Scout Notes

Goals for Sterling and Jota as Wan-Bissaka exhibits attacking threat

There were five Premier League teams in action early on Wednesday afternoon, with Manchester City, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers all taking part in the Premier League Asia Trophy and Manchester United facing Leeds United in Australia.

We’ll round up the main Fantasy talking points in the Scout Notes article below, while the updated pre-season minutes spreadsheet can be viewed here.

West Ham United 1-4 Manchester City

  • Goals: Mark Noble (£5.0m) | David Silva (£7.5m), Lukas Nmecha, Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) x2
  • Assists: Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) | Adrian Bernabe, Leroy Sane (£9.5m), Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m)

Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) took less than half an hour of his first appearance of pre-season to remind Fantasy managers of his goalscoring credentials.

With Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) on an extended break following their participation in the Copa America, Sterling led the line for City in the second half of their meeting with West Ham and recorded a brace as Pep Guardiola’s side emerged as 4-1 winners.

Introduced off the bench at the interval, the England international raced on to a Leroy Sane (£9.5m) pass to slot in his first goal and was then teed up by fellow substitute Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m) to cap off City’s victory.

Pep Guardiola gave youth a chance in the first half, with David Silva (£7.5m), Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) and debutant Rodri (£5.5m) effectively the only first-team regulars on show – although Claudio Bravo (£5.0m), Danilo (£5.0m) and new signing Angelino (£5.0m) were also handed run-outs.

The left-back position is perhaps the most difficult to call in Guardiola’s squad but Angelino didn’t get his second spell at City off to the best of starts, struggling against Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) down the West Ham right and conceding the penalty from which Mark Noble (£5.0m) converted.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) replaced the Brazilian full-back in the second half, with the absent Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) reportedly still receiving treatment for a knee injury.

David Silva, in his final year at City, pulled his side level with a superbly taken goal from an equally excellent pass by winger Adrian Bernabe before Lukas Nmencha won and converted a spot-kick to put Guardiola’s side in front.

The cavalry arrived at half-time with Sterling, De Bruyne, Sane and Bernardo Silva (£8.0m) all thrown on and there was no surprise that City looked more potent as a result, with Sane, in particular, catching the eye down the left flank.

The German winger has been linked with a move away from Eastlands this summer but Guardiola – as one would expect – was full of praise for his mercurial midfielder:

He’s a great player with incredible quality. I want people to want to stay here – the club is there so the desire to have him is always there. The club made him an offer for the past year. I have said many times that we want people to be happy here and we want to help him to reach his potential.

Rodri won’t appeal to many Fantasy managers but he had a decent enough debut in the ‘Fernandinho (£5.5m) role’, earning praise from his manager after the game:

He is a young, typical defensive midfielder who thinks very quickly. I hope he is here for a long time. Rodrigo is tall, which for a short side like ours is very good. He is great at set-pieces but we didn’t buy him for that. Ever since we arrived here we have tried to buy players who are 21, 22 or 23 years old. [Rodri] is a Spain national team player and there they call him ‘the next Busquets’. I think he is a very good player.

With De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) on the field either side of Rodri, Bernardo was again pushed forward into a front three alongside Sterling and Sane – food for thought, perhaps, for any FPL managers considering the Portuguese midfielder as a cut-price route into the City midfield.

The summer signings of Sebastian Heller (£7.5m) and Pablo Fornals (£6.5m) have given cause for optimism at West Ham and there are a number of their Fantasy assets who appeal early in the season, with the Hammers top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 2 to 12.

This was perhaps a reminder of the work still to be done in east London but there were positives to take away from this defeat, with Anderson, in particular, impressing in attack.

The busy Michail Antonio (£7.0m) was again ‘out of position’ as a central striker before being replaced by Javier Hernandez (£6.0m) at the break although the midfielder’s run up front is surely coming to an end following the capture of Haller.

Manuel Pellegrini still namechecked Antonio, however, when discussing his new signing and his striking options this season:

So we needed to find a new one [a striker], we have different options now. He is not only a box player, he will play well outside of the box. It will be his first season in England and I know he will be a good striker for our team. We also have Michail Antonio, Javier Hernandez too.

Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) also caught the eye cutting in off the left flank, with Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) perhaps the placeholder for when Fornals is match-fit following his exertions at the European Under-21 Championship.

