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. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one:
    A. Ederson & 4.5m Defense pair Rotation (442)
    B. Ryan + Laporte + 5m Defender ?? (523)

    Heaton* 4.0
    Robbo Taa Digne Walker* Trippier*
    Salah Sterling 4.5*3
    Vardy King Deulofeu

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

      Ryan in B can be Henderson/Heaton

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

      Morning

      A

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

        Morning bro 🙂
        Ederson safest pick of them all agreed.
        Ederson Tayler Diop (or some other rotation pair) + 6.5m Midfielder to play 433.

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

          Yep Diop is on my radar too. Half thinking about Fredericks it he looks nailed.

          I haven't entirely given up on Fab at 5.0 either. You just know he'll be save points galore and after week 1 there could even be cs too.

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

            Fabianski is dead for me.
            Was frustrating to own last season too.
            Ryan/Heaton plays for better Defense at least tbh.

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

              Frustrating? Really.

              I don't want Ryan at any price - even 4.0. Brighton I don't see being as solid (!) at the back this season if Potter runs true to champo form. I'm treating Brighton as a de facto 4th promoted side with Potter and a complete change of style and all those players ignored by Hughton to be accommodated. If I go there it'll only be for attack - ie Gross

              I've gone off Heaton a tad. The early Burnley fixtures are a bit troublesome and it looks like save points over cs until first WC time.

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

                Kind of agree with that.
                Henderson if goes to blades is also a great option

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

            I can see this slightly offbeat back 4 plus goalie doing very nicely. Chelsea at the back and Fab instead of the standard City.

            In effect it's backing Azpi/Luiz to match Ederson (reasonable) and Fab to outperform a 5.0 defender (reasonable too imo)

            Fab
            TAA Robbo Digne Azpi/Luiz

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

              Chelsea Defense is intriguing tbh. Preseason should tell us what is Lampard's preferred Defensive lineup.
              Azpi is old but reliable as anything.

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

                The really intriguing one is Christensen - apparently Lamps has a thing for him and Rudiger is out. 5.0 is AWB last season territory if he's halfway nailed.

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

                  Yeah

                2. Eze Really?
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  This.

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

      Looks good mate, I like B as I love Ake!

      Ryan
      TAA Robbo Digne Laporte Ake
      Salah Sterling
      Vardy King Deu

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

        Thank you mate 🙂
        Lack of alternative to ake in that price range is what stopping me to go after him.
        I need a 5.5m Midfielder badly 😀

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

          Who's the 5.5 mid?

          Think Moutinho is a decent call. Regular assists, set pieces and possible better cs bonuses this time. If you have Donkey too you'd be very unlucky not to get one of them on the pitch. I can't see better 10 mill in midfield right now. You're also covered if there's an early bolter in the really cheap category.

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

            Good call
            Cheers mate

          2. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            He will average 3 points plus per game. I am loathe to having him on the bench when I will only catch a 2 pointer but I think a densive enabler is the way to go due to price

          3. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Not a bad shout actually.

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

          Holebas for 5 mil instead of Ake? Loves a yellow but loves taking a corner and plays Brighton at home gw1.

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

            Ah another looking at Holebas.

            I'm definitely interested and I'm also certainly going there if he's nailed in preseason and Christensen doesn't get the gig. The worry is that he's getting on.

            I'm keeping one spot at the back for an earlyish move and his returns were sensational last year before cards kicked in.

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

            Great option too.
            Old man has a good delivery in him
            Thank you mate 🙂

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A .
      For this reason. - I don’t like the team structure of the 5-2-3.

      Having 5 at the back is good in theory but what happens when someone like Maddison or Siggy becomes a player too hard to ignore?
      Imo. You need at least 3 in midfield if 2 of those spots have been permanently taken up at a price point preferably at 8 so it can be moved down to a 6.0-8.0 if one hits the ground running?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        * 2 mf spots permanently taken up by Sterling and Salah.

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

        Hello mate 🙂
        433 is better for flexibility i agree.
        Don't see any 5.5m Midfielder atm so kind of waiting for the preseason to unfold.
        You like expensive GK idea ??
        Set N Forget 😮
        4.5m Defender Rotation can be useful

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          5.5m mf are frustrating but one might come through. Have a 6.5-7m to start with then downgrade to that 5.5 if one emerges.
          I was hoping Lookman left Everton to somewhere like Southampton. He could be a gem there.

