Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 1?

13 August 2021 2001 comments
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Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers face a number of selection dilemmas as they put the finishing touches to their squads ahead of tonight’s 18:30 BST deadline, one of which, of course, concerns who to captain.

While one, all-too-familiar name leaps out as the leading candidate for the armband this week, there are other FPL assets whose cases deserve examining.

First, we will assess the fallout of the Gameweek 1 captain poll, then analyse the leading candidates and Rate My Team (RMT) ratings ahead of this evening’s curtain-raiser in Brentford.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

As you can see from the current results, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is the runaway leader of the Gameweek 1 captain poll. The Egyptian midfielder has accumulated 61.95% of total votes from our users at the time of writing.

Only one other player has garnered more than 10% of votes at this stage, with Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) currently in second place, backed by 14.68% of users.

There is also a surprise inclusion, as Ivan Toney (£6.5m) occupies third place with 4.62% of votes, with Sadio Mané (£12.0m) and Kai Havertz (£8.5m) just behind the Brentford forward.

MOHAMED SALAH 

The Complete Guide to FPL Pre-Season 2021/22
2,001 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Steele or Foster as secondary keeper if you have Sanchez?

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    1. marcos11
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Steele

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    2. waldo666
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Steele

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  2. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How nailed are Lowton, Taylor and Pieters? Anyone ITK?

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    1. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      First two

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    2. Little Frank
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lowton and Taylor 100%, Pieters 20%

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    3. FPL Emu
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks!

      Horrid GW2 fixture unfortunately

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  3. MESSINHO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pick 2:

    A) Toney
    B) Raphinha
    C) Barnes

    Cheers!

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    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

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      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry and Toney for the first 2/3

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    2. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C and B

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    3. Chilli Heatwave
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A B

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  4. Chilli Heatwave
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is WC in first international break after Gw3 usually a viable strategy? Have built my team round it but loooking for advice from some more seasoned

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    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Could well be with Lukaku coming in and Kane on the move

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    2. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Usually yep, if you’re planning as you clearly are

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    3. Millie7
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't be using unless you need to, seems a waste

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  5. Mr_Barbs
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone looking at Buendia/Bailey, they seem good to go!

    https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-team-news-watford-21301488

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    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Buendia, let's go

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    2. Chilli Heatwave
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Buendia in my team, could become Bailey when he starts as he will likely be on free kicks

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      1. Mr_Barbs
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yep, hard to say whether Bailey will start tomorrow but think Buendia will

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    3. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not convinced Bailey will start and with Traore fitness concerns chances are El Ghazi will start on the right

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  6. Millie7
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Barnes + ESM + Greenwood 352
    B) Raphina + Son + 4.5 mid 442

    Im leaning towards B because i think the 5th mid will be redundant in a few weeks when Lukaku or Kane start firing

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    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B and Gilmour

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      1. Millie7
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        thanks

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  7. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What's the consensus on Sancho?

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      won't start gw1 too big a risk when greenwood is nailed for the first 2

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      1. TheAbear53
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Why is he nailed ?

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        1. Millie7
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          he's not

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  8. Kante Touch This
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will Obafemi start?

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    1. Gabbiadini
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      nope. won't make the substitues.

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  9. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A - Trent and Benrahma
    B - Jota and Digne + 0.5

    Have Tsimikas and Salah.

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    1. ZakyJ
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  10. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think that Lukaku will start vs Palace?

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    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Unlikely

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

      i think he'll come on

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      1. TomSaints
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Pretty sure he has to isolate until Monday... So 0 chance he plays.

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    3. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      cheers

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  11. Bobby's Teeth
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hey legends, first post of the new season. Show some love by helping a friend out - which one of the following would you pick?

    1. Veltman + Son
    2. Coufal + Mahrez

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    1. ZakyJ
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2

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      1. Millie7
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1

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    2. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I

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    3. Redranger
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A for me

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  12. ZakyJ
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    RMT:

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA Tsikamas Shaw (Amartey White)
    Salah Fernandes Mahrez Benrahma (Brownhill)
    Ings Toney Antonio

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    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Exactly the same team as mine so let’s do this together 😀 we’ll just have to be conscious of our budget defenders once robbo etc is back

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  13. FPL Doctor
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    0.5 ITB

    Sanchez
    TAA Tsimikas Shaw Coufal
    Salah Bruno Barnes
    Antonio Ings Toney

    Steele Raphina White Gilmour

    Bench order right? Should I either downgrade Raphina to Benrama or upgrade Coufal to Digne?

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  14. Eleven Hag
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane/Salah double up?

    Sanchez
    Digne Shaw Tsimikas
    Mane (c) Salah Son Rafinha
    Ings Antonio Toney
    - White Ayling Gilmour

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  15. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Only 5.7m teams with less than 8 hours to deadline??

    I thought there was about 8.5m last year - early deadline might catch out the 1-2m laggards

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    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Many join each week trying win the weekly prizes

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    2. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      seems to be genuinely less interest.

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    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      5.9m now with less than 6 hours to go... tick tock tick tock

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  16. MikeLowrey
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Coufal, Benhrama - 1.0ITB
    B) Toney, Benrahma - 0 bank
    C) Greenwood, Ayling - 0 bank

    Leaning to A to give me some flexibility

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  17. More Cowbell
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Crazy how many teams have selected Foster for a non-starting keeper. He's second most selected at ~25%.

    Am I missing something?

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    1. Gabbiadini
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      there is a thought that Watford gk is still undecided.

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    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They have both keepers from the same team

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      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Well many do, plus Foster could end up being first choice so a tempting bench fodder

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    3. TomSaints
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He's a cool guy, like he youtube channel.

