Scout Academy

The Scout Network and Academy: 2020/21 review and player tips for next season

Now that the final ball of the 2020/21 season has been kicked and the last FPL points have been awarded, we asked the Scout Network and Scout Academy for their best picks of the year and their key targets for the 2021/22 campaign.

Best Picks from 2020/21

El Statto

Sky Fantasy Football: Sticks and Stones? Who to bring in before the Overhaul? 2

I owned John Stones (£5.1m) between Gameweeks 18-24 and played him five times during that period. As well as the 27-point return in Double Gameweek 19, he also returned four clean sheets across the other Gameweeks, totalling 51 points. Nothing beats jumping on and off an asset at exactly the right time and maximising their returns for your side.

El Statto

FF Titan

My favourite FPL player of the year is Patrick Bamford (£6.6m).

At the beginning of the season, very few (myself included) thought Bamford could make it at this level having previously failed to perform in the top flight with other clubs. I am happy to have brought him in and trusted him for a large part of the season. His price was £5.5m at the start, making him an absolute enabler. He turned out to be a massive points scorer as well, raking in 194 FPL points in total, only behind Harry Kane (£11.9m) among forwards. He won the hearts of the FPL community, too, by acknowledging that he was playing the game himself!

FF Titan

FPL Hangover Podcast

Smith-Rowe tops the GW35 points table as Tuchel laments his own rotation

It’s always tough to narrow down the best pick of the season, however Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe‘s (£4.2m) two goals in Double Gameweek 35 was a personal high. Owning him that week justified my Bench Boost and helped to secure a healthy overall rank going into the final few Gameweeks of the season. Smith-Rowe will be one to watch during the 2021/22 season.

The Hangover Podcast

Fantasy Football Academy

Trossard emerging as chief Brighton attacker as Veltman delivers from centre-back

My best pick was getting Leandro Trossard (£5.5m) in when I played my Free Hit chip in Blank Gameweek 29. His 14-point haul alongside a double Brighton defence helped me in getting my FPL season back on track. Another memorable pick would be the double Manchester City defence, John Stones (£5.1m) and Ruben Dias (£5.9m), in Double Gameweek 19.

Fantasy Football Academy

Alfie Pods Fantasy Footy

Injured Jota out for the season as Mane returns to Liverpool starting XI

My season was undoubtedly a learning curve and definitely one to forget, so I don’t have a lot of love going around. However, Son Heung-min (£9.6m) had his best season in a Spurs shirt and offered fantastic value given that all Spurs goals would invariably go through him and Harry Kane (£11.9m).

Alfie Pods Fantasy Footy

FPL Side Net

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) really changed the season for me. Heading into Gameweek 10, the Belgian and Manchester City had been inconsistent and not delivering many attacking returns. But my decision to rotate my premium midfielders and own and captain De Bruyne resulted in some big scores against Burnley and Fulham (one goal and three assists over the two matches). Targeting the fixtures, and it paying off, saw nearly a two million place rise in rank over those two Gameweeks and really kick-started the season for me. 

FPL Side Net

FPL Shake ‘n’ Bake

Stones produces season-high haul as City keep another clean sheet 2

Despite a disappointing finish to the season, my personal highlight would have to be bringing in John Stones (£5.1m) in Gameweek 18. Two six-point returns over the next three Gameweeks were overshadowed by his goliath 27 points in Gameweek 19, which included a double clean sheet and two goals.

FPL Shake ‘n’ Bake

FPL Talking Points

Ending the season in style with a Sadio Mane (£11.8m) Triple Captain in Gameweek 38 won me a number of mini-leagues and therefore he was my pick of the season. However, Gareth Bale (£9.2m) deserves a mention here too. In the second half of the season, he was such a reliable source of points in the fixtures you knew could be targeted, especially those you could captain him in. 

FPL Talking Points

Fantasy Football South Africa

Stuart Dallas (£5.5m) has been my best signing this season. It’s rare that a defender can score eight goals in one campaign; if John Lundstram (£4.8m) received lordship in 2019/20, we should surely knight Dallas this year? His ability to play in midfield helped him to be the second top goalscorer for Leeds, tied with Jack Harrison (£5.6m). He was a gem for FPL managers this season but could be reclassified as a midfielder next year.

