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

    Was set on Ronaldo to Lukaku but what now?

    A. Keep Ronaldo for 1 more week and save transfer
    B. Ronaldo to Vardy
    C. Ronaldo to Kane

    Still got Wildcard to play

    Thanks

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Many have switched to vardy I think.

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

      I'd go Kane or Vardy I guess.

      At least you don't have Lukaku. That's a way worse spot.

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. Gross injustice
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      no point keeping the transfer if you have the wc may as well attack

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku > Ronaldo -16?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      you on a -12 as of now steve?

  3. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Gilmour + Lukaku to Son + Hwang

    Meh?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks decent.

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

      DEFINITELY

  4. MountainBeach
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I'm such a fool for making the early transfer being tempted by price rises/falls. Did Ronaldo to Lukaku earlier this week. Been playing this game for a while too. Sigh.

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

      Yep. Tough to have sympathy really.

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

      People get so obsessed with price changes.. It doesn't matter that much. Early transfers in a champs league week is especially daft. Get well soon

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

        lmao yeah...really silly on my part. Would you do Lukaku to Kane/Vardy for a hit?

  5. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I can do Benrahma > Havertz for free and then bench Lukaku.

    I'll likely do that.

    Seems good to me - need to stop freaking and taking hits, cost me Son's points and -4 last week.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think you're right. I vowed not to make hasty premium transfers this season, and I have bench players who can play. My gut is saying I should roll the transfer and reassess next week with 2 FT.

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I would just sell Lukaku, it’s the most pressing and the biggest value on your bench

      Benrahma isn’t even injured ? yet 🙂

  6. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Why jimenez becnh at Villa game…?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      played international football not long before so flew half-way across the world.

      so very much most likely just minutes management.

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Late back from national team duty

    3. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rested after internationals I think

  7. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku to vardy and capt him?
    Also will chilwell start this weekend?

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

      Yes a hundred percent a million thousand certainty maximum knowledge reassurance ok you're good

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

    Rahpinha going up in price today?
    On the cusp and would appreciate another day to make moves

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      FFFix don't have him rising tonight. Their price rise accuracy is 98.8%. I'm hoping they are right and fplstatistics have it wrong.

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yep. Been hovering for a couple of days so wouldn't surprise.
        Would be more annoyed if he does rise so will make the move. Seems if it's not today it will be tomorrow.

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

      He’s been on 100 for 11 days.

  9. x.jim.x
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Seems excessive but

    Lukaku, Jota, Saka, Alonso —> Vardy, Havertz, Raphinha, Chilwell

    -8 anyone?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      it's a yes from me

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

      Yes also from me

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Excessive.

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Out of curiosity, do you have Ronaldo alongside these in your team?

      1. x.jim.x
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yep, it was his head on the chopping block until big Rom saved him. Would have probably got Mahrez over Havertz in that case.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ahh ok then cool. I 'm even dbating a huge -16! Really change things up

    5. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yaaaay

  10. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So, champs league has thrown up some injuries.....

    If you had to do a wc team what would you do?

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Raya Foster
      Chilwell TAA Cancelo Livra 4.5
      Salah Son Raphinha Mbeumo Brownhill
      Jimenez Toney Vardy

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I like....not far off my self

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I can get to this in a -8 and it's pretty close to what I'd want on a WC...

      Ramsdale, Foster
      Dias, Cancelo, Azpi, Livramento, Duffy
      Salah, Mane/KDB, Havertz, Raphinha
      Antonio, Jimenez, Toney

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Havertz the last man standing for Chelsea?

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

      avoid chelsea attack
      plan ahead for coming fixtures so one of kane or son

  11. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Luk to vardy
    And traore to havertz for -4?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Probably just Lukaku out for free and deal with Traore next week.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        But it would mean i dont have any chelsea cover..

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          That's OK.

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        yep take the hit

  12. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Some thoughts here? I got Armstrong for this run now but then he gets benched, don't really want to get rid but might have to.

    2FT and 0.2 ITB.

    Sanchez
    TAA Rudiger Christensen
    Salah Jota Raphinha Greenwood
    Ronaldo Antonio Armstrong

    (Steele Livramento White Gilmour)

    A) Jota/Greenwood to Everton mid
    B) Gilmour to Allan
    C) A + Armstrong to Toney
    D) A + Gilmour to Mbuemo
    E) Something else

  13. MountainBeach
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you do Lukaku to Vardy/Kane for a hit?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Depends who you have coming on for him if you hold.

