Pre-Season

The best budget FPL midfielders for 2020/21

We turn our attention to budget midfielders as we continue to trawl through the Fantasy Premier League price list and pick out the names to consider – and avoid.

Having already looked at budget goalkeepers, mid-price/premium goalkeepers, budget defenders and mid-price/premium defenders, we switch our focus to options further up the pitch in the £4.5m-£5.0m bracket.

There is the usual mix of defensive midfielders, deep-lying playmakers, reserves, academy products, assets from the newly promoted clubs and the odd attack-minded player to consider in this tier.

We will cover £5.5m options in our look at mid-price midfielders, given that 84 assets fall within the £4.5m-£5.0m price range alone.

The £4.5m Bench Fodder Options

The primary function of a £4.5m midfielder is to be an emergency option on our benches, to be ready to come in for a two-point (or better) return when rotation, injury and/or suspension bites hard.

The first requirement of such a player is that he is a semi-reliable starter.

That immediately rules out a large number of Fantasy assets, although pre-season is yet to start in earnest and we may well see a surprise name emerge from this bargain bin of players: Todd Cantwell was a fine example of this in 2019/20.

Security of starts is not something we associate with Brighton and Hove Albion assets under the ever-tinkering Graham Potter but Yves Bissouma (£4.5m) does leap out at first glance, having played a prominent role and looked in excellent form in the Seagulls’ run-in.

Bissouma started 10 of Albion’s final 12 fixtures, coming off the bench in the other two matches, and was one of just two FPL midfielders who are now priced up at £4.5m who scored a Premier League goal last season.

Little to concern defences of Liverpool and Burnley after bore draw at Brighton

Bissouma loves a pop from distance but just two shots in the box all season highlights his limitations and the same applies to teammate Dale Stephens (£4.5m), who has scored one goal in three years.

Stephens started 28 Premier League games in 2019/20 (the most of the current crop of £4.5m midfielders) although only 12 came from Gameweeks 17-38 as he became a bit of a rotation risk himself.

The pre-season friendlies will be worth keeping an eye on, to see how Stephens, Bissouma and the fit-again utility man Steven Alzate (£4.5m) are faring for minutes under their unpredictable head coach.

Staying on the south coast, the departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.0m) may well open up a first-team slot for one of Oriel Romeu, Will Smallbone or Harrison Reed (all £4.5m) alongside James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m) at the base of the Southampton midfield.

Romeu was more heavily involved in the run-in, starting seven of Saints’ nine matches after lockdown and encouragingly creating three big chances, although has racked up over ten times as many bookings as attacking returns over the last five seasons.

Reed is one to watch if he makes a permanent move back to Fulham, where he spent last season on loan, although again, no shots in the box in 2019/20 encapsulates his lack of goal threat.

Organised Palace defence stops Watford replicating Liverpool display

It’s slim pickings elsewhere, with Marvelous Nakamba (£4.5m) and James McCarthy (£4.5m) the only other midfielders in this price rung who hit double figures for Premier League starts in 2019/20.

Neither player is considered anywhere near ‘nailed’ at the time of writing though (Nakamba started just once after lockdown, McCarthy on four occasions) and the pair didn’t manage a goal or assist between them last season.

The six assets from the newly promoted clubs were either back-ups or sent out on loan in 2019/20, although Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) was a big-money signing when Fulham were last in the top flight and it remains to be seen if Parker has any plans to reinstall him as a ball-carrier in midfield after a decent year with Villarreal in Spain.

Of the remaining players we haven’t discussed, only Anthony Gordon (£4.5m) and Jairo Riedewald (£4.5m) racked up more than 200 minutes of Premier League football in the campaign just gone.

Gordon is one to monitor given that he’s possibly the most attack-minded of all the assets at this price point, with the teenage winger appearing in every one of Everton’s nine post-lockdown fixtures and starting four of them.

The young midfielder provided an assist in the 2-1 win over Leicester City, creating a modest six chances in his 11 appearances last season.

NEWLY PROMOTED £5.0m OPTIONS

Moving up a tier, we begin our examination of £5.0m midfielders with a rundown of the options from Premier League new boys West Bromwich Albion, Leeds United and Fulham.

While Kyle Edwards (£5.0m) and Sam Field (£5.0m) may struggle for game-time, Romaine Sawyers (£5.0m) and Jake Livermore (£5.0m) ought to be names to count upon for minutes in 2020/21, providing Albion don’t dip into the transfer market.

