FPL expert first draft

The Official Fantasy Premier League game is back so we bring in one of our top managers and look at an FPL expert first draft. @FPLReaction has produced his first draft ahead of the new season and so he talks us through his thoughts upon selecting his squad.

Looking at an FPL expert first draft can be hugely beneficial to managers. Knowing how other fantasy managers think and how they select their players can be really helpful when selecting our own teams. So lets dive in.

@FPLReaction’ first draft

Draft thoughts

Firstly its important to mention that this is my first draft so this could team could change before the season starts. I have covered certain price-tags in my first draft to give me flexibility. This in turn means I can make one-move transfers if I like the look of another player.

Goalkeepers

In terms of goalkeepers I believe that Jason Steele (£4.5m) could be a great option if he keeps his place as number one. Brighton maintained some great defensive stats last season which makes Steele even more appealing.
Steele is backed up by West Ham’s Alphonse Areola (£4m) who has a chance at challenging for the number one spot.

Defence

Defence was a little tougher to select but one of the easier decisions was Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8m). Trent produced some of the best distribution data amongst defenders last season and I think, with his new midfield role, could be too hard to ignore.
I also really like Reece James (£5.5m). He has shown that even when Chelsea play a back four, he can be dangerous. I’m also hoping he stays fit because he has some great starting fixtures.
Arsenal were really impressive last season and the early fixtures suggest it wise to back a defender. I have gone for Gabriel (£5m) because he has good goal threat from set pieces and I think at his price he’s great value for money.
I genuinely do not know how they have priced Sven Botman at £4.5m but I’ll take it. Newcastle may have tough starting fixtures but they were amongst the best teams in the league last season for clean sheets.
Luton have some good early fixtures but they also house one of the cheapest playing defenders in the game, Amari’i Bell (£4m).

Midfield

Firstly there are too many options in midfield to choose from this season, but that’s a good thing. There are also players I really want but yet to fit in.
I have gone for Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m) because he takes penalties and sustained fantastic distribution stats last season. It was a tough decision between him and Marcus Rashford but ultimately the £0.5m made the difference – this of course could change like everything else.
Choosing a Brighton midfielder was difficult but in the end I opted for Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m). When compared to all midfielders last season he came near the top for big chances per 90 minutes. He also went on a very impressive run of returns last season.
Tottenham have very good early fixtures and I have always felt James Maddison (£7.5m) could be a great asset if he moved to another team and he has done exactly that – I think he could have a great season in FPL.
Brentford have great fixtures but the fact that Bryan Mbeumo (£6.5m) will also be on penalty duty is something that really got my attention. There is a huge chance he stays in my team all of the way to the start of the season.
I really like the Arsenal attackers to start the season with. There is a strong chance Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) stays in my draft – He’s just fantastic and it also helps that he takes his sides penalties.

Forwards

Erling Haaland (£14m) may have had a big price rise but there is absolutely no way he is leaving my team unless he gets injured.
Arsenal maintained some of the best offensive stats in the league last season. Because of this I have decided to double up on their attack. I really like Gabriel Jesus (£8m). He always looks likely to score and I think if he can stay fit he could be one of the highest scoring strikers in FPL this season.