Technical Area

How much rotation can FPL managers expect from clubs involved in Europe?

After looking at the forthcoming fixture schedules for the seven Premier League clubs involved in European competition this season, we now focus our thoughts on possible rotation.

This article takes a look back at how Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino approached the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in 2018/19 to see if we can learn any lessons from their team selections.

This is uncharted territory for Nuno Espirito Santo and Frank Lampard at their respective clubs, of course, although Santo has experience of European competition with Porto and Valencia.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile wasn’t ‘at the wheel’ for Manchester United’s Champions League group stage fixtures but did take charge of the Red Devils in the knockout round.

For this study, we will look at the period of Gameweeks 5 to 17.

The Champions League and Europe League group stages both started after Gameweek 5 of 2018/19, culminating before the games in Gameweek 17.

All bar one of the Gameweeks in question fell directly before and/or after a round of European fixtures, with the exception being Gameweek 15: that set of Premier League matches was the first ‘midweek’ round of league games of the season, however, so we’ll also include any findings in our results.

Manchester City – Pep Guardiola

Premier League appearances for Manchester City players in Gameweeks 5-17

Having won the Premier League in successive seasons, will Pep Guardiola’s focus be more on the elusive Champions League crown this year?

Fernandinho (£5.3m) was an ever-present in the league for City in Gameweeks 5-17 last season, highlighting just how important the Brazilain was to the cause – and the fact that the City boss had no like-for-like replacement for the veteran at the base of the midfield.

With Rodri‘s (£5.5m) capture, however, Guardiola has the capacity to rotate the two where he sees fit – although Fernandinho’s services may be needed on occasion at centre-half.

Despite featuring in all six Champions League group games from the start, Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) started all but one league match during the time studied, with his rest coming in the midweek Premier League game in Gameweek 15.

Given his experience of playing as a left-sided centre-half, Nicolas Otamendi (£5.4m) may become the bedrock of the City defence in the league in Laporte’s stead – although the Frenchman, uncapped by his national side, had the benefit of recovering during international breaks in 2018/19, something Otamendi doesn’t have the luxury of.

The table above may say that Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) only started nine of the 13 league games in Gameweeks 5-17 but he was injured or recovering from injury in the final four of them.

Aguero only started two group matches in the Champions League and started every single league fixture from Gameweeks 5-13, although was substituted off in eight of those nine appearances.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m), by contrast, started four Champions League group fixtures and not a single league game between Gameweeks 5-13.

Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) started all six Champions League group fixtures and his FPL owners paid the price on three occasions, with benchings in Gameweeks 9 and 17 – both of those matches coming three days either before or after a European tie.

Sterling was also a substitute in the midweek Gameweek 15 fixture against Watford.

Only injury prevented Bernardo Silva (£7.8m) from being an ever-present in Gameweeks 5-17, illustrating just how important the Portugal international was to Guardiola last season.

Bernardo had his rests in the Champions League, sitting out three of City’s group games.

The mid-price FPL midfielder has already been benched twice in the league this season, however, suggesting he perhaps isn’t quite the ‘nailed’ option he was for much of 2018/19.

Given the options available to Guardiola in central midfield, we can likely expect plenty of rotation in the middle of the park this season.

David Silva (£7.4m), who turns 34 this campaign, is the obvious candidate for a semi-regular rest, with Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m) and Phil Foden (£5.3m) waiting in the wings.

Silva had his minutes managed around the Champions League group games last season (of which he started five), being substituted in seven league fixtures and dropping to the bench on a further two occasions.

The anomaly here is Kevin De Bruyne (£9.8m), who was injured for a large chunk of last season and who didn’t make a league start in Gameweeks 5-17.

Looking back at 2017/18 instead, De Bruyne started City’s first 31 league games and started five of the Sky Blues’ Champions League group ties – although Guardiola will surely handle him more delicately this season following his injury problems of last year.

Liverpool – Jurgen Klopp

Premier League appearances for Liverpool players in Gameweeks 5-17

Having already tasted success in the Champions League, there is an argument to suggest that Jurgen Klopp’s focus will be more on the domestic front this year as Liverpool hunt for their first league title in 30 years.

Sadio Mane (£11.5m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) started all six Champions League group stage matches last season and weren’t rested for any of the league fixtures around them.

