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

      Has rotating two GKs ever worked? There's going to be weeks where it goes against you despite fixtures on paper.

      Save .5 and invest elsewhere.

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

        thank you. The cold slap i needed. Much appreciated

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

      Until Villa buy someone, Nyland is a playing 4m, so many of us are partnering him with a 4.5.

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

        Isn't Heaton going to be back?

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

          Not fully fit (yet), according to what I've seen a few fans say here

          They're trying to hijack a replacement in the transfer window, even: Ramsdale to Sheffield almost a done deal until they reared their heads. My memory might be twisting a few things, so correct me if I'm wrong

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

      How can you plan a keeper rotation when the fixtures aren't released?

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

        because Brighton and Southampton......west brom and villa.....arsenal and spurs......fulham and chelsea .....man city / man united......everton and liverpool ......tend to all rotate due to crowd control / policing / logistics and traffic etc

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Wish they can do a similar article for Matheus Pereira.

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

      I'm sure they will.

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

      Was just filling in the squad this morning and couldn't see him, could be a good option depending on price

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

        He was added a few mins ago, 6m

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

    Ryan vs McCarthy depends on fixtures, doesn’t it? Or is there a clear winner?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Fixtures dependent imo.

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

      McCarthy regardless for me. Wouldn’t trust Brighton against anyone.

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

      Ryan. Saves and bonus points with around 10 clean sheets (average). Set and forget except if Leeds become unstoppable, which makes that an easy switch to another 4.5 (like Pope last season)

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

      McCarthy for me.

      Saints aren't so bad defensively, and have signed highly rated CB Salisu.

      A bit annoying that Ings is their baps magnet though, but hopefully McCarthy can get a few more this season.

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

      mcarthy here ,dunk leaving brighton is a minus for ryan

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

    Leave one out of your team?

    A. Werner
    B. Pulisic
    C. Fernandes
    D. Martial

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B. Injured.

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

      The one who is injured.

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

      Taking into account current injury situation, B.

      Injuries aside, B.

  5. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    First draft how does it look ? Greenwood, Pulisic and Soucek seems like great value. Ings at 8.5 if he can stay injury free also looks good. Salah and KDB is obviously first players on my team. No auba is the only concern but what can you do.

    McCarthy
    Robertson TAA Vinagre
    Salah KDB Greenwood Pulisic Soucek
    Ings Wood

    button taylor wickham brantwaithe

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

      No Martial or Fernandes is also a concern.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        could go pulisic and greenwood > fernandes and ASM

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’m becoming increasingly fond of the Robertson Trent double up

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Its proven and you will basically get two midfielders with big CS potential.

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

    The issue with Soucek is that if he flops there’s literally 0 other options at his price...

    Anyone keeping 0.5 in the bank to upgrade if necessary?

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

      Depends on your expectations from a 5m mid. I suspect he'll do better than every other 5m mid which is a good start. You could always switch to a 5m defender, but as of now, I don't think any stand out. Maybe Dunk should his move to Chelsea materialise.

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

        The equivalent is actually a 4.5m def when you take into account base prices....

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

          Yes, fair point. Definitely prefer the 4.5m defenders to 5m defenders.

          I don't think Soucek will fail though 🙂

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

        Yeah exactly. I would probably be content with something like 3-3.5 PPG from him because of what he enables me to do elsewhere. Anything more will be a nice bonus.

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

      Think so - there are some potential options at 5.5 like ASM or Armstrong amount others. I’m trying to leave at least 0.5 ITB this season for GW1

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

      Can drop him for 4.5 and get a better defender or convert a premium and him into 2 decent players.

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

      Why not more points from rotating 4.5s at the back instead of that 5.0m mid slot?

      Remember you don't get more points for having a finer formation or the formations that previous game winners used. If this season's price points make 4-3-3, 5-3-2 or 4-5-1 the ultimate formation according to the points you expect from each (rotating) asset in your XI, go with it

      Also, an upgrade from the 5.0m mid slot to 5.5m mid moves you from one bracket with the most limited options to another bracket with very limited options. You'd most likely be going up to 6.5. This might be different for you, but please go through the options available and who you think you'll want to buy during a season based on form and regularity of starts, and also how patient you think you'll be with them

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

        Rotating him with a 4.5 def is a viable option too.

