2018/19 but Wolves’ Europa League commitments could see them increasingly called upon, while it would be amazing if Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had the same incredible injury record next season.

Helder Costa has departed for Leeds United, meanwhile.

Wilfred Ndidi – an ever-present last season – is likely to be widely ignored given the number of attack-minded options elsewhere in the Leicester City side.

The Nigeria international did score two goals last season, though, and had more shots in the box than any Premier League midfielder now available at £5.0m.

Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye is a similar type of player, while Ademola Lookman will find it hard to record more starts on the flank (he made only three last season) unless there are a spate of injuries at Goodison Park.

Declan Rice’s FPL position has changed since last season and gone with it is his ‘out of position’ tag, so he is now not eligible for four points when West Ham keep a clean sheet.

Jack Wilshere made only four starts in yet another injury-ravaged campaign but Mark Noble at least offers the incentive of being the Hammers’ first-choice penalty-taker as the Premier League gets ready to embrace VAR.

No midfielder in the £5.0m bracket scored more top-flight goals than Noble last season, with four of his five strikes coming from the spot.

Players from the Three Promoted Clubs

Oliver Norwood scored three goals and registered eight assists last season.

Aston Villa’s Andre Green will likely be a backup option out wide this season, having made just eight starts in the Championship in 2018/19.

Kenny McLean was a pivotal figure for Norwich City in the second half of last season, starting all of the Canaries’ final 16 fixtures after returning from injury.

The Scotland international registered an eye-catching three goals and six assists in his 20 appearances in the second tier, although has tended to play in a deep role under Daniel Farke and there is competition for places in the engine room.

Sheffield United pair John Fleck and Oliver Norwood also racked up the assists from deep last season.

Fleck supplied ten goals from midfield and took his share of corners, while no Sheffield United player created more ‘big chances’.

The Scotland international only failed to start one Championship fixture.

Fleck may have registered more assists than Norwood last season but the former Reading, Brighton and Fulham midfielder was the creative heart of the Blades’ midfield.

Pablo Hernandez was the only Championship player who supplied more chances than Norwood in 2018/19, while no-one in the second tier took more accurate corners or free-kicks than the Blades’ playmaker.

READ MORE: Our comprehensive guide to Sheffield United’s midfielders and forwards.

The Rest

Jonjo Shelvey made just two starts in the final 26 Gameweeks last season.

Mario Lemina may be on his way out of Southampton this summer but in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg the Saints possess one of the popular bench fodder options of last season.

Hojbjerg registered four goals and three assists in 2018/19, having started the campaign at £4.5m.

The Dane has been handed a minor price rise this time round and is obviously less appealing as a result, particularly as he will likely be one of the two sitting midfielders should Ralph Hasenhuttl proceed with a 4-2-2-2 as expected.

No midfielder available for £5.0m had more shots on target in the Premier League than Hojbjerg last season.

The options at Bournemouth are limited to a reserve winger – Jordon Ibe – and four central midfielders.

Andrew Surman and Lewis Cook failed to register a single attacking return although were hampered by injuries, while Jefferson Lerma picked up an off-putting 12 yellow cards.

Dan Gosling, like Lerma, recorded two goals and as many assists but would seem likely to be behind Cook in the pecking order once his teammate has recovered from an ACL injury.

The injured Yves Bissouma is set to miss the start of the season at Brighton, while teammate Davy Propper offers little in the way of goal threat from central midfield.

Solly March, who registered one goal and six assists under Chris Hughton last season, would be a semi-interesting prospect should he nail down a starting spot under the more attack-minded Graham Potter but competition for places is fierce in the wide areas, particularly after the purchase of Leandro Trossard (£6.0m).

Aaron Lennon may well be third in line on the right flank at Burnley, while Jack Cork offers not much more than security of starts – the central midfielder only missed one of the Clarets’ 38 league games last season and registered three attacking returns in the process.

Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate is another midfield spoiler who contributes little going forward and is far from sure of his place in Roy Hodgson’s starting XI, while Tom Cleverley and Ken Sema look set to be backup options at Watford again after each failing to hit double figures for starts in 2018/19.

The influential Etienne Capoue is available at the same price, although his seven-goal season in 2016/17 is looking increasingly anomalous – the ex-Spurs midfielder has found the back of the net only twice in the past 24 months.

Newcastle United trio Jonjo Shelvey, Ki Sung-yueng and Sean Longstaff are more creative than Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) alongside them but there is much uncertainty over who will line up in the Magpies’ central midfield come Gameweek 1, with a new manager yet to be appointed.

Newcastle’s opening run of fixtures is one of the worst in the division, too.

Longstaff is fighting his way back from a knee injury and is a reported target for Manchester United, while Shelvey made only two starts from Gameweek 12 onwards.

Ki recorded just one assist from 14 starts.

1,004 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Worth it?

    Can have Sterling Salah Kane.
    Just means having brooks and getting rid BSilva Wilson Fraser.

    1. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would do it mate, Kane could be a good differential in the first few weeks and brooks is a great option.

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers just wanted balance fancy Fraser over brooks and think Wilson do well don't want BSilva to troll me first gw

        1. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Brooks was great last season and will only get better. Him or King are better options from Bournemouth as they are cheaper but can still score big. Fraser could be off to Arsenal if they don't get Zaha i believe. Try not to worry about players that may troll you, just go with gut instinct.

          1. Ange Ball
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers thanks for really useful advance one of the best I had so far on this site

            1. Rage Against The Raheem
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              No worries mate, am happy to help, good luck for the season.

              1. Ange Ball
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                You to

    2. BROOKLYN GOONER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Am going the opposite way. Can only captain one of them each week, want to spread the extra cash about, especially in defense.

    3. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      what defense with this

  2. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Can anybody lend me £3m?

    1. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes mate i can, interest rates will be very high though.

  3. Pop
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Going back and forth on this team.

    Begovic, Heaton
    A. Smith, Gibson, Coleman, W. Bissaka, Balbuena
    Salah, Sterling, Pereyra, Zaha, Stephens
    Wilson, Kane, DCL

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Defensively it looks a bit of a mess.

      I'd just wait till the transfer window closes. Save yourself the headache.

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A bit light in defence imo, i would downgrade Wilson to King as he is 1.5 cheaper and has penalties. Kane is a good option, but with Salah and sterling you will have good captain choices most weeks. You could downgrade him to a 4.5 and maybe upgrade the defence a bit. Greenwood at Man Utd could be a good 4.5 bench striker if Lukaku does leave. You would want at least one Liverpool defender imo, as most people will have 1 or 2, and City defence cover with Laporte or Everton with Digne. These sort of players can score big some weeks as they have attacking potential as well as clean sheets.

    3. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      defense is a mess......yuck

      DCL not worth it
      Pereyra punty

      5/10

  4. germanyozil10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    1st Draft

    Ederson
    TAA Robo Digne Tripper Zinchenko
    Salah Sterling
    Jimenez King Deulofeu

    Button Jorginho Dendoncker Romeu

    Thanks for comment

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

      Jimenez -> Jota (if you must have a WOL forward)
      Deulofeu -> 4.5 fodder
      Romeu -> 7.5 itb for a mid

      1. germanyozil10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Zaha > Deulofeu?

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Downgrade Jimi... upgrade Jorg
      Spurs away games very tough.... no flexibility with Trippier

      6/10

  5. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best mid options in these price ranges?

    A. 5.5m
    B. 6.5m

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

      Attack or defence?

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I haven't looked at the 5.5 options, but Perez at 6.5 is a good option now that he is at Leicester and classified as a midfielder imo.

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

        watchlist material imo, never did anything substantial the last seasons before march.

        1. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Very true mate, is one for the watchlist, especially at a new team. I think he could be worth a punt though, had a great end to the season at Newcastle and now playing with much better players. I have got him in my team, I just have a gut feeling he will do well there.

