How the premium players have fared in FPL so far, and what to do with them going forward
Alexandre
Lacazette – £10.4 – TSB 13.9%
INFORMATION
- Made
an instant impact, registering 1 goal in GW1, as well as taking 3 shots and
creating 3 chances.
- Since
then, he has been almost invisible, registering 0 shots in GW2, before getting
benched in GW3.
- However,
a return to the starting line-up in GW4 is likely.
- Extremely
favourable fixtures, and a proven goal scorer who is capable of finding
dominating the Premier League, as highlighted by his GW1 performance.
VERDICT
- Buy. Despite Arsenal’s poor form and being benched in GW3, Lacazette is too lethal a striker not to be on the score sheet numerous times in the coming GWs.
Mesut
Özil – £9.5 – TSB 2.3%
INFORMATION
- Has
been heavily criticised for his work rate in the opening 3 GWs.
- Despite
this though, he is currently the league’s most prolific shot assister (1 every
22.5 mins), and has also fired off an acceptable amount of shots (1 every 38.6
mins).
- Has
extremely favourable fixtures coming up.
VERDICT
- Avoid.
Despite the great fixtures, there are far better midfield options elsewhere.
- If you own him though, you may as well keep, and use your transfers to fix up other areas of
your team.
Alexis
Sanchez – £11.9 – TSB 2.4%
INFORMATION
- Returned
from injury last GW and could do nothing to prevent his side falling 4-0 to
Liverpool.
- The subject
of one of the most infamous transfer sagas in recent history.
- After
his move to Manchester City fell through, he feels betrayed by Arsenal and does
not want to play for them again.
- Recently
picked up an ankle injury on international duty, where he was also labelled as
“too fat.”
VERDICT
- Despite
the extremely favourable fixtures, avoid for the time being. There is currently
too much uncertainty around his game time and attitude.
- However, he could very
quickly become essential if he returns to Arsenal with a point to prove.
Really, it will all come down to his attitude.
Alvaro
Morata – £10.1 – TSB 13.1%
INFORMATION
- The
first player in Premier League history to score and assist in his first 2 home
appearances.
- Impressive
stats so far – 1 shot every 20.7 minutes, and 1 chance created every 37.2 minutes.
- A
mixed bag of fixtures coming up.
- The
return of Hazard should boost his appeal.
VERDICT
- Buy.
A classy player, capable of steady returns, and possessing explosive potential.
At just £10.1, what’s not to like?
Eden
Hazard – £10.5 – TSB 1.5%
INFORMATION
- Arguably
the most dangerous attacker in the Premier League, with 16 goals, 9 assists and
33 bonus points last season.
- As nailed on as you can get, although rotation may come into play around Christmas.
- Despite
the arrival of Morata, will most likely be Chelsea’s first choice penalty taker.
- Made
two appearances for Belgium during the international break, including 1 goal in
a 90 minute performance against Gibraltar.
VERDICT
- Buy.
When he returns, everyone will want him, so bring him in whilst he’s still a
differential.
Marcos
Alonso – £7.1 – TSB 20.3%
INFORMATION
- Bounced
back from his 0 point GW1 return with a 16 point brace in GW2, then 6 points in
GW3.
- Has
a shot frequency higher than a number of prominent midfielders – 1 every 33.75
minutes.
- On
direct- free-kick duty.
- Has
a mixed bag of fixtures coming up.
VERDICT
- If you have him,
keep.
- If you don’t however, we advise that you try to make space in your team
for Alonso, before his price rises any further.
Sadio
Mane – £9.6 – TSB 29.7%
INFORMATION
- Has
started the season superbly, with 3 goals in the first 3 GWs.
- Registered
a shot frequency of 1 every 25.3 mins, which is excellent.
- However, his
creative stats are not impressive, only creating a chance every 84.3 minutes.
- Despite
these returns, he is yet to pick up a bonus point.
- With
Liverpool’s plethora of attacking options, Mane could also be a rotation risk on occasion.
VERDICT
- For
owners, keep.
- If
you don’t own Mane though, bringing in Salah or Firmino is suggested, as they offer
similar if not better returns, for a lesser price.