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

          Quite simply: No.

          https://www.transfermarkt.us/tomas-soucek/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/283628/saison/2019/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/379

          Soucek's returns come from random games because they're based on set pieces. He's nowhere near the category of FPL assets you'll rotate based on fixtures, but he WILL get goals in any match, and if he doesn't flop, he'll be a great asset to forget there in your XI. Don't bench Soucek

          Don't bench Armstrong: https://www.transfermarkt.com/stuart-armstrong/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/130765/saison/2019/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/180

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

            I'm confused as to what I'm meant to be looking at here tbh.

            Are you saying his points expectation vs the best defences is the same as vs the worst defences? That's a pretty ludicrous theory for any player tbh.

    5. KDF
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I like to start with 0.5 itb as it gives great flexibility to move players around.

  7. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    VVD or Laporte?

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

      VVD

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

      VVD.

      Nailed, no injuries, goal threat, better CS chances. And he's good looking.

    3. OleGGMU
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      VVD, unless city show better defensive strength

  8. Loftus cheeky nandos
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Best 4.5 striker?

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

      Brewster if he gets a loan move

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

      At the moment, Davis.
      Next few weeks, Brewster.

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      As it stands right now, none of them will be getting regular starts.

  9. Andy'81
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Joe Hart signs for Spurs

    https://twitter.com/JonnyGabriel/status/1295707974917398529

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

      Straight in my team

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

        Join the queue. 50% ownership coming

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

      Lmfao

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

    A. VVD + Vinagre
    B. Gomez + Doherty

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

      A, every day of the week.

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

      A

    3. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A, both nailed whereas Gomez isn't.

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

    First team draft

    Ryan
    TAA, Vinagre,Taylor
    KDB, Fernandes, Auba, ASM, Stephens
    Martial, Werner

    Subs: Button, Douglas, Ferguson,Davis

    Thoughts?

  12. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Who are the players from your front 8 that you think will be nailed on in your team for the whole season?

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

      Auba, Fernandes and KDB if they are injury free.

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

      None

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

      TAA also

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

      Probably Mo, but who knows. Certainly nobody else.

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

      None

      In my defence, TAA and VVD (apart from chip GWs potentially)

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

      I don't know if I've ever kept a player for the whole season and I can't see it happening this year with all of the options available.

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

      none ,reasons
      dry spell
      injury
      impatience
      blank week
      rotation
      price fall

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

      No one looks enough of a bargain to justify that. The most likely looks to be Mitrovic at the moment.

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

        Kev, if he isn't injured. you don't want to know about my defence then, eh?

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

          KdB was a nailed-on presence in my side last season from GW1 till WC34+, through blanks/rotation/form. But that was at 9.5m, and he was outperforming that price bracket both in short-term form and long-term consistency.

          At 11.5m he will have to prove more explosive than Salah, Mane, Auba, Sterling, Bruno when looking at the next 3-5 fixtures and also do so throughout the season. I don't necessarily see that happening.

          Also, coming in at such a high price and with such a high GW1 ownership his price will not increase as much as it did last year, so people are likely to have less value tied up in him (which is a factor that prompted many to keep even when they considered selling last season)

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

          Actually, now I am curious. What is your defence then?

          I have Trent + Robbo (2 highest prices), 4.5m, 4.5m, 4.0m at the moment.

  13. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Who is going to be the first choice GK for Leeds?

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

      Meslier

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

      Meslier has earned the number one spot.

  14. OleGGMU
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this first draft lads

    Ryan
    TAA, Vinagre, Dallas
    Salah, KDB, Greenwood, Harrison, Bowen
    Ings, Jimi
    Bench : Nyland, CTaylor, Ferguson, Brewster

    2m ITB

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sold on both Harrison and Bowen to start. I'd put some of that cash ITB to good use and upgrade one of them.

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

        Bowen did have a good-eq end of season , not completely sold on him, Harrison is my leeds indulgence along with dallas.
        Bowen can easily become Ziyech, whom, in the 8m bracket is the most appealing currently but any alternatives you can suggest?

        Reason for the 2m itb is purely to allow me to get on a premium forward early should either ings or jimi tank but im open to using 1m

  15. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Hello all,
    Been a while, I just set up my FPL account again and here is my first draft.
    (I'm going without any Liverpool assets this season so bear that in mind please)
    Obviously needs reviewing when the fixtures come out but early thoughts on it?

    Heaton / Nyland
    Tierney / Ayling / Dallas / Taylor / Vinagre
    Auba / KdB / Bruno / Foden / Greenwood
    Werner / Mitro / 4.5

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

      Why would you go without LFC assets by the way?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        just a fun challenge to see how it'll perform over the season

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

          have another team in your cats name with liverpool in ,cant possibly be any fun without them ,completely pointless exercise , like having a huracan with a lada engine

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

      Lost a bet?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        🙂

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

      Dallas or Ayling, don't do both, CS potential is not high enough for a double up

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        wouldn't start both in most games anyway so yeah, prob scout an alternative 4.5...good advice, cheers!

