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Midfielders are arguably the most attractive assets in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). They get five points for a goal as well as a point for keeping a clean sheet. Moreover, the nature of their role means they also fare better in the Bonus Points System (BPS) than forwards. With possession football, the name of the game these days, more and more teams are opting to abandon the traditional two-up top systems and bolster their midfield, which means there are more options available in this area.
Four of the top-scoring FPL assets last year were midfielders (Salah, Sterling, Hazard, and Mane) which further illustrates that this is where the bulk of your points are going to come from. Heung-min Son is not included due to his suspension for Spurs' first two games and Mane is not included due to his expected absence from Liverpool's gameweek one lineup. My top 5 midfield assets are listed below –
1) Mohamed Salah (LIV, 12.5m) –
It would hardly come as a surprise to anyone to see the Egyptian King the first name mentioned, the midfielder has topped the FPL points tally for two consecutive seasons, and has actually incurred a price drop from 13.0m last year.
He started last season slowly due to his shoulder injury but still managed a total of 31 goal involvements (22 goals and 12 assists), his bonus tally of only 18 letting him down.
He has returned late to training for Liverpool after his exertions in the African Cup of Nations but given Mane's initial absence, he should be one of the first names on the team sheet. Milner's game time is only expected to decrease this season which should help Salah retain spot-kick duty.
Liverpool have a great fixture run to start the season with games against Norwich, Southampton, Burnley and Newcastle in their first five and the Egyptian should be one of the first names in your FPL team.
2) Raheem Sterling (MCI, 12.0m) –
Sterling has cemented his place as one of the key men in Pep Guardiola's side and 67 goal involvements (35 goals 32 assists) across two seasons is no small feat. Alongside Aguero, he is seen as the primary goal threat in Guardiola's mean machine and also has a creative side, evidenced by his 12 'big chances created'.
Amongst midfielders, only Salah (322) registered more penalty box touches than the Englishman's 298 and only the Liverpool pair (Salah 29 and Mane 26) registered more 'big chances' than his 20. He was also fifth highest amongst midfielders for shots in the box (61).
No team scored more than Man. City's 95 goals last season and Sterling's numbers can only be expected to improve as he matures further under Guardiola. His explosive potential means that like Salah, he is an excellent armband candidate and can deliver a massive FPL haul on his day.
3) Kevin De Bruyne (MCI, 9.5m) –
De Bruyne's season was curtailed by injuries last year, with the Belgian featuring for only 968 minutes, that too with constant injury recurrences. His pedigree is unquestionable, he managed a total of 408 points in the two seasons prior to that, with 53 goal involvements (14 goals 39 assists). The Belgian has dropped in price by 0.5m and this is his lowest FPL price tag since he joined the Man. City team.
Without any international tournaments, he has had the benefit of a full pre-season and has looked very sharp in their friendlies, with three assists and a goal in four matches.
He is a cut above the rest of their midfield and should be one of the least rotated Man. City assets. The Champions remain the most potent attack in the league and at a price tag of just 9.5m, he represents an absolute bargain.
4) Gylfi Sigurdsson (EVE, 8.0m) –
Sigurdsson had a great 2018/19 season for the Toffees racking up 13 goals and six assists leading to a tally of 182 FPL points, the ninth highest of any player. His total of 73 chances created was beaten by only five midfielders and only four took more shots than his 86. He featured in every one of Everton's games last year and should remain on penalty duties.
Unlike Richarlison who was away with Brazil for the Copa America, he has had the benefit of a full preseason and will be fully up to match fitness.
The Toffees have the best fixture run of any team in the first six gameweeks, avoiding any 'top six' sides and facing two promoted ones. Investment in the Everton attack seems essential and the consistent Icelander is a great pick even at his 8m price tag.
5) Ryan Fraser (BOU, 7.5m) –
A breakout season which included seven goals and 14 assists led to Fraser receiving one of the biggest price hikes in FPL this year, from 5.5m to 7.5m. The Scot was one of the most creative players in the league, with only Hazard (97) and Maddison (99) creating more chances than his 92. Nobody came close to the Scot's tally of 28 'big chances created', which was 10 ahead of second-placed Hazard (18).
He featured for 3165 minutes and was a constant on the Cherries' team sheet. His partnership with Wilson led to the two setting up 12 goals for each other, and the Cherries scored the most goals of any team outside of the 'top six'.
He was the 10th highest scoring FPL asset last season, so his price of 7.5m seems completely justified and given the Cherries' two opening fixtures he is an excellent pick for your side.
