Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Haaland, Jesus and Neto score

Erling Haaland (£11.5m), Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) were amongst the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) names in action on Sunday as more pre-season friendlies were staged.

We’ve got all the goal, assist and line-up information you need in this latest Scout Notes article.

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.

READ MOREFriday scout notes: Darwin scores four off the bench

READ MOREThursday scout notes: Guardiola on Haaland’s fitness and “sharp” De Bruyne


ARSENAL 4-0 CHELSEA

  • Goals: Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Albert Sambi Lokonga
  • Assists: Granit Xhaka (x2), Gabriel Martinelli, Cedric

Match highlights

The early hours of Sunday morning brought mixed emotions for Arsenal and Chelsea fans after a hefty Gunners win in Orlando.

Early on, Gabriel Jesus scored his fourth goal of pre-season with a cool chip over Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) to send his ownership beyond 60%, before contributions from Martin Odegaard (£6.5m), Bukayo Saka (£8.0m) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (£4.5m).

Head coach Mikel Arteta handed a debut to Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m) at left-back, in the absence of Kieran Tierney (£5.0m), with Ben White (£4.5m) starting at right-back instead of Takehiro Tomiyasu (£4.5m).

It was another good display from young centre-back William Saliba (£4.5m), raising questions over which cheap Arsenal defender will be most nailed-on for starts.

“I am really pleased to see the way he is playing, the way he has adapted to the team, the maturity that he’s shown at 21 years old, carry on doing it. We will keep developing him, he has huge potential, he is already a top player and we have to make him even better.” – Mikel Arteta on William Saliba

In midfield, Gabriel Martinelli (£6.0m) continues to look exciting after a performance that brought one assist and a separate big chance creation, only to see Saka’s shot saved by Chelsea’s Mendy. Arteta says Jesus is fine after a first-half knock.

“Yeah he [Jesus] got a knock in the first half in his quad I think it was and it wasn’t very comfortable to continue and obviously we didn’t take any risks today.”

As for Thomas Tuchel’s side, Raheem Sterling (£10.0m) made his first start and there was a debut cameo for centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly (£5.5m). A back-four system was utilised here, although it’s still unknown whether this is Tuchel’s seasonal plan or just a tactic until more defenders get signed.

“The worrying part is that the level of commitment physically and mentally for this match was far higher for Arsenal than for us. I cannot guarantee we will be ready in two weeks. I saw today a team that had an idea of how to play to a level of physical commitment that we could not match, and also a level of mental commitment which we lack because we have a lot of players who think about leaving. I think this at the moment is obvious.” – Thomas Tuchel

FPL managers will be looking closely at how Chelsea’s final fortnight of pre-season develops, with Tuchel unhappy, at least one more centre-back needed and uncertainty over whether Reece James (£6.0m) will be a wing-back or full-back.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale (Turner 76′); White (Cedric 76′), Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Tavares 46′); Partey (Elneny 76′), Xhaka (Maitland-Niles 76′); Saka (Marquinhos 76′), Odegaard (Lokonga 76′), Martinelli (Pepe 76′); Jesus (Nketiah 57′)

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Mendy; James (Hudson-Odoi 73′), Chalobah (Sarr 44′), Thiago Silva (Koulibaly 73′), Emerson (Alonso 46′); Gallagher (Kovacic 46′), Jorginho, (Ampadu 73′), Mount (Ziyech 64′); Sterling (Pulisic 46′), Havertz (Batshuayi 64′), Werner (Azpilicueta 46′)


BAYERN MUNICH 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY

  • Goal: Erling Haaland
  • Assist: Jack Grealish

Match highlights

With Jesus, Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) and Harry Kane (£11.5m) amongst pre-season scorers, it’s only natural that Erling Haaland netted on his Manchester City debut. In the 12th minute, he slid home from six yards after a Jack Grealish (£7.0m) assist.

It headlined a stop-start night that revolved around heavy rain and lightning storms in the Green Bay area. After initially delaying the match, players were taken off the field immediately after Haaland’s goal before returning an hour later. As a result, the game was reduced to 40-minute halves.

The Norwegian forward already seems to have good chemistry with Grealish and he had the ball in the net a second time but it was harshly ruled out by the assistant referee.

“He’s good. He has to get better and I have to get better, but this is a good link-up and I like the vibe around him, so it’s going to be fun.” – Erling Haaland on Jack Grealish

Yet the main concern that FPL managers may have over Haaland is a potential easing-in period. It has already been suggested in The Athletic that Man City convinced him to sign because of a promise that he won’t be pushed to play when needing a rest. Judging from Pep Guardiola’s post-match words, he may not even start in Gameweek 1.

