We have faced a conundrum on numerous occasions as to whether we should stick with an underperforming player in Fantasy Premier League or boot them out. We have also been guilty of showing a bit of bias towards the players of the teams we support, despite their torrid form, but we learn from our mistakes and become better managers as each season passes.
But it can be a bit frustrating when you place your trust in a newly acquired transfer, only for them to be benched that very week. FPL can be a cruel game at times and if I have learnt anything in my years of playing is that to trust no one (apart from Sergio Aguero).As your league tables begin to hot up and you begin your hunt for a differential, here are Five FPL disappointments that you should overlook at least for now.
#1 Jamie Vardy – Leicester City
Starting off with Leicester City’s key man in their title-winning campaign, Jamie Vardy. The England international has been a shadow of what he was last season and has only managed two goals and three assists so far. And it now looks like he might even struggle to get into double figures this season. Vardy has also failed to score in his last eight, hardly something you expect from the Foxes’ star man.
While not many expected Leicester to retain their title, few would have expected them to be languishing so low in the table. Much has been due to the fact that key players like Vardy have not performed up to the very top of their game. Currently priced at 9.6, Vardy is far from worth his FPL price tag and is selected by less than 10% of fantasy players. Whether he can turn his fortunes around remains to be seen but for now, it’s best to leave Vardy out of your FPL teams.
#2 David Silva – Manchester City
David Silva was once a must-have asset in fantasy teams but the Spaniard has shown a steady decline since the last campaign. He only scored the one goal last season, although he did manage a marginally impressive 11 assists. While he has never been a goal scoring midfielder, Silva always tends to be involved in City’s attacking play.
12 goals and 12 assists in the 2014/15 season proved that he is capable of grabbing a few goals but none in the opening 12 weeks this season, says otherwise. He is also lagging behind in terms of assists this season, with only two to his name.
While Silva still is a vital part of the Manchester City squad, it remains a big doubt if he is worth 8.7, considering that there are better options in the same price range.
#3 Leighton Baines – Everton
Leighton Baines has been amongst the very best defenders in FPL over the years. He posed a potent attacking threat from the back, while also taking charge of set-pieces. But it has been far from a good start to the season for the left-back, largely due to him struggling with injuries. He has only managed a single assist and two clean sheets when he has appeared this season, while he has also missed a penalty.
Baines has scored in every Premier League campaign since 2008 and he will be eager to get off the mark soon. Although, Everton’s inconsistent form and poor defending in recent weeks will not help 31-year-old who has only just returned from a long injury lay-off. Currently priced at 5.3, it is best that at least for the time being, Baines remains out of our FPL teams.
#4 Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
To say Wayne Rooney has endured a torrid 2016 would be a massive understatement. The England captain has struggled to find any sort of form and it has reflected in his FPL performances. Last campaign was the first time in his entire Manchester United career that he failed to reach double figures in terms of league goals and that slump looks to have carried on into this season.
Rooney only has a solitary goal to his name, that he scored in the opening week of the season. A decent four assists have not been enough to get him into the United starting line-up of late, let alone our FPL teams. One start in the last seven games is simply not good enough for him to merit a place in most FPL teams and only 2.6% of players have chosen to stick with the United skipper.
The likes of Jermaine Defoe, Solomon Rondon, Charlie Austin and Troy Deeney are cheaper options and have gone on to outperform Rooney. His days as an FPL regular might just be behind him.
# 5 Shane Long – Southampton
Shane Long has always been a worthy back-up striker that many of us chose to have in many teams, when the budget has been tight. Despite his comparatively short stature, Long has always been an excellent centre-forward comfortable of scoring with his feet or his head. 10 goals and four assists last season seemed enough for fantasy managers to secure his services at the start of the campaign. But he has since lost his starting berth to Charlie Austin, thanks to the Englishman’s outstanding form.
The Irish striker is yet to get on the scoresheet or assist a goal and is offered only 9 points until now. Long has recently returned from injury and will look to fight for his place in the Saints first-team. It will take a number of good performances from the forward, to convince us to get him back into our team but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
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