FPL Pre-Season Lessons: Haaland Turns Heads, Rogers Impresses
The summer friendlies have been a whirlwind of activity, offering tantalizing glimpses into the new season and setting the stage for a thrilling Fantasy Premier League (FPL) campaign. As managers eagerly scour for insights and potential gems, the pre-season has delivered some key takeaways, particularly highlighting the potential of Erling Haaland, the emergence of Morgan Rogers, and the overall impact of summer tournaments on players’ availability.
- Erling Haaland’s pre-season performances have sparked excitement, with his first goal leading to a rise in ownership from 32% to 33%.
- Haaland’s high price tag of £15.0m has led some managers to opt for a more balanced squad approach rather than investing heavily in one player.
- Players like Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min, Martin Odegaard, and Alexander Isak who were not involved in summer international tournaments have an advantage with a full pre-season under their belts for Gameweek 1.
- Morgan Rogers has impressed during pre-season, catching the eye of FPL managers as a potential gem for the upcoming season.
- The impact of summer tournaments on players’ fitness and availability is evident, with some premium picks potentially facing challenges due to their involvement in international competitions.
Haaland Ownership Rises After First Goal in Pre-Season
The arrival of Erling Haaland (£15.0m) at Manchester City last season sent shockwaves through the FPL world, and his pre-season performances have already ignited a wave of excitement. Haaland’s first goal of the summer, scored in a 4-3 loss to Celtic, propelled his ownership from 32% to 33% in a matter of hours. While this pales in comparison to his ownership last season, where he started in over 70% of squads, he still ranks as the third most-selected forward, trailing only Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£8.5m).
The reason for this cautious approach? His record-breaking price tag of £15.0m. Many managers are choosing to spread their funds across their squads, opting for a more balanced approach rather than investing heavily in one player. However, Haaland has three more summer friendlies to sway those who remain hesitant, with matches against AC Milan and Barcelona on the horizon. These fixtures offer him a platform to showcase his lethal finishing abilities and potentially solidify his position as a must-have for the start of the 2024/25 season.
Crucially, Haaland is one of several key players, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min (£10.0m), Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard (£8.5m), and Newcastle’s Isak, who were not involved in the summer international tournaments. This gives them a significant advantage, allowing them to approach Gameweek 1 with a full pre-season under their belts. In contrast, other premium picks like Cole Palmer (£10.5m), Bukayo Saka (£10.0m), Phil Foden (£9.5m), and Watkins were part of England’s run to the UEFA EURO 2024 final, potentially impacting their fitness and availability for the season’s start.
However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has downplayed concerns about the impact of the tournament, suggesting that his international stars are raring to go. “I do not think so,” he said on the club’s website. “Let’s see what condition they come back in. All of the messages I have got from them, they are really excited to come back and have a great season again. I do not expect anything else.”
While the pre-season has offered intriguing insights, it’s important to remember that the line-ups have been significantly impacted by the participation of players in the Copa America and EURO 2024. Chelsea’s new head coach Enzo Maresca has provided a valuable glimpse into his plans for Christopher Nkunku (£6.5m), who is now a midfielder in Fantasy this season. “He can play everywhere,” said Maresca. “These kind of players for me, they can play winger, they can play attacking midfielder, they can play No 9, they can play in different positions.”
This versatility makes Nkunku a highly intriguing option, especially given the possibility of him playing as one of Chelsea’s two No 8s alongside Palmer. His potential to thrive in a more central role could make him a top pick in the mid-price midfield bracket.
Rogers Leads Rush to Be Next Palmer
Morgan Rogers (£5.0m) of Aston Villa has emerged as a potential budget midfield gem, building upon his impressive late-season form in 2023/24. Rogers, who operates primarily as a left winger, has been deployed as a second striker in Villa’s summer matches, demonstrating his attacking prowess with three goals and an assist. His performance in the latter stages of the previous season is particularly encouraging, as he made seven of his eight starts between Gameweeks 27-35, scoring three goals (second only to Watkins’s five) and providing an assist, averaging 4.6 points per start.
Following in the footsteps of Cole Palmer, who blossomed into a vital budget midfield pick last season, Rogers’s ability to produce consistent returns despite his low price tag makes him a highly attractive option for FPL managers.
Other Budget Picks to Watch
Rogers isn’t the only budget player making waves in the pre-season. Oscar Bobb (£5.0m) has seized the opportunity presented by the absence of several Man City regulars, outshining even Haaland with a goal and two assists. Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.5m) of Nottingham Forest is another cut-price midfielder who has impressed, contributing a goal and two assists across the team’s opening three friendlies.
Chris Wood (£6.0m), also of Forest, has scored twice in pre-season and could be a valuable addition to forward lines, particularly given their kind early run of opponents. According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), five of Nottingham Forest’s first six matches score only two, making them particularly favorable fixtures for attacking players.
Promoted Sides Delivering Promise
Looking at the promoted sides, Leicester City duo Stephy Mavididi (£5.5m) and James Justin (£4.5m) have both shone in their first two matches under new manager Steve Cooper. Mavididi, who played as a left winger under Enzo Maresca last season, has thrived in a more central attacking role under Cooper, scoring against both Villarreal and Shrewsbury Town. Justin, meanwhile, has been a force on the left side of defense, providing an assist in each of those matches.
Southampton’s Adam Armstrong (£5.5m) has delivered a timely reminder of his goal-scoring prowess, netting twice in a 7-1 win over Eastleigh. The striker, who combined 24 goals with 13 assists for the Championship playoff winners last season, is a strong contender for a starting spot in Southampton’s attacking lineup.
Brentford’s new signing Igor Thiago (£6.0m) has also caught the eye in the budget forward bracket. The Brazilian, handed a start against Wimbledon in the absence of Ivan Toney (£7.5m), made the most of his opportunity, scoring twice in a 5-2 win.
FPL Pre-Season Lessons: A Reminder of the Value of Patience
The pre-season has provided valuable insights into the potential of certain players, both established stars and emerging talents. However, it’s crucial to remember that pre-season form is not always a reliable indicator of future performance. Injuries, tactical changes, and the overall flow of the season can all impact a player’s success.
As FPL managers, we need to maintain a balanced perspective, analyzing the evidence, incorporating insights from pre-season, and ultimately making informed decisions based on our best judgment. The journey to FPL glory is a marathon, not a sprint, and the pre-season serves as a valuable starting point for a long and rewarding season.
