Scout Reports

What FPL managers can expect from new Chelsea boss Frank Lampard

The appointment of Frank Lampard as the new Chelsea head coach is an interesting one for Blues’ fans and Fantasy managers alike.

The retired midfielder has had only one year in club management, having led Derby County to a Championship play-off final in 2018/19.

Maurizio Sarri’s 11-month stay in west London ended with his appointment as Juventus manager in June and there is palpable hope among the Stamford Bridge faithful that Sarri’s exit could be a positive one for the club’s many academy products.

Lampard has already hinted that he will give youth a chance next season and that prospect will seem even likelier if Chelsea’s two-window transfer ban is upheld.

The departure of Eden Hazard is a blow and, with the Blues currently unable to recruit, we are faced with a strange situation of no Chelsea player being available for more than £7.5m in Fantasy Premier League next season.

Bargains could be had among the Blues’ squad, then, with the likes of Willian (£7.0m) and Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) catching the eye in the mid-price midfield bracket and several academy graduates – such as Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, who are still yet to be priced up – potentially making the step up to senior level in 2019/20.

To help us piece together a picture of Lampard the manager, we have enlisted the help of Derby County fan site/Twitter account 12th Ram for further insight on the Chelsea boss.

What Style of Football Does Lampard Use?

The attacking returns posted by Jayden Bogle last season may be a clue as to how Frank Lampard wants his Chelsea full-backs to play in 2019/20.

We have only one season’s worth of evidence to draw upon but there were plenty of clues at Derby for what type of football Lampard will try to play in west London.

Like Sarri, Lampard frequently used a 4-3-3 but there were differences within the two systems.

Lampard often opted for an additional midfield enforcer (i.e. Bradley Johnson) just in front of the back four, as opposed to only playing a Jorginho (£5.0m)-type of ‘regista’ there.

N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) may well be the man Lampard turns to in that position, should he stick to a 4-3-3.

In his first press conference, Lampard said:

I’ve said it before, Kante is one of the greatest midfield players in the world. In the last few years, his performances have been outstanding. My job will be to find the best position to get the best out of him. I know the qualities, the attributes he has.

The new Chelsea boss exacted a high press from the front at Derby and high energy levels were asked of County’s midfielders and forwards when both in and out of possession.

The youthful zest of Ross Barkley (£6.0m) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.5m) may nicely fit into a similar system, although where that would leave Jorginho is another question.

It’s not a given that Lampard will use a 4-3-3 at Chelsea, of course. The new Blues’ boss experimented with a similar 4-2-3-1, a 4-4-2 and a wing-back system during 2018/19.

The full-backs in Lampard’s Derby teams have been encouraged to get forward to provide width, with County’s wide midfielders having generally played as more narrow inside-forwards rather than out-and-out wingers.

Right-back Jayden Bogle, indeed, registered more assists than any of his team-mates last season.

One of the weaknesses of Lampard’s stewardship has been the spaces left behind his gallivanting full-backs when they bomb forward.

Similarly, the new Chelsea boss’s insistence on a high line and playing out from the back also caused a problem or two.

12th Ram said:

Lampard was very clear from the outset that he wanted to play a fast, aggressive, attacking game and at times we saw that in action.

However, his stubbornness to mix up the tactics often led to us being one-dimensional and predictable. Especially playing out from the back when we didn’t have the players to do so – it cost us a few goals!

Most Derby fans would agree that his tactical stubbornness – or being naive – cost us a few times last season.

Rotation is the Fantasy manager’s nemesis and 12th Ram said that Lampard is prone to making the odd change to his line-ups on a week-to-week basis. In particular, he referenced the flanks, which could slightly temper interest in Willian and Pedro (£7.0m) ahead of the pre-season matches.

He’s a bit of a rotator but this doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his favourites. Expect changes each game but usually on the flanks or up top, whereas he tends to keep a more settled defence.

