Pro Pundits

Possible Alisson return highlights shortage of budget goalkeepers

Like many Fantasy Premier League managers, I am heading into Gameweek 9 hoping to end a run of frustrating misfortune.

With the international break over for another month, I’ve had enough time to reflect over Gameweek 8 in order to refocus for this weekend.

I was hoping to carry over my free transfer but, like a large number of managers, decided to act on impulse when news of Kevin de Bruyne’s (£10.0m) injury broke out.

This gave me an opportunity to redistribute funds and my last transfers involved me selling the Belgian and Jordan Ayew (£5.1m) for Andriy Yarmolenko (£6.0m) and Tammy Abraham (£7.7m) with a -4 hit for good measure.

Unfortunately, Ayew unexpectedly ended his run of booking-inspired one-point hauls by somehow scoring and getting three bonus points, whereas Yarmolenko failed to deliver and in turn adopted yellow card duties.

Kevin de Bruyne has caused Fantasy managers some distress over the international break

Abraham’s goal provided damage limitation by softening my red arrow but essentially my hit failed.

I now oversee a team without de Bruyne who could be back sooner to Manchester City’s first team than initially anticipated – but I have a number of other issues to consider.

Firstly, I have been keeping a close eye on the much-anticipated return of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (£5.8m) who looks to be very close to starting for Jurgen Klopp’s men again.

With Adrian (£4.6m) and the non-starting David Button (£4.0m) currently in my team, this position has automatically become the main area that I need to address for Gameweek 9.

I’ve got £1.3m in the bank so I can sign any replacement up to the value of £5.9m which, thankfully, is most goalkeepers in the game.

Many of the more expensive goalkeepers have better colleagues in defence right now

Leicester have a great run of upcoming games and Kasper Schmeichel (£5.1m) could be an option. Usually, I’d rather buy a super cheap goalkeeper and upgrade one of my defenders to buy Ricardo Pereira (£6.2m) – after all he has scored two goals in his last three games.

Similarly, I considered Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m) due to Chelsea’s generous fixtures, but if I wanted their defensive coverage, Fikayo Tomori (£4.7m) or Marcos Alonso (£6.2m) would make more sense.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much on offer for goalkeepers in the budget range at the moment. With Hugo Lloris’ (£5.5m) unfortunate long-term injury, Paulo Gazzaniga (£4.4m) became an overnight option.

He’s almost like the go-to Adrian replacement. But with confirmation that Michel Vorm (£4.5m) has re-signed for Tottenham on a free transfer, his place could also be at risk with a few inconsistent performances.

After all, Spurs have hardly been playing their best football during this campaign and have been mercurial at best. If anything, I want to avoid their players but might be almost forced into buying Gazzaniga.

The fact of the matter is that there’s no goalkeeper priced in or around £4.5m with a long run of decent games. Mat Ryan (£4.6m) could be an exception between Gameweek 9 and 18 but Gameweeks 12 to 15 are difficult on paper for him.

In the end, I went for Schmeichel as I wanted a long-term, relatively cheap goalkeeper that I would not need to see until the end of the year. Out of all the options above, he seemed the best to me.

Picking captains has been tough this season – and Gameweek 9 is no different

Many seasoned FPL managers will tell you that if you can nail your armband selection more often than not then your overall rank will almost take care of itself.

Unfortunately, in a season characterised by captain blanks for most of us, I am yet to make the highest FPL points’ scorer in my team my skipper for any given Gameweek in 2019/20.

For this weekend, Abraham (at home to Newcastle United) would have been an almost automatic pick but a shock win against Manchester United for Steve Bruce’s men last time out has put a question mark over that way of thinking.

Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) looked crisp during the international break and could be a good shout too. I can’t overlook Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) either, even if the spectre of Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) makes him a rotation risk waiting to happen.

However, fitness permitting, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) could be an interesting captain option. David de Gea (£5.6m) picked up an injury on international duty and is poised to miss the match this weekend.

Liverpool have won every Premier League game since August with Manchester United having their worst start in decades. The only thing missing for Liverpool is Salah at his goalscoring best and this could be the match in which he comes back with a bang as Liverpool try to widen the gap between them and Manchester City.

My Gameweek 9 team although I might make a late call on the captaincy

Ash is a member of our Pro Pundits initiative, a team of Fantasy managers here to bring you regular advice and updates on their teams. Ash, known by many as the Chief, recorded his best-ever FPL finish in 2011/12 placing 110th in the world and has become a massive community influencer ever since.

