Pro Pundits - Andy

The key FPL lessons I learned from Gameweek 1 of the new season

What have I learned from Gameweek 1? It’s the same every year. Don’t panic after just one Gameweek. Remember why you chose those players. If you can save a transfer that’s ideal.

All words of wisdom we heard in pre-season, which is why less than 24 hours after Gameweek 1 ending I’ve considered no transfers, one transfer and even a hit! Fantasy Premier League is truly back.

In this article I want to see if there’s anything we can take away from Gameweek 1. It should be noted that making rash decisions based on one Gameweek is often a fools game, but we should always try and spot what we can, especially this early on.

Everton

How Spurs and Everton's new signings fared in their FPL Gameweek 1 debuts

Lots was made of Everton’s sub-par performances during Project Restart. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.0m) didn’t score at all, and they looked as a whole, very poor as a team.

Fast-forward to signing a whole new midfield in Allan (£5.5m), Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.5m) and James Rodríguez (£7.5m), and it’s suddenly a whole different story.

The midfield three, which included Allan, Doucouré and André Gomes (£5.5m) looked like it had been playing together for years, and Rodríguez looked like that player that some people probably haven’t seen play since the World Cup in 2014. He constantly caused Ben Davies (£5.0m) issues even without pace on his side, and with five chances created against a strong enough Tottenham Hotspur side, we should be taking note.

It’s also worth noting that Everton’s game plan was to seemingly target the side of Matt Doherty (£6.0m), with Rodríguez often playing balls out to Richarlison. With West Brom, Crystal Palace and Brighton up next it may be something they continue to try, although Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) might have something to say about that in the Brighton game.

Just to quickly touch on Lucas Digne (£6.0m) as well. It was interesting to see that Rodríguez didn’t monopolise set pieces, and Digne was still on lots of corners and free-kicks, which is ultimately where his assist came from. He only created one chance in the game, but with more freedom against teams that don’t have a marauding full back like Doherty, he could still be a great option, especially with the new look midfield giving the defence more protection.

Sheffield United

Chelsea

I’ve been pretty vocal in my excitement for Chelsea players this season but it might take a bit longer for their new signings to gel together like Everton’s did. Without some of their key players being fit, I’m looking at your Christian Pulisic (£8.5m) and Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m), it may be more sensible to hold off on loading up too soon.

They beat Brighton 3-1 but it wasn’t convincing. The xG for the game was Brighton 1.05 v 1.22 Chelsea..

Reece James (£5.0m) rewarded owners handsomely, but I’m not expecting him to score a 20 yard goal every week. And the third goal was helped through a significant deflection.

It might be harsh but I also thought Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.0m) was at fault for the goal they did concede, and it wouldn’t be the first time. I think I’ll continue avoiding Chelsea defenders until a replacement comes in (which may be soon), despite their relatively good underlying numbers last year.

In attack to say Kai Havertz (£8.5m) didn’t look good would probably be an understatement. He created just one chance and had zero shots. It’s too quick to write him off, he’s a young player, playing in a new team, in a new league, but for owners it may be concerning with Liverpool (home) up next. When Pulisic and Ziyech are finally fit we should see Havertz move more centrally, rather than playing out wide and that should broaden his points potential.

I don’t think Havertz is necessarily a rush to sell, but the timelines on certain injuries to other players in the squad would help me if I had to make that decision. After Liverpool it’s West Brom, Crystal Palace and Southampton up next, so there’s certainly some promise there.

For any promise Havertz didn’t show, Timo Werner (£9.5m)  defintiely did. He managed five shots in the box, and also won the penalty. His speed in the transition from defence to attack will be huge, and playing off the shoulder against Liverpool could see plenty of counter attacking opportunities. Just an assist is hard to swallow for his 46.5% owners, but a goal looks to be right around the corner.

Liverpool

value-players-2020-21

This probably isn’t news to some, but the Liverpool defence is still pretty good, despite heavy transfers out for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m)

Leeds United may have impressed and scored three goals, but this came from an xG of just 0.32. On another day Leeds may not have scored at all.

What was most worrying to me was Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) making another mistake and gifting Patrick Bamford (£5.6m) a goal. It’s easy to put those mistakes down to a league winning hangover, but we don’t have that excuse now and it’s something to monitor – hopefully just first game of the season rustiness. 

I don’t think we should have been expecting too many clean sheets from Leeds, Chelsea and Arsenal in the first three Gameweeks, players like Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Alexander-Arnold are long term holds after all, which is why the Leeds result doesn’t put me off when you look at the underlying numbers.

In attack, Mohammad Salah (£12.0m) owners can probably consider themselves a little lucky (I know I do), to have gotten two penalties in one game. Although it’s worth noting for a lot of people getting penalties for the same price as Sadio Mané (£12.0m) was key reason behind the pick.

