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

    Pretty settled with my Salah, sterling and kane team, but thought I'd try something different...

    Heaton
    TAA Robertson Digne Zinchenko
    Salah KDB Perez Townsend
    Aguero King

    Subs button Kelly Dendoncker Greenwood

    Looks ok?

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

      Yes not a bad looking team providing zinchenko is a starter

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

      Decent!! Only concern really is Zinchenko

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

        Yeah Zinchenko is a watch out at this stage. Raft of spurs defenders at that price if needs be.

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

          I actually think Spurs will be better defensively after spending big on a defensive mid. Plus this article hints at a possible shift to 3 5 2 which will get clearer in preseason.

          https://eplindex.com/83723/ndombele-signing-should-allow-tottenham-to-move-to-3-4-2-1-permanently.html

    3. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      You do realise Sterling is missing from your Salah, Sterling and Kane team?

      Good looking team though.

      1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry, I'm being a moron

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

    Sterling and 6.5 forward
    Or
    Kdb and Vardy?

    Have 3x6.5 forwards at the moment and not sure about it

    1. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A for now, with a view to moving to B long term potentially

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

      depends if you need the captaincy option with Sterling or not

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

      KDB and Vardy.

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

        Cheers for the feedback guys, Salah is my only other captain option really.

  3. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Filling out a draft around my essentials:

    A) A Smith, Siggy
    B) Walker, Deulofeu

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

      A

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

    When you're 0.5m off your perfect team! Aaarrgghhh

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

      Let’s see it might be able to help if it’s only 0.5!

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

        Ederson
        TAA | VVD | Digne
        Salah | KdB | Siggy | Tielemans | Dendoncker
        Kane | King

        Button | Kelly | Rico | Greenwood

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

          Are you sure starting Dendoncker every week is your perfect team ? I’d have to turn Ederson into a 4.5 there

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

            No but really wanted every other player in the XI.

            Thanks would you be worried with no City defense and just KdB?

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

            Here it is without Dendoncker in XI:

            Ryan
            TAA | VVD | Digne | Zinchenko
            Salah | KdB | Siggy | Tielemans
            Kane | King

            Button | Dendoncker | Kelly | Greenwood

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

              I like that. City defence can wait but zinchenko could be the way in. Otherwise there are a few decent 5.5 defenders like trippier, I have Ritchie atm am hoping the new manager puts him back on the wing

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

                Thank you.... Trouble is it's still 0.5 over lol

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

                  You’re joking lol. Siggy > Fraser then

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

              Or Digne > Coleman. They pretty much matched each other for output the 2nd half of last season.

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

          Siggy + King > Fraser + DCL

        3. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          That’s 0.5 too expensive?

          Downgrade Tielemans to JWP or Barkley (if he looks to be nailed at the start); or forget Ederson and get Lloris who has AVL and NEW at home in the first 3.

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

      Standard!!

    3. Nüno Vippan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Seems familiar. I’ve done digne -> coleman

      Ryan/button
      Taa/vvd/coleman/shaw/dunk
      Kdb/zaha/siggi/willian/hayden
      Vardy/king/kane

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

        That is an option, thanks. Really want Digne though grrr

        1. Nüno Vippan
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          How about cheaper gk for a first couple GWs?

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

            It's looking like the best bet. The perfect scenario would be that Angelino is first choice then I can still have a City defender!

        2. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          And Salah, probably

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

        Nice!

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

      JUst get Tielemans instead of 7.0 😉

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

        Already done that but thanks

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

          Ederson to Pickford

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

      My perfect team would be more like 30m over.

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

        True, but that would also break the max 3 per team rule 😉

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

      I guess I’d go Siggy to Fraser

      Nice team

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

        Thank you for the tip

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

          It’s a really really nice team - the Dendonck compromise seems worth it while we wait for That Player to appear. Let’s face it most 6.5s will return 2 as often as not

  5. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Doing alot off thanking about this and iv come to the conclusion that year in year out is there ever really any two strikers that when there fit are better than kane and aguero? How many more strikers are capable of the hauls that they are, so with that in mind iv went with the two a them, please dont judge me too much, haha

    Ryan
    Vvd, laporte, dunk
    Fraser, james, bsilva, kante, mane
    Kane, aguero

    Button, simpson, diop, wickham

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

      You haven't used up all three Liverpool slots. Rookie mistake. Plus you don't the best three options from Liverpool - TAA, Robertson and Salah. I would get rid of Mane as having three premiums this year doesn't really seem like a good idea.

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

    What about this draft?

    Ederson Button
    TAA Robertson Digne Walker Trippier (if Aurier injured and staying)
    Salah Sterling (4.5 x 3)
    Wilson Deulofeu Murray

    I think the three forwards can match the value of mid priced mids. Not convinced by this draft but going for Wilson over Siggy for first two and not sure any 6.5 or below mids match the two strikers I have picked for the early fixtures at least.

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

      Prefer DCL to Murray

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

    A Fraser & Aguero + 0.5
    Or
    B Sterling & Wilson
    (Already have King)

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

      Think I prefer A

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

        But also think the 7.0 and 6.5 mids provide better value possibly than Fraser

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

      B

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

      B

  8. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Evening all. Here is my 1st draft for the new season, can you please tell how it is looking and any tips ?

    Ryan
    Azpi VVD Robertson Mendy
    Salah Siggy Zaha Perez
    Wilson Kane

    Button Kelly Wickham Dendoncker

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      keep an eye on Mendy fitness and Zaha/Perez preseason, but yeah solid

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

      Looks ok.

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

      Good team subject to keeping check on Mendy

    4. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers all. Replacements for Mendy ? Digne , Rudiger or one from Spurs?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        plenty of options, Digne/Coleman, Walker/Zinchenko, Trippier, Chelsea, maybe even PVA

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

      Needs city you only have Mendy and he won't play

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

    Anyone else notice the 'Build my Team' area has got Tammy Abraham listed at £6.5m - He's not actually listed on the FPL site yet. mmmmm.....

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

      That would be so sexy

    2. Goodbye Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hummmmm...... H's disappeared now.
      But he has been listed the last couple of days at 6.5m.

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

        Still there fore me.

  10. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    this one also looks solid...0.5 ITB

    Burnley GK (4.0)
    TAA VVD Zinchenko (Kelly Gibson)
    Salah Sterling Moura Tielemans (Donck)
    Wilson King Deeney

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

    Is it too risky to start with such a weak bench with this team? ( once Son back Moura can be moved to best in form 6.5- 7m mid )

    Ederson
    TAA Azpilicueta Van Dijk Digne
    Salah Sterling Moura Tielemans
    King Deulofeu

    Woodman Dendoncker Wickham Kelly

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

      No

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      depends on Kelly but it's not that weak (Dendoncker isn't terrible) - like it

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

      No worse than most here. Donkey should be fairly regular 2 pointer

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

    Benteke off the mark already!!!!!

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

      Looking good, also Meyer is very lively

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

      Interesting!!

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

    Thats perfect, right?

    Ederson
    TAA - Robbo - Digne - Trippier
    Salah - KdB - Siggy - Bilva
    King - Deulofeu

    Trippier could be also Coleman.

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

      Perma captain?

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

      Pretty good team.

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

      Salah C atleast first 2 weeks.
      Then could do KdB to Son and he is also captain option.

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      can't really argue with much there, would rather Wilson and Heaton over Deulo and Ederson but that's being picky/personal

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

      I've modelled the forecast points for this team, assuming fodder for other players - 1910. I'm currently at 2003 using the forecast points in the member data 🙂

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

        Is that good or not?

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

          I don't know yet! I've built this tonight! I'm looking at building an optimisation model that should, in theory, select the best combination...and then manage that through the season. I will manage two teams - one that the model recommends and one that I've picked using my terrible history in FPL. I suspect that my 2003 team is not currently the best!

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

            Reading this article: https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/07/08/player-value-and-the-most-efficient-use-of-the-fpl-budget/

            A score of 2150 - 2200 should be what we aspire towards...!

  14. Chelsea222
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    No love for Dele Alli? Decent fixtures, priced lower than previous years, historically solid goals/assists (injury hit season last year). One of the first names on my team sheet.

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

      Deeper role, bigger head, To think Barcelona wanted him.

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

        Only played a deeper role due to Spurs lack of midfield options last season. Fully expect Dele to go back to playing further forward this season.

        1. Chelsea222
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Agreed - only 2.2% owned as well. For his track record, complete bargain imo. Yes, he may sit back deeper for city, but vs Villa and Newcastle right behind Kane.

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

          He could well double pivot with the new kid or Winks.

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

            No way. Alli needs his spot back

            Kane
            Son Alli Moura/Erisken
            Winks Dier
            Rose Vert Sanchez Aurier
            Lloris

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

              Ndombele says hello. So does Sissoko.

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

    Best 4 the money.
    a) 4.5 keeper (Burnley but Who)
    b) 4.5 defender (not a clue)
    c) 5 keeper Fab
    d) 5 defender Christensen Monreal ?
    e) 5 mid Noble?
    The above makes or breaks overall

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      a) we'll find out hopefully
      b) Targett or Janmaat
      c) Guaita
      d) Christensen maybe - if not Koscielny, Holebas, Ake
      e) Jorginho

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

      A) Pope
      B) O’Connell
      C) Yeah fab
      D) just get another 4.5 and use 0.5 better
      E) Jorginho (Noble won’t be a regular next year)

      I only have a 4.5 keeper and defender of these so I don’t think they’re make or break

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

        I like Noble and his price for double digit hand in goals only playing less than 2 thirds of gametime is a steal. Interested to know how Jorginho actually fits in to Chelsea.

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

        B on my radar

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

      a) Pope
      b) A Smith
      c) Fab
      d) Ake
      e) Jorginho

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

        Ake I like TBH

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

    KDB could be a captain option, usually delivers when expected.

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

      Having captained him on multiple, multiple occasions, and even triple captaining him once, I can confirm that your latter statement is a load o bollix.

      🙂

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

        I bow to your experience - I just hit him for a one pointer in a DGW

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

        Well then it differs from one to another probably, all about timing innit.

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

      I have salah, Kane, KDB. I hope I can rely on KDB as there are a couple times where neither salah or Kane have the best fixtures

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

      I hope so!

  17. OleGGMU
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A bit aprehensive about going "All In " so to speak but thoughts on this XI lads :

    Pickford
    Digne, TAA, VVD
    Brooks, Siggy, Salah, Perez
    King, Aguero, Delof
    Bench : Button, Hayden, Kelly, fodder

    0 ITB

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

      Not bad.

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

        cheers mate, is it too risky though leaving 0 ITB?

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

    Who do you think will be better FPLwise, Perez or Tielemans and why?

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

      Tielemans unless Perez is good in Rodgers' system

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

      Tielemans unless Perez is better.

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

        Well I think Perez will be better unless Tielemans is better. ^^

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

          Can't argue with that. 😉

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

      Perez is OOP and Tielmans may play deeper, so Perez probably

  19. Limit80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Are we overlooking Arsenal forwards? Aside from 3 tough fixtures (and Utd away could yield goals), the first 16 matches are a sea of blue but I have seen much Auba or Laca love on here.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I got burned enough by them two last year, Auba is obviously a decent pick though but I'd prefer Kane from GW3 onwards

      1. Limit80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Kane even in August? 😉

        Yeah I was frustrated last year as missed points a lot from those two - ended up just sticking with one which worked out ok on average over a period.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          ha yes. Yeah I had both at the same time at one stage and even that didn't work 😀 😀

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

      No chance I'm planning 16 matches in advance.

