Pre-Season

The best mid-price FPL forwards for 2020/21

While there was little to cheer among the budget forwards, there is a bit more to interest Fantasy Premier League managers when we step up a tier.

Our trawl through the mid-price FPL forwards covers the 25 assets who currently find themselves in the £6.0m-£7.5m bracket, with our look at the premium options to follow.

You can read our run-through of the best goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders via the links below.

‘BIG SIX’ BACK-UPS AND POSSIBLE STARTERS

We have opted to include the sole £7.5m-rated forward in this mid-price analysis as much of what we write of Tammy Abraham will also be true of Olivier Giroud (£7.0m).

Both players might be playing understudy to Timo Werner (£9.5m) for much of 2020/21 following the German attacker’s arrival in west London, although an injury to Christian Pulisic (£8.5m) could see Werner reprise the inside-left role he often played for RB Leipzig and open up a central spot for Abraham or Giroud in the early stages of the new season.

The final third of Abraham’s previous campaign was something of a non-event, with the Chelsea striker making only two starts in the final 13 Gameweeks as injury and Giroud’s form saw him reduced to bit-part player status.

Thirteen goals, five assists and 20 bonus points had arrived from Gameweeks 3 to 25, however, with Abraham starting all but one of Chelsea’s league fixtures over that run.

In total, the pair plundered 23 goals and seven assists between them in the Premier League in 2019/20 – which is a testimony to the Blues’ creativity, especially as Abraham was quite profligate following his early-season purple patch.

Pre-season will hopefully tell us whether Pulisic will be fit for Gameweek 1, whether Werner will initially be operating wide-left as a result and, finally, which – if any – of Giroud or Abraham could be leading the line on the opening weekend.

Whoever gets the nod could consequently be a decent differential for the appealing early fixtures but rotation and bench duty would appear to loom large beyond that point.

Michy Batshuayi (£6.0m) will be a mere FPL footnote if he stays at Stamford Bridge but a loan move could renew interest, as happened in 2018/19.

Odion Ighalo (£6.5m) has extended his loan deal at Manchester United until January 2021 but the Nigerian will likely be reliant on an injury crisis hitting the Red Devils to gain meaningful game-time, as Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) or Mason Greenwood (£7.5m) could just as easily deputise as the spearhead of the United attack if Anthony Martial (£9.0m) ever faced a period on the sidelines.

Ighalo, indeed, is still waiting for his first Premier League start since moving from China.

Pitch-time may also be an issue for Eddie Nketiah (£6.0m), with Willian‘s (£8.0m) arrival handing Mikel Arteta the chance to use Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) centrally if ever the Arsenal boss opted against fielding Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m) or indeed moves the Frenchman on.

Arteta clearly rates Nketiah, as the youngster was handed seven Premier League starts after returning from a loan spell with Leeds United in January.

While FPL managers could have stomached semi-regular benchings at Nketiah’s 2019/20 cost of £4.5m, the same might not apply after his price hike given the more ‘nailed’ starters elsewhere in this bracket.

As is the case with so many players, pre-season minutes will be a good way of gauging just how involved Nketiah might be in the Gunners’ appealing double-header against Fulham and West Ham United in Gameweeks 1 and 2.

The 21-year-old striker was given the nod to lead the line in the Community Shield on Saturday, which is a good start.

TOP-HALF OPTIONS

using-the-top-10000-ownership-to-increase-your-fpl-rank-andys-article 7

One of the joys of picking a Burnley asset is that, providing the team is in relatively good form, there is little danger of Sean Dyche rotating.

Chris Wood (£6.5m) is a bit of an unheralded mid-price forward and he delivered more goals (14) and registered more big chances (31) than all bar Abraham of the 25 strikers profiled in this article, despite starting just 29 games in an injury-disrupted season.

He has also registered more shots from inside the six-yard box than any other Premier League player in each of the last two campaigns, which is a great indicator of how often he gets into dangerous positions.

