Pre-Season

The best budget FPL forwards for 2020/21

Finding value among the budget Fantasy Premier League forwards looks to be a tricky task on first glance.

The fact that Divock Origi (£5.5m), who was handed just seven Premier League starts in 2019/20, and David McGoldrick (£5.5m), who didn’t find the back of the net until Gameweek 35+, scored more FPL points last season than any other forward now available for less than £6.0m paints a picture in itself.

We are certainly stretching the definition of ‘best’ in this article, then, but we’ll endeavour to find one or two cut-price assets who can perhaps serve a purpose as bench fodder in 2020/21.

Mid-price and premium forward guides will follow, while you can read our run-through of the best goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders via the links at the bottom of the page.

£4.5m Bench Fodder

With only four £4.5m forwards to choose from at the time of writing, anyone in the market for next season’s Mason Greenwood (£7.5m) may be left disappointed.

Conor Wickham (£4.5m) and Indiana Vassilev (£4.5m) didn’t manage a single Premier League start between them in 2019/20, with the Crystal Palace striker farmed out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday in January.

The pair might well leave their respective clubs this summer, either on a permanent basis in Wickham’s case or on loan in Vassilev’s, but it’s always worth monitoring pre-season minutes on the offchance of any increased involvement.

Keinan Davis (£4.5m) was more involved than Vassilev at Aston Villa in 2019/20, playing a part in all of his side’s final 11 league fixtures and starting four of them.

The return to fitness of Wesley (£6.0m), whenever that might be, or the arrival a new acquisition will likely shunt him down the pecking order but Mbwana Samatta (£6.0m) has not yet really made a convincing case as the Villans’ lone striker, so there could be hope yet.

Perhaps the most exciting prospect is Rhian Brewster (£4.5m).

Yet to play a minute of league football for Liverpool and unlikely to be anything other than an occasional substitute if he does stay on Merseyside, he would nevertheless be a name to consider if he left the Reds for another top-flight club on loan or in a permanent deal this summer.

His pre-season form and goals for Swansea City last season have only increased his stock, with Sheffield United said to be among the teams sniffing around.

Newly Promoted Options

If the new season was to begin today with no other new arrivals, then Patrick Bamford (£5.5m) would be one of the budget forwards we could likely rely on for game-time.

The Leeds United striker started 43 of the Whites’ 46 Championship matches last season, scoring on 16 occasions and banking two assists.

Question-marks over his efficiency and his ability to cut it at a higher level have dogged the former Chelsea and Middlesbrough forward for some time, however, with his four previous stints in the Premier League resulting in lots of bench-time and one solitary goal.

Indeed, his poor goal conversion rate of 11.2% in the English second tier last season doesn’t bode well, nor does the fact he wasted over three-quarters of his ‘big chances’.

That lack of a clinical streak looks to have prompted transfer activity from Marcelo Bielsa, with Leeds heavily linked with Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno at the time of writing.

There’s not much to write home about when it comes to West Bromwich Albion forwards, either.

Kenneth Zohore (£5.0m) may be surplus to requirements or third-choice at best, while Charlie Austin (£5.5m) and Hal Robson-Kanu (£5.5m) shared game-time and goals (ten each) in Albion’s promotion-winning campaign.

Austin and Robson-Kanu were benched on a combined 44 occasions last season as Slaven Bilic alternated between the pair, which will set alarm bells ringing among FPL managers.

Austin is the more natural poacher of the two, with the former Southampton man recording almost twice as many big chances as any other Baggies’ player.

Robson-Kanu’s graft saw him become the go-to striker from November onwards, however, with 22 of his 24 starts coming from the Championship equivalent of Gameweeks 16-39.

Austin took four of West Brom’s seven penalties in 2019/20, with Zohore (two) and Robson-Kanu (one) responsible for the others.

Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.5m) was listed as a forward by FPL upon the game’s relaunch but he has seldom started as the spearhead of the Fulham attack.

The versatile Decordova-Reid was deployed as an Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m) stand-in, a winger, a number ten, a second striker and even a deeper central midfielder in 2019/20.

A total of 11 substitute appearances suggests that he might be a significant rotation risk but he became a more permanent feature in the second half of the campaign, starting 24 of the Cottagers’ final 27 matches in the league and the three subsequent Championship play-off games.

Decordova-Reid also registered twice as many big chances as any other Fulham player bar Mitrovic, although only a quarter were converted and he scored on just six occasions all season.

