Pro Pundits

The budget FPL assets I’m considering to help finance a Gameweek 12 Salah swoop

Five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman reveals his team for Gameweek 11 and outlines his plan to recapture Mohamed Salah the following week.


Gameweek 10 was a challenging one for me.

After taking my first hit of the season, I returned a total of just 50 (-4) points and as a result, now sit 515,661st overall. 

Despite a good start (I was ranked just inside the top 150k after Gameweek 6), I’ve struggled to find consistency since.

Looking back, there are a few reasons behind the slump, but I’d largely put it down to not owning Bruno Fernandes (£10.9m) and Jack Grealish (£7.7m) and failing to invest in Chelsea’s backline. 

The lack of Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9m) has perhaps been an issue, but less so considering my alternative, Patrick Bamford (£6.1m), has managed to keep pace and actually outscore him over the last five Gameweeks.

While most of the players I’ve transferred in have done well, João Cancelo (£5.6m) has disappointed. 

At the time of his signing, I was lured in by the number of chances he was creating, which was comfortably above any other defender in the game, but it’s one of those moves you look back on in hindsight and think, ‘what was I thinking?’. 

Frustratingly, I spoke about the threat of Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) with fellow Pro Pundits Lateriser and Zophar on a recent FPL Wire pod, and how he would be preferred in certain games, which is exactly what happened against Burnley. 

Rúben Dias (£5.6m) was probably the safer play and the route I should have gone down, though I doubt anyone in that defence will be completely immune to rotation in the coming weeks.

So, a few mistakes, but how do I get back on track, and what are my plans going forward?

Well, Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) will probably come back into my team ahead of Gameweek 12 for Marcus Rashford (£9.5m), but to make that move I will need to downgrade one of my heavy hitters. That could be one of Son Heung-min (£9.5m), Harry Kane (£10.9m) or Jamie Vardy (£10.3m), so what I thought I’d do in this, my latest column, is highlight two of my main transfer targets who will essentially help fund the Salah move.

At this stage, I should point out that I’m planning to play my Wildcard ahead of Gameweek 16, in preparation for the Blank/Double Gameweeks to follow. That means I’m simply focusing on the four fixtures from Gameweek 12 onwards.

So, best of luck in Gameweek 11 everyone.

Thanks for reading, until next time…




753 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry repost as my query was factually incorrect.

    Best defender out of the following for gameweeks 12 to 15

    A. Lewis (WBA, lee, FUL, mci)
    B. Taylor (ars, avl, WOL, lee)
    C. Cooper (WHU, NEW, mun, AVL)

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. zon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Taylor, I can see at least 2/4 cleanies there

      1. Mr Wolf
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Where?? I would stay away from Burnley until they get more solid

    3. Mr Wolf
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C > A > B for me

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why does joe hart still have a professional career

    Got to be keepers up and down the land who can do a better job than him, moron

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Terrible stuff. Can't believe Ajax took 40M off us for Davinson Sanchez.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Being a bad keeper these days doesn't make you a moron does it?

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

    Spurs pen

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

      Alli to take

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

        Scores 2-3

  4. zon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best affordable front 7 with current fixtures?

    Salah KDB Fernandes Grealish Jota
    DCL Bamford

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Boom, done

      1. zon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Three moves away from that. Might not hit WC just yet.

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

      I'll have Ings and Son over Dcl and Jota but yes for people with low tean values this is the best

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

        Doubt you could afford ings and son plus all those other premiums. Rest of the team would be bare bones

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

          Haha well i won't have a bench but fek it. I'll have chilwell james and rotating 4.5 defender and meslier as keeper for now so i am good.

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

            Lamptey will be my inital defender

    3. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty much, maybe Wilson instead of DCL depending on the Newcastle situation next week

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah KDB Bruno Son Grealish
      DCL Wilson

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

    Third attempt

    Sorry repost as my query was factually incorrect.

    Best defender out of the following for gameweeks 12 to 15

    A. Lewis (WBA, lee, FUL, mci)
    B. Taylor (ars, avl, WOL, lee)
    C. Cooper (WHU, NEW, mun, BUR)

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bale should take it if still on the pitch

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

      Well, he's not

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ali back in form, could be a good punt

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

    Dele BACK

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Time to bring him in, he's on pens apparently 😉

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Quality player

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I had forgotten about Dele Alli.

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He looks a bit older than last I saw him

    2. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      An attempt perhaps to boost his value for the transfer window

  10. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I can't wait for the festive period and every day fixtures

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Oh very much this. Though in truth with the CL and EL fixtures pretty much every midweek it's been fairly fabulous

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

      We were spoiled by the post lockdown schedule. The wait seems too long now

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

      I just got in Mahrez... Will need to get rid before rotation nation :s

  11. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2FT used, Good to go?

    n/a
    Chilwell James Lamptey Coufal
    KdB (c) Bruno Ziyech Jota
    Vardy DCL

    Subs: martinez grealish watkins 3.9

    Next week: vardy, ziyech to fodder, salah,

    1. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah good to go

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good to me.

  12. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Struggling with what to do here, 2FT and £0.1m ITB. Should be able cover all 3 outfield players if it comes to it. Want to save 1 FT for next week to get Salah in. Also don't want to get rid of Grealish as would want him back.