The strength of Pellegrini’s first-half XI was arguably an early indication of who he might favour for Gameweek 1, although the likes of Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m), Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m), Fornals and Heller, of course, are still to be integrated into the team.

The Hammers were unsurprisingly not as much of a threat after the break as their second-string players were given a run-out and Pellegrini highlighted the contrast between the two halves after full-time:

I think that was a clear game of two different matches of 45 minutes. In the first half, we played well and created chances in their box but then we conceded two goals in two minutes and, of course, when you are playing against Manchester City you cannot afford to concede those goals. In the second half, they improved a lot when they changed some players, while we wanted to give some minutes to some players and we had some players who have just returned from long injures, so they made a difference. Also, I thought we made some mistakes in our defending and they capitalised. I was happy with the offensive system and the way we played in our attacking, yes, because we created more chances than Manchester City, but we must be more concentrated in our defending.

Defending was an issue last season, with only relegated Fulham and Huddersfield recording fewer clean sheets than the Hammers.

 
On this evidence, there is still much to be addressed and it’s stating the obvious to say West Ham’s attacking assets appeal more than their defence.
 
Pellegrini added:

We are working on our technical side and it’s important that we have Wilshere, Lanzini and Yarmolenko this season as we didn’t have them for long periods last season due to injury. With them, we will have more balance in midfield and I think we are going to be a good attacking team. We are going to create chances, but we need to improve our defending.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Bravo, Danilo (Walker 63′), Harwood-Bellis, Laporte (Stones 63′), Angelino (Zinchenko 63′), Rodri (Aleix Garcia 71′), David Silva (De Bruyne 46′), Doyle (Gundogan 63′), Bernabe (Sane 46′), Poveda-Ocampo (Bernardo Silva 46′), Nmecha (Sterling 46′).

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Roberto, Fredericks (Zabaleta 62′), Diop, Ogbonna (Reid 68′), Johnson (Cresswell 62′), Rice (Sanchez 46′), Noble (Obiang 62′), Lanzini (Diangana 62′), Wilshere (Snodgrass 46′), Felipe Anderson (Yarmolenko 46′), Antonio (Chicharito 46′).

Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Diogo Jota (£6.5m) x2, Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.0m), Tom Allan own-goal
  • Assists: Jonny (£5.5m) x2, Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m), Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m)

Diogo Jota (£6.5m) hit a first-half brace as Wolves demolished a dismal Newcastle United in their Premier League Asia Trophy semi-final on Wednesday.

Jota produced a smart finish from the edge of the box after collecting a Jonny (£5.5m) pass to open the scoring, later capitalising on an error from Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) to score his second and Wolves’ third.

The Portugal under-21 international, carrying on where he left off at the end of 2018/19, looked sharp in a 65-minute showing and was again deployed as a striker in Nuno Espirito Santo’s now-familiar 3-5-2.

Speaking after the match, the Portuguese attacker said:

Scoring goals always gives you an extra boost in terms of confidence and you have to take advantage of that and keep working hard to be 100 per cent for the first match. For the second goal, I tried to react fast to the loss of the ball. Fortunately, I scored and it was good for me and the team that we were able to make it 3-0 very soon.

In the absence of Raul Jimenez (£7.5m), who was handed a breather following his exertions in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, Jota was paired up front by an ‘out of position’ Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.0m).

Wolves will surely recruit a backup striking option this summer but it was interesting that Santo turned to Gibbs-White as a makeshift forward with Jimenez unavailable.

That said, had Matt Doherty (£6.0m) not been injured and Adama Traore‘s (£5.0m) services not been needed at wing-back, then the speedy Wolves utility man may have been given the nod alongside Jota instead.

Gibbs-White found the back of the net in between Jota’s two strikes, with Jonny collecting another assist.

The newly reclassified FPL forward said of his partnership with Gibbs-White:

It was different, Raul plays in a different style, Morgan isn’t as strong as Raul is, but we linked together very well and tried to do the best we can.

Santo added on Gibbs-White:

He did well. It’s not his natural position but he gives certain things and this is the versatile players that we have and that we must have because we are a short squad, we want to maintain, so players must do more than one position on the pitch.

Except for the missing Jimenez and Doherty, Wolves were pretty much at full strength and their extra week of pre-season – their Europa League campaign begins next week – was telling as they swatted aside the rudderless Magpies.

