Sky Sports

The best goalkeepers and defenders for Sky Sports Fantasy Football

With less than a week to go, the time is now to decide on which defenders will and will not make your Sky Sports Fantasy Football backline.

Goalkeepers and defenders are an integral part of any team, but they have become increasingly important in the art of Fantasy Football, and even more so in Sky Sports Fantasy Football.

Rewinding to the 2018/19 campaign, I reported that there were five defenders among the top 10 point-scorers in the game, but fast forward to last season, and there were four goalkeepers and defenders combined who achieved the same feat, those being Dean Henderson and the Liverpool trio of Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.

There are some potential bargains, and there are some which will come out of the woodwork, but two, or three of these five defensive players should be at the heart of your consideration when building your starting XI.

John Egan – £7.2m

Claiming an impressive 146 Fantasy Football points in his debut season in the Premier League, John Egan was value-for-money during Sheffield United’s successful campaign. Even with an increased price tag of £7.2m, he comes in as one of the cheapest assets in defence who started the majority of games last season.

This is reflected in his selection percentage, which currently stands at 11.75%. The price caters to accommodate those bigger players in defence, but at one of the value or budget picks, you will not go too far wrong with Egan, a solid defender who kept 13 clean sheets last term, scoring twice and picking up two man-of-the-match awards too.

Virgil van Dijk – £10.9m

Liverpool's FPL defenders struggle as Arteta hands out Arsenal goalkeeper clues

For the second season in succession, Virgil van Dijk recorded the most points out of any of the defenders, and of any player in Sky Sports Fantasy Football, despite racking up 31 points less (268) than he did in 2018/19 (299). This does still equate to 7.1 points per game, a fitting average for the most expensive defender, his price inflating to £10.9m for the new season.

It does not seem to have put many off, with van Dijk making it into 32.37 per cent of Fantasy Football teams. With 15 clean sheets, five goals, and hitting tier two passing bonus points (70+) on 21 occasions last season, it seems that even £10.9m is not beyond the extreme to have the Dutch skipper in your side.

With just four games to navigate before the Overhaul (unlimited transfers within the £100m budget for a set period of time), van Dijk looks a good route to get your season off and running emphatically, starting with new boys Leeds on Saturday, despite Chelsea and Arsenal following afterwards.

Nick Pope – £6.7m

The Burnley stopper registered a whopping 215 Fantasy points last season, just three behind Dean Henderson, who topped the charts. Nick Pope kept 15 clean sheets, just the one behind Ederson who claimed the Golden Glove. He has since earned an England call-up off the back of his solid performances between the sticks.

Burnley’s ever-resolute defence only let in 50 goals last campaign, and this level of consistency is expected to continue next year. After a tough trip to Leicester on the opening day, Burnley face Southampton and Newcastle before the international break.

Pope tallied tier one bonus points (three or more saves) on 15 occasions and tier two (five or more saves) six times, so even when clean sheets may be hard to come by, there will still be averages coming in from your number one.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – £10.6m

Trent Alexander-Arnold finished fourth in the Sky Sports Fantasy Football charts last campaign with 245 points. He made double figures with assists for the second consecutive season, ending on 13 from that department. Trent cruised his way to the Young Player of the Year award, and is set for another enjoyable term in the red of Liverpool.

Perhaps it is the fact that the English full back comes into the game £0.3m cheaper than his teammate Virgil van Dijk is the reason behind a higher selection percentage, which stands at 37.07 per cent. Will Alexander-Arnold make it into your starting XI for the opening day?

Kieran Tierney – £8.1m

We really started to see the best of Kieran Tierney towards the back end of last season, and the Scotsman played his part in Arsenal’s FA Cup final success. With a pre-season under his belt, he should be fit and raring to go ahead of the new campaign.

His statistics may not look the most promising, but his ability to get down the flanks and right to the byline before delivering inch-perfect crosses should account for an upturn in assists from defence. As well as this, Arsenal’s defence should (should) be a bit more solid and sturdy with William Saliba coming back from his loan spell and the introduction of Gabriel, so clean sheet points could be easier to come by.

