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. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would you consider one of those trades in order to get pulisic..:

    A cantwell, tielemans => dendo, pulisic (-4)
    B rash, tielemans => Mous / Ings, Pulisic (-4)

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A out of those

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

      Not for me. I'm put off by the hit

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

        pulisic will score snd he is needed long term

    3. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      a with hayden instead dend

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

        does he offer any potential?

    4. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not for me

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

    Pope > Henderson a good idea?

    Not sure about a FT for goalkeeper when they can still get save points in tough fixtures and their returns are unpredictable. Pope also hasn't done much wrong.

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

      Also considering this. And also stopped just before pulling the trigger because of save points.

      I kind of feels like a good dullard move, but save points also feels nice and dullard...

      Are we overlooking any other GK options?

      I would like Schemicel but would have to transfer out Maddison

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

        Guaita has great fixtures.

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

    Rodgers talking up rotation.

    Chance of Praet replacing Maddison?

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

      I really doubt it.

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

      50/50

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

        Madds would be the one to be rested out of him and Tielemens. But I would say rotation in the wide positions is more likely.

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

    Which sounds better?

    A: Pope to Henderson

    B: Pope to Guaita

    C: Save FT

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      B

      Check new year fixtures

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

    How much games Alison will miss because the red card? 3 or 1?

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

      1 I guess

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

      1

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

      1. He didn't harm anyone. 😉

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

    Everyone loving Alli, should I get him over Son?

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

      I'd go Alli

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

      Both probably good options.

      1. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'm seriously considering Madison to Alli this week to double up with Son.

    3. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      much cheaper

  7. infamousprob
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really struggling to decide starting XI. If Abraham is declared unfit, should I start Kelly in defence or Cantwell in midfield?

    Crystal palace have been really solid at the back. And bournemouth arent firing on all cylinders at the moment.

    On the other hand Cantwell is on fire, and is going to get lots of space behind saints defense.

    Squads below:
    Guaita
    Chillwell-taa-lundstram-xxx
    Son-mane-maddison-kdb-xxx
    Vardy-jimenez

    Bench:button, Abraham, rico

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

      How will you know if Abraham is declared unfit ?

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

        Just have to hope some itk sees him training or other whispers...

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

    How many points do you expect Rashford to score in the next 2 vs TOT & mci?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Srsly

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

        Sadly, thinking of getting him out.

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

      Scored 4 in 2 vs CHE this season, scored vs LIV and LEI. Assisted vs ARS. Mad to get rid

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

    I’m thinking of ditching Martial and replacing him with Bilva. What do you think folks?

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

      Martial out not a bad move but is Bilva's place not under threat by in form Mahrez?

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

        Yea it could well be. Just don’t think Mahrez grabbed his chance is the draw vs Newcastle and could see Bilva slot in there

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Go Ali if you have budget or Maddison.

    3. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bilva inconsistent but great, depends on strength of rest of your squad

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

      Go Dilva if any

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

      There's a lot better FPL options than Bilva at the moment at same or lower price. Would be an odd move TBH.

  10. SALVA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    No pressing transfers..

    A) Gazza -> Henderson
    B) Gazza -> Ryan
    C) Suggest
    D) Save

    1. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D for next 2 imo

    2. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      AD

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

      Is Lloris back soon?

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

        No idea. Just looks like Spurs cant keep CS

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

          Fair point. But you prob have Lundstram and Blades double D not good most weeks. Not sure Ryan is the answer either. Fabianski may be back earlier than expected.

  11. ljuta zena
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gazza,
    Robbo, Kelly, Lund, Tomori, Rico,
    Mane, Dend, Hayden, KdB, Maddy,
    Kane, Vardy, Jimi

    If Kane blanks, than Kane, Dend for Alli, Mouset???

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

    bottomed , who to bench:

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

    1. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one. C?

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

      Soy

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

      A

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

      A

    6. AndyCook
        4 years, 3 months ago

        A

      • pol
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks all, Soy it is

    7. LM00091
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      G2G GW15?

      (3-5-2)
      Ryan / (Button)
      TAA, Söyüncü, Lundstram (Kelly, Rico)
      Mane, Maddison, KDB, Pulisic, Son
      Vardy(c), Mousset (Abraham)

      1. ljuta zena
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        goooood

    8. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tom Freeman is by far the best read when it comes to the pro articles.

