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. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Salah and Pukki

    To

    Son and Firmino.

    -4

    Yay or Nay?

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

      Norwich play really well at home, keep for Villa

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

      Maybe on Thursday. KDB might be an issue.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Good shout. Cheers

  2. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who do you rather prefer for next 5?

    A) Salah - LEI mu TOT avl MCI

    B) Auba- BOU bha CPL WOL lei

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

      Well put

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

      you know the answer

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

        No i dont help me out christina. United and spurs are not considered tough fixtures any more and liverpool looking the team to beat at the moment

        While Auba is deadly against easy oppositions.

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

          Only BOU is an easy defence though. Leicester Palace Brighton can defend

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

          Auba over Salah
          Get Mane if you want livp

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

  3. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    KDB really is such a beast

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      My single best decision this year was to have him from the start.

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

        When I heard his price he was first in my squad and then for some reason I went Sterling over him, before realising I could have them both.

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

      That he is. But a fragile beast. Did he come out unscathed? I heard talk of him holding his groin before coming off.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kevin Da Beast

  4. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is Cresswell ahead of Masuaku now ?
    Looking for Aurier replacement.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't risk it

  5. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Don't have KdB.. best way off getting in?

    1FT with Zinchenko also to worry about, £3.3m itb:

    Pope
    Trent Zinchenko Lundstram
    Sterling Son Mount Cantwell
    Aguero Pukki Haller

    Button Soyuncu Kelly Dendoncker

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

      Wait for KDB news 1st. With 3 City players, it's Sterling out or at least 2 transfers.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Injured??

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

          Possibly

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

          Groin twinge.

          1. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks

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

      Wait for injury news

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah will do, thank you

  6. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Don't want to lose Sterling,Mane and KDB before Wolves and Leicester at home. But want Auba in this gw.

    Son out? Back in again gw 9.

    GW 8 - Son + Wickham + Zinchenko ➡ Aubameyang + Rico + Elneny for -4.
    GW 9 - Mane + Cantwell ➡ Son + Mount for -4.

    Team atm -

    Pope -4m
    TAA - Zinchenko - Pieters - Lundstram - Hanley
    Sterling - Mane - KDB - Son - Cantwell
    Wilson - Pukki - Wickham

    1 FT and 0m in the bank.

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

      Yes

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ta

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

    Got Doherty first on bench in draft.

    Got Maddison, Pepe, Vardy & Joelinton in the 11.

    Chances of Doherty points? 20%?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Maddison injured so 65%

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

      I doubt Maddison will play, so reckon good chance you get them points.

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

      Maddison ruled out this week?

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

      Thanks all, fingers crossed

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

    Auba to punish the nut huggers.

  9. Harper (No more Penandes)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I literally have no idea what transfer to make for next week and I have 2 FTs

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

      Same

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

      VVD downgrade seems the obvious move. Free up some funds.

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I think Liverpool will start keeping more CSs now
        Might downgrade Digne

  10. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Madrid derby on

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, on a Joao Felix watch.

  11. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Thinking Kun to Auba... can see him being rested after CL for Jesus.

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

      See who plays in CL

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

        Will do but pretty sure it will be Kun...

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

          and how long.

  12. TOBY1
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pukki to stay? Tempted to do Mane, Barnes, Pukki

    to

    Auba, Wilson & Yarmolenko

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Keep Pukki for Villa

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

      Keep.

  13. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    How did Sterling play today?

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

      7 points, could have been 20.

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

        So he was garbage?

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

          Non owners were lucky then unlucky with the goal.

        2. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Typical Sterling. Can't finish for schit, but has enough easy attempts that one goes in eventually.

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

      Awful. Owners very lucky, and should be worried hes dropped for the next game again.

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

      Missed sitters. Goal he scored was fortunate to cross the line off the bar.

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

      Dropped for Bilva for Wolves then?

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

        Bilva getting banned

  14. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone considering Mahrez?

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, if KDB is hurt, then straight to Mahrez. Otherwise, many of us already have 3 City players, so would require a bit of a reshuffle.

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

        If Bernardo gets is ban then definitely

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

    I'm close to wildcarding I think, but feel like moving to B beforehand and seeing how long I can run with it (might only be one week)..thoughts? KDB/Auba C/VC

    A)
    STERLING kdb Dilva Son (Cantwell)
    HALLER Tammy Pukki
    B)
    MAHREZ kdb Dilva Son (Cantwell)
    AUBA Tammy Pukki

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

      Nice midfield.

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

        like them both, think it will depend who plays the CL game (risky business I know)

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

      Thinking of going Dilva to Son myself. You may as well go B as WC when you don't really need to.

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

        I still have double-Liverpool defence, and think I'm gonna want CHO soon, maybe Vardy, maybe even the more obvious Sterling-KDB-Kun as my City trio and if I want them I'll need to wildcard - but obviously if Mahrez keeps playing PL games and Auba does well I wouldn't need Sterling/Kun so much...hmm

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

    Think I'm okay to save my FT:

    Ryan
    VanDijk Otamendi TAA
    Salah Mount Sterling KDB Cantwell
    Abraham Pukki

    Button Lundtsram Greenwood Kelly

  17. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Yarmalenko the real deal? Seems cheap at 5.9m.

