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Midfielders have the best point potential in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) due to the scoring system awarding them five points for a goal as well as a point for a clean sheet. It is no surprise that four of the top scorers in FPL last year (Mohamed Salah, Raheem Sterling, Eden Hazard, and Sadio Mane) were all midfielders as the modern game allows many of them to play as support strikers and inside wingers.
Moreover, the majority of Premier League managers seem to be moving towards a one-striker system, as 4-4-2 is being discarded for 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 setups as they look to implement a more possession-based game by controlling the midfield. This means that the choices available to FPL managers are plenty, and in this article, we analyze the budget midfielders on offer, with 6.5m set as the upper limit.
1) David Brooks (BOU, 6.5m)
David Brooks had an extremely impressive debut season with the Cherries, registering seven goals, six assists, and seven bonus points. His versatility meant that he could play as a winger, no.10 and even in midfield. With 2263 minutes of Premier League experience behind him, one can only expect the Welshman to scale greater heights this season.
Only the ‘top six’ scored more goals than Bournemouth’s 56 last season as Eddie Howe continued to emphasize a gung-ho attacking approach. The Cherries also fashioned 95 ‘big chances’, the fifth highest in the league, further highlighting just how good their attack is. With Fraser priced 1m higher at 7.5, the Welshman represents the cheapest entry into the Cherries’ attack in midfield and he scored the same number of goals last season as the Scot.
2) Ayoze Perez (LEI, 6.5m)
Leicester signed Ayoze Perez from Newcastle for a fee of 30m this transfer window and the Spaniard is expected to slot straight into the Foxes’ starting lineup. His versatility means that he can play either on the flanks or as a support striker which should help him get minutes. He had a successful 2017/18 campaign as he went on to score 12 goals, the first time he hit double digits since he arrived on English shores.
No team registered more shots on target than the Foxes’ 36 in the last six weeks of the 2018/19 campaign and Rodgers will be looking to continue an attacking style of play. Classified as a midfielder in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), a role upfront would make Pérez an enticing out-of-position asset.
3) Nathan Redmond (SOU, 6.5m)
Nathan Redmond was Southampton’s top point scorer in FPL last season, scoring 137, 43 more than second-placed Ward-Prowse. He notched six goals, five assists, and 12 bonus points. The Saints sacked Hughes mid-season having won just one game out of 14 and Hasenhuttl was brought in from RB Leipzig who favored a more attacking style of play and this allowed Redmond to flourish.
They ended the season strong with wins against Arsenal and Tottenham emphasizing their improvement under the new manager. The signing of Adams should help Redmond greatly, as his link-up play would allow Redmond to play off him as a second striker and he also serves as an able target for his crosses.
4) Roberto Pereyra (WAT, 6.0m)
Roberto Pereyra had his best Premier League campaign last season registering six goals, four assists, and 13 bonus points. This coincided with the Hornets having their best season yet, scoring 52 goals and registering nine points more than last season. He took more shots than any other Watford midfielder (57) and only Abdoulaye Doucoure (38) created more chances from midfield than his 34.
These numbers underline his importance to their attack, and only eight teams scored more goals and only seven registered more ‘big chances’ than their 81. The Hornets have an attractive opening schedule to start the season with games against Brighton, Newcastle and West Ham in their first four fixtures and Pereyra could be a great pick early doors.
5) Emiliano Buendia (NOR, 6.0m) –
An asset from a promoted side would not usually make the list, but Norwich’s attacking statistics cannot be ignored. They had an impressive 2018/19 season where they scored 93 goals on route to winning the Championship title.
That tally of 93 goals has only been beaten twice since the second division was rebranded the Championship. Emiliano Buendia was their most creative player with 91 attempted assists, the third-highest in the Championship and he shares set-piece duties with Vrancic. With eight goals and 12 assists, he is the heartbeat of this Norwich side and is likely to be involved in their attacking efforts.
