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. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    With Lukaku potentially out, there's a couple of options, which is best here:

    a) Lukaku ---> Ronaldo
    b) Lukaku ---> Kane
    c) Lukaku + Benrahma ---> De Bruyne + 7.4 FWD (-4)
    d) Lukaku + Benrahma ---> Havertz + Jesus (-4)

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely not A

    2. We Go Again
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm thinking B but Vardy is also tempting.

      I'll want Kane for GW12 onwards though so that might swing it for me to make the move early

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I want more consistency. One haul vs Newcastle doesn’t motivate that price tag.

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          This. Would much rather Son if Spurs aren’t going to create much. He only needs one shot to score

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

    WH away then United home and then Everton away? Seriously can't understand so much love for Kane

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

      Maybe Son instead

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

      The real love starts after them games but all 3 are leaky.

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      west ham and united have bad defensive numbers, Everton has so many injuries and then best fixtures afterwards.

      Vardy has Brentford and then Arsenal. Brentford has great defensive numbers and Arsenal defence has been getting better

  3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Will Saka start Friday, you think?

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

      Yes

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

      V Difficult as he didn't train today

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

      Arteta update tomorrow.

    4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Didn’t train today, personally think he’ll be on the bench but wait for the presser

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

    Which one option:

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

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

  5. Salah(c)
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku and jota > vardy and havertz -4

    Yay or nay?

    1. Athletico Underachieving
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Same question but with Grealish instead of Jota…I think it could pay off

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

    You can put this literally in one sentence

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

      Reply fail...

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

    So which Che def would you pick along Azpi on WC? Chilli it is?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      chilly or rudi

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

      TuchPep is in the house...

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        or Pepel

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

          Pepel is better 😀

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

    Excellent. Lukaku's twisted hoof means self-flagellation is off the menu for me on Saturday afternoon.

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

    Jesus didn’t train today, Mahrez will keep his place.

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

      Where did you read this?

      1. BRFC
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ederson and Jesus were not present at training today, probably just rested.

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

          That is not the answer to his question.

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

      Link?

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

      Please let this be true..

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

    Didn’t expect to be jumping on the Vardy party train…

    It looks very much on now. Maybe even (C)

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Brentford is the 4th best defence over the course of the season....

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

      Only Man City conceded fewer shots in the box than Brentford in the last 6. With the Lukaku/Brentford fail in mind, I'm not sure captaining a striker vs. Brentford is worth it...

  11. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start Jota or Livaramento?

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

      I'd either start or sell Jota. 7.5 is too much to bench week in and out. He has lost his place.

      1. Kasper the ghost keeper
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I would sell if I didn't have a Harvey Barnes sized problem to fix first

  12. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I have had 3 top 20k finishes, one inside the top 500, and I once played for Canvey Island.

    Expecting a call any day now...

    1. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      But you're not Ukrainian and therefore not 'exotic' enough for an article we all just scroll past and ignore. Always loved Dr. Feelgood though. 😎

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

    James to who for -4?

    (A) Azpi
    (B) Rudi
    (C) Chilwell

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

      Rudi

    2. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      Riludiger

    4. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry - why are you getting rid of James?

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

      What’s wrong with James?

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

      Why James out, let alone for -4

  14. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I own lukaku and saka.
    May take a -4 depending on injury report. Which is better?

    A) son & toney
    B) mbuemo & kane

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm going B

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hey same here see below. I won't take hit just do one at the time, A it is.

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

        I'll have Douglas Luiz as 1st sub, and also alonso head ache!

        May just take 1st hit of season and be done with it!

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ahh Alonso ... I've got Hwang to cover. Not too excited but acceptable.

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

      A by far IMO

  15. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ahh WC last week and two down already Lukaku* Saka* (albeit waiting for presser) ...
    A. Lukaku > Toney
    B. Saka > Raphinha
    C. Log off! Let the bench do the job.

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      wait till friday deadline

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Course, see above waiting for presser. The scenario is both out.

