Scout Reports

Can Werner offer FPL value compared to Chelsea midfielders in 2020/21?

Timo Werner (£9.5m) has the potential to offer Fantasy Premier League managers value during his debut campaign in English football.

The German striker arrives at Chelsea as one of the most sought-after in Europe and, if he were to replicate his RB Leipzig form of recent seasons, could make a mockery of his initial £9.5m price-tag.

With goals and assists a real possibility in 2020/21, Fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on Werner.

We have examined his 2019/20 exploits to assess whether or not he can deliver on that promise, and compete with new colleagues Christian Pulisic (£8.5m) and Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) for a place in FPL squads.

READ MORE: Our Scout Report on Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech

The History and Statistics

Werner joins Frank Lampard’s evolving Chelsea squad with a wealth of goal-scoring experience that not many players can boast at the age of 24.

This is a man who made 100 Bundesliga appearances before he hit 21 before going on to light up the Champions League too.

But for all his explosive potential as a complete forward, ‘Turbo Timo’ started his professional career as a left-winger in the youth setup at local club VfB Stuttgart.

During his three full seasons with Die Roten, between 2013 and 2016, he mustered just 13 goals in 95 senior Bundesliga appearances.

Despite earning a reputation for acceleration and pace, Werner was initially accused of being a selfish player who did not gel particularly well with those around him.

As a result, his quickness in the final third only yielded Werner nine assists for Stuttgart during those three years as a senior player in Baden-Württemberg.

However, a €10 million move to newly-promoted RasenBallsport Leipzig in 2016 propelled Werner into the coveted player he is today.

It was in Saxony that the player was converted to a striker, retaining a tendency to drift into positions on the left-hand side of the field but adding a ruthless accuracy to his game and increased awareness of how to link-up with those around him.

That unique style of play worked wonders for Werner and Leipzig as he scored 21 goals in his new role, the most of any German in the Bundesliga in 2016/17, adding five assists.

That contribution led to the newly-promoted club finishing second and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their relatively short history.

Across the continent’s elite competition and the Europa League, Werner netted seven times in 11 appearances during 2017/18, adding another 13 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga. After two years of impressing on home soil, he was called up to the German national team and has since found the net 11 times in 29 caps for Die Mannschaft.

In 2018/19, Werner started displaying his explosive potential. Reaching 10 goals for the campaign on December 16, it meant that every time he scored so far that season, he went on to complete a brace. Perhaps an interesting thing to look out for in the Premier League. Could it suggest a likeness to Harry Kane‘s (£10.5m) trademark feast-or-famine approach? Only time will tell.

It took the forward until August 2019 to get his first Bundesliga hat-trick, racked up in a 3-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. But he did not have to wait long for his second, netting three times in an 8-0 win over Mainz, adding three assists in the same match.

Those contributions helped Werner to his best-ever Bundesliga campaign, ending 2019/20 with 28 goals and eight assists in 33 starts and one substitute appearance. Robert Lewandowski’s 34-goal haul was the only thing that stood between him and the Golden Boot award.

As a result, Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich were all heavily interested in Werner, Chelsea turning heads by eventually winning the race for his signature.

Leaving Leipzig with 78 goals in 127 Bundesliga appearances, the German international arrives at Stamford Bridge as the complete forward, well-known for his explosive pace, accurate finishing and ability to play team-mates through on goal with his capability in wide areas.

Werner has also earned a strong reputation for penalty-taking, dispatching 13 competitive spot-kicks from a possible 16 so far, netting each one awarded to him since October 2018, the date of his last miss.

Comparisons

2019-20Mins per shotMins per shot in the boxMins per shot on targetMins per key pass
Tammy Abraham25.228.163.5105.8
Olivier Giroud25.629.452.6124.9
Mason Mount36.879.899.056.3
Christian Pulisic27.432.669.057.5
Timo Werner *22.828.443.953
Hakim Ziyech **18.255.852.220.8

The Prospects

Werner is likely to fill a void in Chelsea’s attack, notably a centre-forward who can be trusted to link well with the rest of the front-three as well as delivering goals with ruthless regularity.

