Pro Pundits

The Spurs assets who have caught my eye in Mourinho’s first two games in charge

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman, takes a closer look at Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur in his latest Pro Pundits piece.


In my last article, as part of the Pro Pundits initiative, I talked Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a specific focus on Matt Doherty (£6.0m). 

Since then, the unbeaten run has continued and now stretches to an impressive nine games, despite the Europa League commitments.

With West Ham United next, and importantly, a Gameweek 18 tie at Norwich City, I still think Doherty is worth considering, if you can work him into your structure.

Thanks largely to Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m), Kevin De Bruyne (£10.2m) and Lys Mousset (£5.1m), who now has seven attacking returns in six appearances, a Gameweek 14 score of 61 leaves me with an overall rank of 42,126.

Focusing ahead to Gameweek 15, and beyond, Tottenham Hotspur are a team I’ve looked at. 

Jose Mourinho’s system to date has been effective, particularly on the attacking side, with Serge Aurier (£4.9m) one of the main beneficiaries. 

What we’ve often seen is Aurier high up the pitch, playing as a winger, while the left-back has tucked inside to form a situational back three in possession.

You can see this back three, and how advanced Aurier is in comparison to Jan Vertonghen (£5.2m), from their average positions map versus Bournemouth below.

This transforms Spurs shape into something resembling a 3-2-4-1 when in possession. 

Whilst Aurier is on my Watchlist, Dele Alli (£8.5m) is the player I want. 

It’s a move I decided on last week, having read this quote by Mourinho:

A talent like Dele, he has to be a top, top player. This boy also has that extra of arriving in the box in finishing positions, he’s tall, he’s good in the air, he has to take the best of himself, when the ball is in wide positions, he has to be also in the box as a second man in the box. For me, he is a player who has to play as a second striker.

A quick look at Alli’s shot locations below over the last two Gameweeks suggests he can get back to his best level under Mourinho.

In my opinion, he will keep pace with Son Heung-min (£9.8m), for a smaller outlay. Now I just need to decide when to pull the trigger. 

Another midfielder heavily discussed in the community is Wilfried Zaha (£6.6m), who has scored in successive games.

December’s fixtures look kind but will he get consistently good chances week in, week out? I’m not convinced.

Crystal Palace are a team who don’t take many shots, only Southampton have taken fewer this season, and their 16 big chances is the lowest in the league. 

Roy Hodgson’s approach is safety-first, which makes me think investing in Palace’s defence is the way forward. With Martin Kelly (£4.1m) emerging as an option following the injury to Joel Ward (£4.5m), it won’t cost you much. 

A player at that midfield price point I do like is Jack Grealish (£5.9m). He’s deservedly been picking up a lot of praise recently, and whether he’s playing on the left or in a central midfield role, he’s creating chances (only De Bruyne has supplied more this season), and is now adding goals to his game.

With a Sheffield United triple-up now in place, as I talked about in my article a few weeks back, here’s how I’m set up for Gameweek 15.

Though I will likely roll a transfer, Aurier, Grealish and Alli are all on my Watchlist.

In terms of captaincy, if it ain’t broke… Jamie Vardy (£9.9m).

He scored his 13th league goal of the season against Everton on Sunday and is fast becoming my go-to captaincy option, especially at home, where he’s averaging just over eight points per game.

Thanks for reading… until next time.


Tom Freeman – aka avfc82 – comes onto the team to make most of us feel wildly insecure about our overall rank history. A long-time Fantasy Football Scout user, he has finished inside the top 1,000 a staggering five times since 2009.

806 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wow those Palace fixtures are good aren’t they!!!

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Form over fixtures

      1. Pigeon
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        They've been quite decent this season, their tough run has ended

    2. Pigeon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tempted to do one of my Leicester defenders to PvA

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Done that now

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Certainly are. Guaita or pva maybe - not sure I can do Zaha over other options.

  2. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Think so have plan for existing team below- what do you think? got 2 frees transfers- means sticking with Mount for Villa game. Yes or No?

