Scout Reports

Is new Leeds defender Junior Firpo worth the extra money over Luke Ayling in FPL?

Following the departute of Gjanni Alioski, Leeds moved quickly to announce the signing of left-back Junior Firpo on July 6.

The defender was soon priced up at £5.0m in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), half a million more expensive than any other defender on the Whites’ roster.

Firpo has signed a four-year contract at Elland Road and will wear the number three shirt, having moved from Barcelona in a reported £12.8m deal.

We assess the defender’s history, qualities and FPL potential below.

The History

Born in the Dominican Republic, Firpo moved to Spain at the age of six and got his first chance in football with Real Betis.

The left-back made his first-team debut for the Spanish club in February 2018, before going on to become a regular in the side for the 2018/19 season.

Part of the European Championship-winning Spain under-21 squad at the end of that campaign, Firpo was then acquired by Barcelona in August 2019.

He made just 41 appearances for the Nou Camp outfit in all competitions over two seasons, beginning only three league matches during the previous campaign.

Playing style

Firpo regards himself as a good fit for Marcelo Bielsa’s full-throttle style of play.

“I saw him [Marcelo Bielsa] in Spain when he trained there. I know the coach that he is and for me he is a really good coach. He wants to press all the time, play one against one many times and for me that’s my football.

“Physical football, running, having the ball, for me it’s not a problem and I think he will help me go to another level. I think in this team I can show the player that I am, for me I hope I can show the people what I want to show.” – Junior Firpo

The defender, thought of as an attack-minded player, could offer Leeds another goal threat from their left-hand side.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told the Yorkshire Evening Post of Firpo:

When he was at Betis he looked like a very happy, brave full-back who went forward very often, in a team who were playing three at the back. It really suited him. He defended decently but attacked much better.

What he has is a free spirit, in a way. He is better offensively than defensively. He has to develop more discipline. When he defends he makes mistakes which are basic, body positioning at times, how he reacts to losing the ball, which can be corrected.

He drives with the ball very well, he’s better at driving with the ball than trying to attack teams who are defending compact. He does it all the time, he insists and insists, so he’s got a good mentality.

ESPN UK editor David Cartlidge told the newspaper:

From a system point of view he works, because of how Leeds play with their full-backs. Junior has the speed and fitness levels to cover the entire flank, press high, combine with attackers. He’s going to be especially influential on the break.

If he recaptures the spirit with which he played at Betis with then he’ll be a huge success. That’s the first task, getting him in that mood again.

The Statistics

In his breakout 2018/19 season at Betis, Firpo scored three times and registered five assists in 29 appearances.

Across that campaign, Firpo averaged 0.88 shots per 90 minutes. That’s not quite Marco Alonso (£5.5m) levels – the Chelsea man averaged 1.97 shots per 90 minutes in 2020/21 – but it wasn’t bettered by any Leeds defender bar the ‘out of position’ Stuart Dallas (£5.5m) in the season just gone.

Firpo also created 0.88 chances per 90 minutes in 2018/19.

His limited playing time for Barcelona in La Liga saw him return two goals and two assists across two seasons.

Smarterscout’s Dan Altman said of the defender:

As a left-back at Barcelona in 2019/20, Junior Firpo was prolific in trying to disrupt moves by the opposition but his lack of skill as a tackler made him somewhat ineffective in doing so. He also didn’t recover many balls, so his overall defending stats were middling at a Premier League standard. While his skill in aerial duels in open play was pretty good for La Liga, he might find the aerial game more challenging in England – especially on dead balls, where he was much less effective.

The Prospects

With Alioski now gone from Elland Road, the left-back spot appears to be Firpo’s for the taking so game time shouldn’t be an issue, though a wait-and-see approach is the safer route in that regard.

The big question is whether or not the ex-Betis man is worth the extra £0.5m over his colleagues, in particular Luke Ayling (£4.5m).

The right-back was the league’s most underperforming defender in terms of ‘expected goal involvement’ (xGI) last season. Ayling was expected to be involved in 4.90 goals and assists, though came out of the campaign with no attacking returns.

Ayling carded 0.61 shots and 0.68 key passes per 90 minutes in 2020/21, averages inferior to Firpo, with the summer signing’s stats actually very similar to those of Alioski (0.88 shots and 0.98 key passes per 90).

