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. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Looking at cheap three way rotations in defence.

    Assuming Kelly is looking likely to play for the first few games you can save quite a bit. Makes 352 look a good option in this case. For example:

    Pope
    Robertson, VVD, Smith
    Salah, Sterling, Siggy, Zaha, Perez
    Wilson, King

    4m, Dunk, Kelly, Dendonker

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

      I love your avatar.

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

      Who is dendocker meant to be?
      I am trying something similar not quite got it right yet.

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

      Yeah, with Denonker you've got 6 mids there

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

      Im also looking to rotate defence, maybe only with two way. If Kelly is likely to play, it would be so much easier

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

    Tielemans probably represent the best midfield value in the game but I am finding it hard to have him from the start due to the fixtures.
    Have him from the start or not?

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

      He's only value if scoring points.

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

        That's a wait so. Thanks.

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

        In for Brooks in GW3 could be ok.

    2. ROLLING THE DICE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think Leicester will score plenty of goals but also concede. Avoid defence but Vardy/Tielemans/Maddison/Perez all good options from the off IMO.

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

      Why not take a punt on Brooks or Gross from the start as their fixtures are good, then look at Tielemans and / or Perez for GW6 onwards?

      I have to say that Leicester's midfield looks very tempting after GW5.

  3. germanyozil10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    VAR = PK?
    Kun or Sterling?

    1. ROLLING THE DICE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling.

  4. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    My team for a set-and-forget league:

    3x City
    3x Liverpool
    3x Leicester
    1x Brighton
    1x Everton

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA Robertson Walker Digne (Cathcart)
    Mane (C) KdB B.Silva Maddison Tielemans
    Vardy (VC) (Long Wickham)

    Could downgrade Long to 4.5 and upgrade Walker -> Laporte. Thoughts?

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

      Set and forget, but you haven't got the likely highest scoring player in the game as your captain, and you've gone for an injury plagued KDB, plus no bench coverage to step in for long term injuries.

      I've never made a set and forget team, but that looks very different to what I'd imagine is the optimal strategy.

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

      Triple Leicester, meh.

    3. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Don't really get Ryan, or any Brighton defensive option for that matter. Potter will try and get that team to play football for a change, not good from a defensive point of view.

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

      Mane still playing in AFCON, might be rested for the first match

    5. Harold.S
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This is my first attempt.
      I know Leicester don't have the easiest of early fixtures but with their acquisitions I think Rodgers going to have them pushing.
      Starting without Mane or Salah which is risky but see more value in Liverpool defenders.
      GK: Allison
      DEF: TAA, Robertson, AWB, Ritchie
      MID: KDB, Siggy, Perez, Yarmolenko
      FW: Kane, Vardy
      SUBS: Button, Tarrget, Dendoncker, Sharp (Not in that order)

    6. ROLLING THE DICE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      If Mane doesn’t start because of AFCON and KDB gets injured early you’ll be taking some big hits.

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

        Tons of 'ifs' there. I can see why you chose your username.

  5. MINUS FOUR
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    When you're trying to decide on a preferred formation to start the season, it's worth factoring in what type of FPL manager you are. If you don't mind taking hits and being highly active from GW to GW to get the most optimal starting XI, there's nothing wrong with having an inflexible structure with absolute bench fodder, because you'll fix problems as they arise. On the other hand, if you hate making transfers / taking hits, you probably need to be more careful and work within your limits e.g. a 4-4-2 with Dendoncker as your 5th mid and a playing 4.5m 5th defender. That way things can't go too wrong. I don't think it's as simple as getting a few premiums and then shopping for value, you need to consider your style.

    At the moment I'm leaning towards a 4-5-1 because I want to go heavy at the back with 4 premiums, but I also want a lot of strength and diversity in midfield to cover Liverpool, City, Everton, Leicester and Chelsea. The only area I don't like the look of this season is up front, so I'm going for one budget forward (King) and two fodder. Sure, my bench will be an emergency 000, but I'm fully prepared to adjust the team as required by making very late transfers just before the GW deadline. And is a zero-pointer really that bad compared to having a likely 1- or 2-pointer come in from the bench? I left way too many points on the bench last season, it's just annoying and there's absolutely no value gained from it whatsoever.