As you can see from the comparisons referenced above, the German compared favourably to Tammy Abraham (£7.5m) and Olivier Giroud (£7.0m) in 2019/20 when it came to goal threat.

Remembering, of course, that these numbers were not recorded in the Premier League, Werner shot more frequently last season than Chelsea’s two centre-forwards.

While there was not much to separate the trio for minutes per shot in the box (Abraham: 28.1 | Werner: 28.4 | Giroud: 29.4), Werner was the clear winner when it came to accuracy.

Well-known around Europe’s top leagues for composure in front of goal, Werner’s penchant for a shot on target will go a long way to improve on what Abraham and Giroud offered last season.

As you can see from the comparisons above, the German international registered an accurate attempt on goal every 43.9 minutes in the Bundesliga. By comparison, Abraham managed one over 63.5 minutes and Giroud was even further behind on 52.6.

Werner’s shots were often of high quality too. In 2019/20 he recorded an expected goals per 90 figure of 0.62. Lewandowski and Ciro Immobile were the only players across the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 to record a better score there.

We often apply something of a dampener on players coming to England’s top-flight from overseas, as the standard of football is generally higher across the division compared to others. However, in Werner’s case, it is harder to discuss this mitigating factor as we know the player is capable of starring in the Champions League and has already scored against Premier League defences.

Werner’s skill-set is also something that has been somewhat lacking from Chelsea’s attacking under Lampard. While he does know how to use his pace to burst away from a chasing defence, 2019/20 has seen Werner develop an excellent understanding of how to find space against deep blocks – something that Chelsea have struggled to break down under Lampard. The former Leipzig man has often been seen making runs across opposing defences, starting from an initially offside position, arriving in space in front of them, ready to receive the ball and turn, either to pass or shoot.

With Werner likely to improve Chelsea’s goal-scoring capabilities in 2020/21, his arrival is also good news for the attacking assets around him in terms of assists.

When Lampard has no injury concerns, Pulisic and Ziyech are the most likely to flank the German, the latter likely to be the chief beneficiary of Werner’s goal threat. The combination of both players could be exceptionally deadly when you consider how frequently Ziyech created chances last season and how often Werner landed a shot on target.

However, we should also consider the German’s own assist potential. As you can see from the table above, Werner was infinitely more creative than Giroud and Abraham in 2019/20.

He played a key pass every 53 minutes in his final Bundesliga campaign, which was also superior to Pulisic and Mason Mount (£7.0m) as well as Chelsea’s existing forwards.

Combining the strong goal threat, potential for assists and an important role in penalties (now that Willian (£8.0m) has departed and Jorginho (£5.0m) is out of favour), there is every reason to believe that Werner can earn his £9.5m price-tag and then some. Those comparing him with Pulisic and Ziyech will notice that the extra £1.0m/£1.5m is effectively spent on a greater chance of goals and a hand in penalties. That might be too much to pay for some, but if Werner does hit the ground running in the Premier League, he is sure to build up ownership quickly as a potential captain option.

There are Fantasy managers who have expressed concern about the German’s positioning, considering he is capable of playing on the left flank of attacking midfield or a front-three. Pulisic does appear rather nailed-on on that side of the Chelsea team so Werner is probably only going to play there if Lampard’s wider options are completely depleted. Do not forget that Kai Havertz could also be in the squad by the start of 2020/21 so it does seem unlikely that a wide role will be Werner’s regular assignment under Lampard. 

That said, as we already mentioned earlier on, he does still have a tendency to drift to the left. It will be interesting to see what impact this will have on the Chelsea team – and Fantasy managers watching on.

Could it initially cause some issues for Chelsea if he were to drift out of his furrow and tread on Pulisic’s toes and leave the team lacking its spearhead? This is certainly something Lampard will have to look out for.

By contrast, such runs could still have some advantageous effects from a Fantasy perspective with the right input from the Chelsea boss. Werner drifting left could result in a dovetail effect with Pulisic, whereby he drifts into the open space unmarked, not unlike the relationship between Anthony Martial (£9.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.5m). That could bode well for the American midfield asset, who is, of course, £1.0m cheaper than Werner.

