After a turbulent season, there are a number of highs and lows to look back on over the campaign. Here, I pick out the most underwhelming FPL XI, consisting of those who promised so much, but failed to deliver this season. Hope you enjoy this piece, and let’s get into it!
Most Underwhelming FPL XI From The 2020/21 FPL Season
GK – Maty Ryan, £4.1, Points: 37
Having been the highest selected Goalkeeper, Ryan was a real fan favorite at the start of the season. The Aussie scored 135 points last season, and valued at £4.5 for the 20/21 season, he looked like a bargain. But after a shaky start, and an apparent spat with Graham Potter, he found himself out of the squad. Without featuring in 6 games, Ryan wanted a new challenge. A loan to Arsenal allowed him to make his, “dream come true,” despite only appearing 3 times this season in the league. Accumulating only 37 points this campaign, Ryan has been hugely disappointing for all whoever owned him.
Further Read: FPL History: Highest Scoring FPL Players Each Year Since The First FPL Season in 2002/03
2020/21 Underwhelming FPL XI ~ Defenders
DEF – Matt Doherty, £5.6, Points: 47
The Irishman was a great asset to most FPL teams last campaign. A return of 4 goals, 8 assists, and 12 clean sheets led to a mammoth 167 points overall, the 4th highest among defenders. When Doherty moved to Spurs, many FPL managers fancied him to outperform the previous season, backed by a better defense and better options going forward. But this campaign, Doherty has been nothing short of abysmal. Doherty only started 12 games, with the mistake-prone Aurier being preferred over the majority of the season. The Irishman also only provided 2 assists all season, scoring above 2 points on 4 occasions. The Mourinho mentality may have had a part to play, but Doherty has been poor all season. A move this Summer seems on the cards.
Further Read: All that you need to know about FPL cup
DEF – Ricardo Pereira, £5.9, Points: 27
Like Doherty, Ricardo Pereira had a great campaign in 19/20; 3 goals and 3 assists, alongside 10 clean sheets secured 123 points for the Portuguese. Listed as a premium defender (£6.0) as the start of the season, many trusted valuable funds in the full-back, expecting similar returns to 19/20. But after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury, Pereira was ruled out until January. Unfortunately, he never returned to his best, only registering 1 attacking return and 2 clean sheets. I will cut him some slack as the injury clearly hampered the season, but managers are still being left with a bitter taste in their mouths when discussing Ricardo Pereira.
Further Read: History Of Fantasy Football And Origin Of FPL
DEF – Alex Telles, £5.3, Points: 25
After signing from Porto for £13.5 million, many thought the Brazilian was due to take the starting spot at LB. Having performed fantastically in the Champions League, and registering 25 attacking returns (13 goals, 12 assists) for the Dragons. Many managers thought Telles would be a great attacking full-back, offering returns at both ends of the pitch. However, the sensational form of Luke Shaw has kept him out of the side, only playing 22% of minutes this season. Telles has often been preferred in the Europa League, consolidating Telles’ status as a reserve option. And with only 2 attacking returns in the league, Telles has been underwhelming at best.
Further Read: Player odds, Cleansheet odds, Articles, Picks and much more Euro 2020 info on Drafthound
DEF – Rúben Vinagre, £4.1, Points: 1
A popular topic at the start of any season is which cheap players are viable FPL options. One player on everyone’s lips was Rúben Vinagre, who seemed to be the first choice left-back in a strong Wolves defense. Wolves had a favorable run of fixtures at the start of the season, playing 5 of the bottom half in their first 7 games. With influencers also hyping up Vinagre, his ownership just sawed. But having made 1 sub appearance in the first 4 games, most managers had lost their patience. All culminated in a loan move to Olympiacos, confirming Vinagre as a huge FPL flop.
