Pro Pundits

Best FPL replacements for Digne according to FFS Hall of Fame leader Fábio Borges

Fantasy Premier League has become a difficult game in the last few weeks, with managers at all levels of the overall rankings struggling with the unpredictable nature of the 2020/21 season.

I have also fallen foul of the frustration. After an excellent start to the season, my team massively underperformed in the last two Gameweeks. I fell from a place inside the top 10,000 to an overall rank of 177,000 in the span of just nine days, mostly due to a horrible Gameweek 6, in which I only got 35 points.

Even though I have some big decisions to make before Friday’s deadline, I am still eager and ready to prepare my team for Gameweek 7.

My team in Gameweek 6

Even though I never worry that much about rankings this early in the season, I am slightly concerned that my transfers haven’t been working at all. In fact, out of five transfers in so far, only Andrew Robertson (£7.1m) delivered an attacking return and everyone else either blanked, got injured like Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) or, in the case of Reece James (£5.0m), fell victim to Frank Lampard’s rotation.

Ahead of Gameweek 6, I decided to use some of my money in the bank to upgrade Michail Antonio (£6.3m) to Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) and, even though this decision made perfect sense at the time, it immediately cost me seven points.

Antonio scored an incredible goal with his only shot against Manchester City while Calvert-Lewin looked like a shadow of what we have seen in the first five matches of the season in Everton’s defeat Southampton. And, of course, a yellow card in the last minute was the cherry on top of a poor overall performance.

Injury and suspension dent Everton's FPL appeal and expose squad depth issues 1

I bought Calvert-Lewin in because he was a nice set-and-forget option until Gameweek 11 at the very least, thanks to a combination of great underlying statistics and a decent run of fixtures. 

Unfortunately, without Richarlison (£7.8m) in the side, Lucas Digne (£6.2m) suspended and James Rodríguez (£8.0m) perhaps still managing that injury which messed so many of us about last week, Calvert-Lewin’s appeal has already decreased a bit. However, I am sticking to the plan and hoping he still manages to deliver good value over the next five matches.

WHO IS THE BEST DIGNE REPLACEMENT?

As I was writing this, I caught confirmation that Digne’s three-match suspension has been reduced to one. It means he won’t play against Newcastle and will return in Gameweek 8, when Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park.

Despite the reduction in his length of absence, I still don’t hold out much hope for Digne’s appeal over the next two Gameweeks. Unless something bad happens with my players in midweek matches, I think it is time to part ways with the French left-back.

Fixtures is the first thing i look into when I am comparing defensive options, focusing mainly on the next five or six matches and using longer term fixtures as a tie-break to separate two similar options. 

So, let’s see which teams have the easiest short term fixtures from a defensive perspective.

Teams with the best defensive schedule in the next five matches

From this list, I am going to exclude Crystal Palace (due to uncertainty about how they will shape up with players returning from injuries), West Bromwich (based on their poor showings in the early Gameweeks) and Southampton, since I already own Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m).

Here are the best options from each of the five remaining teams.

EVERTON – Michael Keane (£5.1m) – He has already scored twice this season and seems to be a decent value option if I am to keep trusting Everton’s defence. However, Keane is no Digne and his best fixtures are away from home, which I am not thrilled about. Having plenty of money in the bank, I am probably going with someone else.

CHELSEA – Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) – With great fixtures ahead, an impressive attacking threat and some set pieces in his arsenal, Chilwell seems to be the best Chelsea defender to have and, simultaneously, the logical replacement for Digne. I do worry he could be rotated with Marcos Alonso (£5.8m), Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.9m) or even Reece James (£5.0m) once in a while though, especially with a hectic winter schedule ahead. Nevertheless, his upside seems too good to ignore and I think he is a great candidate, even if he might be rested by Lampard here and there.

