Pro Pundits

What Abraham must add to his game as I prepare to leave ‘Pukki Party’

My big dilemma this week was what to do with Teemu Pukki (£7.1m). Having shown up ‘fashionably late’ to the Norwich striker’s party in Gameweek 4, there was a sense that I’d already missed most of the good stuff and, now, it was a case of either waiting to see if there’d be a big Finnish finish or ‘remembering that I’d left the stove on’, and making a quick getaway.

I’m not fully convinced that the Pukki party is genuinely over but Norwich look worryingly out of form and it will always be a concern as to whether they can maintain their attacking output now the initial exuberance of their opening matches is out of the way, especially as their fixtures begin to get tougher.

Comparisons to Fulham and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s decline around this time last season are maybe a little lazy, but still fairly inescapable.

Pukki and Norwich have regressed in recent weeks

Meanwhile, over in west London, Tammy Abraham (£7.7m) is beginning to look like he could be a genuine mid-priced heavy hitter and, as we’ve seen in the past with the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m) and Jamie Vardy (£9.0m), these types of players, when they emerge, can quickly become essential for their own points output, for the additional captaincy options that they provide and for the investment that they enable elsewhere.

I could, and probably should, have made the move for Abraham earlier but, despite eight goals in as many games, I still have some reservations.

You see, as a Chelsea fan, I love Abraham to the extent that I’d happily throw myself in front of a Julian Dicks penalty for him, but as a Fantasy Premier League asset, I’m not entirely convinced (yet).

At the risk of applying Love Island logic here, I typically have a handful of boxes that I want my FPL forwards to tick: 

1. Do they score goals? 

2. Do they play for a team who create enough chances? 

3. Do they contribute assists as well as goals? 

4. Do they take penalties or other set pieces? 

Jorginho’s role in penalties at Chelsea is a slight concern for Abraham’s prospects

On current evidence, Abraham only offers the first two and, normally, I’d want at least three.

Why does this matter if he’s scoring points from goals? Well, Abraham is currently averaging a goal a game and, even with some good fixtures to come, this output will inevitably regress, particularly without penalties to help inflate his numbers, meaning that blanks are on the horizon unless he can start to contribute assists as well as goals.

In his favour is also the fact that he’s an all-purpose sort of centre-forward, with the size, speed and variety of finishing to deliver against any sort of defence, meaning that, while he won’t score every game, I’ll always believe he stands a chance.

And there’s that price…

Ultimately these factors, plus the opportunity to avoid the sort of “Oh… yay….” instances of cognitive dissonance I’ve been experiencing every time he scores was enough to convince me to finally push the button on Pukki to Abraham.

Will I captain him? It’s tempting but I’m currently leaning towards Callum Wilson (£7.9m) both for the quality of Bournemouth’s fixture at home to Norwich and for his relative consistency this season. Though this particular decision may well go down to the wire.

My team for Gameweek 9

Simon March is a member of our Pro Pundits initiative, a team of Fantasy managers here to bring you regular advice and updates on their teams. Simon won the FPL title in 2014/15 and has become a fixture on the punditry circuit ever since.

1,468 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do we think Sterlings minutes might be limited due to international break?

    Surely KDB/Kun is more nailed on?

    Feel free to shout me down if I'm talking out my arse 😛

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

      Nah, not this time.

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

      MEN thinks he starts. that's good enough for me. also they have to get points win all comfortably and . get ready for the derby with liverpool next month

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

      You would think but this is pep

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

    It looks to good to be true. Buy and captain attacker with good stats against a team in decline with one of the worst deffences.

    Something smells fishy.

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

      Hes my captain but he'll troll me I know it.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Callibut Wilson...

  3. Patrick Bateman
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Sterling, Maddison, Wilson
    B) Mane, Yarmalenko, Vardy

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

      Really good comparisment. Somehow I don't like Yarmolenko yet. I have Mane and Vardy, but would choose A.

      1. Patrick Bateman
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks mate, that's what I'm leaning against too.

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

      A

    3. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

    Predicted Man City XI vs Palace: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Mendy; Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva; Mahrez, Sterling, Jesus.

    MEN are giving a start to Jesus and Mahrez and no Kun. KDB starts too. hmmm...

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      How accurate are they usually?

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

        they are good. it's pep at the end

  5. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    wins FPL and dares to question a goal machine's assist record. the king

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

      Bonkers

  6. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    do rugby players commit this many penalties on purpose or are they just incompetent?

  7. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Did Salah to KDB for free this GW...

    Who to bench from Guilbert Rico and Yarmo, mates?

    Pope
    TAA VVD Ota Guilbert Rico
    Sterling Mount KDB
    Abraham Auba

    Subs: Button, Yarmo, Greenwood, Dendonker

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

    Any fellow Vardy captainers?

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

      Between Vardy and Sterling for me. Arghhhhhhh

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

        nice 2 weeks rest for Vardy and I think Leciester are playing well this year

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

      Probably me. 90% chance of that.

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

    Playing draft, who do I start?

    A) Dunk (Villa A)
    B) Stones (Palace A)

  10. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Very last call,

    A. Lowton
    B. Lascelles
    C. Webster

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

      B

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

        Thanks

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

      I like c, do you reckon he's nailed though?

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

        Seems to be.
        Can’t decide between the three, need to look closer at fixture rotations over the coming months.
        GW12 looks awful for a lot of the popular defence picks

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

          Yes only seems Lascelles immune from the above

  11. 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 & 1.7ITB

    a) Mahrez > KDB
    b) Pukki > Wilson
    c) Save FT

  12. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do we think there is any chance Kun wont start?

    Can't decide between...

    A) Kun
    B) Tammy
    C) KDB
    D) Sterling

    Currently on Tammy

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

      HELP ME PLEASE

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

      Tammy yeah

    3. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I cannot find any reason why Kun won't start. I expect all Kun, KDB, Sterling to start. Currently backing Abraham too.

    4. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I don't have Kun though. I would have probably captained him if I owned him. Abraham is a good option too.

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

      Sterling

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

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Soyuncu Tomori
    Sterling(C) Dilva Mount
    Aubameyang Vardy(vc) Pukki

    Button Jorginho Cantwell Lundstram

  14. FPL Ultras
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain one:

    A) Abraham
    B) Sterling
    C) KDB
    D) Auba
    E) Vardy

    1. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Currently on A

    2. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      CABDE for me

      1. FPL Ultras
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        KDB full 90 minutes?

    3. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b

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

    Would you get rid of double pool defence (have TAA) to allow for Mount/Wilson/Vardy?

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

    1. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  16. Laalman
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On wildcard and cant decide between Kun and Sterling. Who would you rather have?

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

      I think im switching to kun

    2. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling

  17. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    G2G lads?

    Pope
    Taa, Ota, Soy
    Salah, Sterling, Yarmo, Cantwell
    Abraham(c), CWilson, Auba

    Button, Lunds, Hayden*, Hanley*

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

      G2G

  18. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Those with both KDB and Sterling, seems more choosing the latter over captaincy.

    I'm on KDB and wondering why others on Sterling?

    Did I miss something in international break?

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling was sublime

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

        Same with last IB. Then he did f all

        1. Whats the Huth
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Fine margins

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

          Yes. This time could be different. However, he does play a little to far on the left side in last games for city doesn't he.

      2. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Did Sterling not play more minutes?

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

      KDB could be eased in.

  19. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Digne >

    Alonso?

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

    A) Right thing to do triple up on city next 3? (Kdb, sterling, aguero)
    B) Or should I cover liv attacker with mane? If so who should come out

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

      Got taa btw so is that enough?

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

        You need more.

  21. Kalou
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play one
    A.Lundstram
    B.Connolly

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

      B but I am biased

  22. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is it too risky to have all 3 - Aguero, KDB, Sterling
    And a poor bench.
    Keep the rotation risk in mind?
    Please help

    1. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      City are noct yet on the same level as last year ... spread your funds a bit more. 2 of 3 should be enough. You might add Otamendi for the defense

      1. sergioaguero67
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Which two should I go with?

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

    How cheap dare you go at the back, is the below too far?

    TAA Soyunco Lund Rico Kelly

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

      That’s fine

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

        thanks mate

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kelly to Tomori.
      And we’d gave the same defence

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

        Haha I would like him but the funds arent there sadly

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

    Would you be more comfortable playing Dunk, or Kelly/Rico/Lundstram headache every week?

    If A was with Auba and B with Kun would that change your mind?

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

      Kun

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

      But for the first q?

    3. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dunk

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

      But he’s on 4 ycs

  25. Donblaster
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Final decision for me, who to play?
    A) Connolly (avl)
    B) Soyuncu (BUR)

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

      Personally A. If nothing else, just for the excitement. Would always prefer to want a goal to happen than to not want a goal to happen. So if I’m ever in doubt I always go for the more attacking.

      1. Donblaster
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks mate, yeh I'm also more inclined to go for the attacking player so leaning towards A. Cheers!

    2. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  26. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain pick vardy tammy or kun?

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

    Last 2 calls:

    Captain?

    A - Abraham
    B - Aguero

    Do I?

    A - Keep Ceballos this week and consider changing next week with the luxury of 2 FTs
    B - Switch to Yarmolenko
    C - Switch to Hudson Odoi

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

      AC

    2. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      AB

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

    Who to captain?

    1) Wilson
    2) Tammy
    3) Kun
    4) Mane

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A or B

  29. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What do you think of this wc?

    pope
    taa robertson chambers
    mount mcginn maddison sterling kdb
    auba abraham

    subs, lund, rico, connolly

    1. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      not sold on chambers ... rest looks nice

  30. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How is WC team looking???

    Ryan
    Tomori/ TAA/ Soy
    Maddison/ KDB/ Sterling/ Mane/ Mount
    Wilson/ Abraham

    Bench:: Button/ Rico/ Connolly/ Lundstram

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

      looks good, who are your captain choices?

      i put auba in my wc for now as i would c him over mane

      1. FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I'm would not keep Auba as he may forced to wide to play along with Laca .. captaincy for me is Abraham for this GWk....

    2. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      damn close to my active WC 😉 nice one

      gone with Vardy and McGinn instead of Wilson and Maddison (not enough money for me)