Best points per 90 FPL players from 2021/22

It won’t take long for FPL managers to reel off last season’s top points scorers. But how many of these feature among the best points per 90 assets?

When initially using the ‘per 90’ filter in Fantasy Football Scout’s Members Area stats, it is skewed by those who played single-digit minutes throughout the season. Names like Neco Williams (40.00), Daniel Chesters (22.50) and Moise Kean (18.00).

By limiting it to a minimum number of minutes played, let’s say 1,200, there is a more accurate landscape.

Naturally, Mo Salah justifies his price rise by having the best points rate. It’s interesting to see Riyad Mahrez in third place, as his 1,538 minutes are the equivalent of just 17 full matches yet he was involved in 18 goals. That’s why several FPL managers believe the removal of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling could lead to a brilliant campaign.

Elsewhere, Dejan Kulusevski has the fifth-best points-per-90 total, although he barely made 1,200 minutes due to his mid-season arrival. Over a longer period, can he maintain the rate of five goals and nine assists? The competition from Richarlison and steep rise from £6.0m to £8.0m hinder his appeal.

By position

Breaking this data down position-by-position, we get this:

The top six points-per-90 players are midfielders, although it’s a surprise to see Jarrod Bowen so far down the list. Another observation is that Antonio Rudiger, Sadio Mane and various forwards have all since departed FPL.

Diogo Jota tops the strikers but it needs noting that these points were gained as a midfielder. If the 25-year-old was a forward in 21/22, he’d have at least 29 fewer points (15 goals, 14 clean sheets) before considering bonuses. On 146 points, his 6.66 points-per-90 would instead be 5.56.

It would therefore make Jamie Vardy the leading forward, with both he and midfield teammates James Maddison and Harvey Barnes producing at a good rate.

Points-per-90 under £7m

What FPL managers likely want from such information is which lower-priced players can complement their big hitters. By removing all players that cost over £7.0m this time around, there are some interesting names.

Whilst defence is the same as before, just without Trent Alexander-Arnold, the top midfielder is Yoane Wissa.

Brentford’s winger only started 12 times but half came in the final nine matches, notching four goals and two assists. Overall, he scored on seven occasions and – if Wissa remains in Thomas Frank’s starting XI – he could easily overtake Pedro Neto as the community’s favoured £5.5m midfielder.

It’s unfortunate that several top attacking names are huge rotation risks – Kelechi Iheanacho, Emile Smith Rowe, Danny Welbeck etc.

If Said Benrahma remains in West Ham’s line-up, he could be a good differential. As he ranked first amongst midfielders and attackers in Scout’s study into points-per-game value, it may have been ignored that his rampant start didn’t entirely disappear. From Gameweek 19 onwards, the Algerian international registered five goals and three assists from 11 starts.

So FPL’s premium assets are expensive for a reason but, beyond them, some budget-friendly names can become heroes during the 2022/23 season.