Pre-Season

The best premium FPL midfielders for 2020/21

Premium midfielders have probably been the most-discussed group of players since Fantasy Premier League relaunched in the summer.

The reclassification of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) has added to the wealth of options that Fantasy managers already have – and that’s before we even entertain the idea of Lionel Messi becoming a Premier League player.

In this piece, we’ll assess the merits of all 18 FPL midfielders who are currently listed between £7.5m and £12.0m inclusive.

We had previously looked at budget and mid-price midfielders in separate articles, along with budget goalkeepersmid-price/premium goalkeepersbudget defenders and mid-price/premium defenders.

Our rundown of the stand-out Fantasy forwards will follow soon.

Liverpool

 1

With the two Manchester clubs not in action in Gameweek 1, there’ll be plenty of interest in Liverpool’s premium duo for their opening-weekend clash against newly promoted Leeds United.

On paper, the decision has been made a little easier by Fantasy Premier League pricing up both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah at £12.0m.

Salah has, after all, outscored Mane for FPL points in each of the last three seasons, averaged more points per match in 2019/20 (6.9 v 6.3) and has the added bonus of being on penalties whenever James Milner (£5.5m) is not on the field.

Look a little closer though and the pair are more evenly matched than first appears with Salah only edging his teammate by one attacking return (29 v 28) in 2019/20.

If we remove substitute appearances and Mane’s infamous, injury-affected cameo in Double Gameweek 24, the gap is also much narrower when it comes to points per start (7.0 v 6.9 in Salah’s favour).

Their tallies for double-digit hauls, blanks and bonus points were also nearly identical last season.

The key difference is their shot count, with the Egyptian racking up over 50 more attempts on goal than his fellow premium midfielder.

Mane is therefore heavily reliant on maintaining a vastly superior goal conversion rate (as he has done in the last two seasons) in order to keep pace.

You can read much more on Liverpool’s two big hitters in a special comparison piece we published earlier this month.

Arsenal

using-the-top-10000-ownership-to-increase-your-fpl-rank-andys-article 9

Aubameyang’s recategorisation as an Fantasy midfielder was perhaps the headline story upon the relaunch of FPL in August.

The Gabon international would have finished third in the FPL standings on 230 points had the positional reclassification come a year earlier and it would have raised Aubameyang’s points-per-match average from 5.7 to 6.4.

If we take that average and compare it to the other premium midfielders in FPL, the Arsenal talisman is around about mid-table along with Rashford:


Player2019/20 Points Per Match
Fernandes8.4
De Bruyne7.2
Salah6.9
Aubameyang (as a midfielder)6.4
Rashford (as a midfielder)6.4
Mane6.3
Sterling6.2
Son5.7

It could be argued that there is better value in the premium bracket, then, with Rashford (who admittedly seems to have lost penalty-taking duties) averaging the same number of points per match as Aubameyang last season but significantly cheaper.

While it would be hard to justify keeping the Gabon international for an entire season, he is a name to perhaps target for the “easier” fixtures – of which Arsenal have two to start the season with.

Almost 75% his attacking returns, 16 of his goals and all six of his double-digit hauls came against teams in the bottom ten last season.

Again, we’ll point you in the direction of our stand-alone piece on Aubameyang, which delved into his numbers in much greater detail.

Willian (£8.0m) and Nicolas Pepe (£8.0m) offer a substantial saving on Aubameyang but there are obvious reasons for that.

While Aubameyang is almost ‘nailed’ to start under Mikel Arteta, Pepe hasn’t been so far: in the 20 matches that his new manager oversaw, the winger was benched in seven of them.

Given that he could again be competing with Willian, Reiss Nelson (£5.5m), Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) and possibly Aubameyang down the right flank this season, even a starting price drop of £1.5m might not be enough of a carrot for FPL managers.

Pepe was heavily involved at set-piece situations last season but Willian looks set to challenge him at free-kicks and corners, which would further dent his appeal.

No midfielder now priced at £8.0m or less averaged more points per match (4.7) or scored more goals (nine) than Willian in 2019/20.

Creatively, only three current FPL midfielders supplied more big chances.

Again, though, we will have to see just how secure a starter the 32-year-old Brazilian is before taking the plunge – and whether he can somehow wrestle penalty-taking duties away from Aubameyang, as four of the ex-Chelsea winger’s nine goals last season came from the spot.

