Ollie Watkins, Martin Odegaard and other popular players yet to reach 20 points this season

IF nothing else, this unwelcome international break at least allows Dream Team managers some time to reflect upon the start of the 2024/25 season.

With that in mind, let’s analyse the most-popular outfield players who are yet to reach the 20-point mark.

Micky van de Ven (£3.8m)

• 15 points
• 10.9% ownership

The Dutchman missed Tottenham’s trip to St James’ Park just before the break but given Ange Postecoglou’s troops suffered a 2-1 defeat, it’s unlikely he would have got the five points required to evade this list.

That being said, Van de Ven’s average of 7.5 points-per-game is very healthy indeed, albeit from a tiny sample size.

Emile Smith Rowe (£2.8m)

• 14 points
• 11.7% ownership

The former Arsenal midfielder’s transfer to Fulham made him the bargain option of choice for a significant chunk of Dream Team bosses.

Smith Rowe has started all three of the Cottagers’ league games but he’s yet to play more than 72 minutes at any one time.

The 24-year-old scored against Leicester in Gameweek 2 but he’s mustered just five points from his other three outings combined.

Bruno Fernandes (£5.8m)

• 13 points
• 12.2% ownership

Smith Rowe’s relatively modest returns aren’t a huge problem because he doesn’t take up much budget but that’s certainly not the case for Manchester United’s main man, who is one of the most-expensive players in the game.

Fernandes has excelled in Portugal colours during the international break and certain Dream Team managers will be desperate for him to translate that form to the club arena when he returns to English shores.

The Red Devils have SIX fixtures to fulfil across the next three Gameweeks – surely it’s only a matter of time before Fernandes resumes normal service?

Kobbie Mainoo (£3.4m)

• 15 points
• 12.4% ownership

Another Man United asset makes the list.

Old Trafford’s homegrown hero was heavily backed prior to Gameweek 1, perhaps as a result of his performances at Euro 2024, and he repaid that faith in Gameweek 1 by earning maximum bonus points (five) against Fulham.

However, seven points in total across Gameweeks 2 and 3 represents a regression to the mean Mainoo established last season.

Here’s a interesting fact: Man United and Ipswich are the only two teams without a single player on 20+ points at this stage.

Marc Guehi (£3.3m)

• 14 points
• 13.9% ownership

Like Mainoo, the Crystal Palace centre-back was a popular man off the back of the Euros.

We tried to tell gaffers that Daniel Munoz (£3.1m) was a better option at a cheaper price but that advice fell on too many deaf ears – the Colombian wing-back has pouched 18 points via an assist and a whopping 14 tackles (joint-most among defenders).

Guehi was heavily linked with a summer move to Newcastle but remains for Eagle for now – his ownership has decreased steadily since Gameweek 1.

Ollie Watkins (£5.6m)

• 12 points
• 16.6% ownership

Aston Villa’s No11 played no part in pre-season following England’s European Championship campaign and has therefore had his minutes managed by Unai Emery so far.

Watkins has played just over an hour in all three appearances this season and his withdrawal from the Three Lions’ squad confirmed that he’s not yet up to speed.

His backers have a big decision to make as the Villains’ fixtures look ripe for points in the coming weeks with favourable match-ups around highly-anticipated Champions League nights.

Watkins notched an assist in his last outing but he’ll be keen to score his first goal of 2024/25 as soon as possible – one at home to 20th-placed Everton this weekend would settle a few nerves.

Martin Odegaard (£4.9m)

• 12 points
• 17% ownership

Arsenal’s captain is the most-selected player yet to reach 20 points at the time of writing.

But for how much longer?

Odegaard suffered an ankle injury on duty for Norway on Monday night and was spotted on crutches Tuesday morning.

The extent of the injury remains to be revealed but, at this stage, he seems likely to miss a handful of games at least.

Gaffers uncertain what to do about Odegaard’s underwhelming returns across the first three Gameweeks have seemingly had their hand forced by this setback – a replacement will have to be identified before Saturday’s 11am deadline.

It’s still early days and all of the above assets (the non-injured ones at least) could rocket up the rankings with just one good performance.

It’s up to Dream Team bosses to determine which players are worth sticking by and which need replacing ASAP.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk