Metrics

Top 10k managers bring de Bruyne back for frustrating blank

Kevin de Bruyne‘s (£10.0m) popularity among the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers is on the up once again.

However, the Belgian blanked upon his return to the Manchester City team to cap off a frustrating Saturday of Gameweek 9.

On two occasions, de Bruyne went close to scoring against Crystal Palace, once nodding a glancing header against the post and then not receiving a squared pass from Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) when he was faced with an open goal.

Following his Gameweek 7 injury at Everton, de Bruyne remained the most fashionable midfield asset among top 10k squads but saw a drop-off in representation at that level of over 26 percentage points going into Gameweek 8.

It would appear that those who sold the Manchester City man for that disastrous round of action before the international break did not do too well, with many who benched de Bruyne pushing into the top 10k.

That shift, plus 270,000+ new owners for Gameweek 9, has brought his ownership in the top 10k back up to 71.1%.

While it was a case of what could have been at Selhurst Park, there are perhaps positives to take from how close de Bruyne did go to getting attacking returns.

By contrast, those at the upper echelon of FPL have largely lost faith in Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) ahead of his trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

At the Gameweek 8 deadline, the Egyptian was owned by 54.1% of managers inside the top 10k and was second only to de Bruyne for popularity among midfielders.

However, now that the Gameweek 9 deadline has passed, just 31.6% at that level of the game are holding Salah – that’s a drop-off of 22.5 percentage points.

At the same time, Sadio Mané (£11.8m) has travelled in the opposite direction.

Heading into Gameweek 8, the Senegalese international was not among the top-five most popular midfielders among the top 10k.

A large number of managers inside the top 10,000 will be hoping it is Mané who delivers at Old Trafford, not Salah

However, a 12-point haul for Mané against Leicester both propelled his backers into the upper reaches of the worldwide rankings, but also triggered a flurry of transfer market activity.

540,000+ managers signed Mané for Gameweek 9, making him the third-most fashionable midfielder among the top 10k this weekend, behind only de Bruyne and Mason Mount (£6.8m).

Not surprisingly, Teemu Pukki (£7.1m) also saw his representation among the top 10k decrease for Gameweek 9.

Even in Gameweek 8, he was still the most popular forward at this level of the game but dropped from 57.1% top 10k ownership to just 38.3% over the international break.

It would appear that the decision to leave the so-called ‘Pukki Party’ was a sensible one as Norwich drew another away-day blank.

Callum Wilson continues to act as an FPL enigma

The top 10k largely stayed away from Callum Wilson (£8.0m) for the Canaries trip to the Vitality Stadium, even though Daniel Farke’s men had a dreadful defensive record coming into it.

He was owned by just 21.3% of managers at this level for Gameweek 9 and was barely considered by them for the captaincy too.

Wilson’s effective ownership among the top 10k was just 26.8% for this weekend, which could have seen act as an incredible rank-boost but, alas, he blanked for just the second time this season.

Abraham was a cause of much frustration for the top 10k managers

Tammy Abraham (£7.7m) was another huge disappointment on Saturday afternoon as he blanked against Newcastle.

The Chelsea forward really should have registered attacking returns, hitting the crossbar and spurning a golden close-range chance.

That was of huge frustration to managers inside the top 10k for Gameweek 9.

They had moved en masse for Abraham increasing his ownership at that level from 48.6% to 69.3%.

Furthermore, Abraham was also the most captained player for Gameweek 9 among the top 10k managers.

He was supported with the armband by 25.9% of them, almost double the number who went for a benched Sergio Aguero (£12.2m).

The Manchester City forward was the second-most captained player at this level with the backing of 14.5%.

In what has already proven to be another damp squib of a Gameweek, Harry Kane (£10.9m) also let down those who trusted him with the armband.

10.1% of managers in the top 10k fancied his chances against an out-of-form Watford side, only to see Kane blank against the Hornets.

The Wildcards continue to get used up by the top 10k. We are now at 51.8% usage for that chip among these managers.

Not surprisingly, that’s now double the number who have played the Triple Captain.

That chip stands at 25.4% usage, the Free Hit at 14.3% and the Bench Boost at 12.8%.

Data and statistics taken from LIVEFPL.NET.

1,773 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Magnes Carlson up to 147 in OR
    8 transfers total used, brought in vardy this week
    WC intact

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Can anyone link his team?

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        1908330

        1. Wally banter
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Double Pool defense
          Double WHam, city, lie, chelsea attack

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Looks like he may do some transfer with West Ham failing big time.

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He should have been a snooker player with that OR.

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

      Magnus is a genius, one of the GOATs in the chess world. There is no coincidence that he has hovered around the top 100 for consecutive seasons. Being a former chess player myself, I know there are quite a few parallels between chess and FPL - it is little wonder that he is a FPL star as well!

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Man City keep a CS. The sad thing for Otamendi owners is that they kept a CS because Otamendi wasn't playing.

  3. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    The only thing I a, doing right at the moment to preserve my rank is NOT taking hits every week. That is literally the only positive i can take.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep same here

  4. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If all goes well this week, would you do Kane and Yarmo to Jimenez and KdB?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m 0.2 off Aubamayang,Yarmolenko > Jimenez,KDB myself.

      Will have to find another way to get KDB.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        It will leave me with .4 itb. So can wait a bit

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yeh looks good. I may keep Yarmolenko a couple more but like the combo your changing.

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Have you thought about Sterling and Cantwell to KdB and CHO? Might consider that even. But it means Kane stays and Raz goes...

            1. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              That looks good on paper but causes a massive benching headache.

  5. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I'm considering getting Cancelo now he's started a couple, 5.3m might just be a steal.

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Walker is still first choice though pretty sure

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        But that cut back for Raz yesterday was perfect. Pity he didnt get an assist for it

        1. Evil Greg
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah not sure if he's stole in really. But 3/4 home games and I'm a sucker for a potential bargain, like Bale, Baines, Kane and Mahrez in previous years.

        2. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I still can't believe raz missed that. By his standards it Should've been a goal

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

      Just too big of a rotation risk otherwise I'd be keen, it's not like Walker has played badly.

  6. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What’s the consensus on Sterling?
    Is Sterling > KDB ok or need both?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Frustration

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lol. Yeh certainly

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I’m keeping for the next 2

          No doubt he’ll be benched in 1

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      the thing is it seems to be more important who you pick in your team elsewhere and price does not seem to be important. And there has been some very important circumstances like that week of Sterlings no show, everyone was about 40-50 points that week, but then many got Lundstram points from bench and vc cap points. Lundstram also came in as autosub for many on that week where he got his first haul. If you are on the wrong side of 2 or 3 major points turn, you can fall far behind even if you team looks decent on paper. Some are skills but sometimes also a bit of luck involved. To get a player in from bench who gets you a haul is a bit of luck but also you´ve put him there first, so an element of skill to place him first (and not to mention having picked that player in the first place).

      Your question is difficult to give an answer on as it can be seen in many ways, having both is a choice of not having one of Auba, Mane/salah etc, so while it has edges (if City fire on all cylinders it´s a good bet) it also has it downs. For me, i think this period of season trashings will be somewhat fewer for the top teams as they have midweek games to play too, so even if next two are nice i would say to have one is fine.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for this.
        Yeh it’s a difficult one. I have Salah,Sterling and Aubamayang but no KDB.
        Feeling if I want KDB I need to sacrifice one to keep squad balance.

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

      If you only have one for me it should be KDB. Nothing wrong with having both but I don't think it's essential. I took Sterling out ages ago when I saw hm being pinned to the left touchline and not getting involved in the box enough, not done me any harm. But even though he missed plenty of chances yesterday I think it was encouraging for his owners that he was coming in more, if Mendy plays regularly then that's great for Raz as he gives width that Zinc doesn't. Two great home fixtures coming up where he could easily haul.

  7. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    When you look at rivals teams and see they have grealish and D silva and you can’t help but be envious....