The departing North Macedonia international carded two goals and three assists for the Whites in 2020/21, which is perhaps a good gauge for what we can expect of the new signing.

While Firpo can be expected to nail down the somewhat vacant left-back spot, the ever-present Ayling is also a guaranteed starter under Marcelo Bielsa.

Leeds’ opening fixture list puts them at the bottom of the FFS Season Ticker when sorted by defence. That includes clashes with Manchester United (a), Liverpool (H) and West Ham (H), interspersed with a home fixture against Everton and trips to both Burnley and Newcastle.

While Ayling is a viable rotation option in defence, Firpo would likely need to be in your first XI at £5.0m. The Whites’ fixture list clears up hugely in Gameweek 7, which could be a good time to revisit the Spanish left-back.

LEARN MORE: Luke Ayling’s Player Profile
LEARN MORE: Leeds United’s Team Profile

323 Comments Post a Comment
  1. smash
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Think its worth bringing in Belotti and starting him? (cant think of another striker spot i'd use, Kane/Immobile already on board) then if he don't get minutes he'll be autosubbed out right? already got a template midfield Chiesa/Insigne/Sterling with an evenly matched defence from both teams combined, will have playing subs too.

    (20pts clear in mini league)
    cheers.

    1. PepTalk
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Belotti will most likely get minutes so maybe don't waste a transfer there. To be honest, think you're home and dry with a 20 point lead even if your rival makes an inspired captaincy choice; all our teams will be pretty similar, hard to make gains.

      I'm only 9pts clear in my mini league. I have a feeling the guy in second will go with 5 Italians at the back in an attempt to differentiate...

      1. smash
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yes this is my worry with 5 transfers rivals with gamble with a solid block backlines, potential big points in that! could do this myself but no idea who to back tbh? so leaning towards going mixed. Is a worry that Belotti only gets 1pt but the alternative would probably only be an attacking midfielder? Barella/Saka/Grelish/Mount already have Chiesa/Insigne/Sterling, think I'm just keen to try somthing different (real lack of options as its so limited with just the 2 teams) 9pt lead is a tricky one, least its fun going down to the wire!

        good luck.

        1. rh6462
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Any thoughts about Jorginho, in case there's a penalty? Or Verratti for free kick assist potential? Probably both much more likely to return than Belotti?

  2. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Pickford could be a European Football Championship winner in four days time 😮

    1. Dogs Of War
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Well deserved if it happens.

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

        Lmao

    2. im1974
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      What a joke. Worst, starting, keeper England have ever had

      1. Dogs Of War
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Brilliant. Good one

    3. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He’s been brilliant since he got his new haircut. Even pundits and sky sports fans have noticed thanks to his England appearances

    4. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I thought at times yesterday he seems to think he's playing Rugby, just hoofing it into touch or upfield to the opposite sides #15. Made a few smart stops though and is quite vocal. I dont think he should be Englands #1 on merit, but then again Alf Ramsey didnt pick the best 11 players either. I do like Southgates approach of staying loyal to players which is probably more of a benefit with respect to actually a building a cohesive unit then chopping and changing at a whim.

  3. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    What do you guys think about the good ol' rotate two 4.5m keepers.

    Brighton and Newcastle rotate nicely eg.

    1. TwiggsJameson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Or Watford and Newcastle. That is my plan, at least until I change my mind.

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Rotate between the PL and EFL Championship leagues 😉

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not for me. I always end up benching the wrong one.

      Martinez set and forget looks appealing for me right now.

  4. Willesden Mariner
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    So the big FFS transfer news is that David M has returned to regional journalism and Neale has taken over as editor. Also Andy M has stepped down from FFS videos to focus on his own YouTube channels.

    It seems that a new Andy has joined the video/vlog team. I wonder who will do the Friday Team News livestreams/videos. I hope we still see lots of Seb, Gianni, Joe and the young newcomer Ted, plus Az ( in addition to being BlackBox sidekick). It's always good when FPL Family (Lee and Sam) pop up too.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Demi does the team news….

    2. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Erm excuse me, sidekick?!

  5. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Guys, what do I do here with the Euro fantasy team? I'm 3rd in my ML but only 9 points behind first!

    Current team is:

    Donnarumma
    Enmerson - x - x
    Berardi - Insigne - x - x
    Immobile - Kane - x

    Bench: Pickford - Maguire - Shaw - Sterling 35m to pick 5 players for the finals! Obviously difficult as most people will have the same team, but how can i potentially gain those 9 points?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      All teams will be very similar, captain someone random, only real opinion at this stage….