Sergio
Aguero – £11.5 – TSB 10.8%
INFORMATION
- Despite
his goal scoring record, Guardiola continues to restrict Aguero’s minutes.
- When
he plays, he’s one of, if not the most dangerous player on the park.
- This
season, has played 196 minutes, scoring 1 goal and averaging 1 shot and 1 shot
assist every 32 minutes.
- He
was not used by Argentina during the international break, so he will be fresh
if Guardiola looks to freshen up his team.
VERDICT
- Sell.
£11.5 is too much to pay for a player who is not a guaranteed starter.
Gabriel
Jesus– £10.4 – TSB 8.2%
INFORMATION
- Despite
no goal vs Brighton in GW1, he was outstanding, and could have had a hat-trick.
- His
momentum was then cut short by Guardiola who substituted him at half-time in
GW2.
- In
GW3, he was not quite at the same level as his GW1 performance, but found the
back of the net.
- Seems
to be Guardiola’s favoured striker.
- A
role up front by himself will boost his appeal as he will not be competing for
the ball with Aguero.
- Has
registered a shot every 22.6 minutes this season, ranking him 5th
among all forwards.
- City’s
first choice penalty taker.
VERDICT
- If
you own him, keep. He has shown signs that he will begin to register more FPL
points in the coming weeks.
- If you don’t own him however, there is no rush to
get him in, with other players far more essential.
Kevin
De Bruyne – £9.9 – TSB 18.7%
INFORMATION:
- The
biggest disappointment over the first 3 GWs.
- Guardiola
has deployed De Bruyne in the deep-lying playmaker role, significantly limiting
his attacking output.
- Yet
to register a shot inside the box so far this season, and has only created 1
big chance.
- Guardiola
has already reeked havoc with his rotation – no one is safe.
VERDICT:
- Sell.
£9.9 is too much to pay for a deep-lying play-maker, especially one in a side
that will experience heavy rotation.
Romelu
Lukaku – £11.7 – TSB 58.1%
INFORMATION
- The
Big Belgian striker has lived up to his price tag so far, with 3 goals in the
opening 3 GWs.
- Apart
from Kane, Lukaku has the fastest shot frequency out of all forwards so far
this season.
- May
lose his penalty duties after his miss in GW3.
- Exploded on international break, scoring 4 goals in 2 games.
VERDICT
- Not
owning Lukaku at this stage of the season could significantly hurt your overall
rank due to his extremely high ownership.
- Monitor
his form, but for the moment he seems like the closest thing we have to ‘essential.’
Harry
Kane – £12.4 – TSB 26.8%
INFORMATION
- It’s
quite unbelievable really – 24 shots at 1 every 11.25 minutes over the opening
3 GWs, yet, 0 goals.
- Kane’s
August hoodoo lives on.
- Has
hit the woodwork in each game so far – could nearly be in double figures for
goals already.
- Very
favourable fixtures coming up.
- Netted a goal on international duty.
VERDICT
- Do
not sell Kane. If you don’t own him, be scared. He’s about to go berserk.
Christian
Eriksen – £9.6 – TSB 21.8%
INFORMATION
- Started
off the season very well, with 3 assists and 5 bonus points.
- His
underlying stats are also very good, registering a shot 26.7 mins, creating a
chance every 29.7 mins, and also whipping in an average of 10 crosses per game.
- His
assist returns would be much greater if not for Harry Kane’s goal scoring
misfortune so far.
- Seriously impressed on international duty, providing 3 assists and netting 2 goals in 2 games.
VERDICT
- Will
provide a steady stream of attacking returns over the coming weeks.
Dele
Alli – £9.5 – TSB 34.9%
INFORMATION
- Hasn’t
set the league alight so far, but has still managed 2 goals.
- Stood
out last GW, with 1 goal from 6 shots, 4 of which came from within the box.
- Provided an assist while on international duty.
- His Champions League suspension should keep him fit for Premier League matches.
VERDICT
- May
be a bit hit-and-miss at times, but his high point ceiling will see him be one
of the top point scorers over the coming weeks.
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