The Best – and Worst – of the Rest

It really is slim pickings elsewhere, with Davis, Bamford, Wickham and Brewster the only sub-£6.0m forwards to feature in more than 5% of FPL squads at present.

Divock Origi (£5.5m) will be reliant on an injury to one of Liverpool’s front three for meaningful game-time and even then, the likes of Brewster, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.5m) and Takumi Minamino (£6.5m) could still get the nod ahead of the Belgian if unavailability does strike one of the Reds’ regulars.

FPL managers might have tolerated Graham Potter’s unpredictability had Aaron Connolly (£5.5m) remained at £4.5m but, after a starting price rise of one million, there will be little appetite in the Fantasy world for a player who made just 14 starts in 2019/20.

The ageing Glenn Murray (£5.0m) and the out-of-favour Florin Andone (£5.0m) are even less likely to get pitch-time at the Amex.

January signing Leonardo Campana (£5.0m) hasn’t yet played a minute for Wolves and Leo Bonatini (£5.0m) spent last season on loan in Portugal, while Burnley’s Matej Vydra (£5.0m) looks set to be back in his usual role as fourth-choice striker with the Clarets’ other forwards returning to fitness.

Might Andy Carroll (£5.5m) have an Indian summer in FPL this season?

An injury to Dwight Gayle (£6.0m) looks set to keep the Newcastle United striker out for “months”, leaving Steve Bruce with just Carroll, the misfiring Joelinton (£6.0m) and the completely overlooked Yoshinori Muto (£5.0m) as his striking options for the upcoming campaign.

The Magpies may well make a move for another forward after that Gayle blow but, given Mike Ashley’s belt-tightening reputation, it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see no further incomings on Tyneside.

Even then, there wouldn’t be too many takers given Carroll’s injury-prone reputation and surprising shortage of goals (he hasn’t scored since April 2018).

Injuries have also dogged Christian Benteke‘s (£5.5m) career and, true to form, he is working his way back from a broken foot at the time of writing.

He did start nine matches either side of lockdown, scoring twice and grabbing an assist, and does appear to be in Roy Hodgson’s plans when available.

But availability is often the stumbling block with the Belgian and, on top of that, he has averaged only two goals scored in his last three seasons of Premier League football.

Callum Robinson‘s (£5.5m) FPL flame briefly flickered in 2019/20, with the-then “out-of-position” midfielder enjoying some early-season appearances up front for Sheffield United.

Falling down the pecking order in South Yorkshire and moving on loan to West Bromwich Albion in January, he could be a name to monitor if he does make the move to the Hawthorns permanent.

Robinson spent most of his time on the left flank of a 4-2-3-1 under Slaven Bilic and was thrust straight into the starting XI upon his move but, after nine successive starts, was dropped to the bench in the next seven games.

He returned on the final day – surprisingly as a central striker – against QPR and two of his five attacking returns for the Baggies came in that 2-2 draw with the Rs.

David McGoldrick (£5.5m) will surely still be in Chris Wilder’s plans come Gameweek 1, having ended the season as a regular partner to Ollie McBurnie (£6.0m) up front.

No budget forward in this piece started more games (22) or played more minutes (1,822) than McGoldrick last season but his dismal conversion rate (he wasted 15 of his 17 big chances and scored just twice) and Wilder’s penchant for a spot of rotation in attack are compelling downsides.

Another year and another entry for Shane Long (£5.5m) in our budget forwards article, although the Irishman has been handed a small price rise of half a million.

Long and Michael Obafemi (£5.0m) are two of three strikers, the other being Che Adams (£6.0m), who will be competing for a spot alongside Danny Ings (£8.5m) in the Southampton attack next season.

The fact that these three attackers racked up 43 substitute appearances between them in 2019/20 underscores the uncertainty up top, although Long had been a regular before lockdown, starting all but one of the matches he was available for between Gameweeks 15 and 29 – and even that one benching came off the back of an injury.

With little to play for after football resumed in June, Ralph Hasenhuttl brought Adams (four starts) and Obafemi (three starts) back into the fold and it’ll be interesting to see if either of them has usurped Long as Ings’ strike partner come the opening weekend.

Adams was the man in form prior to the end of the campaign, scoring four goals in the final six Gameweeks, and it may well be that Long and Obafemi are reduced to impact substitute roles at the beginning of 2020/21.


Best players by position:

1,004 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    People saying that they'd rather take a few early hits than play an early WC seem to be ignoring the fact that the early wildcarder's can also take a few hits later if required. Take your pick, there is no right or wrong without hindsight.

