Interview

Meet the Manager: Ex-pro footballer with two top 5k FPL ranks talks Gameweek 9

Joe chats to another Fantasy Premier League (FPL) veteran with a strong track record in the game in his long-running series.

Former Ukrainian league footballer Vanya Guchev has played at youth and professional level and is still a semi-pro in his home city of Kharkiv.

Midfielder Vanya, who once turned down an offer to join Champions League regulars Shakhtar Donetsk, was a professional at Gelios Kharkiv and an academy player at Metalist Kharkiv. He still plays semi-pro for Brightgrove, also in Ukraine, and his footballing idols include Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

Vanya also happens to be very good at Fantasy Premier League management.

Over his ten-year career, he’s had two top 5k finishes, including one within the top 2,000, and has only finished outside the top 100k once.

This season he could be set for another strong finish, going into Gameweek 9 sitting inside the top 4k.

With his experience as a player and skill as an FPL manager, he arguably has a unique perspective on the game, which he has put to good use to identify the Premier League’s most ‘efficient players’.

He chats to Joe about why some players have not impressed him and why others have become essential picks, due to their ability to conjure up big chances, going on to discuss his plans for Gameweek 9 and beyond.

Their chat takes in issues around hits, captaincy and risk. It was recorded on Monday 19 October, just ahead of Gameweek 8’s final match, between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

596 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chilwell injured?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Just a rest

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rested?

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

        Means Alonso won't start vs Norwich then..?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I expect it will be Chilwell

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

    Toney or Jimi?

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

      have Mbeumo

  3. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    ‘ In addition, his faith in Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) as a captain is also revealed ’

    Sure that’s changed now..

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

      How long could he be out? any wild guess?

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        3/4 weeks with a rolled ankle

      2. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Depends on the grade of the injury

  4. Devos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku and Benrahma to
    a) Vardy and Mount (-4)
    b) Auba and Havertz (-4)
    c) other combo worth 18.1

    or just Lukaku to
    d) Vardy
    e) Auba

  5. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Will Greenwood start at the weekend?

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

      Yes. Only front 4 spot depends on Rahsford/Pogba/Sancho off the left.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Retired from rugby a long time ago

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I see what you did there.

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

    Perfect picture for the article!

  7. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    (C)hilwell (NOR) this weekend?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure if he starts

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Would have Alonso (vc)

  8. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    James to start?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Should do

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mibbes ayes mibbes naw …. One would think so though.

  9. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    If Lukaku is out, thinking about WC - thoughts?

    Sanchez/Steele
    TAA/Cancelo/James/Duffy/Tsim
    Salah/Foden/Benrahma/Sarr/Raphinha
    Lukaku/Antonio/Scarlet

    Would make like 10 changes here.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Got me thinking now

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      10 changes is always a WC.

    3. Ginola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Go for it.

  10. F4L
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Please let United draw PSG in the round of 16

  11. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Did a fan just try to attack Ronaldo?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No … not attack … think he wanted a cuddle.

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

      Pulling him for a quick pic.

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Wanted his shirt I guess...

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Probably. Looked a bit angry though.

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ben Foster with his GoPro?

  12. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku to:

    A) Toney (own Mbeumo)
    B) Kane
    C) Daka
    D) Auba
    E) Other

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Edouard

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Toney and bank the cash

  13. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Ronaldo > Kane
    B) Ronaldo,Sissoko > Toney,Son(-4)
    C) Save FT

    Sanchez
    Tierney TAA Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Raphinha Mbuemo
    Ronaldo Jiminez Antonio

    steele, gray semedo sissoko

  14. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which from:

    A) Auba (AVL) -4
    B) Sissoko (eve)
    C) Duffy (MCI)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A looks better still

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Auba

  15. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ole In! Tactical masterclass yet again.

    1. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      They should extend his contract another 5 years!

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      ...

  16. as33
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would u sell Ronaldo?

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

      Not sure, can see him scoring against Liverpool

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Would you?!

  17. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku to firmino??

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

      Vardy?

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If 4 chairs turn would you do it?

  18. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Can’t see anyone beating Bayern to the trophy this season.

    1. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Master class ole might..

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ole will somehow still bottle the group

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          The man is better than his mentor for sure

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

      They always look nearly unstoppable in the group stages and then kinda "choke" in the knockouts

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        His incredible tactics will overcome all

  19. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any drama's tonight?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Scott and Bailey just started on ITV 3

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Any good?

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Not my thing, but Endeavour before was quality as always and like an old Poirot too.

  20. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    vardy and bernardo in for lukuku and saka, yay or nay?

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

      Why the love for Bernardo?

      1. timawflowers
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        think hes in great form

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me

  21. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Am I missing something more transfers in for Sanchez than mcarthy assume people think save points over cleansheets next 2 gameweeks?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If they think that they are going to be disappointed... Sanchez doesn't do save points. But people are just looking at who did good last GW without looking at the fixtures coming up.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yeh seems odd given city snd Liverpool next so I am thinking of getting rid for mcarthy

  22. GE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Wildcard-time? Or just use a FT or take a hit somewhere?

    (1FT, 0.1 itb)

    Sanchez
    TAA/Cancelo/Shaw
    Salah/Greenwood/Benrahma/Saka
    Ronaldo/Antonio/ASM

    Bench: Steele, White, Gilmour, Williams

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If you had Kaku I would have said yes

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

        Vardy?

  23. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I take it Daka didnt do enough to oust Vardy. Still waiting for that

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Pfff.. 4 goals? That's way too easy, Vardy does that in his sleep.

    2. Kante Touch This
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not Vardy, but could he oust Nacho?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Doubt it, Vardy and Daka cover the same position

  24. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Did Chilwell come off? What minute?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      66

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks!

  25. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso…..

    A Keep
    B Transfer to James
    C Transfer to Chilwell

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

    3. kusasi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

  26. Auba Xhaka Laca Saka Laca
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku to Vardy or Kane? Alonso to James?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why swap Alonso? Good chance he'll start this week with all the injuries

  27. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I'm 75% sure Alonso starts over Chilwell this weekend. Who's with me?

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why take chillwell off then ?

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Was more confident before Chilwell was subbed after 66 minutes mate (Alonso owner)

    3. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso plays in the Carabou Cup next midweek, Chilwell starts at the weekend

      1. BrockLanders
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Good chance Alonso may play with all these injuries

    4. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’m not - Alonso probably starts vs Southampton next Tuesday in Carabao cup

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

      Fact he came off on 62 minutes makes me think Chilwell gets Norwich and Alonso the Caribou cup game

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell is first choice now
      Early sub practically confirms him starting this weekend

  28. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Wtf happened to Lukaku. Didn't watch the game. Just saw he went off. Are we all getting rid now?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rolled ankle, can’t see him being fit for 2-3 weeks minimum

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ankle knock … looked like he rolled it. Mass selling has started already …. Despite no diagnosis ….. and Werner went off injured to … hammy apparently …

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Got clattered winning a penalty. Ankle knock but probably out for the weekend at a minimum. Wait for news of course.

  29. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    6 goals in 8 matches for ronaldo. 1 sub appearance. But he is flop according to fpl managers.

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He is.

  30. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Play livramento or get kane for a hit for kaku

    1. kusasi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm doing both ...