We are already passed through the 1st part of the season, ups and downs on the league table as slowed down, teams will try to reinforce (so as the FPL managers) themselves in January to move upwards in the league table. After the end of FPL 2021/22 mini Double Gameweek 22, there has been a lot of share of points with the premium assets delivering huge points. Apart from the popular picks, there are quite a number of players, who have impressed over the weekend with points and underlying stats. The onset of good fixtures along with their form can really turn them into good replacements for the underperforming assets of the fantasy team. All the managers are trying to stabilize their teams with suitable options before the price hikes. In this FPL Gameweek 23 Watchlist 2021/22, we will be looking at 5 Fantasy players, who could become future transfer targets, carrying their good run.
FPL Gameweek 23 Watchlist 2021/22
The watchlist is highly focused on those players who have shown their class in past gameweeks and has a chance of double gameweek as well as comparatively easy fixtures ahead.
1. Lucas Digne (Defender) – 5.0 million
Making his Aston Villa debut this weekend was former Everton left-back Lucas Digne. Despite conceding 2 goals and receiving a yellow card the Frenchman was quietly impressed. He took 2 shots with one effort forcing a good save from David de Gea and fashion 2 attempted assists with only Buendia producing more amongst teammates. Trusted with a share of set pieces, Digne took one of Villa’s three corners against United and one of their two indirect free kicks.
Digne has yet to record an assist this season, having produced 17 in the past two seasons but ranks amongst the top six defenders for attempted assists with 24. Steven Gerrard‘s side has kept just 1 clean sheet in their last four matches but only five teams have conceded fewer big chances. In the same period, three of their next four opponents, Everton Watford and Newcastle rank amongst the bottom seven teams for goals and big chance creation.
2. Kevin De Bruyne (Midfielder) – 12.1 million
De Bruyne is one of the premium options at the midfield and he is sensational since his return. The Belgian International has recorded 4 goals and 1 assist in his last six gameweeks leading Manchester City to win each one of them. During the above-mentioned period, De Bruyne has landed 22 shots keeping 9 of them on target with an expected non-penalty goals figure of 0.2 (xG) per 90, and created 4 big chances with an expected assists figure of 0.4 (xA) per 90.
Rotation is a big problem for Man City players but De Bruyne belongs to one of few sure starters in Pep’s squad. City’s next three opponents are Southampton, Brentford, and Norwich, all three are marked with 2 on the difficulty scale by FPL. And for the upcoming gameweeks, we are trusting with the game-changing moments from De Bruyne with his banging goals or an insane through ball out of nowhere. If you are looking for a short-term placeholder for Mo Salah then the Belgian should be the man.
3. Philippe Coutinho (Midfielder) – 7.0 million
Philippe Coutinho made a dream start to life at Aston Villa proving the catalyst for a comeback from 2 goals down after his introduction in the 68th minute. He wriggled through the United defense to indirectly set up Jacob Ramsey who halved the deficit before the pair linked up again for Coutinho to score a last-minute equalizer. No player has landed more than his 2 shots on target during the match.
The Brazilian took three touches in the opposition’s penalty box which equates to an average of 12.3 per 90 minutes, whilst that’s a very small sample that number ranks him top amongst Aston Villa players this season. Their next four opponents Everton Leeds Newcastle and Watford each rank amongst the bottom five teams for goals conceded in the last six matches and additionally, there remains the potential for them to get a double gameweek 23 where they’d face either Burnley or Leeds
4. Raphinha (Midfielder) – 6.5 million
Whilst it was hat-trick hero Jack Harrison who grabbed the headlines for Leeds this weekend, Raphinha was instrumental throughout as he so often is. Shortly after setting up his side’s third goal, he was unfortunate to see a second assist ruled out when Mateusz Klich’s click strike brushed Rodrigo on its way in with the forward standing in an offside position. Raphinha carved out a gameweek high total of 7 attempted assists against West Ham including 2 big chances created.
The Brazilian has recently taken over penalty duties, adding another string to his bow, converting three times from the spot in his last seven appearances. Though it remains to be seen whether he’ll keep hold of the responsibility once Patrick Bamford returns from injury. Leeds face Newcastle Aston Villa and Everton in the next three gameweeks and also have the possibility of playing twice in gameweek 23 should their home tie with Aston villa be rescheduled there.
5. Phil Foden (Midfielder) – 8.0 million
Phil Foden boasts the third-highest number of expected assists (0.32xA) per 90 mins amongst his Manchester City teammates this season. Additionally, he also accounts for the fourth-highest number of ball progression (24) into the penalty box and remains City’s main attacking threat. If Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t fit your bill, and you need another alternate option from Man City then Foden should be your man.
Foden has registered a goal in his last two gameweeks for Manchester City and is likely to increase his tally in the future. Manchester City has upcoming fixtures with Southampton, Brentford, and Norwich, two of three sides on the bottom half of the team.
They face a Southampton side away who are yet to keep a clean sheet in over five games this season, and Foden will be looking to increase his goal tally against the Saints. Also be rest assured, even if Manchester City is not going to have a double gameweek scheduled anytime soon, they are the only team on whose players you can bet to fetch more points for your team playing one match than some of the double gameweek teams.
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What are your thoughts on the FPL Gameweek 23 Watchlist 2021/22? Drop your comments in the comments section below!
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