Both were regulars at the base of the Baggies’ midfield in their promotion-winning campaign, with Livermore the more likely to grab a goal – although neither player is a real attacking menace.

You can read in-depth reports on these two players by clicking here.

Not one of the six Fulham midfielders priced up at £5.0m started more than 20 of the Cottagers’ 46 Championship games, with big-money signing Jean Michael Seri (£5.0m) spending the year on loan at Galatasaray and thought to be keen on a permanent switch to Turkey.

Two to watch in pre-season are free-kick specialist Neeskens Kebano (£5.0m) and Josh Onomah (£5.0m), who ended 2019/20 in favour with their manager after stop-start campaigns.

The pair were deployed out wide and in the number ten role respectively towards the end of the regulation season and both players started all three play-off matches, although it remains to be seen if they will retain their starting berths when Fulham make the step-up in class.

You can read much more on both players and the Cottagers’ midfield in our stand-alone piece here.

Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips (£5.0m) is a name worth mentioning at this price point.

A defensive midfielder by trade, an accumulator of yellow cards and posing very little goal threat from open play (he registered only one shot in the box all season), his big draw is his set-piece expertise.

No Leeds player took more corners or directs free-kicks in 2019/20 and while he only registered two assists, he created 68 chances in the Whites’ title-winning campaign.

A regular when fit, Phillips is said to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury and could be fit for Gameweek 1.

With Jamie Shackleton (£5.0m) mostly a back-up, Jay-Roy Grot (£5.0m) likely surplus to requirements and the injury-prone Adam Forshaw (£5.0m) still working his back to fitness after a long-term lay-off, Tyler Roberts (£5.0m) is the best of the rest at Elland Road.

Often used in an attacking midfield role to spare the ageing Pablo Hernandez‘s (£6.0m) legs, Roberts could even get the odd ‘out of position’ run-out up front – although a lack of guaranteed pitch-time is the obvious drawback.

BIG SIX BACK-UPS AND POTENTIAL STARTERS

The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 17

You often get what you pay for in FPL, especially when it comes to players from the ‘big six’ clubs.

There isn’t really a stand-out name at £5.0m from these teams, with the penalty-taking Jorginho having seemingly fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea.

The Italian’s teammate, N’Golo Kante (£5.0m), ought to be a reliable starter when fit, at least, and will pop up with the odd goal or two whenever he’s not on the treatment table.

Gabriel Martinelli (£5.0m) is a long-term absentee and Matteo Guendouzi (£5.0m) and Lucas Torreira (£5.0m) are thought to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal, while Joe Willock (£5.0m) was mostly an impact substitute last season and will likely be relying on inactivity from the Gunners in the transfer market to build on his eight league starts in 2019/20.

Across north London, new signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.0m) is expected to be the chief ball-winner in the Spurs midfield next season.

A total of 46 shots without success in his final year at Southampton does suggest his four-goal tally in 2018/19 was a one-off, however.

Gedson Fernandes (£5.0m) has been used at right-back in pre-season, so it remains to be seen if he is a mere placeholder for Serge Aurier (£5.5m) or a new arrival if the Ivorian departs.

At Manchester United, Nemanja Matic (£5.0m) and Scott McTominay (£5.0m) may be locked in a two-way tussle for a central midfield spot, with the Scotsman more of a goal threat than his teammate, especially from set plays – although that isn’t saying much.

TOP-HALF OPTIONS

Defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m) is a reliable starter in the Leicester side when fit but, although he registered more headed attempts from set plays than anyone else in this article in 2019/20, can’t be relied upon for more than a couple of goals a season.

Jack Cork (£5.0m) – who didn’t register a single attacking return in the campaign just gone – guarantees minutes and little else when available for Burnley and may even miss the start of the campaign, with Josh Brownhill (£5.0m) the likely beneficiary if Sean Dyche doesn’t dip into the transfer market.

Jorginho aside, we do have a handful of penalty-taking assets available at this price point.

Oliver Norwood (£5.0m) is one of them, although he was only given one opportunity from the spot in 2019/20.

The Sheffield United midfielder created more chances than any of his teammates last season, with his share of corner-taking duties boosting his key pass count.

The other (presumed) regular for the Bladesmen at this price is Sander Berge (£5.0m), who started all but one of his side’s ten post-lockdown matches.