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

          Ben Crabtree did win FPL a few seasons ago by going without Pool Assets so dont put down the idea lads

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

          The defensive record is slightly false as it is through starving teams of possession, we won't do that in the Premier League.

          Not a popular option but Cooper might perform well, he'll make lots of CBI and has mild aerial threat but I'd pick Dallas of the back four. I love Ayling and he gets forward plenty but Dallas has more regular quality

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers mate, think I'm going Ayling (maybe it's his flowing locks)...he scored a few different kinds of goals last season from memory including a cracking volley (probably nothing between them on goals/assists really coin toss)

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

              Welcome back mate.

              I'm avoiding Leeds defensive assets until I know how they adjust without Ben White. There are a whole host of decent 4.5 defs - eg at Burnley, KWP, Saliba, Williams. Wait until the fixtures are out to see who to start with.

              Otherwise, with 4 Mancs, you'll prob want to make major changes when they sit out GW1.
              But in essence, a decent squad.

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                cheers mate, yeah, its only first draft...you're right and the plethora of decent 4.5s has convinced me to go super cheap at the back (differing from my usual big at the back starts)

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

          There are plenty of 4.5 options too, Lamptey could be great but don't know who is staying in that defence for Brighton

  16. Dutchy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    best 5.0 defender, or just ignoring and going 6.0 and up then 4.5

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

      I've got Saiss until I can afford Doherty at the moment.

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

      i quite like james at chelsea ,not made my team yet though

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

    KDB Bruno Jimi
    Greenwood if he fires
    I have Salah but may swap him with Auba throughout depending on form/fixtures

  18. Zambian FPL Addict
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    going to be another overrated flop, Danny Ings over this guy all day any day.

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

      Make sure you don't own Werner at any point in the season then mate.

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

      Bit intreting seeing so many going werner over ings who scored 22 goals last season and is 1 mil cheaper.

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

        In all competitions Werner averaged a goal or assist every 76mins last season. Of all fpl options Aguero is the next best at 77mins, followed by Fernandes 88mins, Ziyech 93mins, Sterling 97mins, De Bruyne 98mins (these numbers don't include fpl assists). Ings 111 mins.

        Werner got 34 goals and 13 assists in 45 games. No other fpl can match that. He also had 12 hauls last season across all competitions which is the most together with Fernandes. Salah, De Bruyne, Rashford with 10 each come in next. Ings got 4.

        Werner, Fernandes, Ziyech first three names in my squad. TAA, De Bruyne, and one more from each of Utd and City and that's the nucleus of the squad.

    3. Zambian FPL Addict
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      no newbies for me is my stratergy aside Hakim Ziyech going tried and tested.

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      May hit the ground running like Salah did a few years back.

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

      Let me guess, never seen him play? Or maybe just the two CL legs against Spurs?

  19. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A. Greenwood Vinagre
    B. Wood Doherty

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A if Wolves dont sign another LB

  20. Jonesfromthere
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Why is everyone so sure that Saliba is starting for Arsenal? Can see Luiz and Mustafi being the starters, as an Arsenal fan and knowing how Arteta works.

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

      Because Arteta spends his time reading the posts in FFS and decides accordingly.

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I've noticed this about Arsenal fans more than any other, as recent as a few months ago some were still trying to convince me Holding and Chambers could play in the champions League. If you come on here people think Pepe is decent when he looks like Bambi on ice to me. I'm steering clear until I see some evidence of Saliba starting and being good

        All that said Arteta has done really well in a short time

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

        I'm not sure but thankfully Arsenal play in the Community Shield. If Saliba starts I'll go with him, if he doesn't I won't. Lots of promising 4.5 defs around.

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

      Villa, Newcastle, Brighton, Fulham, palace and Burnley are all looking at Brewster after his successful stint at Swansea.

      At 4.5 he will be a season keeper for me as an enabler

      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        could be decent for Villa if Grealish creates as many chances again

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

          and newcastle ,decent supply chain there

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

      EPL transfer market finally coming to life. Took 'em long enough

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

      Salah vs Auba

      Does this depend on fixtures for you or are you set on one of them no matter what?

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

        I've got neither, but that tends to start arguments here so I'll just say... Yeah, different strokes

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

          Nothing wrong with that either. So many good premium options this year.

