Premier League top rated players and their replacements in Fantasy Premier League
The departure of Mo Salah and Heung-min Son for mid-season international tournaments has posed challenges for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers globally. While we’ve discussed suitable replacements for these star players, it’s crucial to remain vigilant regarding changes in player performances and rankings throughout the season, influenced by factors such as injuries and suspensions.
Continuous monitoring of the replacements for the other top 5 players in every department (Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, and Striker), excluding Salah and Son, becomes imperative. As the season progresses, FPL managers must stay informed about potential standouts based on current form, fixture analysis, and team news. Considering variables like player ownership, price fluctuations, and statistical performance can aid in making well-informed decisions.
In the dynamic landscape of FPL, success depends on adapting to evolving circumstances. Managers need to keep a keen eye on player developments, staying abreast of real-time data to make strategic adjustments that optimize their fantasy football squads. This proactive approach ensures that FPL managers remain competitive and agile in navigating the uncertainties of player dynamics and team performances throughout the season.
Erling Haaland (Man City)
Erling Haaland, the talented forward for Manchester City, is currently priced at £13.9 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL). As of the latest update, he holds a significant standing in the league, ranking 1 out of 98 in points per match with an impressive 7.5. However, in Gameweek 20, Haaland faced a setback due to a foot injury, rendering him unavailable for City’s match. Consequently, his points for that particular Gameweek remained at zero.
Also Read: Top 5 Replacements for Mohamed Salah in Fantasy Premier League
In terms of overall performance, Haaland has accumulated a total of 112 points in the season, with an additional 15 bonus points. His Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index stands at 159.8, positioning him at 2 out of 98.
Despite the recent injury, Haaland continues to be a popular choice among FPL managers, boasting a Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 53.7%, securing him the 2nd position in this category. As the Norwegian forward recuperates from his foot injury, FPL managers will be closely monitoring his status and anticipating his return to the pitch to resume his impactful contributions to the team.
Replacement
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Priced at £8.9 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Ollie Watkins, the forward for Aston Villa, holds a notable position in the league standings. Currently ranked 3rd out of 98 in overall price, Watkins maintains a consistent form with a noteworthy 4.6 points per match, securing him the 2nd position in this category. In Gameweek 20, he accrued 8 points, contributing to his total season points of 120, accompanied by 14 bonus points.
Watkins stands out with an impressive Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index of 167.0, placing him at the top spot among all players. Additionally, he enjoys considerable popularity among FPL managers, boasting a high Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 54.7%, securing him the 1st position in this metric. As a key asset for Aston Villa, Watkins’s consistent performance and goal-scoring abilities make him a valuable choice for FPL managers seeking a reliable forward. His contributions on the pitch and widespread manager support make him a player to watch as the season progresses.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Priced at £9.0 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Bukayo Saka, the midfielder for Arsenal, holds a prominent standing among his peers. Currently ranked 4th out of 337 midfielders in terms of price, Saka maintains a steady form, achieving an average of 3.0 points per match, securing him the 8th position in this category. In Gameweek 20, he contributed 7 points to his team, adding to his overall season tally of 107 points, which includes 11 bonus points.
Saka showcases his impact on the field with an impressive Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index of 199.2, positioning him at the 2nd spot among all midfielders. Notably, he enjoys substantial popularity among FPL managers, boasting a high Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 59.5%, placing him at the pinnacle in this metric.
As a vital component of Arsenal’s midfield, Saka’s consistent performances and significant contributions make him a noteworthy choice for FPL managers seeking a dynamic midfielder. With a strong ICT Index and widespread manager support, Saka remains a player to watch as the season unfolds.
Replacement: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
Priced at £8.1 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Jarrod Bowen, the midfielder for West Ham, holds a respectable position among midfielders, currently ranked 8th out of 337 in terms of price. Bowen maintains a commendable form with an average of 5.4 points per match, securing him the 5th position in this category. In Gameweek 20, he contributed 3 points to his team, adding to his overall season total of 111 points, which includes 8 bonus points.
Bowen, unfortunately, faced a setback in the last game as he sustained a knock, and is currently in recovery from an ankle injury. Despite this, sources suggest he has a 75% chance of playing in the next gameweek, indicating a potential return to action. As an integral part of West Ham’s midfield, Bowen’s performances and goal-scoring abilities make him a valuable asset for FPL managers.
However, keeping an eye on injury updates will be crucial for managers considering him for their squads, as his availability for the upcoming matches may be contingent on his recovery progress.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Priced at £8.5 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Trent Alexander-Arnold, the defender for Liverpool, stands as the top defender with a ranking of 1 out of 250 in terms of price. Maintaining an impressive form, Alexander-Arnold boasts an average of 5.2 points per match, securing him the 1st position in this category. Despite registering zero points in Gameweek 20, his overall season performance has earned him 97 points, including a notable 18 bonus points.
Alexander-Arnold’s Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index stand at 131.7, placing him at the 2nd spot among all defenders. With a Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 28.9%, he holds the 4th position in this metric.
As a key player in Liverpool’s defensive lineup, Alexander-Arnold’s consistent contributions, both defensively and offensively, make him a prime choice for FPL managers. Despite a minor dip in points in the last gameweek, his overall performance and high TSB% indicate ongoing trust from FPL managers, solidifying his status as a premium defender option.