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Good for this week.. poor long term

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        That’s what I mean - the state my GW when this makes me envious

        That said Silva has numerous double returns and is cheaper than sterling so it doesn’t hurt as much if he gets benched

        Grealish has actually been moved up the pitch playing centrally. If it weren’t for villa fixtures he could be a good option

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

    Such a wild GW. Can't imagine too many near the top are happy, unless they're packing 3 Pool and 3 Gunners for the final games.

  9. Joey Barton and Friends
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    United fixtures look great. Obviously completely out of form. Could maybe be worth a Martial punt though?

    1. Bat Man
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If they start to look better soon, yes

  10. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I guess City defence is out the equation then now

    1. Bat Man
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      So hard to tell who is an option. Cancelo if he becomes nailed would be fantastic

  11. Bat Man
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope Adrian
    Alderweireld Soy Pieters Lundstram Kelly
    Salah Raz Dilva Mount Cantwell
    Wilson Tammy Haller

    2.5m ITB, should I:
    A) Alderweireld to Trent/Robbo
    B) Dilva + Salah to KDB + Mane -4
    C) Salah to KDB

  12. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Time to replace Otamendi then?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Before Villa and Saints at the Etihad? I don’t think there is a worse time to replace him!

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Only matters if he starts

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

          Yes, it's a tough one indeed. I think he is an awful player but he can be a reasonable FPL asset and they are nice fixtures. As a City fan I personally hope he doesn't play and gut is that he won't now that Stones is also an option. Guess we need to reassess later in the week after Champs league etc

          Boly and Tomori are the two replacements I'm considering.

  13. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How is this squad languishing at 2.3 million may you ask!? Captaincy lads.. captaincy and a bit of luck that’s all this fickle game is..

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Tomori
    Salah Sterling KDB Maddi Mount
    Tammy Pukki

    Button Lundstram Dunk Wickham

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dunk to Soyuncu and Sterling(c)

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Don’t rate foxes defence at all, as they proved last season under Rodgers. Sterling (C) is locked in! Cheers pal

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

        Two decent home fixtures for Dunk next. I'm thinking of bringing him in.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep - top post on this page about the chess guy at rank 147 has barely had a captaincy fail

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I’ve had all 2-3 pointers apart from Salah in GW1 and Raz when he had a mediocre return

    3. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing wrong with that. All I'd say is don't panic, it'll turn around

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      asking that myself

      seems fine for this week though

      City needs to win next games to be sure they are no more than eight points behind City so Pep won´t play Otamendi

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

      I've not done great captaincy wise but I'm having a good season overall so far, lot more to it than just the armband.

  14. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2FT and no idea what to do here, do I burn a transfer or can anyone suggest anything?

    Pope
    TAA, Otamendi, Rico
    Mane, KDB, Mount, Maddison
    Aguero, Jimenez, Abraham

    Button, Cantwell, Lundstram, Pieters

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

      Cash itb?

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly 0.0

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

          Of you're happy with most of your team you could cash Cantwell in and roll the other FT.

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Happy with Aguero betting rotated? Otamendi also a concern

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Don't really wanna get rid of Aguero before Villa at home though, Aguero surely plays that one. If he keeps being benched away then I'll move him on. Sterling could quote easily be the one benched next weekend

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Pay attention to CL midweek and hope for a Jesus start. Sterling won’t be benched again anytime soon

    3. Bat Man
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pieters to Soy for depth maybe since you have Pope in goal already

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I really like the Burnley/Sheff Utd rotation though, might consider that, thanks

  15. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Really not feeling comfy with double up on CHE Mount and Tammy.

    Tammy's stats and performances are pointing to unsustainable and his returns are starting to show this too. Since his hattie vs Wolves he has had 3 blanks and 1 goal.

    What to do? Problem is there is not really a viable replacement for Tammy. Have Vardy and did Pukki to Jimmy yesterday so could do Tammy to Wilson but Wilson can be one of the biggest trolls. Haller is becoming a flop 'the West Ham Striker Curse' so then we get to the budget forwards with only Wood looking promising for points. Ings is an injury waiting to happen. Jota is a bit of a risk as well. Least said about Pukki the better.

