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. Jafoole_88
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    got 11m to spend on my last defensive spots:

    A. vertonghen and Coleman
    B, Digne and Ake

    thanks

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

      Nope Bournemouth defence is not an option

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

      Coleman is the only 5.5 I'd go for. Can't stretch to 11.5?

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

        Depends.

        Would you drop Laporte to say Walker, which would facilitate that 5.5m spot to Digne?

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

      Sooooo A. Coleman might be a better pick than Digne even without the price difference. Also be aware that all of Trippier's competition currently appear to be injured. If this continues, he has to be a better pick that Vert.

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

        become detached from Trips, heard he's been on the market, poss heading to Serie A

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

          Yeah, that's been touted for a while but, at the minute, Spurs have one fit RB so seems unlikely unless big restructuring occurs. I'd also consider Lloris at 5.5 with a 4.5 defender instead. But agree those home fixtures look tasty.

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

            Cheers. But doesn't walker-peters play RB?

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

      thanks for this.

      and yes, ive finally come to the realisation that the Bournemouth def can't be trusted

    5. Aurora Borealis?
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      A with Trippier. If he goes to Italy you will know about it and FPL won’t lock him into your team

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

    Vardy is 33 I Jan - wow

    I hope he’s a teddy sheringham

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

      Milner will be 34 then, and he doesn't look like slowing down.

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

        He hardly plays

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

        Bad example

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

        Were utd till we die. Stop praising scousers

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

      *in

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

      Everyone is touting that Aguero will start to decline at 31... Can't wait for him to bag that opening day hatty.

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

        Everyone ?
        Have a rethink.

  3. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Seeing a few teams with 4 at the back, I'm looking at this option too but would you not be better off getting a cheapie 3rd & 4th defender with decent fixtures & then you can invest more in Midfield?

    And when the fixtures turn bad you can shift these cheaper defenders on to maximize CS's rather than spending more than you have to in these positions?

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

      Premium defenders are generally easier to predict high points scorers.

      Personally I'm going 4 at the back then probably shifting one to a 5.5-6.5 mid if/when this season's Fraser type enabler emerges

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Plenty of ways to skin a cat.

  4. Aurora Borealis?
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A or B in this team?

    Ederson
    Robbo/TAA/Digne/Mendy/Ake
    Salah/Sig/ x
    King/ x

    A) KBD & Vardy
    B) Perez & Aguero

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

      A.

      KDB could easily match (or pretty much match) Aguero if he stays fit. If he gets injured you have Son around that price point too.

      With Perez it's a difficult price point to get away from. I'm hoping someone emerges from that range as a good option, but no guarantee

      1. Aurora Borealis?
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Hedge, good feedback. I was leaning towards A as well. Pre-season should help make the decision easier too.

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Starting with Mendy a mistake imho, a twit was posted on here that he’s injured and not training yet

      1. Aurora Borealis?
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah Mendy is a bit risky atm. Will be interesting who Pep leans towards

        1. POLSKA GOLA
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’m on Zinchenko atm

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

      Prefer B myself. Having Aguero could be a huge differential if everyone else is concentrating on having just Salah and Sterling. Would get him myself if my team set up was different - still might do yet.

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

    West Ham have completed the sale of Marko Arnautovic to Shanghai SIPG for £22.4m (€25m), according to Sky sources.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      So who plays up front for them now? Antonio? Anderson? I heard Chicha wants out so....

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Getting Maxi Gomez apparently

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

          Yeah, I've also read Callum Wilson could be another option.

        2. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Looks like Valencia is in on him (Gomez) too.

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

        Rondon.

  6. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Coutinho, greedy

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

    Thoughts? Deulofeu isn’t really inspiring me

    Heaton Button

    TAA Robbo Laporte Digne Kelly

    Salah Sterling Siggy Ayoze Dendoncker

    King Deulofeu Nketiah

  8. Edwards123
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Sterling and Murray (suggestions on other 6m strikers welcome)
    Or
    B) KDB and Rashford

    Other 2 forwards are currently Jota and King

    Thanks

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

      A with DCL

  9. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Here is where I am currently at:

    Ryan
    TAA, Van Djik, Laporte, Signs
    Salah, Sterling, Withdrawing
    Murray, Jimenez, King

    Button, Kelly, Deodonker, Hayden

    0m left.

    What you think?

    1. CFC1990
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      May swap Murray to a Sheffield United striker.

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

        Get DCL in for Murray

        1. CFC1990
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Maybe. Trouble with Calvert Lewin is will be play? Could they put Richarlison up front?

