The biggest disappointments in FPL so far

The arrival of the international break is a good time to look back at the early part of the campaign and reflect on what has happened. Here we take a look through some of the biggest disappointments in FPL so far.

It has been a successful campaign for many but there are some assets who have failed to reach a level of points many had expected them to. Highlighting some of the biggest disappointments in FPL so far could help us to plan and make decisions looking ahead.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool have actually started the season very well – in their first four matches they have only dropped points to Chelsea and netted nine goals during the same period. The biggest issue with the Reds is their backline. That can be reflected in the fact that they have kept just one clean sheet so far.

Ahead of new season many expected right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.9m) to have a great start to the season. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be as he flopped in his first three games and failed to return anything of significance. Although that was the case Trent bagged a 12-point return in his latest match against Aston Villa. Liverpool have some great fixtures ahead but Trent picked up an injury ahead of the break which could cause even more frustration for those that stuck with him.

Kieran Trippier

Newcastle were one of the best teams in the division last season and we saw this from their fourth place finish and impressive underlying data. Because of this some within the community backed the Newcastle assets coming into the new season.

Ahead of the 23/24 campaign the standout Newcastle pick was full-back Kieran Trippier (£6.5m). Trippier managed to finish as the highest scoring defender in the game last season but he is far from that form so far. Trippier has failed to collect any returns in his first four matches but has a great run of fixtures ahead. Whilst managers who chose to hold him could be considering selling him those that chose to avoid his tough early fixtures could be shortlisting him for the run ahead.

Richarlison

Tottenham have been one of the best teams in the league so far this season – they managed to secure three wins and one draw from their first four games. The departure of star striker Harry Kane in summer meant an opportunity for midfielder Richarlison (£6.8m).

Richarlison was on a lot of managers radar ahead of the campaign with the assumption he would benefit from the striker role left by Kane. However, that didn’t pan out as expected. Richarlison has failed to return in any of his first four games. His performances have been visibly poor but he has also had his minutes managed which is a major concern for those that have held out with him.

Eberechi Eze

Another player many thought would benefit from the departure of a star player was Eberechi Eze (£6.3m). Crystal Palace started the season strong and collected two wins from their first four and one player who many felt would deliver was Eze.

Many knew Eze takes his sides set pieces and penalties ahead of the season and he has also been sustaining some great underlying data. Unfortunately Eze, for the most part has failed to convert his stats into actual FPL returns. He bagged his first return in his latest match against Wolves but his owners will be feeling frustrated as a whole.

Who else has disappointed?

Kai Havertz (£7.3m) – Arsenal signed the German international in the summer and many FPL managers thought he could have great potential. Not only has Havertz returned just seven points from his first four games but he has also been playing in a central midfield role.

Nicolas Jackson (£7.2m) – The new Chelsea striker has been putting up some great attacking stats but has under performed on them all. Jackson has picked up just one return in his first four games and in each of the three games he did blank in he also received a yellow card.

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) – The fact that the Egyptian has returned in every game he has played should suggest he has been a great asset. However, his price-tag meant that owners had to sacrifice elsewhere within their teams. Three of Salah’ four returns came in the form of five points which is well below what his owners would have expected.