          Undecided on a goalkeeper. Probably an early WC so the set and forget will be thought about later.
          In the meantime. Looking at Lloris,Kepa or Ederson if I go premium.
          I begrudge going Ryan,Button but that may be the way until WC.

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

            Midfielder option under 6.5m looks dead tbh.
            Yarmalenko looks like a good punt.
            Can't see past him. That's why I'm on Defender @ 5.5m atm. Much better value than the Midfielders at that price.

        2. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          4.5 rotation gives an extra back up bench player every week and allows funds to be used elsewhere.
          Just have to lower expectations a little for that starting spot hoping the other places will compensate.

          Good to see you back for another season.

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

            Thank you mate for kind words 🙂
            Good to talk fpl as always !!
            Re 4.5m defender it can be a masterstroke

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

            Agreed

            Cathcart is one I’m looking at. Trouble is I’ve talked myself into Fab so that rules out Diop and Frefericks. Bournemouth is a no no for me. That leaves me thinking SU - one of those boys must be among the favourites to be an early bolter

            1. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Watford have a decent opening. Cathcart could be a shrewd move as a 4.5m.
              Personally it wouldn’t bother me owning Fabianski and Diop. I’d just bench Diop and have him as a decent back up.

            2. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Or even C.Taylor to rotate with Cathcart.

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

    your thoughts guys:

    Ederson (Button)
    Digne-Robertson-VVD-Laporte
    Salah-Zaha-Fraser (Dendoncker-Stephens)
    King-Kane-Deulofeu

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

      Just get Taa if he's fit.

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

        no funds unfortunately...

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

      With Salah as your captain, don't see the need for Kane--use the money elsewhere. And Deulofeu's fixtures after Brighton are pretty rough. I'm interested in getting him, but a little later on.

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

      No Man City attack is a no

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

        I actually disagree with this. I think for the first 2 games you might be able to get away with it and reassess.

        Having said that he could do Kane to a 6.5 and Fraser to Sterling which looks great.

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Just my view. All good but:
      Zaha unsettled
      Del boy hot and cold
      Gamble on Mendy and get TAA
      Ederson good but better points per mil in other areas.
      Fraser might be at arsenal. Wait and see

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

    A. Ederson VVD Siggy
    B. Ryan Robertson Vardy

    Already have TAA and Laporte.

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

      B looks awesome

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

      Tough

      I'm very down on Ryan (see above) but Robbo and Vardy I really like. Both Siggy and Vvd can make you wait for returns sometime and would be a potentially very frustrating own early on and could possibly tip you into early WC

      So B with another keeper.

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

        I hate Ryan too as had him for much of last season and he was awful but I can't see any alternatives at 4.5 yet especially with those fixture's.

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

          I'm looking at Fab as potential value - certainly over Ryan (50% more saves nearly). I'd back him to certainly match his 143 points last time and he didn't boost that with pens or cs!!! I haven't done the sums yet but that must be Ederson territory for value,

          It then becomes a question of shaving 0.5 elsewhere. Digne to Coleman perhaps?

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

            Fabianski, van Dijk & Vardy currently for me.

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

              Nice

              I'm hoping though to get both Robbo and TAA in though.

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

                I can do it but currently have 0.5 in the bank to upgrade Moura to Richarlison after gw1.

  4. Tiamani Warrior
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Do you think fraser’s fpl output would increase or decrease at Arsenal? Nailedish or heavily rotated? Is he better than their current set piece takers?

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

      Do they have ££ to price him away from Cherries ??
      He'd cost 60m imo.

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

        Love watching him and would love to see him at Arsenal, but I think they'd pay the 80m for Zaha before 60m for Fraser. Seems to have a poor reputation against the big six'es, so if he got rotated out against City or Liverpool, might not be the worst thing.

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

        One year left on his contract. The gossip columns suggest he'd cost 50% of a Zaha, within Arsenal's alleged budget.
        I've pencilled in for my 3rd midfield spot whichever of Zaha or Fraser ends up at Arsenal - I think both would benefit FPL points-wise from the move.

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

          Yep

          I suspect he's much more likely than Zaha - I'm yet to be convinced the Zaha move was for real. Fraser would be way cheaper and even leave cash for someone else.

          Agree with Fraser/Zaha looking good at Arsenal. What will it do to Auba though? Potential for fewer games out wide but does that mean more games in the centre?

          Really hoping someone comes in for either him or Laca!