    So guess it is stick with Tammy for now and monitor Wilson.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If I were you I would be seriously concerned about zero City assets for Villa and Saints at the Etihad. Rank = plummeting

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Mate, see you are sitting at 2.3m OR with triple City?

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          And I’ve never finished outside top 0.5% in 3 seasons. You’re on suicide watch the next 2 GW’s

        2. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Pointing fingers at someone for having bad rank is somewhat unpleasant. Could be that they have decent advice to give in spite of that.

          I would not been too concerned about double Chelsea attack, even if the stats are unsustainable they are cheap. Mount will tick over nicely and with his price point who´s better? Abraham will score goals, but as an article yesterday shed light over he is not pen taker and does not contribute with assists.Still, i would not take him out now with his fixtures to come, Wilson is also a good option but Bou are a bit on and off.
          One possibility is to have CHO and Mount and then Wilson as forward but that comes down to the team structure you have i guess.

      2. Bat Man
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Both should have scored

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

      How are Tammy's stats unsustainable? Hes missing 10 big chances every game and still gets a lot of points

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

    What to do with mcginn ?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Keep him. Who would you like to replace him with? Is any other mids doing better excl premiums?

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

        True. Maybe at maximin?

    2. MafioSol
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Upgrade or go Hudson-Odoi if can accommodate.

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

      If you already have him I'd ride out the bad few fixtures and wait for happier times, depends how strong your bench is though.

  17. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else keeping Pukki? He should bag against United and then has decent fixtures including a juicy Friday night fixture v Watford.

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

      Pukki is a relegation player. At 7.0 (or 6.7 or whatever he is effectively for you) hes way too expensive.

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

      Patience

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Got rid for Jimmy.

      More blanks incoming for Pukki.

      1. El Matador
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What makes you so sure?

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

      Its time to say goodbye

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

    Kun + Barnes + James -> WIlson + Vardy + CHO (-4) seems to have worked out well. NO chance that turd James gets anything against Pool

  19. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Getting Vardy in for Pukki. How'd you fund the move?

    Son to ?
    A. CHO (Already have Mount and Abraham)
    Or
    B. Martial
    Or
    C. Yarmalenko
    Or
    D. Maddison (will have Vardy)

    Cheers 🙂

    1. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B looks best I'm in the same boat but I'm thinking of Greenwood and Son to Vardy to a 4.5 mid. Keeping Pukki.

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

      A

  20. COYR
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wilson to Vardy for free?

    I know this seems a bit knee jerky but I feel like the Vardy party could take off with the combination of form and fixtures

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

      no

    2. Bat Man
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would give Wilson against Watford at least

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

      To lose patience is to lose the battle.

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

        Wise words

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

      Thanks all. Will give Wilson another chance

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

      Vardy can be capped against a non-top 6 side. It's been this way since the Rodgers arrival

      That takes him a cut above Wilson. Yes, Wilson might score in the Watford game, but it's a long term move that lets you focus on other aspects of your team instead (like when I did Martial to KDB and then KDB was benched)

      In other words, getting Vardy now is "set and forget". Depends on how you choose to play the game. Waiting one more GW won't hurt though

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

        Thanks for the detailed reply. Agree with all of the above. I'll give it one more game but yes, I see him as a long term transfer (especially with those fixtures and his ownership still relatively low)

  21. Bat Man
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Help please

    Pope Adrian
    Alderweireld Soy Pieters Lundstram Kelly
    Salah Raz Dilva Mount Cantwell
    Wilson Tammy Haller

    2.5m ITB, should I:
    A) Alderweireld to Trent/Robbo
    B) Dilva + Salah to KDB + Mane -4
    C) Salah to KDB

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

      A imo. I'm sticking with Salah, he will come good again

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

        And TAA out of the 2 is who I have/would go for

  22. New Post
  23. MafioSol
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB price up by 0.1 suddenly! I use fantasy football fix to monitor prices, originally predicted a price rise tonight yet it happened last night. ZERO % accuracy, can anyone explain?

  24. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Auba and Son >> Out
    Vardy and Mane >> In

    Yes or No ?