Few managers will be interested initially thanks to a Blank Gameweek 1 and a trip to Leicester City thereafter but he is one for the watchlist when the fixtures improve from Gameweek 3 onwards.

It remains to be see which of Ashley Barnes (£6.0m) or Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m) is Dyche’s preferred option alongside Wood next season, meanwhile, with Barnes starting 2019/20 as first-choice before injury curtailed his season in January.

The pair are more than capable of grabbing a goal or two themselves but Wood did outperform them on most ‘per 90’ metrics and he may well warrant the extra half a million outlay.

Sheffield United offered a lot of FPL value last season but not so much in attack.

The fact that none of their strikers started more than 24 matches or scored more than six league goals is a worry, with Chris Wilder fond of rotating his front two in an otherwise very settled side.

Only four clubs scored fewer Premier League goals than the Blades last season, meanwhile.

Oliver McBurnie (£6.0m) seems to be the pick of the three Bladesmen at this price, having belatedly established himself as a regular up top and having started 16 of Sheffield United’s final 17 fixtures – more than Billy Sharp (£6.0m) or Lys Mousset (£6.0m) managed in the whole of 2019/20.

Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.0m) looks good for a goal whenever he features for Leicester City but game-time is the main issue with the Nigerian, who hasn’t played more than 1,000 minutes of league football in any of the last five seasons.

Unless we get wind of a Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) injury in pre-season or Brendan Rodgers hints at starting two strikers up front, then there seems little value in a player who started just 12 matches in 2019/20 and who was described as an “impact player” by his manager as recently as July.

THE BEST – AND WORST – OF THE REST

What impact has David Moyes had on West Ham? 5

There’s only one place to start our ‘rest of the league’ round-up.

Many of us would have anticipated a positional reclassification for Michail Antonio (£6.5m) but, given what occurred after lockdown ended, few would have thought the West Ham United striker would be available at his cheapest price since 2015/16.

Granted, he’ll lose a handful of points for goals and clean sheets (not that the Hammers kept many) after his move from ‘midfielder’ to ‘forward’.

But the price drop and increased chance of bonus points will partly offset that and, comparing his credentials with other mid-price FPL forwards, he still stands out.

Ten goals and four assists from just 19 starts and five substitute appearances was impressive, with nine of those attacking returns arriving in West Ham’s post-restart fixtures.

Antonio’s season-long minutes-per-xGI (expected goal involvement) figure was also better than any other mid-price forward in this piece bar the peripheral Batshuayi and superior to the likes of Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m).

As with most players, there are caveats.

His injury record has long been a cause for concern but he largely assuaged those fears with 14 successive starts at the end of 2019/20, even when the fixtures piled up.

Then there are questions over whether Sebastien Haller (£6.5m) will be reintegrated into the side and whether Antonio will be moved wide as a result or, as happened before coronavirus stopped play, whether they will be paired as a front two.

Perhaps the biggest downside is the tricky early-season fixture schedule but, that aside, he could represent excellent value in 2020/21 based on what we saw at the back-end of last season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.0m) was a popular FPL purchase immediately after Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival but ten successive blanks in the run-in blotted his copybook.

The Everton striker scored eight goals and set up another in the ten Gameweeks following the Italian’s arrival and he was a reliable starter, with his only benching under Ancelotti coming in Gameweek 38+ when the Italian allowed Moise Kean (£6.0m) a rare run-out up front.

Barring any new arrivals, Calvert-Lewin will still be expected to begin 2020/21 as one of Ancelotti’s go-to picks in attack ahead of Kean and the injured Cenk Tosun (£6.0m).

No other forward now in the £6.0m-£7.5m bracket registered more attempts on goal or shots in the box than Calvert-Lewin from Gameweek 19 onwards, so the underlying stats (and opening fixures) bode well if he can rediscover his finishing touch.

Our sole mid-price representative from the newly promoted sides is Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m).

The Serb is priced up cheaper than he was in 2018/19 and Werner is the only FPL forward who has a higher ownership figure than him at the time of writing.

With 26 goals and two assists last season, it’s not hard to see why: Mitrovic played a part in 49.1% of the goals that Fulham scored when he was on the pitch, a similar involvement figure (46%) that he posted in the Premier League in 2018/19.

Mitrovic also impressed on the underlying stats front last season, as he did the last time he was in the Premier League.

He isn’t particularly clinical, with a goal conversion rate of 17.2% in 2019/20 not too eye-catching considering the inferior standard of goalkeeping and defending in the second tier.

Indeed, Mitrovic only converted 8.4% of his chances when he was last in the top flight.

Despite the wastefulness, the sheer volume of opportunities that came his way in the Premier League meant that, even with a poor conversion rate, he still managed to find the net on 11 occasions.

Mitrovic also has penalties on his side, while none of his teammates had more direct free-kick attempts last season, either (six).

Security of starts is another string to his bow, if we ignore his fitness-related benching in the play-off final.

The ex-Newcastle striker started all 40 Championship games that he was available for, with his one and only substitution being enforced by injury.

Dwight Gayle (£6.0m) had hit a purple patch of form after lockdown ended, scoring on four occasions and assisting another goal, but the Newcastle United striker looks set to be ruled out for several months after picking up an injury in pre-season.

We won’t waste too much of your time talking up Joelinton’s (£6.0m) credentials in Gayle’s absence as, even if he had been half a million cheaper, there would still have been precious few takers in FPL.

The Brazilian didn’t miss a single Premier League match last season but two goals in 32 starts and six substitute appearances tells its own story.

Jordan Ayew (£6.0m) was prolific in comparison to Joelinton, scoring nine goals and assisting another three as a value-for-money £5.0m forward in 2019/20.

Security of starts was a big plus regarding Ayew, with the Ghanaian starting 37 of Palace’s 38 games, but that rise of one million does dent his appeal considering that he has not hit double figures for goals in a single season since moving to England in 2015.

The Eagles were the division’s second-lowest scorers last season, too, with the capture of attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze (£6.0m) from QPR no doubt an attempt to address that issue – and there were promising signs in the pre-season win over an admittedly limited Charlton Athletic side.

Like Calvert-Lewin, there was very little wrong with Neal Maupay‘s (£6.5m) underlying statistics last season.

No forward previewed in this piece registered more penalty box touches or attempts on goal and, while not rotation risk-free, he is still probably the safest route into an improving Brighton and Hove Albion attack after starting 30 of the Seagulls’ 38 league fixtures.

Too often his finishing let him down, however, and a price rise after a modest ten-goal haul when the likes of Wood and Antonio are available for the same money does raise questions over his value.

Similar concerns can be expressed over Aston Villa duo Wesley (£6.0m) and Mbwana Samatta (£6.0m), too, despite them being half a million cheaper.

A combined six goals in 32 starts was a fair reflection of their indifferent debut seasons but they weren’t helped by the supply line or Dean Smith’s brand of play, with their remit as lone target-men as much to bring the midfielders into play as it was to find the back of the net themselves.

Villa, of course, blank in Gameweek 1.

Finally, a word on the man many FPL managers are hoping can partly emulate Danny Ings‘ (£8.5m) achievements of last season.

Che Adams (£6.0m) caught the eye after the summer restart, finding the back of the net on four occasions; Giroud and Antonio were the only two FPL forwards who could better his goals-per-90-minutes average after lockdown.

It’s still a bit early to say for sure whether Adams will become a regular starter alongside Ings as Shane Long (£5.5m) had been preferred before coronavirus stopped play, starting all but one of the matches he was available for between Gameweeks 15 and 29.

With little to play for after football resumed in June, Ralph Hasenhuttl brought Adams back into the fold and it may be that he impressed enough to be given more of an opportunity in his sophomore season.

Pre-season will hopefully give us an indicator, one way or another.