Only a short period of time awaits until the first match of the season, with Fulham hosting Arsenal at Craven Cottage. 

Change and amend your team, and who knows, you could land yourself the £50,000 jackpot!

Best players by position:

2,968 Comments Post a Comment
  1. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wassup Homies?!

    Here's my slightly unorthodox selection:

    Johnstone Steer
    Tierney Egan Justin KWP Dallas
    Auba Salah Son Jota Bowen
    Werner Adams Mitrovic

    1. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like this, quite different from most teams on here!

  2. COW
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey Fellas,

    After a bit of advice if possible.

    I'm looking to take a seasons break from FPL. I have made a team - but is there anyway I can take my team back and not play it? But still have my leagues run as normal and maybe play next season instead?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You pick your team and leave it. Simple.

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

      Too late. Next time don't make a team. Just setup as good a ghost ship as you can and see how good it can do.

    3. VAR United
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leave it as a ghost team

    4. Ole.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leave your leagues and forget about it.

  3. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Son and Dele Alli together for GW 1 good idea?

    1. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      if they played for different teams, would you have them? if so, then do it.

      1. Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I want them

        1. thepeen555
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Then do that. Dont be a sheep lol

    2. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I goth both pretty early. I'm taking the risk but with confidence.

  4. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this 442 please?

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin KWP Robertson
    Salah Aubameyang Alli James
    Werner Mitrovic

    Nyland Bissouma Davis Ferguson

    Bottomed

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pretty

  5. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    which aston villa forward ?
    Davis
    Vassilev
    ?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Worrying about that one has made me swallow all my anti Frank prejudices to go Werner to add to Vardy and Ings up top

    2. Autopick XI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davis will be 3rd choice behind Watkins and Samatta and will be even less likely to get mins once Wesley returns from injury. I don't think Vassilev will even make the squad.

  6. pmletch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Vinagre nailed?

    1. VAR United
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not nailed but could still play with his move not materialising. Wait for the pressers, hopefully someone asks the question

      1. Sanchit
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What about marcal?

        1. VAR United
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          He’s a LCB who can play LWB so depends on what system Nuno goes with.

          The first 2 GWs I would wait and see who comes through and then jump on them.

    2. Sanchit
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You asking this question means he is not

  7. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rmt

    Ryan
    TAA Egan Davies Robertson
    Greenwood/James* Son Auba (C)
    DCL Vardy Ings

    bench: Mitchell

    Probably going for Greenwood over James so Bowen will probably be in my gw1 team and then transfer to Gw

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

      Daniel James?

      1. CheesyZoot
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Rodriguez?

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

        Rodrigez

    2. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Prefer McCarthy to Ryan due to fixtures

      DCL great after GW1 and could get something vs Spurs.

      Vardy nice route to Martial

      Good team

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks a lot mate. Vardy to martial on gw2 or wait for gw 3 and double up on Chelsea with Werner and Ziyech instead of Vardy Greenwood?

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

    Werner out in GW2 is starting to look really good to me.

    I think I like Martial more than Werner. If Werner does not look extremely sharp/gets a haul in GW1, I think there is a very strong chance I do it.

    And then in GW3 I can take a -4 and end up with this:

    KdB Fernandes Son Havertz Foden
    Martial Wilson

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      So you are already seeing Martial being sharp when he does not even play GW1 lol

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

        I watched France... That was 2 days ago. And since project restart, Martial has done very, very well. 9 goal involvements in 9 games.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Ok

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

      And what about Bruno? You wanted him so bad

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

        Benched GW1

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

          Too much for my taste

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

        Still have him. Would be a MUN double up in GW2 with no hit.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          So 9.5 + 10.5 on your bench. Ha ha

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Oh sorry, less 0.5

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

              He/ She will not bench Matrial....

        2. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Hit for me in gw2. Just can't take the risk going without Salah...

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looking at that myself.

      Have him and Vardy and one goes week 2.

      Havertz for you over Puli?

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

        Yes. Havertz over Pulisic.

