In this blog, we take a look and compare the budget FPL midfielders including Ward Prowse, Willock, Fraser, Ramsey, and Kulusevski ahead of FPL GW28. Do check out the other FPL GW28 Player Comparison post – Coutinho vs Raphinha if you haven’t already. Written by @Soph_FPL, do follow her on Twitter if you haven’t already!
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Ward-Prowse vs Willock vs Fraser vs Ramsey vs Kulusevski
[L-R; T-B – Ward-Prowse, Willock, Fraser, Ramsey, and Kulusevski in action for their teams]
Competition for the budget midfielder position is hotter than ever, and with a lot of exciting assets either hitting great form or approaching a double gameweek. With a blank GW30 to navigate, I will be looking at some popular budget midfielders in FPL right now:
- Ward-Prowse (£6.6m)
- Willock (£5.7m)
- Fraser (£5.3m)
- Ramsey (£4.8m)
- Kulusevski (£6m)
Budget Mids Comparison: The Stats
| JWP | Willock | Fraser | Ramsey | Kulusevski | |
| Starts / Minutes | 24 / 2137 | 18 / 1492 | 20 / 1104 | 23 / 1613 | 5 / 334 |
| Total Points | 105 | 48 | 55 | 78 | 24 |
| Goals | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| npxG (per 90) | 1.40 (0.06) | 2.35 (0.14) | 1.60 (0.12) | 2.68 (0.14) | 0.80 (0.20) |
| xG (per 90) | 3.77 (0.15) | 2.35 (0.14) | 1.60 (0.12) | 2.68 (0.14) | 0.80 (0.20) |
| Big Chances (per 90) | 3 (0.12) | 3 (0.18) | 1 (0.08) | 4 (0.21) | 1 (0.25) |
| Goal Attempts (per 90) | 35 (1.39) | 26 (1.53) | 18 (1.40) | 26 (1.39) | 10 (2.50) |
| Shots on Target (per 90) | 17 (0.68) | 7 (0.41) | 3 (0.23) | 11 (0.43) | 3 (0.75) |
| Pen. Area Touches (per 90) | 17 (0.68) | 46 (2.71) | 35 (2.72) | 39 (2.08) | 23 (5.76) |
| Assists / FPL Assists | 4 / 0 | 0 / 1 | 2 / 2 | 1 / 0 | 1 / 1 |
| xA (per 90) | 4.04 (0.16) | 0.42 (0.02) | 1.10 (0.15) | 1.95 (0.06) | 0.61 (0.15) |
| Chances Created (per 90) | 49 (1.96) | 15 (0.88) | 19 (1.48) | 12 (0.64) | 6 (1.50) |
| Big Chances Created (per 90) | 15 (0.24) | 0 (0) | 3 (0.23) | 2 (0.11) | 1 (0.25) |
| npxGI (per 90) | 5.40 (0.21) | 2.80 (0.16) | 3.60 (0.28) | 3.78 (0.20) | 1.41 (0.35) |
| xGI (per 90) | 7.81 (0.31) | 2.80 (0.16) | 3.60 (0.28) | 3.78 (0.20) | 1.41 (0.35) |
| Goal Involvement | 32 | 12 | 20 | 25 | 50 |
| FPL Goal Involvement | 32 | 18 | 33 | 25 | 67 |
Overall, Kulusevski comes out on top for a lot of these stats, but his data is unfortunately skewed.
Ward-Prowse’s assist potential is very positive, and he has 4 assists from a xA of 4.04 – this expected stat puts him 7th among all midfielders. He is also joint 2nd for chances created among midfielders so far this season. Overall, his chance creation has been the strongest out of these players, though he has over-performed his expected goals.
Although Willock comes out on top for the majority of goal-threat stats, Fraser does beat him in assist potential. Overall, Fraser comes out on top for xGI.
Ramsey’s underlying stats aren’t too impressive, and he has been over-performing his expected goals, but I think his price tag and Villa’s DGW28 still make him a viable option.
Ward-Prowse’s Maps
All heatmaps via FFSCOUT
- Ward-Prowse plays a more central role, but does have the advantage of being on penalties, free kicks, and corners.
Willock’s Maps
All heatmaps via FFSCOUT
- Willock also plays centrally
Fraser’s Maps
All heatmaps via FFSCOUT
- Fraser is also on corners
Ramsey’s Maps
All heatmaps via FFSCOUT
- Ramsey plays as a left midfielder, often taking up attacking positions
Kulusevski’s Maps
All heatmaps via FFSCOUT
- Kulusevski has also taken up a promising attacking role with Tottenham
Southampton vs Newcastle vs Aston Villa vs Tottenham
| Southampton | Newcastle | Aston Villa | Tottenham | |
| W / D / L | 8 / 11 / 7 | 5 / 10 / 10 | 9 / 3 / 13 | 13 / 3 / 9 |
| Goals (per game) | 34 (1.31) | 28 (1.12) | 33 (1.16) | 35 (1.4) |
| xG (per game) | 34.72 (1.34) | 25.93 (1.04) | 27.15 (1.09) | 37.86 (1.51) |
| Big Chances (per game) | 45 (1.73) | 28 (1.12) | 31 (1.24) | 60 (2.4) |
| Goal Attempts (per game) | 350 (13.46) | 310 (12.4) | 288 (11.52) | 312 (12.48) |
| Shots In Box (per game) | 212 (8.15) | 179 (7.16) | 174 (6.96) | 200 (8) |
| Shots on Target (per game) | 125 (4.81) | 92 (3.68) | 88 (3.52) | 124 (4.96) |
Despite some disappointing results for Spurs, they still come out on top for most attacking stats. If Kulusevski’s starting place becomes nailed, then he can be a great asset to hold for this last portion of the season.
