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. T88MYE
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do??

    2 FT, 0.5 ITB

    McCarty
    James, Saiss, Chilwell,
    KDB, Salah, JRod, Son
    Jimi, DCL, Bamford

    Steer, Justin, Mitchell, Stephens

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell => Kilman

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah. Had crossed my mind. Saiss & Kilman, James & Chilwell.. not best defensive spread/cover.

        I have a few hours to dwell...even more!

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Stephens to Soucek and save FT

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Worried I’d be burning the 0.5 on a 5th mid that’s currently being sold by most managers?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          They’ll be buying back in a couple of weeks

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

      Steer to Forster?

  2. 1314
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    a) Mane Lamptey
    b) Rashford Robertson

    and I have Salah

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      B

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

  3. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What would you prefer in your XI?

    A) Lamptey | Bruno | Soucek
    B) Chilwell | Grealish | Bamford

    Thanks

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A has +4

    3. 1314
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      B

    5. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      B

    7. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  4. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WHU: Antonio ruled out. Nuts.

  5. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    (lost on the last page)

    Hi guys just need some advice please

    My team is:

    Martinez Martin

    Chillwell, Saiss, Justin, Mitchell Bernado

    Salah Son(c) Sterling Grealish Bissouma

    Kane Wilson DCL

    (0.0 ITB) 2ft

    1. WIlson to Bamford for free
    2. Wilson to Adams and Sterling to Zaha for free
    3. Save
    4. Other

    Thanks guys!!!!!!!

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Feels like a 3 but you would be burning a FT. I like Wilson’s fixture this week, if I didn’t it would be Wilson to Bamford/Adams and upgrade Bernardo or Bissouma to Soucek

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

      A man A ; get on the Bamwagon for mass derailment!

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

    What to do here? 2FT, 2.4 ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA, Chilwell, Saiss, Dier
    Salah, Son, JRod, Bruno
    DCL, Adams

    Steer, Bissouma, Davis, Douglas

    Thinking about Hamez, Bissou to Grealish, Zaha. Still afraid of going without Kane.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bruno & DCL to Rashford & Kane

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

    Martinez
    TAA, Saiss, Chilwell
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Rodriguez
    Wilson, Kane, DCL
    (Button, Dallas, Mitchell, Bissouma)

    2 FT and 0.4ITB.

    Any obvious moves to make here? Think team looks solid but don’t want to burn a transfer....

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell => Kilman

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bissouma to Soucek

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

      I'm in the same boat but I have Maupay instead of Wilson. Can't work out what to do either. I wanted to bring in Antonio for Maupay but he is out for about a month now. I'm waiting to see if we get some more info on the Jrod injury (i don't have much value tied up in him).

  8. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    which option is best guys ?

    A) Brewster > Bamford
    B) Brewster > Wilson
    C) Save FT

    Martinez (steer)
    Saiss, Robbo, Chilwell (lamptey, Mitchell)
    Podence, Foden, Son, Salah, Grealish
    DCL, Kane (Brewster)..

  9. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just watched the FPL Black box, so nice to see Mark laughing and relaxed. The man is a living legend.

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

    McCarthy
    Castagne, Chilwell, Lamptey
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Hamez, Soucek
    Kane, DCL

    Steer, Brewster, Mitchell, Branthwaite

    2 FT, 0.2 itb

    Anything you’d do or ‘lose’ that free transfer?

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

      Castagne injured

  11. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is bringing in Pulisic now too soon or good early move ?

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd give it a little longer personally, he still is getting back to full fitness and Chelsea don't really look great just yet. They don't really have a set front line either and I think Werner's tendency to drift out wide left is impinging on Pulisic a little.

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

    Antonio OUT FOR SIX WEEKS

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Can’t wait to get him for sub 6m

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

        And then straight back out with his next injury!

  13. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Need to replace Digne. My other defenders are Lamptey, Chilwell, Saiss & Mitchell. Who is the best option if money is not a issue?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      With a eye on longer term I'd say Cresswell or Dias

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Trent

  14. 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

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like D

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

      D

  15. GRPunk
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A. Digne to Chilwell (-4)
    B. Play Lascelles

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  16. Littlefish92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to pick

    Werner

    Ings

    Vardy

    Jimenez

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

      Wouldn't be bringing any of those in. I have Jimenez though and am keeping for now.

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

      To bring in? Werner.