LEICESTER – Timothy Castagne (£5.8m) – The Belgian full-back has impressed so far with four attacking returns in just six matches but he does seem a bit too expensive for someone who will have to play against Leeds, Wolves and Liverpool next. I think Castagne will be a great option from Gameweek 10 but right now it is a bit too soon to rely on him.

ASTON VILLA – Ezri Konsa (£4.7m) – After watching Villa’s shocking performance against Leeds, and with plenty of money to spend, Konsa is not someone I’m all that interested in right now but I think he could still provide decent value in a rotation with a West Ham defender, for example. Something I would probably consider if i was Wildcarding this week.

MANCHESTER CITY – Ruben Dias (£5.5m) – He seems to have nailed a spot at the heart of City’s defence but they will play against Liverpool and Tottenham in two of the next three fixtures so, just like Castagne, it doesn’t seem to be the right time to get Dias in.

OTHER PLANS

Werner fails to convince owners as Chilwell impresses for Chelsea

Despite poor performances in the last two Gameweeks, I still think my team looks pretty good and except for Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.8m), and possibly Timo Werner (£9.3m) if it seems he will lose his starting place, I don’t have plans to sell anyone else for now. 

I still have my Wildcard available, which is great but, unless an injury crisis comes up, I don’t think I will need to use it in the next few Gameweeks.

Not having Harry Kane (£10.9m) has been a bit stressful but it is hard to justify using a transfer to sell Werner with such a great schedule ahead of him. I don’t mind having the German international (plus £1.5m and one spare free transfer) over Kane, even if he still doesn’t look like the goal-scoring machine we saw in the Bundesliga.

Thanks for reading and good luck with your transfers for Gameweek 7.

1,579 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Barring any surprises from tomorrow's pressers all GTG here?

    1 FT 0.1M ITB
    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA Saiss Justin (Mitchell Taylor)
    Salah Son Sterling ASM (Bissouma)
    Werner DCL Watkins

    Salah for (C)?

  2. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    For this page

    Antonio out for 4 weeks

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      f!ck.

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

      Thanks

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

      Who says?

  3. SM001
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Auba, Jimenez & TAA to Fernandes/Rashford, Kane & Chilwell (-4) ???

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

      Moving Jiménez out when he has Palace at home seems like a poor move. Even for Kane.

      I'm perhaps in the minority who thinks that though. Not sure I'd want to get rid of Trent this round either.

      Sometimes it pays off to have a bit of faith in your picks rather than going along with what everyone else is saying.

    2. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe do one today and do the other 2 for free next week.

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

    Trent Alexander Arnold captain anyone? He’s being sold in huge numbers, going on this season that is usually a recipe for a haul, and technically speaking he is due one of those big games.

    1. SM001
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Technically yes but technically this season has made zero sense. So who knows.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Flawless logic.

    3. wilsonito
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Being sold in huge numbers is more often a recipe for blanks

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

      If you do it, I’ll do it with you

  5. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you take Pulisic out this week for a free transfer. 0.5 in the bank??

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      hell no, if anything i'd brig him in! defo keeping in my team for these juicy fixtures

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

      Nah good Chelsea fixtures coming

    3. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No he’s just about to haul in the next few weeks imo

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

      No

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

    Antonio only plays half a season probably due to his injury record.
    I raised his injury record a few weeks back when the scouts started to discuss him.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He is injury prone, that is no news. Yet anyone can get covid or be injured. He would have been a good pick and can still be later. Now every man and his dog won't have him and it makes things more difficult and interesting.

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

        His injury record wasn't discussed by the scouts so I guess it is news.

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

      Everyone is aware of his track record of injuries. It's not exactly a secret.

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

        Obviously you're an injury expert can you post a source that shows Antonio's injuries.

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

      I raised it years ago.

  7. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio so close to dropping in price!

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He could be a lovely price when fit

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Never mind he’s injured ffs

  8. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Free Transfer:

    a) Trossard ----> Bowen/Barkley/someone else

    b) Rodriguez ---> Grealish

    c) -4 Trossard + Rodrigues/Jimenez/DCL ---> Grealish + 6.9mid/7.5for/6.5for

    d) Save

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      a) because Trossard has been poor and Bowen and Barkely more exciting.

      b) Rodriguez potentially injured, Everton depleted. Grealish stats are pretty impressive

      c) -4 but better players

      d) hoooooooollllld!

  9. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does Antonio being out help in any way making Salah captain more over Kane/Son?

    Probably nothing much in it really, just thought i'd ask, as west ham may feel less impacting without their main man.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      They might defend for there lives now

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

      Agree. Less threat. More pool attack.

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

      It can make Robbo and TAA slightly better options.

    4. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I never really get the argument of not captaining Salah due to fixture. He'd be a good captaincy pick against Real Madrid.

      The only reason I could ever think of to not captain him is if I had some other premium option like De Bruyne, Auba, Kane, Aguero etc...

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I wouldn't go as far as Real Madrid, but for me Salah's standard of 'captainable fixture' is much higher than other captaincy options because he's so far ahead of the pack. I'd rather captain Salah in a mediocre fixture than someone else in an top fixture. He's the best player in the game as far as I'm concerned.

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

          Perhaps Real Madrid was a bit OTT but yes, the point stands.

          What you said. He's so horribly underappreciated by football fans in general that it inevitably seeps into FPL.

          As you say, he's the best player in the game as far as I'm concerned and I'll have him captained at least 30+ times this season. Unless on a FH in which Pool don't play he'll always be in my team.

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

            His returns vs top 6 in Premier League are worse than season averages (against any opponent) of a lot of other high scoring players. Hence there is a very valid argument of not captaining Salah in a difficult fixture.

            Only player which arguably this didn’t apply recently was last season’s KDB because he was playing in a more advanced position in games vs top 6 and as a result his points average was even higher.

  10. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do here? 2FT 0.5 ITB

    Martinez
    Robertson, Semedo, KWP
    Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Maupay
    4.0 | Bissouma, Lamptey, Mitchell

    A) Maupay -> Bamford
    B) Downgrade Semedo
    C) Bissouma -> Soucek (to avoid burning a transfer given West Ham fixture swing)
    D) Burn a transfer

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

      C

  11. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    James Saiss TAA
    Podence Salah Son Foden
    Kane DCL Jimenez
    (Steer Burke Lamptey Mitchell)

    1.3ITB & 2FT

    a) James > Chilwell (then perhaps Podence > Bowen next week?)
    b) Podence > Barkley
    c) Burke > Soucek
    d) James & Podence > Coufal & Grealish

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

    Chilwell or Bamford?
    4 - 4 - 2 or 3 - 4 -3

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

      bamford

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

        Chilwell long term

  13. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jrod and Watkins -> grealish and Wilson for 2 free transfers? No fires to put out so looking to not burn the ft

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Have DCL for Everton cover.

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

      Not for me

      1. Chilli Heatwave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

  14. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Choose 1

    A. Callum Wilson vs Everton
    B. Bamford vs Leicester
    C. Maupay vs Spurs

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      None excite me, A maybe

  15. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think, all things considered, this week, I will captain Salah.

    https://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/12222/

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Even as a Spurs fan!?

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Me too Doos.

      Without Antonio as an outlet you guys could find yourselves sandwiched in your own half a lot. He's so important in the transition for you.

      Check out Salah's touches in the box compared to other players... in a league of his own.

  16. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Injuries are 40% up on last season according to BT Sports. Could be a farce of a season. Experts looking like idiots week on week. No fans and a relentless schedule messing results up every week

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Link please

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

      Yeah, it's weird. Don't know if Covid-19 if counts as an injury?

