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. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    GTG???

    Heaton
    TAA Digne Lundstram
    Sterling(vc) Salah(c) Mount Cantwell
    Haller Auba Pukki

    Button Saka Pieters Kelly

    I am holding 0.1itb and 1ft.

    I really want Digne and Pukki gone but might hold for 1 more week.

    Anything need changing urgently?! Saving WC until next month...

    Cheers!

    1. quayle99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Heaton
      Dunk Trent Rico
      De mane Salah Sterling Mount Guendouzi
      Vardy Abraham

      Ryan greenwood Diop Lundstrum

      Who would you captain from this team?

  2. L9
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    boly or soyuncu ?

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

      Man for man - Boly.
      But the value of Soy is hard to beat.

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yep. Guess it depends what you can do with the extra Soy cash.

  3. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    ENG crushing AUS with the oval ball!

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

      Really hoping Ireland vs All Blacks will be a closer contest

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Go the ABs!

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

    Which would you sell?

    Mahrez or Dilvs?

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

      dilva

  5. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Chances of zinc starting ??

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

      men thinks mendy starts

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

      1. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks suggestions on this
        1) pukki to wilson ( start zinc)
        2) zinc + greenwood to 4.1 + Wilson (-4)
        3) zinc + pukki to dunk + Wilson (-4)

        1. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          3

          don't think 2 is possible btw

          1. Sid07
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Have funds itb

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

        Better news for me is they have Mahrez in and no Kun too!

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

        who are men??

        1. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Manchester Evening News

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

            Means nothing at the end of the day as it's only a predicted lineup.

    2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Can't remember the exact comments but I think Pep said Mendy is close but not quite ready to play - Cancelo could still be a threat to Zinc though

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mendy only started training again on Thursday so I'd be surprised if he starts but interesting at MEN has him to start.

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

    Help guys, Who to captain?

    Salah
    Tammy
    Wilson
    Sterling

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson for me.

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

    Play dunk or Rico?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico

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

    Agonising over who to pick between De Bruyne and Sterling. Help appreciated?

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

      I prefer both but if one then Kdb

    2. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Exactly the same. Leaning towards KDB but only cos of price

    3. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If you can genuinely only have one, DeBruyne

  9. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Morning all,
    Any news on ZINCHENKO considering he proposed to his partner during Ukraines 2-1 win over Portugal. worried that he`ll be given a week off to celebrate with MENDY hovering....

    ZINCHENKO to PEREIRA...yes or no?. Have Sterling and Aguero already.

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

      that's a new one 😀 just do it if you want to, no-one knows what will happen - Ricardo is more likely to play, that's the only fact here

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      For free? Definitely do it. Zinc is always going to be a rotation risk, Leicester have good fixtures and he give you potential attacking returns.

      Mendy started training again on Thursday btw so personally I reckon Zinc will start, but apparently Manchester Evening News predict Mendy.

      1. Wizard of Ozil
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thank you DEVO. decisions decisions.

  10. Ode
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Boly, Mount, Auba
    B) Tomori, Yarmolenko, Sterling

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

    Ryan
    TAA Soyuncu Rico
    Sterling(C) Mané KDB Mount Traoré
    Vardy Abraham

    Button Connolly Lundstram Willems

    GTG?

  12. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I am keeping Salah and Pukki .. who is with me 😀

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

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

      Yeah, Bournemouth and Utd defences aren't capable of clean sheets so they will get points and punish sellers for sure.

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

        I hope that 😀

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

      o/

    4. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep keeping

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

    A) perreira, king, Jimenez
    B) soy, king, vardy
    C) soy, Maddison, Wilson

    On wc, final decision.......

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

      C by a long way

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

        Thank you

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

    well that was boring

  15. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is going without sterling too dangerous on a WC? Got Mane, KDB, Auba and Vardy

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

      kun?

      1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        As an arsenal fan I love Auba too much to remove him

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

          I would have 2 city attackers as minimum. With their next 3 as well in mind. Maybe even have 3 city attackers

          1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Could do it if I ditched Mane? Thoughts?

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

              This is what I’m trying to decide. Whether to go without Liverpool attack for next 3 and have triple city. Really can’t decide

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

      I think it's ok once you got KDB. Can't fit them all in and Vardy + Auba are great picks.

      1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. What about Sterling over Mane?