From an “eye test” perspective Salah looked sharp, and any pre-season lack of form or sharpness was not to be seen. The same can’t be said of Mané who I thought looked poor at times with sloppy passing that broke down some attacks.

But when you look at the underlying numbers, both Salah (0.38) and Mané (0.27) had fairly similar npXG and it’s probably not worth panicking too much after just one Gameweek. Although for some people perhaps it’s just dawned on them that penalties can be very handy in FPL, and Salah is probably worth owning long term whilst they are the same price.

For more detailed information on every match played in Gameweek 1, please check out the Scout Notes articles written by David and Neale, linked below. These include in-depth analysis as well as some exclusive additional sections for Premium Members.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 1

3,219 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What to do here?

    Ryan
    TAA KWP Justin
    Salah Auba Son ASM
    Werner Adams Mitro

    McCarthy Saiss Bissouma Ferg

    Thinking either roll FT or Adams to DCL?

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

      Adams to DCL seems very fine imo

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

      Are you planning on having Bruno and KDB?

    3. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Basically my team. I'm sticking with it.

    4. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It’s a good team, I would get DCL to make it better

    5. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Arise, Sir Cnewman7, that's what you can do!

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

    Am surprised how many RMT's are split between Steer and Nyland.

    Yes getting into the nitty gritty here.

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

    Struijk is nailed??

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

      not even close

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      NO. Cooper injured.

  4. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    (Bottomed!)

    Mates am I G2G?

    Ramsdale
    TAA; Robertson; KWP; Dier
    Auba (C); Salah; Son; ASM
    Mitro; Martial

    Cheers!

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

      Dier looks an iffy pick after their last match

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      GTG

  5. ace3.1415
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can I have some advise please?

    A) Martial + JRod
    B) DCL + Rashford

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

      Both have their merits I prefer A.

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like B but its very close

    3. Kloppen Schloppen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B. JRod is a no for me

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        A.

        Assuming United's shape stays the same, Martial looks a better bet than Rashford. And everything will go through James at Everton - I expect him to outscore DCL, whose finishing is iffy.

    4. stat sifter 888888
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably B as JRod will not reach Rashford's level but Martial is a great pick.

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  6. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What would you do?
    Original plan was ings to martial with the 0.5 I have itb.

    McCarthy
    Taa, Ayling, Justin
    Havertz*, Salah, auba (c), soucek
    Ings, Che, Werner

    Bissouma, vinagre*, Mitchell

    Vinagre looks like deadwood and havertz looked really poor.

    1) ings to martial as planned?
    2) Vinagre to a different 4.5?
    3) vinagre+havertz to Rodriguez and digne -4
    4) Other

    1. ace3.1415
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Transfer out havertz

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1 as planned

  7. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    77 pts in gw1, will you do a minus 4 for son and egan to rash and justin?

    Team now
    Mccarthy
    James taa egan doherty
    Salah auba son asm
    Mitro werner

    Subs: nyland kwp davis rice

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

      I'm giving Son one or two more GWs but that's a pretty good -4 I reckon, good to get a Man U attacker

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But just when so many ppl transfer son out, maybe i should just keep. Should score against saints

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

    Would you waste a FT to transfer out Saliba to avoid the 0.1 drop?
    I don't need him to play. Alternatively I would probably do Robbo/TAA to Digne.

    1. Silva’s Left Nut
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm getting saliba out. If it were just for chasing points, not worth. But keeping value is much more important at this stage IMO.

  9. nibby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play WC. Want 3 wolves player in my team. Got Jiminez, Saiss atm. Who should be the 3rd pick?

    A) neto
    B) marcel
    C) moutinho

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Coady or podence

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

        This was what I was going to say.

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

          How safe is Podence? Feel like Jota is going to start from next week.

          1. Nightf0x
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yes jota is lurking will probably take neto's place

  10. Kloppen Schloppen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son -> Bruno
    Mount -> Klich

    worth it for -4?

    They both go anyway next week

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

      Selling Son ahead of sou seems unnecessary for a hit

      1. Kloppen Schloppen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Spurs looked good to you? Not to me. Could get burnt I agree

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would only do the first one if possible, but if the hit is required to fund Bruno then i'd do it

      1. Kloppen Schloppen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah not possible, and they will both be gone next week. Makes sense right, take advantage of Klich's good game this week and Mount's poor game

  11. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Better 4.5 defender?
    A) Ayling/Dallas
    B) Lamptey (do we think he's nailed) ?
    C) Other, not named Justin or a NEW or BUR defender

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

      B for sure of those and by that criteria

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do you think he's nailed enough or is Webster is the way to go

    2. Kloppen Schloppen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B as well. He looked incredible for 4.5

  12. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings out for DCL??

  13. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which?