Best players by position:

1,060 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Do Spurs have a friendly before the season? Wonder if Doherty starts straight from GW1 for Spurs.

    1. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He starts.

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

        He's still not changed colour, slack FPL Towers.

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Aurier is a liability and will be on his bike now I recon - doh starts

  2. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Haven't see any 'Doherty may need to totate with Aurier' comments here. Strange.

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

      Because Aurier is leaving 😉

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

      Aurier on his way out, AC Milan just waiting to get him.

    3. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Aurier is a dreadful defender, he might play some cup games IF he stays

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

    Is there more likely price drop of 4.0 player that doesn’t play with high ownership than 4.0 that doesn’t play with low % ownership
    E.g Douglas & Davis at Leeds

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      High

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

      yes

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

    A. Doherty, Mitrovic
    B. KWP, Ings

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

      A.

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

      Tricky. B safer.

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

      A

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

      A Mitro is too good to ignore imo.

      1. stat sifter 888888
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I know Jimenez has a big fan club on FF, but what do people think about Richarlison instead and saving the 0.5? Imo there is very little to separate Everton and Wolves going forward, especially considering Wolves have lost their two wing backs, Gomes is back from injury and Everton have just signed another flair mid from a very decent European team.

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

          Rich is a surprisingly decent choice. The fixtures are there. Problem is, he might not be playing CF.

      2. Party time
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Too good for my pup balls

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

          Why the love for mitrovic. He's priced similar to Doherty and VvD and needs to up his score by 45 odd points just to raise his game to theirs.

          It's a dreadful price point up front

          1. Party time
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Yes. He is average at best in the PL & plays for fulham

            • Third Eye Vision
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Although he’s only 1.5 more than the base cost of a striker (4.5) while the two you mentioned are 2.0 and 2.5 more than the base cost of a defender.

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

                What's the relevence of this as opposed to points/£m

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

                  The relevance is in squad efficiency.

                  Again, look at this comparison:

                  Doherty + Bissouma
                  vs
                  Pereira + Vinagre/KWP

                  This is why 5 at the back will never be the best formation.

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

                    Surely the baseline cost is only relevent with respect to what's dormant on your bench?

                    1. Marmalade Forest
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Baseline squad value is £64m

                      You only have £36m to upgrade all 15 players.
                      Seven might go on KDB, six on Bruno, all of a sudden it’s £23m to upgrade 13 players.

                      If you have a 4.0 or 4.5 defender who’ll score around 100 points, it leaves you with more money to upgrade other positions.

                      Traditionally, the 4.5 strikers get nowhere near that of the playing 4.5 defenders.

                      Cheap strikers are there to save money for other players, or will be a freak who every active FPL player will own.

              2. Party time
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Mitrovic 134 pts
                  van Dijk 208 pts

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

                I agree

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

                Mitro + 4.5 defender over Doherty and Davis...that’s why

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

                  That seems like a bad decision to me. This all seems like theoretical mumbo jumbo over taking each season and player characteristics on their merit

        • b91jh
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Any love for Moutinho at 5.5?

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

            No love at all.

            Saka, Harrison, ASM, Armstrong are all way more appealing.

            1. Greenbackbøøg…
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              way more is harsh

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

              this

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

            Lovely player IRL that he is, no.

        • germanyozil10
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Please rate my team, thanks bros!

          McCarthy Nyland
          TAA Vinagre Jistin Mitchell Ferguson
          Salah Auba Son ASM Soucek
          Werner Ings Brewster

          1.0Itb

          Can get KDB, BF replace Auba, Son after gw3.
          Any other recommand 4.5 def?

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

            Like Jiztin as a name.

            Steer a better choice than Nyland in that he will likely actually play.

            Also I'd have at least 1 more 4.5 for rotation/cover - plenty of options, but I think you should just keep an eye on pre-season/transfers.

            Otherwise, good enough.

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

          Anyone want 4 Spurs?

          Can get Doherty, Dier, Son, Alli right now!