      2. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        both if possible, always Salah if only one of the two imo

        1. luk46
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Liverpool score more, are the better team and Salah gets usually many opportunities

      3. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, Auba is too expensive unless he has great fixtures.

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

        If you could somehow predict when Mane will be benched... Salah was a different beast when he was the focal point - but when he had to share with Mane (i.e. often) - his output generally took a fair old knock:

        1. Overall (Home vs Away)

        Home: 148 points, 18 games, 8.2 PPA
        Away: 85 points, 16 games, 5.3 PPA
        TLDR: was a fair bit better at home, but not terrible away, on average

        2. Overall (With Mane starting vs. Without)

        With Mane Starting: 157 points, 28 games, 5.6 PPA
        Without Mane: 76 points, 6 Games, 12.7 PPA
        TLDR: Much better when Mane doesn't start, but not terrible (nearly 6 PPA) when Mane did start, *on average*

        3. Home (With Mane vs. Without)

        With Mane Starting: 120 points, 16 games, 7.5 PPA
        Without Mane: 28 points, 2 games, 14.0 PPA
        TLDR: Scores nearly double the points at home without Mane - over a positively tiny 2 game sample size, but still...

        4. Away (With Mane vs. Without)

        With Mane Starting: 36 points, 11 games, 3.3 PPA
        Without Mane: 48 points, 4 games, 12.0 PPA
        TLDR: You may as well have a bag of crisps in your FPL team away from home instead of Salah (with Mane)

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

          Cheers for this, amazing insight. Helps justify the omitting of Salah.

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

            Obviously past results don't guarantee future performance (or future results!)

            But there's defnitely something there in the whole "Salah Lone Gunman" vs. "Salah/Mane twin threat" thing

            They're both superb attackers - but that doesn't mean their individual FPL returns will both be superb for their prices

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

        I'm on Auba. Likely spear heading the attack this season. Uncontested penalty taker. already have Liverpool cover in TAA.
        However, fixtures will definitely change this.

    6. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ziyech or Pulisic?

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

        Ziyech set-and-forget as, like KDB, Bruno and TAA, assists can come any time from a set-piece taker who also spams crosses. It's actually more about who JOINS Ziyech: Pulisic or Werner?

        This is very much like Bruno/KDB/TAA + same team's winger/ST to me

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers mate!

        2. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I don't think it's similar to Bruno/KDB at all -- Ziyech isn't on pens and probably won't bring as much goal threat as Pulisic. If both are fit, it's a tough decision.

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

      Hi all,

      Big Vik is back - can I plz get an RMT my team?

      Ryan - Nyland
      TAA - Vingare - Saliba - Dallas - Ferguson
      KdB - Aubameyang - Greenwood - ASM - Soucek
      Werner - Martial - Antonio

      TIA in advance

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

        Gtg, Salah (c)

    8. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      which one is looking better for now with the fixtures not being out yet?

      A - Doherty Auba Wood Mitro
      B - Vinagre Pulisic Jimenez/Ings Martial

      got Greenwood already; A would mean no Chelsea, B no Arsenal

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

        Pulisic is out for 5 weeks

    9. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Rashford as a mid or Ings/Jimenez?

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

        Up top and save a million, for me.

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

      the article looks like its been written by the president of werners fan club and its certainly got my attention ,however it has made me keen on ziyech now who for 8.0 could be gold ,time for a tinker...

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

        Yes - Ziyech is tempting at that price, especially if Chelsea's early fixtures are kind.

    11. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hi all

      Being a bit lazy, but wondered if anyone could advise on which of the 4.0m defenders are most likely to get a start. (Just trying to get bench fodder sorted).

      Thanks

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

        2 at Palace seem more likely at the moment, but it's early days.

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

        Cheers.

        Any idea whether Bernardo (Brighton) is likely to feature?

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

          I don't know. He, Johnson at WHU and Douglas at Leeds are mentioned along with Braithwaite at Everton but I've not paid attention to any outside Palace.

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

      Has anyone created a fixture difficulty ranking systems that separates Defenders and Attackers?
      Defenders fixtures ranked based on opposition’s Expected Goals figures. For example at home to Palace would = 1, and away to Man City = 5
      Attackers fixtures ranked based on oppositions Expected Conceded figures. For example at home to Villa = 1, and away to Liverpool = 5

      The defender fixture difficulty ranking would be especially useful for those of us operating a rotation system.

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Use the Season Ticker once fixtures are released. Select Attack or Defence as needed.

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

          cheers