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wise words, it helps me to justify this:

      Ryan
      Robbo VVD Walker Azpi
      Sterling Salah Siggy Kante/Jorginho
      King Vardy

      Button Kelly Dendoncker Greenwood

      I'll probably go with Kante as I know he's 100% nailed from the off whereas there's still question marks over where Jorhinho will fit in. I'll take the steady drip of two/three pointers from the Chelsea mid and a weak bench to justify the other 10, then see how the cookie crumbles.

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

        I like it. Different to my team, but it looks solid and Dendoncker covers you for injury/rotation in every position.

        I would personally look to eke out the extra cash required to upgrade Kante to a genuine points scorer like Yarmolenko, Gross, Brooks, Tielemans/Perez. Walker to Zinchenko if he looks like starting the season, Azpi to Coleman perhaps. There are ways. Up to you though of course.

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

          Actually, I think Siggy is expendable. I know he's the flavour of the moment around here, and he is a good option, but he's also a relatively expensive known quantity when I bet a cheaper alternative will emerge as they always do (and you can jump on them straight away to help fund the Kante upgrade).

          For example, Willian / Pulisic / Perez all have massive potential to score as high as Sigurdsson for less money.

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

            Sigurdsson + Kante + Azpi OR Perez/Tielemans + Willian + Coleman. Personally I'd take the latter 100%, given that you actually intend to play Kante.

            1. Phil's Stamps
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              That could work too. Thanks.

        2. Phil's Stamps
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks. Yeah I could do something like Walker Azpi Siggy Kante Kelly > Zinchenko Coleman Zaha Tielemans Dunk,
          which would leave me with a sure starter in Dunk/Cathcart etc to cover a Zinchenko no show. Loathe to lose Siggy though and I think Vardy is enough Leicester for now.

          As someone said above, the 6.5 mids are tricky, it might be best to wait and see who the 'Fraser' is this season and invest elsewhere in a sure(ish) thing. The difference between Kante and them is only about 20 points, which is not much for and extra 1.5 mil. (In comparison the difference between a 6.5 and an 8 can be over 50 points)

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

      Pretty much agree with this but I might go 541 not 451.

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

        5-4-1 looks good too. You can certainly get 5 strong defenders. I've been messing around with both and at the moment I look at my latest 4-5-1 and feel like it's absolute gold from a pure points perspective. Flexible? Not even a little. But its potential in the first few GWs is really high.

        Ryan
        TAA - Zinchenko - Digne - Robertson
        Salah - Sterling - Moura - Sigurdsson - Perez/Tielemans
        King

        Bench fodder. Moura becomes Pulisic or Willian by GW3 for Chelea's great fixtures. Zinchenko becomes a different 5.5m City defender, or Coleman or Ritchie, if he doesn't start the season as expected. King becomes Jota when I have a better gauge on Wolves and EL exertions etc, or someone.

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

          I really want Moura too for that first fixtures. But don't want to plan transfers before the season starts so may go without.
          It's not flexible but if you believe in it you goota stick with it and remember most bandwagons with a few notable exceptions run out of steam.

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

            I'm a big fan of looking only at the very immediate future in FPL. It's how I played the whole of last season and it worked well. So I look at GW1 and think where are the goals going to be? Spurs at home Villa screams goals, and Moura will be OOP. If he scores a brace everyone will be wondering why they didn't go for it, and I'm happy to have a transfer to make by GW3 (that's what they're for!). Perhaps I'm also still revelling in the fact I brought Moura in last season immediately before his hat-trick with a similar outlook - definite starter, OOP, weak opponent, go for the points and worry about the transfer later.