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

      Going great the paat few games and Hammers fixtures look decent.

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

      Was great before injury last season iirc

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

    looks a bit madness but I'm seriously considering sterling to salah for next gw

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

    Are we gonna see much more of Zinchenko for PL?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not enough to want him.

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

        Sold him for Otamendi on Thursday. Just wondered if I was better using transfer. Longterm Otamendi is more nailed if liable to get booked.

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

      Was shocking again today.

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

        On Seamus' side.

    3. Warbling Wendy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      it's a matter of time before he is dropped entirely with Mendy and co in the wings. Was poor again,

  20. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    BEFORE
    Barnes (1) Digne (1) Zinchenko (2) Salah(c) (6) = 10 points

    AFTER
    Tammy(c) (4) Matip (9) Otamendi (1) Salah (3) -8 = 9 points

    My FT was initially Zinchenko > Otamendi so I would have been down by a single point anyway if I didn’t make the 2 additional transfers for -8

    I would say the hits weren't a complete failure as I’m now more happy with my squad and would have got the same points regardless.

    Silver linings and all 🙂

  21. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Time to replace Barnes, any picks?
    Have Abraham and Pukki

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Firmino

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

      Maybe find the funds for Wilson?

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

      Vardy

    4. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Wondering the same thing. King would be the easiest replacement.

  22. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is Sterling & Greenwood > KDB & Abraham (-4) madness or a good move?
    Will be priced out after tonight

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

      Madness given midweek games and possible KDB injury.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        KDB has been killing this year though

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

    buy kelly or diop?

    ignoring fixtures who is the better player in the better defence???

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Seen the palace fixtures?

  24. hogree
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else on here still not have KDB and uncertain about bringing him in? These are my front 7 and I can't see who I should lose...

    Salah - Sterling - McGinn - Mount - Son
    Pukki - Abraham

    Am I being stupid?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Why on earth would you be uncertain?

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

        Just don't think he's going to outscore Son, Sterling and Salah over next few gameweeks

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Oh he’ll defo outscore Sterling, why wouldn’t he?

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

            Sterling could/should have had a hattie tonight if he was striking like normal - KDB gets assists but nowhere near the goal threat

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Like normal? So still missing and needing 25 shots to score one?

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

      basically have to lose salah or sterling...................comes with massive risk, but youve alreayd missed a ton of points

      im in the same position

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

      McGinn > KDB

      Done

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

    Do I keep Mendy?

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

      Nah unless Zinch gets injured.

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

        Got lucky this week with Kelly autosub for Mendy. Ill stop mad punting.

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

      Ota, yes.

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

    Zaha is getting into shape. Hm....

    Buendia playing great.

    Wilson shows improvement in stats

    Mahrez had 5 SoT

    Considering anyone?

  27. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Yarmolenko or McGinn?

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

      Yarmalenko.

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      McGinn

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

    Pope
    TAA Ota Lund
    Salah (S)terling KDB Mount
    Wilson Tammy Pukki

    Woodman Cantwell Kelly Soy

    0.4 ITB. 1 FT WC available. Kelly could become Guilbert with the FT if Sakho/Tomkins is declared fit and KDB's fit or only gonna miss a game or two (so I won't sell)

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Defo doesn't need a WC. Looking great. Maybe save this week unless KdB injured, if so KdB ---> Son

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

        Would only sell a premium if he's out for more than 2 GWs. That's the usefulness of Cantwell and Lund this season. But yeah, I'll do that if KDB's out for a while. Not expecting much from Spurs anytime soon though

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

      Doesn't look like you need to do anything at the moment

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

        Yup. Seems so

  29. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who to bench next weekend?

    TAA | Digne | Rose
    Sterling, De Bruyne | Son | Buendia, Cantwell (AVL)
    Abraham | Haller (CPL) | Pukki (AVL)

    XXX | Rico (ARS) | Aurier (-)

    I also have 2FTs and 0.5 ITB.
    0.1 short of Buendia > Mount. CHO is tempting.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cantwell

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

      Keep tabs on CHO in Europa League this week but I’m already feeling the temptation to do Mount to CHO.

      Only reason I won’t is because Mount is steadily returning and people are jumping on it like a bandwagon. Price rises galore.

      I feel CHO has hauls in him though.

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

      my team is fairly similar, on Cantwell 1st sub

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

        actually Buendia… 😀

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

      Thanks all 🙂

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

      Buendia bench. Not sure CHO is nailed yet since he just returned from injury

      Curious as to how you ended up with Rose AND Aurier... Maybe Aurier + Buendia to Mount + Lowton/Guilbert/Tomori/Soy?

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

    How did this team only get me 40 pts.

    Pope (Button)

    Ota Digne TAA (Lundstram Rico)

    KDB Son Mane Cantwell (Hayden)

    Aguero Abraham Pukki

    Son Captain

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

      2 Norwich away.

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki Party!

      The canary yellow TRAPPP!!