Mohammed Kudus and the other best Dream Team performers who feature in fewer than 5% of teams

AT this late stage of the season, many Dream Team managers will be in need of a difference maker.

The likes of Bukayo Saka (£5.8m) and Ollie Watkins (£5m) are fantastic players but their returns are unlikely to change the outlook of many Mini Leagues, such is their popularity.

With that in mind, let’s run through the seven best players, as determined by total points, who currently feature in fewer than 5% of teams.

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Mohammed Kudus

• 274 points
• 2.4% ownership
• £5.4 million

West Ham’s skilful midfielder leads the way in this department having averaged 6.5 points-per-game this term.

The Ghana star has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists but it’s his ability to rack up bonus points that makes him such an appealing asset.

Only Bruno Guimaraes (£4.4m) has earned more bonus points (75) than Kudus (64) with the former having played four more games.

The 23-year-old is sixth among midfielders in the rankings and tenth overall at the time of writing – what a signing he’s been for the Hammers.

Pascal Gross

• 247 points
• 1.7% ownership
• £4.3 million

Brighton’s results have fallen off a cliff in the second half of the season and so many Dream Team bosses will want to stay clear of Roberto De Zerbi’s favourites until they’re back on track.

However, the Seagulls have four fixtures remaining in 2023/24 when most teams have just three to play so Gross, who averages 5.7 points-per-game, could be considered a viable differential.

The German midfielder has registered 14 assists and, like Kudus, he’s a keen bonus point hoarder having pocketed 55 to date.

Gross is an underrated, adaptable player who suits Dream Team’s new scoring system.

It’s worth noting that Brighton’s remaining fixtures are relatively tricky: Aston Villa, Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester United.

Conor Gallagher

• 240 points
• 2.2% ownership
• £3.9 million

Cole Palmer (£5.4m) is obviously the best Chelsea player to own for the final Gameweeks of the campaign but gaffers should at least consider reinforcements given the Blues have four fixtures to play from the start of Gameweek 34.

Gallagher found goal involvements hard to come earlier in the season but he’s now notched 16 (six goals, ten assists) and he’s just three tackles short of a century.

Add in 46 bonus points and the Blues’ homegrown midfielder has to considered a well-rounded asset with multiple avenues to points.

Chelsea face Tottenham this week but their remaining fixtures are fairly friendly: West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Bournemouth.

Joao Pedro

• 236 points
• 2.9% ownership
• £3.9 million

The Brazilian forward was almost a must-have asset at one stage of the season but there’s no doubt he’s tailed off.

He’s yet to score since his comeback from injury, which sidelined him for almost two months, and he hasn’t even registered a shot on target in his last four outings.

Still, his overall tally of 19 goals has to respected, even if a significant portion of those came from the penalty spot.

Dominic Solanke

• 231 points
• 3.5% ownership
• £3.9 million

Bournemouth’s No9 has proved all his doubters wrong this season having bagged 20 goals in all competitions.

Only four players have scored more Premier League goals this term with the likes of Mohamed Salah (£6.5m), Jarrod Bowen (£4.8m) and Son Heung-min (£4.6m) behind Solanke in the Golden Boot race.

The Cherries’ target man averages 5.9 points-per-game this term – a fantastic effort.

John McGinn

• 227 points
• 4% ownership
• £3.9 million

Aston Villa are certainly a team to target in the coming Gameweeks as they’re the last English team active in Europe.

If the Villains get past Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League semi-finals then they’ll be the outright busiest team from Gameweek 34 to the end of the campaign.

Leon Bailey (£3.7m) and Moussa Diaby (£3.1m) are tempting options (alongside the essential Ollie Watkins) but McGinn is actually the top performer among Villa’s midfielders.

The Scotland international has 17 goal involvements to his name but, like Gallagher, he tops up his returns with tackles and bonus points.

Douglas Luiz

• 226 points
• 4.4% ownership
• £3.8 million

Much of what applied to McGinn is also relevant for his Brazilian team-mate.

Luiz has the benefit of being Villa’s first-choice penalty-taker when on the pitch but gaffers should be aware that he incurs more than his fair share of bookings – he’s racked up 14 yellow cards in all competitions this season.

The schedule suggests that backing at least one Villa midfielder is likely to yield healthy returns but it’s not all that clear who is best placed to capitalise on the extra fixtures.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk