Pre-Season

The budget FPL midfielders to consider at £5.5m

Having looked at the Fantasy Premier League midfield options available at £4.5m and £5.0m, we now focus on the budget assets that can be acquired for a little bit more money.

It is stating the obvious that the midfielders available at £5.5m generally offer more of an attacking threat than the cheaper options we have already discussed, with defensive midfielders, deep-lying playmakers and reserves prominent in the £4.5m-£5.0m bracket.

There are 41 midfielders available for £5.5m at the time of writing and we will discuss them all in this latest price list analysis.

Any players featured in this article who don’t cost £5.5m will have their starting price listed in brackets.

PLAYERS FROM THE ‘BIG SIX’ CLUBS

Jordan Henderson was redeployed as a “number eight” by Jurgen Klopp in the last half-dozen matches of 2018/19.

There are eight midfielders available at £5.5m who play for one of last season’s top two.

All four of Liverpool’s assets at this price are central midfielders and the competition for places in the middle of the park is enough to put off prospective Fantasy owners, let alone the fact that many of us will have our hearts set on a double-up or triple-up on the Reds’ premium options.

Fabinho offers little for FPL bosses as the anchorman in front of the defence, while Georginio Wijnaldum (who scored on three occasions last season) is no longer the sustained goal threat he was in his first season at Anfield and final year at Newcastle.

We ought to mention that James Milner is Liverpool’s first-choice penalty-taker but it’s starts that are a problem for the veteran: the ex-Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder only lined up in one of Liverpool’s final ten league fixtures of 2018/19.

With Milner turning 34 midway through next season and competition for places fiercer than ever in the Liverpool engine room (the fit-again Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.0m) adding to Jurgen Klopp’s options), Milner may well be even more peripheral this year.

Jordan Henderson hasn’t passed 80 FPL points in the last four campaigns but he began to take on more attacking responsibilities in the season run-in, with all four of his goals/assists coming in the final six Gameweeks.

That positional evolution will be something we’ll be keeping an eye on in the opening weeks of 2019/20.

Competition in central midfield may also pose Fantasy managers dilemmas at Manchester City this season.

Fernandinho has chipped in with a few goals over his time at the Etihad but the veteran Brazilian will perhaps be gradually phased out this season following the arrival of Rodrigo.

The summer signing from Atletico Madrid scored three league goals last season, as many as he had managed in his previous four years.

Phil Foden made only three starts in 2018/19 but this could be a big year for the England under-21 international, with David Silva (£7.5m) set to leave at the end of it.

Ilkay Gundogan adds to Foden’s competition, however, especially as Rodri has arrived to take over as the midfield anchor – a role Gundogan was forced to adopt late last season when Fernandinho was injured.

Barring an injury crisis at City which would lead to less competition for either Gundogan or Foden and the regular starts that we Fantasy managers crave, neither player will feature in many FPL squads come Gameweek 1.

The likes of Mateo Kovacic, Harry Winks and Fred are, arguably, overpriced even in this price bracket.

Winks was neither a secure starter when fit nor a significant goal threat, with his role further back in the Spurs midfield restricting him to just two shots in the box all season.

Fred made just seven starts in the 21 matches that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw, meanwhile, and failed to score in any of them.

Kovacic is another underwhelming asset available at this price, though it’s possible Frank Lampard may be able to get more out of him from an attacking point of view.

The Croatian midfielder, signed on a permanent deal this summer, didn’t find the net once last season and banked only two assists.

Kovacic jobshared his left-sided central midfield role with Ross Barkley (£6.0m) in 2018/19 and Maurizio Sarri’s predictable substitutions became something of a running joke: Kovacic was hooked in 19 of the 21 league games he started.

It will be interesting to see where Kovacic is deployed under the new regime, although he has only seven league goals to his name in as many seasons and we aren’t expecting much to change in that regard.

Granit Xhaka is Arsenal’s sole representative at £5.5m, with the Switzerland international costing exactly the same as he has done in the previous three campaigns.

We pretty much know what to expect from Xhaka now: the odd spectacular free-kick from distance (two of his four goals in 2018/19 were such strikes) and a handful of assists from dead-ball situations.

No Arsenal player took more corners than Xhaka last season, while none of the Gunners’ other midfielders made as many league starts (29).

With the Swiss midfield general we also get yellow cards, however: there were ten of these in both 2018/19 and 2017/18.

PLAYERS FROM OTHER TOP-HALF CLUBS

Just two of Ruben Neves’ 74 shots last season were from inside the box – and both were penalties.

