Captain Sensible

Who are the best Captain options for FPL Blank Gameweek 1?

Jan Sienkiewicz was the king of the Fantasy Premier League captaincy in 2019/20, scoring a whopping 657 points from the armband, the second-highest in the whole world. We asked him to help out with the captaincy debate ahead of the new campaign’s Gameweek 1 deadline.


Quite an unprecedented 2020/2021 pre-season is drawing to a close, as we are eagerly waiting for the new FPL campaign to start. Hundreds of drafts, multiple formations, Wildcard strategies and planning early transfers; we have all been there and, in fact, we are all living in this world right now.

There is one common denominator in our efforts; trying to find the best captain. Getting the right skipper is usually a crucial component to having a successful season and Fantasy managers are looking to start the campaign strongly with the right choice. Let’s evaluate the options available for us in Gameweek 1.

As this article uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

Captain Poll

Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m)  tops the Fantasy Football Scout captain poll with 53.3% of votes, as he faces a newly-promoted Fulham side in Gameweek 1.

The Arsenal striker, who has been reclassified as a midfielder for this season’s edition of FPL, is currently owned by 44.1% of Fantasy managers – which is more than the combined ownership of Sadio Mané (£12.0m, 13.3% ownership) and Mohammed Salah (£12.0m, 29.8% ownership).

The Gabonese international starred in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory two weeks ago (scoring a long-distance goal in a 1-1 draw that the Gunners won on penalties) and then netted twice in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Aston Villa behind-closed-doors.

Aubameyang’s great form is accompanied by a favourable Gameweek 1 fixture too, as Fulham’s defensive vulnerabilities are still fresh in people’s minds from the 2018/19 campaign. The Cottagers conceded a league-high of 81 goals the last time they were in the top flight, which included nine goals over two games against Arsenal (5-1 and 4-1 defeats).

Metrics

The second most popular pick for the armband among the Fantasy Football Scout users this week is Salah (25.6%). Considering that the runaway 2019/20 champions are hosting newly-promoted Leeds United, and Manchester City and Manchester United are without a fixture, it seems to some extent surprising that the Fantasy-proven Egyptian midfielder is struggling to attract more interest for the armband.

Even more of a surprise, Mané sits at third in the poll with only 3.9% of votes. The Senegalese winger, who scored 18 goals and provided 10 Fantasy assists last season, showed glimpses of class in pre-season and will be looking to improve on his impressive home record against newly-promoted opposition on Saturday.

Behind the podium we can find Chelsea’s new striker Timo Werner (£9.5m, 3.5% of votes), Liverpool’s defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m, 2.1%), as well as Tottenham Hotspur assets – Son Heung-min (£9.5, 2.1%) and Harry Kane (£10.5m, 1.8%).

Based on the poll, the main decision managers will have to make regarding captaincy will involve comparing Aubameyang with Salah. We will therefore mostly focus on the Liverpool and Arsenal options.

Best players by position:

3,881 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For the draft version

    A) Redmond
    B) M Pereira

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Per

    2. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    A) DCL, Havertz
    B) Werner, Doherty

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

      B

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

      A

    3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    Pereira or JWP?

    1. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      p

  4. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy | 4.0
    TAA | Davies | Justin | Taylor | xxx
    Salah | Auba | Alli | Bissouma | xxx
    Werner | Ings | xxx

    Which is best:
    A) Mitchell, Soucek, Mitrovic
    B) Saiss, ASM, Davis

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

      A

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

    Is Doherty worth the 1.0 above Dier/Davies? Cheers

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

      probably. but will have to see how he plays under jose

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

      If he plays like he did at Wolves, yes. We will have to wait and see if that happens.

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

      I for one am still unsure if he will start straight away. Aurier is still at the club.

    4. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure with Jose. Think I heard on the Scoutcast that the combined attaching returns from spurs wingbacks post lockdown was a single assist

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

      No imo.

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

    Martínez being sold to Villa apparently. Leno’s first choice.

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

      Leno was always first chosen, he's a quality keeper. Martinez is good but was always the backup.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You would classify Leno as “quality keeper”??

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good for Villa and Martinez I guess.

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

        Yeah he will be a good pick there

    3. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Madness on both teams parts. Villa have Heaton. Arsenal selling a top quality keeper

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

        Yeah it’s a shame. Tbh Leno didn’t do much wrong to be on the bench either. Was immense when he had that crap defence in front of him when we had Emery.

