Pro Pundits

Why I’m looking at Mason Greenwood and Ricardo Pereira as FPL differentials

FPL BlackBox co-host Az discusses two players who could help propel him into the top 100k in the run-in.


It was quite painful being mocked by Mark on FPL BlackBox for my Gameweek 31 “Mildcard”. The pain was eased a bit by a good score and a ninth green arrow in 11 weeks to propel me up to just outside the top 100k at the time of writing.

In truth, I didn’t want to build a team of players that I knew most in my situation would be turning to, but I found it very difficult to look elsewhere given the form and future potential of players such as Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.1m), Diogo Jota (£7.0m) and Jesse Lingard (£6.6m). 

In the same way that I don’t advocate using Effective Ownership to ignore differential options, I’m also not a fan of using it to try and be too “clever” and avoid players who are undoubtedly strong options, just to be a bit different.

With the template in place, my attention between now and the end of the season will be to try and identify which players in my team are not pulling their weight and if better options can emerge that may not have seemed so credible a week ago.

The big question marks for me are with Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) and, of course, Sergio Reguilón (£5.6m). With two free transfers, I am considering my options. With the news that José Mourinho has departed Tottenham Hotspur, it will be very interesting to see how Spurs will adapt and see out the season. It’s hard to comment on potential replacements for Harry Kane (£11.4m) at the moment without knowing the severity of his injury, though, so I will not be focusing too much on that until I hear more.

If Kane is out for a while with yet another ankle injury, Son Heung-min (£9.5m) may be asked to lead the line – which means I’m slightly less keen to lose him now. Fernandes, with just two attacking returns in his last seven games, is becoming more and more of an issue – and a potential way to roll the dice and back against a very highly owned player (57.2%).

Regulión can be a good option on his day and Spurs do have some attractive-looking fixtures after the break, but I wouldn’t have thought that they would suddenly become a more defensively solid unit with Mourinho departing. He remains first on my chopping block.

Below I’ve explored the players that are currently top of my “wish list” to replace Regulion and Fernandes.

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m, 0.9% ownership)

My Double Gameweek plans and why the Wildcard/Bench Boost tactic has its downside

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

456 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Greenwood not so differential.

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

      Yes he is. How much he'll cost in ESL FF?

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think he was a differential in GW31, he had lower ownership because of some Spurs DGW mid options. He'll be the mid-de-GW now that there are blanks to sell, Martial is out but most importantly is hitting nice form.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      0.5% ownership in the top 10k. Will go up of course, but probably not by that much.

  2. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm sorry for Salah supporters but he's so filthy player talented to diving.

    Foden is world class for him. Doesn't falling and diving even if he must...

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did Salah dive tonight?

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dived onto the comfy seat on the bench

      2. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep on llorente knee

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Get a dictionary.

          1. Jebiga
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            To explain you that he's shete ?

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              'Diving'. He 'stood' on Llorente's leg, accidentally. He's definitely a diver though, a cheat. But if he's a shi+é footballer the rest of the PL must be pathetic.

              1. Jebiga
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Accidentally ???
                You are kidding, right 🙂

              2. Jebiga
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I don't like that kind of players. Foden is world class for him

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would be laughing if he is in your team

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He is

      2. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It is last 3 seasons. Only one season i respected him, but when he started to diving, I'm not a fan...

  3. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I honestly can’t be fu***d with the rest of this season

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ok Jose.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Redknapp IN

        1. Well you know, Triffic
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Always!

    2. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      cry me a river

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Haha love it

  4. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    And that's how NFL and NBA of Europe is born. Was about time.

    Unite unite Europe

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone, someone?

    2. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Europe, you mean Syria ?

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Europe is a nation now?

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

        Well if we want to go anywhere good we have to unite.

        The dream of Charles De Gole is live.

        If we don't do it, we will fall back a lot compared to the USA and China

    4. sk24
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Weirdo

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

        Why people upvote cyber bullying and calling names is beyond me

        1. sk24
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          You're bringing up political philosophy and outcries

        2. sk24
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          We went into this gw with the exact same points - nice

  5. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can they axe Chelsea and City from the semifinals in UCL?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Madrid too

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      psg plan working, they will win ucl and join esl after

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

        I thought about that as well. PSG are playing games.

        Anyway they chose a bad timing to announce it

  6. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Well deserved for leeds.

  7. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Paddy Bamford making me want to get him back into my team just for that interview

  8. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford is just class

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's good but raph is a bit better

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Should have finished better.

  9. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My defenders just dont do clean sheets anymore 😀 I really cant remember the last one!

  10. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Still can't believe I'm getting Dawson - 3 for Kdb.

  11. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    James Milner: "As a personal opininon, I dont like it"

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      "I dont want it to happen"

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I not talking to Milner any more, he gave away the corner that led to the goal for Leeds 😀

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Maybe they shouldve won the game if they're such a big club

        2. HammersXI
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He’s Leeds through and through. He knows he is welcome back anytime 🙂

  12. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why fans are so angry when ESL Founders are clearly stating that they will continue to play domestic championships
    ?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Money, lack of meritocracy, 2nd of champions league

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 1 month ago

            End*

            By money I mean the disparity will grow even more

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

              But people want to watch this top 6 clubs the most.

