After plenty of tinkering over the past few weeks we’ve finally come up with our first draft for the FPL Updates XI. There’s still quite a bit of time before the new season starts, so I’m sure there will be plenty of changes. Pre-Season is in full flow and it’s no doubt giving managers second thoughts about who they have and don’t have but I try not to pay too much attention.
I’ve opted for a 4-4-2 formation and a dirt cheap bench of £17.0m. The best premium options to take the armband seem to be in the midfield and I’ve gone for 2 at this moment leaving out a premium striker. I’ve decided to invest heavily in defence looking for both clean sheets and attacking returns. I can’t see this formation changing all too much.
Pope – I’ve decided to opt for a cheap set and forget rotation pair (£4.5m & £4.0m) to save some money for elsewhere and avoid points being benched. Pope looks like he’ll be Burnley’s number 1 this season after signing a new contract and their long term fixtures are good. I expect a much better Burnley side at the start of this season with no Europa League to distract their pre-season.
Alexander-Arnold & Robertson – The Liverpool defensive duo served FPL managers so well last seasons and they’ve received a deserved price bump but I feel their price is totally justifiable. Their attacking distribution is what edges for me over VVD and I feel both are nailed for the start of the season. Liverpool’s fixtures are solid for the first 8 gameweeks and even when a clean sheet isn’t on the cards they still somehow muster a return.
Digne – The Everton left back is in the side for his assist potential and his underlying stats are not to be ignored. Combined with that he only faces 2 teams from the ‘big six’ in his opening 14 games. Coleman at £0.5m cheaper is an option but I’m on the Frenchman at the moment.
Zinchenko – With the uncertainty of Mendy’s fitness and a couple of poor performances from the re-signing of Angelino during pre-season Zinchenko looks set to be the number 1 left back for the first few gameweeks. The De Bruyne look alike saves £1.0m from Laporte but he’s more of a short term option with plenty of options in and around that price region. The City defence looks a very safe bet especially with their opening fixtures.
Salah – A Liverpool attacker looks essential for the start of the season with their favourable fixtures. Salah’s had a later holiday in comparison to the majority of Liverpool team mates due to his AFCON commitments but will be fit and ready for GW1 against Norwich. He’s a prime candidate for captaincy in a number of the first 8 gameweeks.
Sterling – After a full summer off, Raheem is fully rested to defend the Premier League. There’s been plenty of toing and froing between Sterling and his cheaper counterpart KDB but at the moment I prefer the former due to his consistency and I feel more comfortable giving him the armband.
Sigurdsson – Everton’s talisman gets a spot in the first draft with his favourable fixtures making him a potential long stay in the side. Siggy had his best FPL season last year and his Everton side finished the season in great form. Set-pieces are also an added bonus.
Moura – Tottenham’s Champions League hero gets a place in the side with their tasty opening home games. Son is also suspended for the first 2 gameweeks which should solidify his spot until then at least. There’s plenty of options in that region and Fraser is a candidate for this spot at the same price,
King – A Bournemouth attacking asset looks a good bet for the start of the season with their first 2 games being against promoted teams. A £1.5m saving is the main reason for why I’ve opted for him over Wilson. His stats aren’t quite as good but it’s a big saving and he’s also on penalties.
Jota – Wolves Portuguese attacker is no longer an OOP player after he’s been changed to a forward. At £6.5m he saves the side £1.0m over Jimenez. Wolves will have Europa League commitments before and at the start of the season and it looks like they’re eyeing up a new striker as their squad is rather thin. Once I’ve gathered all the info and see how their players fare in their Europa League games I’ll make a final decision on Diogo.
Button – The bargain bucket price of £4.0m is the reason for his inclusion as I plan a set and forget keeper pairing.
Gibson – At £4.0m the Burnley centre back looks the pick of the bunch. With the potential departure of Tarkowski he may step into this role alongside Ben Mee. However, it’s not essential as he’s likely to sit on the bench for most gameweeks.
Dendoncker – The Wolves midfielder was nailed in the Wolves side during the back end of last season. A 2 pointer a week is what I’m looking for but the odd attacking return wouldn’t hurt in case he’s needed to step in
Greenwood – Manchester United’s 17 year old youth prospect has impressed over pre-season and has been highly praised by his manager. The £4.5m forward looks the best of a bad bunch but has the potential to be a bargain.
Written by FPL Junior (@FPL_Junior)
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You have Heaton in goal not Pope.