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. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which one of these would you start?
    A) Aurier
    B) Cantwell
    C) Lundstram

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aurier

    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Mordor F.C.
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A, b and c last on the bench

    4. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      ACB

    5. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all

    6. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd start Aurier.

  2. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play

    A) Rico (NOR)
    B) Soyuncu (BUR)

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soy

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

      RiCOOOOO

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This is my dilemma, currently on Rico, think a clean sheet is just as likely as Leicester and more chance of an attacking return than Soy.

      1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I’d argue it’s more soy is more likely to get the CS whereas Rico more likely to get the attacking points

    4. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soy

    5. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soyuncu.

  3. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Shameless repost:

    Salah -> Mane and give Pukki one more week
    OR
    Pukki -> Vardy
    OR
    Both (-4)

    1. Mordor F.C.
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki —> vardy

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed

      2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This

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

    Should I do Firmino > Wilson

    Also releases some cash for flexibility as a bonus.

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. Mordor F.C.
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sure

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

      Firmino the best pool attacker vs the top 6 over the last couple seasons

      1. Mordor F.C.
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Not a lot of Götaland:
        17 Mar 2016 Manchester United v Liverpool D 1-1
        17 Oct 2016 Liverpool v Manchester United D 0-0 PL
        15 Jan 2017 Manchester United v Liverpool D 1-1 PL
        14 Oct 2017 Liverpool v Manchester United D 0-0 PL
        10 Mar 2018 Manchester United v Liverpool W 2-1 PL
        16 Dec 2018 Liverpool v Manchester United L 3-1 PL
        24 Feb 2019 Manchester United v Liverpool D 0-0

        1. Mordor F.C.
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          *goals

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

          Love the autocorrect! 😀

  5. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    For next week:

    A Keep Pukki and get Sterling
    B Auba and Maddison

  6. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I have all the below rotation risks in my team :

    A. Son
    B. Mahrez
    C. Otamendi
    D. Aurier

    Which of these are worth taking a -4 hit each to replace
    My bench aint great lund, wickham and fodder

    Thanks

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

      All 4 are worth taking a hit if you are bringing someone who will make back the 4 points.

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

    Any changes? WC
    Pope
    Trent Tomori Soyuncu
    Mane KDB Maddison Mount
    Auba Abraham Wilson

    Button Lund Rico Dendonker.

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

      Low on City but could work!

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

    Cheers to gooner for the reply on previous page.

    Probably asked a million times this week so apologies in advance

    A. Pukki - > Wilson

    B. Save FT

    I have a feeling that I may end up wildcarding next week so I'm a little hesitant to save the FT, don't want to waste a FT.

    Bought Pukki at 6.7, can sell for 6.9

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      a

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A. I did it, albeit on WC

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

      A

    5. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A all day

  9. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If you had a choice right now between Mount and CHO who would you pick?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mount

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

      Mount, more nailed

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      both goal scorers, both cheap!

      At a push i'd say Mount, less competition for his starting spot.

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

      Mount because he starts.

    5. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mason jar

    6. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mount

    7. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hudson-Odoi, both are very good options tho.

  10. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A final RMWCT, if you please 🙂 had this planned for a while and did the last couple of moves after hearing today that “Kevin is back”. Hoping I can improve on my 1.3m OR...

    Pope // McGovern
    TAA Soyuncu Dunk // Lundstram Rico
    Mane(vc) KDB Maddison Mount // Dendoncker
    Auba Abraham(c) Wilson

    0.9 ITB, fairly flexible 🙂

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

      kun up top for next 3?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        No can do with the money ITB. Bit poor TV. And I’ve gained 0.1 on Auba 🙁

        Otherwise?

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Or, would you say Kelly over Dunk (meaning I’ll have to play Lundstram/Rico this week and for the foreseeable til CRY fixtures improve) justifies Kun over Auba? A stretch, maybe

        1. gooner_112233445566
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I would say yes to that change.

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

          I personally would say yes, I've done similar

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      lovely, would look even better if you slipped Wilson the captaincy 😉

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Tempting but Abraham outperforming him statswise?