              Nottingham Forrest was once a great club but now fans don't pay to watch them on TV and the best players ain't going there.

              What are people expecting? Bring back socialism and communism in football?

              Back then for professional football players it was forbidden to be paid like now, it was an amateur sport.

              Anyone thinks that's possible?

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

                *than

              2. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Just speaking for myself but it just sounds boring, half of the excitement is qualification and that there can be different teams

                  Makes league position other than top and relegation almost pointless too

                  That said football is already unfair and full of big rich clubs winning everything anyway

                • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  not all the time as it takes away from the games being special anymore. I don't care personally about Barcelona, Real Madrid etc.

          • Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Because whats the point? If Arsenal finishes 12th and Spurs finishes 9th, it doesnt matter. All of the games will lose their point. Why would we watch football at that point.

            So what if Man United or Chelsea didnt get top 4, there's no consequence to losing. If West Ham and Leicester and Everton make it into top 4, what does it matter? They are not rewarded for anything. Domestic leagues will slowly die off through the years

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

              And why did UEFA allowed micky mouse clubs to play UCL and didn't give the chance for top 6 from England to play qualifications?

              There is a coefficient for each country right?

              And to be honest people want to watch Real against Chelsea not Nant Ferenc I.e.

              1. Mr. O'Connell
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                @mods where is the downvote option?

            2. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              UCL will still be around next year no? Top 4 will do play their indeed. This is just saving clubs in being forced to play EL like Arsenal, Spurs, United this year and maybe Liverpool next year

          • Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Herd mentality

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

              I get it why the other clubs and fans in England are against it and are angry. They are afraid of the changes and abolishing the status quo.

              But those UEFA byrocrates? They were caught in numerous corruption scandals, they received money for giving the tournament organization to certain countries and now they are only protecting their chairs and functions and their salary and their power.

              They are no different. Convince me otherwise.

              If they continue with the plan to ban players from playing in Euro the ESL will organize a better nations tournament if needed imo.

              They need to come together on this otherwise they will become NCAA and the ESL will be NBA

        2. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          So proud of Leeds tonight. Great honest lads and Bamford is king.

          1. Jebiga
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            It's shame they didnt won.
            Also first game at anfield they were robbed

          2. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Roberts should have scored. They played nearly all of the ball in the second half. You must have good nerves to watch them play the ball around the back like that, ice in their veins, super fit. Meslier is tashty too. Good recovery when he fkt up coming off his line.

            1. DA Minnion (Former great)
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Yeah there will be mistakes sometimes but they have been brilliant to watch and support this season.

        3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          All this ESL talk, how about best of both?

          ESL becomes like the World Cup and is a one off every 4 years? In the other 3 years it’s normal seasons, perhaps the fact it’s every 4 years would allow the qualification criteria for the ‘elite 6’ who qualify for it.

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Not enough ROI for the fatcats if it's every 4 years.

            1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              If it replaces the champions league anyway then they lose out there

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

                I think it won't replace the UCL. The national cups might become problem or they will play the U21 squad in the cups. Like in the old Olympics when pros didn't participate in

        4. Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Klopp going off on one on Sky.

          1. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Reminds me of Michael Scott from The Office. Takes things way too personally.

        5. One Speed
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          what's he saying?

          1. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            It'll be up on Sky's Youtube in a few minutes. He was very defensive and started singling out Gary Neville talking about Liverpool.

          2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            things getting heated

        6. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          It's a tad harsh by the governing body's threatening to ban players from representing their country's because they happen to play for one of the dirty dozen clubs imo.

          Most of the players are probably dead against it and it's outside of their control so why punish them?
          If a player is selected to represent their nation then it is nobody else's business tbf.

          Going to represent your nation at a major international tournament would be a career highlight and it would just be outright cruelty to deny a pro footballer that honor if they were lucky enough to be selected.

          Surely solid grounds for legal action for the affected players?

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            UEFA/FIFA getting desperate as they are seeing their £££ flying into someone else's pockets.

            1. Ógie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Aye,there's a strong whiff of desperation coming off some of the statements they are making alright Jarvish.

              I can kinda understand why clubs and even nations would want away from those body's but this is not the right way to do it.

              1. Now I'm Panicking
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                At the moment it is all just words, threats and probably some bluff between the massive organisations involved who have a lot to lose/gain. Is going to be fascinating how it all plays out over the coming days/weeks/months.

                1. Ógie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Indeed.

              2. FPL Daniel
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Ogie there will never be a way to be honest. It's always going to be earthquake style

                1. Ógie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Hard to stop it really if the dozen are really committed to the project Daniel.

                  At the end of the day they are more or less privately controlled by their owners and they are entitled as a business to join or leave any organization they see fit to and not beholden to anything that is not contractually agreed.