    Week 15 Martial to Zaha and carry transfer
    Week 16 Lacazette to Tammy ( if fit) and Mount to Son/Alli

    Pope
    TAA Soyünücü Lundstram
    Mané KDB Martial Mount
    Vardy Jiménez Lacazette

    McGovern Cantwell Diop Rico

    1. AndyCook
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I would personally use them both now, Lacazette to Ings, Martial to Alli then Ings back to Abraham when fit

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks. Like this- would you get Son over Alli?

          1. AndyCook
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I like Alli from eye test (and stats too) but maybe that’s enhanced because I have Son!

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I’d fix the keeper

      • Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Weird draft question, but if you had to start 1..

        Trossard (ars)
        Haller (wol)
        Vertonghen (mun)

        1. Suarezista
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Trossard

        2. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Trossard.

        3. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Trossard- could easily score well v Arsenal defencr

        4. Greenbackbøøg…
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          cheers lads suspected as much

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

          none seem likely to start so i would go with trossard, as if he does start he can cause damage i think

      • Suarezista
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Who of these front 8 would you bench ?

        Mane, Pulisic, Son, Martial, Maddison
        Vardy, Ings, Mousset

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

          mous

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Mads

        3. iL PiStOlErO
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Mousse or Ings

        4. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Martial

        5. Greenbackbøøg…
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          martial tbh

        6. DF
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'd bench martial ings and mousset and play 541

          1. Suarezista
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            That one I didn't consider 😀

        7. Suarezista
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks all. Was leaning Martial, maybe between him and Mousset.

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

          Martial

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

        Anyone considering Krul/Gazzaniga to replace Pope?

        Don’t wanna go up in price to Hendo/Guaita really.

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No.

        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yes. Considering Gazzaniga or McCarthy.

          Spurs' xGC is actually really good. McCarthy has better fixtures though and I only need them for 2 weeks max before I wildcard.

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

            by what metric is being 10th for xGC "really good?"

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Tottenham are 5th in xGC since Mourinho took over and 6th in the last 4 gameweeks.

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

                Does this mean that I should play Aurier over Kelly or not?

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

          gaza a far superior option to krul and not a bad choice

        4. JoeSoap
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Have Gazza so will be Henderson/Guaita

      • Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        AFC Flyde will enjoy their trip to the Etihad.

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

          fylde

      • AndyCook
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Just saw in the WSL Midema scored 6 and assisted 4 in a single fixture.. imagine 41 points from one player (82 as captain)!

        • Berkan
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Who'll get hammered less out of Pope vs City at home or Ryan vs Arsenal away? Is starting Kelly ahead of Son this week stupid? Got an overall rank of 17 I'm hopelessly trying to cling onto.

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Ryan vs Arsenal away. He could keep a clean sheet.

          2. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Close, I’d play Ryan.

            Very, on paper.

            You should be telling us what to do so 😉

          3. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            17! Wow. We should be asking you for advice and not the other way around lol.

            1. Berkan
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Hahaha cheers can't believe my luck so far

              1. Collie01
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                I'd start Son. Mainly because if I didn't and he scores - which is very possible - I'd be kicking myself more than if I had benched Kelly and he kept a CS. If that makes sense? But that's just me, do whatever your gut says and play the way you have been playing, best of luck

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

            not much in it imo

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

            17!! wow. Nice
            I'd personally start son

          6. AndyCook
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Ryan and Son for me

            • Disco Volante
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              i don’t think there’s anything hopeless about it mate you don’t get that high up the tree without totally knowing your stuff, it’s so refreshing to see somebody with an amazing rank being humble about it instead of the usual passive aggressive boasting (and that’s from too 20k not top 20!). Go with the players you think you will score the most - it’s been working pretty well so far.

              1. Doctor Evil
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                What is your team mate?

                1. Disco Volante
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Heaton
                  Trent Lund Söyüncü
                  Mane kdb martial son cantwell
                  Vardy Ings

                  (Pope Tammy Kelly Rico)

                  Martial is going tonight but I can’t decide whether to go with Zaha or go crazy and get Fleck.

              2. Berkan
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Thanks mate! I'll keep going with my gut and ride my luck as long as I can haha

          7. popcoin
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            how to find that table showing how much you bought a player for?

