Salah's Sensational Form Turns Heads: My 2nd Draft FPL 24/25

With less than 2 weeks until the start of the Premier League season, Fantasy football tinkering has been in full flow for Jack H (https://x.com/FPLChumbazo ) as he gets closer to finalising his Gameweek 1 team. Take a look at his current thoughts on his new team below, including the return of an FPL legend whilst using all of his £100m budget.

Join our league!

https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/n2wl83

Goalkeepers:

Dean Henderson (CRY) - £4.5m, 5.3%

With Miguel (£4.5m) and Sels (£4.5m) sharing minutes for NFO in pre-season, I've swayed away from the Brazilian to a more assured starter. Henderson seems to have nailed down the number 1 spot for CRY, with Johnstone (£4.5m) openly seeking a move away.

I've spoken much on the good work Glasner has done since he's come in both attacking and defensive wise and I want a piece of that defence. Their defensive numbers last season place them in the top 5 and I expect them to continue the numbers this season. Henderson is also a good shot-stopper so expect him to get save points.

Hákon Valdimarsson (BRE) - £4.0m, 2.3%

BRE's number 2 and unlikely to get starts, Valdimarsson is my bench option who will most likely not see any minutes. But at £4.0m, it is the cheapest you can go!

Defenders:

Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) - £7.0m, 21.3%

With Slot confirming TAA will be back with the squad on Tuesday 6th August, I've no doubts he'll be in my starting squad come the GW1 deadline. Slot likes his full-backs to get high up and TAA will reap the rewards. My only concern is the form and fitness of Bradley (£4.5m), who may take some minutes away from TAA from the bench.

Joško Gvardiol (MCI) - £6.0m, 32.6%

Like TAA, Gvardiol keeps his place in my team from my 1st draft. The Croatian has got 165 minutes in pre-season so far, being deployed as a LCB. Come to the start of the season I'm sure he'll revert to LB in a very attacking position. MCI were in the top 2 for xGC last season, so expect attacking returns and clean sheets from Gvardiol.

Vitalii Mykolenko (EVE) - £4.5m, 11.2%

Mykolenko hasn't left my team either as I want a bit of that sturdy EVE defence under Dyche. The Ukranian has now returned to pre-season and faces no challenge to his LB spot. Many have opted for his teammate Branthwaite (£5.0m) who has similar output to Mykolenko. Save yourself the £0.5m and go for the LB instead!

Neco Williams (NFO) - £4.5m, 0.6%

The lowest-owned player in my squad, Williams is my 4th defensive pick. I've been hot on NFO's defence following their strong numbers since Nuno's arrival last season. Since the Portuguese's arrival in GW18 last season, only ARS, MCI and LIV beat NFO's xGC of 27.70. They also massively underperformed this figure, conceding 37 goals, showing that they are putting up the numbers that can merit clean sheets.

I am aware of the potential rotation threat Williams faces at RB. However, the exit of Montiel has seen Williams get 246 minutes this pre-season. I expect Aina (£4.5m) and Toffolo (£4.5m) to contend for the LB back spot. Nuno always has a favourite at RB/RWB and I think Williams could replicate Matt Doherty (£4.5m) numbers from seasons gone by. BOU, sou, WOL, liv, bri in the first 5 GWs is a nice start which could bring maybe 2/3 clean sheets?

Wout Faes (LEI) - £4.0m, 8.8%

Faes completes my defence as the 5th option who will mostly sit on the bench. He will get minutes which is ideal and all we really need from a £4.0m defender. I've flirted with the idea of Barco (£4.0m) who has been impressing in pre-season, being on set pieces. However, Estupiñán (£5.0m) should return in GW5, putting his starting spot in jeopardy.

Midfielders:

Mohamed Salah (LIV) - £12.5m, 35.0%

King Mo is back in my team! Those who read my article "Does Price mean Points in FPL?" would've noticed that I was a bit hesitant on selecting Salah due to his minor regression across the last few seasons. However, a summer of rest and flourishing in Slot's system has changed my mind. He's got he joint highest minutes for LIV and has scored 1 goal and grabbed 2 assists.

He is also a solid captaincy shout for GW1, facing newly promoted IPS. Mo loves a GW1 feast, registering returns in every GW1 match since he joined LIV in 17/18.

Heung-Min Son (TOT) - £10.0m, 11.6%

Sonny finds his way into the starting XI following his sensational pre-season form. Similar to Salah (£12.5m), a summer of rest will do him much good, as shown by his 3G and 1A in pre-season.

He's been operating at LW during pre-season, interchanging nicely with Kulusevski (£6.5m) who's been deployed as a false 9. Affording Son fluidity, he can thrive and I do think he is a better option when coming in off the left.

