Pre-Season

The best mid-price FPL midfielders for 2020/21

Having scoured the Fantasy Premier League price list for the pick of the budget midfielders, we now switch our focus to the mid-price bracket.

For the purposes of this piece, we are looking at options with a starting price between £5.5m and £7.0m inclusive.

You can also read our thoughts on budget goalkeepersmid-price/premium goalkeepersbudget defenders and mid-price/premium defenders, with an analysis of FPL forwards to follow.

Big-Six Starters and Back-Ups

This could be a big season for Phil Foden (£6.5m), who has long been touted as a replacement for the now-departed David Silva.

After being sparingly used before the coronavirus outbreak, Foden was more heavily involved after lockdown, starting six of Manchester City’s final 10 league games and appearing as a substitute in another three.

Foden delivered six attacking returns and averaged 5.6 points per match over this period (the same as Son Heung-min‘s (£9.0m) season-long mean), although it should be said that most of his joy was had in a more advanced position to the one Silva occupied during his decade at the Etihad.

Rotation is inevitable even with ‘El Mago’ gone and, at £6.5m rather than £5.5m, his price makes him that bit harder to own as a luxury pick.

But the 20-year-old prospect is definitely one for the watchlist for when Guardiola’s troops begin their campaign in Gameweek 2 and he offers a substantial saving on even the likes of Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m), who doesn’t look much more ‘nailed’ than Foden.

Elsewhere at City, the jury is still out on new arrival Ferran Torres (£7.0m), while the more restrained Rodri (£5.5m) and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) will only chip in with the occasional attacking return from the base of the City midfield.

Gomez absent for Liverpool as more injuries revealed after FPL deadline

There’s a gap of £5.5m between Liverpool’s two free-scoring premium assets and any other Reds midfielder, which likely tells you all you need to know about the other options from Jurgen Klopp’s side in the middle of the park.

Other than Harry Wilson (£5.5m), who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, only club captain Jordan Henderson (£5.5m) registered more than five attacking returns among Liverpool’s nine-strong group of mid-price midfielders.

The more attack-minded Naby Keita (£5.5m) is potentially one to monitor after two goals and three assists in just 806 minutes in 2019/20 but it’s in the engine room where Klopp more frequently rotates, while the likes of Takumi Minamino (£6.5m) will be reliant on injuries picked up by the first-choice front three for meaningful game-time.

Game-time could also be a huge problem for Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley (all £6.0m) after Chelsea’s lavish spending in the transfer market this summer, with Kai Havertz also being heavily linked at the time of writing.

Even Mason Mount (£7.0m) may be nervously monitoring the Blues’ in-bound activity, having been a favourite of Frank Lampard’s last season.

Mount – who delivered six of his 13 attacking returns in the first ten Gameweeks of 2019/20 – appeared in all but one of Chelsea’s 38 league fixtures last season, starting 32 of them, but would be a sizeable rotation risk if attacking midfielder Havertz also arrives.

Arsenal’s four mid-price assets are either underwhelming or problematically priced, with Willian‘s (£8.0m) capture potentially eating into the game-time of former budget favourite Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) – who has been handed a £1m starting price rise – and Reiss Nelson (£5.5m).

Who knows what the future holds for Mesut Ozil (£7.0m) after his late-season disappearing act but, even when he was a regular under Mikel Arteta, two attacking returns in ten starts is reflective of his waning powers.

Granit Xhaka (£5.5m) is no longer a set-piece specialist at Arsenal (he took only one corner last season) and is also perhaps half a million too pricey as a result.

Manchester United’s quartet of midfield options in the £5.5m-£6.5m bracket managed just two starts between them after lockdown and, barring any injuries picked up by the first-team regulars, will be expecting to play second fiddle when the Red Devils’ season gets underway in Gameweek 2.

Lucas Moura (£7.0m) and Giovani Lo Celso (£7.0m) are perhaps the pick of Spurs’ five mid-priced midfielders, with the Lilywhites gifted some favourable fixtures at the start of 2020/21.

Lo Celso has enjoyed a share of corners since Christian Eriksen departed and featured in a more advanced role after lockdown, claiming three assists.

Lucas was also a regular down the right flank when football resumed in June and set up two goals, although he and Lo Celso didn’t score a goal or register a big chance between them.

Lo Celso could also potentially move into a deeper role to accommodate Dele Alli‘s (£8.0m) return, while Lucas faces the permanent threat of rotation with Steven Bergwijn (£7.5m) now an alternative on the wing.

Newly Promoted Assets

The four most advanced Leeds United midfielders in behind their central striker will all set FPL managers back at least £5.5m.

The most expensive of them is Pablo Hernandez (£6.0m), who supplied 18 attacking returns in the Whites’ title-winning year.

Unlike his creative counterpart at West Bromwich Albion (see below), however, 35-year-old Hernandez may be prone to a spot of rotation as the season goes on.

He doesn’t have the monopoly at set-play situations, either, so there are understandable reservations about the undeniably gifted Spaniard.

Wingers Helder Costa and Jack Harrison plus the penalty-taking Mateusz Klich will all set Fantasy bosses back £5.5m, the last two of whom both started all bar one of Leeds’ 46 Championship games.

We’ll point you in the direction of our dedicated piece on Leeds’ attacking assets for more information on that trio, although we’ll also highlight the fact that loanee Harrison will be ineligible to face his parent club in Gameweek 4.

Matheus Pereira (£6.0m) is, arguably, the stand-out midfielder from any of the three promoted clubs and he comes at a cost as a result.

A total of 16 assists (and that’s discounting ‘Fantasy assists’), 116 key passes and 20 big chances created were not only highs in the West Brom squad but bettered by no other player in the entire Championship.

No Albion player could match Pereira’s shot count (111) last season, either.

On a share of corner-taking duties and first in line for direct free-kicks, Pereira may offer multiple routes to Fantasy points in an otherwise limited Albion attack.

The chances of wingers Kamil Grosicki (£5.5m) and Matt Phillips (£5.5m) starting in Gameweek 1 may well hinge on who else West Brom bring in over the summer, as Slaven Bilic is down three loanees – all of them attacking midfielders – who played a big part in 2019/20.

You can read a more detailed appraisal of Albion’s midfielders here.

Given their inconsistency against inferior opposition in 2019/20 and the fact they were in and out of the Fulham side at the end of the season, wingers Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.5m) and Anthony Knockaert (£5.5m) have limited appeal at this early stage.

The deeper-lying Tom Cairney (£5.5m) was a more nailed pick under Scott Parker but, given Fulham’s relative shortage of goals in the second tier and Cairney’s meagre FPL returns two years ago, there’ll be understandable scepticism about the Scotland international.

Top-Half Options

There is a lot to like about a Europa League-less Wolves, not least their fixture run from Gameweeks 3-7.

But while Raul Jimenez (£8.5m) offers reliability in terms of starts, the one or two slots alongside him appear to be up for grabs.

If any of Adama Traore (£6.5m), Daniel Podence (£5.5m), Pedro Neto (£5.5m) and the reclassified Diogo Jota (£6.5m) were considered secure starters, then they’d be featuring in a lot more FPL team drafts than they are at present.

Take the post-lockdown period, for example: while Jimenez was an ever-present in the season run-in, not one of the above quartet started more than six of Wolves’ final nine matches.

Perhaps the fixture congestion played a part in that but in truth the uncertainty went further back in the calendar year, with Nuno Espirito Santo alternating between a 3-5-2 and a 3-4-3 from February onwards.

The hope would be for the stability we saw in the middle third of last season but with the emergence of Podence especially, the situation looks too unpredictable at present.

2019/20 felt like a slightly underwhelming one for James Maddison (£7.0m) from a Fantasy perspective, with the England international being outscored by teammate Harvey Barnes (£7.0m).