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

            I don't question his potential, formwise he's a bit of a reverse Richarlison. One comes late to the party, the other one starts with a bang and fades out. I think Gross should be monitored under his new coach. Also nobody here mentioned Trossard because they don't have a clue what he's capable of. I think he will shine (not starting with a punt though).

            1. Rage Against The Raheem
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              I agree mate, could be like Jota last season and start the season poor and end with a bang as you say. I just always follow my gut instinct, and can see him being one on those cheap-ish players that scores big early and becomes a bandwagon. I did think the same last year with Jota and was let down though lol. I think Brighton will really struggle this year myself, i think they will go down tbh.

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

        Cheers

  6. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best 4.5m defender to start the season with?

    1. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Taylor at Burnley is a good option at 4.5, Bednerek at Southampton as well imo, the new manager seems to like him and was good for BPS I think.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Lascelles isn't he pretty nailed on?

      1. Rage Against The Raheem
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Newcastle are doomed imo, losing Benitez, Perez and Rondon, and Ashely not likely to spend too much to replace them. They are going down imo, which is a shame as they have such great fans.

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

      The thing about 4.5 defenders is the ones available this season on their own they average 2 to 2.5 ppg.. You need to rotate them and be really lucky to get good points from them. Maybe a rotation of Taylor, Dunk, Diop for one spot could work. Could still disappoint though

    4. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Balbuena or Fredericks.

  7. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best 6.5 Fwd out of these?

    a. Jota
    b. Deulofeu
    c. Deeney
    d. King (already have wilson)
    e.DCL

    Cheers

    1. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would go DCL myself, unless you have Everton Defence and Mid as well as I would not want to triple up.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No Everton players as yet but looking at either Digne or Siggy to be fair.

        1. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Digne and DCL are the 2 i have gone for, started with siggy and Digne but DCL at 6 could be a great bargain.

          1. Get up ya bum
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Whether you get DCL really has nothing to do with what other everton players you do or don't have

            1. Emiliano Sala
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              This

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

      I'd say King because he takes penalties. Jota one to watch out for though. DCL will also be interesting to keep an eye on as Everton's fixtures are brilliant for the first few weeks.

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      looks god with DCL now, free's up some more cash, cheers

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        good*

      2. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I wouldn't touch him until he learns how to put the ball in the net. Great hold up player. Unleashes Richarlison very well

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

      I'm on King and Deulofeu. I really like Jota but Wolves' fixtures coupled with Europa League commitments put me off.

    5. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd back jota out of the gates from those.

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

    Lads - do we think that Chicharito becomes a viable option if Arnautovic goes to China?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Think Yarmolenko might be more so!

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

        Ooh. Yeah I was thinking Yarmolenko. Or maybe even taking a punt on Antonio to go back up top through the middle..?

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think he will, unless they sign another someone else. If not he could be a great pick with their opening fixtures.

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

      Definitely not. He wants out and WHM are looking for another CF.

  9. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ryan button
    Taa digne vandijk ake kelly
    Salah siggy zaha hayden perez
    Aguero king adams

    How is this team looking?

    1. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good mate. If it was me, i would swap Aguero to Sterling (as in use greenwood as 4.5 striker instead of Hayden as 4.5 mid). Although Bournemouth fixtures are good i would not trust their defence tbh. You could try dropping siggy to a 4.5 and have DCL upfront instead, then use that extra 2m to turn Ake into Laporte and Van Dijyk into Robbo as Robbo and taa offer so much attacking threat.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I will surely use aguero, hes taking penAlty also, same for siggy! And i still prefer vandijk more, and i can still use che adams as one of the striker to use. I am seeing ake as one of a good performer this season

        1. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Fair points mate, if that is what your gut is telling you then go for it as it is a good team. Var will mean more penalties, but also more penalties missed as well imo and can see Aguero getting less minutes and Jesus playing more. But when Ageuero is fit and playing he is always a good option, no doubt. Either way still a great team, good luck for the season mate.

