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. theodosios
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1FT 1.1m ITB

    Hendo
    VVD Soy Lund Tomori* Lowton*
    Son Mane Maddi Zaha Traore*
    Rash Vardy Tammy

    What to do?

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

      save

    2. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lowton surely needs to be replaced?

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

        Yup, but not necessary since I'm playing 3 at the back

  2. mustafa mohamed
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    as mané is a rotational risk next gw. Is bringing in salah over him a bad decision considering i will cap salah who has a good record against Bournemouth (I won't lose any value selling mané. his brice is the same as salah)

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i do not accept the premise of the question

  3. jg7u
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Soyuncu
    B) Aurier
    C) Rashford
    D) Jimenez

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

      A or C. Maybe A

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    Pope / Button
    TAA / Soy / Lund / Aurier / Rico
    Mane / KDB / Maddison / Tielemans / McGinn
    Auba / Tammy / Jimmy

    2 FT
    0,1£ ITB

    Guys, what to do with transfer(s)?

  5. LC1
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Afternoon all,

    This is my team;

    Henderson Button
    TAA Soy Lundstrum Rico Tomori
    Mane KDB Mount Tielemans (Dendo)
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez.

    2 FT & 3.4 ITB.

    Tempted to use my 2 FTs on the following;
    Mount & Tomori > Kelly & Son?

    0.1 off Mount > Son direct

    Thoughts?

    Thank you!

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How about Mount>Alli instead?

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

      Kelly is good value at the moment

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

    Best replacement for Lowton?

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

      Palace or Sheff Utd def. I dont hate Targett as a longer term pick

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        As a Brighton supporter it'd be difficult to choose Palarse and already have Lund. Was thinking Dunk or Targett

        1. Lukakus Unit
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Dunk could be ok. Mixed fixtures, but he's at least got the odd goal in him.

          Target has horrible fixtures the next few weeks.

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

      do you own Kelly?

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nope

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

          I reckon he is great value with upcoming fixtures while they have susp/inj at the back

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

    Pick 2:

    1)Rashford
    2)Jimenez
    3)Tammy

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

      1 & 3

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

        ta

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

      1,3

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

        thks

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think Jimenez is needed till GW18 after that Rashford & Tammy.

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

        in that case pick one of Tammy or Rashy... lol

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Tammy (eve, BOU, tot)
          Rashy (mci, EVE, wat)

          Its really tough thats why I want to give Kane one more week.

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

            I dunno. kane is shocking at the moment. he fails eye test and stats.

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Agree with that.
              If you can put that money freed up to good use this week then maybe you should go ahead.
              But City away for Rashford & CL tie looming for Chelsea coupled with Tammy knock is not ideal this week.

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

          Rashy.

          Questions on tammy's rotation this gw

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

            x

    4. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've got Tammy and Rash

      I chose Rashford over Jimi 5 weeks ago, and he's got me 36 points in that time

      Once City are out the way there's some nice fixtures for Utd. He could even give a decent return against City tbh

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

        yeah, cool.

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

      1 & 2
      I think Tammy will be Rotation risk during festive period. Can sell Jimenez afterwards

    6. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rash and Tammy

  8. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench headache, I don't know who to play!

    Currently sitting with:

    Ryan (Button)
    Chilwell / TAA / Lundstram (Tomori / Kelly)
    Mane / Son / Zaha / Tielemans (Mount)
    Vardy / Tammy / Rash

    Should I change anything or stick it out this week?

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

      I would play mount before tielmans

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

        this

      2. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Interesting, hadn't considered that - I'll go for it

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

    (Bottomed)
    Hendo (McGovern)
    TAA - Tomori - Soy - Lund - (Rico)
    Mane - KDB - Madisson - Son (Dendo)
    Jimmy - Vardy - Abraham

    0 itb 1 FT
    which option

    1. KDB to Alli
    2. Tomori to Kelly
    3. Son to Alli
    4.Anything else
    5. Save FT

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

      5

    2. jg7u
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Option 5 by a like.

      1. jg7u
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mile*

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

        Abraham or Mane might be benched and If Tomori doesn't play don't you think Kelly will do well for sub?

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

    Yarmo -> Zaha (-4)
    Or
    Play Dunk (Wolves, H)?

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

      b

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

    How does this look from next week onwards?

    Gazza Martin
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Kelly
    Mane KDB Son Pulisic Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Abraham

  12. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Im done with Liverpool defensive double up. Much rather prefer Leicester def double up and use that cash elsewhere. Enough is enough.