Andre Gomes has made his move to Goodison Park permanent this summer but, while his contribution to the Everton cause can’t be overstated, the former Barcelona midfielder delivered just three attacking returns in 2018/19 from the base of the Toffees’ midfield.

Tom Davies made only ten starts last season and not one came in the final 11 Gameweeks, so he is expected to be well down the pecking order in central midfield on Merseyside.

Rachid Ghezzal didn’t make a single start under Brendan Rodgers, while Demarai Gray was jettisoned from the flanks in Gameweeks 36 to 38 when Marc Albrighton had recovered from injury.

All three now have Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) to contend with ahead of 2019/20 and we will have to see how Rodgers tweaks his system to accommodate the £30m Spaniard – it may well be that none of the three Leicester £5.5m midfield options can offer us the security of starts we crave, let alone consistent attacking returns.

We’ll also have to monitor West Ham’s pre-season friendlies to see how Robert Snodgrass fits into Manuel Pellegrini’s plans: the Scotland international did make 25 starts last season but the Hammers are very well stocked with options in midfield, as we discussed in our mid-price analysis.

No FPL midfielder available for £5.5m registered more Premier League assists than Joao Moutinho (eight) last season.

We know what to expect from Moutinho and Ruben Neves: regular starts and the occasional attacking return, although their deep-lying roles mean goals from open play won’t be easy to come by.

Neves at least has the advantage of alternating penalties with Raul Jimenez (£7.5m), while he is also a threat from direct free-kicks (he scored two of each last season).

James Maddison (£7.0m) was the only FPL midfielder to take more corners than Moutinho last season, meanwhile, so the veteran Portuguese star offers plenty of assist potential from dead-ball situations.

PLAYERS FROM THE THREE PROMOTED CLUBS

John McGinn scored five goals in the final 12 matches of last season.

Mark Duffy was the most advanced of Sheffield United’s central midfield three last season and he chipped in with 12 attacking returns in 2018/19.

The veteran midfielder only had two big chances last year, however, while a shot on goal every 66.2 minutes would be poor even by Premier League standards let alone the Championship.

Duffy also turns 34 in October and there have to be legitimate concerns over his ability to string together a series of starts in the top flight.

Luke Freeman has indeed been brought in by Chris Wilder this summer and maybe the possible heir to Duffy.

Freeman bagged eight goals and six assists at QPR in 2018/19 and only four players created more chances in the second tier.

Since making his Championship debut in 2015/16, Freeman has registered more key passes and assists than any player in the division.

READ MORE: Our guide to Sheffield United’s attacking options

Marco Stiepermann and Onel Hernandez were heavily involved with Norwich’s promotion-winning campaign and chipped in with 15 and 17 attacking returns respectively.

Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) was the only Norwich player to register more shots or more efforts in the box than winger Hernandez in 2018/19.

Operating as a number ten in Daniel Farke’s 4-2-3-1 system, Stiepermann is arguably the more secure pick as he made more Championship starts than any of Norwich’s other midfielders last season.

Loanee Patrick Roberts – without a league goal in the last two years – joins them in the £5.5m bracket and pre-season will hopefully tell us if the Manchester City prospect is to be anything other than a backup option at Carrow Road in 2019/20.

Norwich sit bottom of our Season Ticker in Gameweeks 1 to 5 so those opening games may be a good way for us Fantasy managers to scope out Farke’s preferred personnel before the fixture swing in Gameweek 6.

READ MORE: Our guide to Norwich City’s attacking options

Winger Anwar El Ghazi and central midfielder John McGinn are Aston Villa’s two options at £5.5m.

McGinn made more starts than any Villa player last season and delivered 16 attacking returns in the league.

The Scotland international was top among his Villa midfield peers for shots inside the box and efforts on target, while not one of his teammates created more big chances.

McGinn did pick up an off-putting 14 yellow cards, however.

The versatile El Ghazi registered six goals and as many assists last season and was a near-permanent fixture in the second half of the campaign, with most of his run-outs coming on the left flank.

It remains to be seen what else Villa do in the transfer window this summer but at present, he would appear to be Dean Smith’s first choice left-winger.

READ MORE: Our guide to Aston Villa’s attacking options

The usual caveat applies to all of these players who impressed in the Championship last season, as we have seen many a Fantasy asset promoted with impressive stats in the English second tier and then fail to kick on in the Premier League.

THE REST

Moussa Djenepo scored three goals in five Europa League group games last season.