    1. The Minus Fours
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Also worth noting a big swing in the fixtures around GW9/10 which co-insides with an international break. Would be great to play the WC around the break.

      See if there are any injuries picked up - look at the fixtures up to the new year and you've had 8/9 weeks to pick out the next Lord Lundstrum etc!!!

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

        This

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

      There is no right or wrong without hindsight.

      Confucius?

  2. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    RMT for my first draft!

    McCarthy Fodder
    TAA Bavies Tilva Fodder Fodder
    (S)alah KDB Bilva Songstaff Soucek
    Jiminez Mitrovic Fodder

    Do we think this is a good team? I don't like to stick too close to the template! Of course, we have some players here like TAA and KDB that are absolutely essential, I would argue that Salah is too despite his regression! I'll give him a couple of games and if he doesn't pass the eye test, it's an easy hokey-cokey between him, Mane and/or Aubameyang. I also quite like Bavies and Jiminez in this team as they are at really useful price points and provide coverage for Spurs def and Wolves attack. Mitrovic and Soucek are shield picks, and I've decided to go for Bilva as a sword pick. Unpopular opinion but I think Bilva will really kick on this season and Man City attacking cover is a must-have! To be honest, I'd rather have Bilva over Messi because all the casuals will have Messi and it would not be able to demonstrate my superior skill. Everyone's saying he's a trap but his stats are great, watch everyone jump on when he hauls in GW2!

    Did I miss anything?

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

      shirley if you're getting a non-nailed City player it pretty much has to be Mahrez? his ppg is ridic

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I thought the joke would be more obvious with Bilva but apparently not

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

      If Bilva becomes what you hope he will then you might have cracked it.

      Do we have a price for Tilva yet?

      Like Songstaff, sounds like an Elven bard or something.

    3. K.Jabba 88
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure if tilva will start the season. Not in England yet & has to isolate for 14 days when he arrives.

    4. Derek the Dog
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Like that you've covered just about every FPL term that we hate from yesterday's discussion!

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        😀

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

      A+

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

      Bringing in any United players?

      Personally, I would avoid any City players bar KDB, Sterling or Laporte due to rotation risk.

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

      This post deserves an applause!

  3. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    See ya 12 Sept!!

    McCarthy Nyjaland
    TAA Doherty Taylor Justin Johnson
    Salah Auba Bruno Soucek Romeu
    Kane Mitro Brewster

    1. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      3-5-2.....Taylor & Justin rotation.

      If required Auba > KDB & Kane > Kun

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

      OR 87,906 in GW1

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

      Decent team. I'd want some Chelsea, but rest looks sound.

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

      Soucek and Romeu both as starters!? Be lucky to get 3 points from the pair.

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

    Mccarthy nyland
    Taa davies vinagre saliba mitchell
    Salah auba son armstrong asm
    Werner mitrovic davis

    2 itb

    1.5 for bruno from son

    Have 0.5 any rotation please advise.

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

      Can probably start with that. Might need the extra 0.5 when Bruno hits 10.8 before he has even kicked a ball.

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

      Similar to mine except:

      Nyland > Steer
      Mitchell > Johnson
      ASM > Zyech
      Armstrong > Soucek

      ...and planning on doing Son > Rash GW2

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

    Morning lads. How’s this looking?
    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. timowerner9
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not a big fan of Dier and double Southampton defence.

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

      Pretty darn good considering you have Bruno tucked up on the bench

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

      Tidy

      Double Southampton defence one possible hole going forward. You’ve also got a lot of eggs in the 5.5 to 6.0 basket in attack.

    4. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nice

  6. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Who scores more points in the first 3 weeks:
    a) Kane (EVE, sot, NEW)
    b) Vardy (wba, BUR, mci)
    c) Jimenez (shu, MCI, whu)

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

      Abc

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

      b

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

      Kaaaaaaaaaaaane

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

      ABC

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

    Hmm... Kane or Son?

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA (Doherty) Dier Saliba Johnson
    Auba Fernandes Ziyech (Son) Soucek
    Werner Mitrovic (Wickham)

    A) Son, Doherty, Wickham
    B) Bissouma, Vinagre, Kane

    Kane's end of season stats are really nice. Very hard to leave him off. Son though is also a fantastic value pick. 9.0m certainly undervalued.

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

      Boy, thats tough.
      Both look good. Maybe option B as you get an extra playing bench option.

      Are you happy with double Spurs defence if Doherty goes to Spurs?
      Nice squad whichever way you go.