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      2 methods i can see either you bet on one team defensively (6 at the back) and hope for a clean sheet from that team, or you captain Insigne/Sterling/Immobile or a defender as most will opt for Kane.

    3. amplifiedAnt
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      With a 9-point gap, you're probably looking at a differential player hauling and a better captain pick.

      Doesn't seem too crazy an ask. Especially given the spread of who's scored for Italy.

      My tactic needs to be more dramatic as my deficit is almost double that. Probably going to play 5 at the back, with at least 4 of the 6 defensive positions being Italians.

  6. amplifiedAnt
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Donnarumma
    Shaw, Maguire, Bonucci, Emerson, Di Lorenzo
    Sterling, Insigne, Chiesa
    Kane, Immobile

    Chasing a near-impossible 17 point deficit, despite a decent OR. I believe my rival either picks 50/50 England/Italy, or slightly favours England. They already have more England defenders than Italian.

    Differentiate by going 5 at the back and piling in Italian defenders (as above)? Might even have to captain one of them.

    1. Better luck next year
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      In UCL fantasy I lost a 20 point lead in the final, so should be possible to beat your opponent. You could pile up on defenders from the team you believe will keep a clean sheet, and cap one of those defenders.

      1. amplifiedAnt
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        That's where I'm headed.

        It's only the fact that I already have Berardi that's stopping me from getting yet another Italian defender. I.e. Berardi is my 8th Italian, so I'd be maxed out.

        But if he starts, that changes things...

        1. Better luck next year
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          If you have enough transfers to avoid a -4 you could switch Berardi to a differential pick from England. Another route would be to pile up on English defenders, IMO they are as likely to keep a clean sheet, it’s really a 50/50 decision..

  7. PoolSince2015
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I have already cracked to perfect 11. Please prove me wrong though.

    Bachmann
    Trent, Shaw, Digne, Lamptey
    Salah, Fernandes, Mahrez
    DCL, Antonio, Toney

    Foster, Brownhill, Luiz, 4,0

    Most money possible spent on the starting 11, still with two playing subs. Obviously some of the players are likely to change but I really like the price structure. What do you think?

    1. zes
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      For me a few too many risky players. Shaw might not start the first game, Lamptey and Antonio are injury risks, Mahrez rotation risk, Toney untested in Prem. Not saying any of these picks are bad by themselves, but all taken together and a weak bench... not for me

    2. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Im on a similar draft except I prefer a cheapish 4th mid (Raphinha) and spending less on defence.

      If previous seasons are anything to go by I dont think there'll be many clean sheets at the start of the season as teams are still getting back into the rhythm, so spending less on defence feels sensible to me

  8. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Young player of the year in the EFL signs for Palace - I assume he just wants a year out in the PL.

    1. RamaLangaDingDong
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It's an interesting strategy, to try and pick up the best Championship players each season, buy young and see if they can make the step up. Eze last year, Olise this time around...

      Let's face it - they have so many players out of contract - that squad is going to be paper thin. Not sure who handles their Recruitment but Big Pat won't be fully up to speed with the UK market - presumably that is why he is trying to leverage the Man City connection to pick up some fringe players...?

      Interesting to see how this one plays out but either they need to re-sign some of those Out of Contract players or make some inspired loan signings on a minimum budget, or like you, I can see this being a painful season for them. Bottom 3 for me...

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Suspect that Olise may be a year out for any real impact as he's a year or so behind Eze in development but 8 million could prove to be a wonder fee when you look at Buendia going for over 30 mill - they were more or less even for assists last season.

        Squad is thin for sure and a couple of Clyne Cahill Ward and Townsend seem more or less essential but most of the out of contract players were beyond peripheral - read they accounted for 40 appearances in total last season.

        A lot rides on Vieira as there is clear potential for a FdB repeat but I'm moderately hopeful as the core squad is still strong - safe by week 30 or so in each of the last 2 seasons.

        Interestingly Olise came through City - as well as Chelsea - so could well be that this one happened quickly because of that. There a few other City alumni we're getting linked with.

  9. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    England's eighth best player for the final between:
    A) Walker
    B) Saka or Sancho (depending on who starts)

    Pickford
    Stones Maguire Shaw
    Sterling Mount
    Kane

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      no faith in one of your own Mikel?

      1. N00B
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I dont know. He will play vs Emerson but Southgate will sub him out in 60'.

        1. Dr. Rog
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          looked very dangerous against Denmark.

          1. N00B
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Now I'm thinking of another option
            C) Play Donnarumma, buy Walker AND Saka, drop Immobile

            Donnarumma
            Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
            Sterling(c) Mount Saka Insigne Chiesa
            Kane

            1. Dr. Rog
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              if its between Immobile & Mount, i would opt for the centre forward every time.

  10. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    My current XV:

    Martinez (Gunn)
    Trent - Castagne - Lamptey (Veltman, Williams)
    Salah - Fernandes - Jota - Buendia (Gilmour)
    Iheanacho - Wilson - Toney

    Tempted by Harvey Barnes as well, perhaps over Jota. Veltman is on hand for when Lamptey gets injured. Don't want Steer because I may want 3 playing Villa at some stage, though I may yet go Bachmann & Sanchez and put the 0.5 elsewhere.

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I would go Barnes and also Justin over Castange if he is fit

  11. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on punting on a benched player for the final? A Foden or a Grealish for example. I feel like it'll be a defensively tight game and can see a late winner in the 90 or extra time

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Makes sense when you have subs for the next day, but its the final - they might not come on at all...

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Will be autosubbed if he doesn't come on at all provided you have bench cover. Could be worth a punt.

        1. Dr. Rog
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          ok that works actually. but then its a call as to whether 30 minutes of Grealish is better than 60 minutes of Saka. I suppose a lot will be path dependent. are England protecting or chasing? also the teams mentality - are they looking to win it (like they did against Denmark), or are they trying not to lose it (like Italy did against Spain).

  12. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Final Strategy

    Kane + Sterling + Immobile + Insigne are essential
    then either 5 Eng defence, or 5 Italy defence: Go big or go home.
    2 spots remaining go to Chiesa & Saka (or whoever starts) as both opposition LBs bomb forward so they should get some joy on the RW.

  13. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    (A) TAA & Toney
    (B) Shaw & DCL

    1. WALOR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      wrong question - all 4 essential

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I like Toney - but I'm not sure a player who is yet to start a game in the Prem (and only has one - albeit very successful - season in the Championship) can be deemed essential.

        I think he'll do well.
        I think he is a long way off essential.

    2. Dogs Of War
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

    4. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B..will board the Toney train when and if he starts firing in the epl

    5. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A , TAA is an absolute must

  14. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Barcelona cannot afford to sign any new players including Messi, Aguero etc until they remove around 200m euros off their wage bill.

    https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/barcelona-financial-crisis-set-force-players-accept-more-pay-cuts-1691036

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

      Club in shambles financially

      1. Disco Stu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yes, but once they win the Super League, shouldn't the money come pouring in? LOL

      2. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Wtf happened to Madrid and Barca

        1. moz_1983
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Moronic contracts mainly. Forking out £500-700k a week to multiple players, or millions as is claimed by some papers for Messi, is draining the clubs of their cash.

  15. Boxwoods
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Yet to see a draft team with Bamford.
    Why does everyone prefer DCL to him?
    Concern Rodrigo will take Patty’s mins?

    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, and Bam has a nasty habit of coming off at the 60 minute mark

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Y'all gonna want Ings pretty soon methinks

  16. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Liking my current draft but always open to suggestions

    Sanchez/Bachmann

    Lamptey/AWB(Will switch to Shaw once I see he's back in the squad)/Coufal/Fofana/Manquillo

    Salah/Bruno/Jota*Could switch to Barnes)/Buendia/Harrison

    DCL/Watkins/Antonio

    1. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depth!

    2. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I really like this, however I could be tempted to downgrade Jota as he’s a rotation issue in order to upgrade one of your 4.6 defenders to TAA

      1. Disco Stu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thought about downgrading Jota to Douglas Luiz or Antonio to a 4.5 and using the funds to up Lamptey or Fofana to TAA

        1. LegendMoon
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          That sounds good too

    3. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      looks like a reasonable attempt at a ghost team.
      generally you dont want a front 8 for a micro managed fpl team.

