Scout Notes

Popular FPL forward Werner scores on Chelsea debut as Ziyech suffers knee “twist”

Fantasy Football Scout’s coverage of pre-season continues with another round of match reports on key friendlies.

We’ve gone over some recent summer games to pull out the key Fantasy talking points… and track the minutes played by every player…

BRIGHTON 1-1 CHELSEA

  • Goals: Pascal Groß (£6.0m) | Timo Werner (£9.5m)
  • Assists: Aaron Connolly (£5.5m) | Callum Hudson-Odoi (£6.0m)

Timo Werner (£9.5m) did not wait around to get his Chelsea career off and running.

The former Leipzig forward made his debut for the Blues in a pre-season draw with Brighton on Saturday afternoon, finding the net before the five-minute mark.

Werner also produced plenty to like off the ball as well, with some excellent energy and movement during his 61-minute outing.

There was, as expected, a lot of drifting into the left-hand channel and dropping deep, but these runs only served to demonstrate Werner’s ability to link-up with his team-mates – possibly hinting at assist potential.

It must be said that the German international offered a lot more in the first half than during the second, in light of the creativity and service around him.

Stationed on the right-hand side of Chelsea’s front-three, Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) showed exactly why Frank Lampard wanted to bring him to Chelsea. As well as providing excellent delivery from set plays, it was his cross that led to Werner’s goal, helped on by Callum Hudson-Odoi (£6.0m).

There was, perhaps, a little bit too much time spent on the chalk of the touchline against Brighton for Ziyech but it is early days yet.

Furthermore, Fantasy managers may have to play a patient game with the former Ajax man in light of a second-half injury. Ziyech was forced off in the 54th with what Lampard described post-match as a “little twist to the knee” that needs to be looked at. Olivier Giroud (£7.0m) also left the game late-on with a bandaged head. 

Christian Pulisic (£8.5m), Fikayo Tomori (£5.0m), Emerson Palmieri (£5.0m), Mason Mount (£7.0m), Ross Barkley (£6.0m), Jorginho (£5.0m), Michy Batshuayi (£6.0m) and Tammy Abraham (£7.5m) all missed the game due to time in isolation over the last two weeks.

As ever, concerns about Chelsea’s defence remain as they conceded two penalties at the Amex Stadium, one saved by Willy Caballero (£4.5m), the other conceded.

Meanwhile, Leeds fans will not have enjoyed Ben White (£4.5m) featuring for over an hour as part of a strong-looking back-three for Brighton.

He was joined at the back by Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) and Adam Webster (£4.5m) as Graham Potter vows to give him the chance to earn a first-team place this season.

Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) was used as a second-half substitute while three different Seagulls goalkeepers were used – but David Button (£4.0m) did not feature.

Christian Walton came on for Mat Ryan (£4.5m) at the interval but was forced off through injury with 10 minutes left to play, allowing Robert Sánchez to come on and finish the game.

Pascal Groß (£6.0m) scored the equalising goal for Brighton from the spot, but it is unclear what this means for the pecking order as Neal Maupay (£6.5m) had been substituted before this penalty, having missed one of his own earlier in the match.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-5-1-1): Ryan (Walton 62′ | Sánchez 80′); Dunk (Bernardo 62′), Webster (Burn 62′), B White (Duffy 62′); March (Connolly 62′), Bissouma (D Stephens 62′ | Sanders 73′), Alzate (Molumby 46′), Lallana (Mac Allister 46′), Veltman (Lamptey 46′); Trossard (Jahanbakhsh 62′); Maupay (Groß 62′).

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa (Caballero 46′); Alonso (Maatsen 66′), Christensen (Azpilicueta 46′), Clarke-Salter (Rüdiger 46′), R James (Lawrence 66′); Loftus-Cheek (Vale 72′), Kanté (Ampadu 61′), Kovačić (Baker 61′); Hudson-Odoi (McCormick 72′), Werner (Giroud 61′ | Castillo 90+2′), Ziyech (Gallagher 54′).