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

              Ok 1>2>3
              Moura>Fraser>Tielemans
              And repeat or something close to it 🙂

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

                For GW1 you want Fraser. You could even justify Fraser-Brooks for GW1-2 and 2FT to Maddy-Tielemans GW3

    3. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      So i am thinking completely the opposite. You are a more aggressive player and it could work in that case but my last 3 seasons are making me revert to 3 4 3

      2017: 3 4 3 : OR 3500
      2018: 3 5 2: OR 71000
      2019: 5 4 1: OR 48000

      I have played this game seriously only in the last 3 years. I think i am a better player now than when i finished top 10k despite the spiral.

      The reason i changed formation was that i spotted that midfielders provided more value than forwards. The reason i changed again is because i spotted a growing trend of defenders essentially playing as mids.

      So my question is if i have improved as a player and i have correctly adapted strategy to growing trends why am i so far off my best season. The answer i believe is flexibility. I remember moving effortlessly onto the right player at the right time because my formation allowed for this especially with my comservative style. I have often felt thwarted from making the moves i really wanted because my formation was restricting me. Hence a return to 3 4 3 and i suspect my second top 10k finish.

      I am not saying it wont work for you. Strong player different style but i will be following your progess. Good luck

      1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        this

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

        He did point out that 3-4-3 is a volatile formation - some years very successful, other years poor.

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

    If only Rafa had stayed put I might have been tempted by a £5.5m Newcastle defender

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

      He was in every draft when the game was released.

      But yeah...if he's playing forward...could be good if Newcastle don't get whipped and relegated by Christmas

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

      Current odds are on Steve Bruce or John Terry! See ya Toon.

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I like Brucey, but will be swerving New.

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

    Hey FFS family. Thoughts on this current lot?

    Pope
    TAA Robertson Zinchenko Digne Chilwell
    Salah Sterling Tielemans
    King Vardy

    Button; Romeu Dendoncker Wickham

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

      Pope guaranteed to start?
      Triple Leicester seems a bit much.

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

        Tielemans could be Hudson Odoi if/when fit. Chilwell could be Trippier if he stays and starts.

        Pope could be Heaton. Depends on which one is likely to play. There’s a rumour going around that Heaton could go to Villa.

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

          Cheers about the Heaton news.

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

            How you shaping up TM? Tempted by 5 at the back?

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

              Autopick team. Kelly 5th defender depending on playing and money.
              Don't bother til August.

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

                Fair enough

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

                Which mid price midfielders are you keen on? Difficult to pick around the 6.5-7 range.

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

                  Rather the defenders atm. Preseason will probably change my thinking.

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

            Talk about Heaton to Aston Villa. If he doesn't go, it suggests Pope is 1st choice; if he does, both will be 1st choices.

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

        Pope is first choice when fit. Rather Villa pay extra for Butland than Heaton rumour

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

          Cheer KV

      3. JohnnyMagrinho
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Dunno why you keep saying triple Leicester is a bit much.

          Pereira - highest scoring defender last season outside Top 6 players other than Digne. No reason to suggest he'll do much worse this season.
          Maddison - scored well for his first season and got 14 attacking returns. Still quite cheap and could potentially be explosive this season. I'd still go for Perez and save the half a mil, but still, the Leicester midfield options are great choices. Tielemans looks good, too.
          Vardy - not too sure he'll be able to do as well this season, but was 4th highest scoring attacker last season and isn't even 10m.

          Leicester have a very good squad of players and will be looking to finish in the top 6 this year. They could easily do it. Only finished 5 points off 7th place last year and dont have any European football to distract them.

          You could get Pereira, Perez and Vardy all for £21.5m which would have brought you 461 points last season.

          I'd say that's pretty good going. Leicester are far better than their 9th place finish of last season would suggest.

          Vardy could be an incredible purchase as there's slim pickings in attack who are affordable and wont skew the rest of your team. Still think Tielemans or Perez offer better value though.

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

            Agree. The key is their pricing. Foxes may not be Top 4 material, but position-for-position, Vardy is better value than any striker in the sub-10m bracket; Maddy, Tielemans and Perez are better value than most if not all of the Midfielders in their bracket. Purely on pricing, in order to enable a strong defence, Salah and Sterling, I've tripled on Vardy/Tielemans/Perez.

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

              Just feels like a lot of eggs in a fairly untested basket.