For much more detailed analysis of Lampard’s debut season as manager, may we point you in the direction of Ram Srinivas’s superb in-depth piece that delves into the Derby data from 2018/19.

Will Lampard put his faith in youth?

Tammy Abraham has returned to Chelsea after hitting 26 goals for Aston Villa in the Championship last season.

Lampard made positive noises about Chelsea’s youth system in his first press conference and indeed he worked with two of the club’s academy products at Derby last season.

Midfielder Mason Mount and centre-back Fikayo Tomori, who joined on loan from Chelsea in the summer of 2018, made 44 and 35 Championship appearances respectively for the Rams, with both players playing a prominent part in the play-offs too.

Five of the six players who racked up the most minutes for Derby in the second tier were 24 or under at the start of the campaign, one of whom was 18-year-old full-back Jayden Bogle.

However, 32-year-old Richard Keogh was an ever-present at the heart of the defence and thirtysomethings Bradley Johnson, Craig Bryson, Scott Carson, and Tom Huddlestone all made at least 20 league starts.

Veteran Ashley Cole was also recruited in the January transfer window to add experience to the squad.

As a result, not one of Derby’s starting XIs featured in the top 50 youngest matchday line-ups of the 2018/19 Championship season.

To paraphrase Alan Partridge, it will probably be evolution and not revolution at the Bridge next year as Lampard looks to bed in a few young prospects with the future in mind while retaining a senior core of players in the first team.

Indeed, in his press conference, Lampard said:

On one hand, trying to develop young players, I think that’s really important, but at the same time, I want to work with the experienced players. I want players that, whether you’re 18 years of age or 32 years of age, you feel like Chelsea’s your club.

If we talk about losing Eden Hazard, yes we can understand that. But at the same time, we also have a very strong squad of players and I don’t want to talk down this squad because there is huge talent there. A team that managed to come third last year in the Premier League and managed to win the Europa League. We haven’t been decimated, we haven’t lost players from everywhere, we still have a very strong squad.

How Did Lampard’s Derby Compare With Sarri’s Chelsea?

Both Maurizio Sarri and Eden Hazard have departed Stamford Bridge this summer.

While any statistical comparison between a Championship club and a side in the top flight is to be taken with a pinch of salt, it is worth looking at various underlying statistics to see how Derby County and Chelsea fared in 2018/19 – particularly as both teams were somewhere towards the top of their respective divisions.

Attacking Stats
TeamGoalsShotsShots on targetShots in the boxBig chancesShot accuracyGoal conversionAvg possession
Derby1.5113.334.596.961.4546.58%11.33%55.1%
Chelsea1.6615.975.189.952.5332.45%10.38%63.6%

Above: Underlying attacking stats for Derby and Chelsea in 2018/19 (including play-offs). All figures given bar shot accuracy, goal conversion and average possession are per game.

Chelsea bettered Derby for most of the key performance indicators listed above, although the Rams were more clinical with their chances.

What is illustrated here is just how many times Derby’s players chanced their arm from distance: 47.9% of their shots were from outside the box, a higher percentage than any other Premiership or Championship club.

Derby’s midfielders and forwards seem to have been actively encouraged by Lampard to try long-range efforts. No Championship player registered more attempts or goals from outside the box than Harry Wilson last season.

That may lead to more shots for the likes of Willian, Barkley and Loftus-Cheek, should a similar mentality be adopted at Stamford Bridge. Only 37.7% of Chelsea’s attempts were from outside the box in 2018/19.

As a result of this shoot-on-sight approach, the quality of opportunities was a concern. Derby’s rate of 1.45 big chances per game was bettered by 16 Premier League clubs in 2018/19.

Reading were the only second-tier club to have fewer shots in the six-yard box than Derby (31) last season.

Defensive Stats
TeamGoals concededClean sheetsShots concededShots on target concededShots in the box concededBig chances conceded
Derby1.200.2212.713.618.371.51
Chelsea1.030.429.183.265.681.45

Above: Underlying defensive stats for Derby and Chelsea in 2018/19 (including play-offs). All figures given are per game.

Chelsea outperformed Derby on the defensive front, with the Rams only recording 11 clean sheets in their 49 league and play-off matches: the Blues managed five more shut-outs in ten fewer games.

There was a very similar number of big chances conceded by both sides on average per game, although Derby were more prone to allowing shots in the box.

Did Lampard Make an Improvement at Derby on 2017/18?

Clean sheets weren’t easy to come by for Derby in 2018/19.

In the season before Lampard’s appointment, Derby finished sixth in the Championship – exactly where they did in 2018/19.

The Rams gained one point fewer under Lampard than they did under Gary Rowett, with their rate of goals (1.51 v 1.48) almost identical across the league and play-off matches in both campaigns.

Rowett’s Derby conceded at a rate of 1.04 goals per game, compared to 1.20 under Lampard.

Interestingly, Derby kept almost double the number of clean sheets under Rowett (20) – who was criticised in some quarters for his dour tactics – than they managed under Lampard (11).

The new Chelsea boss showed more attacking ambition than his predecessor at Pride Park, with Derby averaging 13.33 shots per game under Lampard compared to 11.81 under Rowett.

Lampard’s Rams did average more shots in the box per match than Rowett’s rather less exciting side (6.96 v 6.65) although there wasn’t a great deal in it as County repeatedly let fly from distance in the season just gone.

How Does Lampard Handle The Press?

Frank Lampard in his first press conference as Chelsea manager.

Lampard has always come across as fairly intelligent and polite as a player and pundit and those traits are again evident as a manager.

12th Ram said:

If you had half an eye on the Championship last season you would have heard all about Bielsa, Leeds and Spygate! Lampard carried himself incredibly well throughout it and rarely lost face.

In post-match interviews when we’d lost he’d be visibly angry but that’s what you want to see from the boss.

One of his big positives is his levelheadedness and professionalism with the media, as you’d expect from someone who’s been in the limelight for so many years.

What we FPL managers really want from him as Chelsea boss is clear and unequivocal quotes on the Blues’ injury situation.

According to 12th Ram, the prospects look good on that front:

He’s pretty upfront regarding injury news which will be a boost to Fantasy players. Can’t remember too many times where he’s been tricky in this regard.

Final Thoughts

Christian Pulisic, Chelsea’s most expensive player in FPL, is still cheaper than 13 other midfielders.

There is understandable caution about Lampard’s appointment given his inexperience at managerial level and the weaknesses that were apparent at Derby last season.

Nevertheless, it should be stressed that 2018/19 was as much a transitional year for the Rams as it was a learning curve for Lampard himself.

The then-County boss had to move several senior high-earners on early in his tenure and instil a completely different footballing ethos to the one his players were used to under the dour Rowett.

Any defensive frailties of his preferred style and formation would, you’d think, be helped no end by having Kante – rather than Tom Huddlestone or Bradley Johnson – to call upon in front of the back four in 2019/20.

It may well be that next season is a similarly transitional one for Chelsea that 2018/19 was for Derby, as Lampard begins the long-term process of integrating academy products into the first-team set-up and trying to coach “Sarri-ball” out of the senior players already at his disposal.

Should Chelsea’s transfer ban be upheld, Lampard would also be unable to recruit the exact type of player he is looking for to prosper in his system.

Pre-season will be an interesting watch, then, while the matches against Manchester United and Leicester City in Gameweeks 1 and 2 might be decent auditions if many of us are still to be convinced that the cut-price FPL options in Chelsea’s squad are as good as they seem.

1,169 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A Laporte zaha kane
    B sterling deulofeu Jota

    Thanks

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      B

    5. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B but Sterling, King, Jota or Sterling,Tielemans, Jota in diff formation?

  2. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    4-4-2 how this looking???
    Ederson 4m
    VVD Digne Fredricks Taylor Trent-A
    Salah Noble Sterling Siggy Deknocker
    Vardy DCL Wickham

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

    How much can we rely on Everton defence now that zouma has left?

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Did he even play most of the season?

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

      Inthe 6 games Zouma missed last season they kept 4 Clean Sheets

      They were Origi’s bizarre 95th minute derby winner away from having 5 CS in those 6 games

      Gueye is their key cog defensively - everyone else is pretty replaceable

      1. How I met your Mata
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Didn’t even realise he played that much but yeah gueye was the main man if he leaves I would be less confident in their defence

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

      Good point that I hadn't considered. Surely one reinforcement coming in having lost Zouma and Jagielka?

    4. Lebowski85
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Mina did well, although him and Keane would be worryingly slow. Th yll sign someone

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

    A) Sterling, Gomez (if nailed), Coleman, King
    B) Siggy, TAA, Laporte, Wilson

    A or B? Basically sterling vs Siggy and 4m

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

      B

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

  5. Bullet Eder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Settled on this team for now. Power defence, Sterling/Salah captain rotation and four penalty takers to take advantage of VAR-happy refs. Any thoughts?

    Ryan
    TAA - Robertson - Laporte - Digne
    Salah - Siggy - Brooks - Sterling
    King - Wood

    Button - Wickham - Dendoncker - Kelly

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

      Its template except wood

    2. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      "VAR-happy refs"
      Statistics show that VAR does not increase the number of penalties awarded in a season, just as a heads up

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

        VAR data to be overturned by handball ruling?

    3. One Man
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Personally I would choose only one of Salah and Sterling and improve elsewhere by replacing one of them with KDB. But that's only me.

  6. Steve The Shrewdie
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys

    First Draft having watched a lot of youtube FPL content:

    Ederson (Button)
    TAA Robbo and a combo of 1 from 3: Cathcart/Lascelles/El Mohamamady
    Salah/KDB/B Silva/Perez (Dendonker)
    Vardy/King/DCL

    The logic behind the 1 from 3 of 4.5 Defenders is that A) they are all nailed - giving bench security and B) the first 10 weeks offers up the following rotation plan to play 1 of the 3 - all games at home v BRI, BOU, WH, WAT, WH, BRI BUR, SHE, BRI, BOU

    I'd like to see if the FFS community has any views on the set up and what changes (if any) would you make?

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

      El Mo isn't nailed, mate. Villa fan on here the other day begging people not to pick him.

      1. Steve The Shrewdie
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for that.

        As always will be watching Pre Season Friendlies and there are plenty other Villa 4.5 options in defence in case I need o switch out.

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

      DCL to 4.5 forward and one of your 4.5 defenders upgraded to 6.0 ( Digne Azpi Luiz).These defenders will get you around 160 pts.Cant see DCL doing that but you never know.

      1. Steve The Shrewdie
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for your view.

        The reason for the my set up is so I can rotate the 4.5 defenders, due to the favourable run of fixtures available in the first 10 weeks, and be slightly stronger in midfield and up front.

        Looking at DCL's figures for the last 2 seasons, he could quite easily post 130 to 140 with more game time this time around. Adding this potential to my rotating defensive trio in the first 10 weeks, I think this will outscore a Premium Defender paired with a Budget Striker.

        The other options I am looking at are Perez/Tielimans and, as weekly transfers, B Silva to Siggy, King to another 6.5 in 3 and 4.

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

          Fair enough.... hope it works for you.

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

      Like the 3 x 4.5 but cathcart maybe under pressure with dawson arrived and el mohamedy not first choice.

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

    This is the most content I've been with a squad so far but can't stop thinking i should downgrade either the midfield or defence because the forwards look abit weak, so opinions needed please

    Ederson McGovern
    TAA VVD Laporte Diop Kelly
    Mane Sterling Siggy Brooks Dendonker
    King Jota Murray

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I know what you mean I have 3 x 6.5 forwards at the moment and I’m not sure about it but I do have Salah and sterling.