Either way, Fantasy managers must remember that these runs from Werner have not massively diminished his activity in the penalty box, such are the effectiveness of his pace and movement. Even though he often drifts left, Werner averaged 6.6 touches in the opposition box per 90 in 2019/20. For some context, Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) was the busiest Premier League forward in the penalty area last season, registering 231 touches there (best among forwards), working out at 6.77 per 90.

READ MORE: Our Scout Report on Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech

Best players by position:

1,237 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Antonio on pens without Noble on the pitch?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      hmm think Haller will take it, his record has been good

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Did u just reply to yourself? ._.

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Forever alone

    3. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not confirmed yet. Noble allowed him to take one due to some bonus he might get if hit 10 goals in season. Haller may be also on the pens if he plays

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Which was disgusting actually, putting bonuses before staying up.

        1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I would forgive him he is main reason that they stayed in PL

  2. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    "While he does know how to use his pace to burst away from a chasing defence, 2019/20 has seen Werner develop an excellent understanding of how to find space against deep blocks – something that Chelsea have struggled to break down under Lampard. The former Leipzig man has often been seen making runs across opposing defences, starting from an initially offside position, arriving in space in front of them, ready to receive the ball and turn, either to pass or shoot."

    All right, that's Werner in for me. This paragraph removes any last doubts I had on him - him playing against deep blocks.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks for this - I don't read the articles usually

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        This is an excellent one that will only take 5 minutes, I highly recommend a quick read.

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks, now I have read it and have to tear up my draft ☺

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      This argument reminds me of Aguero/Kane/Auba/Vardy vs Sterling/Sane/KDB/Son

      Werner is expected to get lots of goals and a healthy number of assists. Pulisic is expected to get slightly fewer goals and slightly more assists per match (sell when injured, like Martial/Ings last season). Ziyech is expected to get considerably fewer goals but considerably more assists (see Sterling vs KDB)

      This leaves the striker at a disadvantage except if you cap him for every brace and hat trick. Why? The FPL scoring system does not favour forwards, as Ziyech/Pulisic just needs a goal, an assist and a CS with 2 bonus points to match Werner's brace with max BPS in that easy fixture where you'd want to cap a Chelsea asset. The gap widens further when you consider the fact that Pulisic is in the goalscoring proficiency range of Auba/Salah/Mane/Sterling WHEN FIT... And this is just unfair on Werner, especially since the Chelsea mids are cheaper, so you get an upgrade elsewhere in your team

      My point? You'd need Pulisic and Ziyech to have average/meh seasons for Werner to really stand out against them as a captain, purely due to his lack of CS points and one fewer point per goal

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, now I can go back to my 1st draft

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        What if we make the argument that instead of Werner or Puli/Ziyech, it should be Werner and Ziyech/Pulisic? Chelsea's attack will be absolutely lethal this season imo, like a second Manchester City but with nailed players. An offensive lineup of Pulisic-Werner-Ziyech with Havertz-Kovacic/Mount is incredible and will surely knock on loads of goals, especially looking at how well Lampard did with players of half the quality. Werner could hit 25-30+ goal contributions this season - surely he'll be worth it then for 9.5? Ziyech and Pulisic, world class creator and Hazard 2.0 respectively, are also brilliant options who we have to include in our teams. So we could go with the double Chelsea attack with one striker, looking at how incredible they are likely to be?

        I do tend to ignore the key differences between midfielders and strikers though, probably because I'm a goalscorer at heart and I get a lot more enjoyment from picking Werner and Martial as I expect 40+ goals from them - sometimes to my detriment! Appreciate the discussion though, lots of info to digest for a guy like me in his second season.

  3. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    All players in my first and only draft are fixture proof so don’t need to know who’s playing who, where or when.

    Team locked & loaded. Even planned my first first GW transfers 😎

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nice. You'll finish OR 14, 962.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Missed two zeros - *1,496,200

        *humble brag*

    2. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bruno (C)?

    3. amitmishr
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, same here. Even the first wildcard is planned. Facing pressure to plan around bgw and dgw. Really tricky

  4. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How's this looking, really want Abumayang but struggling to see where'd I'd fit him in, who would you drop?

