Pro Pundits

My Digne replacement and why I’m changing formation for FPL Gameweek 10

Gameweek 9 was an amazing Gameweek for me. After taking my first hit of the season, I managed to get a total of 88 points and a Gameweek rank around the 20K mark, which was one of my top ranks in a single Gameweek ever. 

Consequently, I got a massive green arrow that propelled me to inside the top 30K in the overall rankings with the Wildcard still available.

Out of my starting eleven, four players delivered a double-digit haul and only my two Aston Villa assets blanked. Even Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) managed to get seven points without a clean sheet or a penalty save so I could not be happier with my boys.

Even though I mentioned in my last article I was planning to keep Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) in my team, ultimately, I decided to sell the Liverpool star for Bruno Fernandes (£10.8m). There was plenty of doubt if Salah would miss one or two matches due to coronavirus (COVID-19) and it coupled with the appeal of captaining Fernandes against West Brom, made me change my mind.

And so, on Friday night, I decided to pull the trigger, bringing in the Portuguese maestro and trusting him with the armband. This decision worked pretty well after Fernandes scored yet another penalty and collected three bonus points in a tougher than expected home match for Manchester United.

Nevertheless, Salah could start at Brighton after playing against Atalanta on Wednesday night and we all know how he can punish his sellers in any given week. However, after Brighton, he plays against Wolves and both these opponents are well-organised teams. 

For this reason, I will take my chances without Salah for two Gameweeks, looking to probably bing him back in Gameweek 12, when Liverpool play against Fulham (possibly by using my Wildcard in that exact Gameweek).

Additionally, I needed a defender to replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) and Lucas Digne (£6.2m) was the standout choice to me. Everton’s three immediate fixtures were excellent, his assist potential is only second to the Liverpool fullbacks and I thought he had good potential for clean sheets or attacking returns in the short term.

I was very happy to see him bombing forward even more than he usually does, playing as a left wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation against Fulham. This new system suited him perfectly and he delivered two assists in a crazy first half at Craven Cottage. Sadly, for Everton and for his fantasy owners like myself, he suffered an ankle ligament injury in training this week and will be out for the foreseeable future.

Gameweek 10 plans

How Kane, Son and De Bruyne fared in midst of FPL fixture swing

Looking at my team ahead of Gameweek 10, I am a little bit concerned about the fact that I don’t own any Manchester City players for their back-to-back home matches against Burnley and Fulham.

My initial plan was to get Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m) in for Son Heung-min (£9.5m) but I find it hard to justify using a free transfer to sell such a reliable source of points, regardless of how bad Spurs’ schedule may be. 

I think Son was clearly underpriced by FPL this season, especially if we compare him with other heavy-hitters such as Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.6m) or even De Bruyne, who costs £2.1m million more than the Tottenham superstar right now.

Another thing we know about Son is that he is one of the most clinical finishers in the world and he doesn’t need many chances to score goals, as we saw in Gameweek 9 when he scored with the only real chance he had in the whole match.

And so, given Son’s price, form and overall career numbers, I decided I am going to keep him in my team for now. This way, I can use my transfers to improve weaker links in my squad, even if it means going without De Bruyne for their match against Burnley. I will re-assess this decision ahead of Gameweek 11 and if Guardiola’s team looks better attacking-wise than they have looked lately, I might decide to get him in by then.

CHANGING FORMATION

Even though 4-3-3 has been working pretty well for me so far, I think now is the time to finally switch formation and get back to the more conventional 3-4-3. There are several factors that clearly make me think this is the correct timing for a change:

  • 1) Two of the best defenders in the game (TAA and Digne) are injured for an unknown period of time;
  • 2) Clean sheet potential for good defensive teams such as Wolves, Tottenham and Burnley doesn’t look good in the short-term given their tough schedule;
  • 3) There is, finally, a cheap midfielder who I think will be able to compete with the best defenders in the game in terms of expected points and value.

With all these factors in mind and with £4.4 million available in the bank, I decided to bring Diogo Jota (£6.7m) in for Mario Lemina (£4.5m). The most recent Liverpool acquisition seems to have settled perfectly into Jurgen Klopp’s plans and, priced at £6.7 million, I don’t think he even needs to start every match to be worth every penny.

Since joining the Reds, his expected goals and assists per 90 minutes are pretty close to what Salah and Mane have been doing for years and, even if these excellent numbers decrease over a larger sample (which I doubt they will), I think he will have no problems justifying such a cheap price tag. To me, he is the clear front-runner for the award of best value player in the game this season and if he manages to nail a spot in Liverpool’s starting eleven, I think he will be pretty much an essential pick for every fantasy manager in the world.