Further Read: FPL Tools Overview, Comparison, and Feature Analysis
2020/21 Underwhelming FPL XI ~ Midfielders
MID – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, £11.3, Points: 131
After scoring 29 & 31 goals as a Forward in FPL, every manager was amazed to see Auba was classed as a Midfielder for 20/21! The majority of managers opted for the Gabonese forward, many choosing to captain him for GW1. This paid off, but since then it’s been downhill. Only scoring 10 goals in the league and playing only 68% of minutes, Aubameyang has had a poor campaign. Often being second fiddle to Lacazette, Auba has also suffered from injury and malaria, keeping him out for a chunk of the season. But even when he has played, he has seemed very ineffective; xG of 0.32 per 90 and only taking 0.79 shots on target per 90. Underwhelming to say the least.
Further Read: History Of Fantasy Football And Origin Of FPL
MID – Raheem Sterling, £10.9, Points: 154
Raheem Sterling has divided opinion for a number of years among FPL gaffers, with many arguing he isn’t worth the cash. Off the back of 20 goals last season, including 9 double-digit hauls, many managers felt Sterling could rise to the top. But this season has been far from that. Never being reliable, Sterling has only returned 3 double-digit hauls, made up of 17 attacking returns. Whenever managers have turned to Sterling, he has failed to deliver; -1 in Blank Gameweek 18 and 2 points against Leeds in 31. Many will be scarred by Sterling this season, with many likely to ditch the Englishman for proven premiums, including Fernandes & Salah.
Further Read: FPL History: Highest Scoring FPL Players Each Year Since The First FPL Season in 2002/03
MID – Willian, £7.5, Points: 78
When the transfer of Willian was announced in the Summer, it seemed a great bit of business from the Gunners. 9 goals and 7 assists in 19/20 contributed to Arsenal snapping up Willian on a free. But this year has been a disaster for the Brazilian. Only returning 6 times this season, Willian has underperformed massively; playing 41% of minutes, xG of 0.04 per 90, xA of 0.14 per 90. The winger has often been preferred in the Europa League, confirming Arteta’s lack of trust to perform when it matters. The winger also seems to be on his way out of The Emirates, falling out of favor in a terrible spell at the club.
Further Read: History Of Fantasy Football And Origin Of FPL
MID – Adama Traoré, £6.0, Points: 94
Having registered 13 attacking returns in 19/20, and looking like a nightmare for defenses, many thought Traoré would kick on this season. With the combination of pace and physicality, he often looked unstoppable. But this season, Adama has been a shadow of his former self. The Spaniard has only registered 4 attacking returns, the first in GW17! At an xG of 0.08 per 90 and 0.67 shots in the box per 90 this season, Traoré has rarely threatened the goal. Hence formed a bandwagon of managers that removed the winger from their starter squads. Overall it’s been a poor season from Adama but could still rekindle his form under new management.
Further Read: FPL History: Highest Scoring FPL Players Each Year Since The First FPL Season in 2002/03
2020/21 Underwhelming FPL XI ~ Forwards
FWD – Timo Werner, £9.2, Points: 128
It’s safe to say Werner hasn’t had the best of seasons, with many calling it a failed transfer already. Looking back, there was healthy optimism for the German, off the back of 28 goals in 34 Bundesliga games, only 4 behind Lewandowski. As a premium forward, the majority of managers opting for Werner over Kane or Vardy, quickly reverting to the latter. The forward has only scored 6 goals, despite working at an xG of 0.39 per 90, and registering 1.91 shots in the box per 90. His 12 assists, at 0.22 xA per 90, is the highest in the Blues squad, suggesting he may not be as bad as many think. Werner seems to have got very unlucky, but given the hype and the fee (£48 million), I still think the forward has been underwhelming. Hopefully, Chelsea will give the German another season, to show the world what he can do.
Further Read: History Of Fantasy Football And Origin Of FPL
FWD – Aleksandar Mitrović, £5.5, Points: 63
After Fulham’s triumph through the Play Offs, the Serbian seemed a fantastic option as the Cottager’s talisman. Having scored 26 goals in the Championship, many thought he would continue his form into the Premier League. But having only scored 3 goals, playing just 41% of Fulham’s minutes, he has definitely frustrated managers. With an xG of 0.24 per 90, the forward has poor numbers to support a disappointing campaign. This all culminated in Josh Maja being brought in to replace Mitrović, just months after he had been a main figure in securing promotion. A shame for Fulham that Mitrović couldn’t find his scoring touch.
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