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

            Richarlison wasn't great up top by himself, I think that if they don't sign anyone they'd likely go with Calvert-Lewin.

            1. CFC1990
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Will Murray play as well? He is getting older now and they had other options.

              I am really tempted by the Sheffield United boys. Upset against Bournemouth anyone?

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

                Probably, but I don't have confidence in Brighton. Sheffield's fixtures aren't great.

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

                  Ings/Adams might be the way to go at 6.0.

                  1. CFC1990
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 8 months ago

                    Thing is lots of strikers at Southampton.

                    But yeah Ings most likely first choice.

                    I disagree with you

                    bur, LIV, bri, MUN, Shu is Ok.

                    Maybe see 1 goal in first two for the team though

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

                      I agree on Southampton's fixtures, they're better if you've got other players to rotate, but I feel like they might be the best of the bunch.

    2. CFC1990
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sigurdsson and Digne are the two weird names btw

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

        Perfectly normal names in Iceland and France Ill have you know.

        1. CFC1990
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Haha sorry mate!!

  10. POLSKA GOLA
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Which one is the best option to spend 8m out of:
    A) Siggy
    B) Bilva
    C) Wilson

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

      Siggy for me

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

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

      B

  11. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Red card, JESUS!

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

      Put a pre-tournament bet on Brazil to win the tournament. This clown is going to cost me.

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Well, he did score didnt he?

  12. FPL_Gyarados
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Jiminez's ownership is 42.7% percent. That's getting a bit scary.

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

      Why

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

        If he hits the ground running and bigger names don't then teams with him have the advantage.

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

          I think jota near enough matched him second half of season - 1mil cheaper

          Jimenez hasn’t stopped either

          Needs a rest

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

      2 or 3 blanks and the price will fall, then jump on!

  13. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Firm off, Richalison on

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

    Not seeing much love for Kane. Thoughts at £11m?

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

      With AVL at home first game. I am having him.

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      My captain

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

      Think the 3 main arguments against him are:

      - Vardy or Wilson are cheaper/more want Salah/Sterling
      - August
      - Ankles

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Id rather have him than Sterling. Most seem to disagree though.

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

      I like to call him Kankles

      And I think we’re finally seeing the death of the premium forward

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

        If we do... wow

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

          Why wow

          So much more value in midfield with strikers effectively being classified as midfielders

  15. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hope everyone is enjoying their break!

    This is where I am at... Break it apart lads!

    Ryan/Button
    Trent, Laporte, Digne, Holebas, Kelly
    KDB, Salah, Siggy, Remeu, Dendoncker
    King, Kane, Jota

    1. CFC1990
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Holebas, Digne and Jota to McGoldrick, Coleman and VVD I would say but I do like that team as it is

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

    Perez vs Brooks? (King in team)

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

      Depends on what happens at Bournemouth, if Wilson and Fraser left I don't think I'd be investing in any of their players.

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

      I have both.
      I'm hoping Perez will be a gem.

  17. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    My first RMT:
    Ederson;
    Robertson, Van Dijk, Laporte, Digne
    Salah, De Bruyne, Siggy, Fraser;
    King, Deulofeu;
    (Button, Diop, Dendonc, Greenwood).

    Concerned I only have one big premium. 1st Draft, tried to fit Sterling but didn't like the compromises. With De Bruyne I liked the rest of team I could get. Have now kept team the same since day one!

    Do I need to fit another premium player, if so, any suggestions how and who? (Have funds in an Ederson downgrade).

    Or, is the team okay as it stands?(Will ease my sanity).

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

      Looks pretty good I have to say. Looks strong.

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

      Why double city defence?

      1. Thomas Jerome Newton
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Conceded almost same as Liverpool, and think there's more clean sheets in them than last year.
        Just playing safe with goalkeeper for now, plus it holds some funds I can transfer if I downgrade to whoever shines at 4.0/4.5m after a few weeks.

  18. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A- Laporte and Ake
    B- Digne and Trippier

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd say B, to avoid Bournemouth defence.

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

      B

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

    Rate my team please? I always have a WC to bail myself out and I feel the big hitters will be more ‘punishing’ initially than the likes of Siggy and Digne tbh:

    Ryan
    VVD • Taylor • Bednarak
    Salah • Sterling • Dendonker • Brooks • Zaha
    Kane • Vardy

    Bench: Lascalles • Kelly • Wickham

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Team seems quite weak don't like your defence with Bednarek

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

      Don't like playing dedoncker week in week out and the defence is a little weak. Think you need to lose one of the 3 big hitters and spread the funds.

