Pro Pundits

What are the best premium player ownership strategies in FPL?

Ex-FPL winner Simon March: How to avoid getting carried away with your GW1 picks

This season is starting to feel like a throwback to the good ol’ days of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) where there was a practical overabundance of viable premium options and every one felt like they were essential. Those were the days where titans such as Ronaldo, Henry, Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard and Drogba all walked the same patch of earth, each vying for a place in our team on their way to achieving FPL immortality.

Whether we’ll see the likes of those again time will tell but, with Spurs’ Harry Kane (£12.3m) and Son Heung-min (£10.1m), Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m), Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku (£11.5m), Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Sadio Mane (£11.9m) and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (£12.1m) and, soon, Cristiano Ronaldo all being options and all priced in double-figures, FPL managers will, once again, have some big decisions to make.

Premium-priced players, which for the purposes of this article will refer to players listed at £10.0m and above, are premium for a reason and, while they don’t necessarily guarantee the highest points or, in fact, points at all (I’m looking at you Bruno), they do tend to be the players who net big hauls with the greatest regularity, hence their popularity when it comes to captaincy.

Given that how we manage our premium player choices looks likely to be key to how our teams perform this season, this article will look at a few strategies FPL managers can consider when it comes to selecting the heavy-hitters.

How Many Premiums?

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 31?

Probably the most common tactic when it comes to premium players in FPL is to begin the season with two heavy-hitters and then, maybe, try and fit a third in there when your team value has increased or viable budget options emerge.

This strategy helps to avoid a potential overreliance on your heavy-hitters to perform week-in/week-out as the budget can still be spread throughout the squad. Typically, when we get into the realms of three or more premiums, the sacrifices in the squad become more evident and the importance of those heavy-hitters delivering increases.

That is not to say that the presence of premium players automatically weakens the rest of the squad. Every season is different and where you have an abundance of high-quality enabling players at relatively low cost, the inclusion of multiple heavy-hitters might not be too much of a negative at all. That is an assessment each of us will have to make, but rarely will a strategy involving heavy investment in the big-money assets avoid the need to make trade-offs entirely.

For me, given that you can only captain one player each week, more than two premiums (assuming they rotate reasonably well) feels somewhat inefficient and I tend to lean towards spreading the money throughout the squad in the hope that I can generate points from multiple sources. I’m a bit like Pep Guardiola is with midfielders when it comes to mid-priced FPL players; I’d fill my squad with them entirely if I could. I definitely don’t like being too dependent on a handful of premium assets to perform. However, this perspective is easier to say than to do, particularly when there are multiple heavy-hitters who you do not own, punishing you with huge scores each Gameweek.

All-In on Premiums

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM GAMEWEEK 3

741 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Any Reading fanes here?

    They've only gone and taken Drinkwater and Baba Rahman, and are trying to 'poach' Andy Carroll!!

    https://www.football365.com/news/transfer-deadline-day-live-james-mbappe-ronaldo-kounde

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      they should go for Wilshere as well!

  2. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone thinking to go Lukaku over Ronaldo until gw14 ??

    Chelsea fixtures are crazy from 7 to 14

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on Ronaldo's price.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah if he’s over 13m I don’t want him.

    2. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Not planning anything right now. All depends on ronaldos price amd how utd play.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      That's my plan.

    4. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I think also, Leeds were perfectly set up for United to batter and I've not been impressed with United in the next two games.

    5. Luke Chadwicks Left Peg
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If Ronaldo is 12.5 or above, I'm not sure he's worth the extra £1m given the respective fixtures.

    6. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If I was going for a premium forward right now that's what I'd do.

    7. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      then we wait for GW 7

    8. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If I were wildcarding, I would go with Ronny now, and migrate to Rommy.

      As Im not, I went with Rommy now because he fits better with long term planning over potential short term gain.

    9. FPL Bielsa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lukaku + 1m is better than Ronaldo in my view so I'm going with Rom, his medium term fixtures except MC home are excellent and he might even get one in that game.

      It helps that I don't particularly like Ronaldo but that's probably just the Leeds in me coming out !

  3. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    The more I give this time, the more I think I'm not going to execute my WC and will revert back to my original plan.

    1. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Though i am not doing good (980 k), which is only because of my poor decisions in captaincy and hit, i think team is pretty solid. No Real issues. Most importantly i am not sure my wildcard team gonna suddenly hit 100 points each and every week.

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Link your team in your profile mate.

  4. Ron_Swanson
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Another Norwich price reveal FFS!

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Actually, it's the club posting the tweets. Maybe United have the FPL tweet ready to go.

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        maybe, but you'd think FPL would just get it done if they know it. I doubt its high on the list of Man Utd's priorities

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

    Would you get Ronaldo at 14m? I wouldn’t.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

    2. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Is that his price???

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        No price just yet. I think I’d pay 12.5m. But he’s been 14m before, albeit as a midfielder.

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      13 tops. I'll just go Lukaku if he is more than that

    4. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Id get him at 15m

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Problem is he’ll score a lot less points as a forward

    5. Hiiler
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Probably wouldn't because I have 13,8 available funds after transfering Ings out.. 😛 But I doubt it will be 14. Most likely 12,5.

    6. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      why would he be 14?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I’ll answer your question if you answer mine.