“The first minutes, he needs more rhythm and time but already he had 45 minutes which is good for him. We’ll see how he reacts to the niggles that he had in the previous weeks. After we come back we have long weeks to prepare every weekend game. In those two or three weeks we will get the best form.” – Pep Guariola on Erling Haaland’s match fitness

At the back, Guardiola opted to play the young Josh Wilson-Esbrand (£4.0m) at left-back rather than start Kyle Walker (£5.0m), which could deter managers who see Walker as a cheap alternative to Joao Cancelo (£7.0m). Especially if they do indeed sign Marc Cucurella (£5.0m) from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Furthermore, the absence of Phil Foden (£8.0m) on this USA trip meant that Riyad Mahrez (£8.0m) played 69 minutes here. Those going without Haaland in their initial FPL squad are surely assessing the credentials of both Mahrez and Grealish.

Man City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias (Walker 57′), Ake, Wilson-Esbrand (Lewis 81′); Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo (Phillips 69′); Mahrez (Palmer 69′), Haaland (Alvarez 41′), Grealish


BLACKPOOL 2-4 EVERTON

  • Goals: Vitalii Mykolenko, Tom Davies, Dele Alli (x2)
  • Assists: Nathan Patterson (x2), Salomon Rondon, Vitalii Mykolenko

Match highlights

Just days after a 4-0 defeat to Minnesota United, Everton found a way to overcome Blackpool thanks to a brace from Dele Alli (£5.5m).

He has a long way to go until gaining the FPL community’s trust but the attacking contributions of wing-backs Vitalii Mykolenko (£4.5m) and Nathan Patterson (£4.0m) could be of interest.

“A five can be seen as more defensive with more bodies behind the ball. At times you need that, depending on your opponent. But when you want to have the ball, the wing-backs – and the width they offer – are a huge part of what you are doing. I was really pleased with that today.” – Frank Lampard

The pair combined for the opening goal, before both added an assist later on. Conceding twice to Blackpool proves why Everton defenders hold very little appeal but Patterson, in particular, could be a shrewd purchase.

“He’s a good young player and just as I was about to give him an opportunity last year he got injured, so it’s great for me to be able to play him in these kind of games.” – Frank Lampard

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) and Demarai Gray (£5.5m) sat out the clash.

Everton XI (3-4-3): Pickford; Tarkowski (Price 80′), Godfrey (Keane 46′), Mina (Holgate 46′); Patterson (Warrington 80′), Doucoure (Welch 80′), Davies (Allan 72′), Mykolenko; Gordon (Mills 80′), Dele (Dobbin 85′), Rondon (Iwobi 61′)


BESIKTAS 0-3 WOLVES (SATURDAY)

  • Goals: Raul Jimenez, Daniel Podence, Pedro Neto
  • Assists: Rayan Ait-Nouri, Daniel Podence

Match highlights

WOLVES 1-2 VILLARREAL B (SUNDAY)

  • Goal: Yerson Mosquera
  • Assist: Connor Ronan

Bruno Lage fielded two separate line-ups over a pair of weekend meetings in Alicante. Saturday saw a strong XI comfortably beat Besiktas, whilst a largely under-21 team lost to Villarreal B the next day.

The Pedro Neto (£5.5m) bandwagon didn’t need any more fuel but he provided some anyway, scoring his second pre-season goal to make it 3-0. His cheap FPL price practically removes all interest in forward Raul Jimenez (£7.0m), despite the Mexican’s friendly price point allowing sideways transfers after Wolves face Leeds United (a) and Fulham (H).

Meanwhile, with Conor Coady (£5.0m) assigned to play in the second match, Lage once again opted for a four-man defence. Not that it restricted the attacking performance of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.5m).

Wolves XI vs Besiktas (4-2-3-1): Smith; Jonny (Lembikisa 86), Collins (Mosquera 86), Kilman (Coady 64), Ait-Nouri (Bueno 86); Neves (Griffiths 86), Moutinho (Ronan 86), Gibbs-White (Corbeanu 86); Podence (Hodge 86), Jimenez (Dendoncker 35), Neto (Cundle 77)

Wolves XI vs Villarreal B: Storer, Lembikisa, Mosquera, Coady, Boly, Bueno, Griffiths, Ronan, Hodge, Cundle, Corbeanu


ESTORIL 1-3 FULHAM

  • Goals: Aleksandar Mitrovic (x2), Joao Palhinha
  • Assists: Andreas Pereira, Harry Wilson, Aleksandar Mitrovic

Match highlights

Newly promoted Fulham concluded their pre-season tour of Portugal with a comfortable win over Estoril.

It was the Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.5m) show, with two corners headed home by the Serbian, before laying off a pass for Joao Palhinha‘s (£5.0m) long-range strike.

Considering a lot of the FPL community’s pre-release drafts included Mitrovic, he has seemingly been overlooked ever since Gabriel Jesus arrived at Arsenal and was priced generously. Just eight per cent have Mitrovic, although the opening fixture with Liverpool will have affected this.

What will excite managers is the set-piece duties of bargain midfielder Andreas Pereira (£4.5m). For the second time this week, his corner was nodded in by Mitrovic, although it should be noted that he is sharing these with Harry Wilson (£6.0m).

