A Look at the Transfer Market Game-week 21
What does FF247 do when they have too many days between game-weeks? Well, they trot me out, usually it is with a Grab, Avoid or Bore off, but seeing as there was one last week, we decided to take a different road. Has Mito gone serious? Hell no! Just a one time thing, I hope. So the next time you see me, I will be back asking the uncomfortable questions of them Three Amigos. So just bare with me on this article, pretend you liked it and I will pretend I liked writing it. Well let’s get to it and give me your honest opinion, unless it is negative, in that case just lie.
Goalkeepers
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Not Buying Butland: Knowing when to sell, is just as important as knowing when to buy in. Many of us keep a player past his expiration date. Obviously I like his next fixture, after that it looks like a horror show. As they face Arsenal, Leicester, United and Everton in 4 consecutive weeks. I know that Leicester is in a bit of a funk and United has not been smashing it, but I would still not feel good about these fixtures, particularly because both are away.
Waiting/Holding on Cech: Hard to criticize buying the AFC keeper. So I would say not yet if you don’t have him and just see through the interesting next couple of fixtures if possible, if you own him. Playing Liverpool away, followed by Stoke away and Chelsea at home are not exactly ideal conditions. I know what you are thinking, why be scared of LFC and Stoke, possibly even CFC. Liverpool for all their struggles have only been blanked at home once this season, so buyer beware. Stoke are not exactly a great attacking side, but legend has it they are a mare at home. *Quickly checks schedule* To discover why not fantastic at home this season, they did manage to draw to Leicester and beat City, United and Chelsea, so buyer beware. Chelsea has been terrible 90% of the season, problem is that the other 10% has been lately. But even at their worse this season, they still managed to beat Arsenal 2-0.
Buying LLoris: I have forever critiqued Spurs for their lack of, how do I put this? Guevos! Which is just another way of saying that they lack some toughness in big moments be it an individual game against a beatable team or a game versus any top rival in general. Hard to argue that this season though. They have lost only one game after a GW1 gift to Rooney and United. They are grinding out results and even if clean sheets have not come in abundance, if they are going to come, the next stretch of games might be it. Facing a weakened Leicester side this upcoming GW, they then have the fortune of facing Sunderland, Palace, Norwich and Watford in the next four. If clean sheets are consistently possible for them, this could be it.
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Defenders
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Not Buying Sagna: Everyone is buying, what am I doing selling? Well, Zabaleta is now fit finally and with Sagna playing every game except one, I do think rotation is probably in order. Many would argue that Pablo is a better player and that it is only a matter of time before he takes the job anyway, making him more than just a rotation threat. I do love City’s upcoming fixtures; I just don’t like the idea of investing in a 5.5 defender who may lose his spot or might be likely to at the very least get rotated. Yes, I am aware that Bacary has been playing at a high level, but remember that Pellegrini is a Zaba guy, as he was a Demi guy, when many thought Demichellis should not be playing in the past. I warned that Demi had an advantage because of his past with the manager and while Zabaleta didn’t play for the Engineer in the past, he did come from the same club where the City manager had his record breaking season in Argentina. Pelligrini would have known a very young Zabaleta a year or two away from breaking into the first team. If you have Sagna, you could take the wait and see approach and see what comes about the RB spot.
Waiting/Holding on Dann: Being brought in by over 20K and sold by over 10K, he almost seems like the perfect candidate for this category. My inclination would be that if you have him, you keep him and just bench him for the tougher fixtures as the surrounding fixtures are very juicy and hopefully very forthcoming of points for Palace defenders. However, because some of the tougher ones are right after they play Villa, I would think holding off on buying him is actually a sound strategy for now, at least until he gets by City and Spurs. Another thought is, if you don’t own Dann, buying Ward or Souare down the line is a wiser investment because of the money saved. In particular if you already have plans on grabbing Sanchez, Kun, etc..
Buying Cresswell: Am I really buying him or am I saying that he could be a decent punt? Kinda saying both things, that is one of covering your arse. To be honest if he was a bit cheaper he would have attracted a lot more attention and having said that, at the time of writing he was the 2nd most transferred in. The price tag makes him a punt, his last couple of games and the upcoming fixtures make him a buy. Besides City in GW23, there is a lot of possible good outcomes for The Hammers there. Assuming that West Ham will be going forward in a lot of these games, makes me think that Aaron has good potential for more assists or perhaps even another goal. He got a set piece attempt last game and was seen getting plenty of crosses in. If Carroll can stay healthy (big if) his best buddy could become Cresswell and those crosses searching that big melon head of his.