              Fixtures play into it a bit as well I think.

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

                Yes that’s my thinking. I have them there as placeholders but don’t think I’ll go into gw1 with three Foxes.

                I’ll likely replace Chilwell or Tielemans with similar priced players.

                At this stage, Vardy is a lock as he’s at a good price point and is the focal point in their attack.

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

                  I'm looking at a scenario where I start heavy on BOU for 2 weeks: let's say Fraser & Brooks. Use 2FT in GW3 to get Maddy or Perez & Tielemans. By then we should see if LEI look serious or not.

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

      Hey..thoughts on this??

      Ryan
      Robb digne laporte
      Salah siggi moura perez
      Aguero deulofeu king

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

        Siggi, Moura and Perez is a little too punty in the midfield, imo.

    3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts on the current draft?

      Fab
      TAA VVD Laporte Digne
      Salah Sterling Siggy Tielemans
      King Deu

      Button Dendoncker Greenwood Kelly

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

        Tasty.
        Long term I want KDB over Siggy.
        And Tielemans will be nailed in my team just not with the fixtures in the first few weeks.
        Don't fancy those early Watford fixtures either.

        1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks for the suggestions

          Apart from Deu, not really interested in the other mid-priced strikers. Might consider going 451

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

        Nice draft

        1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks 🙂

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

        Fab and Laporte to Ederson and Zinchenko, and there you have it

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

      Any price changes?

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

        No - towers at it again. Unbelievable now I am 5 million short of the team I want for GW1

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

        FFS was just priced out by 0.1!!!

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

      I make too many transfers every year.
      Anyone gone with a policy of there are 8 nailed positions in my team the other 3 are flexible based on fixtures and form.
      Has it worked? I was hoping it might limit my amount of transfers. Barring injuries etc....

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

        That's pretty much my intention this year. My GK and 3 premium defenders, Salah and Sterling and Vardy are intended to be long-term keepers and starters, with the fringe players - mid-priced midfielders, cheap defenders and strikers coming and going.

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

          I just know I won't have the discipline for it, but I hope I do.

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

        It's all situational. I'm not a good player, but it seems like the good ones have a variety of tactics.

    6. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      With this team would you consider this........

      Deulofeu > 4.5
      Heaton > Ederson or Allison

      Heaton
      VVD / Laporte / Cathcart
      Salah (C) / KDB / Siggy / Perez or Tielemans
      Kane (VC) / King / Deulofeu

      Button / Dendonker / El Mohamady / Diop

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

        For a -4 or on a free?

        1. Roy Rovers
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          !!!!

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

            You'll still have to play your keeper but you'll also have to play a 4.5 striker?

            1. Roy Rovers
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Never played with high priced keeper before....was just wondering as I have a Pool and City spot available.

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

                Look at last season's points. Only Pickford got within a country mile of them.

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

      Reading above if Heaton moves - Pope is a great option.
      Fixtures look good for about 10 weeks.
      I assumed 1 or 2 of their keepers were 5.0 seeing they are all 4.5 is sweet.
      If they return to 17/18 form with no Europa this could be a steal.

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

        Yep I’m pretty locked on Burnley keeper.

        Also, Brighton will likely be more attacking this year so will be harder for Ryan to keep clean sheets.

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

          🙂 just went Ryan > Pope

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

        Pope is first choice regardless

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

          Yes, I'm not convinced by the mass love-in for Ryan. Pope would be a far better prospect for a 4.5 keeper (pun intended).

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

          Are we sure about that?

          I thought Heaton was first choice when all 3 are available.

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

      If there is anyone left in the Dz let me know what you think.
      Is the rest worth risking Kelly for a few weeks and also no bench. Siggy would be Moura in GW1

      Pope

      Robbo TAA Coleman Kelly

      Salah Sterling KDB Siggy Brooks

      King

      Fodder Fodder Fodder Fodder.

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

        Kdb to Tielemans and upgrade elsewhere

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

          I would be all over that if if were not for the opening LEI fixtures d- dont like them at all.
          Unless he really kicks off its going to be awhile til I get him.
          On the flip side KDB could take awhile to get back on form and that 3mil makes for a decent Kelly upgrade!!