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hayden on his way out
      Perez wait and see.. Leicester fixtures not that great
      Sterling over Aguero for me

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

    Rate my team pls

    Lloris,krul
    Robertson,v.dijk,holebas,koscielny,stearman
    Hojbjerg,mane,moura,Fraser,milivojevic
    Kane,Feeney,pukki

    1. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would downgrade Krul to a 4.0 since you will be playing Lloris every week. 6.5 is too much for a player from a promoted side to start the season with, I would go with King instead. Turn Fraser into Perez (he is at Leicester now, 6.5) then use extra 1m to turn Mane into Salah. Holebas getting old and gets alot of yellow cards. If you are playing 3-4-3 most weeks then i would downgrade holebas to Taylor (burnley) or Bednererk (Southampton) then use that extra 1m to turn Koschileny into Digne.

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      if spending more than 4.5 on a gk should be set and forget- downgrade sub GK
      Kocielny is an old man now.... not nailed.... and arsenal fixtures bad + they can't defend.
      Pukki untested.... not worth the risk
      Milli for me is overpriced at 6
      Moira works for GW1... then city Away.. then Son comes back

      4/10

  11. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Nailed it......

    Ryan
    Mendy TAA Robbo Digne
    Salah Sterling Siggy Zaha
    King Deleuf

    4.0 4.0 4.5 4.5

    Mendy/Walker or if we get more clarity on LB/ Laporte Partner subject to change
    Deeney or Deleuf Coin toss

    If we get a couple of nailed 4.0 Defenders Ryan to Emerson and then rotate the 4M with possible funds to upgrade elsewhere

    Easy...

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

      I have almost the exact same team. VvD and Laporte instead of Robbo and Mendy.

    2. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Template

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Wow the good ol FFS template gonna be in for a shock when everyone realises they want that money they've spread across their backlines moved into their frontlines 😀

  12. Get up ya bum
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Andone at 5.0 looks much better than these mids. Think I'll have andone, Kiko, targett with one playing each week and dendonker perma bench

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      You reckon he'll play more than Murray?

      Or will they sign any other Striker?

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah can't see much for Murray this season.

  13. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best 7M mid? Maddison or Zaha ?

  14. Thug
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    What will the Chelsea team look like?

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Kepa
      Azpi Luiz (Zouma) Rudiger (Christensen) Alonso (Emerson)
      Kante jorginho
      Pulisic RLC (Kovacic, Barkley) CHO (Willian)
      Batshuyai (Giroud, Tammy)

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        My guess with the guys in brackets possible first choices

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

        this is useful... but looks like I need to be spying over the fence at pre-season

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

    The Ryan Button combo got a total of 119 points last season.. And they are the only combo available at 4.5 + base keeper price. So basically Ryan at 4.5 outscored all the current 4.5 million defender options and outscored the likes patricio @5 and came about 20 or so points close to the 5.5 keepers. That too without a single penalty and Brighton having a sub par 6 CS season. Even if they improve on that a little bit this year he ll be well worth it for just 4.5 especially with button available to make him the only set and Forget option at 8.5

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      We really have no choice. Fpl have forced our hands. If you want cheap it's gotta be Ryan and button. No other 8.5 combo and the 9.0 combos not worth the extra. So the choice is Ryan and button or go for a premium gk

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

        Exactly. And premium keepers don't get as many save points.. And if they do get injured then it's a wasted transfer.

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

          I have always gone for budget keepers because of the save points etc. But this season I will go with Ederson. 4.5 ppm vs. approx 125 points (staying positive) which is 3.3 ppm. That is huge for an exta 1.5 pounds outlay. Plus with Ederson its all but guaranteed and you will get points consistently. Last season I had Ryan till my first wilcard after gw 5. I had got about 7 points out of him. I shifted to Fabianski and did good for the rest of the season, but such types of runs by budget keepers can be really testing as well. And this season, I don't have a budget defender in my starting line up (4 premiums, one fodder). So the logic that I applied previously about getting a budget keeper instead of a defender doesn't apply this season.

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson FTW

    3. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      For 0.5 more I can’t believe more people aren’t looking at Leno as a set and forget. Over half a season he has amazing fixtures too, a couple of difficult fixtures early on putting people off I think. Will rack up save points just as well as someone like Ryan imo.

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Why look at half a season when I always wildcard within 5 weeks though

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          And doesn't everyone have the same fixtures over half a season

        2. GoonerByron
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah, it depends if you know you’ll WC early. I am going to try to hold mine as long as possible so am looking up until December for GK fixtures

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

            That's actually an OK way to look at it.. Maybe look at 12 to 13 fixtures at a time as a general rule since we have 2 WCs. Get a sub 5 keeper with a set of good 13 or so fixtures.. Then WC them out for the next gk. My plan is start with ryan and when funds become no issue upgrade to Ederson when I WC

          2. Get up ya bum
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I never know when but I play it when I've had enough time to assess form and make informed picks. Unlike our gw1 teams which are a compete lottery with no form to go off. In twelve years of playing that's typically been about 4 or 5 weeks in

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

        The only issue with keepers that I have is that if you play with a non playing sub you HAVE to get rid of them and waste a transfer and likely 4 points if they get injured. And last season out of the 20 keepers only 8 played all 20 games. So there's a higher than 50 percent chance of a transfer being forced onto you in a season. With ryan/button you'll never have that issue

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

          8 played all 38 games *

      3. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        rather use that 0.5 for VVD to Robbo

  16. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any glaring errors in this new draft? Like the look of it tbh.

    Ederson
    Robertson vvd dunk
    Mane mili Perez Jorginho
    Kane Kun King

    Button Hayden Reid jelly

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

      Three premium attackers is a bit too far. You should get rid of one of them to upgrade Dunk and Joginho. Both Jorginho and Dunk will get about 2.5 ppm. Any decent upgrade gives you at least 4.5 ppm. just by downgrading one premium attacker which you won't even captain or very rarely since you have three of them.

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

        I know what you’re saying, but just tempted by 3 penalty takers up front. Even if I downgrade king will only have enough funds to get someone like brooks or Coleman which don’t look very appealing. Want to start the season with Kane and Kun, can easily downgrade one of them later. Cheers!

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes.... No sterling... No salah... Jorginho is in your playing 11

      and Mili.... oh Milli.....

    3. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Other than jorginho looks good

  17. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on trippier now that aurier is injured?
    At 5.5 seems a bargain
    his attacking potential and set pieces doesn't make him a better option than laporte?

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      hes on his way to napoli..

    2. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Don't forget about kwp

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        this could be the gem

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah could be his coming out season

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

        For kWp - what is the chance he will start?

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          If I were him I'd be hoping to start about 40% of the games this season. He's at that stage where he's proved himself ready and trippier has been pretty poor

          1. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            40% is a pretty crazy high number. Can't disrupt the team that much I don't think. There should be a regular and the other picks up the odd game when rest is 'needed'.

            1. Get up ya bum
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Poch always rotates full back a lot

              1. Postman Ty
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                A lot, yes. But not 60/40 a lot, bar injuries or a big swing in form.

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

            ok ... then I will just add to my (long) watch list)

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

      There is not much love for Spurs defenders

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        away games bad in the opening few

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

          Noted thanks 🙂

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

    How’s this?

    Ryan Button
    Robertson Digne Zinchenko El Moh A Smith
    Salah Sterling KDB Sigurdsson
    Jota King 4.5

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Jota and KDB out for me....

  19. Thug
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Now Salah is on holiday, does that make him the better GW1 pick from Mane / Salah ?

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

      He was always better pick imho.
      Now doubts over his involvement in gw1 are gone too.
      Mo © it is

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        What were the doubts?