The two league games that Mane missed altogether (Gameweeks 9 and 15) in the period studied were through injury, with a cut on his foot limiting his involvement to being a late substitute in the Gameweek 16 win over Bournemouth.

Salah’s only rest in the Premier League in the whole of 2018/19 came in that midweek Gameweek 15 win over Burnley.

Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) was benched in Gameweek 9 after returning late from international duty and, like Salah, was also handed a breather in Gameweek 15 as the Reds juggled three Premier League fixtures in seven days.

The Brazil striker was dropped to the bench in two of Liverpool’s six Champions League group games.

At the back, Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) was an ever-present throughout this period and again looks the safest bet this season.

Having started all six Champions League group matches, Andrew Robertson (£6.9m) missed two Premier League fixtures in Gameweeks 5 to 17 – although one was enforced through injury.

Robertson was benched in the Gameweek 10 match against Cardiff, which came three days after a 90-minute run-out against Red Star.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) was benched in Gameweeks 8 and 9 last season, with both matches coming four days either before or after the Liverpool right-back played 90 minutes in a Champions League group game.

Joe Gomez (£5.4m) deputised on both occasions.

Alexander-Arnold was also only a substitute for the Gameweek 16 win at Bournemouth, which was the third of three league matches that the Reds had to endure in the space of a week.

A foot injury ruled him out in Gameweek 17.

A start or two for Gomez at right-back in the coming months perhaps looks inevitable but Fantasy owners will be hoping that Klopp chooses the Champions League or Carabao Cup to hand Alexander-Arnold his feared breather.

Tottenham Hotspur – Mauricio Pochettino

Premier League appearances for Tottenham Hotspur players in Gameweeks 5-17

The situation was pretty straightforward for Harry Kane (£11.0m) last season, with the Spurs striker starting all six Champions League group games and being benched only once.

That came in Gameweek 16, which was not only the third of three Premier League fixtures that Spurs faced in the space of seven days but also came three days before the Lilywhites took on Barcelona in a crucial Champions League tie.

The picture is not quite so clear with Spurs’ midfield assets.

Christian Eriksen (£8.8m) started only five league matches during Gameweeks 5 to 17 but was suffering from an abdominal problem in this period, with Mauricio Pochettino handling his recovery very carefully.

To illustrate this point, Eriksen started every single one of Spurs’ final 21 league fixtures once his issue had cleared up, also starting all seven of the north London club’s Champions League knockout ties.

Following his involvement at the 2018 World Cup and then the Asian Games in August/September, it took Son Heung-min (£9.5m) until Gameweek 13 to nail down a starting spot in Spurs’ team.

Managed minutes were an issue even when Son was established in the team and the South Korea international was substituted in all seven of his starts in the period studied, having made the starting XI in five of Spurs’ six Champions League group games.

With those two players, Erik Lamela (£6.0m) and the hamstrung Dele Alli (£8.4m) struggling for fitness or form, Lucas Moura (£7.4m) was the main beneficiary: the Brazilian started 11 of Spurs’ 13 fixtures around the Champions League group games.

Given that Lucas, Eriksen, Son and Lamela are already up and running this season and the likes of Alli and Giovani Lo Celso (£7.4m) are gradually building their fitness through substitute appearances, rotation in the Spurs midfield will surely be a minefield around their forthcoming Champions League ties.

Pochettino has been a regular rotator of his full-backs in busy periods so we can likely expect to see more of the same this time around, with Toby Alderweireld (£5.5m) perhaps the most secure route into the Spurs backline – the Belgian defender started all but one of the 13 Premier League games around the Champions League group stage fixtures last season.

Arsenal – Unai Emery

Premier League appearances for Arsenal players in Gameweeks 5-17

Unai Emery used the Europa League group stages to mostly blood his second string, with stronger starting XIs not named until the knockout stage had commenced in February.

Emery made at least eight line-up changes in five of the six group games as fringe players were given a chance to impress, so fatigue-led rotation in the Premier League wasn’t the issue that it might have been had the Gunners been in the Champions League.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) made only two starts in the Europa League group stage, with Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) making just the one.

Emery is a tinkerer of teams regardless of European involvement, however, as the above table shows.