Replacement: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
Priced at £6.7 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Kieran Trippier, the defender for Newcastle, holds a prominent position among defenders with a ranking of 2 out of 250 in terms of price. Trippier maintains a consistent form with an average of 0.4 points per match, securing him the 2nd position in this category. Although he recorded zero points in Gameweek 20, his overall season performance has earned him 85 points, including an impressive 18 bonus points.
Trippier’s Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index stands at 138.4, placing him at the top spot among all defenders. With a Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 37.8%, he holds the 1st position in this metric. Notably, he is suggested as a good replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold in FPL.
With a lower price tag and a commendable track record, Trippier emerges as a viable option for FPL managers looking for a reliable and cost-effective alternative in the defensive lineup. As a key contributor to Newcastle’s defensive prowess, Trippier’s overall performance and high TSB% make him an attractive prospect for FPL managers seeking defensive stability.
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Priced at £7.8 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Phil Foden, the midfielder for Manchester City, holds the 11th position among midfielders in terms of price. Foden exhibits commendable form, maintaining an average of 6.8 points per match, placing him 12th in this category. In Gameweek 20, he delivered an impressive performance, earning 12 points and contributing to his overall season tally of 96 points, which includes 12 bonus points.
Foden’s Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index stands at 152.5, positioning him at the 7th spot among all midfielders. With a Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 21.2%, he ranks 6th in this metric. Despite not being among the highest-priced midfielders, Foden is proving to be a valuable asset, showcasing consistent form and an ability to accrue points.
His performance in the last gameweek makes him an appealing choice for FPL managers seeking an affordable yet impactful midfielder for their squads. As Foden continues to make significant contributions to Manchester City’s midfield, his popularity among FPL managers is expected to grow.
Replacement: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Priced at £5.6 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Cole Palmer, the midfielder for Chelsea, holds the 60th position among midfielders in terms of price. Despite his mid-range pricing, Palmer has demonstrated noteworthy form, maintaining an average of 6.8 points per match and securing the 9th position in this category. In Gameweek 20, he delivered an outstanding performance, earning 18 points and contributing to his overall season tally of 92 points, which includes 11 bonus points.
Palmer’s Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index stands at 125.8, placing him at the 10th spot among all midfielders. With a Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 29.3%, he ranks 5th in this metric. Given his recent impressive performance and affordable price, Cole Palmer is suggested as a good replacement for Phil Foden in FPL. As a player who has showcased both form and consistency, Palmer emerges as a budget-friendly option for FPL managers seeking to enhance their midfield options while maintaining financial flexibility in their squads.
Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Priced at £5.7 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Alisson Ramses Becker, the goalkeeper for Liverpool, stands as the top goalkeeper with a ranking of 1 out of 88 in terms of price. Alisson maintains a consistent form with an average of 3.6 points per match, securing him the 3rd position in this category. In Gameweek 20, he contributed 1 point to his team, adding to his overall season total of 77 points, which includes 9 bonus points.
Alisson’s Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index stands at 42.9, placing him at the 12th spot among all goalkeepers. With a Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 12.8%, he ranks 5th in this metric. As Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson continues to be a solid choice for FPL managers, offering reliability and potential for clean sheets.
While his ICT Index may be relatively lower compared to outfield players, his consistent performance and high TSB% indicate the trust and selection preference of FPL managers seeking stability in the goalkeeping department.
Replacement: Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
Priced at an affordable £4.2 million in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Alphonse Areola, the goalkeeper for West Ham, holds the 34th position among goalkeepers in terms of price. Despite being a budget-friendly option, Areola has showcased impressive form, boasting an average of 5.8 points per match and securing the 2nd position in this category. In Gameweek 20, he delivered an excellent performance, contributing 11 points to his team and adding to his overall season tally of 74 points, which includes 8 bonus points.
Areola’s Influence, Creativity, and Threat (ICT) Index stands at 51.7, placing him at the 7th spot among all goalkeepers. Notably, with a high Team Selected by Percentage (TSB%) of 34.8%, he ranks 1st in this metric.
Recognized as a commendable replacement for Alisson, especially considering his cost-effectiveness in the goalkeeper position, Areola emerges as a budget-friendly alternative for FPL managers looking to strengthen their defensive setup without compromising on performance. His recent strong showing and popularity among FPL managers make Areola an appealing option for those seeking value in the goalkeeping department.
Also Read: Top 5 Replacements for Son Heung-min in Fantasy Premier League
A crucial update for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers: the deadline for Gameweek 21 has been rescheduled to 18:15 GMT on Friday, January 12, instead of the originally set deadline at 11:00 GMT on Saturday, January 13. This change is a result of the rescheduling of the Premier League match between Luton Town and Burnley.
Initially planned for Monday, January 15, the Luton Town vs. Burnley game has been moved up due to the potential FA Cup third-round replay for Luton, which may take place on either Tuesday, January 16 or Wednesday, January 17. Consequently, the clash between Luton and Burnley is now set to occur at Turf Moor at 19:45 GMT on Friday, January 12. FPL managers are advised to take note of this adjustment to avoid any last-minute issues and ensure timely team selections for the upcoming Gameweek 21.