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What has happened to Bruno Fernandes’s form in FPL?

There was a time, not so very long ago, when there was a man in everybody’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team and his name was Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m).

Technically speaking, he was in all the good ones – 99% owned amongst the top 1,000 teams by the end of February. FPL at large has never quite forgiven him for the mortal sin of not having a fixture in Gameweek 1 and his overall ownership only nudged a mite over 60% at the height of his popularity.

These days, he’s in 84% of top teams and 57% overall, but as everyone prepares for the final frantic weeks of FPL many owners have become jittery. For a long time, his mere appearance on a football field seemed a virtual guarantee of at least six points and often many more, but his modest returns in the last four Gameweeks have had managers wondering whether that £11.6m could be invested more usefully.

So what has happened to his form, why might it have happened, and is he still worth holding on to despite his recent run?

Fernandes exploded onto the Premier League scene in the second half of last season. Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) finished that campaign as the leading provider of FPL double-digit hauls with ten, but that took him 34 appearances at a rate of 29%. Fernandes managed six such scores in only fourteen matches at a rate of 43%, leading many to wonder if he could possibly repeat that this time around.

With six Gameweeks still to go, the Portuguese midfielder has already eclipsed De Bruyne’s marks from last year, amassing a league-leading 11 double-digit hauls at a rate of 37%. Only three other players have more than six such returns: Son Heung-min (£9.5m) with nine, Harry Kane (£11.8m) with eight and seven for Ilkay Gundogan (£5.8m). De Bruyne currently has six, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) has five and Raheem Sterling (£11.2m) four.

Yet take a look at Bruno’s History on his FPL Transfer page and you quickly notice that in his last seven league appearances he has only one goal, a very early penalty at Manchester City, and one assist when he picked up a loose clearance against Brighton, drove to the edge of the box and fed Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) who swept it home. He was once superlative, but has he simply gone off the boil?

If you lay out Fernandes’s FPL double-digit hauls for this season and then note how many games there were in between them when he didn’t haul, it looks like this:

1 match, Haul (H), 1, H, 2, H, H, H, 3, H, H, 1, H, 4, H, 2, H, 1, H, 4.

Seven of Bruno’s 11 hauls came in the early part of the season. The last time he hauled in back-to-back games was in Gameweeks 14 and 15. Since then, each haul is isolated and they have generally become less frequent. If there is a point where a decline happened, Gameweek 16 would seem to be where it began.

Using the player statistics in the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, it’s easy to contrast Fernandes’s performance up to Gameweek 15 with his performance afterwards. That second period contained a few more matches, so it makes sense to use averages for the comparison rather than bare totals.

306 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hello

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeeello

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is it me you're looking for?

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I just called to say ....

    4. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hello from the offside

  2. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Salah worth the extra money over Jota?

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

      Probably yes. It depends on how to use the extra funds. For example getting Vardy but then is HE good value with Nacho doing better for less. I'm keeping Salah for sure with those fixtures

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Neither doing much so probably not.
      6 million diff almost = 1 Jesse Lingard

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nup

  3. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What are Mendy/Forster owners doing? Holding and hope Mendy starts?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No idea

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy should start though, the only way they can get money for Kepa is by playing him here and there. Don’t think they risk playing him against a top 4 rival and the games remaining games they have left. The West Ham game could decide top 4 for them.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hold and hope for 1 more week

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Crying

    5. The Cloud Watcher
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have Mendy and was always planning to bench him for the upcoming GW (Sanchez against Sheffield United seems a more favourable fixture), so I'll be holding.

  4. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captain for me this week. Getting very far forward and I think this is the week he hauls again. Also probably a penalty too.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think I'm going Salah

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TC maybe

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mange tout Bainesy, mange tout.

  5. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any news on Iheanacho?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      His nick name is "Senior Man"

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

      What’s the issue with him? Rotation?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Some niggle apparently

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?"

        2. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Source if you please?

        3. Il Capitano
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          LEI ITKs have him down as starting tonight so I'd assume he's fine.

  6. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Used FT to throw Stones to TAA, was planning on Son > Salah this week but my defence was in a bit of a state (will probably get him in 35 instead now). Anything else worthy of a hit?

    0FT 1m ITB

    Martinez
    Digne Targett TAA Azpi
    ESR Bruno Jota Lingard
    Nacho (C) Bamf

    Fabri - Cresswell* Kane* Son

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Should be okay as is

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Danke

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

    Looking to free hit this week but well out of the loop

    Who would you have nailed on in your fh 33 team?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      How are you out of the loop, you live here!

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

        Yes but I’ve only come here lately to moan and not actually read any fpl content

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Same

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dunk, Martinez, Trent, Nacho, Bruno, Madds

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Couple of spots going spare. Might use Chelsea on both.

