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

    Anywhere taking bets on Gary Neville signing a TV pundit deal with the ESL over the next few years?

    What odds would i get?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 hours ago

      He'll do it for the money I am 99% sure.

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

        Put the house on it.

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

        I’ll remember that.

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

      He’s not that sort of person. I wouldn’t take 100/1.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 11 hours ago

        Not next year, in few years time. And if Sky is broadcasting those games he'll be there to comment them for sure

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

          He will not be.

      2. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 11 hours ago

        Every man has his price and Gary nearly loves money more than himself Rupert. 😛

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

          Are you aware of the club he owns?

          1. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 10 hours ago

            No?

            If you mean the consortium that owns Salford City then his share is only 10% i believe same as Giggs,Scholes,Butt,Becks and his brother Phil.The main shareholder is Peter Lim.

            Hardly owns it does he?

      3. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        This.

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 11 hours ago

      He'll do it. Onlynreason hes against atm is he is the voice of sky agenda. Fair play to klopp putting him in his place tonight

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

        😆

      2. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 hours ago

        What klopp say?

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

    I really fell for the players. They’re totally in limbo.

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

      It must be an unwanted distraction especially for the ones challenging for silverware.

      Why did these clubs not wait until the season was over to make this announcement i wonder?

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

        Haven’t a clue.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 11 hours ago

          I think players can't be banned from playing for their countries from legal stand point of view

          1. WALOR
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 10 hours ago

            To punish the greedy owners, they're going to ban the players from UEFA and World Cup.
            Even the mafia supposedly would leave family members alone.

      2. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        They had to announce it before the UEFA meeting today because the new proposed changes were going to be voted on to change the structure of the UCL to the swiss model which is 1 league rather than multiple groups, which did get voted through unanimously in any case.

        Also seems like these changes were made as a compromise to these bigger teams, where 4 group/league stage games are added and 4 teams are added where their would be spots reserved for teams to get entry based on their coefficient if they missed out on entry via league positions.

        These clubs had agreed to these changes and then had their backdoor meetings and announced the super league, thats why Ceferin called them snakes today.

        1. Setpiecemad
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 hours ago

          Leicester could still win the league if points are docked

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

      Theres an intersting piece on the Athletic. Most players think its a joke

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        They can think what they want, but they have NO power to direct this one way or the other. Unionize, fellows...then your thoughts may matter.

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 11 hours ago

    Last Man Standing Update (123 teams)

    Current safety score = 48
    Top score = 75
    LMS average = 51.21 (-0.94) = 50.27
    Players played = 5.48/12.36

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 hours ago

      Did you hulk yourself?

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Haha I may still make it!! Unbelievable

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        😉

  4. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 11 hours ago

    Hope this ESL thing goes through, do not want to watch another minute of Penandes in the sacred premiere league

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

      Fish fish fish.

  5. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 11 hours ago

    Sorry for talking FPL but if you could have any keeper for the run in who would it be?

    Not this week but might look at Mendy to Meslier soon

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 hours ago

      I'm keeping Martinez tbh.

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        I removed him for Mendy on wildcard 31
        It was a mistake in hindsight but I won’t buy Martinez back at current price

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 10 hours ago

          Meslier probably or Ljioris

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Everytime I think- no more Martinez- he either gets 10pts or they get drilled and he still comes out with 4pts.

      There really is no other alternative.

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        Totally get it, I just won’t buy back at 5.4m
        Rather spend the cash to replace Gund or in attack depending on injuries (Laca etc)

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 hours ago

      Meslier for saves?

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    Fabrizio Romano
    @FabrizioRomano
    ·
    3m
    Florentino Perez to Chiringuito: "Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea as the other clubs of #SuperLeague will NOT be banned from the Champions League or domestic leagues. 100%, I'm sure. Impossible".

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Fabrizio Romano
      @FabrizioRomano
      ·
      8m
      Florentino Perez to Chiringuito: "Players banned from international competitions and National teams according to UEFA? Don't worry, this will NOT happen. They won't be banned if they join

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

        Clause 6.1.1 of a standard Premier League contract relates to employer obligations and dictates the club should not do anything that stops a player featuring for his country. It also states that clubs shall observe the rules, which are defined as “the statutes and regulations of FIFA and UEFA and the FA Rules and League Rules”, meaning in theory any club leaving those competitions would be in breach of contract.

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

        In other words, Perez talking out of his cheeks

  7. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    Jota or Greenwood?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Both for me. Selling Bruno

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        Will you just sit on a load of cash?
        Bruno to Greenwood frees up so much but where to spend it...
        Own Salah Kane and Laca

  8. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    Philips Bruno to TAA Greenwood?

  9. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    When you break it down, what is the difference between the super league and the way things are now?

    To me, it is just removing the middle man (UEFA and other bodies) and the power shifting to the clubs.

    People say there is no relegation or anything to play for, but that isn't confirmed yet...

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Theyve said the founding 15 clubs could never be relegated..

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        The other 5 clubs would get in on league position every year.

        A farce

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 10 hours ago

          How do they know those clubs would agree to joining?

          They probably will though... money talks

      2. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        That is so stupid

        Arsenal gonna get pumped every weekend by Barca

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 10 hours ago

          The games are on weeknights, not weekends.

          1. Bruce Lee
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 10 hours ago

            Arsenal would get dumped on any day of the week

            1. Yank Revolution
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 10 hours ago

              Trooth

        2. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 10 hours ago

          Arsenal owners could finish 20th every season and not care due to all the money they would make.

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      The founding clubs will be permanent members. So they can't be relegated.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        This is very silly, I like that other clubs can come into the league, but there needs to be relegation

        Arsenal would really struggle if their easiest game is against Sevilla/Spurs... because even they would pump them

        1. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 10 hours ago

          This is the main point against the Super League.

          The lack of fear of relegation is what everyone is the most outraged about.

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

      Leicester can go from relegation favorites to league champions and qualify for the best European championship the following year

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        Leicester can go from relegation favourites to league winners and qualify for the best European competition (ESL) the following year...

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

          What about West Ham? What about Sevilla? What about Leipzig? What about Villareal? What about Atalanta? What about Monchengladbach?

          Arsenal Spurs and AC Milan have consistently been mediocre in their leagues. What do you do for the teams that finish above them?

          1. Bruce Lee
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 hours ago

            They can all qualify for the league too...

            I do agree though, a lot of the clubs in the league are terrible

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Stop living in cloud cuckoo land, there will no relegation.

  10. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    Klopp getting angry at Leeds players wearing the shirts...

    They wore the shirts to send a message to the owners, not the players and Klopp. There is no need for him to take it personally

    If he truly means what he says about being against the league, he would be happy and be on their side, but it is the opposite

    If he is against what their message was, then he should just come out and say that

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      This is a man who melts down over having lunch time kick offs.

      It isn't worth considering his thoughts on these things.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        Lmao good point

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Klopp's mindset is "It isn't being paranoid if everyone really IS against you all the time."

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      YOU have to consider his POV in this properly, he found out about the ESL like everyone else did yesterday he was as unaware as everyone else, the backlash against hasn't been completely on the owners, it was on the club as a whole in most parts and then the banners went up outside Anfield, then supporters groups started removing banners from inside the ground, then there was a small group protesting outside Elland Road and they hurled abuse at the team bus and at the team when they went for their pre game walk, all this will take its toll on anyone, when they have to do a balancing act, he is trying to prepare for a game that may or may not still hold importance a lot of confusion is going on and he wants people to understand that he and the players are as clueless about what has happened and what is going to happen as the rest of us.

