Pro Pundits - Zophar

How I am spreading the cash after selling Sterling

Buying Jack Grealish (£5.9m) was supposed to make bench decisions easier, but the Englishman’s performances have been way above my expectations.

Over Gameweeks 13 and 14, only Mesut Özil (£7.2m) (eight) and Kevin de Bruyne (£10.3m) have created more chances than his seven amongst midfielders.

After benching him against Manchester United and seeing how poor Chelsea were defensively against West Ham, I played the Aston Villa man in Gameweek 15 instead of benching him as per the original plan.

My team in Gameweek 14

My last three transfers were Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.9m) out for Raúl Jiménez (£7.6m) and Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) in Gameweek 13 and Mason Mount (£6.6m) to Dele Alli (£8.5m).

The decision between Son and Dele Alli (£8.6m) was a difficult one.

As Tom Freeman pointed out in his ProPundits piece, Alli’s shot locations were far more central and Son appears to have taken on a more creative wide role.

Spurs next four included games against Manchester United and Chelsea where I expected Son to have to do a lot more defensive work than Alli. After all, the Korean was top for attempted tackles (10) and successful tackles (five) in Gameweek 14.

In the entire period prior to that (Gameweek 1-12), Son attempted just 23 tackles, succeeding with just nine, over 10 appearances. That’s an average of less than one successful tackle per match.

I’m sure Son will keep ticking along and I still have an eye on bringing him in for de Bruyne at some point, but for now I went with the form man in Alli.

It was tempting to give Mount another week but his performance against West Ham had me concerned about his starting role against Villa and with £4.9m burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to ship him out.

My team for Gameweek 16

That leaves me with £3.0m in the bank to bring in Abraham for Aaron Connolly (£4.7m), which I will likely be funding by a downgrading Fikayo Tomori (£4.9m) for Martin Kelly (£4.1m).

Andreas Christensen (£4.9m) starting against Valencia in the Champions League was worrying and with Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) nearing fitness, Tomori’s place in the starting lineup is under threat, as we saw against Villa last night.

Crystal Palace once again showed their defensive potential with a clean sheet against Bournemouth on Tuesday night and Kelly’s spot should be reasonably secure given all their defensive injuries. The fixtures could hardly be better.

I’ve already got my eye on the upcoming blank Gameweek 18 for Liverpool and what I noticed was the lack of a clear cut captaincy option then. Manchester City play the league’s meanest defence in Leicester that week and Spurs host Chelsea.

The standout fixture for me is the Norwich vs Wolves game, with Jiménez a great captaincy pick. I’m undecided whether to bring in Abraham now or wait until after Chelsea play Everton in Gameweek 16.

Normally it would be at the expense of Jiménez but his Gameweek 18 fixture means I am inclined to keep the Mexican.

Captaincy is likely to remain on Jamie Vardy (£9.9m). Sadio Mané (£12.2m) playing 90 minutes on Wednesday has me worried he might be benched against Bournemouth keeping in mind their Champions League game on Tuesday.

573 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need a less than 5.5 mid for GW 18. Who is best option?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Moutinho/Traore?

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

        Hmm yes I was hoping there's be someone else but guess I'll go with one of them. Thanks

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

          Avl, Wolves or Bou mid.

  2. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best one-week midfielder punt?

    A. Maddison
    B. Lucas Moura
    C. Mount/Willian
    D. Dilva/Bilva/Mahrez
    E. Grealish
    F. Zaha

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      One week, maybe a City asset, Mahrez, but could well end up not starting.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      F from that lot

  3. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    .4itb 1 ft, easy save / bench ok? Who to Cpt, I was thinking Mane but will he be rotated?

    Guaita
    TAA Lund Willems
    Mane KDB Son Ali Zaha
    Vardy Tammy

    Martin Mousset Soy Rico

  4. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi all, looking for some expert help here 🙂

    2FTs but 0ITB.

    A. Martial+Tomori >> Pulisic+Aurier
    B. Marital+Maddison >> Alli+Grealish
    C. Martial+KDB+Greenwood >> Alli+Grealish+Rashford (-4)

    Pope
    TAA • Soyuncu • Lundy
    Son • KDB • Mané • Maddison • Martial
    Vardy. Tammy
    (McGov. Tomori. Rico. Greenwood)

    1. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford is looking good now

    2. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like C

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not possible sorry. My bad 🙂

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

      Can you do not just do Martial to Pulisic?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah can do that

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C looks good!

