Scout Reports

Set pieces – or a lack of them – could be key to defining Alex Telles’ FPL appeal

Arriving in the Premier League off the back of a season in which he delivered 19 attacking returns, Alex Telles (£5.5m) was one of the more intriguing captures of transfer deadline day from a Fantasy perspective.

The left-sided defender was signed by Manchester United for a reported £13.6m, a cut-price fee as the Brazilian was set to be out of contract with Porto at the end of the current campaign.

Telles has penned a four-year deal with the Red Devils, with the option to extend for a further 12 months.

The Brazil international boasts some eye-catching statistics from his time in Portugal, having scored on 26 occasions and set up a further 57 goals in 195 appearances in all competitions.

Priced up at a reasonable £5.5m in Fantasy Premier League, are those numbers too good to be true and is he an FPL asset to seriously consider?

We assess his worth in the article below.

THE HISTORY

Born in December 1992 and set to turn 28 midway through the 2020/21 campaign, Telles is by no means “one for the future”.

Starting his professional career in his homeland with fourth-tier side Juventude, Telles moved to Gremio at the age of 21 and spent one year with the Brazilian giants before being snapped up by Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray.

Immediately establishing himself as the Turkish side’s first-choice left-back upon his move to Europe in January 2014, Telles then fell foul of Mancini’s successor Cesare Prandelli, only returning as a regular when the latter departed.

Reunited with Mancini for another hit-and-miss campaign on loan at Inter in 2015/16, it wasn’t until Telles moved to Porto in July 2016 that we started to see him kick on.

Nine attacking returns in his debut campaign in Liga NOS included a hat-trick of assists against Rio Ave, a feat he repeated the following season against Braga.

The 2017/18 campaign saw Telles rack up more assists (13) than any other player in the Portuguese top flight, with the subsequent season seeing him chalk up another 12 attacking returns on the domestic front for Porto.

The new United left-back hit double figures for goals in his final full season in Portugal and was still at it in the last month, playing a part in all three goals in the 3-1 win over Braga in mid-September and then claiming an assist in his final appearance for Porto last Saturday.

SeasonLeague AppsGoalsAssists
2016/173218
2017/1830313
2018/193348
2019/2031118
2020/21322

Sources: Whoscored and Transfermarkt


PLAYING STYLE

Any full-back who arrives in the Premier League with an attacking reputation will immediately pique the interest of Fantasy managers and Telles certainly fits the bill, as his statistics above indicate.

That is doubly so if the player in question is a set-piece specialist, which is one of the strings to Telles’ bow.

On dead-ball duties throughout his time at Porto, six of his eight assists in 2019/20 came from corners.

Pedro Cunha, the Porto editor for Portuguese football website MaisFutebol, told The Athletic:

He is very, very strong when it comes to the attacking side of the game. He scores important goals from outside the box — he got two or three last season alone — but his biggest asset is his crossing ability.

The way he bends the ball into the box is exceptional, and it usually results in one of the forwards getting an effort on goal. He set up at least 10 goals every season for Porto, which tells you what kind of full-back Alex is. In Portugal, we say that his crosses aren’t just crosses; they are passes that land on his teammates’ heads.

Telles himself said to MUTV upon his move:

I like to think of myself as a very intelligent player, a set-piece specialist and I’m always looking for opportunities to create passes to score goals.

I look at being a defender in a different way with my goals. I’m looking to create more openings wherever possible but during training, I also pay particular attention to set-piece training.

Apart from the key basics of being a defender, which is obviously about defending well, I want to have extra aspects to my game so I’m a versatile player.

I have great beliefs in my defensive capabilities but also in my attacking ability. I’m in the best moment of my career and I believe I’ve grown a lot, and hopefully, I can continue to do so.

The defensive side of Telles’ game will come under a lot of scrutiny upon his move to England.

