Metrics

Salah and de Bruyne sold by chunk of top 10k managers this week

A chunk of high ranking Fantasy Premier League managers opted to sell Kevin de Bruyne (£10.0m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) for Gameweek 8.

The Manchester City midfielder was ruled out of the meeting with Wolves this weekend after suffering a groin injury against Everton.

Manager Pep Guardiola described the issue as “not serious” this week and seemed optimistic that de Bruyne would be back after the upcoming international break.

However, that relatively positive update on the player was not enough for a sizeable portion of managers currently ranked inside the top 10,000 places worldwide.

Going into Gameweek 7, de Bruyne was sat in 85.8% of teams at this level, more than any other Fantasy asset.

However, his ownership in the top 10k dropped to just 59.9% for the Gameweek 8 deadline.

That represents an ownership drop of 25% at this level of the game.

Some of that might be influenced by a change of personnel inside the top 10k, but considering de Bruyne scored nine points against Everton, it seems unlikely that many teams without him earned green arrows into the upper echelons.

Considering the Belgian international was sold by 795,000+ managers worldwide for Gameweek 8, it seems likely that his drop in top 10k popularity was heavily influenced by these sales.

The Fantasy community will almost certainly be holding its collective breath over the international break as we await further information on de Bruyne’s recovery – so it will be interesting to see how much ground can be gained by this chunk of managers as they go without him for at least Gameweek 8.

All eyes will be on de Bruyne’s fitness situation after the international break

Another premium option moved on by this season’s highest-ranking Fantasy managers was Liverpool man Salah.

He was sat in just 54% of top 10k teams at the Gameweek 8 deadline, a drop of 16% from the 66.1% recorded ahead of Gameweek 7.

Those sold the Egyptian for Gameweek 8 breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday afternoon as Liverpool were largely restricted by Leicester City.

The Reds did win the match courtesy of a James Milner (£5.3m) penalty but it was scored after Salah had come off with a knock.

Whether he would have taken it had he still been on the pitch is hard to say given that Milner has historically taken spot-kicks even when sharing the field with Salah.

The injury did not look too serious at the time and he will have an international break without any match duties to recover.

However, Jurgen Klopp did seem angry about the challenge on him from Hamza Choudhury (£4.5m) and did not paint a positive picture.

“How can he be okay? He was limping from the pitch and you ask me if he’s okay! How can he be okay?! Did you watch it back? Watch me, what do you think?” – Jurgen Klopp

With De Bruyne and Salah both losing support among the top 10k, it is interesting to see which premium options increased in popularity for Gameweek 8.

It appears one of the most common recipients of those players’ funds was Raheem Sterling (£12.1m).

The England international’s popularity within the top 10k rose from 30.6% to 38.2% for Gameweek 8.

However, Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) also saw a dip in popularity for this weekend, dropping from 52% ownership in the top 10k for Gameweek 7 to just 40.5% for Gameweek 8.

To see where some of these funds have been moved to, a look at the Gameweek 8 Wildcard template among the top 10k gives us some clues.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s (£11.0m) recent form has convinced 49.8% of managers at this level who Wildcarded this week to include him in their squad ahead of Bournemouth’s trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Also included among the most popular Wildcard targets was Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) selected by 36.2% of top 10k Wildcarders for Gameweek 8.

The absence of de Bruyne from this selection shows that the Algerian has been pounced upon as a short-term opportunity while the Belgian is out.

Despite Aubameyang’s popularity on those Wildcards, and being signed by 210,000+ managers worldwide, for Gameweek 8, the top 10k were not particularly interested in him for the captaincy this week.

It was a close-run thing for the most popular captain in the upper echelons of the world rankings, Aguero and Sterling both backed by a similar amount.

It was the Argentinian who topped the charts for top 10k captains, 23.5% of them handing him the armband for that meeting with Wolves.

Meanwhile, 22.5% placed the armband on Sterling and 13.9% went for Salah.

Aubameyang did not appear in the top three and made up the 40.1% chunk representing ‘Other’ captains.