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Midfielders
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Not buying Willian: With so many managers happy buying up Willian at the current moment, I am sure this one will not go over well. Hear me out though before you burn me at the stake. Willian has participated in 19 EPL games this season, in 10 of them he scored 2 points or less. In the rest (the other 9) he averaged less than 7 PPG. Close to seven is not bad, but it is not great when someone is ruling someone’s ten worse games. For instance, if we ruled out Payet’s six worse games and only counted his other seven of the 13 he has played, he would average 8.7 PPG. If I did it for Alli and wiped out his 10 worse games and only averaged the rest, he would stand at 8.5 PPG. We could do the same for Arnautovic, Ozil, KDB, Mahrez and on and on. In several cases like Ozil and Mahrez they would still average more even when all the low scoring games are included. So what does this prove? In my eyes, it’s that he is not explosive nor terribly consistent. Only 2 double figure games all season is further proof. I know he is in ‘form’ but check the last time he was, GW7-9. Then check what he did the next seven weeks, you guessed it, nothing. His lack of shot taking is a concern and a dependence on free kicks to get FPL points is never a good idea. Having someone take pens or set pieces should be the cream on top to how a FPL player gathers points, not the main reason.
Waiting/Holding KdB: Why are you selling?! At least wait out the home fixtures and the Sunderland game on the horizon. Our boy has started 7 games at home and just barely missed out on averaging double figures. His next two are at home and at the very least you could give him the courtesy of seeing out his stint until then. Sell if you must, but seller beware of the possible danger it poses. City are a different animal at home and KdB has had some monster games at the Etihad, even if no one was there to watch him do it. So I would at least hold onto him for now, if you don’t have him, I would consider buying him but the price tag and the need for a certain Chilean or the need of money to buy Kun could provide a reason to wait. It is your choice, but I am not going to be a victim of Chucky.
Buying Payet: Yep, it is a bit early, but if you wait to buy everyone, then you will never see the benefit. The problem with waiting too long on buying someone is that by the time you get them, just about everyone will already own him. Therefore, negating any real gain by owning him. Seeing that most of us are on a template and whoever is not, quickly adjusts to be on it, if one wants to gain any advantage of having someone they must go a bit early if possible. Could it be too early and come back to haunt you? Sure, but if you only care about staying with the crowd then just make sure you stay on the highest owned players and you will be fine. Moving a little bit up and dropping a little and repeating the cycle week after week. We all know of Payet’s prowess and also know that he will quickly be snapped up the first moment he does anything of consequence. So we got about two game-weeks after his first good performance for the bandwagon to overtake the feeling of having at least a slight differential.
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Forwards
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Not Buying Costa: Originally I thought I would place Martial here, would be easy to make an argument on that one. For some reason over 20K have bought him up. However, I decided to go with one I know will be controversial, but also one that I do feel doesn’t merit his price or possibly buying. Frankly if he was 8-9 million I probably would consider him a lot more. Part of my problem with him stems from a problem he had last season, that I think still exists, bonus points. He seems to require fantastic outings to garner any at all, and sometimes even then he is passed over or only given one. He had two games with a goal and an assist and still only received one bonus point. Only games he got the three bonus was when he was involved in all the goals be it through goals or assists and only when there was more than one. History tells us that when he scores one goal he is all but ignored. Last season he scored one goal and had no assists on eleven occasions, he got a grand total of 4 bonus points for it and he probably only got those because Chelsea conceded in said games, so their defenders were out of contention. So unless he starts coming up with more than six points consistently, I would probably ignore him for now.
Waiting/Holding Lukaku: The third most transferred out forward this week so far. What does a man have to do to earn your loyalty? What a fickle bunch you truly are. I hope you bristled when he scored again in the cup against Man City. A look at the fixtures probably leads one to think that this is the main reason, I will admit City and CFC away are not the most appealing opponents. But this is the new Lukaku, isn’t it? In his last 14 he has racked up 13 goals and 4 assists along with 19 bonus points. Besides, this Everton team can score on anyone and that is a good thing, because they can’t stop anyone from scoring on them. However, if you don’t own him, you might be able to get away with it in these two upcoming GW’s and possibly play others with better fixtures. Plainly said I wouldn’t sell if I had him, the loss of value and his consistent nature make it too hard, but if I didn’t have him, I probably risk it for the next two games and hope for the best.
