New and old names are emerging for FPL
Stay for what is probably the most random thing to happen at half time
It’s early, there’s still loads of time - so obviously there are already player bandwagons rolling on the FPL Twitter (sorry, I just can’t say FPL X yet, it just sounds wrong). This week, I want to include some new players popping up, or popping back, and having a look at some interesting, riskier options. I’ll save the mega draft newsletter for just before kick off, but here are some interesting developments that you can consider as you’re drafting your team and coming up with a killer pun for your team name.
Have some good analysis? Have the best team name? Email me: fplislife@substack.com
The top Man City options
Yes, we’re here again, trying to outwit the Bald One and find a Man City player that Pep won’t inexplicably drop. The reason to bother trying is that City have great fixtures to start. They won’t give us much pre-season info, so the Community Shield will be our best look at them. Other than the obligatory Haaland, the price of Foden (£7.5m) has got a lot of people interested. Then there’s John Stones, who continues to be attacking. The decision there is whether Pep sticks with his hybrid role for Stones. Remember when we all had Cancelo? Before Stones, Cancelo was the defender moving into midfield, until Pep did his Free Jazz Football thing and changed system. There’s a risk he gets bored and changes it up again - he’s also trying to buy Gvardiol.
Netflix and Chilwell (again)
Yes, one of the great FPL team names may be reappearing in our mini leagues. That’s because Chilwell seems fit, Chelseas seem to be doing a decent job of sorting themselves out this summer, and the other full back option at Chelsea, Reece James, is a constant injury threat. Chilwell has given some quote about attacking that has got people very interested. A great option. Key question - do you think a new-look Chelsea will start well? They probably have the best fixtures over the first eight.
The forward slots are proving tough so far
One you’ve brought in You Know Who for the first Forward slot, there’s a lot of decisions to make. That is amplified by the fact that there are no cheap, playing striker options that you can safely park as third sub and play if necessary (if you’re playing a 3-5-2 formation). Jesus is popular, but we know that he usually underperforms his xG - ie, he should score more from the chances he gets. Watkins looks a good option again this season with Villa recruiting well. Then there is a big Chelsea issue - Nkunku is popular at £7.5m, though Nicolas Jackson has looked good at £7m, so we ned more Chelsea info. The curveballs - if any of Darwin and Gakpo at Liverpool, or João Pedro and Ferguson at Brighton emerge as nailed options, there will be big moves for them.
Highest scoring in the first eight Gameweeks
No, it’s not my crystal ball. It’s data from Fantasy Football Hub’s model - one of many now around (since I started FPL Is Life, AI modelling has really boomed). KdB has been struggling with an injury, but coming back. Interesting to see Son in there after a poor season last time. Anyone considering him? He will be a low-owned differential.
Watch to the end
I though this was the most effective ad I’d seen for a bit - watch to the end.
The keeper position seems pretty open
Another open position, but here are the main contenders. First off, Areola will be a lot of people’s second keeper. He may end up first choice at West Ham. Onana’s move to Man Utd makes him a cheap route into the Utd defence at £5m. Flekken will be popular at £4.5m if he emerges as the Brentford No1. Pickford looks a solid choice at the same price, as well as Leno at Fulham. Ramsdale is currently owned by 24% of teams. I find that odd. He uses up an Arsenal slot, and there are other great and underpriced Arsenal defenders out there (Gabriel, Zinchenko).
Good drafts - risk on/risk off
There’s a good, pre-season FPL run down here by two top managers who have very different styles. Their two drafts show a a high risk, high reward option (by @Lateriser12) and a safer, high-ownership option (by @Pras_FPL). They also show the big FPL choice for the start - Get Salah, or spread the funds. Salah is a great captain option in Gameweek 2, so an interesting choice.
Risk on - Enciso, Havertz, Wissa are all quite unpredictable as starters:
Risk off - a good Template guide here, though Pedro Porro is an attacking option:
Are we making the same Kane mistake?
Last season, Kane hummed along with a constant stream of returns. Yet no one is really talking about him again. That’s understandable given the transfer speculation - but could he be a good differential? His fixtures aren’t great, but it didn’t seem to matter who Spurs were playing last time. One to consider. Bayern Munich has put in a new bid, though it looks like Spurs won’t accept it.
Nothing weird here, just a hearse doing donuts
A Hearse is on the pitch, they think it’s all over… etc etc. Dunston FC is the club. You certainly don’t see this every day.
Please get in touch with any FPL dilemmas or general football internet gold. PS - I’m on Twitter here. Please help me grow FPL Is Life by sharing… thanks! Typos entirely deliberate, but thanks for pointing them out.