Dilly ding, dilly dong! As one of English football’s favourite sons returned in style, the unbeaten trio became a duo. As Claudio Ranieri returned in style, his former employers Chelsea crashed to their first defeat as FPL draft managers began to worry about David Luiz and co. and we’re given a timely reminder of Alvaro Morata’s qualities.
Tottenham returned in style while City and Liverpool marched on. The Premier League was back with a bang and not a day too soon. FPL draft managers were more excited than the 70,000-plus in Old Trafford on Saturday to see the Premier League return.
As always, some returned with a vengeance from the International break. Others are still on the plane. Here are the FPL Draft Risers and Fallers ahead of Gameweek 14.
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FPL Draft Risers
Sead Kolasinac – Arsenal (Defender)
The beast is back. This time last year, big things were expected of Sead Kolasinac. The Bosnian tank went early in most drafts and was expected to break into that elite tier of defenders headed up by Marcos Alonso. Things didn’t turn out as expected. Nacho Monreal reclaimed his place and the rest is history. Kolasinac’s Average Draft Position of 113 this season tells its own story.
However, Arsenal’s beast from the east has a new lease of life. Unai Emery is clearly a fan. Kolasinac excelled in a new role at left wing back, with two assists contributing to a 23.5 point haul. Sure, this is the first decent score of his season. But, if Kolasinac keeps this role he can finally become that elite defender he promised to be last August.
Still a gamble? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Christian Eriksen – Tottenham Hotspur (Midfield)
Speaking of players who are back…
A much loved FPL darling of the past, Christian Eriksen’s draft position will always be high. It’d be an understatement to say that draft owners of the Dane will have been immensely disappointed this season…until now.
Eriksen looks to be back with a bang. Doing what he does best in providing two assists, the Dane was backed up by the steady Eric Dier and the faultless Moussa Sissoko (yes, you have read that right), enabling him to play in his favoured attacking role off Harry Kane.
With Tottenham’s fixtures set to turn for the better after the North London Derby, Eriksen looks like being that elite draft midfielder once again.
Steve Mounie – Huddersfield Town (Forward)
Whereas the Kolasinac pick has a hint of point chasing about it, Steve Mounie is the opposite. Yes, I’m going for a striker yet to score after 13 weeks. And no, he’s not in the wrong column. Despite failing to find the net, Mounie’s Fantrax average of 8.54 ppm is excellent.
His aerial prowess coupled with a willingness to shoot (12 on target which is more than Pierre Emerick Aubameyang this season) means that he scores good points regardless of his goal-shy tendencies. Scores of 21.5 and 16 in the last two weeks without a goal are phenomenal. This week’s matchup against Brighton gives Mounie a great chance to finally break that duck. There’s much more to come.
Fantasy Premier League Fallers
Ross Barkley – Chelsea (Midfield)
Well, that was quick. From hero to zero in a matter of weeks. Football is a fickle game. Ross Barkley’s performance at Burnley didn’t live long in his manager’s memory. Mateo Kovacic’s return to the eleven has left Barkley and many draft owners feeling very Sarri for themselves.
Erik Lamela – Tottenham Hotspur (Midfield)
A similar story. Erik Lamela picked up a bit of form before the international break. However, a timely return to form from certain members of the Spurs cast have left Lamela back out in the cold.
The aforementioned Eriksen won’t move while it’s hard to see Dele Alli and Son Heung Min being budged either, especially the latter after his wonder goal. To those draft managers who were ahead of the game and picked him up early; well done. However, it could be time to drop him. Already.
David Luiz – Chelsea (Defender)
There’s a theme to this week’s article: players returning. In the previous cases mentioned, it’s all been positive. In the case of David Luiz…less so.
The Brazilian, Simpsons villain impersonator has surprised everyone with his un-calamitous start to the season. At times he’s even looked assured. The draft managers who took a punt on him in the early weeks have been rewarded. Gary Neville once famously said that it looked as though Luiz looked as though he was being controlled by a kid with a PlayStation controller. In a nutshell, that was Luiz’s Gameweek 14 performance.
Dodging Harry Kane’s tame effort before dangling a hopeless leg in Son’s direction gave Sarri his first defensive headache. Another similar showing will surely see Luiz find his way back to the bench. Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen are patiently waiting.
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