The underlying data suggests this was something of a freak occurrence, with Maddison registering half the assists that Barnes managed despite creating over twice as many chances.

Barnes does admittedly pose the greater goal threat of the two, getting into the opposition box and shooting on a more frequent basis, but while Maddison is a shoo-in to feature if fit, his teammate is less secure: in the post-lockdown era, Barnes made more substitute appearances than starts.

Ayoze Perez‘s (£6.5m) ability to play on the right or centrally meant he was slightly less at risk of rotation as Brendan Rodgers switched formation in the run-in but he was still the most-substituted Premier League player of 2019/20, averaging only 61.2 minutes per appearance.

Some decent opening fixtures for the Foxes are tempered by Europa League involvement and poor form this calendar year (four wins and eight defeats in their last 17 league matches), so a cure for their 2020 hangover is needed before they seriously re-enter the thinking.

Lundstram benched again as Fantasy owners consider selling the 'Lord'

A reclassification and a price hike were inevitable for John Lundstram (£5.5m) after his memorable 2019/20 but he is still cheaper than current teammate John Fleck (£6.0m), who looks a tad expensive.

What Fleck likely has over Lundstram is security of starts, with Sander Berge‘s (£5.0m) arrival and a contract saga potentially leaving the former ‘out of position’ FPL defender on the cusp of a Bramall Lane exit.

It’ll still be worth keeping tabs on Lundstram if he makes a move to another Premier League team, as he registered more big chances last season than any other sub-£6.0m midfielder in this article.

It goes without saying that he’ll be worse off as a Fantasy midfielder: he would have lost out on around 40 points had he been classified properly in 2019/20.

Fleck registered two fewer attacking returns than Lundstram, meanwhile, so doesn’t scream ‘value for money’.

Fantasy managers know they are getting security of starts with their Burnley assets, and Dwight McNeil (£6.0m) and Ashley Westwood (£5.5m) were both nailed picks last season.

The parallels were striking: both scored twice, set up seven goals, started every match they were available for and shared set-piece duties.

Winger McNeil offers that bit extra creativity from open play, of course, and his expected goal involvement (xGI) suggested he should have delivered two more attacking returns than his teammate.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on the fitness of Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m), whose glass calves restricted him to just six starts in 2019/20.

On his day he’s capable of an assist or two and the right-wing spot is there for the taking at present, with the Clarets’ squad paper-thin.

Don’t forget, though: Burnley blank in Gameweek 1.

The Best – and Worst – of the Rest

No sub-£7.5m FPL midfielder ‘underachieved’ more than James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m) in 2019/20, with his two missed spot-kicks not helping his xGI delta.

It remains to be seen if Ward-Prowse remains on penalty-taking duties following his two misses from 12 yards, with the Golden Boot-chasing Danny Ings (£8.5m) allowed to take two penalties in the run-in.

No player took more corners than Ward-Prowse last season and he is a constant menace from both indirect and direct free-kicks, which is a good job as his threat from open play has taken a downward trajectory since his move to a ‘number six’ role in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2.

Someone who thrived in that new system was Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m), who established himself as one of the two ‘number tens’ ahead of Sofiane Boufal (£5.5m) and Moussa Djenepo (£5.5m).

Not as nailed as Ward-Prowse or the slightly overpriced Nathan Redmond (£6.5m) due to Hasenhuttl’s management of his minutes, he nevertheless registered more goals and shots than any Saints player bar Ings from Gameweek 13 onwards (the point of the pivotal tactical reshuffle).

No mid-price midfielder in this article has indeed scored or shot on more occasions than Armstrong in 2020 so far, even if most of those efforts came from distance.

Only relegated Norwich City scored fewer goals than Crystal Palace last season and, with Roy Hodgson still at the helm, it’s hard to see Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m) and co being transformed into a gung-ho attacking side in 2020/21.

Zaha did register more penalty box touches and shots in the opposition area in 2019/20 than any other midfielder now priced at £7.0m or under, while he has averaged over 16 FPL returns per season across the last four years; last year’s haul of four goals and six assists lowering that mean.