      Then he felt the 'you have to earn it' T-shirts being left in their dressing room was a dig at the team rather than a rallying cry against the ESL, then his team fail to take advantage of west ham dropping points, he is an emotional man and that is why so many people love him and dislike him, he obviously did overreact and took his frustration out on Neville, and at Leeds, but I think its quite understandable.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        Like I said... if he was truly against the idea he would stand up to the club himself

        Funny how he talked a big talk, but now his job is at stake he is all for it

        He is part of the problem by not standing up now when it matters... he can't accept that truth - instead just plays the victim

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 10 hours ago

          Sorry I shouldn't say he is all for it... he is more silent and not making a stand...

          1. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 10 hours ago

            He said he is against it. He's said it before, he said it again tonight. But he still has employers.

            1. Bruce Lee
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 hours ago

              If you're really against it you'd walk

              If your employer did something you were fundamentally and morally against, would you stay?

              It is especially easier for him and top tier players as they have probably earned enough to never have to work again

              1. Bushwhacker
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 8 hours ago

                He has a legally binding contract. You can't just walk away.

        2. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 hours ago

          So he should condemn his employers before speaking to them and getting all the facts ?

          How do you know that after he speaks to them and gets a clearer picture he wont resign ?

          He said his opinion hasn't changed since his quotes in 2019. What more can he say with the information he has.

          He also said that his employers wouldn't just make a decision on a whim that they would have thought it through, he has a personal relationship with them, does he not get the opportunity to give them the benefit of the doubt and let them give him their reasons directly before he condemns them ?

          Its very easy for us to sit here and have all the moral fortitude in the world, when we have little to no say in anything.

          1. Bruce Lee
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 hours ago

            Fair point, he could still take a stand after finding out more- but he should be more clearer and understand the outrage is not at him, it is at the club

            Send the clear message that he needs to learn more. Instead, he just got emotional

            If you're thinking of saying 'he is human he can be emotional', then maybe he should look into that. If you are unable to control emotions, then maybe managing takes a toll on his mental health too much... maybe start golfing on a secluded island

            1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 hours ago

              Two managers spoke yesterday one encouraged the super league and one didn't.

              Well done on attacking the guy on your side cause you dont like him.

              Go back to your playstation and let the serious people discuss the issue

        3. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 hours ago

          This is an utterly ridiculous and horribly simplistic way of thinking.

          He's the manager. He found out when we did. You want every single manager and all the players and all the staff to voice their opinions on a decision made by their executive board which will make the company far more profitable than it is now? Just because you're against the decision?

          This isn't playground rules. What you say and do have consequences in the world and its just not the managers or players place to say anything about this.

          There is so much anti-Klopp and anti-Liverpool rhetoric in these comments it's as if only Liverpool and no other English club are interested.

          Klopp is frustrated by the entire situation and hates the idea of an ESL. Neville keeps barking on about this stuff as if he's some sort of saint when he's sitting in his Sky chair (lovely company aren't they, all about the fans!) and Klopp is contractually obliged to be Liverpool manager.

          Dislike him and Pool all you like but your spouting nonsense right now - at least be consistent in your criticism and at least try to at least entertain there are moving parts to this and in actual fact football managers are people with careers and reputations to think about.

          It's so easy to say whatever you want in a forum or when you're a pundit and get paid to create drama.

      2. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 hours ago

        Was all this in post game talk?

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      He wasn't angry at the Leeds players wearing the shirts - he was angry the same shirts had been left in the Liverpool dressing room. Which I totally agree with ; Leeds should be fined / docked points for that, it's absolutely disgraceful.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 hours ago

        Fined for what, and by who?

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 hours ago

          By the FA or the Premier League. I don't believe you're allowed to use mindgames and intimidation like this. Absolute disgrace.

          1. HammersXI
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 hours ago

            Keep dreaming. If this is called mindgames and intimidation then the players should never have a life cause everything would intimidate them.

            You just sound like a petty anti leeds person.

            What exactly is intimidating about the shirts? Leeds were sending a message to ESL, if anything liverpool could have worn the same shirts for their warm ups to send a message but no they didn’t.

            1. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 4 hours ago

              Have no problem with Leeds wearing them and neither did Klopp. Putting them in the Liverpool dressing room is outrageous; they should be punished.

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 3 hours ago

                Klopp was put in an unfair situation with the media demanding instant reactions. In fact, if this nonsense goes ahead, I wouldn't be surprised to see Klopp leave Liverpool and be the next manager of Bayern.

  11. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    You can see from the way the 'Pig Six' are going about it that they're not 100% sure.

    The way they're proposing the tournament but also keeping their feet in their domestic leagues and from Perez' most recent comments apparently still keen on the Champions League as well for now.

    They're testing the waters, it looks like the thin edge of the wedge to me. UEFA, PL etc. really need to stamp down right now, extremely hard or else things will snowball slowly. Can't give them concessions.

    I know it probably won't happen but this genuinely seems like an existential crisis for some of these bodies, whether they realise it or not.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      These clubs have nothing against their domestic leagues...it's international play and domestic cups (League Cup is a waste of time anyway, the FA Cup is the only one worth preserving-- no nation needs 2 cups) that bothers them the most.

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        Oh and the current/proposed Champions League setup of course.

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

        I wouldnt mind getting rid the EFL cup... replace it with something else for the bigger clubs if they want. But there needs to be a meritocracy to get into that competition

        Allows the smaller teams an advantage in less games they have to play and focus on the domestic league

      3. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        Yes they do, see 'Project Big Picture' from last year, this is just a tepid start down a very slippery slope.

        Spain only has one domestic cup yet the Spanish clubs jumped in too?

      4. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        The EFL cup should be for all teams that arent in Europe, or an U21/23 tournament, it should have been changed to that years ago.

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

      All it takes is a club to back out. Then they'll start backtracking

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        yeah its a very delicate situation at the moment and all sides are waiting for the first one to lose their nerve, already the supposed 15 couldn't be reached and the had to announce with 12, now if one loses their nerve it will all come tumbling down.

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 hours ago

        True. Which one has the moral fibre to do it?

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

          Surprisingly could be Chelsea or City

          They dont need the money. They were just in it so they dont lose out.

          1. noquarternt
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 hours ago

            I'd agree with this, you can see how the Italian and Spanish clubs are in dire financial straits, Man U Spurs and Arsenal have the owners who would be all for this.

            City and Chelsea definitely smell of not wanting to be left behind.

            1. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 9 hours ago

              City look likely to pull out because of the CL threat . . .

              1. POKE JOHN BALLS THE SECOND
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 4 hours ago

                Yh. Because Sheikh Mansour cares soo much about football

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

    Interesting info on the Athletic, most players think the league is a joke:

    A source close to Manchester United players said: “The boys aren’t happy. They feel exposed by the club, uninformed, and as though the club didn’t bother to fill them in or consult the players over career-influencing changes.”

    The sentiment from one England regular went along these lines: “This is mad. I can’t believe it.”

    The absence of novelty in facing Europe’s biggest sides is a worry voiced by one top-six player to The Athletic. Another said: “I’m quite happy to beat Burnley one week and then go and take on Liverpool. That’s what it was like when I was a kid watching.

    "Last night, when the news was starting to break, I messaged a few of my mates (in the game), joking about it.

    “It was only really when Gary Neville started talking about it on Sky that it became real. I spoke to my agent first thing and he reckons it won’t happen. He said to me that it wouldn’t be good for players either as the Super League clubs would be spending less money on players, as they wouldn’t have to qualify for the Champions League any more, and that players’ wages would actually go down.”

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Yeah its early days though. The only real fear they'd have is being unable to play in Euros/Copa America/AFCON World Cup etc.

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Last quote hits the nail on the head, it will be the death of competitive football. Sure, they will have to attract the best talent to keep the level of entertainment and quality, to be attractive to audiences, but I am seriously worried that it will be moneyball all the way. No need to spend to improve squad, no need to win titles, no need to worry about league position.