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

        I don't mind double Spurs defense. Although I'd probably switch Dier to Saiss if that happens.

        Yeah either option is strong imo.

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

          Not tempted with AMN if he signs for Wolves? Same price as Saiss with more attacking potential

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

            Yeah maybe AMN. The transfer window will decide a lot of things.

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

      I'd say Vinagre and Doherty are pretty similar in points potential even if the latter heads to Spurs. How many times will you captain Kane?

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

      I'd go Son just on flexibility and what extra cash allows.

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

      I would go for Son

    5. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Kane looks the better option to me.
      Also Vinagre is probably underpriced and Doherty is overpriced playing for Spurs.

    6. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Son for me ...easy sideways move to Rash (or Bruno with contingency funds) from GW2

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

        I already have Bruno. Son is actually less flexible than Kane in my team. The only really neat sideways moves are Pulisic or Mahrez. Kane can at least be swapped for anyone.

        It's just raw value wise, Son seems to be better imo.

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

          I see your dilemma....possibly Kane the better pick for you then based on your team structure/strategy as I don't personally like either of those sideways midfield move options.

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

      I'd contest the Son being undervalued claim. He didn't do much on the left at the end of last season (which is where he is expected to play now)

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

        He got 2 goals, 4 assists since lockdown. That's not terrible and Kane played all those matches. He definitely seems underpriced to me considering he's nailed on and is clearly, after Kane, the biggest threat on the Spurs team.

  8. foreverton
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Only for GW1

    A) Son
    B) Ziyech

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

      Don't have either for just one week. They have good fixtures around them. If you're planning to move to Fernandes, I'd suggest a different strategy.

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

        Moving to KDB. What's wrong with that strategy?

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

          Forced transfer in GW2. What happens if Son scores a brace in GW1 and he has sou NEW next up?

          It makes you forced to transfer out a player you might want to keep.

          This is why I prefer to just bench a player that you really want. If you really want KdB, just start with him and put him on the bench. Saves you a transfer.

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

            you'd rather bench a player than have Son scoring a brace? You crazy

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

              That's not the point.

              The point is that you can't know how he's gonna do. If he blanks, then you'd be wasting a transfer when you could have just had KdB sit and play someone else.

              If he delivers, then you're stuck having to decide whether to keep and float cash or make the transfer to KdB despite potential price rises.

              And since players blank more than deliver especially with this much uncertainty to start a season, the smarter plan is to get the players you want with the intent to keep for a set period of time.

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

                Having other swap out options besides Son is the best way of covering this. My draft currently carry's Auba and Son and I see either as potential swap options for GW2

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

              Lol 🙂

            3. Abraham seed
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Now this made my day. Lol

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ziyech

  9. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Which on would you go for?

    A) 4.5 DEF, Soucek, Werner
    B) Laporte, 4.5 MID, Jimenez

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

      A IMO

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

      I'm on A

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

    Has anyone figured out some good 3 way or 4 way cheap defence rotations?

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

      That's what rotation planner tools are for 😉

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

        I was hoping someone would do it for me haha

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

      burnley, leicester, wolves

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

    Armstrong, ASM or Pereira(WBA)? which one?

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

      I was on ASM

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

      Armstrong - Soton best team

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

    A) Werner, Son and 4.5 DEF

    B) Vardy, Greenwood, Davies

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

      A

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

      I'm on A

  13. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Let's talk about Chelsea assets. I am quite surprised about how many blues I see in drafts. I wouldn't want to spoil the party but there are four reasons I see to avoid Chelsea players at the start of the season.

    A - First reason which is obvioulsy debatable: one of my rule for each beginning of the season is to only select proven PL or Championship players.
    Of course there are exceptions to the rule and Salah is the perfect counter-example, but generally speaking, the rule tends to be true over the course of PL history

    B- I heard Zophar saying Ziyech & Werner have been practising with the group for weeks now and they should blend easily but we are not talking about one new addition to the Blues line-up with 3 or 4 major changes with Ziyech, Werner, Chilwell and more importantly possibly Havertz. That's a total recast and although it is plenty of talent, it does not make a team. Current PSG is an example and England had the best midfield of Europe for years with Scholes-Lampard-Gerrard and never lifted any silverware. The team needs to learn to play silverware and this should require several gameweeks.

    C- Value loss. Heavy ownership for the likes of Werner or Ziyech means for owners that they should start firing from GW1 otherwise they will probably have to suffer a value loss from Casuals who will ditch them after GW2 although the prospects of having blues is interesting in the mid-term, at least until GW5 included.