A lack of penalties killed Luka Milivojevic‘s (£6.0m) appeal after two seasons of spot-kick joy, meanwhile.

It’s perhaps worth keeping an eye on Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m) in pre-season, with the Ghanaian deployed as an out-of-position striker in the 2-1 friendly win over Oxford United.

Down the M23, Adam Lallana has it all to prove at an inflated £6.5m after years of inertia at Anfield.

Graham Potter’s bloated squad and his predilection for rotation will be enough to put most FPL managers off Brighton assets, despite the promising team he is building.

Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) is the obvious standout name from the Seagulls but even the Belgian, who posed the biggest goal threat of Albion’s midfield assets and who enjoyed the odd ‘out of position’ run-out up front, still warmed the benched on 12 occasions in 2019/20.

Much is expected of Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) in his first full season on the south coast but his rawness was evident in the run-in and he remains low down on the watchlist for now.

There was some bemusing pricing of Aston Villa assets going on at FPL Towers upon the game’s relaunch, with the listing of Jota at £6.0m the most baffling decision.

Reported Manchester United target Jack Grealish (£7.0m) is fairly priced, though.

While the Villa talisman only delivered two attacking returns in his final 15 appearances, it shouldn’t be forgotten how impressive he was before that point.

Grealish racked up seven goals, six assists and 14 bonus points in the first 23 Gameweeks of the campaign, averaging a very respectable 5.0 points per match over this period.

Despite the barren run in the final third of the campaign, Grealish still finished first for overall score (149) and points per match (4.1) among sub-£7.5m midfielders (discounting the reclassified Matt Ritchie (£5.0m) and Lundstram).

Only De Bruyne created more chances than Grealish in 2019/20.

Trezeguet (£5.5m) was Villa’s form midfielder in the run-in, scoring three goals, but only Grealish, Douglas Luiz (£5.0m) and perhaps John McGinn (£5.5m) look truly secure in Dean Smith’s XI, with rotation commonplace throughout last season.

McGinn looked off the pace after recovering from a long-term lay-off so it will be interesting to see if a pre-season regime has helped him recover his stamina levels after an impressive start to 2019/20.

Pre-season has started well for Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.0m), who scored twice and set up another in the Toffees’ 3-3 draw with Blackpool.

The consensus seems to be that the Icelander needs a number ten role to maximise his potential, something that wasn’t afforded to him until Carlo Ancelotti switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 in Gameweek 37+.

Everton were back in a 4-4-2 at the weekend, however, with Sigurdsson offering little from open play and reliant on a corner, a free-kick and penalty for his three attacking returns against Blackpool – not that FPL managers care a jot where their goals and assists come from.

The Toffees’ five midfield assets at £5.5m-£6.0m were equally underwhelming in 2019/20, so there’ll be few takers from that quintet despite the decent opening run of games.

FPL managers may be leaving West Ham assets well alone until the fixture swing in Gameweek 9 but Jarrod Bowen (£6.5m) is the stand-out name from the Hammers’ seven-strong group of mid-price midfielders, having made a big impression since his move from Hull City.

The winger was an ever-present starter from Gameweek 28 onwards, setting up four goals in the post-lockdown era alone.

Pablo Fornals (£6.5m) also made the starting XI in every game from this point but was less eye-catching and David Moyes has a wealth of attacking midfield options waiting in the wings, including Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m), Robert Snodgrass (£6.0m), Andriy Yarmolenko (£6.0m) and returning loanee Grady Diangana (£5.5m).

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) is the highest-owned FPL midfielder under £6.0m at the time of writing, although his eye-catching displays haven’t always been converted into FPL points during his time on Tyneside.

His minutes-per-xGI figure was the best of Newcastle United’s midfielders last season but that average paled in comparison to many other assets in his Fantasy position and the lack of a clinical striker up top for the Magpies sometimes meant his fine work out wide went unrewarded.