The regular back three of Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Ryan Bennett (all £5.0m) were handed 90 minutes each, while the now first-choice midfield three of Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m), Ruben Neves (£5.5m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.5m) played the bulk of the game.

Dendoncker caught the eye and it was from his run and cross that Jota scored his second, while the all-action Jonny excelled from wing-back.

Traore hasn’t always convinced (from a defensive perspective, anyway) when asked to deputise for Doherty on the opposite flank but he was another to impress in Nanjing on Wednesday.

Bennett said of his teammate:

Adama’s done brilliantly, I think he’s been spot on and you can’t fault him at all. You talk to him, the manager speaks to him and everything that everyone says, he really wants to learn. He just takes it on board. Tracking back is a bit unusual for him but he’s got stuck in. Then when he gets the ball he’s devastating, so we need to try and give it to him as much as we can. His attacking threat is unbelievable.

As for Newcastle, who appointed Steve Bruce as manager shortly before the game, this was an entirely predictable defeat ahead of what potentially could be a very difficult season.

While Wolves had the advantage of being further down the line with their training regime and United named several second-string players in their starting XI, there was no mitigating the gulf in class between the two clubs.

Stand-in manager Ben Dawson couldn’t call on the Magpies’ potent front three of last season for various reasons – Miguel Almiron (£6.0m) is on a break after international duty, while Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) and Salomon Rondon are no longer on the books – and Newcastle were limp in attack, barely mustering a shot of note.

Having been reclassified as an FPL defender this summer, Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) was stationed on the left wing but, with Newcastle in disarray, there’ll likely be few Fantasy managers interested in the first few Gameweeks of the season (and beyond) despite the ‘out of position’ tag and set-piece responsibilities.

Having posed little threat in attack, the Magpies were also wobbly at the back and Wolves’ fourth strike, a comical own-goal from youngster Tom Allan from a Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m) corner, summed up their afternoon.

Newcastle United XI (4-5-1): Darlow (Woodman 46′), Sterry (Manquillo 46′), Clark (Watts 59′), Lascelles (Fernández 46′), Lazaar (Bailey 63′), Murphy (Allan 63′), Hayden, Colback (M. Longstaff 63′), Shelvey (Ki Sung-yueng 59′), Ritchie (Aarons 55′), Muto (Sorensen 63′).

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Rui Patricio (Ruddy 46′), Adama (Perry 65′), Bennett, Coady, Boly, Jonny (Vinagre 65′), Neves (Taylor 81′), Moutinho (Cundle 81′), Dendoncker (Hong Wan 81′), Gibbs-White (Sanderson 65′), Jota (Ennis 65′).

Manchester United 4-0 Leeds United

  • Goals: Mason Greenwood (£4.5m), Marcus Rashford (£8.5m), Phil Jones (£5.0m), Anthony Martial (£7.5m)
  • Assists: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m), Scott McTominay (£5.0m), Andreas Pereira (£5.0m), Tahith Chong (£4.5m)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has teased the prospect of budget FPL forward Mason Greenwood (£4.5m) being involved in the Gameweek 1 clash with Chelsea.

Speaking after the 4-0 win over Leeds United in Perth, the Norwegian said:

He’s got a chance to start that one, definitely. He’s more than capable. He’ll always be there in and around the box, creating chances, and I won’t say that’s not a possibility. No, it’s a good possibility if he keeps going as he does. It’s difficult to keep players out who perform well.

Greenwood had lined up on the right flank of a 4-2-3-1 for United’s latest pre-season friendly success, in what was unquestionably the stronger of the two teams that Solskjaer sent out in either half.

The teenage forward opened his United account with the game’s opening goal on seven minutes, tucking in Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s (£5.5m) low cross following fine work from Paul Pogba (£8.5m) in midfield.

Solskjaer said of Greenwood after full-time:

Of course, we’ve been delighted with the goal he scored. It’s important for scorers to get that goal, even though I’ve always said we know he’s capable of scoring goals. The first one is going to be a weight off his shoulders. I think with his movement and his cleverness, he’s going to be a very good player, the young boy. He can play all of the front-three positions, or across the front four, as he can play no. 10, no. 7, no. 11 and no. 9. He’s a natural footballer with his left foot, coming in, but he’s got two feet and can play anywhere along the front. He’s just a natural. When he takes a penalty with his right, then takes a penalty with his left, free-kicks with his left, free-kicks with his right. He is almost what you’d call 50-50, maybe 51-49 left-footed. You can see we’ve got a talented boy there and he’s every opportunity to make it as a Manchester United player. Of course, it’s also going to be about luck. He must stay clear of injuries, be professional and I’m sure he’s going to grab his chance. Everything is there for him.

