The first four gameweeks of the new Premier League season have been quite eventful. As a result, we will now look at some of the key observations in FPL so far and how it might impact the decisions of fantasy managers in the future.
As we enter the international break, it becomes crucial to reflect on the first four Gameweeks of the new Premier League season. It is important to evaluate player and team performance, fitness levels, and unexpected standout performers. This information can prove highly valuable when it comes to making decisions regarding transfers, selecting captains, and planning chip strategies for when the league action resumes.
Let’s take a look at the key takeaways in FPL so far:
At the start of the new season, many fantasy managers were curious about whether Erling Haaland could continue his remarkable performance in the Premier League. Last season, the Norwegian striker recorded an impressive 36 goals and 8 assists, making him the highest-scoring player in the game and a consistent choice for captaincy.
The current season appears to be following a similar path for the Manchester City forward. In just four matches, Haaland has already scored 6 goals and 1 assist. It’s becoming increasingly likely that FPL managers will continue to trust him with the captain’s armband in every gameweek going forward.
In the previous season, several different teams displayed defensive solidity. Consequently, their defensive assets became some of the most popular choices ahead of the current campaign. Regrettably, this season many teams have not maintain the same defensive stability. Considering the above, it might be sensible for FPL managers to steer clear of the defensive double ups in their FPL squads.
The beginning of the 23/24 season raised concerns for several teams that had lost their star players due to various reasons. One such team is Tottenham, who had to adapt after losing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window. Filling the void left by a striker who scored 30 goals in the previous campaign seemed like a daunting task. However, after four matches, Tottenham ranks joint second-best in terms of goals scored (11), with players like Son Heung-min and James Maddison leading the charge.
Another team missing its star striker is Brentford. The Bees had to cope without Ivan Toney’s 20 goals from the previous season due to his suspension, but they have managed to do so admirably. Brentford currently ranks joint fourth-best in the division for goals scored (8), with midfielders like Bryan Mbeumo and striker Yoane Wissa contributing to their goal tally.
In the early stages of the new season, we have witnessed the decline of premium-priced players, with the exception of Erling Haaland. Among the top 10 highest-scoring players in the game so far, seven of them cost less than £7 million. This suggests that cheaper and more budget-friendly players have been the most consistent performers till now.
This trend is likely to continue due to the attacking form of teams like Brighton, Brentford, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham, providing fantasy managers with plenty of budget-friendly options for the long term.
Before the start of the new season, many within the FPL community were inclined to begin with goalkeepers such as Andre Onana, Jordan Pickford, and Aaron Ramsdale. However, many of these highly-selected goalkeepers have failed to meet expectations.
The challenge with this situation is the lack of standout and consistent goalkeeper options even at this stage, making it difficult to switch from one of these underperforming choices.
Burnley, Luton, and Sheffield United were all promoted to the Premier League this season, and they have encountered a challenging start. Collectively, they have managed just one point out of a possible 40, highlighting the struggles of all three teams.
Considering their difficulties, targeting these teams with both defensive and offensive players in fantasy football could be a poor strategy moving forward.
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