      1. Limit80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Haha, I start out a season hoping not to take too many transfers/hits but it never works out that way so I'll probably revert to a shorter horizon 🙂

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

        15 max.

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

          I agree, but don't call me Max.

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

            Shirley

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

      I think Auba is better than Kane at the price

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

    Which looks best?

    A) King, Siggy, Zinchenko
    ) Aubameyang, Jorgino, Azpilicueta

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A but that is Zinchencko plays but can always get Coleman/Pva

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

        agree- several good options at that price

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      Zin a worry with 2 other big name choices at the back.

  21. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A or B and now the tinkering begins lol.

    A) King, KDB and Ake/5m
    B) Wilson, Zaha and Mendy/6m

  22. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    If Rico starts, which I’m led to believe is a likelihood, is this a decent 5-3-2?

    Ryan,
    TAA, VVD, Digne, Zinchenko, Rico
    Salah, Sterling, KDB,
    Rashford, King
    Button, Dendoncker, Hayden, Greenwood

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

      If he does start it’s great yes

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

      Yes though they have signed Lloyd Kelly which could hamper his chances

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

    Thoughts on this?

    Ryan
    TAA Digne Robertson Christensen
    Salah Sterling Siggy Perez
    Wilson Deulofeu
    Button Dendoncker Kelly Wickham

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

    A or B?

    A) Sterling & 4.5 def (5-3-2)
    B) KdB & Siggy (4-4-2)

    Thanks

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

      A has + 1.0m too

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks!

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

    Is Kane a 200 point player any more, injuries result in more injuries, both ankles now a weakness, wasn’t playing in the same position last year either to be as effective as he had been in the past.

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

      I agree at 25 his best is behind him . I think he should be euthanized or put out to stud

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

        It’s not about age, it’s about weaknesses

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      he's more of a 200 point player than Aguero is 😀

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

        That’s a separate discussion

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

      Kane plays the full season, he gets 200 points.

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

        This

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

        Not sure how your point is contrary to mine.

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

    Those going with Vardy, are you going for one of Perez/Maddison/Tielemans as well?

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

      yes, probably Perez, but will decide after pre- season

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

      Tielemans has been well priced. I guess your question will be well answered once we see how Perez fits in

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

    If Stones looks like he is going to be a starter this will 100% be my team..

    Alisson
    Coleman Walker VVD Stones Digne
    Salah Siggy Sterling
    King Wilson

    Norris Dendonker Guendouzi Nketia

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

      You didn't thank us for answering your other questions(s)

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

        Thank you so much

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

      Don't see the value in Allison in goal, downgrade and get another one of the Holy trinity

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

      It won't even be your team tomorrow.

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

      I'm working with predicted scores and I'm predicting that my team will be 150 points better than this and I'm still tinkering. I suspect you'll be tinkering again 🙂

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

    I don't think I've seen David Silva in a single team. Minutes possibly a worry at his age but he surely has the ability to make a mockery of that 7.5m price tag.

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

      Fraser at the same price is just a superior option

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        yeah...there are a few options at other teams that are better, even some at 7m

        If I had to choose between D or B Silva, I do think I want David Silva though

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

      Well said. Definitely one to consider. He should be City's captain as well

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

      I wonder whether he’ll be competing with Bilva for a spot. This is his last time around and it’s somewhere Bilva could make his own. Pep planning the succession?

  29. Kloppcorn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is anyone looking at Bobby Firmino had a very good Copa America

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

      No, takes up a pool spot and Vardy looking like better value

  30. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Going to settle on this until end of pre-season. Would appreciate as much food for thought as possible!

    Ryan,
    TAA, VVD, Digne, Zinchenko, Shaw
    Salah, Sterling, KDB
    King, DCL

    Button, Noble, Dendoncker, Greenwood

    £0.5m ITB for DCL - Deulofeu or Zinchenko to Mendy.

    Please opine!