SPURS 4-1 READING

  • Goals: Own Goal, Dele Alli (£8.0m), Son Heung-min (£9.0m), Erik Lamela (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Son x2, Lucas Moura (£7.0m), Steven Bergwijn (£7.5m)

Son Heung-min (£9.0m) continued his exhilarating pre-season form in a big win over Reading on Friday, but Fantasy managers are urged to consider the context before jumping at the chance to throw him in their next draft.

For the second friendly in a row, the South Korean was used as a central striker in the absence of Harry Kane (£10.5m), who missed the last two weeks of training following a quarantine period after travelling.

Just as he did back in February, Son made the most of his advanced central role against Reading and now has three goals and two (Fantasy) assists this summer.

In the first half on Friday, Ben Davies (£5.0m) played a long ball down the left-hand side of the field, run onto by Son, whose shot was turned into his own net by Omar Richards.

Alli headed to Lucas Moura (£7.0m) on the edge of the box, taking in an immediate first-touch return pass and lofting the ball over visiting goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.

Steven Bergwijn (£7.5m) found space on the left six minutes later, allowing him enough room to pick out Son in the box, who swept in at the back post.

The South Korean was then involved again as he got fouled for the free-kick Erik Lamela (£6.0m) dispatched in the 52nd minute.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris (Hart 46′ | Gazzaniga 74′); B Davies (Sessegnon 46′), Dier (Carter-Vickers 46′), Alderweireld, G Fernandes (Aurier 46′); Højbjerg (Bowden 75′), White (Sissoko 46′ (Devine 86′)); Bergwijn (Cirkin 62′), Alli (Clarke 62′), Moura (Lamela 46′); Son (Scarlett 81′).

SPURS 1-0 BIRMINGHAM

  • Goals: Steven Bergwijn (£7.5m)
  • Assists: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (£5.0m)

Spurs’ next pre-season game, played the following day added a few extra factors for Fantasy managers to consider.

Kane was finally named as part of a matchday squad after his period of self-isolation, although he did not feature against Birmingham. It means we will probably only get to see him in action for Spurs before Gameweek 1 when they travel to Watford on September 5 – although he is due to play for England during the international break.

With three friendlies in the books for Spurs now, we are starting to get an idea of who Mourinho’s favourites have been in other positions.

Gedson Fernandes (£5.0m) has played 225 minutes across those outings, used in a number of different roles (including right-back) while Ryan Sessegnon (£5.0m) has registered the same game-time (most among Spurs players) predominantly on the left-hand side of attacking midfield.

Moura has also been extensively used, playing for 90 minutes against Birmingham and is the third-most utilised Spurs player so far.

Also of note, Cameron Carter-Vickers has now played 180 minutes, the most of any Spurs centre-back. While Toby Alderweireld (£5.5m) and Eric Dier (£5.0m) are likely to be the first-choice pair, the youngster’s involvement could be enough to earn a £4.0m or £4.5m price on FPL.

The same could be said of Dennis Cirkin, who has largely been rotating the left-back berth with Davies, registering 118 minutes so far.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-3-3): Hart (Lloris 46′); Cirkin (B Davies 46′), Carter-Vickers, Dier (Bergwijn 46′), Aurier; White (Alli 46′), G Fernandes, Sissoko (Højbjerg 61′); Sessegnon, Clarke (Son 71′), Moura. 

NEWCASTLE 2-1 BARNSLEY

  • Goals: Andy Carroll (£5.5m), Jacob Murphy
  • Assists: Matt Ritchie (£5.0m)

Andy Carroll (£5.5m) continues to draw Fantasy attention ahead of the new season as he scored for the second pre-season friendly in a row on Saturday.

With Dwight Gayle (£6.0m) currently out injured with an ankle problem, and Joelinton (£6.0m) and Yoshinori Muto (£5.0m) still yet to be involved in a single friendly, Carroll’s chances of starting Gameweek 1 are beginning to look encouraging indeed.

Add into the mix that he has now scored two goals in as many appearances over the summer, and Steve Bruce may have no choice but to build his attack around the striker for the visit of West Ham on Saturday, September 12.

With a dearth of serious options in the £5.5m bracket among forwards this season, interest in Carroll may increase slightly in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the goalkeeper situation at Newcastle in light of Martin Dúbravka‘s (£5.0m) recent injury.

Karl Darlow (£5.0m) is obviously too expensive for anyone to really consider but Mark Gillespie (£4.5m) could offer value if he were to nail a place down. So far this pre-season, both goalkeepers have played half of the two games. With each of them on 90 minutes total game-time this summer, more data is needed.

Of the two goalkeepers, Darlow remains the unbeaten one so far, Newcastle conceding nine minutes after Gillespie came on against Barnsley.

Matt Ritchie (£5.0m) made his first appearance of pre-season on Saturday, featuring on the left-hand side of midfield, registering an assist for Carroll’s goal and going close to scoring himself.

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) was used only as a second-half substitute in this outing and, interestingly, after two games, 11 of his colleagues have been handed more game-time. The Frenchman was exciting during his 29-minute cameo though, producing a trademark fizzing run and cross late in the game, which nearly resulted in Josh Murphy (not yet priced) adding his second of the game, were it not for a deft touch by Barnsley’s goalkeeper.

Murphy was another player to add some zip to Newcastle in the second half, winning a penalty that he scored himself.

Newcastle United XI (4-5-1): Darlow (Gillespie 46′); Dummett (Manquillo 61′), Clark (Yedlin 61′), Fernández (Lejeune 61′), Krafth; Ritchie (Atsu 61′), S Longstaff (Murphy 61′), Hayden (Saivet 74′), Shelvey (Barlaser 74′), Hendrick (Saint-Maximin 61′); Carroll (Almirón 61′).

HEARTS 0-1 SHEFF UTD

  • Goals: John Fleck (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Billy Sharp (£6.0m)

Billy Sharp‘s (£6.0m) pre-season form may start asking some questions of Chris Wilder ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

The veteran forward scored the only goal of Sheffield United’s abandoned 1-0 win at Dundee United last week and he provided an assist as the Blades won at Hearts.

He played in John Fleck (£6.0m) to open the scoring inside the eighth minute before going to close to adding his second goal of the summer and having an effort ruled out for offside.

Sharp and Callum Robinson (£5.5m) have both started each of Sheffield United’s pre-season games so far while Oli McBurnie (£6.0m) and David McGoldrick (£5.5m) remain missing, likely due to isolating in light of track and trace alerts.

While the latter pairing is arguably the first-choice at Bramall Lane, especially based on Project Restart performances, their continued absence from friendly matches is allowing Sharp and Robinson to show what they can do, each of them inside the top-three most-used Blades assets thus far.

Wilder is still without Jack O’Connell (£5.0m) but was able to welcome George Baldock (£5.5m) into the fold, the right wing-back representing the only change from the team selected against Dundee, Regan Slater demoted to the bench.

That meant Wilder could hand another solid innings to the central midfield trio of Fleck, Sander Berge (£5.0m) and Oliver Norwood (£5.0m), who played 67 minutes together at Hearts.

Considering John Lundstram (£5.5m) is still not involved, although back in training, it does look as if Fleck, Berge and Norwood could be the midfield triumvirate for the Gameweek 1 hosting of Wolves.

“John is back with us, there’s a contract offer there. That’s between the club and John and his agent. There’s no reason for John to down tools, and if he’s here for the rest of the season, he’s here for the rest of the season. Would I like him to sign a new contract? Of course, he was outstanding for us. We’ll keep looking at the situation. If the window comes and somebody makes a bid for him, that’s up to John to consider and us to consider.” – Chris Wilder

Another returning name was Lys Mousset (£6.0m) who, after missing out on the Dundee United game, emerged as a 75th-minute replacement for Chris Basham (£5.0m) on Friday.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; J Robinson (K Bryan 67′), Egan (Jagielka 67′), Basham (Mousset 75′); Stevens (Norrington-Davies 67′), Fleck (Osborn 67′), Norwood (Brunt 69′), Berge (Rodwell 69′), Baldock (Slater 69′); C Robinson (Gordon 84′), Sharp (Hackford 80′).

BIRMINGHAM 0-2 LEICESTER

  • Goals: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Albrighton (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Youri Tielemans (£6.5m)

Leicester secured a 2-0 win over Birmingham City with the help of a large number of young players earlier this week.

Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.0m) were among the biggest names missing while James Maddison (£7.0m), Ricardo Pereira (£6.0m), Jonny Evans (£5.5m), Christian Fuchs (£4.5m) and Daniel Amartey (£4.0m) were all absent through injury.

Following Ben Chilwell‘s (£5.5m) move to Chelsea, Fuchs’ knock and the absence for Luke Thomas (£4.5m) forced Brendan Rodgers to deploy academy midfielder Thakgalo Leshabela at left-back for 60 minutes while James Justin (£4.5m) spent the same length of time in his preferred position on the right-hand side of the Foxes’ defence.

Caglar Söyüncü (£5.5m) and Youri Tielemans (£6.5m) went closest for Leicester in the first half, seeing their efforts drag wide and blocked by the defence – and it was the Belgian who carved out the opening goal in the second period.

He made a driving run through Birmingham’s midfield and played in substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to score.

Marc Albrighton (£5.5m) netted a rather fortunate second goal for Leicester when he charged down a clearance from goalkeeper Zach Jeacock.

With a raft of changes made for the closing stages, Admiral Muskwe won a penalty but saw his spot-kick saved.

Leicester City XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel (D Ward 46′); Leshabela (Marcal-Madivadua 60′), Söyüncü (D Johnson 60′), Knight (Benkovic 46′), Justin (Daley-Campbell 60′); Tielemans (Fitzhugh 60′), N Mendy (Choudhury 46′), Tavares (Dewsbury-Hall 46′); Gray (Albrighton 46′), Hirst (Muskwe 46′), Barnes (Eppiah 60′).

Best players by position:

1,027 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is chilwell actually injured?

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

      Yes - heel injury

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

    Alli vs Son?

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

      6m to get both. Nice

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

      Alli 2 - 5 Son

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

      Son ofc

    4. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Tough one. I'm looking at Alli. Son is currently playing up front in the friendlies and scoring, and if he stayed in that position, he'd defo be in my team. But as he's likely to be back on the wing when Kane plays, it diminishes his appeal imo.

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Surprisingly Alli

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

      Thanks all. Alli with an extra 1.0 is certainly tempting over Son

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

      Son

    8. Party time
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Alli for me

    9. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Should we bring in some Man City and Man Utd from the start?

      Granted we have a free transfer and can take a hit but we’d need to do the transfer early in GW2 or have 0.5itb to be able afford the inevitable price rises of these players (KDB, Mahrez, Stirling, Bruno, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial).

      A lot of new players join GW2 and they’ll drive up these players prices before Deadline.

      1. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        *Sterling

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

        I prefere best team for GW1....and then 2 free transfers at GW3

        1. JoeJitzu +42
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I’m guessing you’ll lose considerable team value by then as Fantasy managers transfer in KDB, Bruno and co in their hundreds of thousands driving up their prices and potential reducing your players?!

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

            Better 0.2, 0.3 money then pts 🙂

            1. JoeJitzu +42
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Yes, defo “pts make prizes” but I think it could be 0.2/0.3 per player and then your prices out of the moves.

              1. JoeJitzu +42
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                *you’re

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

        I think I am prepared to take the hit if I think there will be price rise.

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

        I’ve got Bruno on my bench for GW1.

      5. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Not for me, maybe Greenwood on the bench at a push.

      6. KnightSlayer
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        GW2 - new players , as they are not transfers but starting squad the price should not rise from them

        1. JoeJitzu +42
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Interesting, ok makes sense (not a transfer)!

          I still think there’ll be carnage in the market though and those that don’t act early enough will long term squad could suffer.

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

        I’m not sure their price rises will be ‘inevitable‘. FPL towers tinkers with stuff like this. They might not rise until after GW2.

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

      Could see a lot of sideways Ings to Adams transfers over the season.

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

      Leicester news at 4pm today. Wonder what it'll be.

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

        Messi's coming. Oh alright, it will be some replacement for Morgan or Chilwell. (I hope)

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

      Willian in contention to start GW1 regardless of missing CS game?

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

        Come back after ten days and you may have the answer.

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

          It'll be too late then, buck. Hoping some Arsenal fans might be able to fill me in. Thanks.

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

        Yes.