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

          And the money will help us buy Partey or Aouar

    4. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leno is a very good keeper. If you don't have a good defence in front of you then you simply won't keep clean sheets. He will be considerably better this season. No coincidence

  7. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Batshuayi at 6.0 helps me firm up Adams to start with. At least we have another option now other than mitro!

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

      Watkins too

  8. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which option? Can’t decide! (Would bank the 0.5m)

    A) Cancelo, JWP, Werner

    B) Laporte, Havertz, Adams + 0.5m

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Forget city defender with first two or three fixtures

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Villa Ronke?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          RF

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

            🙂

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

    Anyone going for Charlie Taylor don't get Villa Taylor 😆
    Colour of jersey is very same.

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

      Never met a guy called Villa before!

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

        Famous Spanish #7

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Burnley Taylor is in my team. Burnley defence usually pretty solid and for a 4.5 it’s a nice price

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

        Definitely

      2. Aztec Kamara
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’ve got him too - just concerned about the possibility of Tark leaving

  10. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone got Kane?
    I get that he's overpriced but he's mainly there as a captaincy candidate for GW3 vs New.

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah v arsenal very tempting

    2. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep. Have been drawn in over last few days... if he is banging them in he can be gw3 and gw5 captain

      1. Aztec Kamara
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed - same plan

  11. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Richarlison guys?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Decent pick but a bit pricey in his new position for me

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

      Crap hair. Dodgy goal celebrations. Brazilan.

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

      Take DCL for a mil less and a more central role.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Be prepared to think he’s going to be stretchered off every 15 mins

      Have never seen a player go down & stay down until physios run on as often

  12. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I haven't been able to follow the fantasy football news all day... (Third year uni exams a reasonable excuse I think...)

    Where can I go to find the news about Pulisic? I've heard mutterings about him...

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

      He's fit and available. But might have his minutes managed.

      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ok great. Thank you!

        So I guess everyone has been asking Pulisic vs Havertz all day then?

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

          Yes and consensus has largely been Havertz because he's more likely to start.

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

    Mccarthy (nyland)
    Taa davies justin (taylor mitchell)
    Sala son auba soucek asm
    Werner callum (davis)

    Son to bruno
    Auba to kdb

    Have 0.5 itb tell me what to switch ??

  14. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Genuinely first post of this type....
    Thoughts? Would be much appreciated. Finding it more difficult this year......?

    McCarthy, Nyland
    TAA, Lindelof, Davies, Justin, Vinagre
    Aubamayeng, salah, traore, saint maxim, bissouma
    Ings, Werner, mitrovic

    Not happy about my midfield really.,.,

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

      Vinagre to 4m Def
      Mitro to 4.5 mil fwd
      Bench those 2 along with Bissouma
      Get Havertz instead of Traore and boom

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

        Or keep Vinagre to play him bec you can afford it

      2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Concerned I’d have a non playing bench. I think a bench will starters is useful in the uncertain first few games.
        What fwd at 4.5 would you take?

        Cheers

  15. slasken
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any risk of non starters here? what do you think of the team?

    Kepa
    Trent - Tierney - Davies - Robertson
    Auba - Keita - S.Maxim - Son
    Kane - Werner

    Nylund - Walker Pieters - Reed - 4,5m Forward

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keita high risk. Can’t see him starting if Hendo fit

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Shocking goalkeeper

  16. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I was on Saiss but slightly concerned hes no longer nailed with Marcal often playing LCB

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

      Can change it to Coady, same team or Egan Sheffield

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

        Yeh have just switched to Coady but his 0 attacking threat and lack of bonus isnt exactly an amazing prospect

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

          Egan loves to shoot post lockdown. Have two goals too.

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

            Hes a good shout cheers.
            Slightly unconvinced by Ramsdale but might still go for him

  17. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft Guys? (3-4-3)
    McCarthy
    Trent, Saiss, Doherty
    Auba, Son, Salah, ASM
    Mitro, Werner, Adams

    Steer, Ferguson, Bissouma, C Taylor

  18. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    To all premium members, if u use RMT tool, what's your total points?

    I'm around 330+ for 6gw

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You won't have the same team for 6 gameweeks

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Well as it says Kante will outscore Havertz over 6 weeks Id take the number with a pinch of salt

    3. 1569Tippins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      344

    4. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is it usually accurate......