It should be said that Aubameyang was about as ‘nailed’ as they come until Arsenal started to venture deep into the Europa League: the Gabon international started 23 of Arsenal’s first 25 league fixtures in 2018/19, with benchings in Gameweeks 8 and 9 seemingly less about preservation for Europe and more to do with Emery’s constantly evolving tactical preferences.

Lacazette started eight matches in a row between Gameweeks 5 and 12 but was less of a reliable starter through December as Emery favoured Aubameyang up top by himself – again, though, this had little to do with the Europa League.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Wolves – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Frank Lampard and Nuno Espirito Santo

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken charge of Manchester United in four Champions League knockout games and has shown previous when it comes to Europe-led rotation, resting Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) and Victor Lindelof (£5.5m) in Gameweeks 26 and 34 ahead of the PSG and Barcelona ties.

How Solskjaer will treat the ‘lesser’ Europa League, and the bloated group stage in particular, remains to be seen, however.

Nuno Espirito Santo is certainly giving the competition plenty of respect.

Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m), Diogo Jota (£6.4m), Jonny (£5.5m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.5m) have all been benched following Europa League play-off fixtures already and the settled Wolves side we could trust from a Fantasy perspective in 2018/19 looks anything but this season.

Frank Lampard is the great unknown as he gets set to manage in Europe for the first time (with the exception of the Super Cup) but Chelsea’s wealth of options in most positions should provide him with ample opportunity to rotate.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 4

868 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    This is amazing by Milner 😀
    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1173104/liverpool-sadio-mane-mo-salah-james-milner-instagram/amp

    Missed it as I'm not active on social media. Post about Mane getting angry last gw.

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      nice one

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        😀

  2. EMERGING STAR
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone here with all of Salah-Mane-Sterling- KDB? I would love it but short of this team by 0.1.

    Adrian
    Zinchenko AWB Digne
    Salah Mane Sterling KDB Cantwell
    Pukki Ayew

    Button Lundstram Kelly Wickham

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

      Is this a WC?
      If so Zinch to Otamendi gets the cash and probably a better pick for now anyway.

      1. EMERGING STAR
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        WC was already used in GW3. But above team can be achieved using my 2 FTs (Martial + Rashford -> Mane + Ayew)

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Triple palace 😮

      1. EMERGING STAR
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        But you know why i have Wickam and Kelly. Ayew is the only one who will be in Eleven. Occasionally Kelly too

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go Kun over one of Mane, Salah, Sterling

      1. EMERGING STAR
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I am a fan of Midfielders who score goals. And obvious extra points of goals and cleansheets along with nailedness over Kun.

    4. kidzac
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Going to be funny as hell when you realize you need a pool defender and need to replace your gk as well.

      1. Amanda Staveley
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Simple... downgrade 1 or 2 defenders (find 1.2m probably from Digne) to free up cash to get Alisson

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          No way. Digne is a season keeper for me.

          1. Amanda Staveley
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Zinchenko / Otamendi and AWB down to a 4.5 and 5.0 then if you would say keep Digne.

            Id prefer get rid of Digne....

            1. Shineonme
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Zinc is a rotation risk. i just replaced AWB with TAA.

      2. EMERGING STAR
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I have that in my mind. My GK situation and lack of pool defender. But feel like Digne- WanB- Zinc will limit the damage in defensive points and i will get Pope for Adrian when Allison is back. On the attacking side i dont miss the big hauls of Mane.

    5. Amanda Staveley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      this is exactly what I have been looking at -
      Team 1
      Pope 4.0
      Otamendi TAA 3 x 4.5 (Soyunco Mings Lascelles)
      Salah Sterling KDB Mane Cantwell
      Pukki 4.4 4.4

      OR
      Team 2
      Adrian 4.0
      Otamendi Alderweireld 3 x 4.5 (Soyunco Mings Lascelles)
      Salah Sterling KDB Mane Mount
      Pukki 4.4 4.4

      1. Amanda Staveley
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        can rotate defenders and 5th mid to play 451 or 541 the it comes down to....
        Team 1 - Pope, TAA, Cantwell
        Team 2 - Adrian, Alderweireld, Mount

        1. EMERGING STAR
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I like Team1.

  3. white lightning
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    So after scoring 42 in gw4 I sort of rage traded a -8 hit. Do you think I can get away with it:
    Jota out - Ayew in (ft)
    Rashford out - Haller in (-4 hit)
    Martail out - KDB in (-8 hit)

    Heaton
    VVD, Digne, Zinchenko, Lundstram
    Salah (c), Sterling, KDB, McGinn
    Haller, Pukki

    Ryan, AMN, Cantwell, Ayew

    I'm now thinking a -8 hit is a bit too much. Would you:
    (a) roll with the current -8 hit team or
    (b) use my free hit chip or
    (c) triple captain Salah

    Note - already used my wc in gw2.

    Thoughts & thanks.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Relax 🙂
      Good moves in long term.
      Martial can be a great asset but can wait

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A.
      You just about have the exact same team as me so all good.
      Also I don't see why using chips has anything to do with it except making the situation worse with a chip fail. Chips which are needed for blank and double gameweeks
      Unless you want to be saying the following in about gw32
      I rage used my chip after a rage -8 hit.

    3. white lightning
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers boys I'm more relaxed now. I feel both KDB & Haller could both haul this gw.

  4. maratus
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Morning lads!

    On WC, 0.8 itb any ideas? Thinking upgrading one of the 4.5m´s for KWP if he is fit.
    Planning to play 433 or 343 depending on fixtures.

    Adrian (Pope)
    TAA, Digne, Mings, Söyüncü, Rico
    Sterling, KDB, Mount, McGinn, Cantwell
    Aguero, Pukki, Barnes

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      i feel the lack of pool attack is an issue. i wouldnt get adrian on wc as alisson should be back soon. id get button and spend the extra 1.4. maybe upgrade mcginn ?

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Very nice team

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

    What about this and thoughts on better option than Matip for 5.4 or less
    Would take 3 moves to get to this and exact cash now

    Heaton

    VVD Digne Matip Otamendi

    Sterling KDB Mane Son McGinn

    Haller

    McGovern Lundstram Greenwood Wickham

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      nice team. obviously only 1 playing sub but i assume you still have wc ?

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

        Nah that's gone GW3 and now trying to get back to pretty much the team I WC away from
        Typical for me at least this year and last year.
        Zero patience 🙂

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          mmh not sure id go -8. whats your team now ?

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

            Decided against this already
            Would have been Pukki Kelly Soyuncu
            To Wickham Matip and Otamendi

            Probably going to hold FT and next week do McGinn and Kelly
            to 4.5 mid and Otamendi for free to give

            Heaton

            VVD Digne Otamendi Soyuncu

            Sterling KDB Son Mane

            Haller Pukki

            McGovern Lundstram 4.5 mid Greenwood

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      That's the best 4×5×1 I've seen

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    please rate this wc team, thanks 🙂

    ryan (button)
    taa laporte lowton/mings (lundstram)
    salah kdb james(could be mcneil) ceballos (hayden)
    Aguero vardy pukki

    thanks a lot

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

      Laporte 🙂
      Typo ?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        haha yes otamendi 🙂 thanks

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

          Nice 343
          Not saying Ceballos is not a good pick its just how many minutes he gets is the problem.
          Formation change for easier games should see him play but will probably be benched for the harder fixtures.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            thanks again. i hear you for ceballos but for his price range i feel he's not much of a gamble. could go mcginn instead as villa has nice fixtures. also not sure about

            taa and otamendi

            or

            vvd and digne ?

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

              Yeah not many options I am looking at maybe losing McGinn soon he has had the returns but the stats don't back it up.

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                thanks again albrightondknight and gl to you 🙂

            2. Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Ha I got VVD and Digne and have been tempted by exactly that move for a hit this week.
              On WC not sure which I would chose but Digne might swing it to him and VVD.

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Thanks again

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Really strong, I still prefer Sterling over Aguero in the long run, but whilst Jesus is injured i think its wise to go for Kun

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        thank you.

  7. BeardedOldMan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    How did mount play last game for Chelsea?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      On 2 feet apparently

      1. BeardedOldMan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        You’re kidding? I heard he was hopping most of the game, and that’s why his stats were so rubbish

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

          The stats drop off was matched by the eye test.
          But could just be one week blip - hard to know.

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

    C. Aguero, Sterling or Salah? On Sterling atm..

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Wait for international matches and the time raz gets

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero for sure

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero - form, terrible defence, penalties, explosive, relative differential.