Buying Aguero: Well, he is Aguero, need I say more? Kun plays his next two at home against a defensively challenged Everton and a Palace side that just allowed CFC to score 3 on them. So with City having 4 of their next 6 at home, I would be armed with the Argentinian. We all know that many are making plans to bring him in and scoring in his last game will certainly help that along. Now that he is getting 90 minutes, this bandwagon will gain major steam, as frankly we are all just a touch scared of the damage he can do when he is ticking. We all look at his season and feel disappointed to a degree, but is there a more explosive force in FPL? Many a FPL season was lost on that 5 goal game against Newcastle. If you didn’t captain him or worse didn’t have him, you felt like just deleting your team and taking up knitting. Take a chance and don’t buy him if you wish, but one good week from Kun could undo weeks of pulling back your rank to respectable and send you plummeting to where the FF247 site team lays.
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Evening all,
I have already got rid of Coutinho for Payet. 1ft and 0.5m in bank.
Waiting for the cup games before I make another move. Providing injury free do I use the ft or carry over?
Thanks
Hey Matt, I’d defo save your other transfer mate. Decent team for this week.
Cheers Cookie
If KDB is affordable in place of Walcott, then I might be tempted to go for him, since he goes crazy in home games, and 2 home games are on the horizon for City.
But in all honestly, Walcott could still flourish against Liverpool with Sanchez’ absence. We all know how close Walcott gets to scoring, and how unlucky Liverpool has been with injuries at the back.
Is it just me or did that all sound too eloquent?
And polite and helpful….
Ha ha, very polite B. I can get KDB or Alexis but I would need two transfers and get rid of Wally and Barkley for one of them and a budget 5th mid. I am probably edging towards Alexis but need to wait a week or two for him. I dont feel great about not having KDB but I do have Aguero to compensate. Cheers for the ideas mate
Alderweireld&Azpi, or, Walker&Ivanovic. What say you?
Alder & Azpi for me NIN
Cheers mate. Just been looking at more differentials and noticed both pairs come at the same combined price but have way less ownership. Too mad on the diff’s, maybe?
*but the latter. Way too tired
Ah don’t ask me NIN, my head is all over the shop at the moment! I had a look at a team with Andy Carroll, Oscar, Silva & Alexis in earlier
https://youtu.be/7WAwuSK36Gw
Yeah that about sums it up right now! Perfectly.
Been thinking about it today mate – this “template” team is made too much out of. It changes. So what the template is now won’t be in 2/3/4 weeks time.
I’m trying to forget the template and start from scratch and play the form and fixtures as I see them and remember why I played the wildcard in the first place. Not to get a team of differentials – but to get those players I thought I was missing and yeah get 2 or 3 different players in there for sure – but ones I feel are showing form and have a decent run of games. Payet is one which is why he replaced Mahrez.
Think I’ve decided on Kun, Ighalo and Kane up front.
Yep, that’s all legit. Stick to your original plan mate and hope for the fecking best! Haha. Right, didn’t realize the time, have to go to work now. Catch you later mate and try not to tinker too much
Not touching it tonight mate – have a good shift!
Have fun at the nightshift NiN. Just home from work myself. I am beaten down. Night shift, how do people do it.
Has anyone else heard about an injury to Watford’s Ighalo? Seen a couple of posts on Twitter but can’t see any confirmed credible reports?
Not seen anything Woodsy. I saw the Watford presser today and QSF gave no indication of an injury and he also spoke of Ighalo and Deeney.
Too good to be true. 😛
I do notice Ighalo has been talking about Manchester United, a transfer. Like Mane boycotting to play now?
Hey Raz, he is quoted as saying he couldn’t ignore United if they came in for him.
I suggest it’s a kid with little media training being thrown an awkward question!
Hey Woodsy
Think my reply to you on the previous page was missed so I’ll say welcome again and then shamelessly ask my question again …..
I have Cresswell currently in my wildcard team (5.5). Is there justification in the £1.2M difference between he and Collins just now? I could spend that money elsewhere but I’d love to know if you think I’m better with Cresswell?
Cheers mate.
Evening GP, I’ll quickly interject – Bilic says Reid is back FYI if that helps Woodsy with his answer.
Hey up Cookie,
Thanks for that. Cresswell and Adrian are for my money the most assured so I think I’ll stick on Cressers.
I’ve gone back to KDB and Alli today (from Oscar and Yaya)
Haha I’ve had most of the Premier League in at some point I think!!
Don’t forget the less exciting Tomkins.
Yeah I looked at him but the central defenders area looks a bit congested. Ogbonna Reid Tomkins Collins etc.
On the face of it, does KDB and Alli seem better than Yaya and Oscar?
Leaves me no Chelsea attack which I can live with but just want to get the better mid combo of these two.
Sorry GP for the delay, as you know I prefer KDB & Alli yes.
The run of home matches swing it for me in KDB’s favour.