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

    Would be grateful for feedback on my strategies regarding a draft league team(keeping same 15 for the 38 gameweeks)

    1.
    Allison Ryan
    TAA Digne Zinchenko Coleman Gomez
    Sterling Bilva Maddison Tielemans CHO
    King DCL Pukki

    2.
    Ryan Button
    TAA Digne Stevens Coleman Gomez
    Bilva Maddison Tielemans Groß CHO
    Kun King Jesus

    (So option 2 is a gamble but thinking is that I always have a city striker and over the course of the season they cover each other but both can get points, much in the same thinking as gomez/taa)

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

      Don't need Ryan with Allison. Upgrade Pukki

  9. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Has anyone got these great McArthur stats I've read about?

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

      Mate just go 4.5 and spend elsewhere or stretch to 6.5

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

    Rate these top to bottom priority to choose in your team:

    Digne
    KdB
    King
    Perez/Tielemans
    Siggy
    Sterling
    Vardy
    Zaha

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy
      King
      Sterling
      Digne
      Siggy
      Tielemans
      KDB
      Zaha

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

        Thank you

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

      Going based of value for money

      Digne 3
      KdB 5
      King 1
      Perez/Tielemans 2
      Siggy 6
      Sterling 4 but Salah gets pick
      Vardy 8
      Zaha 7

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

      Digne
      Sterling
      Siggy
      King
      Vardy
      Tielemans
      KDB
      Zaha

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

      Sterling
      Kdb
      Vardy
      Siggy
      King
      Digne
      Zaha
      Tielmans
      Perez

  11. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson (Button)
    Robertson VVD Laporte Digne (Kelly)
    Salah Sterling Zaha Tielemans (Dendoncker)
    King Jota (Wickham)

    Should I downgrade Laporte or Digne for Ake and Zaha out > Sigurdsson in?

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

      I think you’re fine either way.

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

    A) Wilson and Jimenez

    or

    B) Vardy and King

    Thanks

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks, that’s what I’m currently on

  13. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on best combo please. Had a big change of heart round to 442 today, dropping Kane.
    X
    TAA, Robertson, Coleman, x
    Salah, Sterling, Zaha, x
    King, Jota

    A) Lloris, Laporte, Perez
    B) Heaton, 4.5 rotation, KDB

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

  14. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    If you had to leave one out who would it be ?
    A. Kane
    B. Salah
    C. Sterling

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A. I got all 3 in a decent side but going more template now

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

      Kane

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

      Sterling, I've gone the other two as it gives me a premium forward and mid, partly because if any other top tier striker (auba, Laca, aguero) I can bring them in relatively painlessly

  15. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Always a bummer when your team supposedly misses out on a top target (e.g. Maxi Gomez to West Ham)...
    So which 'missed target' for your club disappointed you most in the past?

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

      De lit

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

      Kaka and Iniesta to City, almost a decade ago. Life as a City fan is full of disappointments 😉

  16. ClothedinSun
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ok, I think I have almost definitely cracked it now....

    4-4-2:

    Fabianski (Button)
    TAA, VVD, Laporte, Digne (Kilman),
    Tielemans, Salah, KDB, Siggy, (Dendonckor)
    King, Vardy (Greenwood)

    What do we think? g2g?

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

      Good team, I've essentially gone kane, noble, azpi, eder instead of vardy, siggy, laporte, fabs

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

        Cheers mate! Yeah, funnily enough I was thinking of Laporte to Azpi and Fab to Ederson for those nailed on points but there's still time...

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

      Very similar to mine. Only difference is Ryan instead of fab, TAA instead of VVD and Perez instead of tielemans

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

        I tried a team with Ryan in but just couldn't leave it, Fab feels safer? I like Perez and think he could be really decent if Rodgers comes up with a system to get all those big guns playing together well at Leicester.