Greenwood was part of a lively front four for United in the first half, with Daniel James‘ (£6.0m) searing pace causing problems on the opposite flank – although the summer signing from Swansea was still a mixed bag when it came to end product.

Juan Mata (£6.5m) looked better in what is clearly his best position in the hole but it was some Fantasy favourites of 2018/19 who perhaps warranted the most attention.

Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) made it two goals from two games when scoring United’s second, racing onto Scott McTominay‘s (£5.0m) pass and producing some nimble footwork before firing low past Kiko Casilla.

Rashford had earlier hit the post and looked sharp as the spearhead of the attack, with United’s speed on the break and ferocity of pressing a refreshing antidote to the one-pace team of 12 months ago.

The England striker said after full-time:

There’s a lot to improve on still but, for us, it’s about getting the pictures in our heads. It’s been a while since we’ve been a real pressing team and I feel that now, in this pre-season, we’ve laid down the fundamentals of how we’re actually going to press. The first game against Perth, the way we pressed in the first half was brilliant. It’s tough going for 90 minutes but we’ll improve and we’ll get better at it.

Wan-Bissaka impressed up and down the right flank, displaying more attacking threat than we have become accustomed to seeing at Palace.

We voiced concerns about Wan-Bissaka’s assist potential in our recent Moving Target article because of the fact that United funnelled most of their play down the left-hand side of the pitch last season: no coincidence given that Pogba, so heavily involved when the Red Devils have possession, was mostly stationed in that zone.

We have seen the Frenchman on the opposite side of central midfield in pre-season, though, which could boost Wan-Bissaka’s Fantasy appeal significantly.

The pair’s respective roles in Greenwood’s goal underscored the impact Pogba could have.

The supposedly wantaway France international was nearing something like top form in this encounter although the fact that he seems set to play as part of a deeper central midfield two in future will be off-putting to some Fantasy managers.

Still, Pogba got forward to have several cracks at goal from the edge of the Leeds box and whistled a free-kick narrowly wide too.

Solskjaer changed all 11 players at half-time, with Anthony Martial (£7.5m) leading the line in the second half and scoring from the spot after a foul on Tahith Chong (£4.5m).

Phil Jones (£5.0m) had added a third before Martial’s penalty, nodding in an Andreas Pereira (£5.0m) corner.

David de Gea (£5.5m), Luke Shaw (£5.5m) and Romelu Lukaku (£8.5m) all missed out with minor problems and Solskjaer didn’t seem unduly concerned after full-time, saying:

David just fell ill today so he didn’t feel right. We’ll wait until the Inter Milan game [on Saturday] for him. They’re not ready, the others, either [Lukaku, Shaw and Lee Grant]. Of course, it’s not ideal when you miss a training session and he [Lukaku] was missing towards the end of yesterday’s session. He missed the game again and it’s two chances to play 45 minutes at this stage of the pre-season. It’s important for everyone to get fit and hopefully, he’ll be available soon.

Manchester United first-half XI (4-2-3-1): Romero, Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Lindelof, Rojo, McTominay, Pogba, Greenwood, Mata, James, Rashford.

Manchester United second-half XI (4-2-3-1): J. Pereira, Dalot, Smalling, Jones, Young, Matic (Garner 78), A. Pereira, Chong, Gomes, Lingard, Martial.

2,114 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    anyone doubling on city attacker? im still undecide whether to bring aguero or sterling and been thinking to double up on best attacking football in england but that surely affect your overall team or should i double up with kdb?

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

      Double up of Sterling+KDB/Aguero requires quite a sacrifice to the rest of the team (considering you also have Salah which you should).
      I think Sterling + Bilva could be the most realistic double up

      1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        yeah thats the most logic right now-maybe should spread the risk like usual---cheers

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

      Sterling & Kun is not ideal for captaincy/value.

      One of them & KDB/Bernardo looks better.

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

      I'm looking at Sterling + Bilva. Undecided.

    4. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'm thinking about Sterling and De Bruyne.

