Pro Pundits

How I’m planning to spend the money freed up by Aguero’s sale

In his latest Pro Pundits article, Ash – aka ‘Chief’ – looks at how to reinvest the cash freed up by Sergio Aguero’s unavailability.


It can seem disappointing when your second substitute unexpectedly racks up a double-digit haul only to be inevitably lost on the bench with the completion of the Gameweek. But that’s exactly what happened to me and hundreds of thousands of FPL managers with Todd Cantwell (£4.6m) in Gameweek 13.

He hadn’t registered an attacking return since Gameweek 5 and had not been playing many full matches of late, so it almost seemed like a no-brainer in not starting him for Norwich City’s match at Goodison Park.

If anything, Cantwell’s ten points just made Diego Rico’s (£4.3m) score of zero and Mason Mount’s (£6.7m) one-point cameo stand out even more. Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) did the business again with his armband duties, but then again, it seemed that everyone on Twitter captained him, so he was hardly an out-of-the-box pick.

With hindsight, my FPL team deserved a red arrow after only four of my starting players registered Fantasy returns. Yet thanks to Frederic Guilbert’s (£4.4m) eight points on Monday night my overall rank only shifted downwards by 1,500 places, which is practically a grey arrow in my eyes.

Once again, I have two free transfers at hand to refine my team with December’s fixture rush around the corner.

Injury worry for Aguero's owners as Sterling is frustrated by VAR call

In some ways, Sergio Aguero’s (£11.9m) injury is a blessing in disguise for my FPL team. Pep Guardiola confirmed that the Argentinean striker has been ruled out for at least a few matches, so I can sell Aguero without having to worry about him tormenting Newcastle United’s defence as he has done so in the past.

In truth, he was bound to be rotated with Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) anyway – I just wanted to give him one more chance against Chelsea.

I will almost certainly make two transfers this time around, even three if I can justify it.

Along with Aguero, I will gladly sell Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.8m). He was my first substitute last weekend and, to my surprise, the Ukraine international started against Tottenham on Saturday. Unfortunately, he was subbed off before he could register a Fantasy return and his form between Gameweeks 4-7 is long gone. Put simply, I need to sell him before his value drops again.

I may not make my FPL transfers until Friday afternoon but there are a number of options that I’m thinking over at the moment.

Jesus and Dele Alli (£8.4m) for Aguero and Yarmolenko seems like one pathway ahead. However, Jesus has struggled of late even when starting matches and could there be more value in Tottenham Hotspur’s other attackers, as opposed to Alli? A hat-trick for England over the international break and three goals under his new head coach suggests that Harry Kane (£10.8m) has rediscovered his form for club and country. Spurs need to win league matches and he could be the key to their success under Jose Mourinho.

Therefore, I’m also mulling over the possibility of selling Aguero and Yarmolenko for Kane and Lucas Moura (£7.0m) for a Tottenham double-up. I have question marks over Moura, however, so Youri Tielemans (£6.7m) could be a safer choice. Getting in Kevin De Bruyne (£10.2m) and Raul Jimenez (£7.4m) has also crossed my mind.

As for the option of converting my two free transfers into a ‘mini-Wildcard’ (two free transfers and a -4 hit), I’m looking at selling Matthew Lowton (£4.5m) for a Crystal Palace defender.

This may seem odd as the Eagles have not kept many clean sheets recently but I think that may change soon, especially when considering that between Gameweeks 14 and 30, Palace only play one of last year’s top four once. This prospect seems almost too good to ignore, though I might wait one more week on it. In any case, I’m confident that Crystal Palace defensive assets may become fashionable again in the weeks ahead.

I’ve been very fortunate with two back-to-back captain hauls with Vardy. It almost makes sense for me to trust him once again with armband duties as Leicester host an Everton team lacking in form.

But with that said, Sadio Mane (£12.2m) at home to Brighton is also a good shout, as is Anthony Martial (£7.8m) against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. And let’s not forget Tammy Abraham (£8.0m) will be up against a West Ham defence that has conceded nine goals in their last three league games.

It’s actually great that we are spoilt for captaincy choices as there is not an obvious template choice for Gameweek 14. If one of the named players does immensely well and the rest flounder, it could provide opportunities for FPL managers’ overall ranks to fluctuate immensely in just one Gameweek. Let’s hope we make the right call.


Ash, known by many as Chief, recorded his best-ever FPL finish of 110th in 2011/12 and has become a hugely popular name on Twitter ever since.