Fantasy Football South Africa

Key Player to target in 2021/22

FF Titan

It’s still early days but my radar pick would be Norwich’s Teemu Pukki. The Canaries are back from the Championship and I feel that they would be a lot smarter this time around. I don’t expect them to finish as high as Leeds but I feel that they will have a strong season and stay safe in the division. Pukki scored 11 goals the last time he was in the Premier League and hit 26 last season in the Championship. He will be the focal point of Norwich’s attack and I back him to enjoy another 10-15 goal campaign.

FF Titan

El Statto

Emiliano Buendia is someone I have my eye on for next season. He has been the star of Norwich City’s promotion campaign, returning 15 goals and 16 assists from 39 league games. He was just 22 when Norwich were last in the Premier League but managed seven assists in their relegation year. Hopefully, Norwich will learn from previous seasons and will be stronger this time, making Buendia an even better option.

El Statto

FPL Talking Points

Fulham's in-form defence set to give City tricky test in Gameweek 28

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) ended the season with 0.7% ownership in the top 10k. However, come Gameweek 38, he then reminded all FPL managers of his quality with a 13-point performance on the last day of the campaign. 

After a season of injuries and rotation due to compacted schedules, it was easy to overlook the Belgian, especially with the potential rotation around the Champions League final. However, class is permanent and he will be the first name on my teamsheet at the start of the 2021/22 season. 

FPL Talking Points

FPL Shake ‘n’ Bake

The current world number one answers your questions

Phil Foden (£6.1m) has the potential to be one of the first names on my teamsheet next season. He’s finally becoming fairly rotation proof (despite no-one being safe under Pep) and is fulfilling the talent we all know he possesses with three goals in his last four league appearances.

FPL Shake ‘n’ Bake

FPL Side Net

Kai Havertz (£8.3m) could be a breakout star next season. We have seen the German perform more consistently since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and with more confidence as a ‘false nine’ in the Chelsea front-line. And this could be of real benefit to managers, as the out-of-position midfielder should start next season at a cheaper price than the £8.5m he began 2020/21. With the Euros on the horizon, and a proper pre-season at the club, this could be a very good year for Havertz.

FPL Side Net

Alfie Pods Fantasy Footy

The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 31

Pedro Neto (£5.5m) is a player with huge potential. Whilst there is a lot of uncertainty around Wolves currently as they hunt for a new manager, Neto is one I am keeping a close eye on. With the right new manager in place and a return from injury for Raul Jiminez (£8.1m), Neto could go nuclear next season once he’s fit.

Alfie Pods Fantasy Footy

Fantasy Football Academy

My radar pick for next season is Leeds United’s Raphinha (£5.6m). The Brazilian winger has six goals and nine assists to his name in his debut Premier League campaign. We all know how well Marcelo Bielsa’s side played this season and how consistent he is with regards to naming his line-ups, and I feel Leeds can definitely improve further.

Fantasy Football Academy

FPL Hangover Podcast

I will be keeping a close eye on Harvey Barnes (£6.6m) at the beginning of the next campaign. While a serious injury brought this season to an abrupt halt, Barnes had already beaten his total goals record from previous years and if he can re-capture that form, there will certainly be a place in my squad for him.

FPL Hangover Podcast

Fantasy Football South Africa

There were a number of key injuries during 2020/21 and often on the returning season, these players come back with their A-game in play. We saw this with Kevin De Bruyne when he obtained 59 points in 2018/19, and started the following season on £9.5m. He made a mockery of his price tag and amassed 251 points the very next season!

Tariq Lamptey (£4.6m) missed a third of the campaign due to fitness issues. Before his injury in Gameweek 13, he had registered one goal, three assists (two from penalties won) and two clean sheets. On average these numbers are comparable to most mid-priced defenders, while Brighton looked better at the back when Robert Sanchez stood between the sticks. Albion kept 10 clean sheets from Gameweek 13 onwards, which underscored their improvement. 

Fantasy Football South Africa

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

32 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Man City vs Chelsea score prediction?

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      3-1 (City)

    2. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2-1.

    3. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1-1 City win on pens

      1. just a man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mendy missing the 21st?

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Carson. Pep would have rotated more than half the starting 11 by the time we get that far.

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        If it goes to pens, City are in big trouble given their pen taking record.

        At least in that situation, Ederson can take one without worrying about getting caught out at the other end.

