FPL Gameweek 1 Takeaways – Real Or Not?

So! After all the buildup, Gameweek 1 is in the books. 

Gameweek 1 – Real Or Not Real?

Here were our main observations from Gameweek 1. We’ve also said whether we think they actually mean anything, or whether we can just put them in the old ‘wait and see’ category. 

Ben ‘Marcelo 2.0’ Chilwell – REAL

Wow. None of that inverted full-back nonsense for Pochettino! James was fantastic in his usual right wing-back role in the first half, but sadly came off injured. That’s largely been the story of his career so far, unfortunately. 

It was the man on the other side who got our blood pumping, though. 

Chilwell played a ridiculously attacking role. In possession, he was frequently the furthest man forward, or at least in line with Jackson… who’s supposed to be the striker. 

He finished with one assist and 2 bonus points. He could easily have had a massive game. He got in constantly, and it seemed like all the Chelsea players were looking for him. 

If he keeps playing that role – which he almost certainly will, after this performance – Chilwell becomes borderline essential. 

If I could only have him or Trent right now, I’d take him without thinking twice. On a per game basis, he should easily match Trent’s probable output (13-14 goal involvements, based on the past couple of years). Most importantly, he’s a whole 2.5 cheaper, which is massive.

The caveat here is injuries. They’ve marred his Chelsea career so far, so it only feels like a matter of time before he gets hurt again. But he looked so good, I’m not sure we should care for now. 

Plus, if we are going to get him in, now’s the time to do it. His next four games are West Ham, Luton, Forest, and Bournemouth. Tasty. 

Eddie – REAL

After Jesus’ injury, I called Eddie Nketiah the best value forward in the game.

Guess what? I stand by it!

As predicted, Mikel started Eddie up top in a (seemingly) easy fixture. Eddie promptly did his usual thing – didn’t contribute much, but snaffled a goal anyway. 

He’s only 5.5, and he’ll be starting up top, for one of the best teams in the league, who have a great run of fixtures. 

Villa Being Rubbish – NOT REAL

This was the most disappointing performance of the weekend for me. In a game against an apparent European-places rival, Villa were okay in the first half then abysmal in the second. 

I’m not worried, for any Villa assets. 

Watkins should be fine. Villa did their usual absorb and counter thing, and Watkins looked dangerous in the first half. He got an assist, and I’d still back him to deliver consistently. 

I’m also going to say that conceding five goals was a fluke. Villa’s defence was rock solid after Emery came in last season. Mings’ injury is a shame, but Pau Torres has been class for years. 

Hold all your Villa players, and don’t worry about it. 

United’s New Possession Based Football – NOT REAL… yet

We speculated in the pre-season that United might struggle to adapt to this new possession based football than Ten Haag wants them to play. And that was all too real (or not real) on Monday night.

Rashford started up front but was isolated all game. He got so frustrated, particularly with Garnacho who looked out-of-his-depth, that he just started drifting wide at times.

The midfield weren’t helping to transition the ball up front and they were quiet reliant on longer balls outwide. Great for the wing-backs right? Wrong. Shaw was rotating the inverted wing-back Stones/Trent role with the left centre-back. Wan Bissaka actually looked better and eventually got the assist.

In theory, Mount (who was subbed at 68 mins) and Fernandes could be great options given their positioning in this game, just off the striker. But they barely got the ball. Fernandes best moment came when he stepped back from this role and lofted a lovely ball in to assist the assister.

United weren’t that good defensively either. If Wolves were good and not their typical selves (worst attack in the league last year) then they would have scored. Cunha picked up the ball and just ran through their lack of midfield and defence

It’s too early to panic yet. But, if we see this again then I think a double up on their attack is too much. And, Rashford would be the one I would keep because at least he was a threat on the break.

At least Onana was good and constantly on the ball.

Brentford Doubles/Trebles – REAL

I trebled up on Brentford to start the season, with Pinnock, Mbeumo, and Wissa. 

Mbeumo scored a pen, and missed an absolute sitter for his second. Wissa didn’t actually play that well, but scored anyway. Both remain fantastic value, and are perfectly suited for Brentford’s counter attacking style. 

I’m also completely fine starting any Brentford defenders going forward. They were under constant pressure, and performed brilliantly. Spurs scored twice, but one was a brilliantly-delivered free kick, and the other was a fluky goal from outside the box. Their next three fixtures are great defensively too. 

Spurs’ New Look Attack – WAIT AND SEE!

Hmm… 

Spurs had loads of the ball, but that’s because Brentford were happy to give them it. They didn’t actually look dangerous, at all. 