    D- Fun/skills. I have been working on drafts but every time I select a Chelsea player, I feel like tossing a coin. Of course great stats exist but I don't think they are relevant enough for Ziyech and Werner (different league, very familiar with their respective teams gameplay). At this stage, picking a blue is too much of a gamble for me. I'm 100% convinced they will be must have at some time of the season but I'd rather avoid from the beginning and watch the 2 or 3 first Chelsea game and use the eye test to see who's the main man in there and what will be their style.
    All eyes are on Ziyech and or Havertz for now, but after 2 GW, who knows, Chilwell might be the best pick of them all.

    That's a wait and see for me.

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

      Completely disagree with A - Proven Championship player over a player proven in the Bundesliga?

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

      I'm a Chelsea fan, and you're right

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

      All this may be true but the simple fact is these are world class players being added to a team with an excellent attacking system developed by Lampard. With fixtures of Brighton (A), West Brom (A), Palace (H), Southampton (H) in the first 5 the time to invest in them is now instead of waiting while everyone else profits from them knocking 3 past those teams each match.

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

      Agree with most points except C since that affects most players. Someone like Bruno or KDB could have a slowish start and the 'casuals' will transfer them out.

      Personally, I have Werner and Ziyech right now. I think that their current price reflects the question marks about them, especially Ziyech. A nailed on right winger who is likely to be the creative force of an attacking team at 8.0.

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

      Chelsea do have pre season games to give us an eye test before season starts

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

      A) They're proven in top leagues. Werner scored 28 goals in the Bundesliga. This is a far higher quality league than the Championship. Ziyech has elite assist numbers across all of his seasons and takes an ungodly number of shots.

      B) PSG are the French runaway champions. There comes a point where star power can just overrun teams and Chelsea are playing bha, wba CPL SOU in the next 5. The raw quality can overcome those teams even if they aren't super slick as a team to challenge the top 6.

      C) I like Ziyech and Werner because they have MUN replacements ready made. Ziyech can become Greenwood. Werner can become Martial.

      D) Fair enough. If you don't think they'll do well you don't have to justify it more than that. But honestly, the sheer quality that Ziyech and Werner bring, I think they'll overrun teams and win big in some games.

    7. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm sure Chelsea will be delighted if they do as well as current PSG!

  14. non flying dutchman
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA - Doherty - Dier - KWP (Ferguson)
    Salah - Auba - Saint-Maximin - Bernardo Silva (Stephens)
    Jimenez - Vardy (Wickham)

    Bernarndo Silva over Grealish? Anything you change on this?

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

      Bilva and Grealish both a bit meh. Jamie down and that mid-slot up gives more flexibility.

      1. non flying dutchman
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Vardy to Ings and Silva to Son can work?

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

          Yes

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

    Oh God, people have already started using Tilva even before he has signed!

    ffs

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

      Rúben Gonçalo da Silva Nascimento Vinagre = Vilva?

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

        Love it - if only Dilva was still here we could have the whole gang in our teams

  16. boogle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone have experience of a draft auction league?? Playing one for the first time with the max 16 teams so finding it difficult to decide on a strategy. Am I best off avoiding the biggest names and concentrating on securing some less popular players (Firmino, Ziyech, Gomez, JWP, Pepe etc)

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

      Done draft a couple times, depends who you are playing with really. 16 is a lot though!

      If you are doing one with that many I'd say secure a starting decent striker, and then go for great midfielders unless a Trent/Robertson is at a decent spot.

      There will be good defenders ready to be picked up in the later rounds

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

        Thanks for this! It isn't the traditional draft on the site, it is one where there are a number of bidding rounds, everyone gets a budget, and you can bid on 10 players in each round.. So whoever bids the highest price wins the player.

        Your advice still helps of course, but the format is a little different!

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

    The final selection, dont see much changing.

    1m ITB - Probs do Son- Rashford GW2

    Mccarthy
    Justin TAA Vinagre
    Salah Auba ASM Armstrong Son
    Vardy Mitro

    Nyalnd Davies Lascelles Brewster

    thoughts appreciated!

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

      Good. Minor point, but with Dubravka out wouldn't tough NUFC.

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

        touch

  18. Mo Mane No Problems
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts? Am I mad going Salah and Mane GW1? Depending on performances it will be either Werner to Martial or Mane to Bruno GW2 and then KDB for Auba/Salah/Mane...