    4. Ole.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The cam treble up Kdb, Fernandes, Havertz does look good 🙂

    5. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner after gw 3 has amazing run of fixtures.

    6. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leaving money in the bank week 1 for Martial in week 2. Werner stays tho. One of the other Fwds will make way.

  9. VAR United
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can I get a quick vote please;

    A) TAA, Werner, Foden
    B) Doherty, Salah, ASM

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B, simply because I don't trust Pep

    4. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  10. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Am i ready?

    Mccarthy(nyland)
    Taa davies justin (mitchell, bernardo)
    Salah armstrong auba son (bissouma)
    Werner mitrovic callum.

    Any advices appreciated???

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Never trust the Spurs defence

  11. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Vinagre
    B. Justin/Thomas

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Justin I reckon

  12. some witty pun
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 1-week punt before I bring in Martial on GW2?

    A) Ings
    B) Antonio
    C) Start JWP and save the transfer of Martial

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner?

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings if no funds

      1. some witty pun
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Already have Werner, thanks

    3. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    4. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C. I'm saving a transfer myself and already included Martial. I'd rather lose out on 2 points than not being able to make key transfers without taking too many hits.

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

    Please help, I can't decide between these two, what's better :

    A) McCarhy (Nyland)
    TAA / Robbo / Justin (Ayling, Mitchell)
    Mane / Auba / ASM / Havertz (Bissouma)
    Mitro / Werner / Nketiah

    or

    B) McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA / Saiss / Davies / Justin (Mitchell)
    Mane / Auba / ASM / Son (Bissouma)
    Werner / Ings (Davis)

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Awful formatting. Just post the differences.

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

        It's either Robbo / Ayling + Havertz , Mitro and Nketiah or Saiss / Davies + Son / Ings and Davis

      2. Marmalade Forest
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But their selection of (and people’s ideas of who to go for), say, Havertz, could depend on whether they have Werner etc.

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I prefer A

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

        Thanks

  14. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    In your opinion who is the best 6.0 ST for this front eight for the first 4 - 6 GWs

    Aubameyang Salah ASM Livermore JWP

    Werner Jimenez xxxxxxxx

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nitrovic

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He's not that fast..

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Let's call him NOS.

          1. Gunners in Haaland
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Mitro speed 😀

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams for me

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's got to be Mitrovic.

    4. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro purely for his ownership levels. Could be a costly one to miss out on.

    5. VAR United
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Find the .5 and get Wilson. If you can’t then Mitro

    6. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro, nailed/pens/talisman/ownnership

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

      Its mitrovic

  15. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which combo :

    A. Werner + mitro
    Or
    B. Vardy + Antonio

    Cheers

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  16. Rider on the Storm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So much confidence on werner!

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      High ownership, hedging my bets.

    2. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Every manager on here trust the guy!

    3. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He'll be gunning for the golden boot 😉

    4. swervinho
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      With all that attacking creativity around him, he gets a huge number of chances. Hopefully plays central.

    5. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I actually thought he'd be a differential. Instead now I'm waiting until at least GW3 to see if I'll get him. Same with Havertz.
      I'm sure he'll get the numbers either waay.

  17. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What is better...

    A) Kane (3-4-3)
    B) Alli + then switch to Fernandes in GW2

  18. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    BB GW1. WC GW2. Thoughts?

    McCarthy Ryan
    Trent Robbo Doherty Tierney Saiss
    Auba Son JWP Pereira ASM
    Werner Adams Mitro

  19. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there somewhere in the members area to see which players have the best points to minutes ratio? Help appreciated!

  20. MrCloppity
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth getting rid of Doherty to fit Wilson in? Would mean 4-5-1 to 3-5-2.
    Current team

    McCarthy
    TAA AWB Walker- Peters Doherty
    Auba Mane Saka ASM Son
    Werner

    Nyland, Brewster, Davis, Mitchell

    2m itb
    Son to Fernandez GW2

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is that Pete Doherty at leftback?

      1. MrCloppity
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Haha

  21. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    First attempt here... a new born will delay attempts at a fantasy team it would seem!