The club-record signing managed only four shots and two chances created in that time, however, so doesn’t immediately leap off the page.

Finally, one of last season’s budget gems, Leander Dendoncker (£5.0m), has been handed a price rise of half a million ahead of 2020/21.

Five benchings in the last 14 matches suggests a degree of rotation risk but he nevertheless featured in every single league fixture for Wolves last season and his goal count (four) wasn’t bettered by any current FPL midfielder in the sub-£5.5m bracket.

The Best – and Worst – of the Rest

Arguably the most appealing £5.0m midfielders can be found in east London, which is sod’s law as West Ham United have arguably the toughest run of fixtures from Gameweeks 1-8.

Declan Rice (£5.0m), if he stays with the Hammers, didn’t miss a single minute of league football in 2019/20 and, somewhat surprisingly given his role as defensive midfielder, registered more assists last season than anyone else in this article.

Mark Noble (£5.0m) is on penalties and ended last season in a more advanced midfield role, remarkably creating more chances than any other Premier League player bar Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) in the final four Gameweeks.

Proving to be more popular than them both and indeed any other £5.0m-rated midfielder, however, is Tomas Soucek (£5.0m).

The Czech international scored on three occasions after lockdown, which no other midfielder now available at this price could better.

He also couldn’t be bested for goal attempts, shots in the box, efforts on target, big chances and headed chances among players in this piece from Gameweeks 30+ to 38+ and he looked a real threat from set plays after his arrival.

Like Noble, Matt Ritchie (£5.0m) is also presumed to still be on penalties.

The Newcastle United winger was reclassified as a Fantasy midfielder upon the FPL relaunch but still looks appealing at his price point, given that he also takes plenty of free-kicks and corners.

The Scotland international had hit double figures for attacking returns in each of the three seasons before 2019/20, a campaign that was ravaged by injury.

Two goals and an assist after lockdown hinted at his potential and it’ll be worth monitoring the incomings and pre-season friendlies on Tyneside this summer to see if Rtichie is still a regular come Gameweek 1, as he offers more than defensive midfielder Isaac Hayden (£5.0m) at the same price.

Brighton’s three £5.0m midfielders are potentially too risky at this stage given the wealth of options Potter has in the middle of the park, especially as Bissouma is available for half a million cheaper.

Even Aaron Mooy and Davy Propper (both £5.0m), hitherto regulars, warmed the bench on a combined seven occasions after lockdown.

Few will be interested in Crystal Palace and Everton’s central midfielders at £5.0m, either, with game-time not even assured for the likes of Fabian Delph and Cheikhou Kouyate.

Douglas Luiz (£5.0m) was one of Villa’s form players in the run-in, starting every single match from Gameweek 25 onwards.

The defensive shield loves a shot from distance and chipped in with five attacking returns in 2019/20 but, like so many other options in this piece, he’s someone who would have been a well-owned fifth midfielder at £4.5m but will no doubt be mostly overlooked because of that extra half a million.

Best players by position:

1,204 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Saka A, Nketiah G

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

      Why didn't that happen when I had both at the fag end of last season?

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

        Nice autocorrect

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        interesting auto correct there

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

        really?

      4. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Is this a brit colloquialism? 😀

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

          I always thought so.

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

    Thoughts on AMN now being OOP?

    I can't see him displacing Doherty so do we think he's been brought in to do a midfield role?

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

      Doc to Spurs?

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

        Can't see that happening .... sounds like a rumour from a Spurs fan with a nice-to-have idea.

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I simply cannot see that happening unless they sell Kane.

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

          Kane to Wolves?
          Jimi to Utd?
          Maguire to Olympiakos?

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

            😀 - love to see that last one!

          2. Siva Mohan
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Maguire to Olympiakos 😀

            weekdays in prison and weekends playing in front of ultras

      3. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        for 12M? no way 😀

    2. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I think it's to build some squad depth and also be prepared with a replacement who already knows their system in case they ever do get a big money offer for Doherty

  3. Mike2795647
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts......Son and 4.5m bench fodder 5th mid or Pulisic or Ziyech with soucek as better 5th mid for bench if needed

    1. Mike2795647
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Have Werner as well

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

      Chelsea option

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

        Still Chelsea option

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

      Pulisic injured right?