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

      Keep coming back to this.

      McCarthy (Steer)
      TAA, VVD, Vinagre (Justin, Mitchell)
      Auba, Salah, Son, ASM, Soucek
      Werner, Soucek (Davis)

      1.0m itb for KDB and Fernandes transfers. Thoughts?

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

        Mitrovic not Soucek*

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Soucek's twin playing up front? Haven't seen that since the Ayew Brothers.

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

          Ahaha knew that mistake would haunt me

      3. Tony Moon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I like your Soucek up front too!

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

          Too good to only have him once

      4. 70's Child
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Almost identical to mine with except I fancy Ryan over McCarthy

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

        Who's the Soucek in the Midfield ??

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

          Touted as the next messi

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

            🙂
            Like that apart from ASM

      6. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Looks good

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

        1.0m in the bank might not be enough for the moves you want to make

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

          ASM to Ritchie to avoid the possible issue

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

      My draft has evolved to look a lot like Zophar's featured one in terms of structure.

      McCarthy Nyland
      TAA Dier Vinagre Justin Johnson
      Auba Fernandes Son Saka Soucek
      Werner Ings Mitrovic

      I am considering Ings + Mitro > Vardy + 4.5m pending Mitro's availability.

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

        Why don't you start with, say, Mane, instead od Fernandes. It's an easy swap in GW2 and could pay off ?

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

          Forced transfer in GW2 which I don't want. I want to roll a transfer in GW2 and then have 2 in GW3 to do what I want. I've explained in depth before why I don't want to have a Fernandes placeholder.

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

            Well, with that being sad, good luck and may Fernandes haul against Eagles in GW2 !
            Cheers

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

        I'm not sure but i feel like there should be some Liverpool in that midfield.

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

          Calculated risk of going without. Can always do Auba > Salah in GW3.

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

        I would rather risk with Podence as a fourth mid, but I like Saka as a pick.

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

        Saka?

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

          Saka the assist machine. If only we could rely on his gametime.

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

          I like an Arsenal punt for the first two GWs. Saka or Nketiah appeal. They are nice price points too for me if someone emerges there. In two weeks I can reevaluate.

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

        I like it. Prefer Jimi myself than Ings even with Doc gone.

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

        What do you mean by Mitro's availability. Is he injured?

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

          Hasn't taken part in any preseason yet. So far looks like he's still in Serbia so it could be complicated situation for him to be back in time for GW1.

    15. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      After much tinkering, I've come up with this bunch:

      McCarthy (Nyland)
      TAA / Vinagre / KWP / Davies (Mitchell)
      Salah / Auba / Ziyech / Soucek (Bissouma)
      Werner / Kane (Brewster)

      What do you think?

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Tidy.

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

          Cheers 🙂

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

        Monitor Ziyech. He might be injured. But it's pretty solid otherwise. KWP > Justin for rotation reasons. You need a defender with a good GW2 and with Vinagre + KWP you have City and Spurs in GW2 which ain't great.

        1. Party time
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I am not injured. Stop it!

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

              You better score a belter in GW1 or Greenwood's coming for your spot!

              1. Party time
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  I will try 🙂

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

              I'll definitely monitor Ziyech. Thanks for rotation info, I didn't see that one. Too much tinkering, and you miss that kind of stuff. Justin going in right now.
              Cheers 🙂

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

          Martial, Ings and Ziyech
          or
          Auba/Salah, Greenwood and Che Adams
          ?

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

          Hmmm..with Doherty gone, I wonder will NES be looking for more help from Traore or Jota to help carve out opportunities?

          3 different players obviously but goals are required from somewhere eitherway....

          If one of them could secure regular minutes then could be great value with both at 6.5

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

            If Jota nails down a spot he’ll be the best midfield option up to 8m by so far it’s not even funny given his price

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

          Just watching some Pulsic highlights and reminded of when he shredded Liverpool's entire defence: https://streamable.com/e/i0px47?autoplay=1 Need to make plans for this guy when he's fit...

          Is he two-footed btw? Seems to be completely comfortable with both.

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

            Might be in GW3 for me, but will mean I’m basically ignoring united completely...