    4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Atm Kun definitely

  9. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    From gws 6-8 if you could have only one out of this lot, who would it be

    A Vvd
    B barnes
    C pukki

    1. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I think Barnes

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki for me

    3. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      VVD

  10. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you take a -4pts for AWB and Martial to TAA and D.James?

    Need to make it before being priced out (have exact), more than likely TAA rises.

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not opposed to that hit

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      good move yep

    3. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I like it

    4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  11. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Madison&trossard- Martial(providing fit)/&Ceballos worth a hit ya reckon guys?
    Madison fixtures ain’t great and trossard injured

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nah

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    tough...maddison away to a leaky utd. maybe just trossard to ceballos ?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      oops reply fail for above

    2. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers buddy

  13. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What appears the better move?
    A. Drop Heaton to Button (have Pope) to fund Barnes (-4). Relatively weak bench (Rico/Den/Lund).
    B. Upgrade Vvd to TAA and have the cash for Rico to Soyuncu/4.5 def and Den to Cantwell over next few weeks (stronger bench).
    C. Dendoncker to Ceballos or Mcginn and Vvd to TAA. Could be done over 2 weeks or one (-4).

    Team.
    Pope (Heaton)
    Vvd Zinc Digne Lundstram (Rico)
    Salah Sterling Kdb Mount (Den)
    Haller Pukki (Gwood)
    1.7 itb 1ft

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B for me, I like the look of Soyuncu with Leicester's fixtures, TAA is a must have for me

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

        Leicester's fixtures turn from gw9 right? I would have to do Vvd to TAA before his rise for C but could wait for B.

  14. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Do you plan to get in emerson after they faced liverpool or not?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I have him already and have a bit of buyers remorse. Not sure Lamps can organise a defence.

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

    3. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I’d love him.
      But Ota at the same price point would be stupid to pass up. Especially with zinch close to being dropped for mendy

    4. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      no

  15. Oscar Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wildcarding. Matip +1.1m to invest wisely elsewhere or VVD? I'm thinking the former option just about edges it. Reasonable?

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If you think Matip is nailed, then probably VVD is not worth the extra money over him.

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      TAA and Matip probably best pool defensive assets if Matip nailed.
      I'm planning to get both, because Gomez would replace one if he plays of them but the other would always start

    3. Krionos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      VVD, no question about it. Did you by any chance read this article??

  16. mookie
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any notable injuries yesterday? Or is it too early to ask.

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Tross

      1. mookie
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers
        Doesn't hurt my team or my plans. All good so far. 🙂

  17. NunchiTom
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What’s better -

    A.
    Firminio
    Son
    James
    Digne
    Greenwood

    B.
    Salah
    Haller
    Abraham
    Cantwell
    Lundstrom

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B but Son could explode and break the template

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

        This is what I’m thinking... looked good against arsenal

  18. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Which do you prefer and why if possible:

    A) Ceballos (wat, AVL, mnu, BOU)
    B) James (LEI, whu, ARS, new)

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Honestly.
      Neither.
      If I had to choose one. James, better team - will get more chance.
      I’d prefer Mount

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Better team????? Hahahhaha mate are you taking the p*ss?

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I can bet my house on Arsenal creating more goalscoring opportunities and scoring more goals over the course of the season

          1. mookie
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            United are better defensively, Arsenal the better attacking team. But yeah, Arsenal should finish higher than United this season imo.

            1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I'm not sure what he means by "chance", if it means starts then yeah maybe, but if it means United create more chances then that's bol**cks

              1. mookie
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                He'll probably have more goalscoring chances as he plays higher up the pitch. That doesn't mean he'll outscore Ceballos though.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      None really, but if I have to, James. More likely to start I guess.

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Neither. Go Trossard or Lanzini

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Groin injury in Belgium training. No mention of severity

      2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ahh, didnt know about tross injury. Stretch to lanzini if possible

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Zini is a good shout

      3. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lanzini is the better pick

    4. Party time
        4 years, 6 months ago

        B

        1. Party time
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A* sorry... typo

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Have both on wc but might switch James . I'd go ceballos, he's cheap and enable you other good picks in your team, for his price I feel the gamble is minimal 🙂

        3. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Not keen on any of the two.

      • Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Antonio out for 4 months.
        Not good news for West Ham attack?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Wont have much impact I guess

          Yarmelonko/Snodgrass-Lanzini-Anderson-Haller is probably their first choice attack.