The change to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 in March seemed to remove the shackles from Steve Bruce’s side, with five of Saint-Maximin’s eight attacking returns in 2019/20 arriving in the final ten Gameweeks.

Jonjo Shelvey (£5.5m) is an interesting alternative at this price point: the deep-lying playmaker had the best points-per-match average (4.0) of any sub-£6.0m midfielder in this article bar the reclassified Lundstram and Ritchie, with his involvement at free-kicks and corners integral to his returns.



Best players by position:

1,159 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SP33K
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A Warner + ziyech
    B Messi + 4.5?

    1. SP33K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      *Werner

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

      A

    3. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A for sure.

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

      Easily B for Captaincy potential

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

        permacaptaincy

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

      A

  2. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    If Messi went to City would be be an FPL midfielder or forward?

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

      Bigger question is whether United will offer him the hallowed number 7 shirt and if he can displace Greenwood

      Not English and not overpriced so unlikely to happen of course

    2. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Mid prob overpriced at 12m

      1. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        That would be underpriced if anything

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Midfielder and 13 Mil

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

    Ah super secret differential gets a mention 🙂

    1. Gold Coast
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Go on....

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

        Schlupp has a really good record if you look at his starts over last 2 years. Very much used as attacking mid and a bit of a RH fave when fit. Best player yesterday perhaps

        Probably won’t work as new signing may well displace him. Also it is Palace of course. 🙂 Was half- interested before fixtures. Not now

        Off beat but not mad if he looks nailed later - Palace will be top of ticker around GW5/6

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

    Thought on this team appreciated

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Doherty Vinagre Justin (Fergusson)
    Son Salah Soucek Auba (Stephens)
    Werner Jiminez (Davis)

    -Vinagre now in doubt
    - Can’t seem to upgrade Davis without downgrading Werner
    - possibly Werner to Ings to free up mil?

    Thank in advance

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

      Also concerned about Soucek with his fixtures, unless downgrading Werner, but then still stuck with Davis

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I wouldn’t be concerned about Soucek. What are you expecting from him? A goal every 3 or 4 games @ 5m.

        Just look at what he enables the rest of your squad?

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

          This.

          So many people fail to see this. It’s almost like they think you must be getting a goal every other game from a £5.0m mid or he’s a waste of money.

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

      what are your plans to bring in MU and MC players? maybe the upgrades of cheaper players can be done after that...

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

      Very much like mine. Changed Vinagre to KWP, and have Ziyech instead of son. Last allows Stephens to be upgraded to either Armstrong (3 Southampton so no) or ASM

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

    Jarrod Bowen looked a great prospect yesterday, a couple of assists and a goal in a 5-1 win

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

      Yep

      Looks overpriced and wretched fixtures to start but one of a limited few around that bracket that could break the current low budget template in midfield come WC.

      Rate him and WH over ASM and Newcastle in general terms.

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

        Yeah perhaps 6.3 in a few GWs

  6. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Does the Maitland-Niles signing (it's pretty much a done deal I think) push Vinagre out of the Wolves lineup immediately?

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      But he isn't even Portuguese

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

      Who knows? Maybe they will play a couple of friendlies before hand

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

      Either way he's not an option

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

    Thoughts on this lot?

    McCarthy
    TAA Egan Justin Vinagre
    Salah Auba Son Armstrong
    Werner Ings

    4.0; Lamptey, Gordon, Brewster

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

      I wouldn't pick any of our defenders (Justin). Pereira might be back as early as October too.

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

        Best replacement for Justin @ 4.0?

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

      Very similar to mine as above but have gone jimi over ings and Doherty over Egan but with Soucek instead of Armstrong. Looks like we might be replacing vinagre with m-niles now on board with wolves

  8. Littlefish92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Pick one to start season with

    Kane
    Vardy
    Jimenez

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on Jiminez

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

      Benefit of either Kane or Vardy is that you open up Werner or Martial but would have Jim for long haul selection

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Starting with Werner and Jiminez for that reason

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

          Decent - sceptical of all new Chelsea here so holding back likely

          Might you switch to Martial week 2? That’s a foul fixture versus a good one.