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

      Not sure how you think Toney is the best replacement for Luk

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Money to midfield the week after e.g. Son

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

          Yh makes more sense

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Ta!

  16. tommo1989
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is captaining Chilwell and having Salah vice madness? If Chilwell doesn’t play it’s probably quite unlikely he’ll be one of the three subbed on

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The problem is cameo ... you will curse yourself trying to be too clever

      1. tommo1989
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Hmm yeah maybe but Man Utd Liverpool is often pretty cagey so no guarantee Salah will get anything

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      sleep on it

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

      I’m thinking about this

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

    Ronaldo/Benrahma > Jesus/Son is tempting - If Jesus is fine

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

      im thinking lukaku/benny to firmino/son

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

        Could pay off

  18. putana
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Feels like the lukaku injury has really blown things wide open on options.

    A few forward possibilities and then also the option to put money into midfield

  19. Fish up a tree
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz essential?

    1. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No.... he's useless

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Only Salah and TAA are essential

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        *Only Salah is essential

  20. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On the FPL index it has Jiménez as #1 of all forwards in creativity. Has he looked that good this season?! Looking for a lukaku replacement!

  21. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Why would Chilwell & Azpi go off on 65 if it was not with Sat in mind?

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

      If James and Alonso needed match fitness for Saturday

      1. _Freddo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        You don't believe this re Alonso surely?

        He played through the International Break for Spain, he missed one game at the weekend for Chelsea, he's not losing fitness in the space of a few days.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Squad rotation, game already won and didn’t want to get more injuries, general game planning.

  22. Calculated Risks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    As someone who was planning to get on Lukaku for Norwich originally but no intention of getting him in this week after his poor form, it's a bit annoying him getting injured.
    Now everyone's gonna captain Salah

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

      Yeah, Salah 100% ownership and now probably 60%+ will captain him
      Even if you like say Vardy, it's brave to go against a 160%+ EO Salah in his form and vs. a terrible Man Utd defence

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

        Funnily enough I had earmarked Armstrong to Vardy this week as my transfer, feeling good not going the Lukaku route, so it's a bit of a double annoyance cos people will get Vardy in! Cest la vie

  23. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Didn't see Lukakus injury so is he defo out for wk end ye reckon?

    2nd time iv had BB lined up ffs. Last time it was Raphina who fooked it up for me.

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

      Tuchel comments certainly lean that way. But he himself says we’ll know more once assessed so Friday will be important

  24. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku Goatnaldo and Semedo to Cancelo Kane and Vardy -4?

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

      Love it

  25. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hi....who is the best lukaku replacement for this team please?

    Can't really see beyond vardy, with Armstrong to toney planned for next week

    Ramsdale
    Taa cancelo dias james (livra)
    Salah raphinha foden mbuemo (normann)
    Lukaku antonio (armstrong)

    Thanks

  26. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden + Lukaku -> Havertz + Vardy (-4)
    yay or nay?

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

      Just Kaku

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

      Lukaku only … don’t take the -4

  27. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Yuck Lukaka. Finally thought this weekend was your time!

    2FT :

    Lukaku + Sarr -> Kane + Mbeumo?

    Might be short term, but what do you think?

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Both good long term tbh

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'd give both (Kane and Mbeumo) one more week before buying..

  28. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Honestly considering Lukaku > Wilson. Someone talk me out of it.

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

      To bed with you. Get some sleep. You’ll feel more yourself in the morning.

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

      * SLAP *

  29. Max City
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Chilwell Alonso Livra
    Salah Townsend Gray Gallagher
    Antonio

    Subs:
    Foster Ronaldo ASM Sarr

    0 FT 0.0itb

    GTG?
    most probably the 1st bench will cover Chillwell/Alonso
    worst case is a cameo from Chillwell/Alonso
    are benches OK? (ASM ahead of Ronaldo, perhaps?)

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

    Benrahma to Mbueno for free?

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

      Yes