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

      Shows how important all the behind scenes stuff is. Players aren’t robots

  17. BigKeith
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    Lamptey, Robbo, Dallas
    Son, Salah, Grealish, Pulisic
    Kane, Maupay, DCL

    Steer, Mitchell, Dunne, Mendy

    0.1itb 2ft

    Maupay and Lamptey>Kilman and Bamford or give brighton one more chance?

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

      Brighton are dead to me.

      I’m on similar transfers but think Lamptey is worth holding. Maybe bench this week but he does get attacking returns

  18. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lamptey (or) gomez our for chilwel

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd ship Gomez.

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

    Brighton burned me and 2 FT.

    Maupay and Semedo (own Kilman) to:

    a) Chillwell and Bamford
    B) Chillwell and Brewster and upgrade Soucek to Foden (-4)

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

      I would go A, i dunno if foden would make up the -4 and soucek could knick something against the l'pool defense from set pieces

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

    A)
    Trent + Rodriguez -> Chillwell + Rashford

    B)
    Trent + Sterling + Wilson -> Coufal + Rashford + Kane (-4)

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sell whom for Dallas

    A. Ferguson
    B. Johnson

    😛

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both 😉

  22. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What’s happened to Aubameyang can he be an option next week at 11.6m (most likely), Villa/Leeds then Wolves, or maybe I’m mad but just thinking differently

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very good differential. you have actually made me consider him

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Arteta. Hendrick 5.0 has more pts atm. Why not rather punt on him, Klich, Pereira or Townsend? They are all much cheaper and have more pts atm.

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I see your logic. Everyone with more points than Auba right now will always be ahead of him. ReAlLy?

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Nope. I was joking. But taking a punt on him after those results because he has soon Wolves doesn't make sense. With that money I would rather have Rashford and use the extra elsewhere.

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          He has been wide, almost nowhere to be seen and not touched the ball many times. And even though he can beat underlying stats like Vardy, he needs to pass the eye test first at least for me to even consider him. And after having said this, he can easily brace any gw.

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

      I'd rather punt on Saka. He at least touches the ball and is fun to watch.

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

      Got his contract. No need to impress anyone anymore.

  23. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2 ft 0.2 ITB

    Martinez steer
    Coady Saiss James lamptey Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Rodrigues son Burke
    DCL kane Watkins

    A) Watkins + Rodrigues -> grealish & Wilson
    B) change James
    C) burn transfer
    D) Watkins -> bamford

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

      B

  24. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rodriguez or Grealish?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      With testicle injury playing with a lot of healthy men isn't fun. So G.

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

        Yip. I've not heard anything about Grealish suffering from a gnawing pain within his scrotum pouch so it's no brainer.

    2. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      a) Rodriguez ---> Grealish

      b) Save

      1. Chilli Heatwave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I am doing B

  25. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Dallas or Ayling?

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

      Ayling

  26. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    watkins, sterling and TAA -> Kane, Zaha and Chillwell ? (-4)

  27. Gubbins94.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry I'm sure it has been discussed to death but have we any conclusions better than educated guesses on Kilman keeping his place?

    Looking to replace Ben Davies and would rather Kilman to Coufal.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Most here are waiting to see what happens and who starts.

      1. Gubbins94.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, unfortunately that's the best bet.

  28. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Evening all... 0.2 ITB and 2FT... Anything worth burning a tranny on?

    Martinez
    Chillwell, TAA, Semedo, PVA
    Salah, Hamez, Son, Grealish
    Kane, DCL

    Brewster, Mitchell, Stephens

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

      Nice team

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell to Kilman? Whether it's a good transfer, I don't know. But if Kilman starts and Saiss is dropped (jus speculation) you will at least make money fast.

  29. Tim2012
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bruno and Prod
    To
    Grealish and Zaha

    -4

    Yes or No?

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

      No way

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No sauce.

  30. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    watkins, sterling and TAA --> Kane, Zaha and Chillwell ?? (-4)

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nope.

    2. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe not TAA this week as WHU have no Antonio, but I guess you need him and Sterling out to afford Kane?