      1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        cant remember much on kdb gametimes after recover from injury-does he play most of the games?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          If he gets a full pre season and is fit, he starts IMO.

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

          He did, but still subject to the rotation all city mids are.

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

            True

            But I’m hoping/expecting that the first 4/5 are rotation free bar the Dilva Sane decision. From memory it’s once CL kicks in that things get hairy

            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Wishful thinking. Only Ederson, Laporte, Fernandinho, David Silva and Aguero started the opening five last season.

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

      I’m leaning more towards the season-starting F/M flexibility that Aguero + Salah provide.

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

    Am I losing it or am I correct in believing I've read here in Scout there are leagues one can join if one season their OR was in the top 10,000 and another in the top 5,000?

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

    Which is better:
    A) Wilson, FAnderson, VVD, Zinchenko
    B) Fraser, Perez, Robbo, Digne

    Rest of team:
    Pope
    TAA-Coleman
    Salah-Sterling-Siggy
    King

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

      B

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

    The comparative heat maps of Perez and King are fascinating. If you didn’t know King popped up on both sides of the pitch then it’d be hard to tell them apart.

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

      I'm coming around to the idea of starting with Perez & Vardy instead of King & Vardy

      My interpretation of Rodgers comments is '' we are going all out attack this season and perez had an important role to play ''

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

        If they sell Maguire, it may be a case of we will have to score more than we concede

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

          I can see Leicester and West Ham both having very exciting attacks but vulnerable at the back. No prob having attacking mids and Vardy though.

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

            Similar to liverpool under Rodgers in 13/14

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

              This

              Rodgers is one hell of an attacking manager - two shares in that attack might nt be a bad thing at all

              Regardless of fixtures id say they'll score lots - a 'you score 3 we score 4' type approach

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

                Agreed

                I wonder whether Pereira at 5.8 say might not be very popular around GW 19

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

        I had King for quite a while but I've lost the taste for him and am on Jota now. Perez is in, with Vardy.

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

        Perez over King is an easy call for me - pens just don’t attract me. The double up with Vardy I’m waiting on.

        Half thinking of going with Laca early with a view to moving on later. Have Kane and Arsenal Spurs in combo looks very interesting early.

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

          The more I think about it the more I like it - not much to lose with Perez

  5. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    How’s this team looking?

    Fabianski
    Robbo, TAA, Digne
    Salah, Sterling, Tielemans, Zaha
    Deulofeu, Jota, King

    Button, Dunk, Dendoncker, Aarons

    1. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      im not sold on Tielamns so far ... Leicester has so many promising assets

      The rest looks pretty good i gotta say. Might get hard to switch to Kane/Kun/Auba if they start to wreck up points

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

    Interesting to see chelsea starting 4231 with strong side, would suggest either barkley or mount might get a number 10 role. Also no abrahams on bench, any reason for that? bats/giroud to Duke it out for St role? Zouma in there too which would make sense that they'd keep him with rudiger injured.

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

      Wish Chelsea and FPL Towers would get on wif it and price them up!

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        They don't want to give anyone a bargain so they are waiting to see who are the likely first choices

    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Abraham is ill from what I hear. No idea, however, why Kepa misses out again

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

        Ah that makes sense, cheers

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

        Are you watching the game - who do you getting favoured in Central attacking midfield role (or cm with more license to go forward) - mount or barkley? Or do you think Frank will switch it up with a more defensive kovacic/jorginho/Kante in quite a few games?

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah I'm watching - another good game for Mount so far. Too early to call formation though, let alone who'll start! Keeping a careful eye on Mount though, might be a great bargain buy.

          Pulisic could also play in that role I guess, but probably more likely in a 442 diamond with no wide men

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

            Cool, I will be watching your comments closer to the deadline. That's one of the beauty of this site, having people who know what they're talking about with teams, and Chelsea are right at the top of the list in terms of interest given all the unknowns / potential cheap options

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

              Completely agree with that.

  7. joinho
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    1st draft, any good?

    Ryan (McCarthy)
    Coleman, zinchenko, Van Dijk (Ake) (Kelly)
    Sterling, Stephens, Felipe Anderson, Mane (MgGinn)
    Aubameyang, Jota, King

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

    Am in desperate need of some thoughts regarding the following:

    A - Ederson, LaPorte & Maddison w. 1 mil to spare (or Bernardo Silva w. no money spare),

    B - Fabianski, Azpi & De Bruyne w. no money to spare.