    Martinez*
    Chilwell, Cancelo*, Justin
    KDB, Bruno, Ziyech, Grealish*
    Vardy, DCL, Watkins*

    Peacock-Farrell, Lamptey, Soucek, Coufal

    A) Watkins to Bamford/Adams
    B) Martinez to McCarthy
    C) Cancelo to James
    D) Ziyech to Mahrez

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have almost the same team. I did C then will do Vardy, Ziyech to Salah, fodder next

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I could do C. Then Vardy, Ziyech & Soucek to Salah, Jota & fodder for -4 next week.

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Then we’ll have same team next week haha

          1. Big Ronnie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Does look like a very good team! Ha ha

  13. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any word on Kane?

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

      He knows the squad is rubbish.

    2. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      There will be no word. Mou said that hehas a little problem but should be okay for the weekend. I doubt he will say much more than that as it leaves arsenal guessing. He would bea fool tosay otherwise. That leaves us guessing too. Enjoy the ride

  14. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hart conceded again!

  15. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Screamer

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

      That's just Mourinho at Hart.

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      wow - glad i tuned in for the last 16 minutes of this. no chance for Hart, to be fair

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

        Wasn't even bang in the corner.

  16. FPL_Motty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lol @ joe Hart, poor guy

  17. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is that Don Hutchison managing LASK?

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      if it is he's on a yellow now

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        For putting on some extra weight?

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Joe Hart should retire. He was only good for Birmingham only anyway when he was 4.0m keeper

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    if kane doesn't play at the weekend, will bale start as striker?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nah Son would (Vinicius even could if fit). But Kane will start

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be surprised - I think Jose thinks that Gareth needs more fitness (based on what I've read this week)

  20. ljuta zena
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Armband on Kane, mark my words

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      marked

  21. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I feel like I’m always 0.1m short of making my dream move

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That would make a great team name

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think most prospective property buyers in the UK say the say thing.

      Blame the fact that wages have not increased at all over the past decade.

  22. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What would you prefer out of:

    A) Robertson, Ziyech, DCL, 4.4 mid
    B) Lamptey, Jota, Fernandes, 4.4 fwd

    Rest of team below:
    McCarthy
    Bellerin, Chilwell, Cancelo, Coufal, XXX
    KDB, Grealish, Son, XXX, XXX
    Kane, Watkins, XXX

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B

  23. MMN
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Given I've used my WC, should I be loading up on City, United and Villa players?

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Especially if they are called Grealish, Bruno Fernandes and Kevin de Bruyne.

  24. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Article here on which teams get the most and least rest over the fixture period https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55071938

    "Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton and Crystal Palace have the shortest recovery times to contend with, as all four clubs face two matches in 48 hours. Wolves have an extra 45 minutes.

    The fixture schedule has, however, been kind to Fulham and Newcastle in particular, with both Scott Parker and Steve Bruce's sides having 99 and 96 hours recovery respectively.

    Manchester United, Liverpool, Southampton and Arsenal all also have more than three days between their two games."

    1. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      So City will probably make 8 or 9 changes for those games.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        owning multiple city will be a nightmare yea, even KDB gonna get a rest

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

        Chelsea can afford to rotate too.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          yep

        2. Big Ronnie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah got good squad depth now so think nobody is guaranteed to play every game. Glad I have a starting bench.

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks for this. Clearly someone at BBC Sport plays FPL and took one for the rest of us!

  25. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez, Forster
    Robbo, Chilwell, Semedo, Dallas, 3.9
    KDB (C), Bruno, Grealish, Jota, Stephens
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    1 FT 1.5 ITB

    Semedo > James this week and do Stephens + Kane > Salah + Brewster for a hit next week? Or just do them all this week for -8

  26. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Justin played the whole game, Pereira 45, Soyuncu off injured straight away?

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

      yes.

    2. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No Castagne either. I reckon (hoping) Justin is good for 1 more game at least

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Hoping too

        1. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Evans still on 4YC I think - hopefully he picks up number 5 this week so Justin has a better chance of making Brighton (H)?

          He could play in a 3 as RCB with Fofana as the CB?

  27. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Got to be issues at your club when lacazette is your skipper

  28. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Apologies for repeating things, all. Been away this week and wanted a bit of clarity that this is the latest scenario on the below two issues:

    - AVL v NEW match postponed - no confirmed rescheduled date yet. Still some chance of it being next midweek and still counting as GW11. Alternatively, could happen during a future midweek. (Best bet to just start your AVL / NEW assets if you were going to anyway)

    - Kane injury: Mourinho made it seem slightly more likely than before saying 'he has a chance'

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Are these facts you're staying?

      What did Mourinho make seem more likely?

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        The bullet points is what I believe to be the current scenario.

        Mourinho on Kane: "I'm not going to tell you the nature of his injury. I think he has a good chance [for #GW11]. I don't want to lie, I don't want to hide anything. I think he's going to play. That's my feeling, that he's going to play." (from FFS tweets).

        At the very start of the week (I do not have the exact quote) but he said Kane is unlikely to be fit for the NLD. The quote above (from another press conf since then) seems to give HK a greater chance of playing.

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ah ok thank you very much!

  29. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Next GW play Son and Robbo or KDB and Dallas (-4)?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      not this one against when kdb plays against Fulham but next one when liv play fulham

  30. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Reckon Justin and Barnes start this weekend?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yes