    Patricio
    Ayling, vvd, doherty, Aurier
    Saint maxim, Salah, kdb, bruno
    Werner, mitrovic

    Bench, button, romeu, Davis, bernado

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Mo of course.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nobody you've got the same front 8 as me.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I don't trust a Mou defence but Aurier's okay if fixtures are good. I'd want to see how Leeds' defence copes without White before including a defender. The bench is utter deadwood and you need two players to cover Kev and Bruno GW1 - probably.

    4. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Downgrade Doh and Aurier to 4.5s to upgrade Bruno?

  5. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How is this structure/Team looking?

    4.5 4.0
    TAA 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.0
    KDB Salah Auba Greewood Soucek
    Werner 4.5 4.5

    Which is better?
    A) Zieych + 6.5 Striker ( Antonio/ Barnes/ Mitro)
    B)Soucek + Werner

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        though 2 x 4.5 strikers and 4.o defender not ideal

        1. gaurava1216
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          4-5-1

          lean bench and then take it from there ? But yeah not ideal

  6. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I feel if you're only picking up one from Chelsea, Ziyech is the way forward. Versus Werner, he:

    -- has a much higher assist potential
    -- can score goals too
    -- gets an extra point each for goals and CS
    -- is 1.5m cheaper

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure why it's framed as 'much higher assist potential' and 'can score goals too'. We could easily say about Werner that 'he has much higher goal potential' and 'can assist too' 😉

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Framing bias, well spotted.

        1. KGFC
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Agree but eventually its about being 1.5m cheaper and getting more points for every goal and CS.

      2. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Writers bias 😛

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If Werner's donkey, there's no one to deliver on those assists. On the other hand, other players can supply Werner. I'm starting with Werner as a sole Chelsea asset. If Z turns out after 3 or 4 GWs to be better than Greenwood, it will be a simple addition.

      1. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I think Jimmy will match Werner's output for 1.0mn less. Given the heavy investment in mid / def with the likes of TAA/Salah/KDB/Bruno/Raz etc, its more important this season to look for 'value' picks. I just think from that POV, Ziyech is better placed than Werner and similarly, Jimmy (proven PL fwd) can cover for Werner. That doesn't mean Werner isn't good or won't have a great season.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I've got both. Jimi will deliver single goals consistently; Werner will occasionally haul and could be captain material against struggling sides. If he flops it's an easy slide to Ings or Vardy. But it looks like Chelsea have enormous firepower.

          1. KGFC
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            No doubt Chelsea have goals in their team this season. For 9.5m, what are your thoughts about Jesus if Kun is still injured for the start of the season? Just trying map who is the best pick from 8.5-9.5m bucket. Current choices are Martial, Jesus, Werner, Ings & Jimmy.

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              I've heard no indication that Kun is out for long. Jesus is not on my radar. Martial, Werner, Jimi and Ings is plenty, with Vardy little more.

  7. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Willian, Partey and Gabriel would be great additions and immediately strenghten the current team.
    Ceballos back on loan and of course new deal for Aubameyang is crucial for our way forward.
    Aouar is just a dream, I guess.
    Wouldn't mind if Coutinho came here and prove the dobters wrong as well.
    We'll see what happens, there's still plenty of time!

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure I like Willian tbh - he'll eat into the playing time of much younger (and promising) players that need to be developed.

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        That's for the medium term of course at least, short term he does improve the team, but not sure if it's enough and to what end.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I just read Gabriel to Lazio is almost done, so Saliba's place should be secure.

  8. Freund88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Why do I see no 4-5-1 templates?

    There aren’t many strikers one would want, and no value there at all. At 6m who is going to score more points: Azpi, Doherty or...Adams or Mitrovic?

    Every year defenders feature more than strikers in the 100+ points club, and in value terms. Surely that suggests 3 or 4 premium defenders can be justified.

    Thoughts?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You are right, but having 2 non playing strikers is the problem. Maybe Brewster can fix that.

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

      No playing 4.5 forwards atm.

    3. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Because cheap strikers don't play, and especially after what has happened to the opening game in the French league, you need at least 2 playing subs imo.

