Seven-time top 10k finisher Zophar delves into our Premium Members Area to assess three well-owned FPL assets and reveals his Gameweek 11 team.
As I recoil from the sight of three Aston Villa players in my team who are suddenly without a fixture in Gameweek 11, I figured I would share some observations on some trends I have noticed over the past few weeks.
selling Kane...
Yes not for a hit.
I’d still do it, a pen and assists for KDB and ya laughing
Interesting. I think it is probably 50-50.
I done those exact moves...
I have 2 Villa defenders and Grealish.
I also have Mitchell and Mitrovic who likely wont' start this weekend. I have 1 FT and 1.1 ITB.
A-Should I, just pick the Villa players and assume the game goes ahead next week (what is the probability chance of that do people think)
B-Transfer Mitro to Bamford (who I'll bench) but at least gives cover for Grealish if Villa game doesn't happen
C Transfer Mitchell to Bednarek or Vestggard
D Get Bamford and Bednark and take a 4 point hit.
Thoghts appreciated, really torn right now, unprecedented situation!
Play the villa players u wanna play anyhow n support it with B cos i think the upside is higher.
That said i will still try to get 2 or 3 playing bench players
I’ve got no keeper this week at the moment do I go without or get rid of Martínez using my FT?
Keep if you've used WC.
Yeah I have, I think you’re right I’ll keep
Which is the best move ?
A) Son -> KdB
B) Grealish -> Mahrez (c) - would remove him for Salah (c) next week
C) Grealish + Bellerin -> KdB + Dallas (-4) could then bench Dallas this week in prep for his good fixtures
B
Hi All,
Saiss to ' who ' ?
Man City defender?? Walker? =o/
How much money are you working with?
At least 6.2
Sorry, have 6.5 million if I were to sell Saiss
Like the idea of Walker, but obviously Cancello is a threat for starts at RB, too
Chilwell is the obvious shout if you don't have him. Reece James for the double up if you do have him. Or Walker.
Have Chillers, yeah. Might go with Walker... 😎
A. No Son WC:
McCarthy, Forster
Dias, Chilwell, James, Neco Williams (Taylor)
KDB, Salah, Jota, Bruno (Grealish)
DCL, Bamford (Brewster)
B. No Jota WC:
McCarthy, Forster
James, Taylor, Neco Williams, Coufal (Dallas)
KDB, Salah, Son, Bruno (Grealish)
DCL, Bamford (Brewster)
Any votes would be much appreciated.
A but dont fancy neco + dias. Pick others who r more certain to play
I agree
probability of villa match taking place this gameweek?
80%?
0.80%
i keep reading it'll be midweek next week
Have you? I have seen it suggested absolutely nowhere apart from on here.
some articles were just saying next midweek is the only avaialble free spot for ages and therefore they might try and squeeze it in.
If they can't might be rearragned for late january
It's not like they need to make it up soon. Neither side are in Europe, so they can make it up in April if that's what the league decides.
Neither team are in Europe - they have 8 midweeks next year they can play it.
I mean there's still that the WBA/NEW game could be off too - and that's a whole week later.
from what i read here... 10%
0.08%
Bruce has implied that with the training ground closed, even if enough players are tested negative, the fact that they haven't trained at all means that taking the field unprepared would risk injuries. They squad needs more time.
It would be brilliant if it did
wasnt there a decision on training ground today? would need to reopen for there to be any chance.
Villa v City still to rearrange in one of those free midweeks next year, which is obviously harder if City progress in Europe.
seems like a 1%er this gw tbh (and I have 3 Villa players!)
Benjamin Mendy
Hi All,
FPL Froggies (French-speaking Podcast - link in profile) are back this week and is happy to translate its French corner podcast section dedicated to a French or a french-speaking FPL player.
This week we have dedicated to focus on Benjamin Mendy (5.9) as he has emerged as an option again for the sky blues who embark in a great run of fixtures.
Benjamin Mendy was signed in summer 2017 by Guardiola from AS Monaco as part of the extensive rebuild process of Man City defense which saw the Skyblues also sign RB Kyle Walker and GK Ederson the same window (Danilo too). This has some importance as looking at those four player’s profile is recalling us what original backline philosophy Guardiola had at this stage and Pep has applied the same football philosophy for every club he has managed so far so that original philosophy should still be relevant today.
This tells us that when available, pacy fullbacks have always been Pep’s preferred option.
However, since Guardiola has signed a contract extension a few weeks ago, it seems like his speech changed a bit. As media were praising Mendy’s last offensive display against BUR, Guardiola stated that scoring goals is the last thing he wants from his full backs. He wants them to defend well and stay focus and fit for longer periods of time.