Aubameyang was captained by just 13% of managers in the top 10k in Gameweek 8, while 6.8% went for Teemu Pukki (£7.2m) and 4.5% backed Harry Kane (£11.0m).

Finally, another look at general chip usage among the top 10k shows that they are becoming more and more a reliable test of high performance.

40% of the managers at this level are yet to use a chip this season, while 37.1% of them have played just one.

According to the breakdown, it is the Wildcard that remains the most popular, used by 39.5% so far.

2,266 Comments Post a Comment
  1. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    7 pts incoming for most KDB owners with Kelly off the bench

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah millions of KdB owners have Kelly first bench

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      At least it's not double figures like a few weeks ago

    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That's me, I did know he wouldnt play and decided to put kelly first. So I'm claiming it was skill

  2. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah 1 goal in 5 games

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

      Scored a brace last game

  3. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    And I postponed the WC because I wanted to give Salah and Pukky this great fixtures. Only if I knew

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Did tell you to WC.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        No you didn't. You were just trolling to any question I asked in last 2 and half years. Be honest man

  4. Rowsdower
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I know this sounds like I'm making it up, but my team failed to save when I set it up last night and Aubemeyang (who I just brought in) was left third on my bench. And yes, I did hit confirm.

    I emailed them, but I'm pretty much screwed, right?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      It's not possible, but yeah you're screwed.

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, you're screwed. No need to email FPL. Should have double checked

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      lol u emailed them, you're cute 🙂

    4. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You are screwed!

    5. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah. Tools have been kept in the cupboard

      1. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lol

    6. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I brought in a captained Dunk last night as well!

  5. itsmeguneet
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sold KDB for Son

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

    Lloris dislocated elbow. Puyol was out for 8 weeks with his, so imagine a goalkeeper may need at least a few weeks longer than that....

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

    Kelly 3rd on bench 🙁

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

      Dunk 3rd on bench

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

      2nd behind Barnes. KDB in starting XI. No other injuries. Sigh.

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    WC time for sure yeah?

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

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

      Yeah ..

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Where do wanna go with your team? That is also important

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

      No

    4. Neves say Never
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I am hitting the button too. My team is
      Pope
      TAA Ota Digne* Lund Montoya*
      Salah* Cantwell* Mount KDB Guend
      Pukki* Tammy Kun

      Only problem is i got no idea what I’m going to do yet!!

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

      Yay. We can exchange notes for two weeks. Sorry that son didn't work out

    6. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m nearly there to on Wc. Like me, Team looks decent but doesn’t seem to be getting any points

  9. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I love you Kelly

  10. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Important repost

    West Ham let you down whenever you have one in your team. Lesson learned. Perez 4 pointer absolutely pissing itself at me on the bench for transferring Anderson in for KDB

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      At least i’m Going to see the joker now that makes it remotely okay

      1. pjomara
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        % chance of spree killer is about 70

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You can't win them all bud. Next time 🙂

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        🙁 Auba C mega haul all I have left to look forward to

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Have Auba (C), Mount, Tammy, Dilva, and Ota to wait for. What points are you sitting on at the moment?

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

    RP
    Maupay is Brighton's central first choice striker right ??
    Looking for Salah Barnes Pukki >> Mane Vardy Maupay

  12. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Most SoT on target this season? Pukky. 15 SoT. Next best are 2 players on 12 SoT, third ones have 10 SoT.

    Not an easy sell

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You should keep

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Most of those in 1st 3 GWs.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        So that's trolling Dan? 😆

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          He got caught up because of last comment.

  13. Brian Boitano
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    25 points but a green arrow, this must be a shocking week for most.

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 5 months ago

        avg is 18

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I am average then.
          My wife was right all these years...

      • Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on 40!

        1. Bury94
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          *39

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki to Vardy or C Wilson?

    3. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      8pts from 4
      19pts on my bench
      Yay.

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

      This team is WC ready, right?