2,676 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Cant wait for my wildcard to be over loool

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Will be a total flop anyway.. just press cancel now 😀

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

        Hahah not wrong

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

    A) VVD & Pukki > Soy & Vardy/Wilson(-4)
    B) VVD & Saka > Soy & Mount (-4)
    C) Salah & Greenwood > Mount & Vardy/Wilson (-4)

    Pope
    TAA, VVD, Otamendi, Aurier
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Cantwell
    Pukki, Abraham
    Button, Saka, Lundstram, Greenwood

  3. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you use wildcard with the following squad?

    Pope Heaton
    VVD Dunk Otamendi Tomori Lundstram
    Salah Sterling Mahrez Mount Dend
    Pukki Abraham Wilson

    Thanks

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

      What would you get?

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

    Aguero greenwood to Wilson (c) and Tammy

    A. Yes
    B. No

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

      Hard to say without the rest of your team but probably A for me

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

        hmmmm you'll want kun next week

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

          I have kdb and sterling. Trying to get the balance back

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

        Taa soyuncu dunk
        Mane sterling kdb mount
        Aguero pukki greenwood

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

          In that case, yes I think - really like Wilson and Abraham for their next few fixtures.

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

    Basically final decision on WC comes down to:

    A) Aguero + Pukki
    B) Auba + C. Wilson

    I think B is probably better considering Bournemouth's fixtures, but this leaves me with KDB as my sole Man City representative.

    1. Bojaninho
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      jimenez instead of Puki or not enough funds?

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

        Yes could have Jiminez but personally still feel the Europa League may distract Wolves and lead to rotation (though admittedly Jiminez hasn't been rested yet). I'd keep Pukki for the game against Bournemouth anyway I think.

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

        +1. Think Jimmy is ready to rock. Brought him in for Pukki this GW.

        1. Bojaninho
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          im back and forth between him and Wilson, the latter has always let me down.

          keeping Pukki is another option but I'm unsure, they haven't looked good at all last 3 weeks

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

            Having Wilson for the Norwich game is very attractive, ideal world that's what I'd like!

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

    Pope
    Pereira - TAA - Ota - Zouma
    Salah - Sterling - Mount - KDB
    King - Abraham

    Button - Montoya - deondecker - Wickham

    0.2 ITB 1FT.

    Roll FT or look into some transfers?

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

      Keep the FT I reckon

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!!

  7. ct mariner
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan
    Robbo, Otamendi, Lundstram
    Salah, KDB, Mount, McGinn
    Aguero, Pukki, Abraham

    Button, Coleman, Guendouzi, Taylor

    1 FT and nada in bank
    a. Salah to Mane
    b. Coleman to Tomori/Boly/Soy or other defender under 5.4 and who to bench
    c. save FT
    d. WC

    Thinking B but not sure who to play and bench!

    1. MGD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Deffo not WC. Do something about Coleman.

      1. ct mariner
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yep - was contemplating WC during international break but thinking about getting rid of Coleman

  8. SAINTS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez and Ceballos to KDB and Traore?

  9. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Ota TAA Digne Soy
    Sterling Mahrez Salah Mount
    Abraham Pukki
    (4.0 Rico Dendoncker Greenwood)

    1FT & 1.6ITB

    a) Mahrez > KDB
    b) Salah > Mane
    c) Pukki > Wilson
    d) Pukki > Jimenez
    e) Save FT

  10. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Still looking like a decent wc? 0.6itb... Jimi, Sterl on my watch list hmm

    Hendo
    TAA Perreira Tierney
    KDB Mount CHO Mane
    Wilson Vardy Abraham

    (Heaton, Lund, Rico, Saka)

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

      lot od money in defence, get rid of heaton

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

      You can see my WC team above... personally I think triple-up on Chelsea attack is a bit too risky.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yhh I'm not sure about that, would go Mcginn but only like his fixture this gw. Do like look of Yarmo though

    3. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Heaton for Hendo in 13 and 14 as he can't play. Could just do that sooner to time I guess. And love my fullbacks

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

      Too much atacking players from Chelsea, Tierney also a very doubtful pick for me

      1. Railwayman
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        And I would replace Heaton for Pope or Ryan

      2. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I like Tierney. My nice punt 🙂

        1. Railwayman
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I think the main question with him is which games will he play ? PL or EL ? Can't see him playing all games straight away.

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            PL, what they care more about and hes worth 40 mil, Kolas was free and much worse

  11. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Webster (BHU) nailed on?

  12. BBC_TF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would anyone do Salah/Pukki to KDB/Vardy (-4)?

    I have sterling and no mane/no maddison.

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

      Probably a good move although I think Maddi is better value

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      maddi aguero?

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

    Is it worth taking a hit to buy Wilson instead of buying tammy?