    4. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Because it becomes 4-5-0 as soon as your main striker misses a match, unless your second striker costs at least 5.5m.

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Little bit of advice from a casual veteran - your bench will likely be called upon more this season than ever before. This virus has not gone away - expect games to be postponed, cancelled, re-arranged all at short notice, creating all sorts of mind bending permutations and auto-subbing.

    A weak bench = a weak team 😉

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It's not like they contribute more than couple of points anyway 😉

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Not when it’s Salah - KdB - Aubameyang

        *benchwonkery* from GW1 😎

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

      *sigh

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Wise words, o veteran.

  10. Moxon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Who is your pick of the 4.5m defenders (barring Vinagre)?

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Taylor for me

      1. Aztec Kamara
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Is he definitely nailed?

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Loads. Saliba, few from Burnley, KWP, Williams, others that wafted through my drafts I forget.

    3. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Brandon if he gets starts, Burnley players.

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

      Lascellas

    5. Sandesh_
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Taylor

    6. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Pieters & Targett - like have a couple extra midfielders in the team 😎

    7. Moxon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers lads. My team is set now until I inevitably tear it up after the fixtures are released

    8. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      KWP

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

      Dallas/Ayling

    10. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Phil Jones for me

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Nuts, he’s 5.0. Back to the drawing board.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ha ha, bet you're the first person to check his price!

  11. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Lloris

    Doherty - TAA - Vinagre - Taylor

    Salah - KDB - Greenwood - Armstrong

    Martial - Werner

    Bench: Martin - Ferguson - Reed - Brewster

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks set for now. Might have to change Taylor/Lloris/Armstrong if fixtures are tough.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Greenwood (and Brewster) getting starting slots makes all the difference

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Brewster starting would be amazing for FPL, but I doubt we'll see it happen. Interesting to see what happens with Greenwood - perhaps if Sancho signs it'll be a blessing in disguise as I can upgrade him to Pulisic/Ziyech.

  12. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Brewster is going to be the go to 4.5 attacker when he gets loaned to another PL side.

    1. Moxon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If that happens, I suspect he'll soon have 60% ownership.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      And probably the first guy to reach 4.2 😛

    4. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      At least 7 Premier League and 3 Championship teams have made enquires about him, but Liverpool are evidently in no hurry to loan him out.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Makes sense to keep him if they offload Origi.

    5. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’ve seen this
      Not sure what my preference for him would be
      He’s better working with a 9 maybe ?

  13. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is finishing in the top 50k in the past 3 seasons a good achievement?

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sounds like a humble brag to me lol. Yeah, I'm impressed 🙂

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I would guess better than most (inc. me)

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      What's the word? 'humble....'?

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

        pie

    4. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd say so

    5. redsallstars
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      no thats shocking, you have to do better

    6. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You gotta pump those numbers up! Those are rookie numbers.

  14. Skorr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I feel slightly mad for considering this team, but could it work?

    Pope
    TAA VVD Doh Robbo Taylor
    KDB Mahrez Rashford Grealish
    Martial

    Nyland Wickham Stephens Davis

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      LIV very shaky defensively at the start and end of last season. Title hangover possibility makes three LIV DEFs a big risk I reckon. I don't rate Grealish for the start of the next campaign either. Not a bad team though

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Couldn't disagree more re. Liverpool. Completely devoid of context

        The draft: 4 Mancs - what do you do if they miss GW1? Apart from that, I'd worry about Mahrez - fine if you have cover, but your bench is deadwood. You need a couple of active subs to cover peptation.

        1. Skorr
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I doubt Liverpool will have the problems that they had last year, but I am reminded of my off and on again belief that the big teams start looser defensively and tighten up as the season goes on, whilst the promoted and weaker teams start better defensively (optimism?) before becoming less reliable (reality bites?).
          Never sense checked any of that thought process though!

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Any team could work potentially but I not a fan personally due to spread of cash and lack of balance/price points for easy moves to obtain key players. I'm not sold on triple Pool defence either, particularly as it blocks the likes of Mo or Mane who are likely to be stand out captaincy options on some GW's. I'd wait for fixtures and reassess.

