With just a few more hours for the Liverpool vs Norwich game to kick off, FPL managers all over the world are busy making last minute changes. Many of us are tensed and afraid that our friends teams look better or whether we’ve missed out on someone important. But there’s one thing that we’ve all got for Gameweek 1 to begin – an adrenaline rush.
With that said, I’ll dive into some of the most important players from each club based on their performances from last season and pre-season which could prove vital. Pre-season games give us an insight into how managers envision their teams for the upcoming season and the fitness levels of players.
I’ll start off with…
1. Arsenal
F. Aubameyang (11.0), F. Lacazette (9.5), M. Pepe (9.5)
Aubameyang and Lacazette had a decent season last year with Auba also being the joint golden boot winner. Auba scored vs Real Madrid and Lyon in the pre-season games whilst Lacazette limped off vs Lyon and didn’t feature in the games vs Angers and Barcelona. Arsenal’s 75 million record signing Nicolas Pepe has just begun training with the squad.
2. Aston Villa
GK. Heaton (4.5), D. Mings (4.5), M. McGinn (5.5), M. Grealish (6.0)
Tom Heaton could make a valuable cheap goalkeeper, someone who could feature heavily in Dean Smith’s team. Villa had to use different goalkeepers last season due to injuries which saw them recalling Steer back from loan. The signing of Heaton ensures that Aston Villa will have someone who has Premier League experience in between the posts. Captain Grealish and McGinn will play an all important role at the centre of the park. Both Grealish and McGinn scored two goals each in pre-season.
3. Bournemouth
D. Ake (5.0), M. Fraser (7.5), F. Wilson (8.0)
Bournemouth have seven decent fixtures in their opening ten gameweeks. Ryan Fraser bagged 2 goals while Wilson bagged 3. Nathan Ake managed to get an assist and kept two clean sheets in six games. Brooks would’ve featured in this list but the 22 year old welsh midfielder sustained an injury.
4. Brighton
GK. Ryan (4.5), D. Duffy (5.0), M. Mooy (5.0), F. Murray (6.0)
Matt Ryan joins the cheap but viable keepers price bracket at 4.5 mil. He produced a total of 104 points last season which is quiet good for his price tag. Brighton kept 2/5 clean sheets which brings me to Duffy who scored an impressive 3 goals in 5 games and Murray scored 2.
5. Burnley
F. Rodriguez (6.0), F. Wood (6.5)
Jay Rodriguez and Chris Wood each scored 4 goals and pre-season. They could replicate their form going into GW1 vs Southampton but then Arsenal, Wolves and Liverpool.
6. Chelsea
M. Mount (6.0), M. Kenedy (5.5), M. Barkley (6.0), M. Pulisic (7.5)
Kenedy managed to get 2 assists and 1 goal. But what will raise managers eyebrows is that Frank Lampard often started Kenedy at LB instead of Alonso. Alonso only started 1/6 games and hence he won’t be making it into my team due to his first team uncertainty. Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic claimed 3 and 2 goals respectively. Pulisic could be a potential hit if he works more on his finishing. One man that definitely had a great pre-season was Ross Barkley scoring 3 and assisting 3.
7. Crystal Palace
D. van Aanholt (5.5), M. Townsend (6.0), M. Zaha (7.0)
Crystal Palace had a poor pre-season winning only 2/7 games. 5-0 loss to Bristol City, 4-0 loss to Hertha Berlin and the 6-2 loss to Barnet will surely make FPL owner think ten times before putting in a Crystal Palace defender. Van Aanholt has been a proven point snatcher and is only available at 5.5, that is if you’ll really decide on investing Palace defenders. Townsend could be a differential and I’m not sure what to expect from a disgruntled Wilfred Zaha.
8. Everton
D. Digne (6.0), D. Coleman (5.5), M. Richiarlison (8.0), M. Sigurdsson (8.0)
Everton have kept 3/5 clean sheets and Lucas Digne has continued to impress scoring once. Seamus Coleman is another fantastic defender in terms of FPL and is available a .5 cheaper if you do not want to pay for a premium defender. Coleman too scored once and being the club captain only cements his place in the team. Everton scored a total of only two goals in 5 games. This could be a worrying number for those who are looking into getting Everton forwards and midfielders. Everton’s opening six fixtures could be tempting though which make Richiarlison and Sigurdsson look a decent purchase. Also, they are the same guys who scored the 2 goals in 5 games.
9. Leicester
M. Perez (6.5), F. Vardy (9.0), F. Iheanacho (6.0)
New addition Ayoze Perez could be a coup for 6.5mil if he bangs goals and managers may want to swap him for Tielemans if he can match his performances from his last two years at Newcastle United. Jamie Vardy has been a consistent goalscorer for a few years and will undoubtedly net 15-25 goals this season too. Any injury to Vardy could pave the way for Iheanacho who’s scored twice in pre-season and has looked brilliant.
10. Liverpool
GK. Allison (6.0), D. Van Dijk (6.5), D. Trent AA (7.0), D. Robertson (7.0), M. Salah (12.5), M. Mane (11.5), F. Firmino (9.5)
I don’t think that I’m going to give any pointers on Liverpool and Manchester City players since most of the managers teams will consist of these players.
11. Manchester City
GK. Ederson (6.0), D. Walker (6.0), D. Zinchenko (5.5), D. Laporte (6.5), M. KDB (9.5), M. B Silva (8.0), M. Sterling (12.0), F. Aguero (12.0)
12. Manchester United
GK. De Gea (5.5), D. Maguire (5.5), D. Wan-Bissaka (5.5), M. Pogba (8.5), M. Martial (7.5), F. Rashford (8.5)
Since I’m a United fan, I’ve closely monitored the team and trust me these are the best names they have to offer.
13. Newcastle United
M. Longstaff (5.0), F. Joelinton (6.0)
I’m expecting the magpies to get relegated this season. Sean Longstaff scored thrice in 5 games whilst he was heavily linked with a move away to Manchester United. Truly a great display from the 21 year old English midfielder after the horrible injury he sustained. Joelinton was the magpies best striker during the pre-season but manager will look at other options such as Jota (wolves) if they want to play a forward in the region of 6 million.
I’m running short on time and will give the next seven teams important players very briefly. Forgive me for any mistakes or errors because I’ve typed this all in less than an hour and a half plus the deadline is nearing. Thank you.
14. Norwich City
D. Aarons (4.5), F. Drmic (5.5), F. Pukki (6.5)
15. Sheffield United
GK. Henderson (4.5), D. Stevens (5.0), F. Sharp (6.0)
16. Southampton
M. Redmond (6.5), F. Adams (6.0), F. Ings (6.0)
17. Spurs
D. Walkers-peters (5.0), M. Alli (8.5), M. Sessegnon (5.5), M. Eriksen (9.0), M. Moura (7.5), F. Kane (11.0)
Walkers-Peters could be a smart buy if Tottenham keep clean sheets and Moura could capitalise in Sons absence.
18. Watford
M. Pereyra (6.0), M. Doucoure (6.0), F. Gray (6.0), F. Deeney (6.5), F. Deulofeu (6.5)
Gray would’ve made a good signing but Watford signed Danny Welbeck which puts his position ina doubt
19. West Ham United
M. Lanzini (6.5), M. Antonio (7.0), F. Haller (7.5)
20. Wolves
D. Doherty (6.0), F. Jota (6.5), F. Jimenez (6.5)