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

            Dare you!

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

            I don't even want one.

            Only interested if Son plays CF.

          3. stat sifter 888888
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Big gamble.

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

            4 Spurs and no Kane?

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

              He's expensive!

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

                He is not expensive...10.5 for him is steal

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

            I remember reading about somebody doing this a couple of years ago with Mahrez to get 4 City, they didn't make any transfers till October or something. Needless to say, it didn't go too well.

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

            Dier and Son for me....more then enough

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

            You forgot Kane!

          8. nicksilver
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Haha, top strategy that... what could go wrong

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

              Well.. you could preplan like Alli > Greenwood.

              1. Third Eye Vision
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                I’ve got Alli in as my placeholder as of this morning. I had Kane up front, but the move to Werner freed up 1.0 which was what my squad needed.

                1. Third Eye Vision
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Also considering Dier as a decent placeholder for a United defender.

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

            Get Doherty, Lloris, Toby, Bavies & bank 12x CS’s in the first 3 GW’s?

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

              Dares ya

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

              Would be hilarious to have that defense.

              Lloris, Dier, Doherty, Davies haha

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

            4x Spurs defense would be a very amusing experiment

        • Malinwa
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          How's this looking, will switch Salah & Son > KDB & Fernandes for GW3

          McCarthy (Nyland)
          Doherty - James - TAA - Vinagre (Justin)
          Auba - Salah - Son - Soucek (ASM)
          Werner - Mitrovic (Brewster)

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

            Template Draft 3 so decent enough

          2. Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I would switch Auba over Salah

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

              How? He has both 😉

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

          % of Mitchell being nailed on for the first 5 GWs?

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

            I’ve opted for him, think it’s highly likely unless they get someone

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

            I guess Jairo is the competition. 50/50?

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

              Yeah, Jairo is extremely versatile. Plays CM, CDM and all 4 defensive positions. However, I think he lacks pace which Mitchell does not. That gives me hope.

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

                MAybe Jeff from Milton Keynes is in the mix too.

                Pingisimus is the Palace man on here and is always happy to answer questions when he is around.

        • b91jh
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Dalot joining Wolves would be great @5.0

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

            He is a decent attacking RB yes..

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

            That would be great

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

            Would be. He seems to be matey with the Portugese lads at Wolves too. Could easily be straight into the 1st team.

            Don't know why Ole seems to have gone off him, still really young.

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

              Not good defensively, at all. That's why.

              1. Simon69
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                If there's one manager that can improve a player.

          4. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            And it makes sense. Portuguese, on Mendes laundromat books... could be.

        • LangerznMash
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Are Robbo, Digne + Tierney really worth £2m more than their cheaper counterparts VVD, Coleman + Bellerin?

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

            Coleman and Bell are not nailed.....

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

            Robbo maybe not worth 0.5 over Virgil and wouldn't touch Digne or Coleman. Tierney seems to be a better choice than Bellerin.

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

              With Allan signing for Everton I can see a massive improvement defensively. Plus great opening fixtures after the Spurs game.

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

                My only concern with that is if he is as good as they say he is, why is he going to Everton (just Carlo connection?)

          3. Third Eye Vision
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yes to the second two. Not sure about Robbo. I’d have VVD over him.

          4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Digne is. Freekicks and corners, and he is very good at them.

            1. Third Eye Vision
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              I’ve upgraded Keane to Digne as of this morning. I want 2 premium defenders and I’m hoping that the Allan signing will be massive for us.

              We played almost an entire season with no defensive midfield. Gomes needs someone alongside him who can tackle.

              1. Third Eye Vision
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                I’d originally got TAA + Doc. Maybe Doc at Spurs will be great. We’ll find out.

        • Kobayashi
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Slightly off topic, but if (or when) Messi does leave Barcelona, do you think they'll build a statue of him near the stadium?

          I'm sure they might wait a while given the circumstances, but it seems only right given what Man City did for David Silva.

