Best value FPL players of the 2021/22 season
Now that the 2021/22 season has been completed, it’s time to reflect on which FPL players had the best value in terms of points-per-million.
Best value FPL players
Naturally, the cheaper price ceiling on goalkeepers and defenders means that they are significantly better value than the rest. This is especially true with forwards, where 40 players have better points-per-million than their best effort.
Therefore, these will be looked at for each position and based on players’ final price tags.
Goalkeepers
Seven goalkeepers appear in the top 20, headlined by Liverpool’s Alisson. Of the £4.5m starting prices, Robert Sanchez bagged 11 clean sheets and is rated as better value, although Aaron Ramsdale is hindered by his price rises as he actually scored more points.
A special mention for Jose Sa. When comparing goals conceded (39) to the expected goals conceded from shots on target (46.8), the Wolves stopper far exceeds all others. His prevention of 7.8 goals is far ahead of the next-best Ederson (+1.10) – not including Kepa Arrizabalaga, who only played twice.
Defenders
Three attacking returns from the final three matches cemented Joel Matip as FPL’s best-value player. Liverpool’s centre-back is usually an afterthought when Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk are such popular picks. Yet Matip played 31 league games and kept 17 clean sheets, with just a £5.0m starting price.
Defence is often the best-value position in the game. 11 appear in the top 20. As more managers figure this out, expect more four-man formations next season. By exceeding 200 points, even a premium defender such as Joao Cancelo can appear on this list.
Midfielders
Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen and Bukayo Saka are the only two non-defensive assets in the top 20. The West Ham man has been sensational by producing 12 goals and a league-high 17 assists. He ranks second overall to Matip.
Every midfielder that exceeds 23 points per million is under £7.0m in price. Furthermore, there is an appearance from the initially £4.5m Jacob Ramsey, alongside surprise names Rodri and Martin Odegaard.
Forwards
As mentioned, forwards rank abysmally here. The best pair for value – Teemu Pukki and Emmanuel Dennis – scored 11 and ten goals for the league’s bottom two sides.
Premium assets Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo did well but not enough to justify their prices, whilst mid-priced names like Michail Antonio and Raul Jimenez disappointed. Alongside this, injuries restricted the seasons of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Callum Wilson and Patrick Bamford.
