Fantasy Premier League: Picking the bargain XI of the decade

Is there anything more frustrating than playing Fantasy Premier League? Probably not.

Hours of toiling away building the perfect team, only for your genius selection of three Manchester City superstars against an injury-ravaged Huddersfield to result in multiple blanks - sound familiar?

Of course it does, we've all been there and the amount of luck needed to actually succeed on FPL is quite alarming.

However, throughout the decade, there have been those rare times that we've stumbled upon the bargain of all bargains.

A 5 million midfielder scoring goals for fun, a 4 million defender playing as an attacking midfielder? The stuff of dreams!

So without further ado, we've decided to provide our bargain FPL XI of the decade, 11 players who provided millions with untold joy every weekend.

Michel Vorm, Swansea (2011/12, 4.0m)  

FPL clearly didn't expect Swansea to be rock solid at home in 2011/12.

With Vorm between the sticks, the Welsh side kept 14 clean sheets, with the Dutchman mustering 143 saves in total and saving two penalties along the way.

His 158-point haul that season saw his value rise to 5.2 million come May!

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool (2018/19, 5.0m)

Now the most expensive defender on FPL, but last season his magical assists did not come at a premium price.

In Jurgen Klopp's seemingly all-conquering side, Alexander-Arnold chipped in with 12 assists, which is basically unheard of for a defender.

And in 2018/19, Liverpool weren't allergic to clean sheets like they appear to be in 2019/20.

What great times they were for FPL players!

Gareth McCauley, West Brom (2016/17, 4.5m)

Every time West Brom scored in 2016/17, McCauley seemed to be involved.

In truth, the Northern Irishman only scored six times from centre-back, but that haul was also matched by the Baggies' knack for keeping clean sheets under Tony Pulis.

Has a 37-year-old ever been as prolific in FPL history? Probably not.

Sadly, the 2016/17 season was his final hurrah in England's top-flight.

John Lundstram, Sheffield United (2019/20, 4.0m)

We know the 2019/20 is still ongoing, but Lundstram is already a cult hero in the world of FPL.

Bizarrely, the Englishman was listed as a defender at the start of the season and not only that, he was put down for the lowest possible price of 4 million.

So what's happened since? Well, he's become one of the Premier League's best forward-thinking midfielders.

Benefitting from Sheffield United's clean sheet points, Lundstram has contributed three goals and two assists, making him the second most selected player on FPL this season.

Andy Robertson, Liverpool (2017/18, 5.0m)

This sentence might be hard to fathom these days, but for half of the 2017/18 season, Robertson was benched in favour of Alberto Moreno.

But after the New Year, Robertson was brought in and his presence - along with the signing of Virgil van Dijk - turned Liverpool's fortunes around.

The Scotsman notched five assists in 2017/18 and averaged five points per game, outscoring every other Liverpool player - despite making just 22 Premier League appearances.

It's a shame you can't get Robertson for 5 million these days!

Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal (2013/14, 5.5m)

Arsenal fans - and most Premier League fans in general - will remember Ramsey's outrageous goal scoring season back in 2013/14.

But do you remember him being as cheap as 5.5 million?! If you do, your FPL team was probably flying back then.

He may have only played 23 Premier League games in 2013/14, but the Welshman notched 10 goals in total.

How we miss you, Aaron!

Charlie Adam, Blackpool (2010/11, 5.0m)

Lundstram has been brilliant, but Adam probably takes the trophy for 'greatest ever newly-promoted player in FPL history'.

The key man in Ian Holloway's brave, gung-ho Blackpool side, Adam was an FPL points magnet.

Twelve goals, eight assists and 192 FPL points in total, the Scotsman was simply a must have player.

The less said about the rest of his Premier League career, the better...

Josh King, Bournemouth (2016/17, 5.5m)

Arguably the greatest case of a striker being available as a midfielder on FPL.

With Callum Wilson out injured, King was assigned as Bournemouth's lone striker and boy did he take that opportunity.

The Norwegian scored 16 goals and given the fact he was a midfielder, King was nearly always a shoe-in to earn three bonus points come full-time.

He's still a useful option as a striker these days on FPL, but he'll never reach those 2016/17 levels of success again.

Harry Kane, Tottenham (2014/15, 5.0m)

Do not adjust your screen, Kane was really worth 5 million just five years ago.

The Premier League's master marksman was a super sub for Spurs in the early parts of the campaign, but a stunning brace against Chelsea during the festive period changed all that.

Suddenly, FPL players were getting ridiculous value for money, as Kane banged in goal after goal.

He managed 21 in total in 2014/15!

Jamie Vardy, Leicester (2015/16, 6.0m)

The king of Fantasy Premier League in 2019/20 took us all by surprise in 2015/16.

After helping guide Nigel Pearson's Foxes to safety in 2014/15, Vardy stunned the footballing world by scoring a plethora of goals to secure Leicester the title.

The Englishman scored 24 goals that season, including in 11 straight games - a Premier League record to this day.

If you didn't have Vardy and Riyad Mahrez in your team in 2015/16, you just weren't doing it right.

Raul Jimenez, Wolves (2018/19, 5.5m)

An absolute steal last season!

Jimenez's impact at Wolves was pretty substantial in 2018/19, with the Mexican scoring 13 goals in total and striking up a brilliant partnership with Diogo Jota.

At 5.5 million, having Jimenez was simply a no brainer, as it allowed you to invest heavily in goal scoring midfielders - who often come at a serious premium.

This season, the Mexican's starting value shot up to 7.5 million.