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry that’s not possible. It’s cantwell not Grealish?

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Then A

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks Pep. Could also just get Pulisic and hold fire on the Aurier move

            1. Pep Roulette
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah! That sounds good too!

    5. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No expert, but of those probably B but I'm not sure I'd want to ship Maddison before two decent games. Shame nothing in bank to do Martial + Tomori > Ali + Kelly

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yep, very annoying

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

      Can you do A with Kelly and Alli?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No, annoyingly

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

        Otherwise I think C probably does work. Never liked the Tomori pick though...

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          C isn’t possible. I messed up. It would be a 4.7m mid and switching to 3-4-3

    7. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wow C isn’t posssible! I must have been drunk writing that one out! It would be Cantwell NOT Grealish

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

    Kane owners what are yaall doing?

    1. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      not a Kane owner but time to say your goodbyes

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Get rid

    3. JonnyOnionRings
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keeping for this GW but he looked awful VS Utd

    4. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Since I need my FT for more important changes (getting Alli) I'm either keeping or getting rid for a hit. The hit seems a bit rash when he has Burnley at home but I haven't made my mind up just yet.

  6. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    happy with my defence but what changes to make to this 0.2 ITB

    Salah Maddison KDB Son Pulisic
    Ings Vardy Greenwood 2FTs

    Thanks all!!

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      was thinking either Mane in for Salah, but feel Mane will get rested at the weekend or get tammy in for greenwood by downgrading one of the midfielders but he also will prob get rested at the weekend

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

        Tammy won't get rested if he's fit

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

          Mane probably won't either

        2. George Agdgdgwngo
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          he might. they have a big champs league game next week

        3. How I met your Mata
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Chelsea have a must win game in the champions league I would say there is a fairly good chance he will get rested

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

            I'm quite confident he won't be rested unless he's injured.

      2. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        there is a strong possibility of Mane being rested. They are 11pts ahead and massive game on Tuesday in Champions league.

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

          Yeah but I still think he'll play

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

    How do I get the set pieces area working again? Would be interested in SHU set pieces.

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

    Is Son > Alli sensible?

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

      No imo.

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

      Classic chasing of points that probably will fail. Now its Sonny turn 😉

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

      Only if you need the cash or have a transfer to burn imo. Otherwise hold for now

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

      Depends why. Cash, sure. Points, flip a coin.

  9. boc610
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    its hard to sympathise with silva but Pickford did not do the guy any favours. After a promising start I think he's been awful for the Toffees.

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

      Sickford

  10. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking of ditching my liverpool defender (Robbo) to get Pereira.

    Thoughts are,

    Lei defence is pretty tight.

    Liverpool likely to experience rotation moving forward.

    Planning to get rid of Maddison, so Pereira might cover some of his points.

    Soybean and Pereira double up

  11. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling to allii or son
    Have kdb and 2 ft

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

      Raz to Son and put that money itb.

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

    Don’t own Tammy anymore but interested to see what to do with Pulisic? Keep or sell? Is Che cover needed until the Christmas?

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

      Give Pulisic next two

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

        Agreed. Cheers.

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

    Any obvious transfers here?

    Pope McGovern
    TAA Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram Rico
    Mané KDB Pulisic Maddison Dendoncker
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez

    1 FT, 2.2 ITB

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

      Tomori to Kelly

    2. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pope -> Ryan

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

      Not really. You could get grealish for dend or change your keeper if you feel like it

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

        What about Alli or Rashford in? Considering them, but not sure yet.

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

          I would consider gw18 & 19 when deciding. Liverpool dont play and Leicester have 2 tricky fixtures. Grealish has good fixtures and could cover mane and possibly maddison gw19. Good luck.

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

            Cheers!

  14. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Doesn't Alli have a reputation of suddenly going out of form? A little reticent to sign him over Son.

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

      Ride the wave.

  15. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Have exact funds to do Gazza > Henderson
    Do it or keep gaza for Burnley? I really dont trust spurs def

  16. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Where do I get Tammy back into this team? 1.2itb
    Pope
    TAA/Soy/Lund
    Mane/Pulisic/KDB/Maddison/Son
    Jiminez/Vardy

    Button/Tomori/Kelly/Dendoncker

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

    Any Blades fans about? I'd like to know if they would go Norwood or Fleck?