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Transfers page, list view, PP.

              1. popcoin
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                ooo ya beauty

            2. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              List View (just above the keeper)

              1. popcoin
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                cheers. great news. didn't lose -0.1 when Tammy dropped to 7.9. Might have to sell tonight though, going down to 7.8...

          8. JoeSoap
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            A. Pope>Henderson/Guaiti
            B. Rash/Mount>Mousset/Son
            C. Rash/Mount>Ings/Ali

            2FTs & 0.6

            Pope
            Robby, Lund, Soyu
            Mane, Maddy, KDB, Mount
            Vardy, Jimmy, Rash
            Gazza, Tomori, Dendo, Rico,

          9. AC Yew
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Hey guys any ideas what to do here to improve:

            Pope
            Roberston Soy Lundstram Rico
            Maddison Mount KDB Mane
            Vardy Jimenez

            Heaton Kelly Dendoncker Abraham

            2 FTs, 0.8 ITB. Thinking to switch up a GK?

            1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Mount to zaha,pope to hendo

            2. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Yes, Pope out possibly good with 2FTs. See if there's any news on Tammy, but I'd play Kelly instead of Rico

          10. liboo
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I have Vardy and Ayew
            Shall i bring a mid from liecter or bring Zaha
            ?

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Leicester

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Leicester

          11. ct mariner
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            GTG?
            Ryan
            Robbo Lund Soy
            Pulisic KDB Mane (vc) Son
            Vardy (c) Jimi Mousset

            Button Tomori Rico Hayden
            1FT and 2.3 IB

          12. TheDragon
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            This is a quality article and Tom is a seriously quality FPL manager

            1. OverTinker
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              agreed

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

              not sure about all of it. auriers positioning isn't all that high - only high relative to vert, which doesn't mean much. he's completed 2 successful crosses in the last 2 games. let's not get carried away.

              1. TheDragon
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                If you are looking for FPL content which is value add without being the same basic hive mind think that 99% of the FPL community trots out then this is as good as it gets

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

                  dont want to be too harsh on tom but making largely unfounded speculations using positional data from 2 GWs enables the sort of thing you're criticising. comparing aurier's average position with aurier's previous average position would make more sense and it's too early for that anyway.

            3. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Thanks for the kinds words, it's appreciated.

              Re Aurier, personally, I think there is a lot to like for 4.9.

              His Touch Heatmap over the last two stood out, and he created four chances (only Digne and Trent recorded more).

              I also looked at the Olympiakos game, where he scored, assisted and delivered 3 key passes etc, but I admit its a small sample size, and he won't be for everyone.

          13. Slitherene
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Bench which 2?

            PvA (BOU)
            Mount (AVL)
            Rashford (TOT)
            Tomori (AVL)
            Aurier (mun)

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Bottom 2

            2. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Tomori & Aurier.

          14. Dirty Harry
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Hold Tielemans this week then swap out for All due to Spurs playing United this week?

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Ali won't fear United.

            2. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Keep tielemans.

          15. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Wolves & United 😀

            1. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Europa?

              1. Rainer
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                FA Cup 3rd round.

          16. Klaren
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Which transfer would you do for the below team? 2FTs, 1.3m ITB

            A) Batshuayi, Dendoncker --> Mousset, Zaha
            B) Reid to Baldock. Play 4-4-2 this GW, save FT and move on Martial, Batshuayi next GW.
            C) Martial, Reid --> Zaha, Baldock
            D) Reid, Gazza --> Kelly, Henderson

            Gazza Button
            TAA Chilwell Lundstram Rico Reid
            Mane KDB Son Martial Dendoncker
            Vardy Jimenez Batshuayi

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              A

              1. Klaren
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                I'd be benching Mousset (or maybe Martial?) in A though. Still worth it?

                1. GreennRed
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Dunno but I see it as an upgrade.

          17. The Big Larsbowski
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Im really struggling with the bench this week. Bench 2 out of:

            1. Tomori
            2. Soy
            3. A. Perez
            4. Abraham (if fit)

            Would be gratefull for advice

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Start Soy & Tammy, Perez 1st sub.