      Heaton
      TAA - Otamendi - Lundstram - Digne
      Salah - Sterling - Saka - Mount
      Pukki - Callum Wilson
      (Button - KDB - Rico - Greenwood)

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

        I am almost the same i started my wc

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

          So many players not delivering points lately: Salah, Heaton, Digne, Pukki. Then there's Otamendi that might be worth transferring out – and Greenwood who doesn't play.

      2. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What are u changing?? Abraham in for Pukki or something and get rid of Digne and its G2G

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

          Not really. Heaton absolutely has to go. My mini league rivals are all benefiting from owning Ryan or Pope, and I miss out on points all the time. Salah doesn't look much like an option right now compared to Mané, Digne as you mention, has to go too, and going three up top is very tempting – and Greenwood needs to go for that to be possible.

    5. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki or Son to ditch first? Probably Pukki party is over

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

        Son

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

        Pukki. Son 1 more game

      3. MTPockets
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Probably, although there ain't no partying at Spurs either

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

        2FTs, which do I get out?

        1. Haller
        2. Pukki
        3. Cantwell
        4. Zinchenko

        1. jimmy.floyd
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          24

      5. some witty pun
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Top 10k 20points from 6.7 players..... low scoring week it seems

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yep I have exactly that. Captains tomorrow will make or break the week for everyone

          1. some witty pun
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            21 from 5 for me, but I don't own Auba. Make or break for sure for me tomorrow

          2. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah , who is your (c) ? Sterling? Mine is Aubameyang

            1. some witty pun
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Sterling for me, trusting City to do the job at home

      6. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        just wondering, have most peoples captain played yet? Must have been a large amount of Lpool, Pukki & Son captains I guess? Or is everyone on Auba or Tammy?

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I was Kane btw...
          chose him over auba and mane (beat pukki at least) -_-

        2. some witty pun
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Im looking at it now. 30% played for 10k. 38% for overall

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            damn thats pretty low, many auba captains

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

          I have Sterling cap

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            oh yea i forgot about sterling haha

        4. MTPockets
            4 years, 5 months ago

            60%+ still to play overall

        5. ZAWAd25
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Which one?

          A) VVD + Mount + Vardy
          Or
          B) TAA + Mount + Wilson

        6. OPTA FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Kelly and Dunk on the bench ffs

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

            So unlucky

        7. Vlad Tepes
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Still think I am gonna keep Haller, could easily have scored 2-4 goals today and also keep Son.
          My plan was to do Son + Haller to Firmino and Maddison

          1. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I'm ditching haller on wildcard.

            Good player but uninspired in real life and fantasy terms.

            Yarmo is a better west ham option considering price

        8. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Need a big score from Aubameyang(c) tomoz

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Did anything change since the deadline?

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah my team scored 17pts , sometimes the team does well and a (c) fail isn't to damaging , but now a (c) fail will be very damaging.

              1. The Overthinker
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                I won't mind my (c) failing and team doing well

        9. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Son plays on 15th October, so should be no worries about him starting on 19th.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Travel is an issue

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

            Worry is will he return anything 😮

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Against arguably the worst team in the league, I would say so yes.

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

                Don't see a thrashing as we're expecting

          3. el polako
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Spurs are a worry.

        10. thunder_mike
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thoughts on
          Salah, Pukki, Haller > Maddison, Vardy, Aubu (-4)

        11. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          really need wolves to shut out city tomorrow

        12. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          23 -4 from 8 players lol, another shocking gw

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

            22 with Raz© Ota Tammy Mount to go here.
            Worst part is i still have a Green arrow of 25k 😀
            1.2m OR now

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

              Snap but at my OR of 401k I’m looking at a 90k red arrow

          2. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            25.
            Captain played.

            Tomorrow will be a carnage with auba, sterling to run riot

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

          Ryan Burton
          VVD Robbo Otamendi Lunds Tomori
          Salah Sterling Kdb Mount McGinn
          Pukki Barnes Greenwood

          Tired of Pukki and Barnes.

          A) WC
          B) Pukki+Barnes+VVD to Wilson+Abraham+4.6 (Soy or Rico)

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

            B) -8

        14. gilean
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Pukki, Son and Cantwell out for Wilson, Mount and Maddison (-4)?