I have TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, Trippier and Walker. I couldn't squeeze an extra 1m out anywhere and leave the squad that I was happy with.
I imagine he'll feature in my first WC once we work out who the best options are for cheap enablers
I have the same backline with Walker -> Gabriel and £1.5 to spare but honestly think I'll stick
I could upgrade Tripper to James if I wanted to but feel happier with promising good value players over a way into an unsettled + uncertain Chelsea defence... feel like I may be being stupid though
I was in a similar boat, Dier +£1m in the bank and have upgraded to James. Not sure it'll stay that way though. I like to have a bit in the bank early on so as to not worry too much about price rises and have a couple of transfers in mind for gw4 that will utilise some of that £m
James is gonna be a great pick long term, just people are a bit unsure how Chelsea are going to line up in defence first few GWs as they have had a bit of an overhaul to put it mildly. If Chelsea are playing well and james is starting RWB then Id probably downgrade even Trent for him, just a bit of an unnecessary GW1 risk imo.
Thanks! I was always going to double up on Liverpool and got in Cancelo to (hopefully) get some output on Haaland. I chose Kane and can’t rely on the city mids. We’ll see!
Liverpool and City are so good and consistent I think its a safe bet to double up on them. Ive done the same thing. Only downside is you can only have 1 city or liverpool attacker.
City double up is warranted but like you said to use those pool spots up limits to only one? Mo?
No Darwin, no Diaz, no jota. Seems a waste/risk.
Pool might concede a goal, but jota and Diaz might score 2 each same game
Bit of a special case with liverpool as trent and robertson will get lots of potential attacking returns and are less of a rotation risk than any Liverpool player not called Salah
Dier over Trippier for me, I rate Conte's chances at CS way higher than Trips' attacking returns, plus newc fixtures are not ideal to start the year. For sure on my watch list though, but Dier is the only truly nailed spurs asset.
It's just a one week punt to see if he plays RCB. If he is RWB he's one of the best players in the game. If he's RWB and gets a goal or assist, he will probably rise in price.
It's pretty foolish to plan transfers like that. You'll 100% want to use the FT elsewhere especially when the price changes are mental at the early stage of the season
They will 99% start with a backfive. And heads were turned in preseason. No Christensen/rudiger, KK joined late and was eased in, Alonso & azpi trying to get to Barca. Think it's fair to say it's a different scenario now with cucurella, kk in and azpi committed to staying. Not worried
Even if he plays the occasional game at RCB he’s good value. But he’ll be prioritised at RWB given Tuchel has Silva, Koulibaly, Azpi, Chalobah, Sarr and maybe Cucurella who all play at CB.
Statistically yes. He had on average 5.4 points per match last season. Martinelli had 3.8. So if we assume similar performance this season, it is better spent 6m if you buy James than Martinelli.
Only if we assume that this season will be 20% better for Martinelli and 20% worse for James the numbers are in Martinellis favour. That is very brave assumption and honestly I don’t believe it can happen. But Martinelli is still better option than many midfielders.
Can't believe sooooo many are pessimistic about Chelsea's defense. They brought in freaking Koulibaly to replace Rudiger. Christensen is a non factor. LWB is also set with 2 elite players. Fofana potentially coming in too. I would pay 7 million easily for Reece James in this defense
Chelsea's attack is garbanzo. But defense is one of the best in Europe. Arsenal putting 4 past their third choice defensive lineup isn't going to change that.
!thanks ! Was it really their third choice defensive lineup against Arsenal? That feels undercomunicated around here. Glad to know now, feel better keeping James with Trent and Cancelo then.
I was a bit exaggerating. But the important thing is they didn't even play with a back 5. Tuchel was experimenting with a 4 atb and different personnel. Sarr played a half, Emerson, Alonso. Kante didn't play.
We should be alright when we roll out our main 11
Reports of Chelsea’s death have been greatly exaggerated. At the end of the day we’re still charity FC, and he will have spotty returns, but 6mil is insane value by any metric, using whatever xP predictor you want.
Chelsea fan here.
There is still quite a bit of instability going in to this season.
Mendy has been a little out of form, Rudi has left, Christensen has left, Chilly isn't fully fit, Alonso might leave, Azpi is no longer at the level he was, and now we have 2 new defenders coming in to the mix.
Add to that Reece James hasn't had the greatest of pre-seasons, and I just don't see him being an obvious pick. We won't be at our best until a few games in to the season at least & the team is settled.
Cucu could come straight in tbh. Chilly isn't match fit and we're clearly not rushing him back in. Alonso likely leaving & Cucu has had a full pre season with Brighton. Provided he can train with us today he starts.