              1. The Big Larsbowski
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Thanks. That was my idea. Just afraid Tammy will enter in the 70th minute.

                1. Rainer
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Either fit enough to start or not risked for me.

                  Perez more of a worry to make 60.

                  1. The Big Larsbowski
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    See your point. But Leicester has had the same starting lineup for 6 games now. They need to start rotate going into this week. And Perez has played less than the others.

          18. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Liverpool vs Everton.

            No rest day 😮

            1. tambourineman
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              A very remote chance of 4 Merseyside derbies in 26 days with League Cup semis

          19. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Do u expect Perez to lose his place now to illeanacho...Did leics play 2 upfront when the later was brought on yesterday?

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Maybe him or Barnes. Yes.

            2. Am sorry to say again it�…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I can see him not starting at least one if the games this week

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

            Martial/Tomori > Alli/Kelly -4?

            Gives me this team

            Pope
            Lundstram, Trent, Soy
            Mane, KDB, Son, Alli, Maddy
            Tammy, C Vardy,

            Button, Mousett, Kelly, Rico

            .4 bank

          21. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            City fixing draw again... this is disgrace

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Pep will be fuming they got a League 2 side when a non-league team were in the pot.

          22. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Lads. Get the Amazon Prime free trial for tomorrow night.

          23. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Bench one
            A) Tomori
            B) Kelly

            1) Cantwell
            2) Mount

          24. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            FA Cup Third Round Draw (PL teams in CAPS)

            All ties to be played in weekend of 3 Jan 2020 - 6 Jan 2020

            LEICESTER vs Wigan
            QPR vs Swansea
            Fulham vs ASTON VILLA
            CHELSEA vs Nottingham Forest
            WOLVES vs MAN UTD
            Charlton vs West Brom
            Rochdale / Boston vs NEWCASTLE
            Cardiff vs Forest Green / Carlisle
            Oxford vs Exeter / Hartlepool
            SHEFFIELD UTD vs Fylde
            SOUTHAMPTON vs Huddersfield
            LIVERPOOL vs EVERTON
            Bristol City vs Shrewsbury
            BOURNEMOUTH vs Luton
            BRIGHTON vs Sheffield Wednesday
            Bristol Rovers / Plymouth vs Coventry / Ipswich
            Eastleigh / Crewe vs Barnsley
            MAN CITY vs Port Vale
            Middlesbrough vs SPURS
            Reading vs Blackpool
            WATFORD vs Tranmere
            Preston vs NORWICH
            Millwall vs Newport
            CRYSTAL PALACE vs Derby
            Solihull / Rotherham vs Hull
            Brentford vs Stoke
            Fleetwood vs Portsmouth
            ARSENAL vs Leeds
            Gillingham vs WEST HAM
            Burton vs Northampton
            BURNLEY vs Peterborough
            Birmingham vs Blackburn

            1. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Most PL teams will be happy.

              Arsenal (vs Leeds), Wolves, Man Utd, Liverpool and Everton will probably not be happy.

              1. Collie01
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Worst draw possible for Liverpool. They would have loved to put out a 2nd team after hectic Christmas period.

          25. tambourineman
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            3rd round FA Cup ties involving Premier League teams, just 2 all PL ties
            Leicester v Wigan
            Fulham v Aston Villa
            Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
            Wolves v Man Utd
            Rochdale or Boston v Newcastle
            Sheffield Utd v AFC Fylde
            Southampton v Huddersfield
            Liverpool v Everton
            Bournemouth v Luton
            Brighton v Sheff Wed
            Man City v Port Vale
            Middlesbrough v Tottenham
            Watford v Tranmere
            Preston v Norwich
            Crystal Palace v Derby
            Arsenal v Leeds
            Gillingham v West Ham
            Burnley v Peterborough

          26. WVA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Abraham news?

            1. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              There is none that I can see

          27. pol
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            who to bench:

            A- Soy (WAT)
            B- Tielemans (WAT)
            C- Lund (NEW)
            D- Ings (NOR)

          28. Tinmen
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Folks, Should I start Martial or Tomori ?

            1. AndyCook
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Martial