Another Fantasy Premier League gameweek arrives and once again, we are scrambling to bring in the best midfielders to our squads. The two most transferred-in players this week are midfielders — and it feels like we need 10 slots rather than five. So who are the best options to select for Gameweek 4? Here is my attempt to rank them…
1. Bruno Fernandes (£8.5million)
Fernandes has shown glimpses of his best this season for Manchester United but his FPL points don’t reflect that. He’s top in the league for Opta-defined ‘big chances’ created — with four — but has only earned one assist. He has so many routes to points, particularly with his goal threat and creativity at set pieces, including penalties. He’s ranked third for shots, too, with 13, with three big chances leading to one goal. There’s potential for so much more. Fernandes should be seen as fixture-proof, so don’t be put off by the tougher games in the next two against Arsenal (away) and Brighton & Hove Albion (home). Beyond that, the schedule eases once again until the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in Gameweek 10.
2. Bukayo Saka (£8.7million)
Saka owners were relieved to see him back on penalties for Arsenal, converting from the spot against Fulham in Gameweek 3. This instantly makes him the best Arsenal midfielder to own. Given the consistency with which he produces attacking returns, he’s not far off top spot across the league. He’s registered nine shots on goal and nine key passes over the first three gameweeks, reflecting his attacking threat. I’ve not included another Arsenal midfielder on the list as it feels too indulgent to double up on any club in these precious midfield spots, with Saka dominating the underlying numbers across all metrics right now.
3. Mohamed Salah (£12.5million)
The forgotten man in FPL, with many fantasy players opting to spread their funds across other positions. But we know what Salah provides in terms of consistency as one of four players to provide returns in each of the three gameweeks. Some fans have questioned Salah’s status as Liverpool’s penalty taker, especially after he saw his spot kick saved before converting the rebound against Bournemouth in Gameweek 2. Keeping that responsibility is crucial to his viability as an FPL asset. His goal threat is clear, with 10 shots on goal in three games, but it is his creative side that re-emerged during pre-season. This has continued over the past few weeks, with two assists already.
4. James Maddison (£7.7million)
In the battle of the breakout midfielders, Maddison is winning the race. The Tottenham Hotspur newcomer has swiftly become their talisman, dominating set pieces with a chance of penalties, too. Maddison has made nine key passes this season, with two assists from two big chances created. He’s also second for crosses (25) and top for penalty area entries (41), with one of those leading to a goal in Gameweek 3. Maddison could be a good long-term hold since Spurs face the three promoted teams in their next five games. Once they’ve overcome Arsenal and Liverpool in Gameweek 6 and Gameweek 7, their next troubling obstacle isn’t until December.
5. Bryan Mbeumo (£6.8million)
Mbeumo has been somewhat of a surprise package this campaign but those who delved into his numbers without Ivan Toney last season wouldn’t have been surprised by his strong start. He has three goals in three games. His involvement in set pieces is a big advantage, taking some corners and free kicks. He’s also converted from the penalty spot twice and his relationship with striker Yoane Wissa continues to shine. The wider fixture ticker looks promising for Brentford, with some nice home games coming up against Bournemouth, Everton and Burnley mixed in with some away trips to Newcastle United and Manchester United.
6. Phil Foden (£7.6million)
New Phil Foden owners were left frustrated against Sheffield United in Gameweek 3 when he was left out of the starting XI due to illness, but he did come on late to get an assist, with high hopes for his output going forward. Foden ranks third in the league for key passes (11) this season and is thriving in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, which has led to him being more involved in set pieces — he’s taken two corners and two free kicks. We know the biggest hurdle to points for Foden is his minutes. He had one of the best goal-involvement-per-90-minutes ratios (0.88) last season. If this is the breakout campaign we’ve been waiting for, then the sky is the limit in fantasy terms.
7. Raheem Sterling (£7.1million)
Sterling is dominating the transfer traffic going into FPL Gameweek 4 after netting 19 points against Luton in Gameweek 3 with two goals and an assist. That performance is going to be great for his confidence. He is capable of chalking up double digits for goals and assists in a season, but we are only just beginning to see that sort of form in a Chelsea shirt. No European involvement for his club this season will help maintain consistency in the league. Sterling’s underlying numbers are less impressive (six shots and four key passes), but he did miss out on an FPL assist in Gameweek 2 when Enzo Fernandez failed to convert from the penalty spot. It’s now unclear who will take the next one.
8. Solly March (£6.6million)
Fantasy managers are now looking to hop off Brighton assets given the turn in their fixtures, with Newcastle United (home) up next followed by Manchester United (away). However, March could be the exception to that rule. March is tied with Taiwo Awoniyi, Erling Haaland, and Mbeumo at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts (with three goals), but manager Roberto De Zerbi has given him a target of 15 this season, which would be a vast improvement on the six goals he managed in the previous campaign. March has registered 10 shots on goal this season and made five key passes. March would be higher up this list if it wasn’t for the fixtures. We also need to consider that Brighton have European action to contend with after the international break.
9. Eberechi Eze (£6.4million)
It’s fair to say that owners of Eze have been very unlucky, with the Crystal Palace winger failing to deliver an attacking return despite 16 shots on goal and nine key passes. This is an anomalous underperformance. Only Haaland can match him in terms of shot count this season, but Eze’s efforts have been of lower quality (just seven in the box, and no big chances). He is Palace’s talisman and is on penalties, corners, and free kicks. Roy Hodgson’s side is about to hit a tempting run of fixtures, too, with Wolverhampton Wanders at home up next, followed by Aston Villa (away) and Fulham (home). Owners are encouraged to hold onto him, and for the rest of us, he is one to monitor.
10. Jarrod Bowen (£7.0million)
West Ham have started the season well, unbeaten in their first three games, scoring seven goals in this time. Midfielder Jarrod Bowen has been involved in three of those, with two goals and an assist. David Moyes’ side has three challenging fixtures in their next five before their schedule improves, but Bowen remains great value for the short and long term, with 11 shots and three big chances to date. The main downside is that the deal to bring in James Ward-Prowse means Bowen is unlikely to remain on a significant number of set pieces. That puts Bowen in the ‘one to monitor’ category, particularly with the curveball of Mohammed Kudus’ arrival. Will the former Ajax playmaker provide a creative spark to push Bowen to new heights? Or will his presence disrupt West Ham’s excellent start? Time will tell.
(Top photos: Getty Images)