        And I can’t get it out my head that Wilson trolls

  11. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start 1
    A) Rico (NOR)
    B) Lund (ARS)
    C) Dunk (avl)

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m starting Dunk currently. However, contemplating Kelly over Dunk and have 3 uber cheap rotating defenders (Lundstram Rico Kelly) alongside Soyuncu TAA

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Similar D (I have Dunk instead of Kelly).

        I think Rico may be the right call here.

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

        same back line

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      a

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain

    A Aguero
    B vardy
    C Abraham

    Thanks

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

    2. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Mordor F.C.
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      CAB

  13. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Reasons why people are mainly choosing Pope over Ryan on WC?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve had him from the start and sticking with him. Also, stats on xGC v shots faced

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Burnley starting GKs have ended up with solid end scores for the past few seasons now.

    3. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Burnley more recognised in having a solid defence in previous seasons. last year can be explained as a blip due to Europa league.

      Burnley keepers also have a history of accumulating save points through forcing more long range shots.

      that’s my reasoning anyhow

    4. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      They trust Burnley more than Brighton? The Pope is English? Pope is better? Pope more saves?

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lack of originality

  14. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you prefer from next gameweek?

    A Pukki and Sterling
    B Auba and Maddison

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  15. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is a Chelsea treble up too much? CHO, Mount and Abraham

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      For me, yes, too much.

  16. George James
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best one?

    A) Salah + Soyuncu

    B) Mane + Otamendi

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      mane and soy personally

    2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      prefer A out of those 2

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C) Mane and Soy

  17. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On WC; what looks better:
    A) Rico, Lundstram, Dunk (3 way rotation)
    B) RIco, 4.4, Tomori (with Tomori playing majority of time in foreseeable future)

    (TAA and Soy others)

  18. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hi all. Does anybody know - has Otamendi been playing left sided CB with Fernandino as RCB?

  19. Talkaboutluck
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is the following team gtg?

    Pope
    Taa Ota Rico
    Mane Son Mount McGinn
    (W)ilson Kun Tammy

    (4.0) Cantwell Lundy Lowton

    Should I be taking a hit for Son or anything else? Cheers!

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

    WC

    Pope
    Robbo - kelly - lund - rico - soy
    Sterling - mane - maddison - mount - dendo
    Abraham - auba - callum (c)

    Good ??

  21. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Auba not a better WC option rn than Kun due to being nailed?

    Both have decent fixtures but potentially tricky ones this week. Auba is cheaper, meaning I can go Dunk over Kelly (CRY fixtures crap)

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

    Would you do Son to KDB for free or wait for next week?

    Also play Aurier or Rico?

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

      I would take kdb

  23. BAMBAA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2 transfers, burn one to VVD out for Pereira or Salah out for Mane?

  24. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone punting on Traore?

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

      no

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      considered it but spent funds elsewhere, he was going to be non-playing 5th mid, didn't seem worth it having funds sitting on bench

  25. Ritchies Magic Hat
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Not the most exciting transfer but otherwise I’d be burning a transfer - Lowton > Tomori seems worthwhile? (have Pope as well)

  26. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I read an article about Bruce and his plan to stop his former player at Villa...Abraham... So I changed my mind and I'm gonna go for Auba(C) in a perfect Monday night

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

      I hope it's similar to his plan to stop Leicester in the last away game

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

      Perfect at the lane. Lol goodluck, I warned people about Salah 😉

  27. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Maddison soy Wilson
    B) Maddison perreira king
    C) CHO perreira Wilson

    Got mount and Abraham already

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

      C

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

      B

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

      A

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

    A) CHO
    B) Mcginn
    C) Yarmo

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You got any other Chelsea attackers?

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

        Doesn't make a difference to me. Just who do you think does best

        1. gooner_112233445566
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          A

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yarmolenko

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

    Pukki and Salah to KDB and Wilson (-4)?

  30. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which scores more, factoring in rotation fixtures everything? On WC.

    A) Auba Dunk
    B) Aguero Kelly (but playing Rico/Lundstram over him rn)

    I also have KDB from City. A leaves 0.9 ITB, B 0.2