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. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So I kind of doubled up on Salah/Mane last week and now I got the good old captain armband headache.

    My rank is horrendous, so do I stick with Salah or put it on Mane as a bit of a differential and hope Mane returns well to gain some spots?
    Captain choice:

    1. Salah
    2. Mane
    3. Son

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

      1

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

      I'd risk Mane.

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

      2

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

      Mane worth the punt

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

      I have Son, Salah and Kane and I'm going to punt on Son.

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

        2

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

      Mané

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

      3

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

    REPOST

    Sell one

    A. Ferguson
    B. Johnson

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

    A) Play Saiss
    Pros: Big CS potential if he starts (6+PTS)
    Cons: Highly likely to be benched and a 1pt cameo could do dmg

    B)Play Maupay
    Pros: If he scores then he gets (6+PTS)
    Cons: Probably Brighton isn't gonna score

    Who to play then?
    *Real headache...Also own Kilman

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

      How do you reckon he is highly likely to be benched?

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

        Wolves lacked creativity last game and Saiss really struggled. They scored a goal right after he was subbed off so Nuno will probably go for Marcal as CRY is even tougher to break down and he is a more natural LWB

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

          They also conceded a goal after he was subbed off.

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

          Not right after. He also managed to get a bonus point so some stats must have been good. It’s not his natural position but I think he’s a safe starter. Not 100% but more than 50%

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

      Highly likely is stretching it. More like a really small chance he's benched

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

      brighton isn't gonna score have you seen tottenham defend?

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

        I just have to think some reasons to bench Maupay

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

          i mean i'd play him over saiss instead of the defensive double up, spreads the risk but i would start saiss over kilman..

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

            Saiss can play multiple positions so if he is benched then he is more likely to come on while Kilman plays only CB so this is why I have Saiss as my 1st sub

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

    So is Antonio injured?

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

        cheers

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

    If all are fit by GW10 (big if of course), who do you think are the optimum 3 City players to bring in taking into account value and team balance/structure?

    I'm thinking: KDB, Kun & Foden.

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

      I must admit I am tempted by Cancelo

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

      cancelo over aguero i would say dont know how much you can trust aguero's fitness

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

    Do u think mourinho has gone back to his defend first approach?

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

      No

  7. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ok lads, currently in Salah but Sons form is making captaincy choice difficult

    A) Salah
    B) Son
    C) Sterling ( differential and 2.6 millionth at mo so could work nicely)

    1. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

      I am inside 1m and all I am worried is rank in my private leagues. Don't really care about OR.

  8. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts?

    TAA, Trossard --> Chilwell, James Rodriguez -4pt hit

    Could do just the chilwell transfer and hold trossard and get in a mid next week

  9. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez to rise tonight?

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

      Probably not

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

      Not by FPL stats

  10. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I have just enough funds to do J. Rodriguez to Rashford? Should I do it? Even if Rodriguez plays, Everton don't look the same without Richarlison and Digne.

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

      Same boat and tempted to do it ... Bruised testicle (Ouch)

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

      Wait to see if Kenny is fit. James will be a lot better with a proper RB. Hopefully Iwobi wont be playing on the left this week as well.

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, I would do this if I had the funds.

  11. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Guaita Steer
    Chilwell Saiss Justin Mitchell Dunne
    Salah Son Grealish Zaha Reed
    Dcl Kane Jimenz

    1.7itb
    Should i go Guaita - Martinez for -4 or something else?

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

      no leave as is

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

    @camzy cheers for reply.

    Chelsea fixtures not better though? And has Rashford looked good before the last game? Haven’t really watched much

  13. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone ditching Hamez? Would love value if he drops....

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

      looking to get him in personally fixtures look too good to pass up

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

        rashford with a downgrade elsewhere is incredibly tempting but I get you!

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

      Newcastle and Fulham in next 3. I'm keeping

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

        fair play man

    3. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      150k people sold him this week.
      I was planning to get him, but these sellers put me off.
      Everton are facing quite a few injuries and suspensions. I will probably wait another week or two to get him.

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

        yeah i wouldn't be bringing in

  14. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any help appreciated. 2FT:

    Ryan
    Robbo - Chillwell - Saiss
    Salah - Son - Grealish - Pulisic
    Maupay - DCL - Kane (C)

    Steer - Dallas - Stephens - Douglas

    A) Save 2FT
    B) Maupay > 6.5 forward or under
    C) Maupay + Ryan out for Adams+Mendy
    D) Pulisic > 8.3 mid or under
    E) Maupay + Puli > Zaha and 6.8 forward

    Cheers!

    1. Redbull Sucks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B
      All other options are very bad, sorry

  15. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Draft pick, help me pick one!

    A. Jota
    B. Peirera
    C. Barkley

  16. Pauntley
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Should I get in Ayling or Dallas?

  17. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think C might work mid to long term.

    1. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Reply fail to Trovsmash

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

    Bench one please:
    a)Targett
    b)Pva
    c)Trossard

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

    I need a mid below 5.9m. I've got Soucek and ASM in my sights but really like the Leeds mids despite some tough fixtures coming up. Harrison always gets mentioned rather than Klich. Is there anything wrong with him I should know - maybe rotation risk?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, I think it's Raphinha that is a threat to Harrison. Klich also on pens.

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

        Cheers Major League Shocker. I'm going in. Klich's stats are really impressive and I think he'll be a long termer.

  20. lekalatch
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden bench this GW?

  21. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Have 2 frees and need to use one:

    A) 4.0 to Kilman

    B) Maupay to Bamford

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

    Was gonna do Maupay to Antonio only with my 2 FT. I don't like any other strikers so should I do Maupay & Bissouma to Zaha & Brewster

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

      same boat, tempted by Bamford and just leaving him there

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

      Probably going Bamford but not too confident about it

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

      Same but now doing Maupay to Bamford I think.

  23. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best budget striker? Got a transfer to burn and Maupay is the top candidate to go

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bam

  24. 11SPECIALONE11
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rushford (ARS) in for Havertz (BUR)?

    Yay or nay?

    1. 11SPECIALONE11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Rashford

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yay

  25. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why wouldn’t he just hold on Digne, especially if he’s considering Keane. The logic doesn’t stand.

  26. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Castagne out is good for Bamford this week

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

    Guys, I want to reduce my reliance on Villa and Everton. 1.3 ITB and 2 FT

    McCarty
    Robbo - Chillwell - Saiss
    Salah - Son - Grealish - Rofriguez
    Watkins - DCL - Kane (C)
    Bench Forster Konsa Bissouma Mitchell

    (a) Hamez + Grealish  Foden + Rashford
    (b) Hamez + Robertson  Bruno +Dier + 0.7 ITB
    (c) Hamez + Robertson  Rashford +Dier + 1.7 ITB
    (d) cash out on the 0.1 profit on Mitchell before it disappears

    Cheers!

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Out of those, A. Although ideally you would keep Grealish rather than Watkins -- not sure what options that would leave you.

  28. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A bit of feedback would great lads

    Pick 2;

    A. Barkley
    B. Jota
    C. Peirera
    D. Lookman

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      AD

  29. noahzark22
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mitchell (wol)
    KWP (avl)
    Justin (lee)

    Rank them please

  30. eivtho
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just sold J Rodrigez and Maupay for Bamford and Pulisic. Had two free transfer. Good moves?

    1. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Should've asked before you did the moves.
      Now just wait and see.