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

            When he's fit, I'll definitely consider him

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

            Great player if we could keep him on the pitch and injury free for sure

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

            Love him as a player. Great talent. Waiting for him to get fit

          5. NABIL - FPL otai
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Son/Alli to him when finally fit to play will happen for many I guess

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

            Likely Son replacement for me.

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

              My thoughts as well...

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

                Pity he’s not fit for GW1

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

          Mates which defensive duo for the first GWs?

          A) McCarthy Doherty

          B) Lloris Dier

          C) Leno Tierney

          Other 10.5 GK / DEF combo?

          Cheers!

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

            McCarty Dier + 1M itb ?

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

            A

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

          Latest draft...comments ? Thanks.

          McCarthy Steer
          TAA Dier Vinagre Justin Mitchell
          Auba Salah Son Armstrong Soucek
          Werner Ings Brewster

          If Saliba is nailed, might switch Dier and Mitchell to Saliba and Taylor..

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

          Which one?
          A. Werner, Armstrong
          B. Son, Ayew
          C. Ings, Traore

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

            A

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

            Don’t like any, but A

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

              ? A is class option.

        8. Party time
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Can’t wait to wildcard in gw 2

          • Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I would stay far away from Jimenez and Ings. They are the first players people will sell for whatever cheap striker decides to start with a bang. Almost guaranteed to lose value early in the season unless they hit the ground running.

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

              I'd rather try to find the next Ings

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

                Yes agreed. Jimi/Ings feels like last season's Wilson/Fraser to me

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

              Same could be said of Werner though. Blanks against Brighton and he has Liverpool up next in GW2, while Martial is available for 0.5m less...

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

              I hope they do sell. Having a 10% TSB Jimenez in my team would be terrific.

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

              I'm looking at Vardy now .... Good starting fixtures till GW 4

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

              What I like about Ings and Jimenez is they still are good value, even at 8.5, especially Jimenez with his consistency and fixtures, and Ings was even better than him after the restart. They both have penalties too (althoug JWP took the second one in the last game).

              In midfield, around the same price, there are Son, Pulisic, Ziyech and Greenwood. Chelsea guys flagged at the moment. Greenwood misses the gw1, and I am not sure if I am comfortable relying on his finishing even at 7.5. Kane is someone I'm more interested in at Spurs, I don't like Son on the left, he seems to drift too far wide.

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

              Jimenez has had two good 180-200 points seasons...consistent performer. 8.5 should be a fair price for that, and he’s on penalties. Although worried about their attacking stats lately...

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

            This is me...!

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

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

              Similar to mine but I steered clear of Arse defence due to horrible fixtures after GW2 - Otherwise I like it.

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

                Yeah thanks.
                I’m happy to go with Tierney for the first 2 and move him on if needs be.

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

            If Aurier had license to attack under Mourinho then Doherty will surely do a much better job than Aurier?

            1. NABIL - FPL otai
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              He will

            2. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              It's not that simple though.

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

                Doherty is a far more adept player. I only see him doing better at Spurs.

          • davies
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Thoughts on Soucek as a 4th mid in a 343?

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

              I'll only be playing Soucek while I have a Man Utd attacker on the bench.

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

                Snap ^.
                I think he will come in quite useful if I should decide to 3-5-2 at certain times...

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

              I'm having him as a 5th, but as a 4th is a bigger ask .... possible he might do OK.

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

              Can work out definitely.

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

              He’s my fifth mid...

          • NABIL - FPL otai
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Alright, are you getting spurs defender or not? If yes, which one?
            A. Doherty
            B. One of Dier or Davies
            C. Combo of A & B
            D. Nope, ignore for now.

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

              Current draft has Dier and Davies. Plan is to WC GW10, I predict around 6 CS in that time period - Mourinho second season effect, improved defensive performance after restart, signing of Hojbjerg and a generous pricing of 5.0 has me very pleased with them.

              1. NABIL - FPL otai
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Good. Possibly Doherty and Dier here

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

              Not sure. As of now, Doherty is locked...

              1. NABIL - FPL otai
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Spurs' Doherty right? 😀

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

                  Yep yep!

