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 5thamong 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.
