The international break felt like it would never end for fantasy Premier League draft managers but this weekend soccer returns. Ahead of the weekend, we’ve got you covered on who are seeing their stock rise and fall ahead of Gameweek nine. Without further ado, let’s get to the risers.
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David Brooks
The phrase “like London buses” comes to mind when describing David Brooks’ attacking returns this season. Bournemouth’s newest youngster did everything but find the net in his first six weeks in the Premier League, but when his first goal came, another quickly followed during GW8’s handsome victory over Watford, proving Brooks to be a decent fantasy Premier League draft asset to get hold of.
Brooks comes with a warning. He faces competition in the form of fantasy Premier League draft darling Junior Stanislas and this season’s success story Ryan Fraser. However, Brooks is the man in form out of the three of them and should have done enough to keep his place. A home derby against struggling Southampton in GW9 presents an excellent chance for Brooks to maintain his excellent form.
Jonjo Shelvey
A 19-point haul at Old Trafford was a nice surprise for Jonjo Shelvey owners. As bad as Newcastle United are, Shelvey looks to be getting back to his best. An assist, three chances created, and a shot on target were the highlights of his excellent hour at Old Trafford and he looks to have cemented himself as the Toon’s main man.
His dominance of set pieces, as well as his eye for a pass and “shoot from anywhere” approach, make Shelvey an excellent FPL asset and Newcastle’s kind run of fixtures make him well worth the gamble in your FPL draft league.
Gerard Deulofeu
It’s no secret that you have to be pretty good at football to come through Barcelona’s academy. It’s also no secret that I am a massive fan of Gerard Deulofeu.
To say that his career hasn’t turned out how Deulofeu imagined is an understatement. However, his permanent transfer to Watford in the summer may be exactly what he needs to fulfill his massive potential. His sparkling display in the demolition of Chelsea at Vicarage Road last year demonstrated exactly how talented he is and his direct approach means that he is a great, non-goal/assist dependant FPL draft asset to have in your Fantrax league.
The Spaniard’s latest injury comeback off the bench against Bournemouth will have delighted those (me) who spent an early (4th round) pick on Deulofeu in their FPL draft league. Deulofeu should be Watford’s returning star man and should thrive alongside a rejuvenated Troy Deeney.
Matt Doherty
This year’s story of the season so far. The top-scoring defender in Fantrax fantasy Premier League draft after eight weeks is… Matt Doherty.
Those who used an early fantasy Premier League draft pick on Marcos Alonso will be casting an envious glance at the manager in their league who used a waiver pick on “the Irish Cafu”.
The question is, stick or twist?
Doherty’s hot start means he is looking like the ultimate “trade high” candidate and owners may be wise to cash in now and get themselves a high scoring midfielder who is yet to fulfill his potential this season (e.g. Pascal Gross). If trading isn’t for you, Doherty’s tendency to shoot, create chances and win numerous aerials should mean that his excellent scoring will continue.
Daniel Sturridge
Few would have predicted in August that Daniel Sturridge would be named as Liverpool’s September player of the month. However, his strike against PSG in the Champions League, as well as the last gasp wonder goal at Stamford Bridge, meant the man once forgotten at Anfield deservedly scooped the accolade.
His fine form should be enough to turn the head of Jurgen Klopp but a mini injury crisis during the International break at Anfield means Sturridge has an excellent chance of getting minutes in the coming weeks. Mo Salah should recover from a hamstring injury but news of Sadio Mane’s surgery on a broken thumb will be more concerning for Klopp and co. Naby Keita is also struggling with a hamstring problem. Well worth a free agent pick up if he’s still available.
Fantasy Premier League Fallers
Sadio Mane
As previously mentioned, Sadio Mane is an injury doubt heading into the tea time kick off against Huddersfield. Apart from the injury, Mane has suffered a dip in form after a hot start to the campaign. The Senegalese forward was anonymous against Manchester City before the break and has failed to score since being criticized for missing numerous chances against Tottenham at Wembley in GW5.
Long-term, Mane owners have nothing to worry about but he could be the cause of some frustration in the short term.
Gabriel Jesus
Sergio Aguero is (once again) on fire this season, meaning that Gabriel Jesus just can’t get a game. Despite being Brazil’s first choice striker at the World Cup in the summer, Jesus has only started twice for his club this term and his role as a “super sub” doesn’t look like being one that’s set to change.
FPL draft managers will most likely have spent a high draft pick on the Brazilian, leaving the question of what to do with someone who is essentially a bench warmer in both real and fantasy football.
Jordan Ayew
Since Christian Benteke’s injury, I’ve touted Jordan Ayew as a great FPL draft asset. It’s not quite turned out as planned, in fact he’s been pretty useless.
The Ghanaian, who shone in an awful Swansea City team last year, has managed one assist since gaining his place in the side while failing to register a shot on target. With Crystal Palace’s fixtures about to turn for the worse, Ayew is droppable.
Bernardo Silva
Another high profile player in the fallers this week. The return of Kevin de Bruyne is great news for everyone apart from Premier League defenders and Bernardo Silva.
Silva has sparkled this season, taking full advantage of the absence of the Belgian and establishing himself as an integral part of the Manchester City lineup. However, with De Bruyne on the verge of another miraculous return, the other spot in central midfield will no doubt be shared between the two Silvas with David being preferred to Bernardo on most occasions. Harsh but inevitable.
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