      Sanchez
      Dunk TAA xxxx
      Mo Greenwood Maddison Jota xxx
      Nacho Welbeck

  8. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any tips for this lot? Thoughts much appreciated!!

    Mendy*
    Coady Rudiger TAA Holding Masuaku*
    Lingard Jota Bruno Salah
    Iheanacho

    (Forster* Kane* Son* Davis*)

    2 FTS. £0.0m ITB.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don't smoke in bed.

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mendy and Masu to Meslier and Veltman/Dunk?

        1. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Haha thanks!

          I'm tempted to keep Mendy in case he comes back in the side.

          Could do Masu to Burn/Webster and roll a transfer? Are either likely to play?

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Webster or Burn seem good enough. If White suspended I guess they both play.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Be good to your mother.

  9. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will we get news on Kane before the deadline?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd be surprised

  10. sledger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any thoughts on doing the hokey cokey with Kane Son /Vardy Bruno. Two free transfers then back for - 4.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't bother with the Vardy bit

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Pig in a pokey!

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

    Own both Kane and Laca...

    Who should I look as the replacement/s?
    Not Nacho whom I have.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Snap. Welbz? Cavani?

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

      Have the same trio
      Kane too damaging if fit for 34
      Looking at Laca replacements myself but nothing jumping off the page. Watkins has a double. Don’t trust Everton at all. Ings injured. Can’t afford Vardy either

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

        I've done a very boring move to Chris Wood and banked the 2 mill (don't really need it though)

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

          love this

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

            not boring at all as it turns out

  12. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy / Forster owners, whats the deal? Are we holding?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Look up

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      We're crying as everything collapses around us.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I've brought Sanchez in as cover. He's good for this GW as I see how Mendy lies.

  13. Inter Me Gran
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    FH team, would appreciate advice pls;

    Sanchez

    Dunk Castagne Robbo

    Maddi Greenwood Fernandes Salah Mane

    Nacho Watkins

    Subs; 4.0, Veltman, Robinson, 3.8

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TAA over Robbo

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think I'd rather the Diagne (?) or Welbz than Watkins and spend the change to bump up Robbo to Trent

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can you field 11 this week and keep FH to 35?

      1. Inter Me Gran
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks all, some good suggestions.
        I’ve 2 Man City (including the idiot Stones) 3 Spurs and an injured Antonio, so almost forced to FH

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

    STATTO99,

    Great statistical look at Fernandes. The Fernandes vs. Vardy GW32-35 battle will be an interesting one ... :).

  15. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I’ve no value tied up in Son so thinking will transfer out for his upcoming blank and the back in for SHU following week.
    Who’s the best one week punt?

    A. Greenwood
    B. Grealish
    C Rashford
    D other?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maddison ... depending on how he performs tonight.

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

        Cheers

    2. Inter Me Gran
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Greenwood for a punt but rashford prob more nailed

  16. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Probably doing Mendy to Schmeichel this week. Any better ideas?

    Mendy
    Rudiger Maguire Fofana TAA Holding
    Fernandes Jota Salah (C) Lingard
    Ihenacho

    Subs: Forster, Davis, Kane, Son

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

      Leicester blank in 36 tho. Martinez?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy to Schmanchez?

  17. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need to replace Stones/Gundo and Pope.

    4-4-2
    Pope (Forster)
    Rudiger, TAA, Dallas, Stones (Mitchell)
    Mount, Salah, Bruno, Lingard, (Gundo)
    Nacho, Bamford (Kane)

    Which transfers to do:
    A) Pope > Schmeichel/Patricio + Stones > Coady
    B) Pope > Schmeichel/Patricio + Gundo > Harrison / Raphina (change formation to 3-5-2 and play)
    C) Other suggesion?

    Cheers.

  18. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son or Fernandes. Which of these would you lose right now?
    If I lose Son may jump on Bale for the last few games instead.

    Want Trent in for Stones and replace one of (Son/Fernandes) with Maddison assuming he is looking good later.

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Id personally Keep Son

      Fernandes could be sold but who are you looking at to replace him? Not many in that area with KDB and Sterling bout not good picks for various reasons.

      Id find some other way to do Stones to Trent.

  19. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Time to ditch Son? His output is awful when Bale plays let’s not forget...

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

      Got nice fixtures coming up after blank and on penalties so I'm keeping

    2. Inter Me Gran
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not for me, Kane will be back soon and Son always has potential to bag some decent scores

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Strong hold

  20. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1. Dallas
    2. Fofana (and move to Dallas for last 3 GWs)

    Andy any reason not to do Gundo > Lingard?