  17. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any chance Digne drops tonight? -83.5% on Fix and -87.5% on Fpl Stars.

    Would rather wait until tomorrow to transfer out.

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      *Stats not Stars

  18. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Seems a bit counterintuitive, but Antonio being out cements my Salah (c) this week.

    Liverpool have a lot less to fear and can commit more people forward. All their forwards were rested too.

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

      Doesn’t change that much. They would have attacked anyway. It’s Antonio not Messi lol

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

      Sounds like confirmation bias

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Perhaps. But Spurs in the 2nd half created little tonight. I was always likely to go with Pool anyway but Antonio being out is the clincher.

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

          At the end of the day, Salah, Kane and Son are all great options that could all outscore each other on the weekend. So the best pick is the one you will be kicking yourself the least if they fail the outscore the others which is why you should definitely go Salah and I have a feeling about Son which means I should definitely go Son

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

      Captain Grealish

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

        It's Jack's time to shine 😛

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

      Worries me that West Ham will put all eleven back now.

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

    One week punt:

    1) Barkley
    2) Lookman
    3) Soucek
    4) Podence

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      3 with no Liverpool centre backs challenging for headers

      1. Scrumper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        This is where my thinking is going

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

      Souchef

  20. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with reece james?

    A....james to chilwell ( long term move)

    B....save ft.

    Thanks

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

      A

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

      Reece looks like he might start this week. Not 100% but seemingly likely.

      Would save it this week and make the transfer next week.

      This article even mentions Fabio is concerned Chilwell could get rested. I'm not as sure as an early sub to save for the weekend most likely, but you never know. Chilly did have an injury before and has clicked a lot of minutes lately.

  21. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think Saiss to Semedo is worth a FT?

    I fear Saiss not starting

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

      No way

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why wouldn’t he

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why wouldn't he start ?

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

      Noop

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

      Hell no.

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

    Ings best striker after Kane to own for a while?

    Need a Agüero replacement.

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

      Bamford. Upgrade elsewhere.

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

        Can still upgrade elsewhere even by getting Ings

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

          Upgrade even more then.

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

      Werner

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

    For the next 2-3 fixtures:
    Keep Maupay waiting for a goal or jump to Bamford?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jump

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

      I’m just going to hold until Maupay faces Liverpool

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

      I'm jumping to Adams next week

  24. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you be comfortable enough saving FT here? 2 could be useful, nothing massively jumps out this week. 1.2 ITB

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Saiss Lamptey (Taylor Mitchell)
    Salah Son(c) Havertz JRodriguez Podence
    Kane DCL (Davis)

    Lamptey v Spurs the only worry really

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

      GTG easy hold.

      Why Son (c) tho?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Dunno just gut, Spurs the form team (other than today apparently lol) and Brighton leaky

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

      Havertz > Rashford.

      I know you just brought him in, but I genuinely think it's a big upgrade. Was very disappointed in Havertz in the CL. Created nothing. 4 goals, no involvement.

  25. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Think pva will start this weekend ? Thanks

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

    So I did Rodriguez to Grealish earlier today and am regretting it already. Can anyone give me a reason why it's all okay and will work out okay?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great fixtures for grealish

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

      Grealish a really good option too. Could have easily scored 2 goals against leeds with a little more luck

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

      It's too late to worry.

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

        This is probably the best and only way to look atbit

    4. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Newcastle have conceded 100 shots on goal already this season, more than any other team. And we know Hamez loves to shoot.

      Bold strategy, let's see if it pays off for you...

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

      I don't think it's necessarily a bad move. Best of luck! I sure hope you made the right choice because I have Grealish and no Rodriguez!

  27. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is the Spurs train over after that EL loss?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      One game?

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

      Yup. Sell sell sell.

      Get Rashford.

  28. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    FanTeam squad is looking really strong.

    Pickford
    TAA Zouma Saiss Mina
    Salah Sterling Son Grealish Podence
    Kane
    (Meslier Bellerin Brewster 4.0)

    I have 2 FTs and 0.2m. What are the best moves?

    A) Pickford > Martinez
    B) TAA > Robertson
    C) Podence > Klich
    D) Brewster > Batshuayi

    Really don't want to burn. I'd say at least one of the above is worth doing.

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

    Antwerp defended well, but Mourinho basically said "I'm not going to play the team the started the first half" [because they were awful].

    Son, Kane, Hojberg etc all on after halt fine but the damage was done.

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

      Fail reply to two posts up.