    3. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Think the compromises of 3 premiums is too high a price to pay.

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

      Defence is horrific.

      1. Thomas Jerome Newton
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I agree, with "all of my heart".

    5. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Difficult to see where the money's gone tbh.

  20. CYN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ryan or Heaton?

    Best 4.5 defender to start every week?

    1. CFC1990
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Heaton but only if we find out who will play for Burnley in goal.

      Otherwise I'm thinking just go Ryan

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

      Ryan a bit safer for now

  21. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Murray? Will be start consistently?

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

      I wouldn't go near him to be honest. Too unreliable.

  22. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Goal, Richarlison- game over

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

      Excellent penalty

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Interesting, imagine if he takes them off Siggy.

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

          Hope not, I have Siggy 🙂

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

            Locked in?!

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

              Yeah, no reason to kick him out yet anyway. Had him for a week now. Preseason games will help me decide.

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Twas well taken

  23. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Ryan
    Robbo - TAA - Digne - Zinchenko
    Salah - KdB - Bilva - Siggy
    King - Deulofeu

    And Perez first on the bench.
    If it looks that Zinchenko isnt nailed could easily upgrade him to Laporte and downgrade Perez.

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      That's a bit of money on your bench then? If not playing him that's 2m you could put into the team.

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

        Correct, dont want to have 6.5m player on bench.

        Ryan ja Zinchenko > Ederson and Trippier looks good.

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

    Okay, is Richalison now essential after scoring that penalty? because I'm seriously considering him for my FPL team.

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

      One swallow doesn't make a Summer

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

        Or a good night, but it’s a start

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think so, output is decent for his age plus starts seasons well.

  25. Emre Can Pie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Brazil 3 Peru 1. That last goal had Everton written all over it!

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

      Yes Everton and Brazil frequently mentioned in the same breath.

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

      Beautiful win for Brazil. Jesus almost cost them though. Nice payout for me too on my Brazil to win the tournament bet.

  26. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Alisson Becker 18/19

    - Most clean sheets in Europe's top 5 leagues
    - Fewest goals conceded in Europe's top 5 leagues
    - Premier League Golden Glove
    - UEFA Champions League Golden Glove
    - Copa America Golden Glove

    UEFA Champions League winner
    Copa America winner

    🙂

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

      EPL Runner Up.

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

      He's definitely on a roll.
      UEFA Super Cup winner

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

        And Community Shield probs

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

      Golden Glove sounds like a crap Bond villain.

      Remind me which goalkeeper is the current FIFA Men's World Cup winning captain?

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

        It's just a Liverpool fan trying to mask the inability to win the EPL.

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

          Liverpool will finish in the same place as Berb's FPL ID! (Sorry Berbs)

  27. Alexanderjg23
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    What do we think of Sane's and Jesus' prospects this year? Likely to play much?

  28. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I keep forgetting Rashford is only 21 years old. What sort of season do you expect from him? 15 goals?

    https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PracticalLiquidKitfox-size_restricted.gif

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Unless they offer other things or are integral to the system, a top 6 striker should be getting 20 league goals.

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        How many did Firmino get ?

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

          12 but he offers a lot more. Mane and Salah are Liverpool's main goal threat. Rashford is supposed to be United's

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Maybe he will be under Ole.

            He's a very good young player, with excellent shooting technique and pace to scare any defence. Who knows, this could be his breakout season.

        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          12

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

          Played 34, scored 12. Didn't score in 24 matches.

      2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Playing second fiddle to better players isn't offering something

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

      Im expecting 15 goals which is not good enough for a striker in a team that wants CL football

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

    My attempt at a 532, and th

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

      Post fail *

      And it includes Sterling & Salah. Anyone opting for 5 at the back still?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I like my midfielders too much.

        I just watched Mark's Meet the Manager scoutcast and remembered just how good midfielders can be. He had 5 big midfielders and still wanted more.
        https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eSKpRmqioO4

        Different season obviously but top targets will emerge, particularly when the fixtures turn in their favour.

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

        Not me. 3 is plenty for me but I can appreciate 4 . 5 seems too much.

  30. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT:

    Ryan McGovern
    Robertson VVD Digne Zinchenko Kelly
    Salah Sterling KDB Perez Dendoncker
    Jota King Greenwood

    Comments welcome please

    Thanks

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

      Quite like that.

    2. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A very beefy midfield.