Pro Pundits - Tom

Five-time top 1k FPL finisher Tom Freeman on Liverpool defence, Spurs and Villa

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman (aka avfc82), discusses Trent Alexander-Arnold, Son-Heung min, Aston Villa and more before revealing his own team plans for Gameweek 5.


So, where were we?

The last time I checked in, Gameweek 3 had drawn to a close and I sat 453,222nd overall. I talked up Solly March (£5.0m) and Stuart Dallas (£4.5m), and also touched upon each club’s most creative player so far.

Since then, Mohamed Salah’s (£12.2m) 26-point captaincy haul, combined with returns for Alex McCarthy (£4.5m), Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m) and James Rodríguez (£7.8m), contributed to my Gameweek 4 score of 68 points, which has seen my overall rank rise to 271,739.

So, in this my latest column, I thought it might be useful to address some of the bigger talking points that have dominated discussion in the FPL community during the international break. The topics I cover are not only relevant to my team, but probably yours too, and I hope by putting forward my thoughts on them, it can help a few of you out.

SHOULD I SELL TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD AND BUY HIM BACK ONCE ALISSON RETURNS?


369 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale (Fabri)
    TAA,Dier,Taylor,Mitchell (KWP)
    Salah,KDB,Hamez,H.Barnes (Bissouma)
    Mitrovic,Werner (Adams)

    2FT, £1.3 ITB

    A) Werner to Kane (save FT)
    B) KDB+Bissouma to Son+Pulisic (for free)

    1. Dirty Leeds
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B too risky. Is KDB ruled out and will Puli start?

  2. Alchim1sT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A little RMWCT would be appreciated

    1. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinez, 4,0
      Robbo, Chilwell, Saiss, Ayling/Dallas, 4,0
      Salah, KDB/Sterling, Son, Pulisic, Soucek
      DCL, Maupay, Watkins

      0,1 ITB

      Maupay to Antotnio for GW 8 on the horizon ... am i missing something? Yes Pulisic is a punt, but i can easily "run away" (shoutout to Joe) to Hamez, Grealish or whoeever emerges in that bracket

      Another version had Kane upfront instead of Watkins with KDB swapped to Grealish ... at least for the next 4
      Feedback highly appreciated

      1. Reeker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Nothing wrong with the wildcard, just have to wait press conferences for new on De Bruyne, Chilwell and Pulisic

      2. @FPLMason
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Seems fine to me. Just wait until after the pressers to finalize matters.

  3. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which option?

    A) Saiss Watkins
    B) Dallas Wilson

    1. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A ... maybe Dallas and Watkins

    2. Dirty Leeds
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like B

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

    I don't care about threat, shots in the box , shots on target, big chances etc.
    I have to say 2 things:

    1) Vardy never ever started a PL season without scoring in his first 3 home games.
    2) 4 goals in 2 matches vs Villa last year

    I picked him in gw1 mainly for this fixture
    I'm gonna captain him despite being an owner of Son Kan

    YES!

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Might as well put your life savings on Vardy AGS

  5. Alchim1sT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A little RMWCT would be appreciated

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

      I like it

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

      Need Aguero

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Michu?

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

      Different from the crappy boring template on here. I like it

    5. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I for one like seeing Modou Barrow back in

    6. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      thanks guys 😉

      Michu is a nice shout!

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

    Like Alchim1st team. Good balance

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

      LOL
      This is funny. Fail while Joking at another fail 😆

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

    Martinez/Forster
    RObertson/CHilwell/Semedo/Dallas/4.0m
    Salah/Son/Grealish/Zaha/Soucek
    Kane/DCL/Maupay

    What you guys think about my wc, and any defender that can get in future position in starting lineup of some team for 4.0m?

    1. Dirty Leeds
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Solid team. Maybe Ferguson

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

        Yeah i am thinking same, but aftr they signed Clyne idk anymore at all lol. But really no options at 4.0m from what i see.

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

      would find a way to improve zaha, feels its a transfer waiting to happen

  8. Dirty Leeds
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale / Steer
    TAA / Taylor / Davies / KWP / Ferguson
    Podence / Salh / Barnes / KDB / Bissouma
    Mitro / Werner /Martial
    2FT. 0.4 ITB

    Having my worst season ever. Which move would you go for? Cheers

    A) Martial, Werner to DCL, Kane
    B) KDB, Martial to Kane, Son
    C) Any other suggestions are welcome

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

      B if KDB confirmed out. Otherwise I would just do sth like Martial -> Watkins and bank 1 FT.

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

    Filling in the last slots of my wildcard team:

    A) Grealish, Klich + Walker-Peters
    B) Barkley, Trossard + Saiss

    What do you think?

    1. Dirty Leeds
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B all the way

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like the Trossard pick, so B

    3. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B by far

  10. @FPLMason
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning, everyone.
    Currently sitting just inside the top 4k with 2 FTs and 1.4 itb.
    Thought I'd post my team here and see what you'd suggest.
    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Justin Taylor
    KDB Pereira JRod Salah
    Kane Wilson Mitrovic
    Subs: Bissouma - KWP - Lascelles
    My logic involves be keeping Mitrovic until GW8-9.
    Same with Pereira, but a bit less fussed about it.
    Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    1. JonP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      yeah i lost faith with mitro and there seems better options at the same price in bamford or ollie.

      1. @FPLMason
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I like Ollie. Not too sure about Bamford. However, I keep looking at Mitro's next 3-4 fixtures and I keep telling myself That I could wait until. I transfer him out for Antonio come the second IB.

