Metrics

Sterling scores as popularity falls among top 10k managers

Raheem Sterling‘s (£12.1m) popularity among the top 10,000 managers continues to shrink, although he punished his sellers in Gameweek 7.

Those that kept faith in the Manchester City midfielder were rewarded for their patience, not just in the form of points for their teams, but for the differential over those around them who moved him on.

After the Gameweek 6 deadline, Sterling sat in 48% of teams inside the top 10k, and was the third most popular midfield asset, behind only Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£9.9m).

However, Saturday morning’s deadline has seen him drop to just 30% ownership in the upper echelons.

That makes him the fifth-most popular midfielder, behind Mason Mount (£6.6m) on 44.4% and Todd Cantwell (£5.0m) on 43.9%.

We knew that Sterling had been ditched by a large number of managers worldwide, but it is perhaps surprising to see his stock fall even among those in the top 10,000.

That said, it is probable that Sterling’s no-show in Gameweek 6 was responsible for shaking up the standings at that level initially as those without the midfielder were among that round’s highest-scorers.

Meanwhile, his performance at Goodison Park, in which he wasted a one-on-one chance with Jordan Pickford (£5.6m), may leave his owners in something of a quandary.

Despite that dreadful miss and a largely poor display, he still managed to get one effort over the line, spotted by goalline technology.

Not surprisingly, de Bruyne is now the most-fashionable asset in any position among the top 10k. The Belgian is currently in 85.8% of teams at this level – and celebrated his newfound popularity with two assists in the win over Everton.

Lundstram continues to be an incredibly popular FPL asset

As he continues to prove his value this season, John Lundstram (£4.4m) has risen to become the most popular defender among the top 10,000.

The Sheffield United man now sits in 64.6% of teams at this level having gone into Gameweek 7 as the top-scoring player in his classification.

This season’s most successful managers so far are generally looking for value in defence as the number of premium options being considered continues to fall.

Martin Kelly (£4.1m) and Diego Rico (£4.1m) are both in the top-five most-owned defenders among the top 10k, bringing the total of sub-£4.5m options to three.

Alexander-Arnold is now more popular than van Dijk in the top 10k but was outscored by him in Gameweek 7

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) has also been on the rise, perhaps at the expense of his colleague Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m).

The right-back was in 32.7% of top 10k teams in Gameweek 6, his centre-back colleague in 36.7% of them.

However, they have swapped over now, Alexander-Arnold now the more popular at the top level. He is in 43.1% of teams in the top 10k, while van Dijk is in just 27%.

Such a switch will have stemmed from Alexander-Arnold’s propensity for attacking returns although, in Gameweek 7, he was outscored by van Dijk, who collected bonus points at Sheffield United.

Up-front, the picture remains fairly similar to before, although it may change for Gameweek 8 given the host of blanks for the popular strikers this weekend.

Teemu Pukki (£7.2m) remains the most fashionable in this position, while Tammy Abraham (£7.5m) and Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) complete the top three – all goalless in Gameweek 7.

Captaincy largely went poorly for most managers in the top 10k

Speaking of goalless, that’s exactly what most of the captains were in the top 10k, as most FPL managers experienced a rotten start to Gameweek 7.

Salah was the most skippered option in the upper echelons with the backing of 26.5% of managers in the top 10k.

He came close to attacking returns at Bramall Lane but forced a strong save from Dean Henderson (£4.5m) when he was played through.

Aguero was just behind the Egyptian on 23% backing among the top 10k, not even start Manchester City’s trip to Everton, featuring only as a 65th-minute substitute – although claiming a late assist.

Ahead of Chelsea’s hosting of Brighton, Abraham was backed as the differential option by 16.2% of the top 10k.

That selection of managers will have been most frustrated to see the forward not take Chelsea’s second-half penalty, dispatched by Jorginho (£5.0m).

Finally, we can see once again that each week brings more weight to the findings among the top 10,000 managers.

In the early stages of the campaign, there was a high proportion of those who had used chips extensively in the first few Gameweeks.

However, we are now seeing that nearly 40% of the managers at this level are yet to use a single chip yet this season.

Meanwhile, 39.9% of them have already used one chip and we can see from the detailed breakdown that the Wildcard is now up to 44.7% usage in the top 10,000 managers.

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

2,228 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Salah + Wilson to Son + Aubamenyang for -4??
    Don't want to lose wilson though

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

      No

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The last sentence is key ... need to think again.

    3. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not if you don't want to lose Wilson

      • Brazooka
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Nope for a hit.

    4. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      52 all out any good

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Good

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

        Depends on the last 2 games - probably a small green by end of week

        Average currently 45 plus 1 player to play

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

      (C) Wilson GW9?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Vardy

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

      Pope (Button)
      TAA, Tomori, Lundstram (AWB, Rico)
      Salah, Sterling, Mount, KDB (Dendo)
      Abraham, Haller, Pukki

      1 FT 0.0 ITB

      A. AWB > Otamendi
      B. Save
      C. Other

      Thanks

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Spurs not good away from home especially after CL, i'd punt on a third ManC mid or Aguero if for one week only.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Wrong post sorry. A

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

            Thanks Pukki Party, you had me confused for a minute

    7. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Likely 1 week punt. WC after that I think.

      A. Salah >> Son
      B. Greenwood+Salah >> Kane+Yarmolenko (-4)

      Pope
      TAA • Zinch • Digne
      Salah • Sterling • KDB • Mount • Cantwell
      Pukki • Abraham
      (Heaton, Lunds, Greenwood, Rico)

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

        Haha - great minds!
        Wait on Kdb news (groin) but is Brighton away that good?
        If you are dead ending - how about Pepe? Don't laugh

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          See how he does Monday

    8. Critical Observer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      How is that an assist for Aguero? Not intended, took a big deflection --> ?? Last week Vardy's ball to Pereira looked much less of an accident yet no assist.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Vardy didn't take a shot

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

          Neither did Aguero today.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            He wasn't crossing the ball so it's a shot.

            Opta shows

            84 : Attempt missed. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right misses to the left. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez.

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

              Of course he was crossing the ball. He played it hard across the box for someone to get onto. Pickford palms it out, thats then a new phase of play.

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Pickford wouldn't have touched it if a cross from where he took the shot.

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

      Ryan
      Digne AWB Zinc
      Salah Sterling KDB James Mount
      Abraham Pukki
      Subs: Button Lund Rico Greenwood
      1FT, 1m INB

      What option looks better?
      A) James + Digne to TAA + Yarmolenko for -4
      B) Just James to Yarmolenko
      C) Save FT
      D) Any other transfers?

    10. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling points were never in doubt

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

        he was kak

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Needs 5 chances to score 1. Be sh*te in most other teams 🙂

    11. Bob_the_builder
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      So Kun's assist has been removed? I am still able to view it in my tally.

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

          So it stays?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            It should now

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

              Great! Need every point given the shambolic state of the GW.

    12. grooveymatt65
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I know it's abit early, but who are people thinking of going for as captain next week?

      for me its between these 3:

      Sterling (City home to Wolves)

      Mane (Pool home to Leicester)

      Pukki (Norwich home to Villa)

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Aubameyang says WUT?????

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

        Auba or Salah for me

      3. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Has to be KDB

      4. grooveymatt65
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        good shout but i don't own aub lol

    13. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      salah needs to start hauling..........

      hes too expensive to fail, i want to keep the faith

      1. Critical Observer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        He was awful today. Trigger finger getting itchy.

    14. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Someone want to pick my captain next gw? Because I surely cannot do it.

      1. MTPockets
          4 years, 6 months ago

          aguero

        • TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Picking a starting 11 is hard enough

          It is beginning to look like if in doubt go KDB as you are pretty much guaranteed to get something

          1. jdp219
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thought about that coming into today. Should have listened to myself.

        • VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Kdb perma assist

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

          Aguero or Kdb look good

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

        Is Aguero keeping the assist?