          Just not sure that’s the optimal week 2 move. Would prefer “budget” Bruno in. Still pondering.

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

      A all day every day

    4. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Kane if no Son.

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

      if you can afford...K

  9. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Peraira and Armstrong 4th and 5th for me from that bunch.

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

      got to wait and see for Peraira... the frontline of west brom may not be good enough to score enough goals

  10. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What number will Messi wear if he joins City? Kun and him are best friends...

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Can see him getting 11 and Zinchenko gets a different number.

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe 19. He wore it for both Barca and Argentina, Free after Sane left.

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

        This. Makes the most sense. Kun is a legend at City and as friends I don't think he'll want the 10 so badly he'll get it from Kun.

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Or, considering Aguero has worn 9, 11, 16, 19 etc. at Argentina when Messi has played alongside, could he offer 10 to Messi because of who he is?

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      10.
      Aguero will give it to him as a welcome present...since they are best buddies and all 😉

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

    I’ve got Ziyech

    A) Kane and Alli
    B) Werner and Son

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B

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

      Conclusive! Cheers all

  12. Birds of Prey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Of course b

  13. jomikijiq
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What do you think is the best defence rotation for 2 spots? TAA the mainstay defender and McCarthy in goal so no Southampton.

    4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.0

    Currently on:
    Vinagre, Lamptey, Targett, Ferguson

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

      Lamprey and Targett.

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

    posted on wrong article before

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA Vinagre Davies Saliba (Ferguson)
    Auba Salah ASM (Bissouma Anguissa)
    Kane Ings Jimenez

    Too much up top? which of the 3 would you downgrade if u had to?

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

      Kane to Werner or Jimmy to Mitro

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

      Ings

      The Southampton fixtures are good not great and would have Jim as long haul pick - Kane opens up Martial Werner if need be

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

        This.

        Ings can become Armstrong if needs be.

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

    just my thought..

    Messi's clause expired on June 30 and it's not extended till August 31 due to season extension, COVID etc etc which Messi thinks otherwise.

    Agreement's on the paper and it doesn't go by word of mouth .. he can fight the club but doesn't see him winning the battle.

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hope they are respectful and let him move on if he wishes to, can’t hold a player like that to ransom, he’s done so much for the club

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

        ideally yes but Barca are in turmoil now and things are likely to turn ugly

    2. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agree it's unlikely Messi would win. Perhaps if they sack the hated Bartomeo he would change his mind

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

        this will happen..

  16. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Bench Fernandes or get Son from the start??

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I have both because I want to keep Son then move him to Pulisic.

      Will Son score 4 more points against Everton than the bench option that would start instead of Fernandes?

      Your also tying yourself into a transfer if you plan Son > Fernandes. What if another player in your squad gets injured or sent off?

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

        You’re in the same position if a player gets injured on your scheme. You’d either be making a transfer or playing a bench option.

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

      Bench Fernandes AND get Son from the start.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I am on this atm, Thanks

      3. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Sorry I have Aubameyang/Salah Fernandes atm

      4. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        That would leave you with no options to get a City player down the line surely? Unless it is someone like Foden?

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I planned to downgrade Aubameyang to Sterling/DeBruyne

          1. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah, same as me, I just don't see how people can have Son, Fernandes on bench, Salah, and Auba. I guess if they didn't have Werner it is possible

            1. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Fernandes on the bench And Son means Only having one of Aubamayang or Salah.

              1. Stormbringer22
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                No gonna lie, having Son over Salah/Auba does free-up a lot of funds to upgrade elsewhere and have a really balanced team. Going without Salah for example comes with it's risks but.... could be gold

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

                Correct. I don't have Auba.