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          For some patch otherwise no

    7. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He'll never be 14m. Salah was only priced at 13m after a 300 point season. I think they've stopped making players go over 13m

    8. Fake Prince
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      14???????
      He is 36

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        So what? I don’t think I’ll ever understand this point.

        1. Fake Prince
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          whats there to understand? He is 36 - why are you making him 14?

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            I’m not making him 14.
            If he was 65 or 25 years old and has been playing like he has, what’s the difference?

            1. OverTinker
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 7 months ago

              Perhaps he wants to say he can't be a 14 year old now 😀

              1. Rupert The Horse
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                2 years, 7 months ago

                I dunno. 29 goals in 33 last season plus winner of the golden boot at the Euros. Weird how people are looking at his birth certificate rather than his performances all of a sudden.

                1. OverTinker
                  • 5 Years
                  2 years, 7 months ago

                  Plus he wants to achieve more and more

                2. Dr. Rog
                  • 14 Years
                  2 years, 7 months ago

                  age isnt so relevant for him - his fitness levels are still better than most PL footballers.

    9. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      No

    10. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Not interested until GW14 and wouldn't pay more than 13.

  6. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    I wonder if those setting the FPL prices look at the comments on here.

    "I wouldn't pay more than 12.5 / 13m for him"

    Okay, let's make him 13.5 to toy with their emotions.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Mark is drip feeding the information

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

        Depends if his WC draft can't afford him at 13 ha

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Honestly only idiots would get him at that price then.

      1. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        plenty of Man Utd supporters around

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          I'm a United supporter as well

      2. Pratik
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        You never know. If he was banging in goals very consistently, 13 might still be doable. Just means you drop him as soon as fixtures get worse.

        The lampard/gerrard/ronaldo trio were all 12M or similar at that time, and people sacrificed their entire team to build around those these three.

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

    "Shirt Sales would cover Ronaldo's transfer fee" - NO, it doesn't work that way.

    https://youtu.be/n3QwQQwRq9c

    1. SkyByBo
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on the deal they have with the manufacturer doesn't it, plus his transfer fees were pretty minimal, so they might well cover it in sales.

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Its the wages in this case

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

        Most clubs would have a deal where they get 5-10% of the profits.
        ( Profits, not revenue, which is generally quoted)

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      thanks for the share. But hardly anyone will read this and they will keep on saying that

  8. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    which scores better over the season?

    A) 4.5m mid & Ronaldo
    B) Son & 7.5m striker (Wilson/Jimmy)

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ronaldo alone

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

      B quite easily IMO

  9. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Ronaldo 11,8M in the Sky game. How is that likely to correlate to FPL?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      11.8? That's a weird price. Is that normal in the Sky game?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Got it off a retweet. Can't verify it, and I don't play that game.

        I expect the official reveal very soon though.

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

          He's priced the same as Kane and Salah in the Telegraph game. (7m)

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          They're saying on Sky Lukaku is 11.3, and Salah 11.9. It does suggest same price on FPL as Salah.

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

      I would think Ronaldo at 11.5 same as Lukaku

    3. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ronaldo will be 12.5 or 13

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

    United are a big set piece threat again with Ronaldo, Varane, and Maguire! Such joy!

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      It's also about how much they concede. With Fred still operating and Ronaldo unlikely to track back that team already has 2 less.

  11. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Football Intelligence Unit
    @unit_football
    ·

    Apparently Duje Caleta Carr told his agent “why would I want to live there” after looking at google images of Wolverhampton.

    Oh dear. You can see his point, though!

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      What does it even mean?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        The player not signing, or the beauty of Wolverhampton?

  12. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Sanchez foster
    Taa shaw dier tsimi ayling
    Salah raphinha bruno benrahma greenwood
    Antonio ings obafemi

    0.9 itb 1ft

    Ings to dcl ?

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

      DLC or Bamford.

      1. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I am not sure either, would need more info on DCL's injury, both have great fixtures moving forward.

  13. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Are most going to be getting rid of Bruno to free up funds for Ronaldo?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on CR7 price

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I am

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    4. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Imagine if Bruno keeps pens because of his 95% success rate, and he becomes even better option when everyone has sold him.

      1. jackruet
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        No matter how success rate bruno has, ronaldo will be the only one penalty taker. Bruno - who? When cr7 was already famous, bruno was may be a school boy

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

      I will if he’s priced appropriately

    6. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Bruno has dropped form, and with the arrival of Ronaldo, though unconfirmed will also likely lose penalties.

      Ronaldo has more appeal than Bruno.

      1. Hiiler
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I was going to drop Fernandes for Ronaldo as soon as I heard that Ronaldo chose Man United. Although Fernandes form drop makes this decision easier. Risky still , but easier.

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

          do you have Greenwood?

      2. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        didnt he score a hattrick like week ago

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          🙂 He did. The mob is fickle

  14. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Salah > Jota
    Bruno > Greenwood/Torres

    would allow forward line of Lukaku - Ronald - Antonio in 343 formation.

    Could it be worth it?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Salah is someone I consider untouchable but its not outrageous I suppose, subject to Bobbys injury news

    2. pakornk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      why woud you drop Salah?

  15. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    when will the new members area be completed from beta? been like months now no?

  16. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Up to 8.0 midfielder of choice to fund Ronaldo?

    A. Grealish
    B. Torres
    C. Raphinha
    D. Jota (-4)
    E. Other?