Defensive consistency in fitness and quality of displays has indeed been an issue over the years for Guardiola especially with his fullbacks. So could Mendy’s defensive quality earn him a starting place in Pep’s XI?
When Benjamin Mendy joined a Marcelo Bielsa managed Marseille team, after 30 minutes of the first training session, Bielsa told him in front of the whole group, that if he listens to him and his CB team mates, he will soon become one of the best fullback in the world.
Mendy then joined Monaco and became champion that year and with Bernardo Silva and Mbappé as team mates, kicked City out of the UCL in two legendary games (a total of 11 assist and 1 goal for the 16/17 season for Mendy in all competitions). The following summer, Mendy signed for City.
Now let’s get into pitch truth. It is everyone’s knowledge Mendy is injury prone and it was quite surprising for us FPL players to see him starting a second match in a row against BUR after the UCL game midweek. This tells us two things:
1- Pep does not fear Mendy gets injured again so him and his medical staff probably had been waiting a long time before being sure he could play
2- Pep is willing to build his fitness level.
But how bad is Mendy injury record? Well, really bad. Since his arrival at City is 2017, Mendy has never played more than 5 games in a raw for the skyblues. This mainly due to fitness (two major knee injuries and a lot of little +-1 month injuries) but also suspension and.. guess what.. rotation.
Like many, we have tried to compile all the line-ups with Mendy starting and figure out if there was some kind of pattern but failed. We thought we had one when noticing Pep had a tendency to play Mendy against low defensive blocks and bench pacy players at the same time on the same side (Sterling mainly) to probably open the defensive line wide and give more freedom to Dilva/Foden or KDB before noticing Pep played both Mendy and Sane against BUR home in 2018. So we’re surrending in trying to figure out what is in Pep’s mind when it comes to line ups.
Maybe we’ll find out some info reading between the lines of Pep latests declarations. He clearly stated he wanted more focus and fitness from his defenders. This targets Mendy big time in our opinion, obviously for the fitness matter but also with the behavior out of the club where Mendy had failed on numerous time (remember last year when Pep found out during the press conference, courtesy of a journalist, that Mendy was in Hong-Kong, not in Barcelona where he was supposed to be?).
Guardiola also stated that Cancelo really « helped the team when Mendy and Zinchenko were out » which could actually mean Cancelo is not the preferred option when his two team-mates are fit (although we believe he’s preferred to Zinchenko) and is a plan B to cover Mendy and Walker as he can play both sides. It is also possible Guardiola does not want to discredit himself and eventually show why Mendy was in his top of the transfer list in 2017 because so far, that’s a failed transfer.
But how much can we trust Pep’s words? well..
In the same press conference, Guardiola also said he made only one substitution in UCL this week because players like Bilva or Cancelo needed to build their fitness. Why not starting Cancelo against BUR then if the guy needs game time?
It seems like the LB spot is still up for grabs at City at the moment and the preferred option will be the one who can offer defensive protection. Mendy is obviously a great option (2018/2019 xA: 2.05 and 2019/2020 xA: 1.63) but we should wait until the Manchester derby next week and see who will be played as a LB by Guardiola before making a move (Zinchenko started at Old Trafford last year ahead of him). But even if Mendy is the preferred defensive option, that’s not particular good news for us FPL managers as we won’t benefit from the easy fixtures.
However, if he’s not the preferred defensive option there’s one viable strategy with Mendy though although it does not bode not very well with the current COVID context which required bench depth. Except the 2or 3 games after return from injury, it is actually very rare Benjamin Mendy gets subbed-in during a game. He does get subbed off, but rarely is subbed in. Considering there is still only 3 changes possible during PL games and considering the amount of players Pep has to manage game time of (KDB, Jesus, Aguero, Laporte, Rodri, Fernandinho etc..) the Mendy strategy could consist in covering Mendy with a 4.5 nailed defender to cover the rest/rotation and have the full differential when he plays as he tends to avoid cameos. This could actually pay-off.
Great read
Thanks lads
He's too expensive to actually own.
But interesting nonetheless. Thanks for sharing. I think he's like 99% sure to start this weekend against Fulham. They tick all the boxes, low block side looking to defend, Mendy is a natural left footer and is fast and attacking.
I just can't see anyway that Cancelo starts here.
Maybe at RB?
