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

    Don't pop the champagne bottles just yet lads.

    Chelsea requesting to withdraw and Chelsea withdrawing are not the same thing.

    By the sounds of it the dirty dozen have already signed the dotted line and have entered a contractual agreement,if this is the case Chelsea could be sued for breach of contract and carried to the cleaners if they jump ship.

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

      your opinion fair enough,mine its all over ,was always a non starter,

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

      They'll need to be litigating against Man Utd & Man City along with Chelsea while they're at it so

      How much did you put on your bet for Gary Neville to be commentating on the Super League? 😉

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

        No bookie was stupid enough to give me odds. 😛

        I suspect when the clubs got together and planed this conspiracy they would have formed a shell company that will do all the dirty work for the backers.

        Don't think for a second they did not count on the backlash as they are clever and ruthless dudes.
        You will see lots of cynical gestures to placate the fans but make no mistake about it that they intend to follow through with this project.

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

          Or maybe you weren't stupid enough to back it 😉

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

      Roman will not spend on one transfer window and pay that money in fines to ESL instead. Thats called break even in his books.

  2. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No Mendy? No bother, my understudy plays for a team who haven't kept a clean sheet for 15 gameweeks!

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

      Mine is Leno....

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

    #mufc players revolted against the European Super League behind-the-scenes. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were heavily involved and confronted Ed Woodward #mulive [@LeahSmith_,@StrettyNews]

    This is beautiful 🙂

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

      Love this

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

      Love it! That's the MU we know and love, not the one the Glazers stand for..

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

        Its incredibly positive - whether it changes anything or not

        Bruno & Rashford were also visible in their criticism over the last 24 hours

        Heartening to see that despite that obvious flaws in football at the minute when it comes to an issue like this people still have a conscience and a backbone

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

      This will be interesting story to follow. I guess the reaction has been tougher than those behind the plan expected.

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

      Worth the 80M price tag

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

    Talksport reporting that the 12 clubs are meeting tonight to discuss disbanding the Super League.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Government has to put in laws to stop this ever happening again.

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

      Good and f them

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mother of God

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

        That'd be Mary. Allegedly.

  5. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Man City also to pull out

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

    Maybe they could try the worldwide dog lovers TV audience and set up a One Man and his Dog superleague.

    Barking 7 Rovers 6

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

    SANITY PREVAILS

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

    Could be worse, Meslier 5 pointer since Mendy noplay.

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

      Meslier is a tidy keeper and will be a top keeper in a few years

      1. OLD Rafiki
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        he's the toy which has been placed in a corner while still new

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I see him make mistakes every match. Not a fan. And his head is oddly shaped.

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

          He's far from the best keeper in the league but just turned 21 behind a questionable defence. I think he has loads of potential. His head is weird alright. Genetics.

  9. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No Mendy or Azpi... brilliant! Fml 🙂

    1. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Tuchel the FPL terrorist. Honestly he is worse than Pep!

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

      Alonso starts hopefully he also scores!

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

        Where is my dot?!? 🙁

  10. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Just been playing about with my team and seeing what it would look like without any players from the big 6. Its not a pretty sight!

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

      martinez
      lowton
      lingard
      watkins

      just the four here

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

        Lingz is Manu player

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      lingz moving to Arsenal

  11. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Can someone explain to me what everyone's problem is w.r.t. ESL please.

    Haven't been online or checking news for the past few days. Not sure what the fuss is about, not sure I even understand what ESL is...

    Thanks

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Links to articles will b ok too 🙂 thanks

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

      Emille Smith Rowe

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

        Ah L, not R!

    3. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Google

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

      Here's the livetext from BBC this afternoon, with links to articles: https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/56812305

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

      Google

  12. Exxtreme
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    There is still hope for football, as Slovenian, I'm proud of Ceferin

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He is another snake

    2. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don't think UEFA can be seen as the good guys - maybe the slightly less terrible guys, but it's all relative.

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

    Im so happy

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      traitor

  14. balint84
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Phillips or Holding?

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

      Holding.

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

      Neither

  15. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Tiresome non-story, this ESL business. Neville, Carra and their likes will be more insufferable after this.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Now were sucking diesel

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

      Better than fat cats ruining football.

    3. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      James Corden too

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

    We need an emergency MNF with Red Nev

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Poor sky sports, no ESL package

  17. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy 🙁

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

    20:15 kick off

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

    Money grabbing scum clubs only pulling out because they won't make the £££ they thought they would, not for any humble reasons. Still need the book thrown at them all.

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

      If that’s how you see it but that is not the reason

    2. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If they had a shred of humility it would never have happened in the first place. Agree they should still be sanctioned.

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Now were cooking with gas

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

      PR damage is done, regardless.

  20. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is mendy out now for the remainder of the season. Do I need to get rid?

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

      He will play most of the games imo.

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

    Manchester City have pulled out of ESL. (as per BBC FB page)

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

      Yes and Chelsea are about to also.. f you Woodward

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Throw the book at them

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

        What so they can then all just look to reform again.

  22. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ESL got Tuchel confused and benched Mendy, LOL

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

    Madrid, Barca and 3 tin-pot Italian clowns

    sUpEr LeAgUe

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

      European Southern League.

    2. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bit harsh. I still like Serie A.

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

    Woodward resigns!

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

      Just reported on Talksport!

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mother of God

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

      Wow

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

        Canna getta "OMG Woodward"?

    4. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Please please let this be true.

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

      Lads this is incredible!

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

        please please be true

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

        They are now spinning it as 'oh, I was going at the end of the season anyway'.

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

        He doesn’t deserve one

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

          Totally fair - and totally correct

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

      5 more to go

  25. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Well done Slabhead and Shaw, couple of big units put paid to Woodward.

  26. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ed Woodward resigns.

    A sign of decency, or a coward?

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

      Both.

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

        A coward presenting the charade of being a decent bloke.

  27. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Woodward gone! Delighted

  28. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Breaking: Gary Neville hands in CV for Chairman role

  29. balint84
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Recommended 4.5 defender or under?

  30. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Be fascinated to know how much money all the Super League clubs and Spurs must have paid out in consultation fees etc to JP Morgan and the ridiculously expensive lawyers they had set up to take UEFA to Court if they tried to object.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      To JP Morgan...

      Was it pro bono for the good of Wall Street / the game?

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

      And the 7 figure cheques to PR firms they're all furiously scribbling

      Chelsea & Man City already at it with "we were the first to leave"

      Which they were in fairness, i can't even be angry at them. Not yet anyways, maybe later