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

          You might be right that fab is safer. I’ve only really consider 4.5m or 6m goalkeepers atm

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

      Going the same way up top. My only fear is forwards hit the ground running and making it difficult to change.

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

        I share that fear, I'm confident Vardy will deliver and King will be a wait and see job.

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

    Thoughts on this team if Andone ends up being the starting striker for Brighton this season?

    Ryan
    TAA Robbo VVD Digne
    Sterling Siggi Zaha
    Kane Vardy Andone

    Subs: Button, Dendoncker, Hayden, Kelly

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

      No Salah would bother me

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

      Provided Potter doesn't invest in another striker (I'd read McBurnie was on his radar...) then I can see Andone getting a few minutes, still a largely unknown quantity in the PL mind you.... The rest of the team is decent, I would consider downgrading Kane and upgrading Andone if I were you though.

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

      Got Andone on my watchlist - could realise his potential under new manager!?
      Not convinced of the popularity of Ryan!
      Vardy has 4 tricky GWs in first 8GWs...but tends to perform well against the ‘bigger’ teams by getting more space on the break.

  18. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best Leicester attack option (think points per mil)?
    A. Tielemans
    B. Perez
    C. Maddison
    D. Vardy

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      D (B)

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

      I think that's the order

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Assess pre-season

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

      C

  19. Kalou
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Seeing a lot of teams with x2 Liverpool defence understandably.
    Mane could be a nice differential alongside Salah.Thoughts?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I did triple pool attack to start last year and I started like a snail

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

        I never left top 100k all season and finished 50k...must be a record lol

  20. UnluckyXI
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone tempted by Reiss Nelson at arsenal when he gets added, he's had squad number confirmed in senior team and arsenal need a winger. If he's 6.0 I'm tempted, 5.5 he walks into team.

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

      Nah - with budget being tight I at least want someone nailed for even 5.5. One to monitor - he is a quality player

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      They do need a winger indeed and impressed for England u21. Emery to rotation heavy tho. CHO and James better if you want a big team winger at 6

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

      Not for me.

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

      As an Arsenal fan, I've thought about this too. Depends what formation Emery plays. Iwobi and Nelson are currently our only out and out wingers at the club currently. It's too risky though, and I wouldn't punt on it personally

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

      I’m a renegade Palace fan who’s half hoping there’s a mass clear out with Nelson coming our way with AMN with added dosh.

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

    King or Zaha?

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

      King.

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

    King

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

    The most meaningless stats ever recorded.
    Comparing Chelsea and Derby!
    What next?

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

    Perez should be SS in leicester line up and OoP
    He is simply best option compare to maddison and tielemans

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

      Super sub?

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

        Second striker, too much FIFA mate 😀

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

      This will become clearer following pre-season. Can also see Rodgers punting a 4-3-3 with Perez as a wide striker too...

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

        Wide striker?
        We have one in Richa but he is guaranteed his place.

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

          Yeah on either side of Vardy, where I'm not sure he'll be as effective as he was playing in that narrower attacking midfield/SS position he had behind Rondon and alongside Almiron at Newcastle.

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

    Tielemans is a trap

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

      Why?

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

        Tielemans’ underlying stats aren’t great. Makes me think that the form he previously shown at Leicester is unsustainable

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Going by the eye test, he has something that stats can't show until late in the career - technique.

          My guess is he'll always have a high conversion rate due to his quality ability to strike a ball cleanly, something stats can't show obviously.

          Having said that, still don't know if I can justify my bias towards him over Perez, who's also a potentially great value option if he plays up front.

          1. Lebowski85
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            If he had played the same minutes as Perez last season, he would have outscored him by more than 20 points

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              True, but Perez has to adapt to a new Rafa-less system that Tielemans has already shone in. It's close.