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

        Kelly - I don't think so. He needs to be your bench fodder. I think the current state at Palace is he's 4th choice centre back and their first 2 out injured. If one of them is fit for GW1 he's on the bench. That's assuming they don't buy anyone. So at this stage I wouldn't rely on him starting.
        To upgrade him to a playing 4.5 you can downgrade Rob or TAA to VVD, or Siggy to a LEI Mid

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

          K 2 votes for LEI mid in that case it would be Tielemans for me.
          You think he can do well in those difficult early fixtures?

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

            I'm looking to him long term. If you're all about the first weeks, double up on Fraser-Brooks for GW1-2 then 2FT to a LEI pair if they do start strong.

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

              K cheers

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

                Ha ha, translated, that "Not on your life, mate!". Fair enough, I remember you as a good player anyway.

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

            I'm not sure I agree on "hard" opening Leicester fixtures..

            I wouldn't really class Chelsea, Man U and Spurs as that tricky for an attacking minded Leicester. Only really Liverpool in the first 10 games that'd be too much of a challenge for them.

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

              Chelsea Man Utd Spurs!??? Not hard fixtures...

      3. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Upgrade Kelly, downgrade one of the full backs for VVD and with that .5 upgrade Kelly

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

        Everything in MF is too much.

        Can't just rely on King every week.

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

          You don't 'rely' on your 6.5m striker every week. You 'rely' on Salah and Sterling, and Liverpool clean sheets.

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

      First time I have posted my squad... It is currently quite punty!

      Ryan Pope
      TAA Bavies Digne Ake Diop
      Salah KDB F Anderson Dendonker Ozil(!)
      Kane King Wickham

      Ozil may step up with Ramsey gone and Arsenal clearly struggling to sign quality... If not, I am tempted by Willian instead

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

        you had the whole of last season to realise that Emery doesn't think highly of Ozil. He will get rotated a lot, if he's still at Arsenal even. I would definitely go for Willian

        Hope that Bavies can get a season like he had 2 years ago

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

        Start of the season isn’t the time to take this many punts, may be one or two max. The main squad has to be built from high ownership players (look at TSB) that way you can keep with the pack

    10. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson
      Robbo,Laporte,Smith,Taa
      Mili,Mane(C),Siggy
      Ageuro,King,Deu

      Any thought on the team guys? Appreciate on the comment and dicussion.

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

      What are people doing with Kane? Waiting for the usual early season dry spell to pass or getting him from the start? Have him and Kun as strikers in my current draft.

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        August not for Kane , it is for Ageuro

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

        Personally, leaving him until Son is back, and then leaving him some more.

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

        currently have him in. well rested and recovered from injury I think he might have a better start to this season than previously. Last season was tainted by injury and also he was tired right from the start from the world cup

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

          Agree with this. At 11 he is far too tempting to leave out against Villa at home. And after mci they have NEW, ars, CRY which is a nice run of fixtures for attacking returns.

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

      King or Jota from the start? Jota up front with Jiminez was killer at the end of last season but King has more favourable fixtures

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        King

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

        Both

    13. ROLLING THE DICE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Double Everton defence anyone?

      Pope (Button)
      Laporte VVD Coleman Digne (Rico)
      Salah Sterling Tielemans Gudmundsson (Dendocker)
      Vardy Wilson (Wickham)

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

        no spurs? Trippier looks popular

        1. ROLLING THE DICE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Everton have great opening fixtures. Coleman/Digne offer good attacking returns and should pick up a few CS.

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

        Very viable with their prices and opening fixtures. 2 or even 3 of Pickford, Coleman and Digne would not be rash.

        Trippier - possibly Poch looking to get rid.

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

        I like that you've got Wilson? & Vardy I'm contemplating this too.

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

          Ignore the? 🙂

        2. ROLLING THE DICE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yep. Once Wilson signs his new deal I think he's the one to have whilst fit. Vardy should pick up a lot of points under Rodgers.