Jose Izquierdo, Jeffrey Schlupp and Steven Defour are all fighting their way back to fitness and in Izquierdo and Defour’s cases, their dismal track record with injury is reason enough to stay clear.

Schlupp, meanwhile, has lost his ‘out of position’ tag having been reclassified as an FPL midfielder and his appeal is dented as a result.

We’ll have to bide our time to see if Anthony Knockaert features in Graham Potter’s plans given the wealth of options the new Brighton manager has out wide, while Christian Atsu – very much second fiddle on Tyneside once Miguel Almiron (£6.0m) arrived – will be hoping for more opportunities under Newcastle’s new manager, especially as Ayoze Perez has now departed.

Robbie Brady was ousted from the Burnley team by Dwight McNeil (£6.0m) midway through last season and has made only one start this calendar year.

Jeff Hendrick was a regular fixture on the right flank in the second half of the season but offers little in the way of attacking threat and blanked in 29 of his 32 appearances.

Ashley Westwood is the obvious Burnley option at this price, having banked two goals and eight assists in 2018/19.

Westwood was prominent at corner-kicks but only after Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m) lost his place, so the central midfielder’s assist potential may well be largely dictated by whether the Icelandic winger can regain the right-wing role.

It remains to be seen if Max Meyer can build on a fairly underwhelming debut season of just 15 starts and four attacking returns but James McArthur was one of the quiet budget success stories of 2018/19, returning more FPL points than any midfielder available for less than £6.0m this season.

Ten attacking returns represented his best-ever FPL haul but it was also the security of starts that boosted his appeal, with McArthur lining up in 36 of Palace’s 38 league games.

Those regular starts perhaps mask his limited threat a little, with McArthur averaging less than one shot and one key pass per appearance in 2018/19.

Will Hughes‘ averages were better than McArthur’s but inferior to his two Watford teammates available at £6.0m, Roberto Pereyra and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Six attacking returns for Hughes was indeed half of what Doucoure managed last season.

Finally, there are three midfielders available for £5.5m at Southampton.

Mohamed Elyounoussi is seemingly persona non grata under Ralph Hasenhuttl having made just two starts since the Austrian took charge, while Stuart Armstrong also only made the starting XI in nine of the 23 matches that the current Saints’ boss oversaw.

Moussa Djenepo is, perhaps, one of the more eye-catching names available at this price.

We urged caution about the pacy Mali international in our Scout Report given that we have been burned before by imports from the Low Countries and there is always the risk that the transfer could prove to be another misstep.

If Djenepo is to become a first-choice pick under Hasenhuttl, however, then a £5.5m winger with an eye for goal would be an alluring option – as Nathan Redmond (£6.5m) demonstrated at the back-end of 2018/19.

As we have stressed repeatedly this summer, pre-season could enhance the appeal of a name or two from this list who we may have dismissed – so we will be keeping a close eye on the teamsheets over the next four weeks of friendlies.

739 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Yyyyyessss. I need this article in my life.

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

      Literally just been searching for a 5.5 enabler to get KDB.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        It is pretty slim pickings though

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

          Yep.

          Scrapping the barrel when you're thinking about bringing Anwar El Ghazi into your team.

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

      This article pretty much shows that there are no 5.5 options

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

        I'm tempted to pretend that Ritchie is my 5.5 midfielder.

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

          Same response as the last time you made this comment.

          No manager. No sign of a manager. No Perez. No Rondon. No outlet. They’re off on their preseason tour early next weekI believe. Recipe for disaster.

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

            The thing is ... if Matt Ritchie was a £5.5m midfielder, he'd be the best option this season. Literally nowt out there.

        2. Conor1
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’m also tempted. Hopefully play closer to the opposition goals this season and add in a clean sheet here and there. Could be a bargain.

  2. zdrojo187
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pereyra or Townsend?

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

      Neither

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

        Why not Pereyra . Priced pretty well considering how well he started last year. Nice fixtures too

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

          Very poor end to the 18/19 campaign. You'll have to check but I read somewhere that he had few if any attacking returns after January.

          I considered him myself but I believe Doucoure is better value at the same price.

      2. zdrojo187
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Short term...then maybe Grealish

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

      Pereyra

  3. kime67
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    its just bunch of donkeys under 5.5

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

      This! Would rather Ake or 4.5 defender.

  4. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Slim pickings indeed.