    3. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      That agent is a donk

      The players win if the league happens

      The whole point is for the clubs to make more money

      If the clubs make more money they will obviously have to pay their players more

      If the clubs dont, an easy player strike (probably masked as a 'this league is not morally right') would fix that

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 hours ago

        Great point, call the man a donk

        The players dont want the league to happen

        The whole point is for those 12 clubs to make more money, guranteed, forever

        If the clubs make more money, they dont have to do jack. No one is forcing the clubs to pay more when the owners are greedy

        When cant player strikes work now to stop this from happening?

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 hours ago

          If they really don't, why don't they strike?

          They are the ones with power, not fans

          If local fans stop buying season tickets, it won't hurt them that much. The real market the teams are after is the worldwide telly audience. They will all tune in to Barca vs AC Milan on a regular basis

          I don't understand the last sentence you wrote btw

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 9 hours ago

            Actually the fans have the power. They are the consumers. If the consumers dont want your product anymore then you have no business. You think the global market wont get bored of the same fixtures week in and week out? Arsenal v Madrid every month just to watch them battered?

            Im all for change, making the game more global. But if United finishes 12th in the league and are still playing in the most prestigeous tournament the next year, then why would anyone even bother watch their games? There's literally no point or consequence in any of the games. Why would people pay money to watch Arsenal, a 9th place team, to play Atletico Madrid where they dont really care about each other for 6,7,8 times a year??

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 hours ago

              They're going after the TV market, billions of casual TV couch potatos shelling out for pay-per-view soccer all. It's just another product to market and sell to a new consumer market for fatcat businessmen. They don't care one bit about diehard local fanbases. They won't kill football though. Just create a market of muppets looking for the cooliest thing to watch on telly. Armchairball.

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

                Thing is, Americans actually hate soccer. Most of them dont understand it. Most of them think its boring. It doesnt matter if its El Classico every other week, I think they still wont watch it

                1. GreennRed
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 8 hours ago

                  I know. I lived them for two years. I asked why and someone said to me that Americans couldn't concentrate for 90 minutes on a game that might only have one or no score in it. There's some truth in that.

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

                    This whole thing just shows the owners of these teams dont understand their market and their product. Local fans hate it, American fans dont care about it, so its just left to the Asian markets. Theyre going to relocate the teams at this rate

                    1. Bushwhacker
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 7 hours ago

                      I dunno ; NBC is paying a decent amount of money to televise the Premier League every week, it's not JUST us ex-pats watching it. They lobbed half the games on Peacock (their streaming service) to up the subscriber base. So clearly there IS a market for it and it's growing. It will never compete with US sports that's for sure but it's a sizable piece of revenue that with ever increasing hispanic population means a bigger and bigger audience.

            2. ReindeerHotdog
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 hours ago

              Since when do consumers have the power in a capitalist world?

              Please, lift the veil.

  13. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    The players should be given a season to get new clubs, it's not their fault they've been screwed by their own clubs.

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

      Clause 6.1.1 of a standard Premier League contract relates to employer obligations and dictates the club should not do anything that stops a player featuring for his country. It also states that clubs shall observe the rules, which are defined as “the statutes and regulations of FIFA and UEFA and the FA Rules and League Rules”, meaning in theory any club leaving those competitions would be in breach of contract.

      All players' contracts at the 6 prem clubs could be void if the above holds true.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 hours ago

        Players, clubs, owners have done nothing wrong. Their morals are definitely flawed. They've announced their plans for a Super League which could take years to setup, if it ever happens. UEFA haven't a leg to stand on when they talk about banning players playing for their countries. No contracts have been broken yet. UEFA have no jurisdiction outside Europe. How do they expect to ban players from non-UEFA countries from playing for their countries? These are rich business people with lawyers up the ying-yang who will school UEFA in court. I think this is just a ruse to get more for their investment by having more control of TV revenue and I hope that this Super League never happens. But they didn't talk to JP Morgan about investment in a league without considering legal ramifications well in advance.