    Which would you go for?

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

      A

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A but with Perez or Fraser.

    3. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A with Maddison

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

      A it is then! Cheers team.

  9. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    hii, for the first 2 games:

    a) christienssen

    b) duffy +0.5

    1. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Is Christensen even guaranteed to start?

      1. amit1964
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        i think rudiger can not play for the start am i wrong?

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

        Depends if Zouma stays or returns on loan to Everton.

        1. amit1964
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          thanks i forget about him.....

          1. amit1964
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            do you know wich 2 defenders rotate well at 4.5?

  10. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I think Pulisic is being overlooked at 7.5M

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Lack of pre-season as he's played in the Gold Cup. Not interesting enough to get him from the start.

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Im not sure. Will take some time until he settles imho

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

      I'm happy to overlook him. Waiting on Mason Mount.

    4. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      On the bench today, could prove interesting when he come on. One to watch

    5. Little fekirs
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He’s been in a few of my drafts. Pretty sure I will start with a Chelsea forward/midfielder.

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

      If willian stays then I think he is the safe option for starting the season, as his main competition without cho is kenedy, and lampard will have to take a proactive decision to keep him now. Pulisic / st / cam could well prove the better option. I mean if they do play 4231 and anyone nails the number 10 role they will be ridiculous value for £6m presumably (can't see mount coming in for more than that?)

  11. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Could Greenwood be a better £4.5m bet than Dendoncker in a BB team?

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Possibly.
      Doubt he starts but good chance of a sub appearance for gw 1 imo.

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

      It seems pretty promising for Greenwood in GW1. Can all change from now till then though

    3. amit1964
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      if you think he will score or deliver assist

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Well I'm more interested in whether he starts

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

      You've got to have them both!

    5. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I can see him starting 5he opening game or 2 anyway, could play on the right flank beside mata and James I'd say

  12. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Pope 4m
    TAA VVD Coleman Zinky Dunk (Lei)
    Salah Rich Fraser Perez Dendonck
    Kane Wilson Greenwood

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

      Yeh, template

    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No City attack? Ouch.

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      City scored 95 goals last season, and 106 the one before... I'd advise bringing one of Sterling or Aguero in.

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

    Guys who have Salah, Sterling, Siggy, Fraser and Perez/Tielemans.

    Who are you getting rid of to fit Son in

    1. anish10
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      See how it gets on with Kane, hardly space for all of them.

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

      Fraser's jammy GW1-2 will be conveniently out of the way, yeh?

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

        Yeh will take and Fraser and King but that means only Duelofeu as starting striker in a 352.

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

      Either not getting him or downgrading Sterling to KDB, or one of the premium defenders like Digne to 4.5 to get Son over one of Siggy/Fraser/Perez who performs the worst

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

        Interesting I would keep Perez, has Sheffield and Bournemouth

  14. anish10
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hows this looking, bench is a bit weak:

    Fab
    Gomez TAA Zinchenko Digne
    Sterling Salah Siggy Perez
    Wilson Jota

    4.0 -- Hayden-- Greenwood -- Kelly

    1. Big4FPL
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’d go dendoncker over Hayden but other than that doesn’t look bad at all

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

    Can anyone tell me why its says 4 seasons beside my grav when this is actually my 5th on here?
    Or how do I rectify that?

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      You must have not been a member in that first season mate?

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I've done FPL for several years but for my sins only been a paying member on here for a couple of season

        1. BoomXhakaLaca1
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I've never been a member so I don't think that's it

        2. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          The years is based on the number of full years since the creation of the account.

          I'm guessing therefore you've either been around for 4 full seasons and this is now your 5th (hence 4) or you've been around for 5 but the account creation was late July / Early august, which means it will click over whenever you reach that date so that the account has been around for the full 5 years.

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

            I've been here donkey's years, but at one point I changed my email account. I think that put me back to Year Zero.

            1. Rotation's Alter Ego
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              I've changed my email and it didn't reset it.

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

      What month did you join? :).

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

        This month I renewed. Defo paying member for my 5th season this yr.

  16. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    i have 9m for 2 defenders, what should i do? i have coleman,taa,laporte

    thank you all

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

      2 4.5s who start and rotate.

      1. amit1964
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        who rotate well?

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

          Not sure. BOU/SOTON, BRI/BURN? Check on the ticker.

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

      I currently have Dunk/Diop but not so sure if I will keep them

      1. amit1964
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        thanks

  17. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    What about this Salah-less team?

    Button Ryan
    Robertson TAA VVD Digne (Kelly)
    Sterling KDB Zaha Ayoze James
    Kane (C) (Wickham, Greenwood)

    Bench is awful but I always do an early WC so...

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

    Sounds like Henderson will go back to Sheff Utd. Assuming he's 4.5, will he be a better pick than the other 4.5s?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Possibly, I'm tempted.

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

      With any promoted side, I'd wait and see.

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Etheridge started off well last season tho, think it was 2 clean sheets in 3, and Henderson does have reasonable fixtures to start.

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

          Promoted teams usually start well

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

          Only the first 2. You wouldn't want him for most of the following games, so you'd have to rotate him with another 4.5.
          By the time his fixtures ease, we should know if he's a good shout or not.

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

        Finished last season with 15CS’s in 23. If they struggle to adapt early on they always have that flat back 5 to rely on that should help

    3. Little fekirs
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’d start him.

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

      I'm gonna get him. Hoping for lots of saves, similar to Etheridge last year

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

    pep:

    "There's a chance [of a defender coming in] but I don't know if it will be possible. We [already] have three incredible central defenders and Fernandinho can play in that position."

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

      Heh, two of them are a bargain 5.5

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

      Very interesting, very risky surely?

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Depends how confident he is in Fernandinho's ability to play centre back. He's been talking it up since he was first appointed so must see something in him.

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

          I guess with rodri’s physicality present there now it is not as much of a worry to have a smaller CB next to Laporte

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

    Decided to go out of the template teams in here and settle on

    Pope
    TAA - Walker - AWB - Aurier
    Salah - Sterling - Fraser - Perez
    Wilson - Jimenez

    Button - Diop - Dendoncker - Nketiah

    1. Big4FPL
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Quite like it tbf, providing Aurier nails down that rb slot

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Similar ideas to me but I tweaked a 3-5-2 which I've been more than happy with so I like your team

      I went

      Pope
      VVD Digne TAA
      Pereyra Fraser Salah Perez Sterling
      Wilson Jota
      Button Dunk Greenwood Lundstram

      If Pereyra doesn't start as hot as he did last season then I'd be happy to make him a 4.5 mid and go 442 or even 343 if the budget forwards looked enticing

  21. Big4FPL
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Do you think the bench is too weak in this team? I feel like if a nailed on 4.0m emerges or Greenwood/Wickham get at least 1pt cameo’s then it would be okay, but they’re big if’s!

    Pope
    TAA VVD Coleman Zinchenko
    Salah Sterling KDB Perez Dendoncker
    Vardy

    Bench; Button Gibson Greenwood Wickham

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

      Bench being weak isn't the problem, its Dendonker starting.

      1. Big4FPL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I don’t think he’s too bad as a starter, box to box, gets involved in attacks and even if he just ticks over with 2-3 points the other 10 players can score enough to accommodate?

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

          He's terrible but you may get lucky with Greenwood.

          1. Pep Pig
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Bad advice. He's far from terrible. He got much higher up the field against Newcastle the other day too

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd prefer one assured starter. I don't think anybody would be surprised if Zinchenko, or De Bruyne, or Dendoncker missed the odd game.

      1. Big4FPL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I agree, they’re the 3 which would make me like at least one bench option! Was just playing around with Salah, Sterling, KDB + Vardy drafts, but it’s pretty difficult!

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

        “... I'd prefer one assured starter ...”. +1.

    3. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Looking at the opening weeks you're absolutely fine mate. Don't worry about people saying you need to play Dendoncker every week etc. You will make adjustments in the first couple of weeks (that's fact). This team "should" get you off to a great start. Ogs has already suggest Greenwood is in the running to start against Chelsea and Wickham is currently there or thereabouts anyway. I heard if Maguire goes, Dunk and Tarkowski would be on Leicester's radar.... if that did happen then Gibson would be a great shout. They paid decent money for him last season

      1. Big4FPL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers mate, appreciate your thoughts! I’m with you on Gibson, definitely one I’m hoping becomes clearer over the next 3 weeks, with the transfer window closing before the season starts I should know for certain by then anyway!