      1. Skorr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah... getting desperate to see the fixtures if which teams may blank in GW1.
        Probably why I am making teams like this! 😀

  15. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Where would you spend the extra 1m?
    --------------Pope--------------
    --------TAA Doh Ayling--------
    KDB Foden Greenwood Rash ASM
    ----------Ings Werner----------

    4.0 - 4.5 4.0 4.5

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Probably on your bench for when Foden and Greenwood don't play/

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

      I dont like that team. Not enough (c) options I reckon.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed. Only really KDB and maybe Werner.

      2. Goonsquad245
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Depends if you consider Rashford in midfield a captain option...

    3. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers. Back to square one 🙂

  16. BadaBing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I’m seeing Vinagre in many teams. Is he a guaranteed starter?

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

      Should be with Jonny out

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Unless they sign another left back yes

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

      So a viable alternative to Doherty? 1.5m is a big wedge.

  17. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    According to Goal, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Fulham have all registered their interest in Rhian Brewster.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Excellent.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hopefully not Burnley or Brighton.

      I'd prefer Leeds personally, but they probably have other options.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yuck!

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

      He looks like a backup/rotating player in all these clubs

      Ugh

      At least, some one-pointers off the bench

    5. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich have as well.

  18. Aztec Kamara
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Asking this again as posted a before at a bad time... the Burnley 4.5s look like they could be a great option but I'm concerned about which of them will actually play. If I've got it right there's Lowton/Bardlsey at RB and Taylor/Pieters at LB. Taylor looks like the best but given Pieters' form at the end of the season is there a big risk there?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Important data missing for sure. I get the impression Dyche prefers Taylor at LB but plays Pieters LM, increasing his chance of assists. He's on my watchlist, waiting for more certainty.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Lowton probably safest - though unspectacular - bet, Bardsley must be old enough to be the dad of about half the players in the league.

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Hey - no oldism thank you very much. 😀

  19. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Asking for a RMT without explaining your thought process usually results in unhelpful comments because we don't your approach or strategy. Try to list a few bullet points and the feedback will be more tailored to your team.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B

  20. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    quite happy with those lads for the moment 🙂
    Thoughts..?

    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - Gomez - Saliba - Vinagre - 4.0
    Salah - KDB - Greenwood - Soucek - 4.5
    Werner - Martial - Antonio

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Lovely stuff

  21. FrostyShepherd
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on my current draft

    -------------------Ryan-------------------
    ----------Dallas TAA Egan-----------
    ------Salah Auba KDB ASM-------
    --------Ings Mitro Bamford----------

    Bench: Nyland KWP Norwood Ferguson

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Confident with no United?

  22. Kambo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Loved this article, reassured the selection of Werner for me but also hate the fact that it may put him on many other team sheets.

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Vinagre
    KDB Bruno Ziyech Greenwood
    Werner Wood Antonio
    (Nyland Taylor Ferguson Gordon)

    Current squad will be hard to budge until fixture release.
    Bruno, KDB and Greenwood can become Salah, Auba and ASM if Manchester’s have a blank.

    Thoughts!?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I like it a lot.

      Just a question - what would you do in the event that Salah hits the ground running? Assuming KDB and Bruno do well too.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I think in that scenario, if Bruno & KDB were doing well I'd be fine without Mo as captaincy from the two Mancs should be healthy

        If Mo starts off well and Bruno/KDB are quiet it becomes a test of mettle - over a season I'd back Bruno & KDB to match him - definitely on value, and probably on absolute points too

        But it's always a risk going without Salah, no doubt

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I don't think you can cover Salah's home captaincy points. Salah at home, in my opinion, is the best FPL player in the game.

          Highest xG too, so I imagine he'll score more points this season despite his price drop.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I think Salah's necessity is generally blown a little bit out of proportion on FFS - he's as good as any of the big hitters - but he's also as expensive, if not moreso, than any of the big hitters.