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

          Kane has claimed it, we'll see.

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

            Thanks. Was hoping for that

      3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Tough week! 58 all out feels very fortunate. Heavily leaning on Liverpool and city players for those points. 12 points outside of the top two clubs.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Very good score?

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

            Have to see what auba does but it certainly looks to have gone quite well today 🙂

        2. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Best two teams to lean on for points.

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

            For sure

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

        Play Cantwell or Wilson?

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

          One of them hasn't blanked yet

      5. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Salah & Greenwood > C Wilson & KDB?

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

          Obviously you'll wait for kdb news but I think so, yes

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

            Nice

      6. Zlat-man
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        A. Haller > Tammy
        B. Kane > Auba

        Do which one for free?
        Or both for -4?
        (I have Son, if that helps)

      7. Bob_the_builder
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        42 with Soy left. Need him to score and keep a cleansheet.

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

          Saucy

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Only 1 goal?

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

            Got be realistic even in wishful thinking.

      8. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Mark passed, checking how far is TM ahead... Who are your prime rivals?

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

          Prime rival? Mark doesn't even know who you are

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

          Shane Duffy and PVA

        3. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          😴

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Guys enjoy. Its fantasy game. It has fantasy in the name. Why so harsh comments

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

            So you went with Otamendi, Son & Abraham? Tomori, Maddison & Aubameyang could've been a better option, in hindsight.

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Selling Aguero was better in hindsight and getting TAA. Maddison injured and City next not great.

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

                You wouldn't really have considered selling Aguero!
                He still will come good. Better than Sterling, I feel.
                TAA has tough fixtures going forward, you can wait.
                Maddison at Anfield will be tough for him though.

                1. TorresMagic™
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Nearly did Aguero, Cantwell and Digne out.
                  The rest for Aguero midweek kept him in.

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

                    Everything depends on Aubameyang's points now.

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

          I'd be top of the mods and cons league so I think I'm in good knick.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Camzy is a great player and Auba owner. Handshake deserved

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

          The guy at OR 277

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            You? Great WC Chrisitna . Keep it up. Go for the top 10

      9. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        https://twitter.com/OfficialFPL/status/1178019975476453376?s=20

        VVD top 10 most capped

        ...Interesting.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Dead teams

      10. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Just seen the Aguero assist.....what....

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

          Think they have to remove it. Just a waiting game

          1. Artemis Titans
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            That'll shake things up

        2. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          So people don’t cry.

      11. Doctor Evil
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Would you do Cantwell & Digne to Mount & Kelly?

        My current team is

        Pope (Button)

        Ota Digne TAA (Lundstram Rico)

        KDB Son Mane Cantwell (Hayden)

        Aguero Abraham Pukki

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

        Time to WC?
        Heaton*
        Aurier* Trent Zinchenko* Lowton
        Salah Sterling KDB Mount
        Pukki Haller*

        Button Dendonker* Rico Greenwood.

      13. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Is that two lovely old bonus for VvD?

        So I go check ownership and he's about 43% and TAA about 30%. But I don't hear anyone on here getting anyone but TAA. What's going on with that?

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          he's probably still in a load of dead teams

          1. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Lovely jubbly. So if he keeps creeping up towards TAA he could be a nice cheaper diff

        2. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          47% and 29%

        3. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          FPL set: 6million +
          FFS comments subset: ~1000

        4. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Sold him for Tammmy. Lol me

      14. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Salah Greenwood and Zinchenko out

        Yarmolenko Rico/Kelly and Kun in?

        Will give me no Liv attack and Kun Raz and KDB

        8pts hit.

        Will captain Kun. He is due an explosion and TM will captain him

      15. Artemis Titans
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        53 (-4) = 49 James & Vardy to go.
        Still got a red though

      16. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Funny old Gw this.

      17. Darth VAR
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        The bonus points system for this game is wack

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Has been like tgat for a while. It's grand.

      18. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I'm not liking fantasy football this year.

      19. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Was Son subbed for tactical reasons?