      But it's a terrible idea, as so easy for him to lose 0.1m and he won't play.

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      1. Zio
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Does it matter if your 4.0 goalie drops in price? Very unlikely that it makes any difference apart from bragging rights on your team value.

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    4. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've got both Watford keepers and will keep all season so doesn't matter if he drops in price

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  18. Whazza
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Dean Smith has confirmed new signings Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia are available for selection against Watford, while Ollie Watkins will be assessed today.

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    1. Eleven Hag
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hate this guyz

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    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nice one Salah Bruno Barnes Buendia Raph is some midfield

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  19. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Steele, Chilwell, Bissouma
    B) Bachmann, Amartey, Sarr

    This means either set and forget with Sanchez with Steele back up or rotating pair with Bachmann. Also I know Chilwell likely to miss opening game but then ill have him then. I know his fixtures aren't great but they could still get clean sheets. Do I risk it or take on punt on Sarr instead?

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  20. Saint & Reevesy
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on which starting 11 scores most:

    A:

    Sanchez
    TAA - Tsimikas - Shaw
    Salah - Bruno - mahrez - benerama
    Ings - tony - Antonio

    B

    Sanchez
    Tsimikas - Shaw - Amartey
    Salah - Mane - Bruno - mahrez - benerama
    Ings - tony

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    1. Saint & Reevesy
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fail

      ESR instead of Mahrez in option B

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    2. Millie7
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B is far to unbalanced

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    3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A is my team except I have wilson instead of Antonio

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  21. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just filling the gaps:

    Brownhill the best 4.5 mid choice?

    Obefemi the best 4.5 forward choice? Heard he might be leaving.

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    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Scarlett and Gibbs White imo

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    2. Gabbiadini
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      gilmour, scarlett.

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  22. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which option;

    A. Mahrez Benrahma Raphinha
    B. Greenwood Barnes Toney (extra 0,5m in bank)

    Thanks

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  23. Deulofail
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What's up with Lukaku in the Draft game? Will we have to wait until GW2 to request him in the waiver?

    Don't want to have to try and come last in GW1 so I can get him.

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    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yeah pretty much, he'll be locked until GW2

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      1. Deulofail
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That's really annoying! We are doing our draft before the deadline tonight, so it would make sense to just include him for this use case.

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        1. Volley127
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeh pretty annoying. If you’re doing it with mates/people you can trust you could informally agree that whoever takes Keinan Davis (for example) is actually taking Lukaku and then no-one can submit a waiver for him next week. Not ideal but it’s a work around

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          1. Deulofail
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            That's a great idea, cheers. Yeah, it's just me and a friend, so we can definitely do that if we want

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    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hi mate! How are you?

      What happened to That draft league we entered a couple years back?

      We got promoted but it seemed to flop there after.... lol.

      Can’t help you on that Lukaku question, never played draft since that season we were in that league.

      How’s your team shaping up this year for fpl?

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      1. Deulofail
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hey! This is my first time trying it again, but only 2 of us, which could be really bad, or exciting in it's own way.

        I can't really remember the format of that league, but I liked the concept. It's just more fun to do it with: (a) people you know, and (b) people who don't drop out haha

        Still, if I were to design a fantasy game from scratch with no knowledge of other games, I think I'd likely come up with something like Draft. It seems like a more fun, pure kind of game.

        My team is funky, with 3 City mids and Kane on the bench! How about yours?

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  24. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any idea on how nailed Zouma is for GW1?

    He didn’t play the full 120 mins on Wednesday so I’m guessing he’s more nailed than Rudiger for example?

    Any thoughts/opinions appreciated!

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  25. WVA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are people seriously picking Toney over Buendia/Raphina?

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    1. Deulofail
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Is that crazy? (I have none of them)
      A lot has to do with 4.5 mids vs 4.5 forwards, I guess (I have none of them)

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      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        There are no good 4.5 mids or forwards.
        I think it is crazy, quality, proven players, playing for good attacking teams v a Brentford striker that has never played in the prem....

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      2. WVA
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Whats your team matey? None of them is interesting

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        1. Deulofail
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I agree that it doesn't make a lot of sense, all the talk of formation and structure is not for me. A 4.5 mid for 2.3PPG is not really worth factoring much into your decisions. But maybe I'm missing something. Here's my team:

          Bachmann
          Trent Tsmikas Shaw Tierney
          Mahrez Torres Jota(c) ESR
          Ings(v) Antonio

          Foster | Grealish, Kane, Ayling

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    2. Gabbiadini
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      got all three at the moment

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      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I've ditched Toney, the midfield options are incedible whereas the 6.5 striker options are not

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    3. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, nothing strange about that - all valid

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  26. Jonesfromthere
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Has Chilwell started training yet? Tempted by an Alonso punt

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  27. Miro
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why isn't Jamez in more drafts ? Those fixtures look tasty.

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    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      he wants to leave and unsure on how Rafa will set Everton up and if they will be attacking/play to his strengths

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  28. el polako
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Toney ahead of Vardy in captain pole really shows group thinking here.

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  29. Andrew
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Buendia availabe for selection, does this changes people's current plans?

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    1. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, he's in my team for ESR I think

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

      nope i think i'm ok with just Ings, need to see how they look with so many new signings before doubling up

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    3. Konstaapeli
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Got him in straight away.

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  30. AdamJ91
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone care to RTM? Think I'm settled on the majority of this team but who knows, plenty more hours left to tinker.

    Sanchez
    TAA, Shaw, Tsimikas
    Salah, Fernandez's, Greenwood, Raphinha
    Antonio, Toney, DCL

    (Foster, Gilmour, White, Ayling)

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