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. John wick
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    A. Martial or Bruno....
    B. Do you need double chelsea attack

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      ...
      No not straight away

      1. John wick
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        No for long terms

        Who is better Martial or Bruno

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Bruno
      i dont think so... i could be well wrong

      1. John wick
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      A Both
      B Werner

  2. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    17.5 million.

    A striker and a midfielder FOR ONE WEEK who to pick? (No Spurs midfielder) and why?

    Already have Salah,Auba,Werner,ASM,Soucek.

    1. Shark Team
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Son Ings

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      willian & ings?

    3. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Havertz & Ings & 0.5

  3. FantasyHero
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    any exciting 4.5M mids that can potentially get more than 2 pts?

    not Stephens or Romeu

    1. ZTF
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Burke. But it’s a long shot

  4. Shark Team
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Rank them by best to worst to have a scoring streak early in the season:

    A)Havertz
    B)Pulisic
    C)Son
    D)Vardy
    E)Werner
    F)Martial

    *Last comm repost

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      DFBCEA

      1. Shark Team
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks... glad to see that I'm not the only one who likes Vardy over Werner

    2. 7rjngs lollygagger
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      FDCEBA

      1. Shark Team
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks a lot hmm can't afford both Tony and Vardy but I ll try my best to find a solution

  5. Tomerick
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    ‘Twas the night before FPL,
    And all through their teams,
    Not a transfer was considered,
    Not even Raheem.

  6. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Best option?

    A. Doherty & DCL
    B. KWP & Jimenez

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      B

  7. ZTF
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Is a spare 0.5m worth turning Ampadu into a more nailed starter like Egan/O’Connell?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Egan ismy poison of choice

      1. ZTF
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Cheers 🙂

    2. Front 442
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      No brainier

  8. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Pick 1 to own please ...

    A....ayling

    B....taylor

    Thanks

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      B

  9. John wick
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Long Term from gw 2
    Who is better and wil score more points

    A. Bruno and Callum wilson
    B. Martial and Havertz

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      ....

    2. Tomerick
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      B I would say but I prefer Bruno to Martial

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      A and B

    4. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      B

  10. Sune
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Soooo I believe I'm finally settled.
    A bit different but I'm fine with that.

    Ryan
    Saiss, Egan, TAA
    Salah(c), Mané(vc), Havertz, Podence
    Adams, Vardy, Antonio

    Button, KWP, Mitchell, Reed

    0.5 itb

    Good luck everyone!

  11. YankeeDoodleDandy
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    any reason i'm not seeing Reece James in more team? 5.0 seems a good deal

    1. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Not really nailed.

  12. TAT
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Is it crazy considering a 3-5-2? 0.0 to spend with this draft though, so very inflexible.

    McCarthy
    TAA - Egan - Walker-Peters
    Alli - ASM - Aubameyang - Salah - Havertz
    Adams - Werner
    (Button - Davis - Mitchell - Taylor)

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Strong!

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        It is (in midfield), but there's no easy way to do upgrades anywhere, other than to downgrade one of the stronger players. I have "safer" drafts lined up though, but this one tempts me a bit more.

  13. boroie
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    A - Doherty & Adams
    B - Davies & Wilson

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      b

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      B

  14. dshv
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    And one final step maybe

    Captain for gw1

    Salah or Auba. Why?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      if only there was a poll & article on it 🙂

  15. boroie
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Just noticed that Vinagre is no longer in most teams on here... reason?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Porto was bidding for him, but not enough, so now he's staying.

      1. Bazzah
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Think he will start though?

  16. Coys96
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Final part to my team:

    1) KWP, Bruno, ASM, Kane

    2) Digne, Son, Barnes, Martial

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      1

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      1

  17. adstomko
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Like it or too punty?

    Ramsdale
    Trent, Mina, KWP, Justin
    Auba, Mané, Rodríguez
    Werner, Ings, Wilson

    SUBS: Steer, Lemina, Alzate, Davis

    1. Bazzah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I like it!
      Any plans for United and City coverage?

      1. adstomko
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Mané to Fernandes/KDB.

    2. DickFranDyke
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      No bench,no likey.

      1. adstomko
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Where could I solve that issue? Struggling to drop any of the first eleven.

        1. Bazzah
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 11 days ago

          Thats the punt you need to take man.

          A lot of benches are weak this season.

  18. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Great article, just one thing missing, who is he recommending/picking for captain!?

  19. Totti
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    people going with havertz
    are you sure he'll start?

    I think might be benched and come in the second half

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      With Ziyech out and Pulisic not fully fit I think he starts.

  20. Bazzah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Evening everyone!

    Thoughts on my team?

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Egan Taylor Justin Mitchell
    Salah (C) Auba ASM Son Bissouma
    Werner Ings Davis

    0.5 ITB

    1. Stuck in the Mudryk
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      only 2 players different to mine!

  21. FantasyHero
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Own TAA and no Salah.

    Should I keep Robbo or switch to Azpi? (already have Doherty)

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      keep

  22. FantasyHero
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    IS VInagre staying now?

    will surely start?

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Thoughts on this draft?

    McCarthy, Button
    TAA, Dier, Saliba, Justin, Mitchell
    Salah, Auba, Son, ASM, Souchek
    Ings, Werner, Davis

    1. Bazzah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Very similar to mine.

      Don't know much about Saliba, is expected to start?

  24. John wick
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Guys plss rate my team
    Ryan button
    WP TAA justin Taylor Mitchell
    salah son auba Asm romeu
    mitrovic werner callum wilson

    Bank-1.5
    Son to bruno in gw 2

    1. Bazzah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Nice plan for GW 2!

      Good way of fitting in 4 big hitters early on.

      If Wilson and Mitrovic click early on you'll be looking great!

  25. No Professionals
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Saiss
    Salah aubameyang ASM Soucek
    Kane Werner Adams

    Button Mitchell Bissouma Taylor
    0.5m itb

    Gtg?

    1. Bazzah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      How long do you plan to keep Adams?

      4 big hitters in there, if they all click you're laughing early on.

  26. thepeen555
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    I would like to be able to choose Madison. So he best hurry up and get fit

    1. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Agree. Maddison + Werner + 2m as LEI/CHE cover would feel much better than Havertz + Vardy imo.

  27. Gubbins94.
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Great article.

  28. Kevtheotter
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    What you think guys?

    A) Robbo Mitro
    B) DCL Wilson

    Obviously will be changing formation depending

  29. Stuck in the Mudryk
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Thoughts on this lot?

    McCarthy
    TAA Dier Justin Mitchell
    (c)Auba Salah Son ASM
    Werner Ings

    Nyland Bissouma Taylor Davis

    0.5ITB for Ings > Martial GW2

  30. Rider on the Storm
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Best choice?
    A . Zaha
    B . St Maximin

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      A but there is a 1.5 price difference.