                  It makes me sick to the pit of my stomach but the pragmatist in my says it's going to happen now that they have come out of the shadows with the idea.

          2. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I agree. It's not a players fault. Seems harsh and unfair.

          3. Azurri
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            If the players were banned they could take it up with CAS and try and get it overturned. Can't see them being prevented from playing in the Euros as there contracts are with the clubs

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

          Greenwood or Jota??

          1. Gudjohnsen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Greenwood

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

              I think Jota will score the next 2 in a row, then he goes for Raphinha

        8. Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Meslier trolling on Twitter 😆
          https://twitter.com/MeslierIllan/status/1384258932042911751

        9. Robman
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Can anyone tell me why Kepa is predicted to start on Team news, ahead of Mendy?

          I'll have Forster coming off my bench, so without Kane (TC) playing, I'm going for a Southampton away win 0-2 with Forster getting a clean sheet.

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

              What ?

              1. Duke Silver ☑
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                ? He basically said that Kepa is likely to start vs Brighton.

            2. Robman
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Thanks Duke 🙁

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

                Ok. Good for the EO% for non owners and Martinez owners

        10. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Neto to Traore for free, or maybe Neto to Maddisson?

          Also, keep Masuaku?

          1. JBG
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Neto to Maddison yeah and keep Masuaku for now.

        11. JBG
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Gary Neville really gets under Klopps skin doesn't he? Neville wasn't attacking Klopp or the players. He was attacking the owners and not just Liverpools but all of the greedy 6 owners... But Klopp loves a moan.

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

            Klopp should read some Stoicism books me thinks

          2. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I'm guessing conceding the late goal has scrambled his head a bit but based on what he said in the post match interview the wearing of the t-shirts by Leeds went right over his head.

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

              Fair play to Leeds. They won the xG game too so he should be lucky with a point and admit it

        12. Cheeto__Bandito
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          20 Points off top10k now. Season over

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

            I beg ya pardon?

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

              There are 8 milion teams now. Top 40K is the new top 10K.

              Top 10K was a thing when there were around 2 million teams

              1. Cheeto__Bandito
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                4 vs 5 digits. will always be a top10k vs the rest divide

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

                  Maybe, but definitely not season over imo

          2. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Fudgy?

        13. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Into the top 2 K for the first time this season.
          For a day anyway.

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

            Well done

          2. OverTinker
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Congrats mate

        14. Ode
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Does anyone know why Nat Phillips was not in the squad today?

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

            Hamstring

          2. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Tight hammy. Pre-cautionary.

          3. Mr. O'Connell
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah. I bench boosted him.

          4. Ode
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers

        15. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          So to sum it up.

          If ESL is introduced:

          Domestic championships stay

          UCL and EL stays

          The cups will be hit the most and U21 from big 12 will play in it.

          UEFA looses power and money.

          Anything missing?

          1. Silecro
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            There is absolutely 0.0000% of chance UCL stays if ESL is introduced

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

              You might be right. See Florentino Perez quote below. This wasn't fully clear to me

              1. Silecro
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I mean I am logically concluding myself. If big 12 crossover to ESL, then surely they do not have time nor place to play UCL, and if there is no top clubs in UCL, whats the point of its existence then? Surely UCL wont keep its competition for final to be played between Everton and Hoffenheim, they have Europa League for that

        16. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          4 days. 4 red arrows. Love a drawn out gameweek.

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

            It's very difficult to comprehend I agree. That's why I didn't check anything for 3 days

            1. Mr. O'Connell
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I haven't checked. I just know.

        17. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Monday : PSG confirms its refusal to join the Super League

          Tuesday : UEFA excludes Chelsea, City and Madrid from UCL

          Wednesday : PSG declared European champion

          Thursday : Presentation of the cup in the Parc Des Princes and celebration on the Champs.

          Friday: PSG announces that it is joining the Super League

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

            And that is how Troya is conquered 😉

          2. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            😀

        18. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Lovely tweet from Leeds

          Leeds United

          @LUFC

          · 1h

          FULL TIME: #LUFC hold Super League side Merseyside Reds to a 1-1 draw after late Llorente equaliser

          1. OverTinker
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Lolz haha

          2. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Hahaha

        19. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Florentino Perez to El Chiringuito: "Here at Real Madrid we've lost a lot of money, we are all going through a very bad situation. When there is no profit, the only way is to play more competitive games during the week.

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

            Florentino Perez to
            @elchiringuitotv
            : "Many important clubs in Spain, Italy and UK want to find a solution to a very bad financial situation. The only way is to play more competitive games. If instead of playing the CL, Super League helps the clubs to recover the lost earnings".

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

              So they won't play in UCL anymore?

              1. Yank Revolution
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Definitely not-- the SL replaces the CL for those clubs.

          2. Nanoelektronicar
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Madrid have only themselves to blame that they don't play more competitive games where they should, it's in the league.