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

            Of course they will. He's the best player in their history.

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

              The scenes if Bartomeu tries to stop that from happening. I hope they are able to give him an appropriate send off in this manner, regardless of how this saga ends.

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

                Brartomeu is "dead man"

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

              In history*

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

            At least a life size statue of him wouldn’t cost a fortune

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

              Ha, true!

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

            Seems to be the done thing nowadays, I'm sure they will.

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

              Heretical view incoming (apologies if already covered - just back from 8-hour power cut):

              Messi will be detrimental to City. They are already far and away the most prolific goalscorers in the league and pretty much in Europe. They don't need another attacker. What they need is strengthening in defence - and far more so if Messi is on the pitch. Genius though he is, for years he has unbalanced both Barcelona and Argentina. Barce need to rebuild without him - that's the only way they can move forward now. But it's not what City need. As he never tracks back, opponents have long learned to target the spaces he leaves open and destroy Barce on the counter. City would need to permanently employ 2 DM such as Gundog and Rodri; if you have Messi and Kev in front, that leaves only 2 attacking spots. City could go 3 at the back with 2 wingbacks high up, but they're no longer equipped to do that. With Messi, what would happen to City is exactly what repeatedly happens to Barce - they get so far in the CL then get ripped apart by 3,4,8 goals.

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

                All true and cannot envision city seeing this as a step forward.

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

                  It will be for financial reasons. Having Messi in terms of commercial success is enormous. Imagine the jerseys they'll sell, the increased interest in the side, the new fans they'll get, the new sponsorships etc.

                  He'll be worth it for that alone.

                  For the team, I'd be very curious. Messi can do everything. And oddly, the position he plays is one of the most unsettled on the City team. Last year on the RW, they rotated a ton between Mahrez, Foden, Bilva, even KdB occasionally played there. I think Messi would clearly improve City although they might need more midfield/RB cover for him.

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

                They're not buying Messi to improve their defence though - they're buying him because of the ridiculous improvements he brings to their attack. He's on a different planet to Mahrez/Bilva in that RW position.

                Unless you're saying that Mahrez is that much better defensively compared to Messi that it counter balances the likely incredible surge in attacking output?

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

                  I'm saying they score plenty with what they have - he doesn't add more victories through extra firepower. But he will leave more gaps, exposing the defence to counters, worse than is already the case, even with Mahrez.

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

                    You win football matches by scoring more goals than the opposition. If Messi increases the amount of goals they score more than the amount they concede, they will win more football matches.

                    If your argument is that you think the marginal benefit (incremental goals scored minus goals conceded) of playing Mahrez is greater than that of Messi (in any given football match vs any team) - then I respectfully disagree.

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

            Yes, they've already locked in the guy that did the Ronaldo statue.

        • Concrete
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Still need more info and tinkering but...

          McCarthey 4.0
          TAA Doherty Vinagre Hause? 4.0
          Salah Auby StM Armstrong Soucek
          Kane Werner Brewster?

          Plans for Bruno and City premium in place leaving cash to upgrade a 5.5

          Brewster only if goes on loan and rotate

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

            As you have identified, MF balance a bit off, but plan seems sound.

        • stat sifter 888888
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I know Jimenez has a big fan club on FF, but what do people think about Richarlison instead and saving the 0.5? Imo there is very little to separate Everton and Wolves going forward, especially considering Wolves have lost their two wing backs, Gomes is back from injury and Everton have just signed another flair mid from a very decent European team.

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

            Good option. I think most are doubting Everton so he’s a wait and see for me

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

              DCL being completely overlooked. 13 goals in 2600 minutes is a solid return, fully nailed on and decent fixtures

          2. Third Eye Vision
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Not sure how Gomes changes anything. He was awful after the restart, although he is recovering from that (Son-inflicted) leg-break. The signing of Allan is massive for our defensive prospects though.

            I’m not writing off our attacking prospects though, but maybe a wait and see. I think DCL is a good price.