    McCarthy
    TAA | Dier | Justin
    Salah | Auba | Alli | ASM
    Werner | Jimi | Mitro

    (Steer | Vinagre Mithchel | Stephens)

    Not convinced on Jimi and Diet could be Davis.
    Other than that am I missing anything?

    1. MrCloppity
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Plan to move to United and city players.

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Auba to KDB / Sterling.
        Jimi to either Martial or downgrade to Wilson and use funds to upgrade Alli to Rashford in time.

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Our teams are almost identical, except I have Soucek over ASM, so i have the money to get in Martial for Jimi (or in my case Ings)

      1. FPL_DON
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oh and congrats!

        1. Your Man With The Hair
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers... yea that extra 0.5m would be handy for sure!

          1. MrCloppity
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Looks and sounds good then. Congrats as well

  22. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    think lamptey is nailed ? not over enthusiastic over 4.5 defenders but need to pick someone 🙂

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Veltman says hi...

  23. olavure
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    rate my team?

    Leno (Nyland)

    TAA - Davies - Saliba - Justin (Mitchell)

    Auba - Salah - Havertz (Stephens, Lemina)

    Ings - Werner - Mitrovic

    1. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very, very similar to my team. Main difference is I play 343 - I upgrade one of the 4.5 mids to ASM, and TAA is my only defender over 4.5

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

    A. Willson+ Havertz
    B. ASM+ Werner

    CANT DECIDE!!!! Help 🙂

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

        I am switchimg them like a moron whole day long......

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          There's worse. Havertz and Kane or Son and Werner.

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

            Son and Werner (coz i have them right now.....)

            1. Bobby Digital
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Me2

    3. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      A. Havertz is unreal.

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

        You watched some YT clips? 🙂

    6. swervinho
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner for sure and I'm on Sako for 5.5. Can play anywhere, Arteta loves him. Was best player on the park first half of the CS.

  25. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On Christian Pulisic:
    "Sources tell CBS Sports that the work put in during the short offseason paid off as he worked diligently with the club physios.

    "His recovery went very well." one source told CBS Sports. "He will train with the team from today [Wednesday]."

    On Wednesday, Simon Johnson of The Athletic reported that Pulisic was in line to feature on Monday."

    Thats enough for me, Captain America in.

    1. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doubt he starts. Front three should be CHO - Werner - Havertz. Chelsea fan here

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Im also Chelsea fan 😀 i think its somehow 55/45 on chances of starting

    2. swervinho
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Surely he won't be risked from the start. They have cover, and it's Brighton.

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

      He could be good. I think I prefer Havertz just a shade. Again, I don't think people realize what a great player Havertz is.

      17 goals in 34 games in 18/19 in the Bundesliga. The best Pulisic ever managed was 4 in 32.

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        As a lifelong Chelsea fan, nothing would please me more if he became Bruno-like, as you mentioned couple of pages ago.
        Pulisic will be more Hazard/Rashford type, lot of flank asists, goals also.

    4. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Can't see Frank risking him. Doesn't make sense.

  26. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Let's just call him Hames. That's how it's spelled and people will stop thinking that Jay is now a midfielder.

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son the perfect place holder for a Chelsea midfielder it seems.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son has amazing fixtures though

  28. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone concerned over Chelsea opening fixtures

    Monday night away game - Brighton

    Followed by home to pool

    This is a team that hasn’t had a real
    Preseason together, plenty of promise but surely need to settle

    1. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Prob smash Brighton to bits

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Drew with them last year and in preseason in the same fixture!

        1. thepeen555
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Chelsea are looking stronger on paper now imo

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      double liv defence, Havertz seems a decent hedge and then GW3&4 fixtures are nice

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      There are no Chelsea in my team, I'm hoping they take a while to get going.

      1. sumatera
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think you will regret this

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          They are a new team and have Liverpool second.
          I prefer Vardy for the start but it's an easy swap if Werner starts scoring.