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

    2 spots to fill in this team:

    A) 4.5 def & Perez
    B) Kelly & Maddison
    C) Kelly & Zaha

    Ryan
    TAA | VVD | Digne | Zinchenko | ____
    Salah | Sterling | ____
    Kane | King

    Button | Dendoncker | Hayden | Greenwood

    Thanks

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

      Two of those shouldn't even be considered so has to be A

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

        Thanks!

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

      Has to be A

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

        Cheers mate

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

      A)

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

        Thanks, conclusive

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

      A
      The same squad template I am toying with almost.

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

        Cool, it's does look good on paper

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

      This is very good by they way except Zinchenko, Which 4.5 would you chose?

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

        Yeah it's dependent on Zinchenko being nailed.
        Hmm not sure, likely to be:
        - El Mohamady
        - Targett
        - Taylor
        - O'Connell

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

        Thanks btw

  6. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Every decent defender 5.5m & above will outscore all 5.5m midfielders. Just get dendoncker.

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      this

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

      It does seem like this from the onset

  7. MysticMac17
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed on last page.

    Thoughts on this latest draft?

    Ryan
    Laporte Digne TAA Robbo VVD
    Sterling KDB Siggi Dendoncker
    Kane

    Subs: Button, Stephens, Greenwood, Wickham

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

      It is quite good, the negatives are playing Dendoncker and no Salah, which would scare me

    2. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Like it, I have a very similar team. Instead of KDB, Laporte & Robbo however, I have Salah, Mendy & Noble (a punt, I know).

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

    Now considering a 3-4-3! Thoughts on this side please all.....?!

    Heaton/Pope
    TAA - Robertson - Digne
    Salah - Siggy - Zaha - Perez
    Aguero - King - Che

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

      Very nice indeed, wonderful balance

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

        Cheers capt!

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

      Strong

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

        Surely that's not in budget...

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

          It certainly is!

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

            Ah - the reason I can't get close to this is because I want Vardy, who makes things awkward 🙁

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

              Had Vardy for ages but his price point ruins the balance! Had to settle for Perez to cover or Tielemans if same price point an option....

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

                Yeah - I may have to do the same, because the balance you've got there is something I like. Ended up with Gomez and rotating 4.5 defs

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

              Vardy along 2 big hitters I assume, right?

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

                Yep

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

        Thanks Dan!

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No Sterling may hurt, other than that really good.

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

        Cheers! Prefer sterling but Aguero gives better balance and options in attack

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

          They're the same price. If you prefer Sterling why not go 3-5-2 instead?

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

            This

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

            Because I can have a playing 4.5 mid on the bench (donk) and you can’t with a 4.5 striker. More flexibility. Plus if Kane/Auba etc hit form, easy switch. Not with sterling. And Kun on pens!

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

          I 2nd that!

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

      Like it a lot tbh!

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

        Cheers Udo! See my reply!

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

          Very nice but who is Che?

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

      who is CHE?

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

        Che Adams. new striker for Southampton. Should do well.

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

      What would worry me is you could have 3 players who have just been signed by new teams ( if Zaha goes). Too many punts for the start. Apart from that it's good

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

    Question about the first prize in FPL.

    Is it a trip for 2 or just for me? Ideally, I'd like to take my lady with me.

    Is winning this thing going to cost me?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Having a lady will.

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

        Maybe I can pawn the Tag Heuer watch to pay for her tickets.

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

        Hahaha

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

        How's your garden 🙂

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Neat as f....
          I'm well trained.

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

    Thoughts on Groß as an option?

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

      Think could be a great differential. Playing under a more attacking manager and on free kicks and pens (if Murray doesn't play)

  11. 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.

    How do you find the team?

    1. Fit of Pique
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Like that it's different

      Not convinced about AWB (United fan)

      Or Bernardo, not sure 8m is value

      Forwards all at the same price point - might be difficult to manuever?

      Dele a bit punty?

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

      Only a man United fan could have wan bissaka and rashford

  12. Fit of Pique
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Second attempt

    Ederson
    TAA, VVD, Digne, Azpi, Coleman
    Salah, KDB, Siggy
    Vardy, King
    ----
    Button, Dendoncker, Stephens, Greenwood

    - Plan to perma-cap Salah
    - leave a City slot open in case one emerges as the obvious top pick

    1. Riders of Yohan
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Like it! Unsure to have Coleman and digne. Also unconvinced on Azpi

      1. Fit of Pique
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the comment

      2. Fit of Pique
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Not convinced on Azpi either! Who do you prefer around those pricepoints? Not averse to formation change

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

    Thougts on team:

    Ryan/Button
    VVD, Digne, Ake
    Zaha, Sterling, Salah, Siggy, Gross
    Vardy, King

    Is 3-5-2 viable this year?
    Is it worth dropping a midfielder to upgrade defence/goalkeeper?
    Thinking of Perez over Vardy?