Just seen Hiddink’s record when he was last at Chelsea. They won 16, drew 5 and lost 1. Averaged 2 goals a game for and 1 goal a game conceded. For what that’s worth!
Tomkins is playing right back GP, by the way – has been preferred to Jenkinson for most of the season and I think I’m right in saying the Hammers haven’t kept a clean sheet in the matches Jenkinson has played.
Top info Cookie
I know Tomkins is a CB to trade though. My meaning was Cresswell seems to be less likely to suffer rotation of any sort.
Cheers for your advice mate as always.
Hi GP
Cresswell does chip in with assists and the odd goal and is totally nailed on to play. I would say he is worth the extra money unless you absolutely need it
Thanks Matt
I like his attacking potential yeah and he was on a direct free kick on Saturday so he may get more. Although Payet is back but I own him as well so it’s all good
I don’t really need the cash. I’ll stick I think.
Evening all, will be doing Vardy to Ighalo at some point before GW21 and will lose value if Vardy goes down once more. Expected to go down tomorrow, should I just do it tonight just in case he goes down or wait it out?
Nowhere was predicting Ighalo to go up when he did which is making me a bit more wary..
AT, best to wait mate. Losing 0.1mln is not important though it may feel like it. Having to then ditch Ighalo for a hit if he gets injured at the weekend is important.
Cheers Cookie, somehow I never see it like that hahaha
Sound logic rather than just doing it to save £0.1m!
Spot on Mito!
Great article
My team just now. I think this is the time to get Kun in. So here are a few questions:
1. Vardy (-4) or Lukaku (no hit) out?
*Vardy out would mean Vardy/Wally/Deulofeu -> Kun/Stanislas/5.2m mid
*Luka out would mean Luka/Wally -> Kun/5.1m mid
2. What do you think of this potential WC team? What/who is missing? (Yaya & Payet could easily turn into Sanchez and 7m-ish mid at some point.
That’s obviously the WC team. Here’s my current team…
Hey Pancho, how’s tricks? I like the WC team a lot. Looks like you may end up with a few eggs in not many baskets on most weeks when you whittle it down to an 11 each time, that would be my only real observation if you play it and that’s not to say that’s a bad thing, just a point.
That said it’s not massively different to the current one. Probably changing 4 starters and switching a keeper? You could probably do that over 2/3 weeks gradually and still have a decent side as you go along and a WC still in your back pocket for whenever. Again not questioning it just playing devils advocate. As you say you can still get Kun for a small hit if you think he’s essential.
That’s all true, thanks Init! Not really considering the WC until I saw what I could do with it. I don’t know if I like my WC team any better than the one I have now other than Payet/Kun over Deulofeu/Vardy wish those two moves would work straight up :/ Back to the drawing board…
If it were your team how would you get Kun in? Lukaku & Wally -> Kun & 5.2 mid doesn’t excite me because then I need to play Deulofeu or 5.2 mid every week…
Also, “how’s tricks”??? Typo or am I missing something?
Haha no mate it’s not a typo. Must be an English expression, in Yankie it’s “how’s it going”.
So, hey Pancho, how’s it going?
Yeah that 5.2 bracket is fairly dull isn’t it, just had a look. I actually have a very similar team. I’ve decided to keep Lukaku and shun Kun for now. I have Vardy and he’s most likely staying, although Ighalo is tempting, but then so is the prospect of Vardy vs Villa once he’s back. I have Wally and he may be the fall guy for either Willian or Payet if I don’t go Ighalo. City looked a bit bereft last night and certainly not up to their best or anywhere near it which is why I’m not falling over myself to grab him. Lukaku has 2 tough games on paper but then two great ones. Guess I just close my eyes for the next 2 on him!
Haha Init, yeah I’ve never heard that expression. Good to know though as I’m always trying to learn Brit-isms
What about Deulofeu & Wally -> Payet & Ali? I’m thinking either that or just Deulo -> Ali and save a freebie. Not sure…
Deulofeu to Alli feels boring but does the job I guess. I’m giving Wally this one against Liverpool I think. Depends which Liverpool turns up but if it’s the bad one then he could have some joy. Will Payet return your -4 vs him is the question.
Pancho, any more thoughts on this? Only asking really as it’s basically the same team as mine
Hey Init, great minds think alike… and so do ours
I think I may actually go a different direction and downgrade Moreno this GW. I don’t see him making it into the lineup any time soon and I could get Simpson in there for .8 less. This would free me up for a double change next week that gives me more cash to work with. The WC is really appealing, but I could see a few teams making significant purchases this month and I’d like to have the freedom to WC and fit Cavani in when United buy him
Now that’s what you call planning ahead!
Cavani could do a job at RB 😉