Manchester City

How De Bruyne and Sterling compare as FPL assets for 2020/21?

It’s difficult to split Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), despite the Belgian scoring almost 50 more FPL points than his teammate last season.

Essentially, De Bruyne massively overachieved based on the expected goal involvement (xGI) data and Sterling hugely underachieved.

That’s not to say De Bruyne’s returns are unsustainable, as his accuracy from range often makes a mockery of Opta’s predictions and the best players tend to exceed expectations year after year.

But rather, we’d expect Sterling to improve on what he did last season.

He was the only one of the current crop of £10.0m+ Fantasy assets whose xGI delta was in the negative and it was in the assist count that he really suffered, with just six of them arriving in 2019/20; he had averaged 15.3 per year over the previous seasons.

Our Premium Members article compares the two in finer detail but the crux of it is that Sterling poses the greater goal threat, with De Bruyne by some distance the more creative – and the Belgian is now seemingly first in line for penalties for the Citizens.

There’ll be few takers of Bernardo Silva (£7.5m), who has never hit double figures for goals or assists in his three seasons as the Etihad, but Riyad Mahrez’s (£8.5m) name is often thrown around in pre-season by those considering a cut-price route in the Manchester City attack.

The Algerian’s rate of attacking returns per 90 minutes (1.09) was better than Salah’s (0.88) and almost as good as De Bruyne’s (1.11) but full-game run-outs were few and far between for the Algerian, who started just 21 Premier League fixtures and completed only nine of them.

If we could be sure of starts for Mahrez then he would be a no-brainer at that price, but as it stands, he’s a high-risk, high-reward type of player who is equally capable of a blank in a 20-minute cameo as he is a 16-point haul.

His average of 5.3 points per match in 2019/20 was better than any other midfielder who now costs less than £9.0m, which underscores his potential.

City blank in Gameweek 1 and in truth their fixtures don’t get good until late-November, with six of last season’s top-half clubs to come before that point.

Manchester United

using-the-top-10000-ownership-to-increase-your-fpl-rank-andys-article 2

We are spoilt for choice in the Manchester United midfield next season, with both Rashford and Mason Greenwood (£7.5m) reclassified ahead of 2019/20.

Those two players and Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) racked up 25 attacking returns between them in Manchester United’s nine post-restart fixtures, with the Red Devils galvanised by the Portugal international’s arrival in the final third of the season.

Fernandes’ points-per-match average of 8.4 looks unsustainable over the course of a full campaign but he could still do plenty of damage, especially as he seems to have wrestled control of penalties away from Rashford.

Even if we were to strip away spot-kicks completely (which arrived at a fierce rate for the Red Devils last season), Fernandes would still have averaged around 6.2 FPL points per match following his arrival – a very competitive figure.

There is also plenty to like about Rashford despite the winger losing the monopoly on penalties, with his expected goal involvement figure almost identical to Fernandes – who had the advantage of two extra spot-kicks – from Gameweek 30+ onwards.

This could be Salah v Mane part II: two midfield assets from the same club who are posting similar numbers in many departments, only one has penalty-taking duties on their side (we assume).

The difference in this case is that they are separated by one million in price.

Reliability of starts is something we can likely depend on with this duo, with Rashford and Fernandes lining up in every single Premier League match that they were available for.

Greenwood below-par and

Greenwood was the breakthrough act of last season but he did massively overachieve in the run-in, with the Opta eggheads suggesting he should have scored one goal – and not five – after lockdown ended.

The youngster will be heavily reliant on his deadeye finishing skills to keep pace with his more senior teammates if the underlying stats continue in the same manner but his main selling point is his price.

All of these appealing £9.0m+ heavy-hitters we’ve discussed in this article; we can’t afford them all.

That’s where the likes of Greenwood and Phil Foden (£6.5m) may come into play at their respective clubs, with both players unlikely to match their pricier colleagues for returns but getting plenty of game-time and acting as enablers for moves elsewhere.

United blank in Gameweek 1 but their fixtures thereafter look appealing, so contingency plans may be needed for their assets.

Our Premium Members article has a lot more on the United midfielders but you won’t find much on Paul Pogba (£8.0m), whose deep-lying playmaker status and loss of spot-kick duties have killed any interest in him from a Fantasy perspective.

The Frenchman indeed registered just one solitary shot in the box after the mid-June restart.