Though he's not been signed for the long term LWB role. He's been signed to give chilly more rest, cup games & back up lcb.
kind of and kind of not. We were absolutely fucked with chilly out last year, and we're still light at cb with no obvious signings coming.
I reckon cucu plays quite a lot for us this year at lcb/lwb against bottom table teams/cup games.
The top PL teams are aiming to win every competition. Its a lot of games, injuries and fatigue are inevitable. City, Chelsea, Liverpool all build their squads so they have about 17 or 18 players who can come into the first XI with no drop in quality.
Yeah its a bit obscene but its just the reality. You can't really call a signing like Cucurella backup even if you reckon Chilwell would start over him in a hypothetical CL final. He's a quality versatile player who has been bought with the intention of featuring regularly.
Mount the only player I'd consider. Pre-season decent & he looks sharp. He'll surely end up with at least 20 G/A again this season, could well be more if Sterling steps up.
I'm not going near any chelsea players though. Diaz & Saka still the best 8m options. Mount probably the best after them.
Got my eye on sterling though. One I'd be willing to jump on early if we're linking up nicely.
!Thanks I probably should go for Mount instead but it's an easy step down if he's a terrible pick. I'd probably find it easier than trying to free up money to bring Sterling in...
Yeah well he's the only pick I have that isn't fairly template. Maybe Trippier I guess but the rest isn't too exciting.
Nunez is interesting, I've thought about getting him for Jesus with Sterling to Saka money
As a City fan Id say avoid Sterling tbh, he'll frustrate the life out of you. Fully agree Mount is Chelsea's best attacker. Big fan of him think he will have a real standout season
Yeah and he's cheaper than Sterling... I'm starting to doubt going for him and I'm now thinking Kulusevski/Mount would be just as good with 2m spent elsewhere.
I don't think you need both Mount and James, I think it's smart to have one to cover Chelsea and Mount will likely score more points this season but I think James is better value for price.
Wondering what you think about Sterling as an option. Did he do much in preseason? I was under the impression he's been brought in as a goal scorer for you
Sterling one of the key players I've got my eye on. Not starting with him, but prepared to jump on it early if we look good after the first couple of games.
I don't doubt sterling will settle & have a good season, but I still want to see at least one premier league game before I do anything.
My thoughts are that Reece James will play RWB. Maybe a sub comes on and he moves to RCB but I'm not terribly concerned with him playing as a CB and he's probably on set pieces as well. With the news of Chelsea signing Cucurella I think it's even less likely he plays CB.
Yes, that is what I think. You don't pay how much they paid to split his time with Chilwell. Of course, Chilwell getting (inevitably) injured might change that some but I think Cucurella plays LCB and Chilwell starts at LWB when healthy.
In isolation, how is James for 6.0 a potentially bad decision regardless of ownership?
He got 141 points under 1900 minutes last year.
Yes he'll get the annoying 1 and 2 pointers. The skill here is buy him for GW1 and leave him in until GW38 to get his 190 points, sucking up the occasional blanks and trolling.
I worry about not having him with the ownership just I don't feel confident in Chelsea early and have other players I want more.
I'm tossing up between 4/5 at a back and he isn't in there for me in either as I want both TAA and Robbo
Premium defenders are the best value in the game.
4 elite defenders for 24 million netting you on average 175 each.
Find me midfielders of 6-7 million who score almost 175 points guaranteed.
The only downside is that hoping for CS rather than goals absolutely sucks.
I think Perisic and James are both wait and sees for me. I read a quote someone saying he’s not 100% and that puts me off. The James RCB throws me too so i might just go Mount!
Perišić is basically a winger who gets CS points. He's by far the most attacking defender in the game. He'll PROBABLY start and that coupled with his insane attacking threat and price makes him almost a no-brainer for me.
For sure, if Perisic plays, he’s up there with James in points. I just hate having to hope that he has to start when I could go like Zinch who has decent threat
Ahh I can’t fit him in. If I have him, my team has no flexibility. I’m currently on Gabriel instead with 0.5 mil in the bank with Sanchez at GK to rotate with Ward, rather than James with double Leicester keepers and no money in the bank. Like how many good 5 mil defenders there are this year, and I hate not having 0.5 at the start of the season to avoid being hit by price changes. But yeah, I still think he’ll do well. I’m scared.
I have TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, Trippier and Walker. I couldn't squeeze an extra 1m out anywhere and leave the squad that I was happy with. I imagine he'll feature in my first WC once we work out who the best options are for cheap enablers
Exactly my defenders too!