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

          Self created doubts here 😛

  20. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    THE POLL

    Aguero or Sterling
    Deeney or Deulefeu
    Zaha or other 7M
    Robbo or TAA
    4.5 GK or Premium GK?
    Siggy or Richarlyson

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Evens
      Deu
      Zaha
      Trent
      Ryan
      Rich

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

      Raz
      Deulofeu
      Can't call. I think all going to disappoint

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

        * both Robbo Taa (Taa if only one has to be picked)
        4.5 atm due to £££
        Siggy

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

    Best Defender + Midfielder combo for 10m??
    One will start.

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      McGinn and kiko

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

        Cheers mate

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No wukkas

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pick a 5.5 m defender for now and 4.5m mid.. wait to see if any 4m defenders emerge and then go 4 and 6

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

        Yeah
        Currently on Trippier + 4.5
        Cheers

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

      Kelly and yarmelenko works for 10?

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

        It does !!
        If Yarmalenko nails his position, he's going to be a bargain

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

      Townsend and Kelly

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

        Thank you Holmes.
        You won't be playing BB in gw 1 this season ??

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

          As of now, nope. Players are too expensive, can't build a decent 15 men squad.

          Will consider BB if Salah is not available since it gives extra cash to play with.

          1. Get up ya bum
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Just don't pick him. Presume you follow bench boost with wildcard

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

            Yeah
            Salad out of afcon now so he'll be available unless an Injury

          3. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Agree mate, BB doesnt look a goer in GW1 this season!

  22. Penang Sandman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Guys did Free Hit got removed?

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

      Nope
      It'll be added after first gw deadline alongside WC

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

      Nope, just not available for GW1

    3. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      no

    4. Penang Sandman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks.
      BB GW1 can be potentially a good strategy

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I did it last season.and it worked out well, doesnt look a viable option this season to me.

        1. Penang Sandman
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Last season I went BB for a single GW and it was horrible. And there are not enough DGWs for BB since it has the lowest point ceiling compared to the other chips.

          3 Pool, 3 Bou, 2 Spurs and some punts would work. But i can only have 1 out of Kane/Mane/Sterling

      2. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        please explain any good reason for it.

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

          Aspirations for a Flying start 😉

          1. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Lol we can all buy a lottery ticket January 1st I suppose.

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

              😀

        2. jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          a good start is very important in FPL imo, BB in GW1 gave a nice rank boost last season!

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            plus you dont need to worry about your bench for the rest of the season which can have its advantages

          2. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            You GW1 rank isn't important at all, the only thing important is your score at the end of 38 gameweeks. A good start is a complete fallacy when your only advantage is using a chip that other people can still use later to catch up.
            You absolutely have to worry about your bench because having completely wasted money on the bench for 38 weeks will drop your rank (almost*) guaranteed.

          3. Get up ya bum
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            A good gw1 is no different to a good gw13 or gw25

        3. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Its the only week where you can play WC and BB at same time

        4. Penang Sandman
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          well if you dont use BB in a single GW, you would need to use WC also for a 15 DGW players.
          Since we now have FH, that 2nd WC can be use for a 11 DGWS + TC. And use FH for the other big DGW

          1. Penang Sandman
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            11 DGW players*

          2. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            There's many different ways to play them all, and we need to be flexible to wait and see how the DGWs fall each season. Why do people always obsess with the idea of 15 DGW players? Having a bench boost with a good single week player on the pitch and a bad player with double fixtures on the bench or vice versa) is much better than a single gameweek for both players.
            There's plenty of opportune single GWs that may pop up where you find yourself with good bench fixtures if you intend on having a playing bench (which is very much dismissed by almost all top players we hear from).
            If you play it GW1 you are doing it with the lowest budget you will have all season and the least information we will have on players and teams all season. Sure you get the 'WC', which you can also have after either of the two wildcards we all get, but you're just rolling the dice when the odds are least in your favour. The only weeks that are more of a crap shoot are maybe boxing day and the final week of the season.