            I went without him from Christmas last season in favour of an extra pool defender & it was a big factor in a steady OR climb from then on

            His home form definitely is so much better than his away form though (his away form was actually scary - any time Mane started alongside him - literally 3 points per game)

            But even then he did blank at home to Leicester, Brighton, Wolves & Burnley - and got single attacking returns in 9 of his other home games (single returns are no good to Mo from a baps perspective)

            He's definitely human - much more so the last two years compared to his first - the real way to get joy out of Salah is to somehow identify the games when Mane isn't starting - that's when he really makes hay & switches back to the original Mo from 3 years back

            As things stand with Mane alongside him to share the attacking limelight, Bruno & KDB just look better uses of the two elite slots to me & I don't really want to go down the route of three big hitters from the offset

            It's definitely a risk to go without - but there's a fair bit of information available to suggest it's a reasonably sensible one - Famous last words!!

      2. Kambo
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        The way I see it with Bruno and KDB is that they will rotate home and away fixtures. Throwing the C on one of these guys at home sits well with me considering the way they played out last season.

        Obviously I will consider changing to Salah if one of these guys aren’t performing. But that is something to worry about at the time of that happening rather than to dwell on it now. Premiums can be swapped throughout the season based on form and fixtures. I just see more value in KDB and Bruno over Salah.

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

      @ KAMBO, looks good. But if Manchesters blank, some those replacements can blank too. Hard to say until GW1 is known.

    3. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      What's your plan if city/united have a blank? I'm not sure booking 3 transfers or a wildcard in is a good idea.

      1. Kambo
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        If you read my full paragraph my plan is listed in the last sentence.

        1. Goonsquad245
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I did read it - hence my asking about booking transfers/wildcard in? What's your plan once you have Salah, Auba, ASM in GW2 and the manc boys are back? Stick with them?

          1. Kambo
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Would happily keep the latter and work on other aspects of the team in the early parts of the season. If the opportunity arises to switch back to the other trio then it would need to be done over a few gameweeks or a wildcard.

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

      One of the betters RMTs I've seen on here lately.

      1. Kambo
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you. I feel the balance is there to keep myself available to any price point on all lines. The starting XI feels safe with Taylor being adequate cover for someone who may have a poor fixture.

  23. fuzzymike
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Will it be worth finding an extra 1m to swap Jimi for Werner??

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

      Proven fpl asset against unknown?

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Eriksen was a proven asset when Salah was an unknown.

        Heck, some random 5.5m guy was a proven asset when Jimenez was an unknown.

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

          That's true as well but the logic/risk still stands. Something for him to mull over about the extra 1Mil.

  24. La Vida Latte
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Seems like the teams are starting to look the same now 🙂 Have you found any gems that isn´t that popular?

    What about:

    Hausse - 13 shots in the box after the restart, 3 on target, 1 goal. Will he be nailed on i Villa?

    Egan - 10 shots in the box after the restart, 2 on target, 2 goals. Solid defence and nailed on.

    1. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Egan is being over looked
      If Sheffield United and ramsdale comes in at 4.5 he would be their asset I’d think

      1. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        It will be interesting if he is 4.5. But Egan also has a goal threat

  25. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Convincing article, welcome to my team Mr. Werner!

    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA VVD Vinagre Saliba Ferguson
    Salah KDB Bruno ASM Soucek
    Werner Mitrovic Davis

  26. Marmalade Forest
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Are we sharing the team IDs of the big boys?

  27. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Matheus Pereira
    6m
    MID

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Well priced. Not low enough to buy him immediately, not high enough to rule him out.

      WBA need a striker though.

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Brilliant.

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

    Better use of 0.5?

    A) VVD to Robertson
    B) 4.5 mid to Soucek (first bench)

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B for me mate. Explained my thoughts yesterday, long term better investment.

    2. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A.
      Updating the bench is not a priority I think.

    3. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B for me pretty easily

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

      B

  29. Gol D Roger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    West Brom’s Pereira at 6.0 !

    Was hoping for a cheeky 5.5 but not bad

  30. poulteren
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    am i crazy to have mcarthy and ryan to rotate? are there other options for rotating pairs please?

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

      not crazy at all. 2 cheap keepers nailed to start. martinez worth a shout too if he keeps his place. wait for fixtures to come out then decide which teams rotates best