Chelsea

We already have two Chelsea assets at the bottom-end of the premium market and, if media rumours are to be believed, then Kai Havertz might be added to that pool.

The duo we already have to choose from are Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) and Christian Pulisic (£8.5m), the latter of whom was in excellent form towards the end of the campaign.

The American averaged 0.85 goal involvements per 90 minutes in an injury-affected season, which was almost as good as the figures that Salah and Mane posted.

His ability to ghost into dangerous positions caught the eye and Pulisic was third among players in this article for shots in the box per 90 minutes.

The problem for a large chunk of the season was pitch-time, with first form and then fitness an issue.

Willian and Pulisic make case for Chelsea double-up with Norwich on horizon

Returning from the treatment table after lockdown, Pulisic racked up nine attacking returns in as many games and he has been attractively priced for 2020/21.

Chelsea have some appealing fixtures to start the season but the injured USA international is “touch and go” to be ready, so we may have to bide our time with him initially.

Ziyech, with his dead-ball expertise, trigger-happy shooting and creativity from open play, is an exciting prospect, but we have had many of those from the Eredivisie and there is always the doubt over whether new signings from overseas will immediately settle in the English top tier.

Nevertheless, the momentum behind free-spending Chelsea is growing by the day and many FPL managers will be happy to take a punt on the new arrivals from the off.

You can read much more on Ziyech here in our Scout Report.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have one of the more favourable fixture schedules in the opening eight Gameweeks and how best to tap into it is a question many of us are asking.

Three of the Lilywhites’ midfielders fall into the £7.5m+ bracket this season, namely Son Heung-min (£9.0m), Dele Alli (£8.0m) and Steven Bergwijn (£7.5m).

Right off the bat, we’ll rule Bergwin out: the winger looks poised to share pitch-time with Lucas Moura (£7.0m) down the Spurs right and he only stared three of his side’s nine post-lockdown fixtures, with the Brazilian the more favoured option down that flank.

Alli had originally been a secure starter under Jose Mourinho, making the Spurs head coach’s line-up in 16 of the first 17 Premier League matches he oversaw.

Suspension and injury limited his involvement after lockdown, however, and Giovani Lo Celso (£7.0m) ended the season in Alli’s usual number ten position.

It’s worth keeping an eye on Spurs’ line-ups in pre-season to see if Lo Celso is moved back into a deeper role to accommodate Alli’s return, as the former MK Dons prospect is now available at his cheapest FPL price since 2015/16.

When he was a regular under Mourinho from Gameweks 13-29, Alli registered more ‘big chances’ than any other Premier League midfielder.

Son is where the main interest lies and he is the most-owned Spurs asset in FPL at the time of writing.

Despite his 2019/20 tally of 24 attacking returns being his best since moving to the Premier League, his starting price has dropped half a million from what it was a year ago.

The Korean would have gone close to his 2017/18 total of 178 points had he not missed a penalty and been dismissed twice and he also sat out eight Spurs games through injury or suspension.

Under the Special One, the South Korea international’s points-per-match average rose from to 5.1 to 5.9.

While there are more explosive players out there, Son was remarkably consistent throughout 2019/20: on only one occasion did he make more than two consecutive appearances without registering a goal or assist.

Spurs’ Europa League involvement (they are in continental cup action either side of Gameweeks 1-4) is an obvious caveat, with Harry Kane (£10.5m) the safest route into Mourinho’s attack amid the possible rotation.

The England striker also came out well in our Kane v Son comparison piece, although it’s always worth paying attention to Mourinho’s tactics as Son’s two most-recent double-digit hauls have arrived when playing centrally rather than out on the left.



Best players by position:

1,086 Comments Post a Comment
  1. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How does this look? 2m itb, 1.5 for son to Bruno. The other .5 maybe vinagre to AMN if transfer goes through. thoughts? Is saka too risky for the 5.5 spot?

    McCarthy
    TAA Boly Vinagre
    Salah Auba Son Soucek Saka
    Werner Mitro

    Nyland Saliba Brewster Johnson

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

      What happens if Son scores a brace in the first game and he has sou NEW in his next two?

      This is why I don't like having that forced transfer.

      Boly is definitely one to avoid. Saiss for 0.5m less is far better. Boly + Vinagre > Saiss + Dier/Davies is the way.