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 hours ago

          They've literally broken a clause in the contract, if it happens. UEFA and FIFA has both put it on the table. I doubt they will go that far, because they are spineless, but it is on the table. You dont think UEFA and FIFA have good lawyers too?

          This is all about money, and I'm ok with that. I just want competition and meritocracy to still exist at the end of the day

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 9 hours ago

            I'm not OK with that. Football has been diminished enough by money. Let them follow rugby union's lead and go find a load of mercenaries to play in their league to entertain lamebrains that know fk all about football.

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

              It's just the times we live in, where money is threatening to take over everything. I'm still holding out hope I can support my club in the PL but looking unlikely

        2. HammersXI
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 hours ago

          Wait why did you group the owners with the club and players. If anything the owners were the ones pushing for it and wanting more money

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 hours ago

            Yes, but they're clever fks. They've announced their intentions but haven't setup a Super League yet. Legally they've done nothing wrong. I get what you're saying about clubs and players, they're potentially the injured parties here.

  14. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    Are EUFA not just as evil?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 hours ago

      Lesser of two evils at this point.

  15. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 hours ago

    If you didn't know before, you will know after... money talks.

    These players that have an issue will gladly shut their cakehole once they're promised a double in their pay once this goes through

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 hours ago

        Correct

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 hours ago

      If they can't represent their Country or play in a domestic league? Yeah, I don't think so.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 hours ago

        I think you'd be surprised...

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 hours ago

          You dont think people like Sonny or Henderson would leave if they cant play for their country?

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 hours ago

      Bet

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 hours ago

        Also bet.

  16. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 hours ago

    All the people crying about the ESL will tune in on a regular basis, that is the saddest part of all.

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 hours ago

      I can't see it if I'm honest, this is a huge epochal shift compared to anything that has come before.

      What the owners will be betting on is over time people get used to it, they're thinking of the young kids growing up now that won't care in the future and will grow up with the Super League being the norm.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 hours ago

        I think that's part of their plan. I also think they're after the world-wide audience. World Cup level audience. There is a reason the announcement came out at prime USA time.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 hours ago

      Be my guest.

    3. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 hours ago

      No. Can't do

    4. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 hours ago

      4.6bn people in Asia.
      Almost 1bn in Americas.

      Europe is not the world.
      100% the market for this will be huge its just probably not us.

    5. dmhomag
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 hours ago

      Americas and Asia are certainly not untapped markets. EPL and UCL have been selling there for decades.

      Take China, if you buy a TV there, it comes preloaded with thousands of channels of free content (possibly illegal).

      EPL and UCL paid viewership has been declining the past few years are the next round of TV revenue for the clubs will be lower.

    6. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 hours ago

      I haven't seen a single Champions League match in the last 7-8 years so I think it won't be no problem for me to avoid this bs league.

  17. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 hours ago

    Is Pereira the best Leicester defender to own in fpl? Their 4 next fixtures are as good as it gets!

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

      Despite what this article says, whilst the fixtures are decent - Leicester have still been leaky & it's clear Pereira is still not 100%.

      He wouldn't keep being subbed early for Albrighton, or vice versa if he were.

      He's not cheap either

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 hours ago

      Yeah, himself or Castagne for the bit of attacking intent.

  18. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 hours ago

    I wonder how many plastic fans like myself will walk away from supporting the clubs that were part of our childhood. I've spent the best part of 20years waking up at ungodly hours every weekend; with a family, when I worked two jobs, in uni, while traveling.
    The romance of watching United in Manchester was a dream, and held so much value....because it meant visiting Manchester. A place of tales, joy, excitement, culture...In my own way I felt like I belonged when I sang for 90 mins in the Stretford End. A Super League is so hollow, even to this plastic fan. I don't want it.i want it to belong to the good people of Manchester who will treat us plastics like their own when we shuffle in alongside them.
    Really hope this doesn't go through. I'll watch United in the Championship than in the Super League.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 hours ago

      Trafford. Trafford United.