    1. Fionn791
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would go groß to dendonker and get in robbo or TAA

  14. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ryan
    Digne TAA Zinc VVD
    Siggy Capoue Salah Sterling Dendocker
    Kane

    A - Sterling, Capoue, Dendocker
    B - Bilva, Fraser, King

    1. Fionn791
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would go B

  15. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone rotating 4.5 defenders to free up cash elsewhere?

    It means you can't go 4 premiums at the back.

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

      Probably but not sure

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

        I can confirm, you can't have 4 premium defs if you have 2 rotating 4.5's 😉

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

          He maybe calculating Ritchie as Midfielder 😉

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

      Brighton and Watford rotate well. No top 6 team all season.

  16. zdrojo187
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Another draft...

    Ederson
    Digne VVD A.Smith
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Fraser Moura
    Deulofeu King

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

      In my opinion, a team that only has king and deulofeu up front shouldn't have Adam Smith in it. If that makes sense.

      1. zdrojo187
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yes...but i see 7 strikers in my team

        1. Villa Velour
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Interested to see who the 7th striker is?

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

    My team seems to come down to

    A) kane and Jorginho
    B) vardy and sigurdsson

    Already have Salah and sterling

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

      B

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

      B

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

      Had a similar dilemma yesterday.B.

  18. Ekip
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I think there are 2 decisions about the core of your squad to make before anything else.

    Decision #1
    How many premium attackers (£10m+) to pick?

    For me, 3 is too many as it compromises the rest of the squad, but 1 isn’t enough as it doesn’t give captain options, so 2 it is for me.

    Decision #2
    How to allocate the premium attackers between midfielders and forwards?

    1 of each is the biggest risk and reward as there are the most decisions each week - Salah or Sterling then Kane or Auba or Aguero. Get your transfers between those right consistently and you’ll be rewarded with green arrows aplenty but get them wrong and you’ll end up on the wrong end of regular red arrows.
    2 mids is the most cautious/easiest - set and forget Salah and Sterling and you ‘only’ need to pick the right captain! That’s the route I’m leaning toward.
    2 forwards is the middle ground - still need to pick 2 from 3.

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

      What are your thoughts on building TV?

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

      Premium 1 fw & 1 mf gives you easy flexibility to change between big hitters

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The points between defining 1 of each 2 mids or 2 attack are ridiculous

      The position in ff is not the position in the prem

      Salah and sterling for instance are effectively forwards yet they score more points for a goal and get that clean sheet point

      The need for a premium forward is over, since there are mids that chip in with more assists and goals than the forwards

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

      It’s the flexibility that gives you the potential to do really well or really badly

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        2 transfers

        It’s not like having all your cash spread across the back and having to make multiple moves

        Mid downgrade striker upgrade or the opposite

        Overthinking

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

      Start of the season I just just go with balance

      A lot of teams here with heavy defences that could backfire. Too much funds in 5 defenders and dismissing attackers like Kane is risky imo

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

      “Ridiculous “ is a bit strong and unnecessarily aggressive, especially as we came to the same conclusion - no premium forwards!

      We’re playing FF so it is the position they’re allocated in the game that is relevant.

      Whichever of the options you go with (2 forwards, 2 mids or 1 of each) you will be stuck with until WC unless you take hits to move options, so it is an important consideration.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No offence intended

  19. Riders of Yohan
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Feedback appreciated/

    Ryan
    Robbo TAA Digne Laporte*
    Salah Sterling Perez Siggy
    King Deulofeu

    Button - dendon kelly 4.5

    Laporte can become mendy depending on preseason and upgrade keeper

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

      My exact draft as well, so naturally I think it looks great 🙂

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

      Defence too heavy

      Attackers too light

  20. MysticMac17
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Angus Gunn seems to be going under the radar. 3.9 points per game last season (albeit he played around 11 games or so, and so reduced minutes). The same number of points per game as Kepa of Chelsea. The only 4.5 options Ive seen mentioned so far are Pope/Heaton (whoever is first choice) and Ryan

    1. Rigid Digit
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Is he first choice though?
      If he was gaurentted, I'd probably go for him as a set and forget job
      Similar to the Pope/Heaton thing, who is Number 1 between Gunn and McCarthy (I believe Hassenwotsit prefers Gunn, but even a staunch Saints fan I know cannot be sure)

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

      Agreed but I've decided to just go Fabianski and Button for now as a set and forget for the same price.