      2. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        The early punt on the new guy rarely pays off - Werner has the edge of any

        So many great signings but I don’t think they’ll instantly adapt to a new life in the UK, in a new team and the prem

        1. nobwak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I don't think that this is true.
          Hazard, Auba, Salah, Aguero, Lacazette, Martial... these are all players that moved from foreign leagues, with a lot of hype surrounding them, and excellent records in the league they were moving from. All made instant impacts in Fantasy terms. THey're just the ones that instantly popped in to my head.

          Granted, there are many didn't make instant impacts too.
          I think it's more accurate to say that an early punt on the new guy doesn't aways pay off.
          I certainly wouldn't say it's "rare".

    4. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Agree lots of new signings but no pre season to gel. I predict a slow start for Chelsea

    5. Guba
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Other than Werner, waiting for gw3 to jump on any more Chelsea assets.

    6. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very much so

      I have 3 separate set ups - all of which look good. One of them is the Chelsea heavy starting line up which allows me no starting attacker below 7.5. Definite risk there and may revert to to one of my other set ups - but they too of course have inherent risks.

      Think it comes down to 3 things. How patient you're prepared to be and what flexibility you have to switch out of Chelsea if needed.

      The 3rd point though is possible upside. Double Chelsea could absolute gold.

  29. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So all yous which are benching UTD assets GW1 is based on fact that they will haul GW2.

    Fact vs fiction?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Its really getting to you isnt it... shur just leave them bench away. If it's a bad call it helps the rest of us

    2. Guba
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If we assume a transfer is worth 4 points, it's essentially just a gamble that your player you plan to transfer to UTD or whoever will not score more than 4 points against our alternative bench option. It's that simple really.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Some are benching Bruno which is the equivalent of two more (sub) premiums in attack. 6 mill goes an awful long way on a 100 mill

        1. Guba
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          The price doesn't matter if you plan to make a single transfer in gw2 to get say Bruno. It still works out the same in points. You still had to have the 10.5m available to get Bruno in gw2 so you've not invested it elsewhere.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Point I'm making is that two extra players in GW1 who are likely returners makes the calculation of a minus 4 to get double United and match those who bench Bruno presumably want squiffy.

            The calculation of benching Bruno is presumably that it is better than a minus 4. Feels a big call to think that if you can stay within 4 points of teams with two more likely returners. It's in effect gambling on the likes of ASM etc who at best return one in four matches to come up with the goods in one match.

            1. Guba
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I'm not really sure where double United has come from.

              I'll show my own example though to help illustrate@

              I am currently benching Martial because I want him in GW2.

              My options are:
              Use an alternative such as Ings/Jiminez and take the -4 for Martial.
              Or use a bench option for 1 week.

              So it's essentially:
              Ings/Jimenez (-4)
              Vs
              Armstrong (in my case as I've elected for a spread route with this in mind).
              Otherwise other people probably a 4.5m defender.

              Could go either way, but for me I think i'm odds on favoured to be better to hold the transfer.

              Because I always know I want Martial, these are my options regardless of what other people are doing. The same is the case for people benching Bruno.

              It's not huge pay offs but it is certainly worth considering if you know you want the asset in gw2.

  30. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rip it apart?

    McCarthy
    Trent, Davies, Keane
    Auba C, Salah, Saka, Son, ASM
    Werner, Wilson

    Steer, Mitchell, Burr, Brewster,

    1.5 for upgrades.

    1. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wouldn't go for double Newcastle attack for a start

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ASM is exciting & Wilson can finish unlike JoeL

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bench is going to matter when players start missing games with Covid isolation.

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

      Bench is horrendous

    4. schlupptheweek
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd guess you have 1.5M to upgrade Son to Fernandes, it's not bad but that bench is shocking, so if you could find a 0.5M to upgrade Burr (who will start max 1 or 2 weeks), then you can have Ayling or KWP. Keane has low ceiling of points even with decent fixtures, the rest looks very nice!

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I was thinking three at the back who are nailed, Keane can be CTaylor & Burr any 4.5 ie KWP?

    5. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Armstrong for ASM

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

      Cheers needs a tweak core looks fine & having 1.5 itb is going to hurt GW1

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

      Looks good, you won’t need a bench for first few