The Brazilian is, a bit like Serge Aurier (£5.2m) or Marcos Alonso (£5.9m), more renowned for supplying goals than stopping them and any shortcomings are bound to be exposed against a higher quality of opponent than the ones he faced in a limited Liga NOS.

Fantasy managers may care little if he is providing regular returns at the other end of the pitch but clean sheet potential is the bread and butter of an FPL defender, and his arrival will likely do little to shore up a United backline that has been woefully out of sorts in 2020/21 so far.

The somewhat generous Cunha did suggest that working with Porto boss Sergio Conceicao has improved Telles defensively, however:

He defends as well as he attacks. Working with Sergio Conceicao, who places huge importance on the defensive side of the game, really helped him. He has made Alex into a very competent defender.

He is very impressive physically and hardly makes any mistakes. You really saw the difference down Porto’s left flank whenever he wasn’t playing.

The Statistics

As alluded to above, Telles’ crossing is his main strength.

He has been top of the Liga NOS in each of the last three seasons for attempted crosses, with the 347 he delivered in 2018/19 only 25 short of the total that Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) sent over last season.

Telles’ total of 39 shots in 2019/20 would have placed him third among FPL defenders, while his tally of 57 chances created in the same season would have seen him ranked fourth among his positional peers – although again, some weighting would have to be applied to the standard of competition.

Compared to his rival for the left-back position at United, Telles predictably outperforms Luke Shaw (£4.9m) offensively but the England international has the edge in some key defensive metrics.


Going back to the question we asked at the beginning of this piece: is Telles too good to be true from a Fantasy perspective?

The answer, sadly, might be a yes.

The Brazilian has relied massively on set-piece responsibilities for his attacking returns at Porto, especially when it comes to finding the back of the net: eight of his 11 strikes in 2019/20 and 14 of the 21 Liga NOS goals in his career came from the penalty spot.

Six of his eight assists last season arrived from corners, while two-thirds of his 57 chances created stemmed from set plays.

How much of a look-in he gets at dead-ball situations at Old Trafford is the key question here, with Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) effectively having the monopoly on free-kicks, corners and penalties ever since the Portugal international moved to England earlier this year.

It seems unlikely that Telles will jump to the front of the queue for spot-kicks at United but, given that he is left-footed, his ability to swing in set-piece deliveries at different angles from the right-footed Fernandes may ensure that he at least gets a share of free-kicks and corners at his new club.

While his trademark flat long throw is also an interesting weapon, it hasn’t directly led to any assists in the Portuguese top flight.

The Prospects

Shaw’s place would look to be in some doubt following Telles’ arrival and his own individual display in the 6-1 thrashing by Spurs couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does have previous for rolling out a wing-back system, however, especially in the so-called “tougher” games.

The Gameweek 4 capitulation may prompt Solskjaer to rethink his usual 4-2-3-1 formation given how exposed Harry Maguire (£5.4m) was against the Lilywhites, and Shaw has arguably looked a lot better when playing as a left-sided centre-half in the past.

Telles and Shaw could even feature in the same side then, in some of United’s upcoming matches.

FPL investment in any of the Red Devils’ defence looks undesirable at present, given that they have shipped as many goals in their first three Premier League matches of 2020/21 (11) as they did in the final 17 fixtures of last season.

Games against Arsenal, Chelsea and top-of-the-table Everton are to come in the next four Gameweeks, so there may be little appetite for a United defender in the Fantasy community while confidence is at rock bottom – although the same could be said for a number of teams in this topsy-turvy campaign and there’s an argument to be had for merely buying the most attack-minded assets at the back.

Should the Red Devils even partly rediscover the form that saw them keep nine clean sheets in their last 14 matches of 2019/20, then attention switches to Telles.

Will he be Solskjaer’s first-choice option at left-back? And how much of a say will he have at set plays? Those two questions will be key to assessing his appeal and the stretch of games between now and the November international break seems like a good audition period, with more favourable fixtures to follow from Gameweek 9.