      1. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Completely agree

        1. Carlton P
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          But you could go
          Salah/Auba > Bruno or
          Werner > Martial or
          Son + Mitro > Martial + Greenwood

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

            Thanks, see my comment I already posted below. It's not that it is a transfer I will do for definite, it's just the funds are there for that possibility.

            1. Carlton P
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Got pretty much the same team and plan except Saiss + Davies at the back
              1.5 ITB too but Antonio up front as I’m quite set on getting Wood in

      2. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I’d be a happy man, if son looks like he will move off the touch line and Mourinho won’t play spurs like a typical Mourinho team I will reassess and maybe go Auba to Bruno. Or even Salah if he looks lacklustre. It’s not a forced transfer, it’s just what I have in mind.

        Wolves got 12 cs when Boly came back to fitness, he only played 1980 minutes. Previous season he chipped in with 4 goals so he could do very well. I’ll have a look at other options though, thanks for the input!

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

          You can't do Auba > Bruno in GW2 because Auba has WHU.

          And if you did Salah out, you'd be floating 2m. This is why I've decided to just start the game with Bruno on the bench and work around it. I know for sure that I will want Bruno in GW2, but seeing as there are basically no alternatives around him (they're either 12m or 9m), it's better to just put him in right away and work around that imo.

          1. antis0cial
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            You can’t have it all ways though. If I have son and he braces first game like you say, then surely I’m in a much better position than having Bruno on the bench instead and having to play a lesser player in his place?

      3. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I suppose you just have to look at it as a bonus and keep to what he planned. This can happen all over the place.

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

      Very similar to mine, and my plan so I like it.

      I'm going Van Dijk/no bench over Boly/Saliba

      Do like Saka but going to start with Stu I think

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks!

        I do like to have some bench cover but maybe VVD is the better pick.

        I’m between Saka and ASM for the 5.5 spot in my team, but Armstrong could do just as well.

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

    Any merit in this...

    McCarthy (4.0)
    TAA / Robbo / Tierney / Dier (4.0)
    Salah / Soucek / Son / Pereira (Bruno)
    Werner / Mitro (4.5)

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

      Looks fine but I know nothing about Pereira

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

        I like him.
        I feel that any attacking returns Brom are going to get, he will more than likely be involved in.

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

      The core of it is very solid.
      Personally not a fan of Dier, Soucek (post GW1), Pereira + Mitro.

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

        Soucek will become my main/only bench player.
        I think Pereira and Mitro offer the best value in the promoted teams.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good. I don’t like the idea of benching a 10.5 player but each to their own on that one. I’d rather a 5.5 over a 6 West Brom mid but it is a punt that could work.

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

        I’m still not 100% set on it.

        I have a 4-4-2 with

        Bruno > Auba
        Tierney > 4.5
        Soucek > 4.5

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

      Not too far from mine but I went TAA / Robbo to swap Salah for Auba to cover both bases to an extent

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

        I may go down that route if I decide to go with this.

    5. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Personally I would rather have Armstrong + Antonio (Wood) over Per + Mitro

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

        It’s an option, but I’m pretty set on having Pereira from the start.

        I like to have a bit of a punt from the get go...

        1. Carlton P
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Fair play. I’m usually quite template/dull in my picks

        2. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          My punt for the start too. This lad can impact a game, even the PL.

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

            I really like what I’ve seen of him.

            I’m tipping him to do well.

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

    Is anyone jumping onto the Chillwell wagon now that he has gone to CHE?

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

      He's injured and will prob miss the first couple of GWs. I'd steer clear of Chelsea defensive options until a new keeper is secured.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        is he, I read he was hopeful to start the season ?

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

          I'd be surprised

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

        Very sensible advice

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

      *cough*Kepa*cough*

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

        Get tested pal

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nothing has changed IMO. Chelsea have to buy DEFENDERS sometime.

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

        Thiago Silva in about 6 hours

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Is playing 1 at the back a new formation? (smile)

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

    If Doherty leaves, does that open up the chance of more Traore minutes?

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

      I think so. Traore may well drop in as RWB.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        This^

    2. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm hoping it means Vinagre morphs into this year's Soyuncu

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

        He's certainly looking a bit safer, at least for the first few GWs. I know they're targeting AMN and a new right wing back but I wouldn't expect Nuno to throw two signings in right away.