    4. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Dont think you need Perez and Vardy tbh. I'd drop Vards to Wilson and improve the bench with the cash. But then I would say that 'cos I've got a similar team! (below)

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I actually agree with Wilson over Vardy but the double up could be tasty if Leicester hit the ground running. I've gone Wilson but own Fraser as well. Attacking double ups can be absolute gold when they pay off

        1. Big4FPL
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah I’m 50:50 on Vardy/Wilson but like you I do fancy the Perez/Vardy double if Leicester are scoring more goals under Rodgers

          1. Shatner's Bassoon
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I think I'll have double Leic at some stage - but opening fixtures unlikely to give a glut of goals. Bournemouth more likely to rack up a few early doors IMO.

      2. Big4FPL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Haha cheers mate! Wilson is one i’m looking at, just think Vardy is on for a great year

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

      You gotta lose KDB or Vardy

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm sure he will when the times right but again it's bad advice. If he had the exact same draft as you, you'd tell him he had a great team. I'm not being assy but see constant comments giving out advice far from constructive for the wrong reasons

  22. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Pope/4.5, Walker, Haller
    B) Ederson, Zinchenko, King

    Worried about Zinchenko being a starter..

    1. Amr Abdelrahman
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

  23. Squires FC
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A. Deulofeu & dendoncker
    B. Perez & greenwood
    ?
    Currently on b

    1. Amr Abdelrahman
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

  24. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Mentioned earlier than Abraham misses today's preseason game for Chelsea through injury, sounds like Kepa misses for the same reason.

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

      Kante is not yet with the squad?

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Had a little niggle, returning to fitness now.

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Should rephrase that - had a pretty nasty injury, but is approaching the end of his recovery

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

            ah yes, I remember now

  25. Amr Abdelrahman
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) King + Digne
    B) Wilson + £4.5m def

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

      Thing Wilson is better than King, but Digne sways me enough to say A

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

    Can’t help but feel that Chelsea line up is frank’s first choice for when the season starts obviously with some players to return in willian and CHO in place of Kenedy and Pedro.
    If it is mount looks like value to start the season with as he would be the no.10 in all systems frank rolls out

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

      If he ever gets priced that is

  27. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    Digne | Zinchenko | TAA | Cathcart
    KDB | Perez | Salah | Sterling
    Wilson | King

    Button - Dendoncker - Balbuena - Greenwood

    Pretty happy with this one... Double Bmouth first up purely for fixtures and the structural improvement Wilson offers at 8.0 as can become Haller/Jimenez/Chelsea. Cathcart to swap a bit with Balb or Donkers.

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

      Looks great, as long as you're happy with just the one Pool defender

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I think so yeah. My feeling is that KDB should compensate.

    2. Big4FPL
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like it mate, definitely with you on trying to fit both Sterling and KDB in!

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        yep yep!! cheers

  28. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ryan [Button]
    TAA Robertson Laporte Digne Ake
    KDB Salah Siggy Tielemans [Jorginho]
    Wilson [4.5 4.5]

    Guys, how to use additional 1.5?

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Drop Ake to a 4.5 and use the 2.0 to upgrade a 4.5 striker to Deu/Jota/King/Burnley.

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

        Agreed - no need for Jorginho either; just get Donk

  29. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    How my team looking?

    Pope
    TAA VVD Digne Zinch
    Salah Sterling KDB Perez
    King Jota

    Button Dendo Greewood Rico

    Need some feedback. Much appreciated

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

      Fine mate, the 'template' as it were.

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        True, the Double city attack is perhaps my only differential

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

      Tasty

      One possible drawback is the triple 6.5 - harder to make moves possibly. Nothing much on the bench either. Picking holes here

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      KDB & Jota vs Siggy & Wilson

  30. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Where would you shave 0.5 away from this team? Vardy to Wilson perhaps? Or maybe DCL at 6.0...?

    4.5/4.0
    TAA, VVD, Zinchenko, Coleman, 4.0
    Salah, Sterling, Siggy, Perez, Dendoncker
    Vardy, 6.5, 4.5

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy > Fraser is the way

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

        Vardy>Rashford? Is double Leic really needed?

        1. amit1964
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          united fan....................dont take rashford who is playing in the poorest team