Gameweek 13 – FPL Match Reports

Nominated for ‘Best in Fantasy Football – Editorial’ at the Football Content Awards 2020

Which FPL assets are on set-piece duties at their clubs? 1

VOTE FOR FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT BY
CLICKING HERE.

1,076 Comments Post a Comment
  1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Even with this super conservative midfield three Chelsea getting overrun here.

  2. Homer21
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else losing patience with TAA? How long more should I give him?

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ha ha

      Maybe that’s the answer to my question below

      1. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Lol

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Prob til GW 18

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah I'd give him this period. After that he's definitely on thin ice.

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

      barring injury im not selling him ever

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Probably the end of the season

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

      Ill give him at least this entire season and next season.

    6. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Who will out score him between now and the end of the season is the question. Realistically, possibly Robertson, assuming you already have Lund

      1. All de Gea no iDier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Teams are already targeting him due to his defensive frailties. Won't be long before he'll be getting subbed off for Milner or Gomez IMO

    7. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He's been awful value, but I always have other priorities to take care of first.

    8. premierleaguesgreatestevert…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      TAA is gonna be good for it all season no doubt... question is, can you find equal value without using so much cash. For me, I'd rather back the small dogs when it comes to defence and splash the cash on the midfield

    9. All de Gea no iDier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      About as long as it takes to transfer him to Robbo

  3. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone shed some light.....

    This European golden boy.... under 21......

    Am I missing something.... Alexander Arnold wasn’t even on the long short list?

    Anyone know why? Two Euro finals in a row..... and a winner....?

    Seems really odd....

  4. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Yay or nay: Son and Mousset (assuming fit) in for pulisic and jimi?

    Would leave me with this squad:

    Pope button
    TAA Robertson Lunds Soy Williams
    Mane KDB Son Maddison McGinn
    Vardy Tammy Mousset

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

      no

    2. All de Gea no iDier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Why?

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

    "Solskjær has told Shaw that he has fallen behind Williams in the pecking order at #mufc. Ole now views the 19 year old as the better player. Plans to sign a full-back in January have been cancelled #mulive [telegraph]"

    Rico > Williams no brainer

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hm an attractive proposition for us wildcarders right here

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

      doubt it

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

      Is this for real? How that was written sounds like the text would continue with high praise on Lord Lingardinho.

  6. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    End to end stuff.

  7. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What a save

  8. Teror
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wildcard dilemma:

    A. Alli + Tomori

    B. Son + Williams

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ashley Williams always been a solid cb.

      1. Teror
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I meant the 4.0 kid from man united you facetious so and so

        1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          In that case Son as long as you have the bench for Williams getting rotated every now and then. Too young to play every Christmas game.

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

      B. That's probably a 5th defender spot.

  9. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Chelsea disaster

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

      Sloppy goal ...

  10. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Score the hardest one then, valencia

  11. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    La Liga still light years ahead of the prem

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

      yeah amazing watching 4 la liga teams get to both major european cup finals last season

  12. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Poor Chelsea defending yet again.

  13. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    G Kovacic.

  14. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Kovacic goal

    Time to sell Mount

  15. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Kovacic scored after 1000 years finally. He even forget how to celebrate properly

  16. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    1-1 Kovacic equaliser

  17. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    No. Chelsea you need to be impotent without mount. Don't let frank think this is sufficient goal threat.

  18. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Not watching the match. See CHE are 1-0 down.

    How are is there play though?

  19. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Why is Azpi's nose always dripping? Is it similar to Patrick Vieira always having a shiny sweat patch on his chest?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wasn't it Vicks on Vieira's shirt to help him breathe better during games?

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        That makes more sense

  20. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone also think both Mount and Pulisic will play at the weekend?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Could be a surprise benching for Pulisic who knows

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

        decent chance

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

        I hope

      4. Champ
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I think so. Frank's priority is the league and will want as a high a finish as possible in his first season you would think

    • FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What play from Pulisic

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

        Good play by him

    • Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Great run from Pulicic.

    • Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Kovacic looking like a man possessed. Mount is done.

    • Naby K8a
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Alisson, Gomez, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Milner, Mane, Firmino, Salah

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        TAA dropped

    • Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe Kovacic has displaced Mount...

    • Teror
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tomori > Zouma ?

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

        Palace defender

    • Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tammy down

    • Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Abraham dead

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Not funny you can actually die from an impact like that

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Abraham looks horribly injured

    • Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tammy down.