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

            The way I see it, more assists for Fraser, more chances for Auba. Avoid the Arse defence tho!

        2. Tiamani Warrior
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’m thinking the other way - will prob keep whichever of zaha or Fraser doesn’t go to Arsenal. If both stay put would like to squeeze in both as seem good value at current clubs

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

          That's an interesting insight.
          Do you trust Mr Emery ??
          I don't !!
          He's pathetic to predict.
          Staying away from Arsenal assets unless an Injury makes it obvious which one's will play

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The reason I am not going to go there

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

      Too much of a rotation headache at Arsenal plus if he starts does he get pulled at half time. Similar to Zaha I hope he stays at his current club.

      Another thing to think about if he leaves does it damage Wilson's output?

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

        Very much so. Wilson would not be viable without Fraser's supply.

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

        A definite worry. Difficult to find a replacement at Wilson's price point. But there is also a chance that Wilson moves--Everton, Spurs, maybe even Arsenal if we lose Auba or Laca.

        1. Tiamani Warrior
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’ll try to find the extra 1 for vardy if things go sour at Bournemouth

      3. Tiamani Warrior
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yes Wilson and Fraser will be reviewed if either leave. Possibly makes king more important though. Sorry for the slow reply on holiday with dodgy wifi!

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

    Lampard said CHO is gonna be central to chelsea's success. At 6m he looks very juicy. Anyone considering him? Also is he injured?

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

      He is injured and prob not ready for GW1. I'm seriously considering him when he's fit and played a game or two.

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

      Wildcard pick.

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

        Exactly. You need to wait.

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Is he worth consideration for a zombie team?

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

    Anyone got any ideas how to fit Vardy into this?

    Heaton Button

    TAA Robbo Laporte Digne Kelly

    Salah Sterling Siggy Ayoze Dendoncker

    King Deulofeu Nketiah

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

      You can't. The only obvious route is Sterling to DeBruyne and then bump a forward up

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

      Have Vardy penciled in as a gw9 possibility. Yes, yes, I know he can score against anyone, but early fixtures are tough, and he's not getting any younger.

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

      Very similar team to me, but I’ve got KdB instead of Sterling. That allowed me to get Vardy.

  7. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Morning....
    a) Ederson & Vert
    or
    b) Lloris & Laporte?

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

      B

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

      B

  8. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Not saying it is impossible but surely one goes for tried and tested 1pm players in too. Maybe 1 gamble plus promoted cheapies. Transferred players is a wait and see so Fraser zaha pulisic not atm

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

    KDB or Siggy?

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

      I'm on the Siggy train but you have to be patient with both. The points will come.

  10. Common hypnotist
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    As my team stands
    A)Ings, Deulofue, king in attack
    Zaha in mid
    Or change to
    B)King,Vardy, 4.5
    Brooks in mid?
    Thanks

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

      Found it hard to read your post on a mobile but I'd go B... I think.

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

      B for me. With Brooks or Perez for mid spot.

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

        Thanks
        I already have Perez. It's Zaha I'm not sure about. If he goes to Arsenal would hw be rotated or even start?

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

          My team is this atm
          Ederson (Button)
          Digne,Robbo,TAA, Cathcart (Kelly)
          Salah,Sterling,Zaha,Perez(Dendonker)
          Ings,Deulofeu, King

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

          Yeah, good question on Zaha.
          Brooks is still a decent shout if you have Perez..

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

      B

  11. Boberella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    2 questions on cheapies please:

    MID) Hayden or Dendonker?
    STR) Nketiah or Greenwood?

    Thoughts and reasons on the best one of each would be appreciated, as will need to rotate and play one of MID or STR each week.

    Cheers

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

      Dendonker for me, Newcastle are a train wreck at the moment and dendon did well towards the back end.

      Unsure on the other, very slim minutes for either

  12. 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. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Good team.
      Same as mine (now I've swapped Hayden to Dendonker) other than for your Robbo & Duelo, I have Diop and Vardy.

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

        Ah nice, I’m very keen on vardy too

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

      Leave this team alone and dont pick at it until August 1st.

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

        Yeah tinkering too much never goes well

  13. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    prmt
    Ryan
    Trent Robbo Walker Digne
    Salah KDB Siggy Zaha
    King Vardy

    Button Dendonker Nketiah Kelly

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

    Too much of a good thing?

    Sterling KdB Bilva

    It just looks so neat and tidy.