  21. Sabina_S
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Transfer in Veltman or Holding? Plus Saiss/Coady.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Holding because of potential double, Coady

  22. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Guys,
    I need to transfer Neto out, only have 5.7m for a replacement?
    Any suggestions?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Raph if he's back

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Saka, or another Arsenal young lad.
      If you wanna avoid teams still in Europe, then Trossard looks good for 33-35 or Matheus Pereira for 33-34 or even Podence (33-35) for an outside punt.
      McGinn, Armstrong, Harrison dont look that exciting to me but might be attractive FPL options to others.

      I'd have said Raphinha if fit.

  23. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hello folks,

    Need a quick bit of advice.

    Why catch Premier League just slot 15 May (GW37 fixtures) a few days later to 17-20 May.
    And move the TBC games (Aston Villa v Everton & Southampton v Crystal Palace) into FA Cup Final weekend (15-16 May). Therefore at start of GW37, or if deadline moves the TBC games will be end of GW36.

    What am I missing regards Ben Crellin's and The Athletic's fixture predictions ??

    Thanks in advance

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hello folks,

      Need a quick bit of advice.

      Why can't Premier League just slot 15 May (GW37 fixtures) a few days later to 17-20 May.
      And move the TBC games (Aston Villa v Everton & Southampton v Crystal Palace) into FA Cup Final weekend (15-16 May). Therefore at start of GW37, or if deadline moves the TBC games will be end of GW36.

      What am I missing regards Ben Crellin's and The Athletic's fixture predictions ??

      Thanks in advance

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

        They want to guarantee every team will play one of their last 2 matches at home in front of their own fans

  24. focaccia
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on my team? Need help with next moves... Still have Free Hit, 1 transfer & £4.8 in the bank...

    Martinez

    Rudiger - AWB - Veltman - Dallas

    Salah - Jota - Lingard - Raphina

    DCL - Iheanacho

    subs: Forster - Kane - Son - Coufal

    cheers!

  25. FPL AXE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What's the deal with Mendy v Kepa?
    Why was Me dropped and are we thinking he's going to be reinstated now?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Likely rewarding Kepa for some recent 'Good' displays (not dropping the ball) and putting him on the market to be sold.

      will Mendy start this GW?

      No one knows and with McCarthy taking over from Forster, its a little disconcerting as that is back up plan A for most people...

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

      I think he's out of favour now. Why play Kepa in the last two and then back to Mendy. Can't see it to be honest.

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

        Mendy is very wooden when watching

        1. Fit_to_drop
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Agree with that.

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

        Kepa played two (both clean sheets) in Feb but was then benched.

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Some ppl claiming it's to raise Kepas sellingvalue

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

      Kepa is always a minute away from a howler. His luck is about to run out.

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

        I think he has some confidence finally, looks different

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

          I'm not sure, I saw some shaky moments, his confidence is brittle.

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

            Could be, not sure the players trust him either

    5. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sold for Patricio.

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

    Apologies if someone can just remind me of those clubs that may have a DGW 35 again please...

    Helping my son set up a WC this week to cover 33 onwards

    thanks

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

      Likely
      Villa v Everton
      Southampton v Crystal Palace

      Possible
      Chelsea v Arsenal
      Man Utd v Leicester City

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you

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

    Sterling to Rash/Greenwood -4?

    Thought about Salah but too many hits required!

    Mendy,
    Rüdiger, Shaw, Pereira, Trent
    Lingz, Jota, Bruno, Rashy/Greenwood
    Nacho, Watkins

    Martinez, Phillips, Kane, Son,

    .6

  28. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I just read Ricardo Pereira is reportedly out of Leicester squad for tonight's game?

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

      I've just read a post mentioning this rumour

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's just back from longterm injury, wouldn't risk it...

      1. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        well if you speak about the injury that sidelined him for 6+ months, he's played at least 10 games since he's recovered from it

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

      Yeah that's the prediction

      1. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I was wondering if that is based on some sort of last minute info or based only the fact he's been subbed off early against southampton this WE

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

          Unsure tbh

    4. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Two reliable Leicester ITKs: Sam Martin (https://twitter.com/SmuelMartinFPL/status/1385107736669589504?s=19) and Sean from Enderby (https://twitter.com/seanfromenderby/status/1385163099364331523?s=19) have both tweeted lineups.

      Pereira will not be starting tonight.

  29. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What do you think of the below moves for a -4?

    Mendy > schmeichel
    Neto > greenwood

    Leaves me with:
    Schmeichel
    TAA / coady / rudiger / holding
    Salah / jota / Greenwood / Fernandes
    Ihenacho / Davis

    Forster / masuaku / son / Kane

    0.2 itb

  30. focaccia
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Keen to get Trent in, but not sure who to sell... My defence is:

    Rudiger
    AWB
    Coufal
    Dallas
    Veltman