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

      I think they will still play 343 with Traore mainly RW.
      He may play a bit of RWB thought I guess but wouldn't be happy owning him reverse OOP.

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

    Would Doherty at Spurs still be in your FPL team?
    Otherwise, is it still owning a Wolves defender?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’d have both

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

      This is my current conondrum.

      Really unsure which Wolves defender to go for, really weighing up Boly even if he is 5.5

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

        Patricio in goal set and forget?

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

          Without 2 of the defenders that were at the heart of their defence?

          1. Jay Jay Okocha
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            The heart of their defense was Boly, Saiss, Coady.

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

              Doh and Jonny were not insignificant though. Bedding in 2 new players takes time.

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

                Pretty insignificant in terms of actual defending

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        do you need one for the first 3 fixtures though?

  6. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    If Spurs manages to get Doherty for 15m then Levy should really be knighted.

    Absolute bargain hunter that chap

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

    Good afternoon all, 1st time being a member on here
    This is my team atm, starting 532 GW1

    McCarthy
    KWP TAA Doherty Lamptey Mitchel
    Salah Ziyech Armstrong
    DLC Werner
    Subs - Ryan Brewster Fernandes Greenwood
    0.5 ITB

    Few things, im tempted to drop Dohery to free up more money, maybe upgrading Armstrong to Foden
    And DLC, not convinced, like a really nagging feeling about him. My attack seems very light

    Thought please?

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

      Also, KDB in for Salah GW2 which would create 0.5 in bank sorry

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

      Dcl could be a good diff if he finds form early.
      Foden would leave you short a player gw1.
      Sounds like a gd plan overall, I like it.

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

        Mate thanks for your reply, much appreciated. Yeah youre right about DLC, im usually 343 with 2 good strikers so having DLC as a starter doesnt feel right

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

      It would be light having Greenwood and Fernandes on the bench :).

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

        trying my best to plan ahead haha........like really trying

    4. Penzardlife
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe Doherty downgraded with a view to getting DLC to an Ings/Jimenez? Easy to then downgrade to an emerging value striker if needed.

  8. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    It’s good right? Enough ITB to get KDB and Bruno for Auba and Son..

    McCarthy
    TAA Dier Vinagre
    Salah Auba Son Foden* ASM
    Werner Mitrovic

    Nyland Taylor Braithwaite Wickham

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      could easily only have 10 or less players gw1.

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

      Is Branthwaite first choice or just a fodder 4.0?

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I’m 50/50. His potential is huge and future very bright but Carlo might blood him slowly

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

      Looking at taking a hit in GW2?

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Why not? Hits get the biscuits. But probably for free in GW3

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

      I can see approaching 50% ownership

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I’m not convinced he will have the same free reign to attack under Mourinho as he did for Wolves.

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

      The tweets are funny. Casuals think it's a bad signing, us FPL players think it's an insane signing. The truth is likely somewhere in between.

      We overrate Doherty for sure because of how many points he brings not relative to the value he brings to the team.

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

        Yes, the post replys of that tweet are interesting.

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

          What affect will his signing have on Davies?

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

            That I really don't know. Will just wait and see.

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

        Spot on Camzy

      3. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I know plenty of top notch fpl players who don't think that it's an insane signing.

  9. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    would be so good if brewster moves to sheffield

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

    How did Bowen look in the friendlies, worth considering for one week especially as Toon are now without their starting keeper?

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

      One week punts are not a good idea in GW1 but I read on thes pages Bowen was really good. Too expensive for me with those fixtures. but later on he'll be well worth considering.

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

      Looked great vs Wycombe (1 goal and 2 assists) and would love to have him as GW1 punt but already have Antonio and Soucek

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He’s Could be a great asset but after gw1 hammers fixtures are awful

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

    To Bruno or not to Bruno?

    4-5-1
    A) Bruno | Egan* | Vinagre* | Soucek | (Brewster*/Mitchell*)

    4-4-2
    B) VVD | Doherty | Mitrovic | Pereira* | (Soucek)

    *Can be any other player at price point

    Brackets denotes first on bench

    Many thanks

    1. Brosef Stalin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm all in on Bruno this season mate. He'll play every week, United's attack has goals everywhere which he'll be involved in and to top it off he is their PK (and we know how many Utd get of those...)

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

        Cheers, do you prefer A all in all then?

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        dont you think he overperformed last season?