  15. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all, any necessary changes on the below team?

    Pickford (Button)

    TAA / Laporte / Coleman / Smith (Bednarek)

    KDB / Bilva / Salah (Dendocker / Romeu)

    Kane / King / DCL

    Thanks in advance

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

      Smith? You need a fourth heavy-hitter defender.
      KDB? More than ever, could be an assist-the-assister, and you've got to imagine they'll be managing his minutes, given his atrocious injury record.
      Bilva's great, but maybe more IRL than for FPL.
      DCL is still injured--wait.
      Why are you spending money on Kane when Salah is your captain?

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

      Not bad at all

      I'm doubting your Everton contingent though. Pickford was value for pens last time out - as that's unlikely to repeat you need lots of cs.

      DCL is either great value or horrid. His finishing needs to move up a couple of notches. Could happen of course as he's a work in progress but equally he may not be a starter. I'm looking for 100% tied on.

      How about Pickford to Fab and you're 6.5 of choice? Fab is not in fashion right now but looks very fair value at 5.0 to me. More or less guaranteed save points and he can only go up with pens and cs. - 140 points plus.

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

        Fab got 151 saves last time out compared to 97 for Pickford. Ouch.

        It's not even possible to argue that that's a function of WH and Everton defence as the Everton defence was as wretched as WH's for 30 weeks last season.

  16. 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 and thoughts please

    Thanks

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

      Jota and Perez have some tough early fixtures. Like them both, but waiting.
      It's a bit hard to choose Zinchenko with Mendy breathing down his neck.
      Pick Salah or Sterling only as your captain, and use the extra cash elsewhere.

  17. eririi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts on this team?

    Allison (Button)

    AWB Digne Walker (Ake Kelly)

    Zaha Bilva Richarlison Grealish (Hayden)

    Rashford Firminio Aguero

    Thanks 🙂

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

      Punty

      This is an early WC or genius.

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

      Nice to see some familiar names not usually in RMT squads--Ake, Grealish (!), Hayden, even Firmino. I think there are sound reasons for their omission, but it's easy to imagine them changing our minds.

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

      Nah, not enough 200 point players, Only Kun. Need to shovel in as many of the big boys as possible; VVD, Salah etc.

    4. All de Gea no iDier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Probably a top 5 million side at best.

  18. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Vardy, Coleman, Diop
    B) Deulofeu, Digne, Holebas + 1.5

    1. bluenose1878
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B and instead of holebas, plus the 1.5 and get VVD/laporte or save 0.5 and get walker/dluiz?

  19. Lau00
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    hi chaps,

    any thought on my current team?

    heaton
    robertson/vvd/zinchenko/lascelless
    zaha/salah/sterling
    king/laca/jota

    ryan/dendoncker/hayden/el mohamady

    1. bluenose1878
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Nice team. Jota has difficult fist few games, look to king/deu for opening fixtures same price. Zinchenko or mendy to be nailed? Have a look out for pre-season games.

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

    Thoughts here folks? Liking the K3 strike force.

    ederson
    robbo vvd coleman ake
    mane Zaha jorginho
    kane kun king

    button dendo guendouzi reid

    1. bluenose1878
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Looks dangerous up top yeah, guaranteed goals. Be interesting to see if jorg is on pens too. If not, noble and kante also 5mil. Interesting no mo/sterling.

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

        Bro that was my 5th draft, have made 1078 more after that. Thanks anyway

  21. Banda
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Not sure if this is the right thread to write in (apologies if it isn't).....just wanted to know which numbers/ indicators were most useful when using the player comparison tool?

  22. bluenose1878
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Heads mashed here. Any thoughts/comments much appreciated.

    a) Ederson
    VVD TAA Digne Dunk
    Salah Sterling Sig Noble
    Vardy King
    (Button Kelly Hayden Wickham)

    b) Gunn
    VVD TAA Digne (DLuiz/Walker)
    Salah Sterling Sig Donker
    Vardy King
    (Button Dunk Hayden Wickham)

    c) Gunn
    VVD TAA Digne
    Salah Sterling Sig Perez
    Vardy King Kane
    (Button Kelly Dunk Hayden)

    1. bluenose1878
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      edit c is not affordable. New c:

      c) Gunn
      VVD TAA Digne Dunk
      Salah Sterling Sig Donker
      King Kane
      (Button Kelly Hayden Wickham)