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

      no

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

        cheers, don't know why I'm so drawn to Wilson

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

          Because he scores regularly, and he's playing at home sgainst the team with the worst away record and a depleted defence?
          It's okay to feel this way! Haha

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

            I really like Wilson but Abraham/Chelsea are better.

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

              Wilson is proven though. Abraham's bubble may burst at some point. I'm not trying to persuade you either way, and I have both plus vardy

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

                Fair fair points

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

        Ditto

  14. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry been really out the loop, is most of Norwich main defence still out injured?

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

      A lot due back this gw

  15. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    C'mon McGinn, you can do it!

  16. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Son to KDB for free? Or wait a week?

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

      Difficult one: I think probably yes, if you think Son will be rested post international break.

  17. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah to Mane to enable Pukki to Wilson?
    2 FT. Salah a doubt and falling, Mane rising. But....!
    Yes or No?

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

      definitely

  18. Tolly101
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Jimenez & Saka
    or
    B) Connolly & Maddison

    Pope,
    TAA, Soy, Tomori (Rico, Lund)
    Mane, Sterling, KDB, Mount
    Wilson(c), Abraham

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

      B

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b

    3. Tansey
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Connolly won't start regularly imo

  19. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Choose 1

    A) KDB and King
    B) Maddison AND Wilson

    Have Kun and Mahrez in my team.

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

      b

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

      Lose kun mahrez and fit in Wilson sterling Madison kdb

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

        -12?

  20. HTL
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Was in the same dilemma as the author but I've gone with Patricio over Schmeichel.

    Also playing Cantwell and benching Lundstram. Seems my memory of 'classic' Sheff Utd / Arsenal game at Bramall Lane isn't the reality of the situation.

  21. Doctor Zhivago
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Evening guys,
    Just locked into this one:
    Digne - Auba - Greenwood
    Or
    Rico - Vardy - Wilson

    For (- 4)

    Thank u!

  22. Greyling
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hi. What changes are needed for gw9? [REPOST DUE TO PRESSERS]

    Pope,
    TAA, Digne, Pieters,
    Salah, Mount, McGinn, Son, Sterling
    Abraham, Pukki

    Bench: Lundstram, Kelly, Greenwood

    A) Digne to Chilwell/Soyuncu/Pereira
    B) Son to Yarmalenko
    C) Son to KDB
    D) Digne, Son to Soyuncu, Wilson (-4)
    E) Digne, Son to Soyuncu, Jimenez (-4)
    F) Son, Pukki to Yarmalenko, Wilson (-4)
    G) Save FT

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

    Pope
    Rico - Söyüncü - TAA - Boly - Lundstram
    Mané - CHO - KDB - Mount - Saka
    Wilson - Aubameyang - Abraham

    Does this WC draft look alright? Alternative in defence is Dunk/Pereira over Söyüncü/Boly.

  24. Baconfaen
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On WC, its harder than i thought.

    Ryan - Stekelenburg
    TAA - Pereira - Rico - Lundstram - Tomori
    Sterling - KDB - Mount - Pepe - Cantwell
    Vardy - Abraham - Wilson

    A: Maddison - Auba vs B: Pepe - Vardy

    Any thoughts?
    0 in the bank

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

      No Liverpool attacker?

      I prefer A (see my WC team above)

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

        Its between Mane and Sterling atm. For the next 4 i think ill take Sterling then Mane in

  25. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1 FT left...

    Pope
    TAA, Lowton, Guilbert
    Salah, Mahrez, Son, Mount, Cantwell
    Aguero, Abraham

    4m, Ward, Lund, 4.5m

    A) Leave
    B) Son to KDB

  26. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thinking of doing Sterling > De Bruyne so I can upgrade Cantwell to McGinn, worth it?

    1. MGD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would rather have Kdb regardless of price. Have both

  27. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A- Cantwell to Maddison
    B-Pukki to Vardy
    C-Pukki to Wilson
    D- save FT
    Tia

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

      C

  28. Sailboats
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Should i do Son > Mane for free this week or wait 1 week

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

      Do it. Son is a doubt and Mane is on top form, probably top 3 in the World atm.

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

        YEP

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

    Just can’t bring myself to captain Tammy. So it’s Kun or C.Wilson?

    Pope
    TAA • Söyüncü • Tomori
    KDB • Mount • Mané • Maddison
    Agüero • Abraham • C.Wilson
    (McGovern. Rico. Lunds. Dendo)

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

      I'm going with Abraham as C, Wilson VC for what it's worth.

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

        Do you have Kun?

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      wilson

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

    A) Son to Mount now
    B) Son to Mount next gw
    Having doubts over Son's minutes