Is David de Gea the best FPL Goalkeeper option?
FPL managers tend to be loyal to their goalkeepers. Either they own a set and forget ‘keeper or invest in two rotating goalkeepers. With Double Gameweek 25 next on the agenda for David de Gea is he the best goalkeeper option in the game?
Season so far
David de Gea has made 22 starts in the Premier League so far this season. In that time he has kept just five clean sheets, the ninth best amongst the regularly starting goalkeepers. He has conceded 30 Premier League goals so far, only four goalkeepers have conceded more than this.
However, de Gea is top for saves among goalkeeper racking up 86 so far. This is 12 more than the next most saves registered by Leeds’ Meslier.
The United shot stopper also has the third best xG prevented stats in the league. Only Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Wolves’ Jose Sa have better underlying stats than de Gea.
Fixtures
Fixtures are often key when deciding who is the best FPL goalkeeper option. Manchester United have an excellent run of fixtures over the next four Gameweeks.
Four of Manchester United’s next five Premier League opponents are in the bottom seven clubs for goals so far this season. Indeed Gameweek 24 opponents Burnley are second bottom having only scored 16 goals so far this season. Burnley are also bottom for goal attempts, this bodes well for the potential for clean sheets for de Gea over the coming Gameweeks.
Manchester United’s Double Gameweek 25 also increases de Gea’s appeal. Brighton’s Robert Sanchez always has a Double Gameweek in 25, however his blank in Gameweek 24 has potentially damped his appeal.
Sanchez v de Gea
If managers are wildcarding ahead of Double Gameweek 25 who is the best FPL goalkeeper? Should managers invest in Sanchez or de Gea?
| Sanchez | de Gea | |
| Clean Sheets | 6 | 5 |
| Goals Conceded | 21 | 30 |
| Saves | 60 | 86 |
| xGP | 1.40 | 4.40 |
| xGI | 0.21 | 0.01 |
| Passes | 599 | 208 |
| Big Chances Created | 2 | 0 |
Whilst de Gea has more saves and a great expected goals prevented tally than Sanchez, Sanchez tops de Gea in all other areas. Sanchez is also priced at £4.6m in comparison to de Gea who is £5.2m.
If FPL managers own Sanchez alongside a second playing Goalkeeper who they can play in Brightons Plank Gameweek 24, he potentially makes a better option than the Red Devils goalie. Especially as other than the blank the Brighton fixtures are just as nice as United’s and Brighton have been defensively more solid than United over the season so far.
For more on Manchester United ahead of the Gameweek 25 double check out the following article