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

              I think it is valid strategy but a risky ones. Don't necessarily think you have more money later in game (as the best players cost more too) but there will no doubt be some bargains emerge through injury / new players that is difficult to exploit gw1 (eg cho). I think the biggest argument is the value saved on non playing bench. So eg if you were going to get an additional 24 points (3 per game) from your bench on a dgw. And you felt like you could get 4 per game gw1 from a better bench/fixtures than you would usually have combined with an early wildcard you'd get 16 points, so 8 points less. However for arguments sake you wc gw4 with 1m saved from non-playing subs compared to what you would have had which is worth more like 20 points. The main argument against this is that you can save that anyway if you wc late and bb gw37

  23. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Egypt out in the R16 is a bit annoying...might go with a boring Salah(c) squad yet!
    60/40 to remain Salahless 🙂

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'm pretty happy with it; as much as I hate the Salah (c) era at least this way we can all safely do it and hopefully exceed in other areas whilst letting those risky enough to go against it likely fail.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        it was so much more fun going Salahless last season though and I had 19 different captains 🙂

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I went Salahless two seasons ago and I assure you it was ANYTHING but fun. hahah

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Haha, yeah, even tougher this season with those fixtures Mo could easily get off to a flyer!

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

      Way to go 😛

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

      😛

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

    Ederson ( button)
    Robbo, VVD, walker, digne, ake
    Salah, KDB, Siggy jorginho (dendocker)
    Vardy king greenwood.

    What do u guys think,? Good to go ?

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

      Seems decent. Good to go for now.

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

    1/3 maddison to join united

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

      Would have preferred Tielemans tbh.

    2. Party time
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Theatre of dreamzzz

      • Party time
          4 years, 8 months ago

          aint gonna happen

      • jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Salah(TC) in GW1...sorted 🙂

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

          Ha ha
          Deulofail will be alone then this season

        2. Party time
            4 years, 8 months ago

            If thou hat saith that. Who then can be against thee

        3. Penang Sandman
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Why the f all starting GKs are 5.0? This is so dumb

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

            Same for everyone.

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

            You can get Ryan 😉

            1. Penang Sandman
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              since I commited to go BB GW1, Ryan + someone it is

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

                You can try Guaita since he will play AVL, NOR, when BHA has Man city and Chelsea

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 8 months ago

                    I thought palace signed a new goalie

          3. Wally banter
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Have never really encouraged myself watching burnley playing, so could someone give an opinion on westwood. He got some good points last year.

            1. Party time
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Rubbish and too aggressive on the pitch. He would break someone's leg one day tbh

                1. Wally banter
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  😀 okie, staying put

                  1. Party time
                      4 years, 8 months ago

                      🙂

              • Party time
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Any lover of the MMA/UFC here? My man Jorge Masvidal knocked out Ben Askren in just 5 seconds last night. Literally a 5 Seconds fight..hehehe... GAMEBRED

                  1. Get up ya bum
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 8 months ago

                    So brutal

                    1. Party time
                        4 years, 8 months ago

                        Hahaha... Yes Champ, I expected a longer fight tho

                  2. Jafoole_88
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 8 months ago

                    What do people think of Watford and how they'll perform this season? They seem to reinvent themselves every year and I make the mistake of avoiding their players. Currently have Delofeu over King.

                    1. Get up ya bum
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 8 months ago

                      They'll do well again imo. Very good manager

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

                      I'm completely with where you're coming from. They are a weird side. I can't put too much faith in them, but the thing about Deulofeu is if you start him and Watford aren't firing, it's an easy shift to switch him for King, Jota, DLC. Worth the punt, imo.

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

                      Could finish ahead of both Utd & Chelsea

                      They have a more capable manager in charge

                      Speaking of more capable managers in charge - see also City, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal, Everton, Leicester, Wolves, West Ham, Southampton, Bournemouth, Burnley, Palace...

                      Also probably Sheff Utd, Aston Villa & Norwich come to think of it

                      Wow