So many star players in FPL, not enough transfer budget to get them all in! A common problem we all face at some point during an FPL season. Yet with a tight budget we all need to cut our cloth accordingly or risk missing out on the next Salah.
You can either pad out your team with youth bench-fodder or look to unearth a lesser known gem that may offer you more points for your pound.
Often players who want to follow the second tactic (myself included) turn to the mid-table teams for value here. Since joining the FPL ranks Bournemouth have been no exception to this with Charlie Daniels and Josh King becoming must haves in seasons past.
Not everyone has time to trawl through all these teams to unearth these stars so I’ve put together a handy list of 5 potential differential players you need to watch out for this FPL season at AFC Bournemouth.
I have ranked these players out of 5 using the following criteria:
- Past success in FPL – Past points for AFCB
- Potential – Potential to score those all important points this year
- Value for money – Not all players are judged solely on points, some allow better transfers elsewhere.
- Stability in team – Will they be on Eddie’s mind come match day?
- Gamble rating – inverted the higher the rating the higher the gamble.
Asmir Begovic – £4.5m – Scored 112 FPL pts 17/18
The Bosnian has been ever present for the Cherries since joining last summer and offers a great return for £4.5m. Being one of four goalkeepers at that price to get over the 100-point mark.
The signs so far this transfer window is that EH is planning to strengthen his back line this summer which will surely increase the likelihood of that all-important clean sheet bonus.
Should he remain injury free I can see the keeper hitting the tonne mark again with ease.
Past Success in FPL – 4/5
Potential – 3/5
Value for money – 5/5
Stability in team – 5/5
Gamble rating – 1/5
Overall – 4/5
Jordan Ibe – £5.5m – Scored 85pts FPL pts 17/18
Much has been made of Ibe’s move to AFCB two summers ago for a club record fee at the time, last season however he showed glimpses of the potential that lead him to Liverpool in the first place.
With 22 starts last season in the premier league contributing 2 goals and 6 assists you could be forgiven for overlooking him this year.
This return is in part due to a slightly deeper role he’s been asked to play to cover Ryan Fraser at wing back with the back line strengthening we could see Ibe being given the inside forward role he needs to excel. I’d expect this return to be reflected in his score in FPL.
Past Success in FPL – 3/5
Potential – 5/5
Value for money – 3/5
Stability in team – 3/5
Gamble rating – 3/5
Overall – 3/5
Tyrone Mings – £4.5m – Scored 3 FPL pts 17/18
A player most fans will only know from his infamous fracas with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2017, the defender has been plagued by injury since he signed, hence his terrible 3 points last season.
However, there is lots of potential in the former Ipswich player, he has been training full time all off season and played in the first pre-season game. If he can remain fit there is a great chance he will fit in as the third centre back alongside Steve Cook and Nathan Aké. From what we have seen of Mings he is a strong and combatitve defender who’ll attack set pieces and can be used as a wing back if required.
I would suggest keeping an eye on him for the first few weeks however.
Past Success in FPL -1/5
Potential – 4/5
Value for money – 4/5
Stability in team – 2/5
Gamble rating – 4/5
Overall – 3/5
Lys Mousset – £5m – Scored 36 FPL pts 17/18
Lys had somewhat of a breakthrough at the end of the last season with his first premier league goal coming against Stoke, followed by his second shortly after against Crystal Palace. He has found most of his game time form the bench. His route to the first team has been opened up somewhat in this transfer window however with the departure of Benik Afobe and rumoured departure of Jermain Defoe. While he may find most of his minutes from the bench again this year, he’s pacey, combative style of play against tiring centre backs could lead to a lot of joy for the Frenchman. If Callum Wilson or King pick up an injury I would back him to stake a claim for the first team place and that’s where the value will arrive for ‘Mous’.
At £5m his price tag may open up a lot of extra options and give you a good chance of some return on your bench.
Past Success in FPL -2/5
Potential – 4/5
Value for money – 4/5
Stability in team – 3/5
Gamble rating – 3/5
Overall – 3/5
Ryan Fraser – £5.5m – Scored 97 FPL pts 17/18
The “Wee man” suffered last year due to our weakness in depth in the full back department, spending a significant part of the season at right back.
With an incoming full back now confirmed, he should be allowed more forward freedom. As he showed the season before last when employed this way he can be a regular contributor to your points haul. Again in the midfielder slot he can stand to benefit from any defensive strengthening with additional clean sheet points.
At £5.5m for an aggressive winger who wins A LOT of pens and free-kicks for extra assists he will be on my watchlist for the season.
Past Success in FPL -4/5
Potential – 4/5
Value for money – 4/5
Stability in team – 4/5
Gamble rating – 1/5
Overall – 4.5/5