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha (Chalobah 74′), Reed (Francois 74′); Wilson, Decordova-Reid (Harris 74′), Pereira (Stansfield 66′); Mitrovic (Muniz 74′)


PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER


FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

759 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Anyone feel like Kulu is being overlooked? Was incredible last season and dont see Richarlison starting over him.

    1. seamusseamus
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yes

      1. Invincibles
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Glad it's not just me!

  2. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Happy with this:

    Ramsdale 4.0
    Van Dijk James Cancelo Aït-Nouri N.Williams
    Salah Luis Díaz Bruno Guimarães Neto Andreas
    Jesus Johnson Haaland

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Johnson > 4.5, Ait nouri > Dias?

      1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Food for thought. Don't fancy 4 defenders each week though & City dble up

        1. Invincibles
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Fair enough. Defenders offer the best value per £ in the game. I'm going with minimum 4 personally.

    2. Swahealy
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Start ait nouri take out cancelo, use funds to upgrade neto or Guimaraes to Mahrez 343 lovely

      1. NotNowKato
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Madness. It's like you're trolling

  3. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this team? Could downgrade Ederson to a 5.0 or 4.5 for some extra cash itb for a rainy day.

    Ederson
    TAA Cancelo James Dalot
    Salah Diaz Rashford Neto
    Haaland Jesus

    4.0 Williams Pereira Archer

    1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Dalot & Rashford out

    2. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Solid team.

    3. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I quite like it, currently have Trippier over Neco and Raya in goal, but I may wait or see who rotates witl with Delot 4.5/5.0

      1. Invincibles
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Ten Hag does not rate AWB. Think Dalot is nailed.

  4. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is going Salahless bad when it sets me up with 8 other premiums: Ederson, Cancelo, TAA, Robbo, VVD, Jesus, Kane, Haaland… still have £18.5m to split between 3x midfielders too.

    1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      3 LPool defenders?

      1. Kante FC
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yep they’ll get anywhere between 550-600 points for me easily and are all decent value.

        1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          seems to be 100+ pts more then this site is predicting.

          1. Kante FC
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            They all consistently score 175+ points with Trent and Robbo scoring closer to 200 more often than not so I fancy my chances with them.

    2. Who let Udogie out?
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Andreas+Mahrez+Martinelli for 18.5m

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Maths doesn't work out.

  5. Who let Udogie out?
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Will Bailey play regularly for Villa or is he just a cheap midfielder for the start of the season?

    1. THspuds
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      should be nailed as long as he keeps fit.

    2. Swahealy
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He'll start according to Stevie G and if he's anything like his form for Leverkusen he's a 7mill player easy

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Something we agree on

  6. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Does this Threemium have too many sacrifices?

    ALLISON
    Taa Dias TRIPPIER GABRIEL
    Salah Rashford MARTINELLI Neto
    KANE Haaland

    RAMSDALE
    Taa Dias ROBBO PERISIC
    Salah Rashford Neto
    Haaland JESUS MARTIAL

    Its essentially
    A. Allison Trips Gabriel Kane Martinelli
    B. Robbo Perisic Ramsdale Martial Jesus

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yes. Also, I'd say give yourself a 8m mid as so many good options at that price.

    2. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      No. A premium + an enabler can easily outscore two mid-prives players, which debunks the whole 'you can only captain one of them' argument

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Mid-priced*

  7. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Pick 1

    A Maddison
    B Mount
    C Martinelli

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Swahealy
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Maddison, everything goes through him in the middle, huts freekicks corners has been in form all year and first 3 fixtures are gr8 for him and vardy

    3. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

    4. Who let Udogie out?
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      C

  8. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Am I better off having Dalot as 5th defender or Bailey as 5th midfielder?

    Cheers.

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Bailey

  9. Who let Udogie out?
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Patterson is this season's Livramento/Lundstram/Wan Bissaka.

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Coleman will get minutes off him when he's fit

  10. Who let Udogie out?
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. KDB+Archer
    B. Haaland+Bailey

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Guessing one of them is bench fodder. A

  11. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I wish the season would start already so my team gets locked

  12. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    How does it look?

    Ederson
    TAA, Cancelo, Trippier, Cash
    Salah, Díaz, Bowen, Bruno Guimarães
    Haaland, Brennan Johnson

    Neco, Andreas, 4.5

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      v good.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Means a lot, many thanks!

  13. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A sa and neto
    b meslier and bruno g?

    Thank you

  14. Matjes_taet
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Fingers crossed the Spurs-game will be postponed. 🙂

    Sa
    TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, James
    Salah, Grealish, Saka, Maddison, Sancho
    Jimenez
    +bench-fodder

  15. Sharksamcocup
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. Concello + Bailey
    B. Foden + Neco

  16. navraj01
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    thoughts on this team 532

    ederson
    taa cancelo robertson tomiyasu james
    salah bruno guimaraes martinelli
    haaland jesus

  17. givvy predictions
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

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