He replaces Palmer (£10.5m) and Saka (£10.0m) who have yet to register any pre-season minutes. The South Korean can be a good placeholder should Saka and Palmer hit early good form, doing a near like-for-like transfer. I'm also tempted by a Son captaincy against LEI.

Anthony Gordon (NEW) - £7.5m, 34.9%

A mainstay in all my drafts, Gordon retains his spot. NEW posted 56.45 xG from open play last season, 4th in the league. Gordon should be fresh following little involvement with England last season and I'm fully expecting him to have a sensational season again with NEW.

Eberechi Eze (CRY) - £7.0m, 32.9%

Eze keeps his spot from my first draft. Corners, free-kicks, penalties and a goals and assist threat from open play in an attacking CRY side, it's extremely hard to avoid the talisman. It is yet to be seen when Mateta (£7.5m) will return from The Olympics, but I still think Eze can perform without him in GW1.

Morgan Rogers (AVL) - £5.0m, 6.7%

My midfield bench option, Rogers offers exciting potential to be a value gem this season. He's recorded the most minutes in pre-season of any AVL player, scoring 3 times and assisting once. He's been praised by Emery and the departure of Diaby all point to increased minutes this season.

I could go for a £4.5m MID but Rogers offers a lot of potential and I may use him in rotation with one of my strikers depending on fixtures and form

Forwards:

Ollie Watkins (AVL) - £9.0m, 52.0%

The top scoring forward last season, Watkins keeps his spot. His talent is undeniable and he has the team around him to produce similar numbers to last season. I will keep an eye on when he returns to pre-season following his Euros campaign. If he hasn't got any minutes prior to the start of the season then I may be forced to look elsewhere.

Alexander Isak (NEW) - £8.5m, 55.4%

The most owned player in the game, Isak hasn't left my draft. With a full summer of rest, the Swede looks set to deliver an extremely impressive season. If it wasn't for injuries, Isak is the type of striker who can score 30 goals a season. He's on penalties in a very attacking NEW side without European football, I fear for the Premier League defences who will face him.

Rodrigo Muniz (FUL) - £6.0m, 6.7%

Muniz enters the team as Havertz (£8.0m) departs due to my inclusion of Salah. The FUL striker offers lots of value in a side with lots of potential going forward. Following his return from injury in GW23 last season, he was 3rd amongst all forwards between GW23-GW38 for non-penxG with 7.72, scoring 9 goals during that time.

He hasn't scored yet in pre-season but he has been receiving chances which is a positive sign. Being supported by the attacking talent of Andreas (£5.5m), Iwobi (£5.5m) and the marauding Robinson (£4.5m) along with the acquisition of Smith-Rowe (£5.5m), Muniz has the right environment to produce good numbers.

Also, don't be afraid of the opening fixture against MUN. They were 16th for xGC last season with 70.08. FUL can definitely give them a problem in the opening fixture of GW1.

Other Considerations and Concerns:

No Haaland (£15.0m)

Following his hat-trick against CHE in pre-season, many have jumped on Haaland as expected. It is undeniable that Haaland will score goals. However, in my case, including him in my team means 3/4 sacrifices elsewhere which I don't like. I think I'm going to bet against the Norwegian by spreading the points around the team in reliable players. This tactic worked for me last season when Haaland go injured towards the latter end of the campaign, will it work for me this time though?

No ARS or CHE

I don't like not owning any ARS or CHE players, particularly with the options they provide. In my last draft I did have Saka (£10.0m), Havertz (£8.0m) and Palmer (£10.5m).

In terms of ARS, I'm happy to go without their defence for the first 5 GWs as I only predict 1 CS against WOL in GW1. However, I want to own 1 of their attackers. Martinelli (£7.0m) has strong potential if he can nail down the LW role. At 4.2% ownership he could be an exciting differential. His heatmap from last season is what has caught my eye:

Comparing Martinelli (left) and Saka (right), we can see that both players get into the box. However, Saka tends to come back more to defend whereas Martinelli has more licence to go forward. In counterattacks, the Brazilian could be the one to benefit the most. If Trossard (£7.0m) is operating more as an 8 rather than LW by the time GW1 arrives, I may be tempted to pick Martinelli as a cheeky punt.

Nkunku (£6.5m) is firmly on my radar. He's performed well in pre-season and is very flexible, meaning he can play in a variety of positions. Palmer may not be back for the start of the season so the attacking play will go through the Frenchman. The first match is against MCI so, I'm quite happy to keep tabs on his performance and then look to bring him from GW2 onwards when CHE's fixtures get very good.