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

      Good week to sort Lascellas, him to Saiss can work

      1. @FPLMason
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers for the insight, Holmes

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

      well played your in good shape
      ,lascelles to van aanholt
      and fulham are so crap nobody feeds mitrovic so him to watkins..

      1. @FPLMason
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        We've yet to see PvA play, so I'll wait on that and see what comes up in the pressers!
        No Mitro considerations for the next couple of weeks with Sheffield, Palace and Brom in their next 4?

  11. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Konsa nailed long term?

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

      yep

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

      Many thanks

  12. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarty
    TAA Justin Ayling
    KDB(C) Salah(VC) Son Jrod
    Jimenez Watkins DCL

    Button Taylor KWP Bissouma

    on a -4 already, anything worth a look ? Only dilemma is which defender to bench out of Justin/ayling/Taylor. Who would you bench ?

  13. JonP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB and watkins or grealish and kane?

    struggling to let go of KDB...

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

      GK, can always switch back after 4 weeks

    2. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish and Kane for me.

      1. JonP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah i think i’m now leaning that way. maybe I can use frenandes to KDB at a later date with a million from somewhere.

  14. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rate this WC /10.

    Martinez
    Semedo • Ayling • Ward
    Salah • KDB • Son • James
    Kane • DCL • Brewster
    (4.0 / KWP / Masuaku / 4.5)

    Will rotate between 442 / 343 with Brewster.

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      8- think Semedo is overpriced and would want someone slightly better to rotate with Brewster. Otherwise like a lot

  15. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez, 4.0
    Chilwell, Saiss, KWP, Dunne, Mitchell
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Grealish, Trossard
    Kane, Maupay, Brewster

    On WC, too many knee jerks?? (AVL and BRI players)
    0.5 ITB

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah don't think you need both Maupay and Trossard

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maupay to Watkins, Grealish to JRod/Pulisic?

  16. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Digne picked up a slight injury. A doubt for Saturday

    https://twitter.com/GregOK/status/1316654539634737152

  17. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Aubameyang out for Son a good move?

    Or

    Harper bench fodder for Jorginho?

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Auba -> Son sounds nice

  18. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just seen Digne’s yellow flag... anything serious?

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

      Just a knock, should be fine

    2. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Check @ reeker's comment. More insight there with a tweet regarding his injury.

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

        Wheres that?

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

        Ah found it

  19. onoz9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm on wildcard atm:

    A)
    Martinez Nyland
    Lamptey Robertson Dallas Mitchell Chilwell
    Salah Grealish Foden Son Hamez
    DCL Kane Brewster

    B)
    Martinez Nyland
    Lamptey Robertson Dallas Mitchell Dunne
    Salah Grealish Foden Pulisic/Havertz Hamez
    DCL Kane Maupay

    A or B?

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A out of those.
      B screems benching headache

  20. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Mitchell or Justin?

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

      justin

    2. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Justin

  21. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wildcard thoughts?

    Martinez
    Robbo Castagne Lamptey
    Salah Sterling/KDB Hamez Trossard Barkely
    Kane DCL

    4.0; Brewster, Ayling, Kilman (fodder)

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks solid. Barkely could be a troll though

  22. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any word from Arteta on Auba?

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

    Best two defenders - 10.5m to spend. Quite like the look of Regulion; Chilwell in the mix, Semedo as well.

    Any other suggestions appreciated, thanks

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

    Jimi > Kane for a hit? Wolves look poor, Spurs do not.

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

      No for me.

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me

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

      Yes if he’s your captain.

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

        interesting...

    4. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, Kane has a great record v west ham

  25. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which do you prefer this week?
    A) Sterling to Son
    B) Adams to Antonio

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wait for pressers

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

      B

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

    Ziyech to make his debut against Saints. Chilwell expected to start. Mendy
    unlikely to; according to the Athletic.

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Guess that means no James?

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

        I guess so, which is a pain but can’t go through all this will he/won’t he every week so gonna have to get rid.

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

        He might just play if they decide to hold Chilwell or Azpi back even for the Champions League and United games that follow. But agree he is an issue now and prob time to get rid.

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

      Thanks for the update! Just to clarify if some people might not have access to the Athletic:

      (I know you didn't say he's set to start but I think it should be pointed out if anyone misinterpreted it that way,) emphasis on debut, not "full debut" so could be off the bench + Chilwell is expected to be *fit* to start, but it also says that there's a possibility that Lampard wants to rest him for the CL game mid week.

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

        Thought it was interesting that there wasn't any mention of Pulisic, even under the headline "Any other Chelsea team news?"

  27. FPL_BUCCANEER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Justin Taylor Mitchell Vinagre*
    Salah KDB* JRod Soucek Bissouma
    Werner Martial* DCL

    Does KDB, Martial -> Son, Kane (-4) make sense?

    I havent used WC yet and I am thinking the next IB might be a good time.

    Based on the next 4 fixtures alone, plus form.. I think this makes sense?

    Any other ideas?

    Thanks guys.

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

    Best 5th midfielder to own that costs less than 5.5?

    A) Jorginho
    B) Soucek
    C) Neto

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

      B

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  29. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think Eve v Liv will be a high scoring game, both defences leaking goals while attacking players are getting goals.

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

      0-0 incoming then.

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Achelotti has beaten Klopp in the CL but it was a low scoring game so we may get a repeat. But Salah and Lewin are both inform so I'd expect them to score.

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

      Last three PL games at Goodison have been 0-0

    3. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Agree but, isnt there a stat that last 3 derbys at Goodison ended 0-0?

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

      Liverpool played against Ancelotti’s teams 4 times last season (2 Napoli, 2 Everton) and there were only 5 goals scored in total.