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

    Thoughts
    Ryan
    Taa, kwp, ferguson, vinagre
    Aubameyang, de bruyne, salah, ziyech
    Bamford, jimi

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

      It’s a 9 man team - possibly 8 once Leeds complete their signing

  18. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Am I missing anything here? Why do Betfair give 20/1 chance for Messi to go to Leeds?!? 😀 Ahead of the likes of Bayern Munich (35/1) and Chelsea (50/1)

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bielsa.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Easy money!!!

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Same home town as Biesla

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

    Is anybody doubling up on Kane and Son?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Either, or for me.

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

      Would rather have Ziyech and Werner

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

      Son for me as I want to start with Werner and cannot have another premium striker

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

      Yes, I currently plan to have both for the first 3 GWs then switch Son to one of the Chelski boys depending on how they look.

  20. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I’m currently on that.
    Leno
    TAA,Doherty,Justin,JWP,Ferguson
    Aubamayang,Son,Armstrong,Soucek
    Werner

    Button,Fernandes,Martial,Davis.

    Might downgrade Leno if no 4.0 defenders Emerge.

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Is Leno Fit? 4.5 is a bargain..

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I thought he was 4.5 but he’s 5, still good value

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yeh he’s 5.
          Would like to keep him but with 2 United players on the bench I need 11 definite starters so I may have to do something like Leno > McCarthy. Ferguson > 4.5

          1. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Well I’m not certain on Justin especially the way Leicester finished off last season so I downgraded StMax to Ritchie and bought in Dier..

            1. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Yeh the 4.5’s are open for debate . Died could be good.
              Ideally I’d like Taylor but he has a blank so he’s off the table if I go with this.

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He played yesterday.

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

      Rolling transfer week 2?

      Don’t see benefit of playing a weak bench option in week 1 over week 2.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Roll it or swap a injured/banned/ dropped player out.

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        United fixtures from GW2.
        Won’t have to bring any in.
        Could do Aubamayang > KDB in 2 if Aubamayang stinks in 1.

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

          The KdB transfer in or triple United is the only way I see playing two bench options in GW1 paying.

          1. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yep. That could be the way.

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

              Just not seeing KdB v Wolves or triple United with average fixtures worth the punt right now

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

                ^

  21. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Biggest value this year has to be Turbo Timo, let’s hope he settles down well, Chelsea slightly unpredictable though?

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

      His price reflects the uncertainty on how he adapts to Chelsea / the Premier League

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Let’s hope.
      He’s at a good price to go down to Martial/Ings/Jimmy or up to Vardy/Kane/Aguero If he struggles to settle.

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Timo was one of the first names in my team - expect him to do really well

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

        The question is will he do well from the start though.

        What if his minutes are managed or he takes a few weeks to get up to speed?

        I am sure he will be a great option for a large part of this season but he seems quite a risky pick to start the season with.

        1. Soto Ayam
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Kinda agree. I'm picking ziyech as I feel he'll be upto speed immediately

  22. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    If Messi ends up at City, what do we think his FPL price would be and would he be classed as a Midfielder or a Forward?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Was discussed at lengths on here last night, I think the consensus was 13 - 13.5 if a mid or 12.5 - 13 if a forward

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

        That sounds way too cheap to me.

        He’d be an absolute must have at that price particularly if a midfielder

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

        Which would guarantee 90% ownership among non-dead teams sadly

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

          *99.9%+

        2. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah, unfortunately. A user on here yesterday (I forgot the username) suggested to have Messi priced as £25.0m so that in effect he is a non-option and we can just enjoy the game. I agree with that. Otherwise, it will reduce FPL to a 10 man team with no captain double points since everyone will have Messi perma-cap.

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

      13.5 mid

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Surprised nobody has asked this before

  23. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    If City do get Messi it just furthers the argument for salary caps in football. It’s be almost pointless playing many of their games - just have them and Liverpool play off for the title and be done with it.

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

      if Messi moves to Man City then no need to think about PL winner for next 3 seasons..