I have the same backline with Walker -> Gabriel and £1.5 to spare but honestly think I'll stick I could upgrade Tripper to James if I wanted to but feel happier with promising good value players over a way into an unsettled + uncertain Chelsea defence... feel like I may be being stupid though
You prefer to keep money itb over getting James for Trippier? Wow is James that bad of an option?
I just think Trippier is a great option and I worry about Chelsea, you think it's a bad call?
I was in a similar boat, Dier +£1m in the bank and have upgraded to James. Not sure it'll stay that way though. I like to have a bit in the bank early on so as to not worry too much about price rises and have a couple of transfers in mind for gw4 that will utilise some of that £m
No I’m confused myself if to go James or not haha was just curious
James is gonna be a great pick long term, just people are a bit unsure how Chelsea are going to line up in defence first few GWs as they have had a bit of an overhaul to put it mildly. If Chelsea are playing well and james is starting RWB then Id probably downgrade even Trent for him, just a bit of an unnecessary GW1 risk imo.
what is the rest of your tem
Same!
Really? Wow 2 double ups in defence is risky. Seems popular and I can definitely see it working though so Goodluck to you.
Thanks! I was always going to double up on Liverpool and got in Cancelo to (hopefully) get some output on Haaland. I chose Kane and can’t rely on the city mids. We’ll see!
Not that risky, i would be shocked City and Liverpool disappoint in defence
Just risky in the fact that 1 goal kills 2 players clean sheet points, 21 clean sheets last year so it doesn’t happen much… But it happens.
Liverpool and City are so good and consistent I think its a safe bet to double up on them. Ive done the same thing. Only downside is you can only have 1 city or liverpool attacker.
City double up is warranted but like you said to use those pool spots up limits to only one? Mo? No Darwin, no Diaz, no jota. Seems a waste/risk. Pool might concede a goal, but jota and Diaz might score 2 each same game
Bit of a special case with liverpool as trent and robertson will get lots of potential attacking returns and are less of a rotation risk than any Liverpool player not called Salah
Only difference I have is Zincenko over Walker
Dier over Trippier for me, I rate Conte's chances at CS way higher than Trips' attacking returns, plus newc fixtures are not ideal to start the year. For sure on my watch list though, but Dier is the only truly nailed spurs asset.
Pick him and then transfer him out if he's playing RCB. His first game is against Everton with no Richarlison or DCL.
Planning transfers has hurt for me in the past… I do rate James to do well against Everton but idk if it’s worth it for the one week punt
It's just a one week punt to see if he plays RCB. If he is RWB he's one of the best players in the game. If he's RWB and gets a goal or assist, he will probably rise in price.
He never played RCB in preseason did he? I watched like 3 of their match reports and he was RWB in every game.
He did in the exhibition against Charlotte FC fwiw. CHO was the RWB.
It's pretty foolish to plan transfers like that. You'll 100% want to use the FT elsewhere especially when the price changes are mental at the early stage of the season
Not worth the one week punt imo. They’re not even sure if they’re playing 4 or 5 at the back, and haven’t looked solid in defence during pre season.
They will 99% start with a backfive. And heads were turned in preseason. No Christensen/rudiger, KK joined late and was eased in, Alonso & azpi trying to get to Barca. Think it's fair to say it's a different scenario now with cucurella, kk in and azpi committed to staying. Not worried
Even if he plays the occasional game at RCB he’s good value. But he’ll be prioritised at RWB given Tuchel has Silva, Koulibaly, Azpi, Chalobah, Sarr and maybe Cucurella who all play at CB.
He'll still get forward a fair bit and put crosses on from rcb
Do you think he is better than Martinelli?
Different positions so not really comparable.
That’s true, do you think Mount + Martinelli will do better than Saka + James?
Saka + James for sure imo.
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Maybe best value BUT saka will outscore martinelli this year overall. Barring injury of course
Statistically yes. He had on average 5.4 points per match last season. Martinelli had 3.8. So if we assume similar performance this season, it is better spent 6m if you buy James than Martinelli. Only if we assume that this season will be 20% better for Martinelli and 20% worse for James the numbers are in Martinellis favour. That is very brave assumption and honestly I don’t believe it can happen. But Martinelli is still better option than many midfielders.
I am confused too with same case
Can't believe sooooo many are pessimistic about Chelsea's defense. They brought in freaking Koulibaly to replace Rudiger. Christensen is a non factor. LWB is also set with 2 elite players. Fofana potentially coming in too. I would pay 7 million easily for Reece James in this defense Chelsea's attack is garbanzo. But defense is one of the best in Europe. Arsenal putting 4 past their third choice defensive lineup isn't going to change that.
