The business end of the Premier League season is approaching much quicker than you would think. With some managers having European priorities when selecting their XI’s, it is time to think really carefully about which players to have in your team. Budgeting is always the key when it comes to FPL, so here is team of players all under £5m, which will leave you with a lot of money to help build the rest of your squad should you choose to transfer in any of them. Some of these picks could be really handy, if you have not used your second wildcard as of yet.
Alex McCarthy (Southampton) – Current value £4.4m
McCarthy has been Southampton’s no.1 since November, after Angus Gunn lost his place after the Saints were beaten 9-0 by Leicester in October. McCarthy is a competent shot stopper, and Southampton have a decent run of games to end the season. The Saints next ‘big’ game is against Arsenal towards the end of March, but before that they play West Ham, Newcastle and Norwich. There is definitely clean sheet potential here for the keeper, as well as points for saves made.
(Southampton’ s Alex McCarthy could be a shrewd choice as one of your fantasy keepers. Image from ‘dailyecho.co.uk’)
Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) – Current value 4.3m
Despite some solid performances by Martin Kelly, Ward is Roy Hodgson’s preferred option at right back when both of them are fit. With Crystal Palace’s pragmatic and dogged style, they are never easy to break down, with them not likely to concede many Ward could be a very good player to have. The Eagles have some favourable fixtures left, and they may grab some clean sheets. Their next three games are against Brighton, Watford and Bournemouth.
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) – Current value £4.5m
Any of the Blades’ central defenders are viable selections with John Egan (£4.6m) and Jack O’Connell (£4.7m) being under £5m too. Basham is singled out here, as he is the cheapest starting defender United have at £4.5m. Basham is currently 2nd in the league in headed clearances with 72, and these tangible things can make the difference when considering the FPL’s bonus points system. Basham is also the least owned Sheffield United defender at just 1.3%. Chris Wilder’s men will also have a double gameweek coming up.
Jack Stephens (Southampton) – Current value £4.5m
Stephens only started one league match in the first three months of the season, but like keeper Alex McCarthy he has been a permanent fixture since November. Despite his lack of starts earlier in the season, he has still amassed 62 points, which is joint fourth of all Saints’ players. Stephens has a one goal and three assists this season, and with Southampton having already played Liverpool, Leicester and Tottenham twice, he will be looking to add to his points tally.
Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham) - Current value £4.1m
Unless you are a Spurs fan you were unlikely to know who Tanganga was at Christmas, but Jose Mourinho has seen something in the 20-year old. Tanganga loves a tackle, is strong and capable in the air, and his versatility across the backline means he will get minutes. Mourinho is known for his tactical nous, and although Spurs had been struggling to keep clean sheets they have had two shutouts recently.
(Japhet Tanganga battles with Sadio Mane on his Premier League debut versus Liverpool. Image from ‘Shaun Botterill (Getty Images)/Bleacher Report’)
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) – Current value 4.4m
Considering he has come off the bench eight times this season, Luiz has contributed quite well for Villa in his first season with the club. He has 3 goals and 2 assists this campaign, and has rather quietly mustered up 69 FPL points. As Villa continue their huge fight to beat the drop, expect him to be getting forward and shooting more, with the Villans missing a huge piece in the injured John McGinn.
Todd Cantwell (Norwich) - Current value £4.8m
Cantwell is already owned by 20.5% of owners, but as Norwich’s secondary goal threat, expect more heroics from him despite Norwich looking destined for relegation. The Canaries will do well to hang onto Cantwell who turns 22 this week, he has 6 goals and 2 assists, and does not shy away from a tackle either. If he avoids injury, there should be a minimum of 3 more goal contributions this season, regardless of how many points Norwich pick up.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – Current value 4.5m
With the fitness issues of Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney, the winger has had to help out at left back for the Gunners. This has not halted his production however, as Mikel Arteta has shown confidence in him and allowed him to express himself. He has already got four assists in the league in limited minutes. With Arsenal still being in the Europa League, he will get more time in the Premier League and should leave his owners satisfied.
(Bukayo Saka’s fearlessness may get FPL owners some decent points before the season ends. Image from ‘Getty Images/Metro’.)
Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) – Current value £4.3m
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is already waxing lyrical over his teenager, saying that at his young age he is already one of the best natural finishers that he has seen, comparing him to the likes of Robin van Persie. Solskjaer thus far has been careful in the way he has used Greenwood, but with Marcus Rashford out for the rest of the season his playing time will increase. After playing Manchester City and Spurs back-to-back in March, United then have a nice run of fixtures.
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) – Current value £4.6m
The 18-year old Brazilian told Unai Emery when he was in charge of the Gunners, that he prefers to play out wide than in the centre. However, he has the instincts of a man who was born to play centrally and he looks a goal threat whenever he is on the pitch. His goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge shows that he has maturity beyond his years, and the more he plays his movement will continue to improve. Martinelli is due to get some starts before the season ends.
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) – Current value 4.3m
Some were surprised when Nketiah was called back from his loan spell at Leeds in January. It was not known whether or not he would be loaned out again or sold permanently, but now we know Mikel Arteta has brought him back to North London to use him. Nketiah has started Arsenal’s last two league games and scored against Everton. Still only 20, he could grow into a very good front man, and a killer when in the penalty box.
@DubulDee
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