Here’s our update on FPL preseason so far where we are focused on identifying value players for our FPL team. We review the key players in the matches to date and also focus on the best cheap players for our benches.
FPL Preseason – An update after the weekends games
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Introduction
Preseason is in 3 parts
Value Players
Firstly there is my list of 44 players that I will be assessing over pre-season to try and find players that are undervalued and then establish as to whether they will be starters in their team. That last point is crucial. As I write this there will be some element of gametime risk about each player on this list or at least some positional interest. Martinelli is an obvious example as he at least has competition for his place with Smith-Rowe.
There’s also a included a list of players with loan or transfer potential to create value for another team. Take £4.0m Neco Williams for example has gone to Nottingham Forest from Liverpool.
It’s not a complete menu of players that I will be considering for my team. It doesn’t include the likes of Salah, De Bruyne, Son, Robertson, Toney, Cancelo etc etc. All these players I know will start. That’s the difference and we know what they can do. Preseason form for me is irrelevant for these types of players. Their priority is fitness.
You can see this list updated on the FFGeek Patreon site
In the commentary below I will give the key points after the weekends matches.
Preseason matches
There’s still some preseason matches are against poor opposition with teams mixed up with reserves, young players with no discernible lineup pattern. That means there’s very little to take from the games.
I’ll focus as I said above on value players getting into the starting lineup
I’ll comment generally here but you can find the link to the google spreadsheet I’m running on the FFGeek Patreon site
Each Teams Potential lineup
I will also be GW1 starting possible lineups for each team in the Premier league which I will keep updated over pre-season. It will show what I think the GW1 lineup and formation will be and where there will be uncertainties. I put the first one up last week and will update it next Monday/Tuesday the 26th/27th.
Summary of significant events for value players to date
£4.5m Mids
I prefer having the cheapest FPL bench possible especially with the 5 subs rule in the Premier League which could mean there is less chance that our FPL benches will be needed
The Good news is that Andreas of Fulham started as a CAM in the loss to Benfica which was a reasonably strong team. The negative of that game was that Harrison Reed didn’t. As I thought new transfer Palhinha started in place of him. I’m now pretty negative on Reeds chances
Forshaw of Leeds I thought was a possibility but that also seems to have disappeared with 2 new CMs bought in and he didn’t play v Villa in a reasonably strong team.
Colback was also an outside chance and although new transfer Richard’s has yet to start in Colbacks LWB position I just can’t see him not given Colback is historically a Mid.
Da Silva of Brentford is another possibility given that Eriksen has left. However we’ve yet to see Brentford put up a strong lineup to test the possibility that he will start.
Winks of Spurs and Gilmour of Chelsea are loan out possibilities. Winks has interest from Palace and Everton apparently. Gilmour has left Chelsea’s tour and again Everton are apparently interested. Time now is the difficult bit for the transfer/loan to happen and for us to get comfort that they will start.
£4.0m Defs
Again for the cheapest possible bench.
Neco Williams has already gone to Forest and looks like he will start although he surprisingly played LWB rather than RWB v Barnsley. That’s one in the bag.
Patterson of Everton is the other hope. He’s played in the injury absence of Coleman who could miss GW1. Holgate could also play the position but possibly not if Everton play 3 at the back. How much longevity Patterson would have though is questionable.
Valery of Southampton was an outside chance but he didn’t start in a strong team vs Leipzig and the manager isn’t a big fan I get the impression from last season anyway.
Otherwise we’re waiting for loans possibilities with Nat Phillips and R Williams of Liverpool and Brandon Williams of Man Utd.
£5.0m Mids
These could be vital if you need 2 FPL bench spots for mids and if there’s no other £4.5m Mid for our bench
Dewsbury Hall based on last season and lack of transfer activity in for Leicester seems the favourite even if his attacking potential isn’t great.
Bailey of Villa started in a strong lineup v Leeds. He does rely on Villa playing 4321 or moving to 4231 rather than 4312. So in my mind there’s still alot of work to do as Coutinho should take 1 of the AM spots.
Elanga of Man Utd is a long shot although he did start v Melbourne in quite a strong team. More likely to be Rashford/Martial and Sancho though I think as AMs with Fernandes.
Willock started in a mixed lineup for Newcastle v Munich but that meant little. Vlasic, Cairney, Tella were all surprise starters so worth more monitoring although history also makes them long shots.
£5.5m Forwards
Again if you are wanting to avoid a £4.5m non playing forward on your FPL bench.
Brighton’s Undav has had some talking up but again was in the weaker lineup and still has Maupay and Welbeck to displace in a largely 1 CF formation
Mateta and Edouard both started in Palace’s latest friendly but 1 will surely start even if a 70 minute sub magnet. Leed’s Gelhardt missed out in a strong lineup and I’m not that hopeful as Bamford likely to play in a 1 CF lineup. Broja of Chelsea is looking likely to go to West Ham but I’m thinking likely as cover for Antonio.
Others
Arsenal injuries have not meant we can sort out the Martinelli v Smith Rowe competition. We’ve also yet to see new signing Vieira.
Popular pick £5.5m LWB Perisic has yet to start after an injury in May although likely to get something in the next game. Potential bargain RWB £5.0m Doherty not only faces new signing unpriced in FPL Spence but has faced the talking up FPL Mid Moura as a RWB. This one will go to the preseason wire.
Jesus keeps up his scoring form as a CF vs Everton
£6.5m Man Utd mid Rashford had £7.5m Sancho take his place v Melbourne as in Ronaldo’s absence £7.0m FWD Martial continues as CF. The Ronaldo absence and no signing of a forward means Martial’s position is uncertain and it also affects Rashford as LAM is both his and Martials potential position if a forward is signed
That’s it. I’ll update again next Monday/Tuesday with potential lineups.
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