Long-range howitzers and a bombardment of crosses will see him accumulate a handful of attacking returns from open play even if Fernandes continues to hog free-kicks, corners and penalties, but United aren’t renowned for scoring goals from headers and his assist potential may suffer as a consequence.

As the below table shows, only Spurs had fewer headed goal attempts than the Red Devils last season.

The disappointing end product of Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m), whose cross success rate was a poor 13.6%, perhaps partly explains this but Anthony Martial‘s (£8.8m) tendency to drift away from the box often leaves United without a goal-hanging targetman, so the question has to be asked as to who exactly will be on the end of Telles’ abundance of deliveries.



1,195 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Good write up but not sure I would trust any of that Man Utd defence at the moment with the gaping holes down the middle of the park.

    1. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I have to agree %100.i was very excited with the reds end of last compain and couldn't wait to get Bruno and martial in for son and Kane gw 2 ...big mistake lesson learned. I think they have to many great names but with no chemistry.

      1. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yup, makes them more vulnerable for sure. Really strange transfer policy

  2. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best 5.5 def at the moment?

    Chilwell?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He is 5.6 now but yes a good option at that price

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell is 5.6.

      If you can’t stretch that far, semedo is a decent option

    3. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’m keeping my eye on Reguilón for Spurs...

      1. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Fixtures are so good. My only worry is rotation. Maybe he plays in the league and Bavies in the cups or games when Spurs need to be more defensive?

        1. The Wanton Trader
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I personally think you’re more likely to see rotation in the league on the other side with Doherty and Aurier.

          Time will tell...

          1. Villan
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah they'll rotate for sure. My worry is it's a lot to spend in a player who could be rotated. Mou has said how much he like Bavies.

            The gambler in me wants him but the boring fpl manager in me only wants nailed on for that price

            1. The Wanton Trader
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              If you’ve got sufficient bench cover, then go for it

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Telles 😉

  3. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any gems for CL fantasy?

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gabriel batistuta

  4. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Last Man Standing (3300+ qualified)

    Scores needed after hits for GWs 1-4 are 39,34.29 and 32 in that order
    Code is 48n69x

    Up to 6% out this GW.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/08/28/the-last-man-standing-competition-2020-2021/

  5. Better off with a pin and a…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The Times is reporting that Harry Kane is a 'major doubt' for the England Belgium game this evening: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/nations-league-harry-kane-a-doubt-for-belgium-clash-with-muscular-problem-j9x0jvdfs

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

      First bit of good news this intl break

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

    Who would be on the end of his crosses, Cavani maybe!

    1. Villan
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That could work out amazingly.

      With him bombing forward, Utd's already creaky defence gets worse though imo. Surprised they didn't get a CB and/or a CDM. But then it's Woodward so not that surprised...

  7. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How serious is Kane's injury?

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Potentially quite serious. I wouldn’t buy or sell until there is further info on the matter

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      'Kane has a muscular problem, which will alarm Tottenham manager José Mourinho, who had called on Gareth Southgate to protect the forward while he was on international duty.'

      Should be fine for next weekend

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Is it the same hamstring he tore in January, any news on that?

      2. Goonsquad245
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Based on what? Your optimism as a Kane early transfer maker?

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          He has obviously never had a muscular problem 😆

  8. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Boring question of the day-

    Best 3.9 defender -

    A. Jarrad Branthwaite
    B. Barry Douglas

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A better chance of playing but takes up a valuable Everton slot

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        On that basis I would go with B

      2. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Suppose B, but hopefully you'll never need either

  9. Villan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm ditching Liverpool defence for now.

    Too much money tied up in a team with a poor keeper and whilst goals are flowing.

    Will get at least one when Alison is back (maybe gw9) and when I switch Jimenez to Antonio around gw8.

    Thoughts?

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sound plan, thinking about it myself too. Just SHU+WHU at home in the next 3 that give me doubts as on paper that looks like easy points.

