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. 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)

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

      A with Wilson

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

    A) Matip & Jimenez
    or
    B) TAA & Connolly

    The second option would leave me without a premium defender, but I would have 3 strikers with Vardy, Tammy and potentially Jimenez.

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

    Post your WC team

  4. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Azpi - Ota
    Mount - Mane - KDB - Lamela
    Tammy - Pukki - Kun (C)

    Button - Rico - Cantwell - Lundy

    A) Save FT
    B) Pukki > Jimenez

    Thinking B.

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

      B, yes

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

    Just put the armband on Wilson! Yikes!! 😯 !!!!

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

      Exciting stuff!

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

        Too much whiskey I say

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I wish you luck but feel he’s gonna troll big time

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

        Me to! Kun instead??

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        this 😆

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same here! Many apologies

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

    A) Son to Mount
    B) Hold ur an idiot obviously Son will start

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

      a

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

      B

    3. lelou881
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I was going to hold on to Son 1 more week, but now second guessing myself.

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

      A if free

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

    Hi Guys, would really appreciate your feedback on my WC

    Pope McGovern
    TAA Soyuncu Lund Rico Kelly
    Mane Maddison KDB Mount Guendouzi
    Aguero Wilson Abraham

    0.1 ITB

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

      All good!! are you really captaining Wilson over Agüero??

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

        Yes mate! Really fancy it, Norwich are an absolute shambles and Bournemouth will have a real go at them.

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

          I really can’t decide

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

            Kun certainly the safer choice

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

          I don’t know if I trust Wilson with the armband. Some of his attacking returns have been very lucky.

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

            Hmm no luck needed against Norwich 😉

  8. Andre_The_Giant
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Advice much appreciated

    2 FT’s. 0m ITB

    Pope
    Trent, Tomori, Rico
    Salah, KDB, Sterling, Mount
    Wilson, Tammy, Pukki

    Fodder, Montoya, Cantwell, Lund

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

    Mahrez, Yarmo, CHO, Maddison. Not sure what to do in my WC ahhh

  10. 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 transfer

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

      b or c

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

      A

  11. thom830g
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best defender under 4,8 m? Need to get KWP out of my team

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Depends on rest of squad?

      1. thom830g
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Ryan (4m)
        VVD - Zinch - Tomori - KWP (Montoya)
        Salah - Sterling (C) - Mount - Lanzini (Dendoncker)
        Kane (VC) - Haller (Greenwood)

        1. Krafty Werks
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Ok then Soyuncu.

          1. thom830g
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers, appreciate it. Totally forgot about him

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

      Soyoncu, Williems, Burn, Tomori

  12. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. TAA & Soy
    B. Robo & Pereira

    cheers

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

      A - Pereira is too expensive in my opinion

      1. Erez Avni
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        thanks man

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

      TAA not optional.

      Just get him. And then maybe bring in Robbo or Pereira later.

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

    Armband back on Kun. Panic over 🙂

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm considering selling. Talk me out of it!

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

        Selling?? Why?? For who?? Have you seen the two home games after palace! Screams Kun(C) to me

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Jesus concerns me. He's looked quite sharp this season when I've seen him.

          Next week, am considering bringing in KdB so might be the perfect opportunity to get Wilson vs Norwich or Jimenez vs Southampton this week to free up the funds.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson will make you pay for being so boring

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

        Hahaha! I’ll switch back then and blame you if it all goes wrong!!!

  14. Fantasyamateur
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2FT and no clue what to do. Feel like its almost zero or two FTs, haha..

    Pope
    TAA - Aurier - Rico
    Salah - KdB - Mountt - Yarmalenko
    Agüero - Pukki - Abraham

    Bench: Cantwell, Otamendi, Lundstram, Stekelenburg.

    0.1M ITB.

    Tempted by two alternatives:
    Aurier+Pukki --> W.Reid+C.Wilson.
    Otamendi+Pukki --> 4.5def+C.Wilson.

    Other thoughts? Highly appreciated!

    1. Magpies4ever
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would just downgrade aurier this week and give pukki one more week

  15. Queens of the South Age
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    The indecision on captaining Kun, KDB, Tammy or Wilson has even made me start looking at Alonso for a last hurrah before I sell him next week!

    This could end badly...

  16. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wilson & Soyuncu for Pukki & Otamendi??? (4pt hit)

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

      Not for a hit. Bournemouth defence is very leaky. Pukki could easily grab a goal. And wouldn’t be surprised if City bounce back and win 3-0

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

      yes

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

    4. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Agree with Andre, not worth a hit.

  17. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero, Auba or vardy?

    Have Maddison, sterling and KDB. Cheers 🙂

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

      Auba

    2. Football Heaven
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      In other words
      A. Auba, otamendi
      B. Aguero, aurier
      C. Vardy, otamendi

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Auba

  18. Bob McMayday
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Really struggling to make a decision this week

    Pope
    TAA Ota Tomori
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount
    Tammy Haller Pukki
    Button Rico Dend Lunds

    0.2 ITB 2FT
    A) Pukki > Jiménez
    B) Salah + Pukki > Mane + Wilson
    C) Pukki + Ota > King + Wilson
    D) something else

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

    Play Pope or McGovern?

    1. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Gotta be Popey

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

      Pope

  20. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best £4.5m-ish defender (apart from Soy and Tomori) on a wildcard?

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

      Willems

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Will fizzle to nothing, false expectations after goal at Liverpool

        1. Bring back Rafa
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          But he also assisted Longstaffs goal and he also got an assist in Newcastle's one and only carabao cup game vs Leicester. Obviously, C Cup doesn't count but shows he's got attacking return potential.

          I'd be a little worried about Ritchie coMing back soon though, could take that LWB spot.

          To answer your question, i think Lowton is the best $4.5m option

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

      Lundstram Fredericks Guilbert

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

    An article with a headline about budget goalkeepers that hardly mentions budget goalkeepers, curious

  22. Magpies4ever
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Got 2 FT and 1.6 ITB and not sure how to use them, any advice appreciated

    Pope, heaton
    Robbo, VVD, Tomori, Rico, Lund
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell, Robinson
    Tammy, Pukki, Wilson

    Thinking maybe VVD to Soy and then find a way to get De Bruyne in for Robinson next week

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

      Maybe look at getting some Leicester cover?

  23. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    0.0 ITB

    Need 0.2 from to upgrade Son to KDB - Could u suggest where to get it from ?

    Patricio
    Lund Soy OTA
    Mount mane son Sterling
    Auba King tammy (c)

    Cantwell Pieters kelly

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

      Cantwell > 4.5m

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pieters or Otta

  24. IWR
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Likelihood of Son to Cho -4 blowing up in my face?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      quite high I think

    2. Magpies4ever
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      pretty high

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

      low. Son likely wont start.

  25. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    (C)allum Wilson

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

      not wrong jigga

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeh boi

    3. GE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same

  26. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Repost. Do I have the right team selection here? Benching headache. 1FT 0.3itb.

    Pope
    TAA Tomori Soyuncu
    Sterling Son Mount McGinn
    Auba Tammy Wilson

    (Button Yarmo Ota Rico)

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

      I would use 2FT next GW to downgrade bench to upgrade elsewhere

  27. GE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What would you change on a Wildcard? 🙂

    (0.0 itb)

    Pope
    TAA/Pereira/Lowton
    Mane/KDB/Maddison/Mount
    Auba/Wilson/Tammy

    Bench: Button, Lundstram, Kelly, Dendoncker

  28. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play

    A Saka
    B VVD
    C Ceballos

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Play VVD, Ceballos first bench.

  29. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is this crazy?!

    I had planned to go Ceballos -> Maddison, but have noticed that Salah is likely to drop in price tonight

    I am now thinking to do Salah -> Maddison, and then do Ceballos -> Salah next week for either the same price or less?! Pros would be potential gain in value and getting rid of a premium player who may not play this week, cons would be potentially missing out on Salah haul.

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

      Why not just ditch Salah and not get him back until 13? Make another plan...

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Because he'll inevitably hit form as soon as I do that! haha

  30. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    G2G!!!!

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Ota Soy
    Mane KDB Mount
    Aguero Wilson(c) Abraham(vc)
    Button Lundstram Geundouzi Dendonker