  16. Jealous Viper
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Posted but no reply
    G2G?
    Pope
    TAA Digne Soyuncu
    Sterling Maddison Mount Yarmolenko
    Auba Tammy(c) Pukki

    Otamendi Lundstram Cantwell

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

      Great team. I would look to get ris of digne

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

        Rid

      2. Jealous Viper
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Will try do that next week. Already took a hit this week. Would you rather start Otamendi or TAA

    2. Rhys85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe play Otamendi over Digne?

      1. Jealous Viper
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Considered that but always so wary of Dignes potential outburst and they are playing at home after all in a must win game

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Digne to Boly..

    4. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Easier to reply to this if you tell us what kind of response you're looking for; do you have any FTs? Are you unsure about bench order? Is someone in your squad a rotation concern?

      I think I'd start Ota over Digne

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

    Captain pick vardy kun or tammy?

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

      Tammy

  18. Gashead9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you do Mahrez to KDB (exact funds) for free this week or save FT?

    Pope
    VVD, Otamendi, Rico,
    Salah, Sterling, Mahrez, Mount
    Abraham, Haller, Pukki

    Stek - Cantwell, Diop, Lundstram

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

      This is what I did ... So yes!

    2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Do it while you can, you won't have exact funds next week

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

    G2G or take a hit ?

    Pope
    VVD, Otamendi, Lundstram
    KDB, Salah, Mount, Yarmelenko
    Pukki, Aguero, Abraham (c)

    Button, Ward, Pieters, Douglas

    I was half thinking -8pts for Pukki to Wilson and Yarmelenko to McGinn

    1. Rhys85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No need to take a hit, GTG!

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

        Thanks man

  20. Kun Salah
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to start? Really thinking of captaining him...

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not injured so up to pep.

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

      Same. Think I’ll play it “safe” Salah c Kdb vc
      Happily take him as differential
      Tough week for captain choice

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

    Many KDB captain era?

    1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He's my vice, I'd like to stick it on him or Mane but the mid priced striker mania is so much sexier

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

    Final decisions on wildcard

    A) perreira, king, Jimenez
    B) soy, king, vardy
    C) soy, Maddison, Wilson

    1) aguero (3 city attackers, no liv attack for next 3 games)
    2) salah (no aguero)

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

    Pick two...
    A. Soy
    B. Boly
    C. Tierney

    To go with TAA, Rico and Lundy.

    1. Rhys85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A and B, I think C is a wait and see.

  24. Rhys85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play Otamendi (cry) or Soyuncu (BUR)?

    Cheers

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

      Otamendi. More chance for a 15 point haul

      1. Rhys85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

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

          Sorry mate! At least he’s not in the squad so you’ll have an auto sub 🙂

  25. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Zinc to
    1) dunk
    2) Rico

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

      Rico

  26. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Just a word of warning as a Chelsea fan, Batshuayi has been looking great in training, and this would be the perfect game for Lamps to switch things up a bit and give Michy is chance

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

      Can. Worms. Opened. 🙂

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You C Salah?

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

        KDB for me.

  27. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Players you’d look to get in on a wild card?

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

      This would be my ideal WC team:
      Pope
      TAA,Soyuncu,Tomori
      Mane,KDB,Mount,Maddison
      Auba,Vardy,Abraham
      Button,Rico,Longstaff,Reid

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

        Phworr

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

        Triple Leicester?

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

      Bit late? I'm still tinkering tbf
      I'd start TAA, Lund, KDB, Abraham and go from there.

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

      Mine finalised this morning. no more tickering!!

      Pope, McGovern
      TAA, Soy, Rico, Lund, Dunk
      Mane, KDB, Mount, Maddison, Dendoncke
      Aguero, Abraham, Wilson

      Make of that what you will.

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

    Are we going to be any wiser of who will start for city before 11:30?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

    Looking for last 2 of my WC.
    Currently:
    Pope
    Soy, Tom, TAA
    Mane, Sterling, KDB, Mount
    King, Abraham

    So one will be on bench anyway
    A. Yarmolenko + Connolly
    B. Cantwell + Wilson/Jimenez
    C. Traore + Wilson/Jimenez
    D. Maddison + Connolly

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

      Dont really like the King pick. Any itb?
      Out of those...B with Jimenez or D

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

    Final decisions on wildcard, repost

    A) perreira, king, Jimenez
    B) soy, king, vardy
    C) soy, Maddison, Wilson
    D) perreira, Maddison, king

    1) aguero (3 city attackers, no liv attack for next 3 games)
    2) salah (no aguero)

    Currently on 1d myself