                  Just need Vinagre nailed now, might be able to build a defense which covers all defense that I want 😀

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

                    What's your defense looking like? I'm intrigued

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

                      Trent, Doherty, Egan, Vinagre, Walker Pieters

                      Will get Saiss, Davies and Shaw for DVW if incase Vinagre is not nailed

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

            Talk about grabbing his opportunity. Doherty wasn’t even in Bohemians first team when Wolves spotted him during a friendly in Dublin.

            Did you ever wonder how many truly great players out there never had that all important break to help make it big?

            It’s nice to think all great players create their own good fortune and would always have made it eitherway, but that’s fairy tale stuff imo

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

              I wasn't spotted and now I work with computers and post on FFS.

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

                Where did it all go wrong eh Gerorge...

          • FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Not sure what to do with Doherty now. Shall I revert back to Mitro?

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

              I'm sure you can get both

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

              No, keep Doherty, don't bother with fattie Mitro.

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

            any good fanteam drafts?
            pricing is completely different so cant really have the same team as fpl

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

            Before the season I did predicted FPL prices for all the key players.
            https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tOXOHLkK5PaJPke_a7o4uQT707lDpKWAlr5y6VmcXU4/edit?usp=sharing

            Here are the players I misjudged by 1.0m or more.

            KdB - 12.5m
            Son - 10m
            Mahrez - 9.5m
            Foden - 7.5m
            ASM - 6.5m
            Saka - 6.5m
            Soucek - 6.0m
            Martinelli - 6.0m
            Martial - 10m
            Antonio - 7.5m

            So if I went strictly by value, I would say that a lot of those players should fill up my draft and they mostly do. The only exceptions being Martinelli who is injured but could be incredible value once fit, Foden - no GW1, ASM because I went with Saka over him, and Antonio - bad fixtures/uncertainty of position.

            Martial is someone I like a lot. I think he's underpriced at 9m and Foden as well at 6.5m relative to the points he could bring and even Mahrez who scored very well considering his limited minutes. Obviously a number of things might change things namely the signing of Messi... But we will wait and see on City. But my feeling is that one of Mahrez/Foden is gonna be great value if Messi doesn't just come in and eat all minutes.

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

              Good stuff, Camzy. I think if Martial was still classed as a midfielder, you'd have been pretty spot on with 10m. I still like him at 9m though.

              I'm considering Son, Saka and Soucek from that list. KdB around GW3.

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

              Thanks. Always amusing how people obsess (myself included) about minutes. Mahrez was one of the top FPL midfielders last season. Period. And that was DESPITE his pitch time. The game is about accumulating most points not most minutes. If he could get good anywhere good minutes he should push for 200 points easily.

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

            Better use of 6m:

            (A) Doherty as 2nd premium defender in a 4-4-2

            (B) Mitrovic as 3rd striker in a 3-4-3

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

              I think A, but depends on the strength of your bench too

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

            can i get instructions on how to create a gravatar? been using the site for over 10 years without one

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

              pmsl

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

              gravatar.com
              Register
              Upload a photo
              Rate G
              Save
              Done

              1. Party time
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  & use the same email as the one registered with ffs

                  1. Party time
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      ...on*

                      buddy

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

                  done. test

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

                  thanks all

              2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Good afternoon everybody. Who is the best midfielder for 7.0m and under ?.

                1. Party time
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Greenwood

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

                    St Max at 5.5 IMO but Armstrong, Perriera, Saka, Soucek good calls. I don't like the 7's much

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

                    Mount could be interesting in the short term.

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

                  Assuming you could get either (and you already had TAA), who would you prefer: Robertson, or Doherty?

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

                    Doherty

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

                      Thanks!

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

                    Robertson without a shadow of a doubt.

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

                      Ha, one vote each. Thanks!

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

                    Robertson easy

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

                      And that's the decider. Thanks!

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

                  OMG - watch out Magnus! My wife has just said that she's going to enter a fantasy team this year - not sure if I could bear the shame of her beating me, but it might be good for matrimonial harmony.

                  1. Party time
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      My wife will like to join your wife’s mini league. Care to share the code?

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

                        Is this like putting car keys in a bowl? 😀

                        1. Party time
                            3 years, 7 months ago

                            Lol. My bad