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

        Bench is Coady, Allan, Williams.
        Got a possibly injured Saka in the team too

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          A hit may be necessary tbf, Vardy out of the two for me.

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

            Yeah, I made a really really mistake by doing Ronaldo to Lukaku early in the week being tempted by price rises. Sigh. Oh well, won't make the same mistake again. Also, Kane's fixtures look really good from GW 12 onwards. Would it make sense to just get him in now and save the transfer?

            1. waldo666
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              I'd go for the form player myself, Kane only just scored his first goal of the season.

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Who would you be playing if you don't take the hit?

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

        Bench is Coady, Allan, Williams.
        Got a possibly injured Saka in the team too.

        1. BeWater
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Take the hit.

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

            Cheers. Kane or Vardy?

            1. BeWater
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Not sure. I'm considering both myself. Going to need to think about it. I probably prefer Kane.

  14. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    It’s between vardy or Kane… really struggling

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

    2. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

      Kane scored once all season

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

      I’m doing Vardy now for his better form and fixtures … then will decide GW12 ish if I go from him to Kane for his fixture change … so basically Kane has three weeks to convince me.

  15. GS456
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Lukaku > Toney
    Benrahma > Son
    (-4)

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

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah Foden Mbeumo Raphinha
    Lukaku Antonio Jimenez

    Foster Livramento Duffy Brownhill

    1FT, 0.4 itb

    1. Toney
    2. Vardy
    3. Kane

    Thanks

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

      Lukaku >>

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

        Kane

    2. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

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

      We did Foden together. Let's join the Kane Train
      whu MUN continue to concede and fixtures post this look tasty

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

        At first I thought yep definitely Kane but really like Toney, then maybe Antonio to Vardy in a couple of weeks, leaves enough for Foden >> Son GW12 ?!

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Solid planning and makes sense
          I’ll look at Armstrong to Toney next week if he’s benched again

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

            Spoilt for choice

  17. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Presuming Saka out.

    Saka + Lukaku >

    Son +

    A) inheanacho
    B) Edouard
    C) Watkins

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

      I like B here

  18. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chris Wood to Ivan Toney?? Frees up the exact money to do Alonso to Cancelo next week??

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

      Yes

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

    Think going to end up on this team for a hit - look ok to go? Havertz Chilwell Kane in.

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Chilwell
    Salah (c) Havertz Raphinha Mbeumo Benrahma
    Kane Antonio

    Foster Livramento Semedo Scarlett

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      So sure chilwell gonna start?

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

        Yes I am. Came off after 62 minutes- plays Norwich and Alonso plays midweek cup game

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

          Reckon James starts v NOR?

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

            Not sure- Azpilicueta coming off early casts some doubt on that. And still building up fitness

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

              Rest Azpi please or play him in the back 3, pray for James

  20. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which one?

    A)
    Sanchez
    Christensen / Rudiger / Semedo
    KDB / Salah / Son / Raphinha / Gray
    Vardy / Toney

    B)
    Sanchez
    Christensen / Rudiger / Livramento
    KDB / Salah / Son / Raphinha
    Vardy / Toney / ASM

  21. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Just did Ronaldo -> Toney and got 7M itb… Dont really see value in premium forwards today, unlike Toney who is playing well and has very nice fixtures (and he might rise today). Only premium forward I was looking was Vardy, but Getting Toney now @6.4M seems right

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      agreed, brentford really have impressed me this season so far.

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

    Would Mount not be a good pick this week? Everyone rather Havertz.

    1. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Havertz will play striker. Prefer him over Mount

  23. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which 3 to bring in for a -4?

    1. Son, Havertz, Toney (1.4M ITB)
    2. De Bruyne, Mount, Toney (0.3M ITB)
    3. De Bruyne, Havertz, Broja (1.0M ITB)

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

      One with Toney

    2. Gross injustice
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      2

  24. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sell Lukaku or start Armstrong/Livra

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

      start one of*

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

      I’m selling. Can’t trust Armstrong to start and early kickoff unlikely to find out
      Livra perfect backup for other fires

  25. Gross injustice
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A Werner to Vardy
    B Werner and Saka to Vardy and Havertz -4
    C Werner and saka to Ronaldo and Havertz -4
    D Do nothing and roll the transfer

  26. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or Son?