I'm tempted to do Cancelo to Dias for a hit but might just keep and go for Dallas next week instead
I think I'm just going to hold Cancelo. I have bench cover this week. Looking at City's schedule he could easily get games against West Brom and Newcastle at home either at right or left back.
and that's when it ticks all the box that Pep puts Laporte LB and Stones and Dias CB 😀
But I agree, everything points to Mendy starting this WE
Interesting insights, thank you
Cancelo is primarily a RB. He’s been filling in at LB while Mendy and Zinchenko were unavailable.
Start Brewster (LEI) or Cresswell (MUN)?
Brewster is a terrible FPL option. I have him. IF he starts he'll get so few touches it is ridiculous. I'd go Cressers...more chance of an assist, IMO
Cresswell -- he's got 3 attacking returns this season, which is 3 more than Brewster.
No brainer. Creswell.
HELP - have captain envy and need to change. 😉
Current
Bruno Son Fornals Jota (Grealish)
DCL Vardy (Watkins)
a) GW11 Fornals >> Mahrez(c)
GW12 Bruno >> Salah(c), DCL >> Wilson
b)-4 GW11 Fornals >> KDB(c), Vardy >> Bamford/Adams
GW12 Bruno >> Salah(c)
c)-4 GW11 son >> KDB(c)
GW12 DCL >> Wilson, KDB>> Salah(c)
d)2FT GW11 bruno>>KDB
KDB >> Salah
e)1FT GW11 *save* FT & captain Vardy
GW12 Bruno >> Salah
Think I prefer C as keeps Bruno, both best captains, and covers DCL fixture swing. Agree?
Thanks
I think any plan which involves selling Bruno is a non-starter, and switching big hitters back and forth is a waste of transfers.
Thanks for the reality check - presume you're staying with Vardy captain this week then?
Currently on him. Could also go to Bruno. In general I’m trying to avoid making drastic changes for one week captains - In your scenario I could see Son > KDB Paying off but I would want to then stick with KDB for United.
I may still cave on KDB But if I bring him in he’ll have to stay.
I have 2 Villa defenders and Grealish.
I also have Mitchell and Mitrovic who likely wont' start this weekend. I have 1 FT and 1.1 ITB.
A-Should I, just pick the Villa players and assume the game goes ahead next week (seems unlikely)
B-Transfer Mitro to Bamford (who I'll bench) but at least gives cover for Grealish if Villa game doesn't happen
C Transfer Mitchell to Bednarek or Vestggard
D Get Bamford and Bednark and take a 4 point hit.
Thoughts appreciated, really torn right now, unprecedented situation!
just cos you want the villa game to go ahead, doesnt mean it will actually go ahead
Don't fancy your free hit, no?
i am tempted but the other 9 starters for this gameweek all have great fixtures and are pretty much close to what i'd use a free hit for. I can get one of mitro or mitchell out for free and up to 10 good starters. just gunna be 1 short without a free transfer unless one of mitro/mitchell starts surprisingly
need to see your team in full
Ryan Macey
Konsa Targett Lamptey Mitchell Chilwell
Grealish KDB Mahrez Son Zaha
Mitro DCL Werner
targett/mitchell - dallas
mitro - bamford
Bissouma and Vardy to KDB and Brewster for -4?
Or even Bissouma, Vardy and Cancelo to KDB, Bamford and Neco for -8?
TAA back in training- may start
Captain dilemma!
Who’s yours?
Gone for Mahrez personally, him or KDB for me this week think City will destroy Fulham
Bruno.
Unless I sign KDB (are above)
Vardy
Kane, with Bruno as vice to cover the small chance Harry really is unfit.
If Kane is not fully fit, there's always a chance he starts on the bench & if TOT were chasing a goal - they'd bring him on.
A risk for sure. I'll likely change it at the last minute. I usually do - to my regret.
Bruno is my default captain for all away fixtures until he gives me a reason to stop.
Sensible guy.
This is actually a pretty sound reason. Capped him twice in a row but Ful is tempting. Then again they were decent against Lei.
KDB
It's got to be KDB for me
Going vardy, was already on him before this article but the reasons for it are above !
The Ginger Belgian
That sounds like a Christmas treat.
Shall we crack open the After Eights? Or would you rather open up the Ginger Belgians?
Hah!
I’d happily buy Belgian Gingers.
Took the risk and did Barkley > Mahrez (c). Any thoughts on this team or alternative captain? £0 ITB.
McCarthy
Robertson Gabriel KWP Chilwell
Jota Fernandes KDB Mahrez (c)
DCL Kane
Steer Mendy (Leicester), Mitchell Watkins
who's more likely to start on the left for City, Torres or Sterling?
Sterling
Based on what?
Torres
No one knows.
