One of our favorite things to do on our podcast is to find those players in FPL with 1) low prices and 2) a high point-per-pound (PPP) ratio. These players provide value to your lineup.
This week, we begin our post with the following premise: Using the definition of value above, what is the best FPL lineup that we can create? The squad pictured above is that answer. Below is an explanation of how we created it.
To create this lineup, we used the following maximum prices at each position:
- Goalkeepers: 4.5
- Defenders: 4.5
- Midfielders: 5.5
- Forwards: 6.5
Those prices were arbitrarily chosen, but most people will see them as low.
Here is why we picked the players we did:
GOALKEEPERS: While Jonas Lossl of Huddersfield and Ben Foster at Watford were in the mix (not to mention new-to-the-league Rui Patricio from Wolves), the two obvious choices at 4.5 were West Ham's Lukasz Fabianski and Brighton's Mat Ryan. Quite frankly, this is the most difficult position for an exercise like this, but those two guys should have good years at a great starting price.
DEFENDERS: First, pick a Brighton and Huddersfield defender. We chose Zanka and Bernardo (he's new to the league, but trust us on this one). Second, take James Tomkins from Crystal Palace and enjoy a few goals from set pieces throughout the year. Third, debate away about whether or not to take an Everton or West Ham defender (we didn't, although Issa Diop is one to watch). Fourth, take a Southampton defender (we took Cedric over Maya Yoshida, but it's a toss-up on which one will be better). Fifth, grab Florian Lejeune from Newcastle. Enjoy!
MIDFIELDERS: There are a lot of good names at 5.5 and lower. You will even see some guys from top 6 clubs, but don't take the bait (except maybe Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea, but be careful!)! There's a reason they are priced low. You are better off grabbing guys for our exercise from lower-table clubs who will regularly play. That's why Aaron Mooy from Huddersfield is in. Same for Arthur Masuaku from West Ham, Will Hughes from Watford, and Ivan Cavaleiro from Wolves (listen to this week's pod if you don't know who this guy is). The fifth midfielder is Jorginho from Chelsea -- his selection breaks our rule, but it seems worth the chance at this price.
FORWARDS: There are a ton of options here. It's tempting to just take the top three scorers from last year who are starting this season at 6.5 or lower: Ayoze Perez from Newcastle, Glenn Murray from Brighton, and Josh King from Bournemouth. The problem is that Scott is writing this post, so Murray is out. Danny Welbeck is currently on Arsenal, but if he gets transferred to another Premier League club as expected, he will play with some fire and is worth a chance as a third forward.
You undoubtedly disagree with some of these choices. That's fine. We would love to hear your alternative choices. You have to admit one thing, though. It's amazing what kind of squad you can put together by spending just 76.5 of your 100 pounds.