      1. Disco Stu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I don't even know what a Ghost Team is

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          A team u create and then never change again

          1. Disco Stu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah, that's definitely not me

          2. Dr. Rog
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            as MC Hammer once famously said, "Can't touch this"

            i have a few drafts this year and reckon a ghost team could do really well as you could potentially have 4 or even 5 City players for the whole season (cheat mode activated) if certain transfers go through.

            1. Disco Stu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              If you have three City players in your squad, and say for example, Grealish or Kane get transferred while you have them in your squad on their old team, does the game make you drop one of the players?

              1. Dr. Rog
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                yes it does - at the point when you make your next transfer 🙂

              2. LegendMoon
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                You have to make them your first transfer out but with ghost teams you don’t make transfers so 5 city for the season

          3. Dr. Rog
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            I actually spend the vast majority of this time of year on a ghost team squad as its a much more interesting thought and optimisation exercise than choosing a primary fpl squad (just copy the template and then wildcard into the value players in wk4).

            you have to think about minutes, injuries, the strength of your bench, bench order, you vice/captain choice (for the whole season), distribution of funds across the pitch. in essence people do this with their day1 squads but its a waste of time imo as all the thought in the world cant mitigate outcomes like pepe scoring a hat-trick on wk1 and suddenly becoming "essential".

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Currently eying something very similar.

      Like the look of Wilson up top myself in the 7.5 category and very much hoping Barnes looks nailed at Leicester. Thinking of pairing him up with Jota.

      Have half an eye on Welbeck too.

      1. Disco Stu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Am very tempted by Wilson and his plum fixtures to start the season

  17. LegendMoon
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    If Pogba is worth 51 million, Grealish is an absolute snip at 80 million, United should snatch the hand arm and shoulder off PSG if they really are offering this.

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You think Grealish is better than Pogba?

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        United fan here. Absolutely

      2. im1974
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Absolutely

      3. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        In the premier league without a doubt, internationally maybe not, a transfer to PSG at that price would suit all parties I reckon especially with Pogba only having a year left on his contract

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I'd sell him in a heartbeat. Better than for free next year. He's not even an integral part of the team most of the time.

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Pogba is an outstanding footballer, perhaps one of the best of a generation, when he is actually motivated.

      He doesnt seem to be at Utd, except for a few patches here and there.
      Cash in and give the shirt to someone who cares about it - Fergie would have cut and run with him a long time ago.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        There's the reasoning

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Replace when motivated with when surrounded by world class players, and even then it isn't as consistent as other world class players

      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        As a Utd fan I’d let him go for free

        Absolute waste of space - the club will instantly elevate a level when he leaves the dressing room - just watch

        One of the biggest wastes of talent through having the wrong mentality - PSG are welcome to him

        1. The Mighty One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          This 100%. So wasteful and careless in our own half.

          Amazing passing but the rest of his game leads to losses if he doesn’t have Kante or Vidal(Juve) cleaning up for him.

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Teemu Pukki baby!

      1. Boxwoods
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Care to elaborate?

      2. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        shhh! dont let people catch on

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          With those fixtures and not in form after injury... 🙁

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Was my captain GW2 two seasons ago. Beautiful memory.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Yes, he wasn't my C but I ditched Kane to him and proudly told here about my upgrade 🙂

        2. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Nice, I had him but didn't cap...

    4. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      About to watch last night’s match on catch up. Did I miss anything?

      1. Stamford B
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        England win 2-1

        1. Tomerick
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Hahaha.

      2. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        an own goal and a dodgy penalty, but in reality England totally dominant

        1. Tomerick
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Accurate

      3. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Two Danes scored and the ref gave England one.

      4. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        The worst bit of match commentary in broadcasting history.

    5. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ayling or Llorente?

    6. Alcapaul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Current draft:

      Sanchez
      Dunk Dias TAA Shaw
      Salah Bruno Raphinha
      Watkins DCL Iheanacho

      Bench: Ward, Fofana, Gilmour, Romeu

      Anything anyone would change here? Open to suggestions.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Fofana -> Ayling
        Very nice team.

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Leeds fixtures suck.

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Leeds don't care about fixtures

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              This

              Leeds are an elite attack - there aren’t many better in the league

              And they have super nailed assets with zero European distractions and another pre-season of Bielsa’s murderball coaching

              1. Alcapaul
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                Yea that's my thinking also. Raphinha's numbers are great as well so seems worth it at 6.5

            2. zes
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Leeds are good side but it's a bit of a stretch to assume they'll keep clean sheets against Everton, Man U and Liverpool.