      1. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I agree with SHU. I think WHU will score though considering the forms

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

        West Ham scored 7 in their last two fixtures

        Shu should be a shut out but it would be hilarious if Brewster scored

        1. Villan
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          This!

        2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Is he eligible to play though?

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

            Sold not loaned

            1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Ohh thats true, forgot that

          2. Villan
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            It's a transfer, not a loan, so why not?

    2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I am on the DD,Hendo is coming back, Thiago also coming back and will move Fabinho to the CB spot. Can see that defense getting a lot of CS.

      1. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Long term for sure and I agree.

        But without Allison? Last season Pool's defence was great but was a lot worse for clean sheets with Adrian

        1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That's quite a myth. Listen to FPL black box, Mark looked deeply at the games were Adrian played last season.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Not a myth at all, "was a lot worse for clean sheets"= fact. What you mean is their defensive numbers remained pretty solid which we all know but who cares if Adrian is in goal those numbers mean next to nothing, same way Chelsea usually have decent numbers but Kepa throws that out the window

              1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Yeah, their defensive numbers remained pretty solid. I agree that Adrian is a problem, but not such as people think. It also needs to take to into consideration that 3 out of the 8 games Adrian was played last year were Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leicester.
                Time will tell my friend.

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

                  After shu, they have on form WHU followed by mci lei

                2. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 5 months ago

                    That is true but it's not like he has shone in any cup matches or other games, if anything he gets worse each time I see him!

        2. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Good plan

      2. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        With Bale looking likely to play in the front 3 after the international break, do you think this will harm Son's output as Spurs shouldn't be as reliant on going through him? Points will be more shared with Bale compared to Moura/Pamela? Does this make Kane a better pick?

        1. Villan
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          They might be more shared but also might get more goals (so points) in total.

          Also I think Bale will play more in front of the defence (driving forward and shooting/assisting from range) with Son still running in behind

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

          Kane imo will operate as a feeder for both wings

          Bale will likely last two weeks before being injured again

          1. Villan
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah Bale injury is definitely likely!

          2. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Yep, Spurs' new sick-note.

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

        Chances r James plays next weekend?

        1. Latetotheparty
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I think it's azpis spot to lose now unfortunately, could be wrong though

        2. Villan
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You never know with Lampard though he has said he's looking for a more consistent defence. As LATETOTHEPARTY says, could be Azpi's currently to lose after a clean sheet

        3. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Could do with Azpi lined up for the Sevilla and United games immediately after

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

            Very good point - think I’ll field him and if not lamptey comes on

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Same but with Justin. Got lucky last weekend with no cameo appearance but might not be so lucky next time out.

        4. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          low

        5. Ole.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          60% I reckon.

      4. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Looking at -

        TAA and Foden - Lamptey and Son (c)

        Will get l'pool def back when Allison is back. Spurs fixtures, form and flowing goals is so tempting atm. Son long term should be good too

        Thoughts

        1. Villan
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Flowing goals in general for all teams that is

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Good moves

      5. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        So the first compulsory Kane injury of the season came bit earlier this year.

        1. Villan
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          And with Spurs form and fixtures looking so good! Jose did warn of this

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

          interesting, West Ham and Aston Villa attack should be great this season

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Feels weird that this could be true

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

        Oh should i move Kane from my WC?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Not yet...

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          plan for the worst

        3. TokyoRed 東京赤
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Dammit, what’s happened to him?

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            He woke up one day and all his toes disappeared

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

          If mo says he is out leave him in

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

          isn't it the obvious 'international' injury ?

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

            ‘Intl’ injuries happen before the players goes on duty

            This the classic ‘the national team have fked the clubs player’ injury

          2. noquarternt
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Nah Kane isn’t like that, he wants to play and score in every game for club and country to beat the long term records.

        6. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          If you got him before the price rise I'd hold for now

        7. The Hunt
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Wasn't there a bit of tittle-tattle between Mourinho & Southgate before the break regarding Kane playing in meaningless matches?