      Straightforward, no pretending that ff is anything more than a game, and no blowing his own trumpet.

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

        Toot toot to that

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

      How did Mahrez finds himself in the last 10 of Balln doR?

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        God knows

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

        I'd say he was happy enough 😉

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

        AFCON winner + Fourmidable.

    10. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      0 FT

      Yarmolenko dropping like a stone, Mount doing the same

      Need to tomorrow to come quicker

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

        What did you use your transfer on ahead of Yarmolenko!

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Pope > Henderson

          Thought he was done dropping and continue to warm the bench

    11. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thoughts about Kane? Seems he played all positions again....

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

        Like Rooney he cant help it 🙂

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

          Rooney was a class footballer, Kane a better striker.

        2. ljuta zena
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Pretty annoying move made him for Auba, bcs of Aubas late game, fully played, Kanes form and goals in previous...but he was all around the field, despite Mou love for tactical titanic striker lol

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

        Letting Ali and Son who have legs run in behind

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

        Will keep him another few weeks though his form ain't great just now.

        1. ljuta zena
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Burnley and give him a boot?

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

            Maybe one more. Depends who I get for him. Possible Mouuset and Ali for Hayden. Have Aurier and Son.

      4. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's one game.

        You'd back him to score against United. Then you have to give him Burnley. Let you down against Burnley, and he's gone.

        1. ljuta zena
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Agreed, cheers mate

          1. No Professionals
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I'm feeling the same frustration. Had 2 choices. Abraham to kane. Or Otamendi to TAA and play Cantwell.

            Ffs

    12. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pope > Guaita or Henderson?

      Start Tammy or Tomori?

      Pope
      TAA Lund Soy
      Mane KDB Maddison Pulisic
      Vardy(C) Jiminez Tammy*

      Heaton,Tomori,Aurier,Dend

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

        Guaita

        SU fixtures take a nasty turn in new year and you won’t want the double with Lund. Guaita has a clear run for months and months

        40% cs record against bottom 13

        1. manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm wildcarding in GW19/20 though (other keeper Heaton has great fix GW18/19)

          Basically only need a gk for next 3:

          Pope(save ft)
          Hend
          Guaita

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

            Ah perhaps Hendo then

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

        The counter argument against Guaita is that he'll occasionally be benched for tactical reasons. Why aren't you considering Ryan?

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

          Points:
          Ryan 60
          Pope 55
          Hendo 54
          Guaita 42

          CS:
          Ryan 4
          Pope 5
          Hendo 5
          Guaita 4

          Saves:
          Ryan 56
          Pope 42
          Hendo 37
          Guaita 31

          Bonus points
          Ryan 11
          Pope 6
          Hendo 2
          Guaita 3

        2. manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Need good fix for gw15-17

      3. XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I did guaita

    13. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Question, if you're bringing in a "big" (8.0M+?) player, why would you bring him in and not captain him? Please don't give me the typical "because Vardy is set and forget" etc. You clearly think the player you're bringing in is going to do something hence the transfer. So I'm just curious why you don't trust them enough to score enough to be captained?

      The reason I ask is this week I learned the hard way. I, unfortunately, was one of those that chased points by putting the captaincy responsibilities on Mane, why I didn't stick with my tried and tested Vardy I don't know. To make matters worse I always knew I was bringing in Alli after the WHUvTOT game and when I brought him in I left the armband on him for 24 hours before picking Mane.

      Result? Mane (2) and Alli (15). Subsequently meant I finished the week with 87 instead of 100.

      1. ljuta zena
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe bcs you still have 10 players rest

      2. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        With all due respect I've always thought this logic is rubbish. At any one point virtually everyone is going to have more than one 'big' player and you can only captain one each week. If you should only bring in a big player if they are to be captained then by that logic you should only own one big player, as captain, no point bringing in the rest eh? If I bring in Son or Alli this week or next it's because I think they're going to score points, that they can cover for ownership as others are bringing them in in droves, and to cover for price rises further down the line. I won't be captaining them because Vardy and Mane have better fixtures and are MORE LIKELY to return big hauls. Vardy could well get a hat trick against Watford which would be 17 points. Why does that mean I shouldn't get Son whose 1 goal at OT would get him 7?