  19. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 hours ago

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Son* Salah Jota Fernandes Lingard
    Kane* Iheanacho

    Forster Holding Vydra Kilman

    0.3 itb, 2FT

    What to do here please, stuck for ideas ?!

    Thanks

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 hours ago

      May as well wait it out with all the mess.

  20. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 hours ago

    Has anybody heard anything about this European Super League I have read in the press?

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 hours ago

      Get out of here, I only want to talk about whether or not I should do Tarkowski ➡ to TAA this week

  21. Price Changes
    Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 hours ago

    Risers: None

    Fallers: Ødegaard (5.8) Doucouré (5.1)

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 hours ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Cheers RB

  22. thorvaldsson
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 hours ago

    You know what. This is the first time ever I'm not feeling football! I don't know these players. I've only been to the UK once to see family but I legit feel heartbroken. Football doesn't really feel like anything anymore. Maybe I'm just depress...

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 hours ago

      stay strong brother, we are all in this together

  23. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 hours ago

    Pope to Martinez next GW seems a sensible transfer?

  24. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 hours ago

    Perez: “all I do is for the good of football. The super league is not for the rich, it’s to save football”

    Also Perez 2 minutes later in the same interview: “the super league will generate more money. If we have more money the better it will be”

    The hypocrisy of this coward disgusts me. Spineless and weak human being.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 hours ago

      So they’re giving all the money to local leagues? Cool.

  25. dmhomag
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 hours ago

    Real vs United. Twice a year.

    Nothing at stake, no relegation, no promotion, no knockout, no extra time / deciding on penalties, no qualifying for European Cup. No financial fair play.

    Will you pay to watch?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 hours ago

      Wouldn’t watch it even illegally. Glorified friendly

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 hours ago

      Lol nope. What’s there to play for? There’d be no point to the game

    3. RoryzonderR
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 hours ago

      Watching will be a waste of time

    4. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 hours ago

      there is a trophy and prize money at stake I presume...
      like there is one for the epl winners..

    5. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 hours ago

      If I have fantasy players in it, sure

    6. POKE JOHN BALLS THE SECOND
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 hours ago

      I will watch. Football is football.

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 hours ago

        Wont be football, there's no point for the players and teams to win. If they lose theres no problem, theyll be back next year

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 hours ago

          It's the American sports model. It'll be exhibition football. Any top class player with integrity won't want to be involved - not if they're forced to choose between ESL or all the other competitions including representing their country. Therefore, European footballers will treat it like the US league and play for a last fat contract before retirement. The quality will be cr4p with nothing to play for and the whole thing will fall apart, just as American football leagues do.
          Except that it won't happen. The 6 owners are clearly massively out of touch with football fans and are unprepared for the scale of the outcry. Man City will pull out (initially it was announced a 'Top 5' in England signed up - City were added after they made a hasty judgement that they couldn't be left out) - they don't need the money and all that UAE soft power will be lost. Then others will follow when they sense the world is against them.

  26. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 hours ago

    Anyone know if Mendy (GK) will start next match? Read somewhere that he may not.
    Who would be good for 5.2m?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 hours ago

      Apparently won't start because Kepa played the game following the last FA Cup match and Tuchel said he's a chance to play again. Can't see anyone else that's better than him for that price though, maybe just Meslier and hope for saves if you must

      1. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 hours ago

        Thanks Thomas

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 hours ago

      i think kepa deserve a start after the city shutout..

  27. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 hours ago

    Any fresh news on the FPL injury front, specifically regarding Lingard & Kane. Down to my bare bones next week with those two possibly out and Dawson and N.Phillips both certainly out

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 hours ago

      Looks like many of us will be in trouble. Big ownership.
      No word out yet.

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 hours ago

      Phillips is definitely out??

  28. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 hours ago

    Will they introduce a draft for the ESL?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 hours ago

      would probably be a better format as compared to normal FPL format

  29. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 hours ago

    Guess we know why Peter Moore left LFC now