      7. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kane to drop in price now before the deadline ? plenty of time for it 😉

        1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ohh I want this too mate

      8. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Which one sounds best?
        Assuming all fit and ready to start.

        1. Robo, 5.5 def, Hamez, Grealish, Kane 343

        2. 2x 5.5 def, Sterling, McGinn, Kane 343

        3. Robo, Saiss, Sterling, Hamez, Grealish 352

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

          3 if you’ve got son

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

            Yeah, just I'd rather have Kane now tbh

            1. Blzbobuk
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              You prefer the injured player?

      9. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The poor lad could be up against a back in form ASM if he gets a start next week!

      10. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly how cooked is Kane. From al dente to charcoaled?

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

          As cooked as when the wife cooks steak!

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            😆 I’ve actually converted mine to enjoy medium rare! Very true for the majority though

      11. The Hunt
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Am I right in saying that if Brewster had signed for Sheffield United before the FPL opened he would have been priced at 5.5m or very possibly 6.0m? If so, doesn't that make him really hard to overlook if you're wildcarding as basically you're getting a 101.5m budget?

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

          He plays for Sheffield Utd - they had their bounce year now it’s the dreaded second term and it isn’t looking good!

          1. The Hunt
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I know but every player has their price. He's possibly good for 5 or 6 goals but more importantly it's what he frees up for elsewhere.

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

              I have him for the playing 4.5 attacker - there is however plenty of 6-7 attackers which means you have to miss out on them - pretty sure Brewster will leave my team within a month or less

            2. MosF94
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              We've bought Brewster to be a 10+ goal striker - whether that materialises or not remains to be seen, but that's why we broke our transfer record for him

        2. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          yep. If McGoldrick were 4.5 he'd be in most gw1 teams. But 4gws in there's so may juicy forward options that it's fine to prefer Bissouma

        3. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I understand your argument, however, there is far too much incredible value in forward slots this season to not be playing three strikers, ergo making him superfluous. Plus he plays for Sheffield who can’t score goals and will be relegated

          1. Rhinos
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            yeah but there's plenty of good mids too and we gotta bench someone

            1. Make United Great Again
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Yep. Happy with my 352 going forward.

            2. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              The 6.0 forwards are head and shoulders above the 6.0 mids though so therein lies the value picks

              1. IRBOX ⚽
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Even the 7.0 range

                1. Make United Great Again
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  I’d rather have Grealish as my 5th mid.

              2. Rhinos
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                depends on your structure. The 5.5 mids are way better than thw 5.5 forwards

        4. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I think Sheffield United are being really underrated on here based on a couple of bad results

        5. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          he would be 6 maybe ? Watkins level.

          The problem with Brewster is that Sheff Utd do have other options and Brewster himself doesn’t have much experience and PL teams do not generally rely on such a player.

          I expect to see him start on the bench for a while and when he gets a few goals then he will be trusted to start

          1. sandman58
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            They're not gonna pay over 20 million and keep him as a sub
            Brewster will play
            No doubt

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              they did last season with McBurnie 😉

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

          If you line up every 4.5 mid and attacker, he’s comfortably the best option. You wouldn’t play him often (unless he breaks out), but as the 8th attacker, I’m struggling to see how anyone wouldn’t have him.

          1. Birds of Prey
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Since there dudes here that know more about Sheffield's intentions--- I've got Brewster. Will he get some play?
            Doesn't seem like they'd buy him just to sit?

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

          There is a middle ground of him playing most weeks but getting subbed on or off, enough strikers At Sheffield that this is likely. “He is great but we need to manage him carefully”. So a good bench option for 5 midfielders but if you want to play 3 strikers its risky. He may become awesome but until he actually plays a game it’s a wait (if I was wildcarding I might be more tempted) but werner and podence haven’t worked out as well as I hoped so need to be more patient.

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

          Yep.