          1. Whats the Huth
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Will have an impact on their attack.
            Lanzini and Anderson are fine. But they have just lost one of their biggest threat.

            1. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Just the work rate. Decision making in attack, Antonio is poor at those.

                1. tets mcgee (Bachmann an Rob…
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  You cant question Antonio's work rate... the lad doesn't stop or maybe I read your post wrong.

                  1. Party time
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Yes, You read it wrongly. This is why I used a comma and a full stop Lol just kiddin

                2. Holmes
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I dont consider him as a "threat" to be honest.

            2. mookie
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Not good imo, perhaps even FPL wise. Yarmolenko looks kind of selfish for me.
              As long as Lanzini and Anderson are okay, Haller should do just fine.

              1. Yankee Toffee
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                ^

            3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Made of glass that lad

            4. JonBoy
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              They've definitely lost goal threat in Antonio. And some shots per game in him too, but that could just bode even better for Haller.

              1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Dont think they depend on Antonio, hes injured most of the time anyway

            5. Soto Ayam
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Its definitely not good news. However, he's mainly a impact sub these days and certainly not starting 11 material since bilic's days. Still have lanzini, Anderson , yarmlenko, fournals and Snodgrass as attacking mids. He'll be missed, but it's not a tragedy.

            6. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              They have ample of CAM/wingers i guess
              Still a loss as he was a goal threat for them

            7. Fpl Richie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              From a fan's perspective its very frustrating. He offers something completely different now that Pellers has bedded down a more fluid system he is an excellent sub and has a disproportionate goal involvement to playing time. We're still good for goals but less plan b's basically. We'd have not let Diangana go on loan too if it had happened early - both offer pace which west ham sometimes lack when Snod/Yarm etc play.

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

              Won't hurt west ham that much

          2. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I have virtually not seem any Bournemouth attack players in any wc teams ( including mine 🙂 ) the fixtures are still great , c Wilson has.gone down in price ,h Wilson looks like a decent 6m pick, so why no love for the cherries ?

            1. Yankee Toffee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Not a fashionable choice

            2. JonBoy
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Four forwards cheaper than CWilson who have more points.
              HWilson would get more attention with more minutes and a more settled place in the side I think.

            3. mookie
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Callum very high on my watchlist but the price is a big factor when Martial, Pukki and Barnes are keeping up.
              Also they didn't look very good so far.

          3. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Is Trossard injured? Seen some posts suggesting this.

            1. fr3d
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              If posts say Trossard is injured then he’s probably injured

            2. Yankee Toffee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Injured in training in Belgium

              https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/17884636.amp/

          4. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Pukki > Barnes? Or just incredibly sideways.

            Just feel Barnes fixtures is much more appealing

            1. Yankee Toffee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Nah

              1. Eat my goal!
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Boredom setting in

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

            Ok -
            A. Lanzini & Abraham
            B. Haller & Mount

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              B

            2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              B

            3. Soto Ayam
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              A

            4. Slitherene
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              A

          6. Norsemen
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            How does my WC-team look?

            Pope - Button

            TAA - Otamendi - Digne - Mings - Lundstram
            Cantwell - James* - Salah - KDB - Mount
            Agüero - Abraham* - Greenwood *

            * Not locked

            I am thinking about downgrading James, in order to get in pukki and barnes

          7. ZeBestee
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Anything to change here? Would you WC this team? 0.3 itb. 0 ft.

            Pope
            Robbo Ota Digne
            Sterling Salah (C) KDB McGinn Trossard
            Haller Pukki

            Button Greenwood Rico Gibson

            1. CONNERS
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              That's pretty much the team people are WC'ing to... so no. Could do Robbo to TAA if you have a free transfer I suppose.

            2. Jarnathan
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              No but Trossard injured

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

            Hi

            Any thoughts on this WC team?

            Thanks

            Pope
            TAA - Digne - Zinchenko - Lundstram
            Salah - Sterling - Tielemans - McGinn
            Aguero - Barnes

            Button / Soyuncu - Cantwell - Nketiah

          9. dshv
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Captain? Salah or Sterling ??

            I really want that thunder sterling against poor defence from Norwich
            But home Salah choice is smarter?

            Tell me your point??