Here’s our FPL preseason update where we check on our preseason watchlist and how the teams and players are doing in FPL preseason. This is part 1 Arsenal through to Leicester. We also note anything else that catches our eye after reviewing all the preseason games and activity to date.
FPL Preseason Update 22nd July – How’s The FFGeek Watchlist Doing?
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Introduction
Firstly here’s the FPL preseason watchlist article link. Also our article on which players could be late back due to International tournaments is relevant
I’m looking at specific players and issues within a team so my FPL preseason work is focused rather than giving you a mass of information on players who have no FPL relevance.
I won’t repeat the watchlist article here but from the commentary you will understand what I’m looking for.
Sofascore is a great resource for giving you lineups although not in every game.
Arsenal
They’ve played 2 games so far with a 1-2 loss to Hibernian and a 2-2 draw with Rangers. The first game was different teams in each halves. £5.5m Cheapie Mid Smith Rowe played the 2nd half as a CAM and scored v Hibernian. £5.5m Smith Rowe also started the 2nd game which was another of a different team for each half. Interestingly £6.0m Willock who has been injured also played some part in the game although in the double pivot of 4-2-3-1.
With Saka not back from Euros duty there is still some question as to how the 3 AMs could lineup. Saka, Pepe, Smith Rowe and Willock will all compete. Lacazette’s future will have a bearing on whether Aubameyang is a CF or LAM.
Also interestingly Tierney was back.
No need to monitor the £4.5m Defs Holding and Chambers situation any longer with £4.5m Ben White agreeing to go to Arsenal for £50m. He will surely go straight into the team
Aston Villa
Only a fairly meaningless 4-0 win over Walsall although 2 Buendia to Watkins assists. No Martinez, Grealish, Luiz and Mings due to Internationals. £6.0m El Ghazi started but surely only an option if Grealish leaves. Grealish Man City speculation rumbles on
Brentford
I hadn’t reviewed Brentford when I did the watchlist but have now written an article on them.
Toney is the obvious target but I’m not sure how much preseason will tell us about him. I’m more interested in the hopeful striker position of £5.5m mid Mbeumo and the position of the other £5.5m mid Canos.
Not much on sofascore so the first 2 friendlies didn’t really give us much knowledge. The youtube video of the first game v Wimbledon certainly didn’t have Mbeumo as a striker and Canos seemed a wide forward type player. Mbeumo wasn’t in the squad for the 2nd game v Boreham Wood but Canos was and was seemingly a wide left sided forward again. Toney scored in that game. Here’s the youtube video link and the Brentford match report
Apparently Brentford play Man Utd on the 28th July so that should be more helpful.
Brighton
Yet to play any games
Burnley
2 games with split squads against lower league opposition. Neither team resembled a first choice lineup. Were not really looking for anything. 2 goals for £4.5m mid Brownhill though puts him on our radar. He played pretty much every game at the back end of the season as an LM, RM or CM in a 4-4-2. The other £4.5m mid Cork also played presumably as a CM although no footage available I could find
Chelsea
Chelsea supposedly beat Peterborough 6-1 with a Ziyech hat trick. I say supposedly as there’s no info on it. With all the players affected by International games it’s only once we get closer to the start of the season that we will have some clue about a possible team. Here’s a youtube video from a guy who commentates on Chelsea if you’re desperate. £7.5m Ziyech, £5.5m Alonso and £8.0m Pulisic are probably the only players of note who didn’t have International tournaments. Whatever that means. £6.5m Abraham could be a bargain depending on wherever he goes.
C Palace
I’m not really interested in anyone here and with all the personnel issues and out of contract players and a new manager it’s hardly likely to change. £4.0m Def Kelly did start but has no realistic chance of starting GW1
Everton
I’m only really monitoring £5.5m Def Digne and £8.0m Calvert-Lewin here and both are on post International tournament breaks
Leeds
Their first friendly fixture isn’t until the 27th July
Leicester
Their first friendly fixture isn’t until the 24th July
Other posts
Attacking players fixture difficulty Schedule
Defensive players fixture difficulty schedule
Kev and Rob’s first draft teams
The FFGeek Tracker team (8k OR last season)
An overview of Promoted Norwich City
Players who could miss GW1 due to International tournaments
The FFGeek Pre-season watchlist
Andrew Whitfield’s latest draft team
The Youtube and Twitter template
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