        2. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          “He’s a good player so he can’t be a good player again”

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

          I look at it slightly differently. An improved Leicester side and him being a class act rather than lucky; I see him doing very well indeed.

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      What evidence

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

        Exactly - evidence is that he produced returns in a majority of games at the end of the previous season and offers good value (and an easy switch to Perez or Yarmolenko etc if needs be).

        On another issue, what's your take on the West Ham striker debacle now Ask? Are you hoping for someone else now Gomez looks dead in the water?

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

          Ah Yarmolenko

          I’m going off Gross already without a ball being kicked as Potter apparently loves to rotate.

          I’m expecting one slightly punty choice around 6 and he’s moving up my list. But so much competition at WH.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Yarmolenko is first choice, was our best performer in the weeks before his injury. Antonio will go the bench as impact sub leaving Anderson and yarmolenko as starters in a very explosive attack hopefully with a cool striker

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

              That’d be great if he was. I’m fancying WH to surprise a few this time. It looks a fantastic squad if a striker or two can be added.

              You think Pellegrini might sort the defence out now he’s had a bit more time to make the squad his own? I’m almost certainly going Fab.

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

            Djenepo?

        2. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I want Wilson and balotelli that would be the dream. If not rondon and balotelli would be cheap and would do for this season but we really need to solve it

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

      Why would he be? I don't think he'll suddenly stop getting goals and assists, he plays well in Rodgers' system

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

      an underpriced trap?

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

      Don't get him then.

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Aw come on, please?

        You never let me pick the players I want.

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

    Hi.....considering squeezing kdb into my current build.

    Any views of best option here please?

    Heaton
    Robbo VVD xx Walker dunk
    Salah sterling xxx xxx dendonker
    King xxx greenwood

    A.... digne siggy maddison deulofeu

    B....Coleman Kdb tielemans (or perez) dcl

    Thanks

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

      A for me

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

      Both variations look good.

      Prefer B until I get to DCL! A feels the safer option to me but there again KdB burnt me twice last time so I’m biased. May wait on him

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

        Thanks. Guess B is pushing the boat out a little....

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

          Agree with poster above about DCL.

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

            Cheers. Not sure there is a 6m striker worth starting.....wesley at villa perhaps but slim picking

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

              I'm taking a daft punt on Danny Ings (as long he stays fit)

  27. Pigeon
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best 4.5m def rotation?
    Taylor and Aarons perhaps?
    Any suggestions welcome.

  28. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone tempted on Perez and Tielemans together from the start or is that too much?

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Was about to say it's too much but then realised I have Vardy and Tielemans... so nah go for it!

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Same !

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

      I would be if it wasn't for the fact I'm really tempted by Maddison.

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

      I'm going Vardy and Maddison.
      Boring and predictable - with Rogers attacking bias, Vardy will score (I' guessing around 15/20 this season)
      Not convinced by Perez, and Tielemans could be gold at 6.0, but I think he'll be playing deeper than Maddison (and Maddison on Free Kicks and Corners too)

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

        Maddison actually played deeper than Tielemans sometimes if I'm not mistaken

  29. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Meyer having a great game so far, really think he might have a break through season this time round. Not bad priced 5.5 as well.

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely one to watch, but an easy downgrade price so don't think I'd start with him

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

      Hoping it’s his year. We could do with it. You remember all the excitement when we signed him?

      Where’s he playing?

  30. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Fill in the 3 blanks for me.
    Xxx 4.5m
    TAA, Digne, Laporte, Gomez/Matip xxx 4.5m
    Salah Sterling xxx 6.5m
    Kane, King

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

      Gunn, Targett or Mings, Brooks or Yarmolenko

      1. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers Space, brooks is a great shout. What about adam smith at bournemouth for 4.5m def? Do we think gunn is nailed this season?

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

      If going Gomez, Robbo better pick due to probable more minutes.
      Lloris/ 4.0
      Chrisensen
      Lloris
      Too many choices