It often feels like 90% of our FPL transfers and head space is centred around premium assets from the big six clubs, whilst those more affordable players who play for less glamorous clubs often go under the radar.
Fair enough, budget players are often cheap for a reason and this game is all about getting maximum points but this season, more than any I can remember, many of the budget players have stepped up and are producing big numbers.
The top-scoring goalkeeper so far is Nottingham Forest’s Dean Henderson (4.7m), while four of the top six defenders in the game (Ben White, Timothy Castagne, Fabian Schär and William Saliba) started the season at 4.5m.
Only Kevin De Bruyne (12.3m) has more points in midfield than Miguel Almiron (5.4m) in midfield and up top, Ivan Toney (7.5m) and Aleksandar Mitrović (6.8m) are ranked third and fourth amongst all forwards.
Now, I’m not saying you should go and sell all your premiums for enablers, but I do think we would all benefit from considering a wider pool of players.
Before I look at individuals, I often look at the clubs I want to target – and if we are looking away from the most fashionable teams in the league, Everton, Fulham and Newcastle are all playing good football and performing at both ends of the pitch.
Attractive Differentials and Enablers
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7.9m) is Everton’s talisman and is being eased back into the team after a long time out but with a run of favourable fixtures, he could be a really nice differential at 0.4% owned.
Likewise, Alex Iwobi (5.5m) has been the Toffees' player of the season so far and is nailed in the creative/attacking midfield three spot. Playing between the lines, he’s clocked five assists and one goal and looks to be in the form of his life.
Like Iwobi, Fulham have a budget midfielder exceeding all expectations. Andreas Pereira (4.6m) has been the key cog in Marco Silva’s attack-minded team and averages a goal involvement every other game. He is simply too good to bench every week, especially when he plays at Craven Cottage.
You should never underestimate a set-piece threat in FPL. Knowing Andreas is on the majority of set pieces, he has more routes to points than most midfielders, especially with target man Mitrović often on the end of his pinpoint delivery.
Newcastle have been dark horses this season. Defensively they are as solid as any - no team has more clean sheets - and offensively they have been free-flowing and fearless. FPL managers have recognised their defensive strengths for a couple of months now and the likes of Kieran Trippier (5.8m) and Nick Pope (5.3m) are rightly popular assets.
However, the Newcastle attack has been overlooked and deserves more respect.
Almiron (5.4m) is the fifth-best player in the game with 67 points but is somehow only 15% owned. This is a player who was clearly short of confidence for a very long time but now Eddie Howe has put an arm around him and given him the security of starts, he looks like the player Newcastle fell in love with when they bought him from the MLS four years ago.
With Aston Villa and Southampton up next, I also like the look of Callum Wilson (7.3m), who is only 2.3% owned. It's these sorts of differentials that can lead to huge green arrows if they bang.
Erling Haaland captaincy alternatives
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Erling Haaland of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton FC at Etihad Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Captaincy hasn’t been much of a discussion point this season, but this week could be an interesting one and much will hinder on what Pep Guardiola says in his press conference about his main man.
Erling Haaland (12.2) was subbed at halftime during midweek and was reported to have a fever. He was then seen on camera limping the day after the game.
My approach will be, if we think Haaland starts then we captain him (obviously) but if we don’t, we look to Mohamed Salah (12.8m) who plays Leeds at home.
Harry Kane (11.5m) travels to Bournemouth in what looks like another good fixture to target, despite the lack of goals we have seen from Spurs of late.