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

        Not at all

  19. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsdale (McCarthy)
    TAA KWP Egan Justin (Lascelles)
    Havertz Son Auba ASM (Stephens)
    Werner Wilson Ings

    0.5 ITB

    Any feedback appreciated!

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Way too much spent on keepers. Double Sheffield defence not good
      Get a 4.0 defender

    2. SwissWavey
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think it looks good.
      I like that keeper combo. Yes it's a bit expensive but they rotate really well.

  20. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Holding nailed?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No way

    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      In the very short term, yes. He will start GW1

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

    A)Martial + Havertz/Pulisic
    Or
    B)Werner/Vardy + Greenwood/James

    A makes me play Mitchell gw1

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A probably.

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

        With Havertz or Pulisic?

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

          Pulisic rips teams apart.

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

            Havertz more impressive stats though?

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

              Pulisic has done it in the Prem

        2. zotter
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Pulisic deffo

  22. Paulie Walnuts
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah + Wilson

    Or

    Havertz + Martial + 1m itb

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Only one out of those four is essential imo

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Well, it is going to be Martial's season

        1. SwissWavey
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Nah, it'll be Werner and Havertz's season, still B though

  23. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Considering that Chelsea have so many new assets; how many gws will it takes them to gel as a team iyo?

    A. It will happen gw1
    B. It will happen gws3-5
    C. Half a season
    D. In the 2nd half of the season
    E. Not all will embed

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      ahem *take

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

      B

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

      A and then B

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

    Anyone else still not settled on squad yet?

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

      Annoying not settled. I thought I'd be fine but this will come down to the wire. More pressers tomorrow to tear up more plans...

      I think I have like 10 players locked in. But those remaining 5 have been thrown around like crazy and no solution has made me very happy.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not even close.
      Still on autopick though.

    3. 0james0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've settled on many. It just changes each time I login to the app!

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just about there.
      Just a few either ors now.

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      McCarthy, TAA, Soucek locked in & Bruno from GW2

      Pretty fluid beyond that though lol

      Very high on Vardy’s chances at the minute - think might have to give him a crack of the whip to start, probably Barnes alongside him

      1. n-doggg
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That is punchy. Leicester fan?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Vardy fan 🙂

          Also lost count of how many times I cursed Barnes last season for either greedily shooting when he should have passed to Vardy, or wasting cast iron Vardy assists - he’s young, and he’s raw, but he’s a greedy little sod with bags of pace & power & see him as a decent punt for 7.0

          I don’t mind those fixtures

      2. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Been working all day and not seen much on here but is Soucek clear to start now?

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

      Had good squad with no Chelsea, now some are so highly owned will be chasing if they haul.

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Just pick your players: Teams selected by % 😉

    7. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very few here from what I've seen - most waiting on further injury/transfer news, 4.0-4-5 defs, MF Puli et al

    8. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think I’m there. Longer I stay on here the most likely it will change!

  25. No Salah
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Justin + James Rodriguez
    B. Doherty + ASM + 0.5 ( already have Davies + Wilson )

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A but not Justin

  26. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Welcome Leno to my team.

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

      Is this 434th team?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ha .nearly.
        Been the same team for a few days now after some experimenting .
        Just around the edges now.

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

      Get Martinez now so you can have 4 Villa players! If Martinez wasn't as good that would be perfect for anti-FPL.

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

    A) Wilson or B) Nketiah?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have both with Timo

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

        I can't go without Ings

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

    Thoughts on this team?

    Martinez / Steer

    TAA / Rob / Doherty / Shaw / Mitchell

    Auba (c) / Salah / Alli / ASM / Bissouma

    Werner / Adams / Davis

    Martinez looks likely to be no1 for Arsenal and heavily linked to Villa so either way can have starting keeper with Steer as backup

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez going villa and blanking

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Arsenal not gonna start exiting keeper. Especially when they have a first choice top notch alternative

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

      It's good, the only problem is if Arsenal have lots of great assets (possible but unlikely) Martinez will tie you down to a spot and you won't have a playing keeper GW1. Shaw is an interesting pick but he's a big gamble starting wise whilst not having great attacking returns.

    3. Indio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like it - though keeper thing needs monitoring, and Shaw possibly not the best £5.0M option (Coady or Egan maybe?). Good luck!

  29. gooner dave
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hello.

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

    Son + Soucek
    vs
    Alli + Adams

    Back to this debate...

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Latter

    2. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son ( if Soucek is only used occasionally as a cover )

    3. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son and Soucek

      Not close.