      I feel with Gunn you need another 4.5 back up.

  21. Across
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hello. Fahrmann will be Norwich first keeper, right?

    1. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Would be harsh on Krul but no room for sentiment I guess

  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Really tempting to go KDB Vardy over Sterling Deulofeu... something about having King Deulofeu 4,5 as my strikers makes me uneasy.

    If going with the former, I'd probably find someone other than Perez for 4th mid, too, though he could be a good option surely? Attacking mid/wing?

    Mendy could also be Zinchenko/Laporte, Digne could be Coleman, Robbo could be VVD... 😆

    Heaton (Button)
    TAA Robertson Digne Mendy (Kelly)
    Salah Sterling Sigurdsson Perez (Dendoncker)
    King Deulofeu (Greenwood)

    Alternatively again, Deulofeu Perez --> Vardy 4.5, but that means having to play a 4.5mid every week

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

      Yeah the striker thing makes me uneasy too, I'd fight to get vardy in

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

      Food for thought: You could also keep your midfield and upgrade a fwd to Vardy by moving either Trent or Robbo to VVD and downgrading Mendy to a 4.5.

      On paper, Mendy of start of last season seems much better, but there’s apparent doubt whether he will be ready to start the season (and stay fit).

      This year’s Doherty (or Doc Light) may yet emerge at the 4.5 price.

      I would also be concerned about starting with two 6.5s and 4.5 up top unless planning early WC.

  23. Conor1
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Fairly uninspiring stuff- similar to the 4.5m and 5.0m options. Looking like a few heavy hitters for me in the middle.

  24. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A - Siggy + Kante /Jorginho
    B - Perez + Brooks

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

    Everyone is spending so much on the backline 😮

    Any comments on this different approach?

    Ryan / Eastwood
    Coleman Mendy(?) Dunk Baldock Kelly
    KdB Siggy Salah Dendoncker 4.5(?)
    Kun King Vardy

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      only one liverpool player and none of their defenders is just asking for red arrows imo

    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      wouldn't be comfortable going with only one player from the top team (from an FPL perspective)

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Due to the value there

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

      It looks good but I think you are risking not having any of the 3 LIV defenders

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

        Of one I would say TAA. But I am not eager to invest heavily in defense so early...

  26. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this latest draft?

    Ederson
    AWB Digne TAA Robbo
    Salah Sterling Mili
    Rashford King Long

    Subs: Button, Kelly, Dendoncker, Stephens,

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Long and mili would worry me

      Long might not make the pitch

      Mili won’t get those pens when Zaha moves on

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

        Cheers

    2. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      All the comments on here I have seen give the opinion wait and see how utd perform before picking any of their players but the choice is yours

  27. MattB
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Would probably say Freeman or El Ghazi are the best options at 5.5

    El Ghazi - guaranteed starts, license to get forward

    Freeman - loved him while he was at Bristol City, not seen many with as good a cross as him, will certainly be on corners and probably most free kicks too, also guaranteed starts

    Think I will be using 1 of them to enable a bit more money elsewhere.... who is the big question!

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

      The options at 5.5 are dreadful. Sure someone will emerge as a band wagon, but can't see where from. My view is you may as well drop down to Jorginho rather than those punts you've named (as long as he is on pens). Or gundogan as long as you have a playing sub.

  28. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Providing Zinchenko is the LB of choice...

    Ederson
    TAA // VVD // Zinchenko // Digne // Coleman
    Salah // KDB // Sigurdsson
    Vardy // King

    4.0 // Jorginho // Dendoncker // Greenwood

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

      Superb

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Love it

    3. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Could also just go for Walker and downgrade Jorginho...but oh already knew that

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah I had considered that but I can envisage PK scoring Jorginho coming on with his game winning bonus for a benched Zinchenko

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

    A. Laporte and VVD
    B. Walker and Robertson

    Already have Ederson and TAA.

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Nothing in it tbh

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

      A, Laporte more nailed

  30. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Currently on this.
    Heaton / Button
    Robbo / TAA / Digne / Coleman / Walker
    Salah / Sterling / Siggy / Fraser / fodder
    Delf / fodder / fodder
    A) Sterling + Delf
    B) KDB + Vardy
    Looking at getting in son when he’s back at the expense of Sterling. Delf could become Vardy or Fraser could become KDB if he’s firing
    Thoughts please gents

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B