      12. Lignja
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A. Robertson, Ayling , Webster, Mitchell 3.9
        B. Chilwell, Saiss, Lamptey, Ayling, 3.9

        Playing 352, aslo Branthwaite or Douglas as 3.9 tho have 0.1 itb is there point going for some 4.0 like Kilman?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          B

      13. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A) Grealish in 352
        or
        B) Watkins in 343
        ..?

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Depends what you would do wth the 1.2m saving

        2. Birds of Prey
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          A all day

      14. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Is Antonio definitely on pens?

        1. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Definitely not.

      15. Tom
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No real rhyme or reason for this question, only a debate with a mate...

        Would you define the 'best' defensive team by;

        1. Most clean sheets
        OR
        2. Fewest goals conceded

        Or proper sitting on the fence; is it a combo of the both?!

        1. Tom
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          To be defined over a season for agruments sake...

        2. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          The two go hand in hand so C. combo of the both

        3. Goonsquad245
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Lowest chances/xG etc conceded.

          The danger with going on goals/results rather than underlying stats is that it’s very possible for teams to go on a prolonged ‘unlucky’ run where the finishing against them is god-tier.

          1. Baines on Toast...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            One of the problems with this is that it can hide a bad keeper. If a team consistently concedes more than they should, that’s likely a problem

            1. Goonsquad245
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              You can usually adjust for keeper skill though by using xG on target delta or similar. It really doesn’t make that much of a difference long term either.

        4. Ron_Swanson
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          2

        5. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I reckon least goals in total conceded. Not good for FPL, but from a football perspective.

      16. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Callum Wilson or Ollie Watkins

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

          Wilson for me

          1. BROOKLYN GOONER
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Exactly. Ollie won't get to play Liverpool every time. 🙂

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

              Capping DCL this week? 😉

        2. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Don’t think Wilson will justify being 0.5 more expensive

        3. Birds of Prey
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Wilson seems to be picking up. 2 GWs ago he had close to no touches but put away the pen v Spurs.

      17. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Anyone looking at the Grealish & Watkins double up?

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Probably going for it, moving in Son and Watkins this week barring injuries

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Nah, will probably turn out like picking Sarr after his performance against Liverpool last year.

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Sarr was a good pick until he was injured

      18. Lukakuna
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What do people think of Kane on a Wildcard, with the plan of swapping him for Aguero down the line?
        Having second thoughts as Aguero haven't played in a long time and is now an old man.

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Difficult to say you’d swap for Aguero if Kane is banging them in for fun all season

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

            If his above 10 points a game average continued I would keep him yes

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Get Kane and think about this move later.

        3. Blzbobuk
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Wait for injury news

      19. tc93
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ings + Zaha —> Son + Maupay for a -4?

        Rest of team:
        Martinez
        TAA / KWP / Lamptey
        Salah / KDB / Zaha / Barnes
        Jiminez / DCL / Ings.

        Bench: Button, Taylor, Bissouma, Michell

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Get rid of Barnes instead

          1. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            And Jimenez before Ings

          2. tc93
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Why get rid of Barnes/Jimi over Zaha/Ings?

        2. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Im looking at the same-ish moves and I'm preferring to move out Barnes over Zaha

        3. Birds of Prey
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yes I have Zaha. Maupay in pens (tho so is Ings). I do like your team as is. GL

      20. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Best option here?

        A) Wilson; Robbo, KWP, Cooper, Mitchell
        B) Maupay; Castagne, Saiss, Ayling, Webster

        1. Birds of Prey
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Def B

      21. grumpyman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Mirror reporting Kane is out of today’s match with a muscle injury - https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/kane-injury-news-tottenham-england-22825918.amp

        1. The Sociologist
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Calvert-Lewis’s time to shine?

        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Mirror, Southgate doing Mourinho?

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

          There goes why WC down the drain 🙁
          Is it too early to bring in Aguero?

        4. Kun Tozser
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          International injury