    McCarthy Nyland
    Trent Vinagre Justin
    Salah Mane Auba ASM Soucek
    Werner Mitro

    Subs: Ayling Johnson Vassilev

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

      Not mad at all. Think Anfield in GW1 could be a bit much for Leeds.

      1. Mo Mane No Problems
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        My thinking exactly. Could go Son instead or even Ziyech and Kane but seems like I’m getting a Spurs player for the sake of it.

    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not mad. My current two week transfer plan is: Mane -> Rashford, Aubameyang -> Messi

      1. Mo Mane No Problems
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I love your optimism! Am desperate for him to be in the Prem but can’t see it. Hoping I’m wrong!

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

    Nailed it or failed it ladies and gents?

    Ryan
    Trent/vvd/kwp
    Salah/aubs/armstrong/soucek
    Werner/jiminez/mitro

    Subs: button/saintmax/Dallas/c.taylor

    Thanks guys a

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

      Back of the net!

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

      not my cup of tea, but GL

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

        Any reason why?

  20. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    McCarthy
    Taa,Davies,Saiss
    Salah,Son,ASM,JWP,Traore
    Werner,Mitro

    Nyland Ferguson Taylor Martial

    Looking good ? 2.5 itb

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

      Lovely stuff.

      Thought I'd invented the Taa,Davies,Saiss defence myself yesterday, but seen it a couple of times this morning.

      Group mind?

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Saiss might change to AMN if he go Wolve

  21. theswallow1965
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ok, Seem reasonably set on this plan....

    GW1 (£0 ITB)

    McCARTHY
    TAA / KWP / SALIBA / VINAGRE
    SALAH © / AUBA (VC) / ZIYECH / STEPHENS
    WERNER / INGS

    NYLAND / JOHNSON / GREENWOOD / DAVIS

    GW2 - SALAH > BRUNO
    GW3 - AUBA > KDB

    THIS RELEASES £2M TO DISTRIBUTE WHERE NEEDED

    SEEMS GTG?

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

      Decent, I think a 5 or 5.5 even in mid is worth it over Stephens though

      1. theswallow1965
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers.
        Yes, Stephens doesn't appeal that much, but he's 5th Mid and will be benched normally as Greenwood comes in from GW2.
        Could use the £2m to upgrade him from GW 2/3, but will likely improve defence first.

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

    Hey guys, more or less ready I think. Not a big fan of the defence as it doesn't rotate very well but otherwise happy with how it looks.

    McCarthy Button
    TAA Vinagre KWP Justin Dallas
    Salah Aubameyang Son Ziyech Soucek
    Werner Mitrovic Davies

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks!!!

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

      Looks ok to start with

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

        thanks!

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

    Nyland vs Steer?

    Steer when fit, was number 2 and started ahead of Nyland. Am I missing something?

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

      I've heard Aston Villa fans saying Steer will start so he's my pick. Nyland's got high ownership because of last year's points tally I think.

    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You're correct. Steer ahead of Nyland.

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

      People have not done their homework. Come the start Nyland will only be in casual teams

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

        Kind of a moot point since they blank anyways in GW 1 but I’m strongly considering him to start over McCarthy in GWK 2.

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

      As I remember, Steer got in for Heaton and got injured also - after 7/8 min. Then Nyland came in.

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

    @Chelsea fans - is James going to start?

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

      If he doesn't he'll have to Sit Down on the bench

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

        Will he Sit Down next to Mee?

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

          Have an upvote.

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

          GW 7

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

      Honestly I'm not sure, the right back spot is the only one I don't know who will start. If I had to guess I would say Azpi will start the season and James will slowly make his way into the team.

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

      Lampard seems to love Azpi and Chillwell so very unlikely. Still not sure what James actually does

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

    Does anyone have a strong opinion on which 4.5 striker to get? I'm kinda interested in who will be able to hold their price.

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

      If Brewster doesn't get a loan, Vassilev

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

      They are all pretty bad.
      Hopefully Brewster gets loaned out and will get some decent game time

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

      Probably a good idea to avoid Keinan Davis.

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

        yeah that's my thinking. Since he is so high owned, it's more likely that casuals will try to sell him after he doesn't start but then he would need more transfers to drop in price.

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

      If only there were an article about that....

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

        haha I'm more interested in the price drop dynamic since none of them are likely to start (except Brewster if he gets a loan)

  26. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Are Vardy & Jota being over looked?
    Without Doherty do we see a formation change allowing Jota & Jimmy up top, remembering the large Jota hauls?

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

      I love JVards.