Torres
1ft 0.5m on the bank
Martinez
Kilman Chilwell Mitchell
Son Ziyech Bruno Salah Soucek
Vardy DCL
Steele Brewster Branthwaite Konsa
Ziyech or son to Mahrez for free or take hits to sort defence out help is appreciated!
I’d leave midfield for this week.
Braithwaite &/or Mitchell need sorting I reckon
Tariq Lamptey is the 17th highest scoring defender in the 4.5-5m price bracket so far this season
Just stick to the 4.5 price bracket. There is a huge difference between 4.5 and 5.0! That 0.5 can make or break your season.
I've kept the faith. Seagulls only need to improve their defence 5% and clean sheets will come, and Tariq will get those assists soon enough. I hope.
True, Ryan needs to do better
not for long
If the Brighton defense were a little worse than it actually is, I'd think about shipping - but they have good underlying numbers.
He also lost 5 or so points getting subbed off injured a few mins before a CS so should really take that into account.
Truth be told, more than a lot of players I have - he's genuinely exciting to watch play. That in itself is not a reason to have him but couple with the defense, his previous attacking returns etc - he's definitely a fun asset to own.
19th*
However if he stayed on for 3 more minutes vs. Newcastle, his points would take him up to 7th.
The stats are there, the eye test is there, the FPL points are coming.
yeah 3.1ppg isn't as great as it seems when you watch him and it looks like he's in for a haul, gets booked and endsu up on 1 pt.
He’s a wingback for less than 5m. Why would anyone get rid?
FPL is also about looking for future scoring. On the basis of his activity in the box, he's going to score points in the future.
standard decimated squad here
a) One week only Bissouma or JWP (-4) (becomes salah gw12)
b) for Chelsea double up with Chilwell - Mendy or James
c) Watkins to adams with FT no brainer?
So is New v AVL definitely not this GW? Apologies if it has been discussed
Yeap
Much appreciated
How would you get KdB?
A) Son -> KdB
B) Robbo + Ziyech -> James + KdB (-4)
Cheers!
A
A
A
Sterling & Bamford to Mahrez & Jesus?
or use my 2FT on getting a new GK?
Martinez (Forster)
Chilwell Lamptey Dallas (Lewis Branthwaite)
Salah Sterling KDB Son Jota
DCL Bamford (Brewster)
Keep Sterling imo.I would sell Martinez.
Best pick to replace Pva up to 5.5?I also have James,Coufal,Targett.
Why would you raplece him?
I think they will concede and tough fixtures coming up.
Give him 1 more week. Then Lamptey or Dallas or Taylor.
cheers.The problem is that if i keep him i have other issues up front for the next gw.
Million sterling question - what to do with Sterling? Surely he won’t be benched 3 PL games in a row?
He is in my 11
Pep has previously with benching Foden....
Foden and Sterling cannot be put in the same basket!
Sterling C anyone?
Currently me, but having doubts
No, he'll likely come on late for a one-pointer.
That is the best example of high risk, high reward. Could be anywhere between 2-40 points in total.
No chance. He hasn't shown anything this season to suggest he is worth the captaincy
One week punt:
A) Mendy (FUL) and Cavani (whu)
B) Lamptey (SOT) and Jesus (FUL)
Have Bruno, KDB(c) and Mahrez already
B - Got to triple up on City if a one week punt
They both are but you mean triple city attack
City attack*
B
B
b
Is Cancelo worth using a FT? Looking at James or Dallas and if I do make the transfer, getting Salah in GW12 will be a -4. I have 3 playing subs. I could also wait and do the Cancelo transfer next GW for a hit.
1FT 0.2itb
Martinez*
Chilwell Justin Cancelo*
Son KDB Bruno Grealish*
DCL Vardy Watkins*
(Peacock Ayling Taylor Bissouma)
How are people STILL asking if the Villa and Newc game is postponed or not? I thought this was a place where you’re more than the average FPL’er hehe.
There’s a slim chance it could be rescheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday and stay in this gw. Unlikely but not impossible.
Seems like a few people are asking if it's been confirmed when the postponed game will be, not if it has been postponed at all
Foden to Jota -4?
Needed to do it 2 weeks ago. At this point I'd hold Foden for this week. I think there is a chance that Jota is benched and Foden starts.
An extremely slim chance.
is Robertson and Kane fit?
A) Grealish out to KDB
B) Hames to KDB *
* Play Bissouma for this GW
I would want to keep Grealish over Hames in the long term
3 years, 4 months agoDespite such a news-heavy week I think I'm going to save a transfer. I just can't see the value in bringing KDB in for a hit when it would involve selling KDB and Grealish.