      3. Brosef Stalin
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, your combination in A looks good across the board. You can always replace Vinagre with Taylor if you need to.

        I don't think Bruno overperformed, I think this is the player he is. He'll get even better with Pogba consistently alongside him.

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

          Thanks

  12. Brosef Stalin
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How does this look? Created a team looking beyond GW1.

    I will be swapping Son out for KDB after GW1 using the 2.5m I have ITB.

    Martinez
    Walker-Peters, Saliba, Lascelles
    Auba, Ziyech, Son, ASM
    Ayew, Werner, Mitro
    (Nyland, Dallas, Taylor, Bruno)

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

      Not mad on Ayew TBH, but I get the idea. Benching Bruno Im not mad on, but I get the logic.
      No TAA is a bit controversial.

      FYI - My current draft is (0.5 ITB)
      McCarthy
      TAA, Walker-Peters, Vinagre, Lascelles (Justin/5.0?)
      Auba, Salah, Mane, ASM
      Werner, Mitrovic
      (4.0, 4.0, 4.5, 4.5)

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

        Intention is week 2 Mane to Fernandes, which gives me 2mill to play with for any other upgrades needed.

      2. Brosef Stalin
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Just have Bruno benched for the first week, he'll swap with ASM. I'm trying to minimise the number of transfers I have to make to get my team right long term.
        Point taken on Ayew, a bit of a punt by me tbh. Any other suggestions at that price?

        I like your team. I'm regretting not having any L'pool players in my team. Are you using the 0.5 for anybody in particular? Otherwise I'd recommend getting a 4.5 defender on the bench. Also, as I said to somebody else just now, keep an eye on Vinagre. I think Wolves will sign somebody to start ahead of him.

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

      Not a fan of Ayew, would prefer a 6.0 mid over him. Otherwise decent

      1. Brosef Stalin
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Good shout. I've been fixated on 6.0 strikers and trying to jam somebody in there and didn't think about upgrading in mid. 6.0 mid and playing a 3-5-2 is a good idea.

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

    Pick two of;

    Justin, KWP, Lamptey, Taylor.

    My head says Taylor and KWP, my gut says Lamptey and Justin both did well enough on the eye test last year to be worth a cheap punt.

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

      is Justin nailed if Pierera is back? I am not sure. I think KWP and Taylor both better choice

    2. Brosef Stalin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going with KWP and Taylor. Southampton looked very good after the restart and KWP will push high up the pitch. You know what you're getting with Taylor and that is guaranteed game time and a solid defence.

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

      I'm with your head on this. KWP and Taylor.

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

        Cheers - I think you are right. Just overthinking it

  14. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    5-3-2 Draft
    1.5ITB
    Ryan
    TAA Vinagre Saliba Justin KWP
    Salah Auba Son
    Jimi Werner

    GW2 Son->Bruno

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

      If you are going 5 at the back you need nailed on picks, not budget options.

  15. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    McCarthy or Ryan?

    Forster in the picture make me less sure of McCarthy, also KWP is very good value but I don't want to double up on defence

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

      Foster's a spent force. SPL opposition doesn't prepare you for the PL.

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

        *r

    2. Brosef Stalin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      In that case I'd go McCarthy and KWP for rotational benefit

  16. Sourav_07
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Suggestions are welcome

    Loris
    TAA - KWP - Vinagre - Justin
    Salah - Auba - Son
    Ings - Richarlison - Mitrovic

    Nyland - ASM - Stephens - Douglus

    1. Brosef Stalin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd keep an eye on Vinagre, as I'd expect Wolves to sign somebody who'll start ahead of him. Other than that it looks like a great team.

      1. Sourav_07
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I can replace Taylor with him. Does it look bad without Chelsea's player?

        1. Sourav_07
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Also, I will rotate Salah/Auba/KDB

          1. Brosef Stalin
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I think Chelsea could have a stormer attack wise this year. It's a bit of a gamble as Werner, Ziyech and Havertz are new to PL, but if they click along with Pulisic it will be points galore.

            1. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              When did Havertz sign for Chelsea ?

              1. Brosef Stalin
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                We all know it's going to happen...

  17. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    My thinking with Doherty at Spurs is:

    - Pro: If he is played the same way as Aurier was, he'll do great.
    - Con: For 6m you expect a good amount of clean sheets, and Spurs aren't that much better defensively than Wolves.