With my free transfer locked in and, after taking no hits in the first eight Gameweeks of the season, I am now considering taking my second hit in a row to get rid of Digne for Rúben Dias (£5.5m). 

However, I am still debating if I should play Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) and sell Digne next week for free instead. Dallas played out of position against Arsenal last weekend and he was pretty close to scoring his second goal of the season while bombing forward the whole match. Unfortunately, Leeds travels to Goodison Park and Anfield next, which means the chances of him getting clean sheets anytime soon are very slim.

Manchester City’s defence, on the other hand, looks really good this season and I think Dias could be worth four extra points over Dallas in the sum of the next two Gameweeks. In fact, bookies give Manchester City a 55% chance of getting a clean sheet this week and he also offers a decent threat from set-pieces. 

If I decide to take a hit for Dias, I will be able to field a very strong defence with the Portuguese centre-back alongside Andrew Robertson (£7.1m) and Ben Chilwell (£6.0m). This will allow me to use my free transfers in midfield and attack in the next Gameweeks, which I think is really important.

Anyway, this will definitely be a late call for me and it’s possible I decide to just get Jota this week and hope that Marcelo Bielsa plays Dallas as a box-to-box midfielder again.

CAPTAINCY

Having made the decision of going without De Bruyne this week, I have no choice but to trust Fernandes with the armband yet again. Since joining Manchester United, he delivered more points away from home than at Old Trafford and I expect Southampton to play an attacking style of football (as they always do), which hopefully will benefit Fernandes’ potential for points.

FANS ARE BACK

Other than that, I was very pleased to know that half the Premier League’s clubs will be able to welcome back fans starting in Gameweek 11. For now, only 2,000 supporters will be allowed in the stands but, after almost six months of empty stadiums, it’s definitely a nice improvement.

That being said, I don’t think this change will have any impact on my FPL decisions. I don’t think there will be a huge advantage for the 10 teams allowed to have fans in their home matches and I will only consider this factor whenever there is a really close decision between two possible transfers I might be considering for my team.

Thanks for reading and good luck this week!

1,060 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Digne out means James on all set pieces!

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

      James or Jota if you have to choose ... Zaha out here

  2. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Excited as always until it all falls to pieces, but GTG?
    Martinez
    Chilwell Zouma Dias
    Bruno(C) Sterling (V) Ziyech Grealish Jota
    Kane DCL
    Steer Brewster Mitchell Lamptey

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely

  3. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which transfer is best? Jesus I would want for the next two whilst Kun's condition isn't good according to Pep:

    a) Son and Semedo ---> KDB and Dias

    b) Kane and Zaha ----> Jesus and KDB

    1. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B as Zaha is out

  4. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hands up from those sticking with both Sonny and Kane??

    1. RUUD!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm really debating that, still have both but want KDB

  5. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son ➡️ Sterling -4?.

    For two weeks, before getting Mo back in GW 12. Have Kane don’t want to get rid of Son but i think It’ll be worth it - Sterling could go big in these next 2.. Can’t afford KDB or Mo yet.

    1. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why

        1. LewanGOALski
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Sterling no form, Son has more goal potential than Kane in difficult fixtures IMO

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

    3. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you do then Captain him.. I would personally

  6. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo - Chilwell - Zouma
    Son - Ziyech - Grealish - Hamez
    Kane - DCL - Watkins

    1 FT
    4.5 itb

    Which should I do here:

    A) Zouma ➡ Cancelo / Dias
    B) Kane ➡ Vardy
    C) A + B for (-4)
    ..?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Imo none of any A

  7. LosBlancos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Dias or Cancelo?
    First to 3

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dias with Zink and Mendy now both back

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dias

    3. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo

    4. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo

      1. PompeyUpNorth!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Next one wins

    5. RUUD!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd lean towards Dias

    6. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo

    7. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

  8. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bamford & James Rodriguez to Vardy & Jota for -4 (will captain vardy)

    a) yay
    b) nay

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      a)

  9. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Am I GTG?
    Martinez (Button)
    Zouma,Kilman,Konsa,Chilwell (Lamptey)
    Ziyech,Son,Bruno,Grealish (Bissouma)
    Vardy(C),DCL (Brewster)

  10. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    a) Foden + Werner > KDB + Vardy(c) -4.
    or
    b) Foden > KDB?

    thanks

  11. Jatz10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi All

    On a WC, thoughts?