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

      Doherty not playing makes it less likely we'll see the 3-5-2, Jota isn't nailed anyways. Vardy is great, definitely being overlooked for a Golden Boot winner but Leicester do need to start making a few moves in the market. In my team right now, West Brom (A) and Burnley (H) are both great fixtures but he's also the first man on the chopping block if things go wrong.

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

        Same boat, easy to change Vardy to Werner, Kane, Augero ect.
        Very nice Price Point

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

      Could be. Traore main beneficiary maybe.

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

      I don't doubt Vardy - even at 34 (in Jan) he's really quick and he never gives up. A much undervalued player (irl). It's our supply line to him that worries me. We've lost Chilwell and won't get Pereira (arguably more important) back for over a month. Perez, Maddison, Barnes etc didn't actually finish last season firing on all cylinders.
      Jamie, sorry mate.

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

        I still think he's a great option for the first 2, he loves the smaller teams.
        Will re-asses after GW2

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

          Good for you - come on you Foxes!

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

      I like Jota. Depending on game time, he has a lot of potential for his price. Right behind JWP, he had the second worse xGI delta last season. I'm hesitant on Vardy. For 10 mil, he seems expensive especially if you don't plan on captaining him. I feel that Jim and Ings can offer the same long-term output as Vardy for 1.5m less.

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

    Bilic saying to Croatian TV that West Brom have given him only 20 million to spend... a PL team in name only, I'd be shocked if they weren't 19-20th.

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

      Takes one proper signing to stay up

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

        Pascal Gross comes to mind

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

    Planning a forced transfer in GW2.

    This is something I'm seeing a lot of from teams. Things like having Son with 1.5m in the bank to go to Fernandes. Here is why I don't think this is a good idea.

    - If Son blanks, you would have been better off playing a bench player and having KdB already. You lose a transfer.
    - If Son scores, you did a good one week punt, but now, you are floating 1.5m. If you stick with Son and don't transfer for Fernandes, your team is 1.5m weaker. If you twist, you will be forgoing potential price rises and good subsequent fixtures for Son.

    Some argue that it's not a bad thing if Son scores and you do the move. But, if you're so sure that Son is a strong pick, why not just pick him up and have him be a core part of your side instead of having him as a 1 week punt that floats 1.5m that you could invest in the team?

    If you want Fernandes no matter what, plan for him to be in the team from the start and on the bench and then pick up the best players you can around him. Having forced transfers and float budgets is what will cost you in hits. And let's face it, we get it wrong more than we get it right in terms of one week punts.

    If you were the master of one week punts, you could take hits every week and be up but there's a reason that nobody plays that way and it's because we generally get one week punts wrong. We bring in a player for a super favorable game and they go off injured or they pull a Kane vs CAR and get 1 point after a booking. Point is, we bring players in and keep for a set period of time because it's uncertain when the points will come. A stretch of good fixtures has a higher probability of returns of course, but in individual games? There's no way of being certain.

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

      I’ll take the probability of points.

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

        If you do, then why don't you take hits every week to chase the highest probability of points? That's not how this game works... There is a cost to doing so and there are no such things as free transfers at the beginning of the season. Even if it doesn't cost you points, it has an opportunity cost - not allowing you to make a change elsewhere that might yield better returns.

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

          Because hits increase the probability of a red arrow.

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

            Exactly. And by having one week punts like Son you're effectively taking a points hit because transfers cost points...

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

              No hits. Just FTs. GL with your 20/21 mate.

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

                You too! No right or wrong way to play. But for me, the probability works better for me to just bench a GW2 player instead.

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

      What do you do when you want 3-4 Mancs lol

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

        You take hits xD

        Not in favor of benching more than 1 player because it hurts the team you can put out in GW1 too much.

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

      Yep. I was one of those people who initially had planned a Son>Rashford and Auba>KDB transfers and after careful consideration and a bit of a push in the right direction from you came to the conclusion that indeed it is better to have your preferred Utd/City option from the get-go, even if they were sat on the bench for GW1. Gives so much more flexibility at the start, given that FTs are like gold dust so early on and there is always an emerging bandwagon after the first couple of gameweeks. You don't want to be taking hits either, since early on everyone is bunched up together and you will fall behind by a considerable drop. There are ways of making it work by having 1 Utd/City asset on the bench so there is no reason why not to do it.

    4. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If you pick Son there floats 1.5mill you say, but when you leave Bruno on the bench there is a big floating of 10.5mill that you could have invested in your team imo.