Son looked terrible. He’s not even on my radar right now. Kulu was aggressive as always, but it wasn’t getting him anywhere. 

Maddison was easily the standout player. He looks like the main man, now Kane’s gone, and was constantly involved. He’s on corners and free kicks, and had a couple of nice shots from outside the area. He looks very nice value indeed at 7.5.

Richarlison is the interesting one. He looked pretty lost up top (I know he can play there, and do the job well, but he was poor in this game). But he’s still right at the top of my watchlist. He’s an out of position striker for – probably – one of the league’s best sides, so should score goals by default. He’s also crazy value at 7.0. 

Newcastle Attack – REAL… But…

Holy moly, Newcastle looked great. 

Tonali was fantastic, but it’s too early to get excited about him in FPL. 

The problem in general here is there are just too many options. I wouldn’t be confident buying any of them right now. 

Almiron probably keeps his right-wing position, but has been quiet since going nuclear midway through last season. Barnes and Gordon are both competing for the left wing spot, and both looked good. Isak was brilliant… but got subbed off after 67 minutes – despite being on a hat trick – for Wilson. He probably starts the next game, but can’t be trusted to keep his place going forward. 

Joao Pedro – WAIT AND SEE

Brighton have been crying out for a proper striker for years… although they’ve been doing well without one, in fairness. 

Regardless, they might have finally got their man. 

Pedro looked extremely sharp here, and scored a pen. It’s way too early to get him in. But he’s only 5.5, and plays for a very good team. He could easily form part of a starting three-man forward line in FPL in the near future. 

Liverpool Rotation Risk – REAL

So, we finally got an answer to which two of Jota, Diaz, Gakpo and Darwin would start. And weirdly enough, it was three of them. 

Gakpo in the midfield put in a pretty poor performance.

Diaz scored and looked threatening, and Jota made some good passes. But then they were both subbed off at about 65 mins. So, I have no interest in them.

In the first half, Salah dominated the Liverpool attack. He had a goal narrowly disallowed and put in an incredible ball to Dias for his assist. The second half was not good for him, though. Liverpool struggled to keep the ball, and he even got subbed off.

The Liverpool defence showed signs of its poor form from last season, so that’s one to watch. Alexander-Arnold was his usual self and offering an attacking threat. Not wholly convinced he is worth so much more than Chilwell right now though…

Chelsea’s Re-build – WAIT AND SEE

They looked vastly better than at any point last season. 

Sterling worked well with James, and put in a number of good crosses.

I think we can expect to see more from Jackson in future. He was getting into good positions but struggling to finish.

Finally, a fun one, Chukwumeka was playing in Nkunku’s position. I don’t think there is any need for us to actively bring him in but it’s interesting to see an attacking 4.5 midfielder on a good team.

General Observations

With my silliness wrapped up, here were James’ other takeaways from Gameweek 1. 

Defences Suck

This was the case last year. And it looks like it’s going to be the case this year too. 

We shouldn’t even be worrying about clean sheets, really. We’ve got no idea who’s going to keep them, especially at this early stage. 

Early Transfers

Generally speaking, James and I advise against over-reacting to Gameweek 1, and basically making any transfers at all ahead of Gameweek 2. 

That being said, I have Gabriel and 1 million in the bank. Gabriel is a potential problem given that he may not start again.

I am very tempted to move Chilwell in straight away. If Chelsea continue to play five at the back then Chilwell will be a great option. And, I can get in ahead of price rises. Whilst that’s not hugely important, at this stage in the season it can be worth it to build a bit of squad value early on.

Luton The New Whipping Boys? – PROBABLY!

The pre-season chat was that Luton would come up and keep playing defensive football… but they were so good at it that it would work anyway. 

Well, it’s not off to a great start. Yes, Brighton are excellent, but this was still a mauling. Brighton had 27 shots, for God’s sake!

Every year, one of the first things we need to work out is who the whipping boys will be, then we can target them relentlessly. It sounds mean, but hey, that’s how you get points. 

Luton are at the top of that list, based on this evidence. 

Any Other Business

• Timber went off injured, which probably means Zinchenko starts there next game.
• Eze was very good again. We definitely need to look at him when their fixtures turn
• Everton are still rubbish, especially going forward. They underperformed their xG significantly, and definitely need one of the supposed goalscorers to get going
• Raul started for Fulham, but we’re not expecting much from him this season
• Sheffield United looked defensively poor. Like Luton, they might be a team to target going forward. 
• At least their 4.5 forward might interest us. Osula started the game AND played 90 mins. Not worth a transfer but maybe one to consider for a later wildcard.

That’s it.

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