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Looks fine. I personally might prefer Lamptey + Coufal over Dunk + Fofana.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          But on the other hand, one will be first sub, so perhaps Dunk is better option after all.

          1. Alcapaul
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Yea I just feel a bit more secure with the Dunk pick. Would go Lamptey if I desperately needed the .5 though.

      3. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I've done something very similar except Robbo not Dias

    7. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Draft number 17:

      Robert / 4.0
      Trent, Lucas, Luke, Aaron / Tariq
      Mo, Bruno, Buendia / Yves / 4.5
      Dom, Ollie, Callum

      I hope I remembered first names without major errors, didn't check them though 😉

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        No Kane, no sale.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Harry is in (and probably Bruno out) if and when he is sold to Manchester.

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Confusing with all the first names.
        But nice team indeed.

      3. R.C
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Emi is Buendia's first name

      4. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Not sure on Dom - contemplating Danny instead.

        Think Rafa will get them off to a good start but after week 1 that looks like 3 challenging away fixtures.

    8. R.C
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Damn Giroud being sold for 2m to AC Milan, that's less than his FPL price :')

    9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It’s going to be a long old 5 weeks until Friday 13th isn’t it 🙁

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I guess so 🙁

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Toney brace vs Arsenal coming to you soon.

      3. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        You will just see the same team +/- 4 different ones max about 13,487 times till the 13th.

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          And that's just Flynny's.

      4. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Hopefully some different posters will start dominating the conversation.

    10. Dogs Of War
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Which of the promoted teams will finish highest this season? Who (currently) has the best squad to cope?

      1. Jarnathan
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I think Watford.

        Norwich sold Buendia..

      2. ritzyd
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Oddly i think brentfor may be the best of the three, bowever, i think this season they may all be in the bottom 4 or 5 and scrapping. Don't see any of them doing a leeds or first season sheff utd.

      3. Stamford B
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Watford definitely I think.

    11. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      My current draft looks like this

      Sanchez 4
      Trent Digne Cresswell Lamptey Ayling
      Salah Son Mahrez Raph 4.5
      Wilson Antonio Toney

      Focused on set pieces and/or penalties.
      Thoughts?

    12. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not seeing many Chelsea in the early teams. Why not?
      - Chilwell, Mount, Ziyech , could all return nicely

      1. Moxon
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        They've got tricky fixtures early on. I'm starting with Mahrez with ideas of switching him to Havertz eventually though.

      2. ritzyd
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Feel you can sit and watch them for the first 6, see if anyone looks nailed ish and jump in for their lovely run from 7 onwards.

      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        They’ve far too many players for each position and a manager who likes to use them all

        Need a position-specific injury crisis to give certainty of starts before going near them

        The fact that the fixtures are difficult, and that Tuchel managed to drop points to Wolves, Southampton, Brighton, Villa, Arsenal, Man Utd, Leeds all in his 19 league games means no interest at all in them for GW1

    13. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts on this lads? I understand Cavani might be a rotation risk but I’m convinced he will start strong, this leaves .5 itb for any future transfer

      Sanchez (4)
      Taa Cancelo Digne Coufal (Ayling)
      Salah KDB Raphinha. (2 4.5s)
      Cavani Wilson Toney

    14. Rigid Digit
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea - had Werner, but just not sure at 9.0. Currently on Havertz but may swap to Mount +1.0m

      Fabianski / Foster
      Dias / Digne / Tierney / Fofana / White
      Salah / Fernades / Havertz / Souceck / Gilmour
      Calvert-Lewin / Watkins / Joao Pedro

      Might go 2 4.5 GK (Guatia / Sanchez) over Fab / Foster, or swap Fab to Schmichael

      1. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Would much rather have Robertson and raphina over tierney and havertz

        1. Rigid Digit
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Hmmm , wondering about Leeds. I fear they may "do" a Sheffield United (or not quite as badly, certainly bottom half) this year.

          1. Carlton P
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Raphina is pure class and a top 4maybe 6 player. Him and Harrison for 12.5 combined is crazy value. Beundia > Raphina gw4 could be a possibility

    15. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If Justin is fit….A or B ?

      A. DCL, Fofana, Holgate
      B. Toney, Justin, Digne

      1. Stamford B
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Will Holgate play? I think he’s 4th or 5th choice centre back at the moment.