      Think there s nothing wrong picking the players whom youll think will score most in that gw. Can be son gw1 and bruno gw2. Who knows.
      Better take a chance at a gw1 and take all the points you possibly can.

      (not saying im a fan of the forced son to bruno transfer, because imo son has good fix)

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

      I kind of disagree with your main point here.

      Having 10.5 on the bench is A LOT of value to be spending on the bench, even if its for one game week.

      I would rather get myself off to a good start and spend one transfer or even a hit if need be.

      Having Son for 1 gw over the likes of Soucek or Armstrong could be very beneficial.

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

        Well.. Here's the dilemma:

        Son
        vs
        Armstrong/Soucek/Saliba type players + 4 points

        I don't think I can say with enough surety that for just this one week, Son vs Everton can outscore that vs just keeping Fernandes benched.

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

          Cant be sure about anything in FPL, thats why we all have such different strategies and opinions

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

      You may have Salah Auba Son + 1.5 float. If Son fires and you really want Bruno then lose one of the former two instead and reinvest the saving. Or you may have a structure that gets you to Martial/Rashford/Greenwood with the float instead.

      No right or wrong way that is the beauty of the game, Just think this is a different scenario where we have actual blanks for City/United players rather than just an unfavorable first fixture.

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

      Good post. I’ve been trying to explain this till I’m blue in the face - booking in a transfer GW2 for just about any player is torching expected points value in the long run.

      A bit sick of tapping on the tank with it tbh.

      1. Kindness
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Then don't? I don't understand why people like you and this poster have to force your opinions on everyone, people play the game in different ways. Nobody knows what the optimum strategy will be, the season hasn't started yet

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

            You're right of course - everyone's entitled to play the game however they want to.

            My view though is that it's not an opinion - it's pretty much a mathematical certainty that you'll lose in the long run booking in transfers for 1 week punts with the vast majority of players in the game.

            I want to help others to understand that and other situations like it - but I agree that I've probably taken it too far.

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

        I get the impression when fantasy managers go to a great length about trying to put other managers off a strategy or a pick it normally means only one thing - they are scared of it.

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

        In the Son situation, I don't care 'IF' he scores or not, I care that he has potential to. It's more, I think x player (Fernandes in this case) is the best in this spot, but he isn't playing in gw1 so I'll pick the person who has the best potential in GW1 only and them move him on.

        The transfer is free, it costs no points. If it costs points, then maybe not so much an option, unless you're talking KDB vs Norwich situations.

        Also, the idea of the floating 1.5m could be used to improve the team, I prefer to use the value of the players playing, not benched. So the option to have Fernandes on the bench is a far greater loss than using those funds in the actual playing team for 1 week.

      4. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I would absolutely agree with you if United weren't blanking in GW1. But there are enough players at similar price points with decent fixtures to make it worthwhile taking a one week punt (Ziyech vs Brighton, Son vs Everton, Salah vs Leeds etc.) If your punt scores well, great - deciding whether to keep or trade in for your preferred United pick - is a problem I would much rather have than losing out on potential points.

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

      Settled on this until undoubtedly some transfer saga causes a re-think.

      McCarthy (Nyland)
      TAA • Dier* • Saiss • Vinagre* (Mitchell)
      Salah • Son • Ziyech • Armstrong (Bruno F.)
      Werner • Mitrovic (Brewster)
      £0.5itb

      Dier would be Davis if they sell Aurier and Vinagre will be a different £4.5 if Wolves sign an LB. Hoping to bank my GW2 FT. The £0.5itb gives me options to re-shuffle if need be. Could do Son>Rashford, Werner>Vardy, Ziyech>Pulisic, £5.0def>£5.5def,etc. if need be. Planning to wait and see on City and could always do Salah>KDB/Sterling or Son+Ziyech>KDB/Sterling. Feel like there is flexibility in this squad, so I am happy.

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

        Gorgeous team

        I'd keep Son for the first 9 weeks, better option than Rashford looking at price and fixtures

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

          Cheers Flair. I do fully intend to keep Son for the long term. Meant more like if he got injured/red carded that I have an option to move him on. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

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

      Hi guys.

      McCarthy (Nyland)
      TTA - Dier - Justin - Johnson (Vinagre)
      Auba - Salah - ASM - Soucek (Bruno)
      Werner - Mitro (Davis)

      The 4.5 defenders will probably change before 12.sep - Need more info.

      If nothing else occurs, the plan is Salah & Auba & Davis to KDB & Son & Jimenez by GW3.

      All suggestions and inputs is welcome.
      Thanks!