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

        Atill a shite defence

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

      Messi is getting old... but it would be great to have him in the
      PL for a season or two

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

        Maybe....it would make FPL and the premier league much less interesting in terms of outcome though

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

          Cant see pool not winning the title even with messi at city

      2. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Agree. I want to see him at Elland Road or St James’ Park, though.

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

        this

    3. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salary cap in some form would be good or more revenue sharing or tieing salary to revenue atleast.

      But then the sportwashing owners like City might sod off and stop pouring their dirty money into the league.

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

      Or just genetically engineer a Nexus6 team

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

    Rodrigo
    2018/19: 8 goals from an xG of 14.7
    2019/20: 4 goals from an xG of 7.23

    Truly the perfect Bamford upgrade

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

      read he flopped at Bolton earlier .. wouldn't be the measuring grade anyways

      1. Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Was a youngster and both him and Marcos Alonso I don't remember being all that, but wouldn't hold that against him...

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

      He's more of a 10 than a 9. A good signing for Leeds.

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

        Those stats look bad for a no. 8 let alone 10

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

          From an fpl point of view. I dint know what his assist record is like

  25. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Son will score much more points than Che Adams right 😀

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. This is the safest FPL prediction I've ever made.

  26. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    It all comes down to this. Is it

    A) soucek + Antonio\mitro

    or is it

    B) maximin + mitro

    A will probably be Antonio to mitro in gw 3 ahead of villa at home.

    So it's basically soucek or maximin?

    Any thoughts?

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

      B - based purely on fixtures

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. How do think mitrovic will do in the premier return?

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

          I'm confident he will do well given his early fixtures. His Goal Involvement is nearly 50% so if we score chances are he'll be involved. He was the first name on my team sheet.... 🙂

          1. Soto Ayam
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            He could be gold at his price, however, after I watch high lights only, I am slightly concerned he won't find the spaces he did before. But be does seem to have a knack of being in the right place at the right time

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

    I wonder how good we can expect this United side to be. They were excellent after lockdown, sure, but with the easiest fixture list alongside City. No Sancho ensures the players will be run into the ground, as we saw in the EL, and they've got Chelsea/Arsenal/Newcastle/Spurs after the Palace/Brighton games. Lots of people going to be disappointed imo.

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

      Already disappointed

  28. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Only decision left for me is a 4.5 defender.

    Really hoping Saliba starts in Comm Shield.

    Would give me a defence of...

    TAA / Robbo / Dier / Saliba (4.0)

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

      TAA VVD is better value and gives security of starts. Dier is pretty Dire himself and Saliba is a transfer waiting to happen.

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I’m pretty set on having TAA and Robbo from the start, but can see appeal of VVD.
        I think Dier could turn out to be a bit of bargain.
        As I say, that 4.5 spot is up for grabs and Saliba will probably be in if he starts CS...

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thomas

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Could be.
        I’m also thinking about a Newcastle defender.
        Will definitely be my eleventh hour decision

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

    “Messi has chosen Manchester City as the club he wants to play for next, per @marcelobechler”

    Same guy who was on Neymar to PSG before anyone else. May as well start RMTing him as a 14M MID now

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Imagine the frustration of Pep rotation with Messi

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

    Team is done, just pick a 4.5M GK
    McCarthy is the popular pick but I've had bad period of owning him, in very many games Soton have been always "looked" solid, McCarthy would get CS without any save, then conceded at late minutes, very annyoing that !

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

      McCathy/Steer rotation is really good first 4 games. Convinced me to get him over Lloris

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

        Nyland 2nd choice over Steer??

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

          That's what Aston Villa fans are saying. Apparently Steer was injured at the same time as Heaton, which is why Nyland had to play but Steer was always second choice and the friendlies will be used to build up match fitness. Makes sense considering they signed Reina and Nyland's horrific performances.

      2. Quaresma Team
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Do you think Steer is going to start instead of Nyland?

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

          Yes, see above

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      i think the only reason not to get McCarthy is if you have KWP.

      Johnstone looks okay otherwise. Potential for a lot of saves, really good penalty record and not bad fixtures.