      3. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        If you're bringing a player in you should believe he's going to do better than the player he's replacing, not necessarily be the top scoring player in your squad that week. Captain pick is always a lottery; any prediction for a single game week is unlikely to be right.

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

        Because you though Mane would do brilliant and you thought you’d get in on Ali and see how it goes.

      5. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Because you think the player you already have will score more points than the one you're bringing in.

        You only think the one you are bringing in will score more than the one you are taking out.

      6. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mathematically, there isn't always a correlation between the value of the player and their returns. So their price should not dictate captaincy.

        1. Rojo's Modern Life
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Wrong. There is a correlation at the macro level. That's how the prices work.

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

            Prices reflect past performance, not future returns.

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

        No such thing as a big player, just a big price. Look at Cantwell, Zaha, Grealish and Mousset this week. Check the form, the opposition's home and away defensive form and loads of other factors before choosing a captain. The Captain poll is still pretty good but I think RMT ain't rest. It told me Pulisic was my best captain pick.

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

      Teams that Man City have been drawn to face in the domestic cups since 2018 (so excluding finals): Oxford, Fulham, Leicester, Burton, Rotherham, Burnley, Newport, Swansea, Brighton, Preston, Southampton, Oxford and Port Vale.

      😮

      Lucky off the pitch compared to lucky LiVARpool on it...

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        and United drawn away to Wolves, gotta consider Wolves the favourites there

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

      Play one

      A) Tomori
      B) Kelly
      also
      1) Cantwell
      2) Mount

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

        Kelley and Mount

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

          Cheers mate

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

        A2

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

      Doing ok at 170k but there appear to be 100 teams that missed GW1 ahead of me - scored 82 in GW1!

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That's not even bad, I'm about 200 points behind the person in 1st global so I'd imagine there are a lot more than 100 GW2 starters (or even GW3!) with higher than me. I got 87 in GW1

    17. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      any suggestions appreciated!

      ryan button

      taa Robertson lund Soy Hanley

      pul madders son mane martial

      vardy Abraham greenwood

      0.7 ITB 1 FT

      Tammy and Ryan out?

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

        I’d keep both now. If you were going to sell Tammy should have been last GW. You can easily save this week.

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

      A. Pope, Martial —> Henderson, Pulicis

      B. Martial, Connolly —> Zaha, Mousset

      Cheers!

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

        B

      2. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        B

      3. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        B

    19. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Play martial (TOT) or ayew (BOU)?

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

        Martial

    20. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2FT, 0.4M ITB. Any thoughts?

      A - Pope to Ryan
      B - Sterling/Mount to Alli/Son
      C - Tomori to Soy
      D - Saka to Fleck
      E - something else??

      Team now is:

      Pope/Button
      TAA/Lundstram/Rico/Tomori/Kelly
      Mane/KDB/Sterling/mount/Saka
      Vardy/Jimenez/Connolly

      Thanks!!

    21. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pope
      TAA Lundstarm Tomori
      Mane Son Martial Tilimens
      Jiminez Vardy Lacazette

      Button Guendouzi Rico Pieters

      Martial and Pieters to
      Alli and Kelly -4

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

      2FT 2m ITB lads. Team linked 🙂

      A) Pope to Gazzaniga (frees up 0.1, and he is a Spurs goalie under Mou, CS will come)
      B) Mount to Pulisic (keeps Chelsea “cover”, though I fear he could be rotated)
      C) Mount to Grealish (favoured as it frees cash for Alli/Son in sooñ, but them playing each other this week makes me pause)
      D) something else

      Not feeling the Zaha love, so don’t just recommend him as an alternative if possible lol

    23. Saiz does not matter
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Already have Son but am thinking of getting Alli in for Maddison after this gameweek .. Anyone else think this is good idea?

      1. That TV angle at Highbury
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes - I just brought Alli in to go with Son

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

      Keep Rashford this week or ditch?