  4. The Sarjeant
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Jose Mourinho in the Europa League.

    Man United 16/17
    Premier League Clean Sheets: 17 (1st)
    Premier League Goals Conceded: 29 (2nd)

    Games directly after a Europa League game: (no qualifiers)
    Watford 3-1 MUN
    MUN 1-1 Stoke
    Chelsea 4-0 MUN
    Swansea 1-3 MUN
    MUN 1-1 West Ham
    MUN 1-0 Tottenham
    Blackburn 1-2 MUN (FA Cup 5th Round)
    MUN 3-2 Southampton (EFL Cup Final)
    Chelsea 1-0 MUN (FA Cup 6th Round)
    Middlesbrough 1-3 MUN
    MUN 2-0 Chelsea
    Burnley 0-2 MUN
    Arsenal 2-0 MUN
    Tottenham 2-1 MUN

    Total Clean Sheets = 3

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

      Puts Dier back in the cupboard

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

        Useless stat, I wouldn't look into it

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

      Doubt this matters much

  5. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Arsenal back 3 still...

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

      Hmmm, strokes chin

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

      Feel better and better about not having Auba

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

      Think this will be the case until either willian is played as a cam or arsenal buy one.

      Right now zero creativity from mid means there's a need for wing backs to support the attack.

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

        But also means Saliba becomes more of an option rather than being rotated with gabriel

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

      You sure? Could be 4-3-3 with AMN in midfield.

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

        Good news for Saliba.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        yeah, I'm watching it, Tierney LCB

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

          Cheers mate. Surely Saliba will be one of the CBs.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            RCB today, all depends on when Pepe and Willian are playing I guess

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      21 & free agent .. one for the future. He will be loaned out to Italy or France and he's a LCB

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Lampard is a joke

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        why? he's 21 and a good LCB .. no wonder Arsenal and Barcelona were linked to him

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      What has tomori done wrong?

      Thought he was one of their best Cb

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        yes but he needs some game time so would be loaned out to get good first team minutes.. still a speculation

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

        Tomori will stay in 1st team, Sarr is going out on straight loan

  6. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A Werner, Bruno, Mitrovic

    B Vardy, Greenwood, Ings

    1. The Sarjeant
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Mike2795647
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B for me, especially if no signing by Utd to challenge Greenwood

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I'm on B too. Though most people would go with A

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

      A

    4. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

      What a signing.

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      6M and he will be in plenty of teams..

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not quite yet but would be a good signing

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

      Quite the upgrade on Bamford, though he's also a poor finisher backed up by understat and my FM career at Valencia

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

    Anyone have a rotation spreadsheet/suggestions for a cheap 4 way defence rotation?

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

      No, but Crellin might be some help

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

      Check Hot topics

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

      thanks guys!

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

    Saka going to be in a lot more teams after the starts the Community Shield.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Would definitely be in mine

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Would be a nice pick for those wildcarding early.

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      could easily play Sat but not GW1, no idea where Pepe is

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

      Just need Brewster to be a starter too and 4 premium team might be doable.

  9. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    With most people not having utd/city assets gw1, but then lots rushing to bring them in for gw2, are we expecting to see very quick price rises after gw1 deadline as the likes of Bruno go from relatively low ownership (some benching, plus a fair few ghost teams) to being the next week's must haves?

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

      Seems likely, especially with Utd

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        might be worth having one on the bench for gw1, and then can use 1ft to bring in another for gw2

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

          Maybe, Greenwood looks the easiest one to do

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

    Maguire vs the Greek Police has a 6 part Netflix series written all over it.

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      titled 'do you know who I am?'

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

    Expect 3 CS for Arsenal in the first 4 so Saliba would be a decent option. It wouldn't be great if Arteta suddenly switched to 4 ATB though

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      That's pretty optimistic!

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

        Fulham (A), West Ham (H), Sheffield United (H)...

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I'd still be surprised if they got clean sheets in all 3, as good as the fixtures are on paper.

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

      Away to Liverpool? Very unllikely! 🙂

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      In fairness I would have said you were talking through your hat before the charity shield and FA Cup final. But Arsenal seem less gung ho - try shut up shop after PEA goals.
      On the other hand Arsenal have Luiz!

  12. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Montoya has moved to real Neto’s. Lamptey nailed beyond reasonable doubt now in case anyone was wondering about the competition for the spot x

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Real Betis*

  13. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Fabrizio saying Rodrigo to Leeds

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

    Maguire found guilty - penalty.