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

      Or you can close one eye and try to guess who will have attacking return out of TAA - VVD - Robbo

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No, without cleen sheets, no way. Even the SHU double up or PAlace double up looks more atractive.

        But playing Ricardo Pereira + Chilwell seems a lot more atractive than playing TAA+Robbo atm and you save 2mil in the process.

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          *clean

        2. cpo001
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          100% agree. I sold all Pool defenders on this basis and got a VVD 17 pointers as a thanks

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Still less than my 19 pts from Chilly

  13. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane out, Salah in, one week transfer. 6 goals in 3 goals v the Cherries!

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3 games*

  14. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1908330/event/15

    Salah C, Mane VC +15
    Salah out, Kelly in +6
    Martial out, Dendoncker in +11

    A 32 point swing for chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen.

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

      he has no clue

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

      Did he celebrate by going on to Pawnhub?

      1. Party time
          4 years, 3 months ago

          😆

        • Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          ...give me a second...I will check mate.

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I can confirm he watched it last knight.

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

              I believe his favorite fpl player is Josh King?

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

                A rook-ie error

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

        wow going to rise massively

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

        I don't know if term disgusting luck exists but this perfectly describes it.

      4. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Clueless casual

    3. lifes a pitch
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martial to...
      A)Pulisic
      B)Maddison
      C)Grealish and use funds next gw for Jiminez to Rash

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

        Like graelish and funds

    4. seanh17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Really considering doing Robbo+Tielemans to Son+Targett (for gw18). Thoughts on this? Would be for a -4 btw !

      1. Lukakus Unit
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        IMO, bad move to take a hot this week as multiple players will likely be rotated.

        1. Lukakus Unit
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          *hit

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

      Its that time. Important decision...toasted cheese and onion sandwich or crispy BLT on white with mayo?

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        BLT

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

      What are your score predictions?

      Sheffield - Newcastle
      Arsenal - Brighton

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1-0
        2-2

      2. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1-0
        1-3

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

        1-1
        2-2

      4. Lukakus Unit
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1-0
        3-1

      5. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        2-0
        2-2

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

      How likely is Pulisic to get a rest? 9 consecutive starts in all comps now

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Rest or 2 pointer, tough choice

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

          Helpful

      2. Lukakus Unit
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Three 2-pointers in a row. Either he gets sat or he explodes IMO.

      3. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        The others have had their rest so I'd say there's a good chance, especially with an important CL game next week. I own him so no non-owner bias involved here.

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

        High. Owner.

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

      Suggestions on this? 2FTs, 0.2 ITB

      Henderson (Button)
      TAA Lund Soy (Tomori, Rico)
      Mane KDB Son Mount (Cantwell)
      Vardy Abraham Jimenez

      Current watchlist: Rashford, Aurier, Grealish, Alli, H Wilson

      A) Tomori > Kelly, then Mount, Jimenez > Rashford, Grealish the following week
      B) Tomori > Aurier
      C) Mount, Jimenez > Alli, Mousset

      A is probably wise to free up funds going forwards. Is Tomori’s place now in doubt with Rudiger back? I assume Kelly will be back on the bench once Ward returns? Would be good to get some info on those two.
      B Aurier would block the Rashford move, unless I’m happy to settle for a mid under 5.7m (probably no value there). Having Aurier is exciting, especially given Mourinho’s recent comments, but contributes towards a benching headache
      C Double spurs mids could pay dividends over the next month or so. Jumping on Alli now for Burnley at home. Given his very low ownership, I don’t mind not getting him though. Mousset is obviously a great value pick but at the expense of Wolves talisman I’m not sure.

      Recent opinions on Mount has clouded my judgement so much that I don’t know whether he is a fire to put out or not. Are there really better value players at that price? Grealish looks the standout option and I probably prefer him to Zaha who is likely to blank 75% of his upcoming games even if they are good fixtures (just my opinion). H Wilson could become a good option given upcoming fixture swing.

      Cheers!

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

        A

    9. Angin out the Begović
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jimi --> Rashdog a no-brainer before price increase ?

    10. playingfor17th
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1FT 0.3 ITB

      Gazza Pope
      TAA, Pereira, Lund, Tomori, Saiss
      Mane, KDB, Tielemans, Pulisic, Traore
      Vardy, Jimenez, Ings

      Thinking:
      Pereira > Kelly
      Tielemans > Alli
      (-4)

      Don't want to lose Leicester defence but don't see other good options to get Alli in. Thoughts?