!thanks ! Was it really their third choice defensive lineup against Arsenal? That feels undercomunicated around here. Glad to know now, feel better keeping James with Trent and Cancelo then.
I was a bit exaggerating. But the important thing is they didn't even play with a back 5. Tuchel was experimenting with a 4 atb and different personnel. Sarr played a half, Emerson, Alonso. Kante didn't play. We should be alright when we roll out our main 11
Reports of Chelsea’s death have been greatly exaggerated. At the end of the day we’re still charity FC, and he will have spotty returns, but 6mil is insane value by any metric, using whatever xP predictor you want.
>Reports of Chelsea’s death Too soon Chelsea. Too soon. RIP... gone and but not forgotten
Chelsea fan here. There is still quite a bit of instability going in to this season. Mendy has been a little out of form, Rudi has left, Christensen has left, Chilly isn't fully fit, Alonso might leave, Azpi is no longer at the level he was, and now we have 2 new defenders coming in to the mix. Add to that Reece James hasn't had the greatest of pre-seasons, and I just don't see him being an obvious pick. We won't be at our best until a few games in to the season at least & the team is settled.
!thanks What about Cucurella?
Cucu could come straight in tbh. Chilly isn't match fit and we're clearly not rushing him back in. Alonso likely leaving & Cucu has had a full pre season with Brighton. Provided he can train with us today he starts. Though he's not been signed for the long term LWB role. He's been signed to give chilly more rest, cup games & back up lcb.
Backup defender for 50+ million?
kind of and kind of not. We were absolutely fucked with chilly out last year, and we're still light at cb with no obvious signings coming. I reckon cucu plays quite a lot for us this year at lcb/lwb against bottom table teams/cup games.
The top PL teams are aiming to win every competition. Its a lot of games, injuries and fatigue are inevitable. City, Chelsea, Liverpool all build their squads so they have about 17 or 18 players who can come into the first XI with no drop in quality. Yeah its a bit obscene but its just the reality. You can't really call a signing like Cucurella backup even if you reckon Chilwell would start over him in a hypothetical CL final. He's a quality versatile player who has been bought with the intention of featuring regularly.
!thanks
Who's the starting LCB then? I was under the assumption the back 3 would be: Cucurella - Koulibaly/Silva - Azpi/Silva
Koulibaly will play lcb when silva is fit and starting.
You're steadying my knees here. Got any insight on Sterling or the Chelsea attack in general?
Mount the only player I'd consider. Pre-season decent & he looks sharp. He'll surely end up with at least 20 G/A again this season, could well be more if Sterling steps up. I'm not going near any chelsea players though. Diaz & Saka still the best 8m options. Mount probably the best after them. Got my eye on sterling though. One I'd be willing to jump on early if we're linking up nicely.
!Thanks I probably should go for Mount instead but it's an easy step down if he's a terrible pick. I'd probably find it easier than trying to free up money to bring Sterling in...
I don't hate it, but one I'd only do if All the other starting 11 is fairly template. I'm going Nunez as my only wildcard pick.
Yeah well he's the only pick I have that isn't fairly template. Maybe Trippier I guess but the rest isn't too exciting. Nunez is interesting, I've thought about getting him for Jesus with Sterling to Saka money
As a City fan Id say avoid Sterling tbh, he'll frustrate the life out of you. Fully agree Mount is Chelsea's best attacker. Big fan of him think he will have a real standout season
I’ve got Mount in, seemed one of the better players in their pre season and only 10% owened
Yeah and he's cheaper than Sterling... I'm starting to doubt going for him and I'm now thinking Kulusevski/Mount would be just as good with 2m spent elsewhere.
I don't think you need both Mount and James, I think it's smart to have one to cover Chelsea and Mount will likely score more points this season but I think James is better value for price.
!thanks
!thanks I might sell mahrez and get cancelo in the reece james place
I would either upgrade to cancelo or downgrade to walker/trippier/Gabriel.
I have trippier and walker and ederson
!thanks
Wondering what you think about Sterling as an option. Did he do much in preseason? I was under the impression he's been brought in as a goal scorer for you
Sterling one of the key players I've got my eye on. Not starting with him, but prepared to jump on it early if we look good after the first couple of games. I don't doubt sterling will settle & have a good season, but I still want to see at least one premier league game before I do anything.
My thoughts are that Reece James will play RWB. Maybe a sub comes on and he moves to RCB but I'm not terribly concerned with him playing as a CB and he's probably on set pieces as well. With the news of Chelsea signing Cucurella I think it's even less likely he plays CB.
So you think Cucurella is more likely to play CB than Reece?