    4. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2-0 City

    5. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1-0 City

  2. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Sorry. Lost on last page. Euros banter for anyone that's interested.

    As many of you will have worked out, for this game you need a very strong bench. Probably stronger than the team you're fielding, as you've the chance to sub any underperformer from the day before. Thus:

    Donnarumma. (Patricio)
    Cancelo. Coufal. Gaya. Hinteregger. Kjaer.
    Chiesa. Tielemans. Hojbjerg. (Gnabry.Soucek)
    Immobile(c). Arnie. (Ronaldo(c) if previous day captain sucks)

    Watcha reckon?

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Have to have bench fodders to get more of the premium players. I see no point getting mediocre players just to have more chance at appearance points.

    2. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed. I just thought that. Difference is, and a lot won't get this, but you need to field the bench fodder for early games. You def want the strongest bench possible for the last matchday.

      It's been the same on Maccy Ds game. I'm just remembering now.

      1. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Similar rules to the UCL one, there are indeed some 4.0 fodders who are starters

        1. jayzico
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Only going with a 4m keeper. Then a top keeper against a sh*t side will take his place if he sucks.

  3. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hey if you are bored without FPL I challenge you to play a Brazilian fantasy game called Cartola. Similar to FPL but much simpler. It is not as cool as FPL but it's also fun.

    https://cartolafc.globo.com/#!/home

    We can even create a mini-league there but the games start tomorrow so there is not too much time for planning.

    Let me know if you have any question about the game.

  4. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Sorry all, seems David had already set up a FFS league.

    I've renamed the one I created as the FPL BlackBox league, if you're interested the code is:

    674ORLTP08

    If you joined and subsequently feel lied to... then I am sorry and you can leave! hehe

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Oh please stop apologizing for f*uckall. Appreciate it mate

    2. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Joined. Thanks mate

  5. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    My feeling at the moment is that Arsenal defence is the one to look to buy in FPL next season. No European football will make a significant difference to their performances. Their xGA since the 2016/17 season are as follows:

    2016/17: 47.1 (13 CS)
    2017/18: 48.8 (13 CS)
    2018/19: 57.3 (8 CS)
    2019/20: 57.3 (10 CS)
    2020/21: 43.2 (12 CS)

    My hope is that they don't try to make wholesale changes to the team. A couple of additions and integrate them in first.

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      When you watch them do you get the sense they are solid?

      I don’t trust any defence where David Luiz is first choice - although I am sure when he was at Chelsea someone will say they kept loads of cleans - but he is always one step away from implosion. I also hate the way they play out from the back, always feel they’ll get caught.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        The only teams that I sense are solid from the eye test are Man City and Chelsea. But I watch Aston Villa and can't believe how lucky they got in the early part of the season. A lot of bounces of the balls and blocks fell to Villa players in dangerous situations. They managed to keep 15 CS.

        Luiz has gone now (been released) so I expect a defence of Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney to be more solid next season. With Ryan, Soares, Chambers, Mari, and a new backup LB to provide adequate cover.

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Tierney is probably the only one that's nailed in their backline, everyone else is just roulette

  6. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    So... both KDB and Sterling £10m each next year, eh?

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      You wish!

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Your prediction then?

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      9 would be a fair price for Sterling

  7. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    So into the Euro buzz now. Here's the team. Limitless transfers after GW1

    Hradecky.
    Florenzi(cDay1). Spinazzola. Hinteregger. Kjaer.
    Sudakov. Alaba. Rodri. KdB.
    Lukaku(cDay2). Arnie(cDay3).

    Bench: Patricio. Bednarek(cDay5?). Bruno F. Ronaldo(cDay6).

    BOOM. That's what a day's research looks like.

    1. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pity there wasn't a Euros spellcheck. That took me bloody ages.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Good luck.

        KdB to KDB was enough to get me most weeks.

        1. jayzico
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers man, I reckon Lukaku will get more points in this game. Usually performs better for his country. Managed to squeeze Meunier in there too.

          My money is on Belgium or Portugal to win the thing. And you get pretty good odds on the latter in bet 365

  8. Society
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Havertz ;
    Potential only.
    6 FPL scores all season over 5.
    Early season under Frank - WBA, CRY, SOU
    Late season under Tuchel - EVE, CRY, FUL