    14. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Is Brooks a good pick?

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

        for the first 2 weeks, yeh.

      2. ROLLING THE DICE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Wilson/King/Fraser probably better...

    15. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      What do you think, I believe it is good enough:

      Ryan (4.0-GK)

      Vertonghen VanDijk Robertson (Diop 4.0-DEF)

      Sterling Mane Fraser Dendocker (Hayden)

      King Kane(C) Jota

      Thanks guys.

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

        Looks good but your 11th man is a little light imo.

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

        I like it alot

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

      Good morning.

      A) Brooks & Wilson
      B) Fraser & King

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

        B

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

        B

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

      Must say I'm very happy with this and haven't changed it for at least two hours!?

      Ederson
      TAA VVD Laporte Digne
      Perez Salah Sterling Zaha
      King Deulofeu
      Usual bench

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

        It's good but need more up front for balance

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

        Excellent - don't think you can improve on that (subject to what happens to Zaha)

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

      Best two defenders for 12m?
      Already got TAA & Digne.

      Considering Laporte & Matip, Laporte & Gomez, VVD & Zinchenko, or VVD & Coleman.

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

        Gotta be VVD or Laporte with Coleman

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

          Yeah that's definitely the safe option. Which would you go for? Personally swaying towards VVD and hoping to bring in a City defender after the first few weeks as I back Liverpool slightly more for early clean sheets.

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

            Me too so I've gone all out and have Robb and TAA with Ederson and Laporte.

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

              That's ideal and i may end up similar, but currently focused on trying to cram Salah, Sterling, KDB & Siggy into my midfield, haha.

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

                Well I've got a 5-man midfield, but not with all those prime assets!

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

                  As of now I'm on:
                  Ryan.
                  TAA, VVD, Coleman, Digne.
                  Salah, Sterling, KDB, Siggy & Norwood.
                  King.

                  Looking at sacrificing KDB to upgrade VVD (to Robbo), Coleman (to Laporte) & Norwood though.

      2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Virg and Coleman

    19. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This page is 6 hours and 16 minutes old.
      Dead Zone setting new milestones.

    20. GOAT614
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hey FFS family. Thoughts on this current lot?

      Heaton
      TAA Robertson Laporte
      Salah Sterling B.Silva Grealish Trossard
      King Long

      Ryan; Wesley Chester Kelly

    21. tricpic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Today’s dilemma

      A) Eriksen and Jota/Delefou
      Or
      B) Kane and Hayden/Dedocker

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

        I like Jota but I feel Deulofeu has much stronger starting fixtures.
        My plan is to start with GD and move to Jota later on

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

        Yikes not a fan of Eriksen so B

    22. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I already have Sterling in my team.

      I originally had doubled up on Sterling and KDB but have since taken KDB out for Siggy.

      Could this be a mistake ?

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

        If you have Salah, I don't think you can have Sterling AND Kev. Gotta choose one.

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

          I do disagree. I think its possible but less balance.

          Ryan
          Robbo VVD Digne
          Mcgin Salah Sterling KDB Tielemans
          King Deulofeu

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

            Well obviously I mean that. Mathematically you can, but it weakens your squad.
            Where you've got Ryan and McGinn, I've got Ederson, Perez and Fraser.

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

              Yes I agree on that front.
              I like the look of Siggy over KDB for the first 6. Also allows me to upgrade McGinn to the likes of Brooks

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

                Good move. Lots of value in Everton and Leicester. After GW2 you could shift Brooks to Perez.

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

            that's not bad actually 🙂

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

      WestHam now interested in buying Florian Thauvin from Marseille apparently, which includes sending Chicarito the other way.
      So Maxi Gomez is definitely off then?

      1. Halmari Tea
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        ive never followed him , is he any good?

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

        Today's news suggests Gomez prefers Champers League football with Valencia. Seems fair enough.

    24. Tosa86
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      first FPL draft:

      ederson- button
      Digne - robertson- VVD - reid- kelly
      Salah - Siggy - zaha - moutinho - hayden
      king - kun - jota

      ay suggestion?

      Best regards.