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

      MOU second season, he's had time to drill them. I think they'll be as tight as Wolves were last season. And Wolves won't.

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

      Expecting Spurs to improve defensively this season.

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

        Yes, Doherty is staying in my team for now.

  18. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Do we expect any DGWs in the first half of the season?

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

      Don’t think so. Not until after January I’d say

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Then I think I'm certainly sticking to GW2 WC

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

      No cup replays to mess schedules - only the weather and pandemics can force DGWs before the winter semi-break.

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Great to know, thanks a lot

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

        The missed GW1 fixtures could theoretically be made up earlier than that, but it would require the teams involved to get knocked out of the League Cup early:

        https://twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/1296931503042105345

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

    Thoughts on my team?

    McCarthy
    TAA,Dier,Saiss,KWP
    Salah,Auba,ASM,Armstrong
    Werner,Mitrovic

    Fabri, Ferguson, Davis, Bruno

    Bruno can slot in off the bench after gw1 blank

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

      That’ll work...

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

      I’m thinking very similar, so predictably I think yours is an excellent team

    3. Brosef Stalin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ferguson just out injured though and there's nobody else credible at 4.0

  20. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    343 with jimmy

    or

    352 with son

    thank you

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

      Meaningless question without a team to assess.

  21. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thinking of structure, 442 atm, but wondering 352, 433 and it comes down to this, which type get the most points per match?
    A) 4.5-5.0 defender, like Kyle Walker Peters, maybe rotate with Dallas or other 4.5
    B) 5.0 midfielder, not much there, Soucek, maybe Allan Saint-Maximin but he is 5.5.
    C) 5.0 forward, nahh, would have to stretch to at least 6.0
    Ps. Im on A atm.

    1. Brosef Stalin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Charlie Austin at 5.5 is an option if you have two other decent strikers.

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

    I will review again after friendlies; shield etc but right now I’m set on this (I think

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

      McCarthy

      Trent, saliba, Justin, vinagre

      Auba , Salah, Son , saintMax

      Werner Mitrovic

      Steer, greenwood, Ferguson, Brewster if loaned

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

        Very similar to mine below so, declaring my bias, I say great team!

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

    I think I’m getting there.

    I’m aware things may well change between now and the first deadline but at the moment my main decision is:

    Bench Bruno (which I’m on at the moment) or Son (and keep 1.5/2 for Bruno)?

    0.5ITB
    McCarthy 4.0
    TAA Vinagre Egan Saliba Justin
    Salah Auba Bruno* ASM Soucek
    Werner Mitrovic 4.5

    What do you reckon?

    Cheers

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

      Ahh I wondered how getting Bruno in might work . I like this team I think I was thinking about sheff United assets I think the alternative to your lineup would be ramsdale and KWP in over McCarthy and Egan.
      I think vinagre is safe now doc has left wolves , it’ll seem they’ll sign a right back first .

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

        Nice one, thanks mate. Yeah, Ramsdale and KWP a good alternative.

  24. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What are peoples thoughts on avoiding Liverpool in GWs 2 to 5?

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

      Silly

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        lol

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

      I only plan to have TAA in week 2. May double up on defence at some point.

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

    Are we overrating how good Mitro's fixtures are? Only Villa in the first 5 stands out to me.

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

      first 3 are pretty good, will probably bench or transfer out in 4&5

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

        my reasoning before someone starts crying - Arsenal will probably be playing one or possibly two new players in defence, and are light at CM at the moment - Ben White has not returned to Leeds, Villa are shite

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

      Agree. The rating are for team quality overall, but if you look more closely, the fixtures are kind on Fulham's defence but won't give much away to the attack.

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

      Definitely. There will be no easy fixtures for Fulham.

  26. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Now nailed is Romeu?

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

    Who is Doherty’s competition at Spurs - Kane or Son?

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

      huh?

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

      possibly a joke than Kane plays really deep?

  28. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Fancy a bit of Spurs defence.
    A.Dier
    B.Davies?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Brosef Stalin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Dier for me. Mourinho loves him (so won't be dropped), takes FKs and is a tall threat at corners.

  29. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Afternoon,

    Not sure if this has been asked but....which players from.chelsea are suspected to have tested positive and which players may have to quarantine?

    In essense how could it affect their starting 11?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nobody knows how who when yet.

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Well most have timo in the team.....just need to see if it could affect them at the start of the season