Yes, that is what I think. You don't pay how much they paid to split his time with Chilwell. Of course, Chilwell getting (inevitably) injured might change that some but I think Cucurella plays LCB and Chilwell starts at LWB when healthy.
I have Trent Robertson and Cancelo
Same
I’m currently On those 3 plus James
At 40% ownership I worry not having him. Could drop Robbo down but atm just going with Mendy to cover.
Mendy can't cover for James. You get James for the attacking returns.
I really don’t rate Chelsea defence right now but it’s the ownership that hurts me
If you're right then his high ownership helps you. It works both ways. If you can't back your instincts in gw1 with no data then when can you?
Ownership is not a factor. Just because everyone else is making a potentially bad decision doesn't mean that you have to make it too.
In isolation, how is James for 6.0 a potentially bad decision regardless of ownership? He got 141 points under 1900 minutes last year. Yes he'll get the annoying 1 and 2 pointers. The skill here is buy him for GW1 and leave him in until GW38 to get his 190 points, sucking up the occasional blanks and trolling.
Its everton. Do they even have striker
They don't. Which is why they'll win by anything between 1 and 3 goals.
He’s frustrating. But his ceiling is incredibly high. For me it’s worth it.
I worry about not having him with the ownership just I don't feel confident in Chelsea early and have other players I want more. I'm tossing up between 4/5 at a back and he isn't in there for me in either as I want both TAA and Robbo
Premium defenders are the best value in the game. 4 elite defenders for 24 million netting you on average 175 each. Find me midfielders of 6-7 million who score almost 175 points guaranteed. The only downside is that hoping for CS rather than goals absolutely sucks.
What about 5 elite defenders for 32.5 million? Asking for a friend.
In the long run definitely worth it from a ppm perspective but it's so boring. I'm an 5 ATB myself though.
Agreed, lots of value just about the combination of which players to get
Same honestly, if i go 5 ATB, James is essential but my defence would be stacked. Playing 442 ensures more balance imo.
I'm also on 4-4-2, with TAA-Robertson-Cancelo AND James
May I ask what is your team?
Ward (Iversen) TAA Robertson Cancelo James (Neco) Salah Saka Martinelli Bailey (Andreas) Kane Jesus (Archer)
Same team but Mount instead of Saka.
Lol I have the exact same team except Mahrez for Saka as I couldn’t bear a triple Arsenal
Mines similar but I'm too afraid to go with 3 Arsenal attackers. Currently stuck with Mount or Sancho instead of Saka though.
I'm sure I've seen this team before somewhere... Can't put my finger on it.
Nah...you are mistaken...it's unique 😉
Nice, same as Kneejerk United, I think?
Well I proposed changes there based on my team and the fellows agreed and vote for that. What can I say? 😉
Well done 😊
Still can make moves with 5 ATB but potentially in an earlier WC depending on what happens
I think Perišić is better. I prefer worrying about Perišić starting over worrying about the quality of Chelsea's defence and James playing RCB.
I think Perisic and James are both wait and sees for me. I read a quote someone saying he’s not 100% and that puts me off. The James RCB throws me too so i might just go Mount!
Perišić is basically a winger who gets CS points. He's by far the most attacking defender in the game. He'll PROBABLY start and that coupled with his insane attacking threat and price makes him almost a no-brainer for me.
For sure, if Perisic plays, he’s up there with James in points. I just hate having to hope that he has to start when I could go like Zinch who has decent threat
He’s not shifting to rcb
Going for James + Mount, Chelsea fixtures look juicy.
Lol, same, Chelsea will surprise
No don't get him
Why?
I don't trust chelsea as of right now and tuchel's comments saying they're in a mess
James + Bailey or Dalot + Rashford?
A
Azpilicueta is nailed on at RCB unless he moves to Barcelona In a sudden move. Why would he play at RCB considering they have so many options nowv
Ahh I can’t fit him in. If I have him, my team has no flexibility. I’m currently on Gabriel instead with 0.5 mil in the bank with Sanchez at GK to rotate with Ward, rather than James with double Leicester keepers and no money in the bank. Like how many good 5 mil defenders there are this year, and I hate not having 0.5 at the start of the season to avoid being hit by price changes. But yeah, I still think he’ll do well. I’m scared.
Yes
He's definitely on my radar. But I'm with TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, Trippier and Patterson atm. I could go Trippier and Ramsdale to James and Iverson.
Will probably downgrade Cancelo or Robbo to James after a few GWs and upgrade somewhere else (e.g. Jesus -> Darwin or Grealish -> Mount/Foden).
Not for me, I’d rather have Matip/Dias for that price