    A) ings to martial
    B) werner ali -4 to richar rash
    C) werner ali -4 to bruno dcl
    D) ings ali -4 to jrod martial
    E) ings ali -4 to dcl rash

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      None imo, A if you must though

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Alli will drop

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          D, in that case. Just depends if you feel you'rebetter off with Bruno or Martial

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D

  14. MFPL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey all, any suggestions?

    Johnstone (Button)
    TAA Robertson Justin (KWP Mitchell)
    Salah Auba Alli ASM (Bissouma)
    Werners Adams Mitro
    0.5m ITB

    Currently looking to trade Alli, and not sure whether to trade another player with him and take a -4 hit. Any suggestions?

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

      I’m currently looking at Alli to JRod and potentially Mitro to DCL before his price rise.

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

    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Justin
    Auba Salah Alli Soucek
    Werner Martial Mitro

    (Bissouma Vinagre Ferguson)

    A) Alli to JRod (-4)
    B) Vinagre to Saiss (-4)
    C) Both

    Looks like Alli will drop before deadline so can’t really afford to give him a second chance? Might be the same for Vinagre?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just do A

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tough spot, probably A but I would worry about Vinagre losing value and getting priced out of another 4.5 defender, not sure that is worth taking a -8 over though

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

        My thoughts are that I need to make the transfer sometime so perhaps I might as well do it now?

        Only risk I can see is choosing the wrong player? Ie choosing Saiss might be the wrong replacement - there may be a better choice for 5m or less?

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I think Saiss or another Wolves defender like Coady or someone for that price is the way to go, Saiss scoring big of course is a good sign for potential but doesn't necessarily mean he will do it again so you will only know who the right replacement is with hindsight. But I think Wolves defenders are probably the best 5m options, especially with their upcoming fixtures post City. if not an Everton defender. Both look to be good options right now

  16. borispkpk
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Adams or Mitrovic to DCL?
    (No other Fulham, Southampton or Everton attack)

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would keep Mit. Nailed and on pens

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams

  17. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings or Kane for Martial?

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Kane will still fire up, has to with those fixtures. Would hold Ings and do Ings to Jimmy next week.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane

  18. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mane -> Bruno worth -4?

    Long term move and already planning on doing Auba to KdB next week

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  19. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner alli -4 to bruno dcl ? Y or N

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

      Yes

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

      definitely

  20. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hello, kindly need your advice, should I take a -4 hit for this team?
    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Egan Davies (Ferguson)
    Salah Auba ASM (Romeu Bissouma)
    Werner Mitrovic Martial
    0ITB

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What are your suggested transfers?

      1. steven8991
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I have no idea

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Then hold.

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No looks good mate. Could always do Auba Mitro to Bruno and DLC next week.

  21. 1314
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Klich or Harrison ?

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

      Podence

      1. Joyce1998
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ive gone with klich

    2. Silent Hunter
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Klich

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

    GTG?

    McCarthy
    Coleman | Gabriel | Justin
    Salah (c) | KDB | Sterling | JRod | Harrison
    DCL | Martial

    Steer | Lewis | Brewster | Mitchell

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

    2. Silent Hunter
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  23. Jukes
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need a 5.0m midfielder - Hendrick, Kalvin Phillips or Jorginho?

    I’ve already got Callum Wilson so leaving towards Jorginho

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

      Hendrick

    2. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hendrick or Soucek

    3. Silent Hunter
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hendrick

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

      soucek

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

      Soucek , goals

  24. ace3.1415
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I can't really decide on this. DCL + Rash or Martial + JRod? It's really close.

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Neither do i and i added a 3rd option to the equation, bruno dcl

    2. Silent Hunter
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martial + JRod if me

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

      jrod martial

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

      dcl + rash

  25. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which?

    A) ali ings -4 to jrod martial
    B) werner ings -4 to dcl bruno

    Gw3 werner/ings to jimi

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B) is werner ali out

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B

    2. Silent Hunter
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For option B, a forward can’t be taken out for a mid

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B) is werner ali

  26. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which?

    A) ali to jrod/podence/barnes/grenwod
    B) ali ings -4 to A) + martial
    C) ali werner -4 to bruno dcl

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

      c

  27. nibby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    Pickford | 4m
    Digne Saiss Coady Justin JLewis
    Salah Willian Jrod Mahrez Soucek
    Martial Jimi Wilson

    Thoughts?

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mahrez is a good player but could be a rotation risk. Not certain on JRod just yet. Willian has one good fixture left before gw3, and no Bruno.

  28. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    KDB or RAZ

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

      raz

    2. Silent Hunter
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KDB longterm RAZ explosive

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

    Chances of Alli getting 90 this weekend? I guess he’s still expected to be in the starting 11?

    1. Silent Hunter
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Starting 11 but will sub early

  30. MFPL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I’m just curious to hear some reasoning as I might’ve missed something, how come people are trading Werner out?

    Is it just due to opportunity of getting different players?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Some will be put off by his flag, some would have had pre-planned a transfer to Martial.