    Martinez (McCarthy)
    Clyne Konsa Justin (Zouma, Dallas)
    Jota KDB Foden Grealish (Armstrong)
    DCL Kane Vardy

    0.4 ITB

  12. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A rested KDB under 20% ownership in a City side sorted for CL and now needing to set about scaling the table, versus a Pope-less Burnley. May not get a better chance to be on-board.

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Are Sterling owners more happy maybe?

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Could go either way but get the feeling if Sterling scores KDB has a good chance of being involved anyway

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Go for it.

  13. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Chillwell, Kane and Brewster to Fuchs, Vardy and Wilson for -8pts?

  14. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So many tough choices this GW , some will take the more prudent way and hold others will risk them out . Im with the Risk lot they're outta here. GL Fellas

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good luck.
      Haven't made a transfer yet.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      GL, I also sold Kane for Vardy.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers Chaps

  15. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Not been this stumped with what to do in ages, any advice is appreciated here, I'm looking at players like Vardy, KDB, Dias to bring in.

    Mendy
    Chilwell Robbo Coufal Konsa
    Bruno Son Grealish Ziyech
    Kane DCL
    4.0 Maupay Bissouma Branthwaite

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yep Kane Son out Vardy KDB in worth the risk

    2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have identical mids and forwards to you, thinking of doing Kane to Vardy, not sure whether to take a -4 and do Son to KDB

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

    Rashford > ???

    Have 9.7 to spend.

    Already have Jota, Son, Grealish, Salah

    any advise would be great thanks

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep this GW - ideal matchup for him

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

        think he will play?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah - Ole's comments were a bit odd given that he trained

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tough price point, depends how long you’ll hold for, could punt on mahrez/Torres/foden

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

        Torres was on my radar too.

        cheers

  17. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Yay or Nay with my 2FT

    Rodriguez & Jimenez > Jota & Vardy

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      thats a yell yes from me with 2FT

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yay

  18. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who else to put in this defence?

    Martinez
    Chilwell lamptey** balbuena Mitchell

    A) Dallas
    B) kwp

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lewis

  19. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No Pool or City coverage other than Robbo, worth taking a hit for it?

    Martinez
    Robbo - Zouma - Targett - Kilman
    Son - Bruno - Jrod
    Vardy - DCL - Adams
    (4.0 - Soucek - Barkley* - Lamptey*)

  20. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Grealish worth keeping or moving on with Barkley out?

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

      Season keeper for me

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would hold if I had him

  21. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No city mids or vardy. Should I take a hit?
    Mccarthy
    Chilwell James dias
    Mane Bruno(c) grealish jota
    Kane DCL Bamford

  22. Cto
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone considering the TC on vardy?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Briefly

  23. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Jota the best Zaha replacement?

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

      Don't know whether best depending on individual team, but he's a good option

  24. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys who score more ?

    A: Ziyech Kane Bruno (c) +8
    B: KDB Vardy (c) Bruno
    C: Salah (c) Jesus Bruno

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A & B close.

    2. Stuberry
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  25. Olee
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On WC...A or B?
    A: Jota+Brewster
    B: Watkins+Bissouma (0.5ITB)

    Thanks

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Do you own Bamford?

      1. Olee
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes, this is the team now:

        McCarthy
        Chillwell-Telles-Cancelo
        Salah-KDB(c)-Bruno-Grealish
        DCL-Watkins-Bamford

        Forster-Targett-Bissouma-Kilman
        0.5ITB

  26. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just brought in cancelo. Expecting him to be benched now.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That's it Fudgy stay positive

  27. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy Steer
    Zouma Taylor Justin Lascelles Mitchell
    Son Bruno Rashford Grealish Bissouma
    Kane DCL Bamford

    1FT, 4.2m in bank. What looks better

    1 - Rashford to Salah
    2 - Lascelles to Coufal

  28. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best captain choices? DCL a good pick?

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kdb.

  29. Mauricios Cappuccino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rodriguez to

    A. Grealish
    B. Jota (+0.9m)

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bank FT and stick with Rod?

  30. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last try before I hit the button!

    2 questions:

    1) Which move as the main FT this week? (Have no LEI or MCI attack)
    A) Kane > Vardy (C)
    B) Son > KDB (C)

    2) Is Ziyech > Jota worth a -4? (Have no Salah or Mané)

    Cheers!

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B & no.