          3. Weeb Kakashi
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            If James comes under 8 . Then he in the hole would be even better.

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

              Right. Everton appear to be quietly building a proper team in Carlo's image. Rodriguez would be a very nice addition. I'd want to give them a couple of games to gel, but I'd be looking at Everton assets, even DCL if they start firing.

              1. Third Eye Vision
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                The right side is the problem area (well, one of them!) I wonder if Iwobi could do better if he had less defensive responsibilities. Don’t laugh.

        • Malinwa
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Is Brewster nailed?

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

            To the bench, yes.

          2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            He won't get many games if he stays at liverpool, maybe a few sub appearances in the Origi role, if he is loaned out he will be a much more tempting option as at the moment he sadly just takes up one of 3 liverpool spots.

        • Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          So difficult to string a squad together without having uncertainties. Need more info . No matter how many drafts you make it will change in the last day or two.

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

            In the last 20 mins before GW1 even.

        • Tanglebrain
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Really?

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

            Really

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

          Van de Beek not in Ajax's preseason squad

          Apparently United in for Thiago as well

          1. Champions League Varane
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Let’s goooo

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

            Good players that they are, not actually adressing what Utd actually need.

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

            I suppose you can never really have too much quality - but it does seem a bit like upgrading the engine in a car when it’s only got three wheels

            They’d be far better keeping it simple & getting

            (A) a Centreback
            (B) a RWF

            Woodward hopefully isn’t falling into the customary Utd trap of just buying what’s available rather than buying what’s needed

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

              Sure but think we'll get Sancho - too good a deal to pass on in this transfer window then get a CB in Jan

              These two will probably be for squad depth

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

              You know he will.
              Getting Sancho for exactly what Dortmund asked for him two months ago in about GW4 would be a relative success.

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

          Doherty, the crossing machine!!!

          This is one of the good reasons to pay for the ffs membership. Stats will confirm the eye test when needed.

        • French Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Injury update on Ferguson? Who are the alternative possible playing 4.0 Defenders ?

          1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Mitchell or Johnson at west ham are the other ones who may have a chance to play

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

              Van Aanholt confirmed to miss start of the season by Ben Dinnery so pretty likely Mitchell gets a few starts early on

              1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Ah didn't realise he was confirmed out, I'll probably chuck Mitchell in there then. Could Riedewald or Schlupp not get a few games at LB though?

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

                Boom

                4.0 starting defender confirmed 🙂

                I reckon Ben Johnson will also get starts for West Ham early on

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

                  With Hammers' fixtures from GW2, Johnson's point hauls will be a succession of 0s at best.

        • Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Which is better all?

          McCarthy Steer
          Trent Lamptey KWP Vinagre C.Taylor
          Salah Auba ASM Periera Anguissa
          Kane Werner Mitrovic.

          McCarthy Steer
          Trent Lamptey KWP Vinagre C.Taylor
          Salah Auba ASM (14 mil for last 2 mids)
          Kane Werner Brewster

          1. Champions League Varane
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            My bad don’t have Kane in 2nd draft have Ings

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

              Ings one more balanced. Son or Chels mid or Greenwood maybe.

        • Jonnyb40
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          A Mitrovic Werner Antonio
          B Mitrovic Werner and 4.5mil striker

          Then use the extra 2.mil to bulk up midfield?

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

            B

            1. Jonnyb40
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Thanks, so hard to balance it out

        • Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Spurs conceded a lot of xGC last season, and the biggest problem was conceding headed shots. This is pre/post Mourinho, and pre/post lockdown, so it's a persistent issue.

          Lloris covered the cracks a lot last season with his phenomenal shot-stopping, but he's 34 this year, so you would expect his performances to start to dip soon, and as a result the Spurs defence to decline. "Goalkeeper performance peaks from age 23 to 27, then declines gradually until around the age of 32, when it begins to tail off quickly." Source: https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/1/29/21112631/bayern-munich-manuel-neuer-peak-statistical-performance-analysis-goalkeeper-age-alexander-nubel

          With regards to conceding headers, Doherty is slightly better in this department than Aurier, but not by much, so their defensive issues are likely to persist without a new aerially dominant defender. Assuming Doherty matches his attacking output at Spurs, or even improves it slightly, the sizeable decrease in defensive points is still likely to hurt his overall points.

          I think I'll pass on Doherty for now, until we get more promising data.

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

            On the other hand Lloris isn't much older than he was during prestart. So I wouldn't expect anything to change dramatically. Mourinho and time to train defending should be bigger positive factor imo.

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

            Good stuff. Thanks.

          3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Spurs are going to be super negative under Jose this season though, think they will play on the break a lot and sit deep, Doherty might not get forward as much though but he is a big threat from set pieces so reckon he gets his customary 4 goals, clean sheet wise I think between 10-12 is a reasonable estimate and they have a decent run at the start. I was going to go for Dier but with Doc offering that extra attacking threat I'll probably go for him.

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

            Second Season Mourinho starts seasons strong and is very good defensively, he should be fine from a defensive standpoint.

          5. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Kane missing was also a factor, wins a lot of defensive headers from corners and free kicks rather than Moura leaping about like a fish out of water to no effect

        • Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Am thinking of going for Robbo over trent to start the season, risky but Robbo is fully fit and ready to go and trent may not be fully up to speed. Also Robbo has been taking more corners and set pieces and his delivery has been good so reckon he gets a share of them going forwards.

          My plan would be to double up in gameweek 5 or 6 when fixtures get a bit better for clean sheets.

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

            On the other hand Trent is able to score from fk:s. Yes, it may work for a short period and he is cheaper, but all I can say is to wish you good luck!

            1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Yeah it would only be short term, the difference between them by the end will be 2 or 3 free kick goals by trent.

          2. Party time
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Both locked in for me

              1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Yeah I will aim for the double up after chelsea and arsenal games.

          3. nicksilver
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Anyone think Holding will be a regular starter?

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

              Not for Arsenal, but the likes of Newcastle are considering asking for him on loan.

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

              Nope he's going to Newcastle.

            3. nicksilver
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Cheers guys

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

              Whispering death

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

            Hey all.....Very first draft after some scouting around....on the right track so far you think?

            McCarthy Nyland
            TAA Doherty Bellerin Justin Johnson
            Salah Aubameyang Greenwood ASM Soucek
            Werner Ings Brewster

            1. barry custard
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              yep, template.

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

              On the way. Maybe Steer over Nyland; Doc maybe not worth 6 at Spurs; Bellerin 1st choice still?

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

            Ziyech + Nketiah

            OR

            Saka + Ings

            Surely B right?

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

              B. Saka could be "essential" this year at that price.

              1. barry custard
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                saka wont be essential as there is too many others who play in the same position

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

                  Saka is extremely versatile though.

                  He played LB for a lot of last season and yesterday he played RW. He could also play in AMN's role once he moves on. Point is, he can play everywhere and so I can't really see him drop out of the team.

                  1. Steve The Spud
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    But surely you don’t want to pay 5.5 for a mid who’s playing left back

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

            Saka or ASM ...?

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

              ASM has security of starts. Depends if you play safe or prefer a little danger.

          7. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Good morning folks!! Which combo would be more fruitful???
            A- Van Dijk JWP
            Or
            B- Robbo and Stretch Armstrong
            Thankyou

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

              Virgil and Armstrong and a bit put aside for a rainy day?

              1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Oooh nice one that’s a great suggestion!! Thanks mate!! Great idea!!

          8. Lucky Z
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Ryan
            TAA | Vinagre | Lascelles | KWP
            Salah | Auba | Son | ASM
            Werner | Mitrovic

            Button | Bissouma | C.Taylor | Davies

            3.0 ITB. Bissouma can be Greenwood. Just decided to keep funds for upgrades