Southampton also have some pretty consistent numbers, sitting just behind Tottenham in attacking threat. With an upcoming double, this makes their attacking assets really exciting differentials.
Villa have over-performed their expected goals, and in general their attacking figures fall behind and aren’t too enticing.
Overall, Newcastle’s attacking stats are also not very appealing. However, they have hit great form recently, winning 4 and drawing 2 from their last 6 games. Over the last 6 gameweeks, Newcastle are:
- 5th for goal attempts
- 6th for shots inside the box
- 6th for shots on target
| Southampton | Newcastle | Aston Villa | Tottenham |
| avl, NEW | BHA, sou | SOU, lee | EVE |
| WAT | che, eve | whu | mun, bha |
| [blank] | [blank] | ARS | WHU |
| lee | tot | wol | NEW |
| CHE | WOL | TOT | avl |
| ARS | LEI | LIV | BHA |
| bha | nor | lei | bre |
| CRY | LIV | NOR | LEI |
Southampton have a favourable double, face Watford, and then Leeds – though they blank in between this. They do come up against some tough games in the future, so bearing the blank in mind you may not want to include too many Southampton assets in your team. This may change if your’re planning to Free Hit in GW30.
The main talking point will be Newcastle’s double-double. Many will feel frustrated after owning Burnley assets, but Although Brighton have put in some good defensive performances this season, they have lost their last 3 games and have conceded 7 goals in this time. They have also conceded 93 chances down the centre, compared to 69 down each flank. Chelsea are a top defensive team, though Everton have kept only 4 clean sheets this season and have conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game.
Aston Villa also have a fairly favourable double, coming up against a Leeds defence who have conceded the most goals so far this season. After this, although they don’t blank, they do have a difficult run of games from GW29-GW33.
Tottenham definitely have a trickier double, but they do have some great fixtures coming up.
The Verdict on Ward-Prowse vs Willock vs Fraser vs Ramsey vs Kulusevski
Having such a promising set piece threat and great underlying numbers, I think Ward-Prowse is a great pick. He has consistently been returning over the season, so he has the potential to be a great long-term hold. Understandably, Broja is the most popular Southampton asset to attack the double, but I do think Ward-Prowse is an asset who could really deliver the points in the coming weeks.
Willock and Fraser are a tough duo to pick between. Fraser should be more guaranteed of minutes, beats Willock on underlying xGI, and is slightly cheaper. However, Willock has recently found great form and with Newcastle facing a Brighton team who have conceded the majority of their chances down the centre this makes him a really exciting pick. With ASM a fitness concern, I think taking a punt on one of these picks for an upcoming double-double is worth a shot on the Wildcard. Overall, I would say Fraser is the safer pick who has been more consistent, but I would personally be temped to take more of a leap and bet on Willock’s explosive form. Who you pick could really depend on your style of play, but it’s a tough decision.
For £4.8m, I think Ramsey is a great budget option to navigate these next few weeks and he has the advantage of playing in GW30 if you aren’t thinking of Free Hitting. At his price bracket, he could be a great long-term hold and could always be benched for those more difficult games that are coming up. He also offers a cheap alternative to Coutinho if you are needing to save money, or be part of an exciting double-up. His underlying stats aren’t overly impressive, but at his price he is still a great overall pick.
Kulusevski has been in great form recently, and with an upcoming double and a game against Everton this makes him a nice, budget differential. Son and Kane will still be the more popular Spurs assets, but he offers great value for money and, alongside Son or Kane, I think he can be a great addition to your team. He also has the advantage of playing in BGW30. The downside to Kulusevski is possible rotation, but given his explosiveness, I think he could be worth a punt.
[kofi]
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Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 28:
FPL GW28 Differential Picks To Consider Ahead Of Deadline
Ideal FPL DGW28 Wildcard Draft and Players to Target | Wildcard Guide
FPL GW28 Player Comparison- Coutinho vs Raphinha
FPL GW28 Wildcard Team & Drafts to Consider | Wildcard Guide (Multiple Drafts)
FPL Teams and Players to Target Between GW28 and GW30
FPL Gameweek 28 Analysis – Players to Buy, Hold or Sell
Top FPL Gameweek 28 Captain Picks Based on Analysis and Metrics
Chelsea Assets to Target in FPL for Their Fixture Run From FPL GW28
Best FPL GW28 Free Hit Team & Drafts to Consider Ahead of Deadline
Best FPL GW28 Wildcard Draft Ahead of FPL Gameweek 28 Deadline
Defenders To Target In Your FPL GW28 Wildcard Team | WC Guide
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Sophie Wellington
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