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bruno is ready

    2. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Time to sign Kane as replacement

  15. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Messi has officially told Barcelona he wants to leave

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Cold Rainy Night at Stoke challenge accepted?

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      13.5 or 14m

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

        Not many interested in French league fantasy

    3. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Quote from The Sun
      "And Thomas Tuchel has said that Messi would be "very welcome" to replace outgoing forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in his PSG squad."

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

    Messi leaving... wow

    Come to City 🙂

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

      I wonder what the highest ever % ownership for a player has been in FPL before? Surely Messi would smash it

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

      No one can pay 650 million

  17. Gomolon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is anyone else having trouble seeing Scott Dann on FPL?? Can't find him.

    I know he's a poor FPL option, was just looking at CPL lineup to see the starting back 4 today and he's not there. V weird considering he made 16 appearances last season, hardly a fringe player - mistake by FPL overlords?

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

      He has vanished though recently extended contract at Palace IRL

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

      He extended contract back in April/May I think

      Was done quietly - was advertised as free agent most everywhere end of season. Strange situation.

      Lots were taken in by Palace only seeming to have 4 defenders. Jach is back from loan too and Kouyaté also plays CB in internationals

  18. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    When the going gets tough, Messi gets going

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      it all looks like a drama .. he's 33 and who would activate his release clause?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        can he just buy himself out of contract? did Neymar do that or am I talking shite again?

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          600M is the release clause

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 7 months ago

              He can activate a clause that lets him leave for free

              1. Siva Mohan
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                as per sources on internet he cannot do it

                Barcelona is reportedly insisting that any club wanting to buy Lionel Messi before the end of his contract will have to pay his full £631 million release clause

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

            I think you're right. Technically they all have to buy themselves out of the release clause
            Love it Leo bought himself out and joined Stoke on a free.

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

          Has a clause that lets him leave on a free

          good stuff

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

            I think that clause expired earlier this year. He could just do a Bale for a year though and then walk to whichever club he wants (City?)

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

              Hopefully City 🙂

              Sources say he's completely stopped training and his decision is final. Sounds like he's giving Barca no choice but to let him go

              1. Siva Mohan
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                he is still on vacation..

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

      A or B?

      A. Robertson + Mitrovic
      B. KWP + Jimenez

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        A

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal clean sheet gone

    4. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Messi at City would pretty much break FPL, wouldn't it? He'd be perma-captain.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Please let it happen.

    5. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Holding with a bullet header....into his own net

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

      Is Leno at 5 m potentially worth considering as best goalie to set and forget over Ryan and McCarthy now he is back in lineup?

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

        * sent just before Arsenal conceded of course!

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        yeah I think so, the score of both combined last year was decent enough

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

      Come on Messi, you may have beaten City, Arsenal, United and Chelsea but Stoke are still waiting

    8. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Managed to squeeze Messi in.

      McCarthy
      TAA - Vinagre - KWP
      Bissouma - Gordon - Romeu - Messi
      Davis - Brewster - Wickham

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

        0.5 over budget I'm afraid.

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

          TAA still essential of course

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

        The most sensible post re Messi that I've seen yet.

        I wouldn't have him if he came with the price I'd expect.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I made that mistake with Ronaldo @14m. I thought Ashley Young (at Watford!) plus Fabregas could match him.

          We all know how that turned out.

      3. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Downgrade TAA to Ferguson and that should be fine

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 7 months ago

          How much would he come in at do you think?

          1. Bury94
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            13.5?

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

            15m

          3. Siva Mohan
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            6 @ Leeds .. Bielsa calling

        • AuFeld
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Looks balanced. I like it!

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            😆

        • keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Just imagine if he goes to City & Liverpool retaliate by buying Suarez .
          To quote a famous film "I think we're going to need a bigger budget (boat) !

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

          😀 What a wag!

        • Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Looks very weak to me

      5. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Maybe this is what Mike Ashley has been waiting for, he'll finally put his hand in his pocket and snap up Messi

        1. mark@22
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

      6. mark@22
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Which pair set and forget after from wk2
        Salah, de bruyne,
        Aubameyang, fernandes
        Thoughts?

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

        McCarthy

        TAA - Doherty - Davies - Vinagre

        Messi (C) - Ziyech - Armstrong

        Vardy - Werner - Ings

        Bring on GW1.