Community

FFS readers have their say on whether ESL will affect FPL plans this season

A large number of Fantasy Football Scout readers are not planning to make any changes to their Fantasy Premier League (FPL) plans in light of the recent European Super League (ESL) announcement.

On Sunday evening, six Premier League teams (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur) issued their intention to join a breakaway tournament, a move which has been met with criticism from football’s existing governing bodies.

However, our readers are not looking to amend their own plans for managing their FPL teams between now and Gameweek 38, according to the early results from a recent poll.

83.7% of 1,756 people who had responded by mid-morning on Tuesday endorsed the response that, “I won’t change any of my FPL plans this season because of the ESL”.

That said, such a result correlated largely in line with the reaction to the wider question of whether readers are in favour of the ESL itself, with 83.0% of respondents confirming that they were not.

Readers were offered several options to indicate that the announcement of the proposed ESL might influence their thinking in how they play FPL over the closing weeks of the season, but none of them has received more than 5% approval:

Among the alternatives available the single most popular is a principled stand to avoid players from the six clubs involved, a sentiment backed by around 1 in 20 respondents with a smaller number preferring to withhold the captaincy from those assets as a personal protest.

Just over 100 managers suggest they are more concerned about the motivation of players caught up in the turmoil and will not be captaining, or in many cases even signing and/or owning them. Almost 4.0% of managers said they were most concerned about how the unfolding story might affect the chips they have held back to use as late-season rank boosters.

With regard to the concept of the ESL itself, managers appear already to have formed clear opinions:

Reflecting the strength of views already clearly expressed by many on social media and outside Premier League grounds, opinion is weighted firmly and decisively against the formation of the new league with only 11.94% of respondents wanting to know more before adopting a firm point of view. It should not be ignored however, that just over 1 in 20 taking the survey declared that they are in favour of the breakaway.

From the sparse information given about the ESL so far, we know the clubs involved intend to continue playing in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A as they do now, substituting in their own format for UEFA’s current competitions across approximately 20 midweek fixtures.

However, it is already clear that existing governing bodies intend to obstruct these ambitions as much as their laws, competition rules and contracts allow. The next few days could be very important for understanding what the future holds for football.

Take part in the polls:

294 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Aces, now I just need Stones to be benched v Villa and I'm down to 10.

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Feeling optimistic he will play

  2. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The smoothest of smooths:

    Would have got Dawson off the bench for Azpi and Phillips anyway had I not played bench boost. This season is finally starting to turn round.

  3. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Got Azpi for being nailed and with great fixtures of WBA, CRY, BHA
    Result = 0, 2, 0-1 points?!

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same here mate!!! Absolutely miserable!!!!

    2. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      that sucks

    3. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Azpi - 0,2,0
      Dawson - -1,0,1,-3.

      My 2 defenders have successfully managed to actually lower my score over the past 4 weeks

  4. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Tuchel is worse than Pep who atleast dont mess with his GK choice.

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      tommys tombola,mount is the pick to have..

  5. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I am so glad that I didn't go for Mendy two weeks ago. Got Johnstone's 15 points last GW too

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wise

  6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Both Mendy and Azpi benched. Great...

  7. JabariParkersEyelid
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chelsea pull out of the Super League and James is on the team sheet what a 20 minutes!!!

  8. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I've got both Alonse and Chilwell last 7-8 GW (team value >107M) so no problem...

  9. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What a great pick Mendy waa on my WC.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      One can only hope that Kepa will show his true colors tonight and Mendy will be back in goal for next one.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I had a plan to move Mendy for Fabianski after gw34 - might move early now.
      Might look to someone else given WH have conceded 10 goals in 4 games too!

  10. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    just well done chelsea !!!

  11. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not sure Rudiger starting is good news for me as I have Coufal first on bench.
    Can't see Rudiger outscoring him.

    1. ZAMUNDA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      same

  12. ZAMUNDA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wanted Rudiger not playing to get Coady's points off bench. Ended up with mendy benched and Rudiger playing. Now I hope Forster plays against Spurs and gets a CS.. Lol

  13. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Well done Chelsea! Would expect City to follow suit and then the league is done for

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hear here - great stuff from them

      Let's go Man City next

    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      i think your right,was always a non starter for me ,looking forward to some of these greedy buggers falling on their swords now..

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think 3 or 4 will stay in

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Madrid cuz they greedy.
        LFC and United cuz they owned by yanks.
        Milan cuz they past it so ESL.is their only hope.

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Let them

        Kick them out of domestic leagues & let them swing

      3. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The Glalzers are scum. If United don't pull out, I'm done with them. A United supporter here in the USA since the late 80's, when they started showing matches here.

  14. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chances of Azpi making a cameo? Have Coady 7 points on bench

  15. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Well done Chelsea - they can start in League 2 now rather than the Conference.

  16. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Still got my BB left, plan to use it during the last big DGW. My keepers are Mendy and Forster so looks like I'm going to have to waste a transfer on a GK.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd advise you not to use it. I'm currently on negative points from it.

  17. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Azpi bench is final nail in the coffin of this season. It's been rough.

  18. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Barca and City reportedly on their way out with Liverpool

  19. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Why is Mendy benched? Lost his spot?

    1. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just to annoy me as I played my bb

  20. rick ding whoop
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Breaking news ESL gone balls up

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Happy days. Chelsea are out.

      https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56823501

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Unbelievable Jeff - in the best possible way

        Man City next hopefully

  21. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If Chelsea and City pull out and I am sure others would follow suit.

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Safeguarding CL semi slots maybe?

  22. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Evening all!! Best option out of these two?????
    A- Greenwood
    Or
    B- Maddison
    Cheers!!

  23. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy benched, whaaaaaat

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hardly any news now. Tuchel said it earlier.

    2. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lol, played bench boost after my wildcard. Mendy and Leno two safe keepers.

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yikes. At least when I lost a bb keeper it was from covid.

  24. djman102
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sun and ITV reporting that Man City are pulling out of ESL as well. Hope so as a City fan.

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      same here as a city fan.

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can see City, Atletico and Barca all pulling out now.

    3. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      and now BBC.

  25. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ESL wagon revs it’s engine for a long run but appears to be never leaving the showroom.

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not sure well done is the phrase I would use but it’s a start

    Expect city to follow suit. No way united Liverpool or arsenal will as i believe they were at the forefront

    Ban chelsea from Europe for a year and city if they out

    Then relegate united Liverpool and arsenal to the conference

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not gonna happen

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Man Utd pulling out as well it seems.

    3. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Should be commended to be the first one to show strength and pull out rather than punish..

      Punish that low life Woodward

  27. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    BBC reporting City pulling out.

    Cara tweeted don’t be the last out 😉

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      #mufc will be withdrawing from the European Super League. Official confirmation expected before Friday #mulive [@LeahSmith_, @StrettyNews]

      One by one they fall, good.

  28. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So I'm guessing most of us wants Brighton to score, right? No Azpi, Chilwell or Mendy.

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don’t mind as long as Alonso bags a brace

  29. Pulp Minion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I am now the proud owner of a 4 point bench boost ( to go with last year's 3 point triple captain )

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Barcelona rumoured to want out of super league

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Real, Utd, Pool and Juve seem to be the ones who really wanted the league. They should face the most sanctions