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

    Sheff Utd nailed on for a clean sheet tonight, right?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Almiron goal incoming

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

      Not at all im afraid

  19. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi fam

    So I've narrowed it down to this... which player do I bench?

    1). Aurier (Burnley, HOME)
    2). Soy (Villa, AWAY)
    3). Lundstram (Norwich, AWAY)
    4). Zaha (Watford, AWAY)
    5). Ings (Newcastle, AWAY)
    ---

    So tough this week! - Anyone else found themselves in this situation?

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1

      • jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Someone besides Aurier at home.

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

          ... must be other benchables right?

      • How I met your Mata
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1 or 2

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

        2 or 3

      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        5 😉

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Repost sorry. Messed my options up.

      2FTs but 0ITB.

      A. Martial+Tomori >> Pulisic+Aurier
      B. Marital+Maddison >> Alli+Grealish
      C. Martial+KDB+Greenwood >> Alli+Cantwell+Rashford (-4)

      Pope
      TAA • Soyuncu • Lundy
      Son • KDB • Mané • Maddison • Martial
      Vardy. Tammy
      (McGov. Tomori. Rico. Greenwood)

    3. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I did last night: Sterling ---> Alli

      Have another free transfer and 4M in the bank.

      Mount ---> Son, overmuch from Tottenham?

      Or spread the money to the rest of team? And to whom?

      Pope
      Arnold, Soyuncu, Lundstram (Kelly, Rico)
      Mane, KDB, Alli, Mount (Cantwell)
      Vardy, Abraham, Ings

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

        solid team even with 4mil itb

        bank FT?

        1. T.Henry14
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I don't want Mount on the team any more. Rotation risk maybe and too mutch blank in previous period.

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

            Mount in the no. 4 value mid in EPL.

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

              ... is the ...

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

        Mount to David Silva would be my move

        1. T.Henry14
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Pep's rotation and poorer City's form scare me. I think De Bruyne is enough from City at this moment.

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save?

      Schmeichel
      TAA Robbo Lundy
      Mane Son Zaha Barnes
      Vardy(C) Jesus Jiminez

      Button Rico Dendo Reid

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

        save, 2fts very handy in coming weeks

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Looks very nice

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

      Was Tomori injured, rested, dropped?

      any update from Lamps? sorry if I missed it

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Dropped would be my guess. He’s not great

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

          price was great & got me points... im ok with him 🙂

          time to move him on Raf?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yep

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

              cheers if you read back 😉

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

      Play Lundstram (nor) and
      bench order 1. Aurier (BUR), 2. Kelly (wat) and 3. Fleck (nor)?

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I’d go with that 1,2,3

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

      Aurier (BUR) Soy (avl) TAA (bou)
      I have to pick the above ahead of Lundstrum (norw), don’t i?!

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Drop soy

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

          Good shout - cheers Rafa!

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

      Would you play Ayew (wat) over any of these?

      A. TAA (bou)
      B. Lund (nor)
      C. Aurier (BUR)
      D. Chilwell (avl)

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        C may come on for Chilwell anyway though.

      2. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nah Crystal Palace doesn't like to score imo.

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

        I wouldnt

    9. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Anything here?

      1FT/0.0 ITB

      Pope
      TAA, Robbo, Lundstram, Soyuncu, Janmaat
      Mane, KdB, Alli, Pulisic, Hayden
      Ings, Jimenez, Vardy

    10. tjostolv
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      potential WC team - thoughts?
      Pope / Button (keep)
      TAA (new), Kelly (new), Lundstram (keep), Soy (keep), Rico (keep).
      KDB (new), Mane (keep), DAlli (new), Cantwell (keep), Maddison (new).
      Tammy (new), Ings (keep), Vardy (keep).
      New buys; TAA, Kelly, KDB, Ali, Maddison, Tammy
      Sells: Willems, Sterling, Auba, Mount, Zaha

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

        Think I would want another goalie than Pope.

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

        Yep looks good. I’d maybe look at swapping Pope out tho

    11. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Play one:

      A) Tomori
      B) Mings
      C) Kelly

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        C

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

        Kelly.

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

      Huge head to head battle tonight. Henderson & Mousset V Fleck + 6pts!

      Desperate for a SHU clean sheet!!!