Fantasy Football

ANY Dream Team gaffer that claims they predicted Philip Billing’s (£2.9m) early season success is a liar.Don’t get us wrong, the Denmark international is a very capable midfielder but considering he scored three goals in his first 77 Premier League appearances for Huddersfield and Bournemouth, he didn’t look like the most viable option prior to 2022/23.
His goal output for the Cherries increased in the Championship but it looked for all the world the south coast club would spend most of the new campaign in a relegation scrap, where returns for the likes of Billing would be few and far between.
However, the 26-year-old has played brilliantly so far this term and has been a key figure in Bournemouth’s recent uplift that has seen them rise into the top half.
Credit where it’s due
Gary O’Neil’s side kept up their unbeaten streak with a 2-2 draw at Fulham on Saturday with Billing providing the assist for Dominic Solanke’s (£3.1m) opening goal.
More than that, he scooped the Star Man award at Craven Cottage to pocket ten points.
Incredibly, Billing has earned three Star Man awards in his last four games!
The 0.3%-owned midfielder came out on top in the match ratings against Leicester and Newcastle as well, two fixtures in which he scored.
Add in another goal against Nottingham Forest and it’s four goal involvements in Billing’s last 427 minutes of playing time.
This fruitful run has yielded 44 points, taking him to 46 overall, a tally only bettered by five other assets in his position.
In fact, the list of midfielders with fewer points at this stage includes: Martin Odegaard (£3m), James Maddison (£5.3m), Luis Diaz (£5.2m), Raheem Sterling (£4.8m) and Bernardo Silva (£4.4m).
Cherry on topCredit: getty
The only midfielders who average more points-per-game in 2022/23 are Phil Foden (£5.9m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£7.5m) – (minimum three appearances).
There’s no doubt Billing is playing well for a team on the up but whether he’ll be able to maintain his healthy returns going forward is another matter.
Right now he averages just 0.6 shots-per-game in the top flight, it’s incredibly difficult to keep the goals flowing at that rate – for comparison, Maddison averages 3.2 shots-per-game.
But let’s not worry about that just yet, Billing deserves all the credit in the world of mixing it with the big boys after ten Game Weeks, especially without European fixture to bolster his schedule.

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THERE was a time when Kepa Arrizabalaga (£2.9m) was not much more than a punchline.Chelsea made the Spaniard the most-expensive goalkeeper in history when they signed him for £71million in 2018 but to date his Stamford Bridge career has largely been defined by two farcical incidents in Carabao Cup finals.
In 2019 he refused to be substituted despite Maurizio Sarri clearly wanting to bring Willy Caballero on, only to then perform miserably in the penalty shootout that followed.
And in 2022, he replaced Edouard Mendy (£3.6m) in the 120th minute with the Blues heading for another shootout against Liverpool at Wembley.
Kepa failed to save 11 consecutive spot-kicks and then blazed his effort over the bar to present the trophy to Jurgen Klopp’s men.
A day to forgetCredit: getty
Naturally, this pair of mishaps hardly endeared him to the Stamford Bridge faithful – his general performances when called upon were disappointing too.
However, the 28-year-old’s current form is helping to build bridges.
This weekend he produced a highly impressive performance, making seven saves to frustrate Aston Villa and help his side to a 2-0 win in the midlands.
Mason Mount (£4.6m) scored a brace but it was Kepa who deservedly claimed the Star Man award, a reflection of arguably his best performance yet on English shores.
The former Athletic Bilbao custodian banked 13 Dream Team points at Villa Park to move his tally onto 37 overall, a total achieved in the space of just three Game Weeks.
Kepa’s a keeper!Credit: getty
His first returns came in the form of a 7+ rating against Crystal Palace in Game Week 8 and since then he’s contributed to clean sheets against Milan (home and away), Wolves and Villa.
Having racked up 37 points in the space of five games, Kepa is Dream Team’s most in-form asset in his position right now – he’s suddenly fifth in the rankings among keepers.
And this is notable because the Spain international currently has an ownership of just 1.7%.
Chelsea’s results have improved dramatically in recent weeks with Graham Potter imprinting his approach on the team to good effect – it’s now five wins in a row this month in all competitions.
There are several factors contributing to the Blues’ uplift and Kepa’s impressive form is undoubtedly included in that.
Potter was thankful for Kepa’s efforts on Sunday
Mendy looked vulnerable at the start of the campaign before he picked up an injury and the Senegal international finds himself as second-choice now he’s regained fitness.
Dream Team gaffers would do well to consider Kepa as he’s very reasonably priced at £2.9m now he’s the starting keeper for a team on a winning streak.
Admittedly, games against Arsenal and Manchester City make November a daunting month for Potter’s troops but there could be plenty more returns to be had before then with Brentford, Man United, Red Bull Salzburg, Brighton and Dinamo Zagreb to play before they welcome the Gunners to west London.
Whisper it quietly but Kepa is finally starting to look like the expensive keeper he was expected to be from the get-go.

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A ROUND of applause for Jamie Smith, Dream Team’s best gaffer in Game Week 9.The Norwich supporter racked up 160 points, making full use of the midweek European fixtures to put himself in contention for October’s monthly prize, a brand new PlayStation 5.
Let’s take a closer look at the XI that delivered the goods…

Jamie’s faith in Chelsea’s defence was heartily rewarded as the Blues kept clean sheets against Wolves and Milan.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (£2.9m), Kalidou Koulibaly (£4.6m) and Trevoh Chalobah (£3.8m) all paired the shutouts (to borrow a word Jesse Marsch might use) with a brace of 7+ ratings to pocket 16 points each.
The latter appears in just 0.4% of teams right now so credit to Jamie for spotting a savvy differential option in the wake of Wesley Fofana’s (£3.2m) injury.
Marc Cucurella (£3.2m) couldn’t quite his match his team-mates but a 13-point haul is certainly more than respectable, especially at such an affordable price.
Similarly, Nathan Ake (£3.2m) contributed to Manchester City’s clean sheets against Southampton and Copenhagen, supplemented by a 7+ rating for a 13-point haul.
The Dutchman offers superb value-for-money when selected and with Kyle Walker (£3.8m) injured and Sergio Gomez (£4m) suspended in Europe, the ex-Bournemouth defender should get his fair share of minutes in the coming weeks.
Chelsea defenders produced plenty of points in Game Week 9
Jamie’s midfield was almost undermined by Luis Diaz’s (£5.2m) injury as the Colombian winger was forced off prematurely during Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal last weekend, not before he provided an assist.
However, barnstorming Game Weeks from Mason Mount (£4.6m) and Bukao Saka (£4.2m) more than made up for that slice of bad luck.
Arsenal’s No7 was his side’s hero in the fixture against Jurgen Klopp’s side at the Emirates, scoring a brace and claiming the Star Man award for an 18-point influx.
And the England international rode his luck to score the Gunners’ only goal against Bodo/Glimt in Norway on Thursday night, though he failed to earn a 7+ rating and took a small hit when he was booked – still, no complaints about a 22-point Game Week, Saka’s best of the campaign.
Chelsea’s playmaker didn’t find the net himself in Game Week 9 but he directly assisted three of his team-mates and also won the penalty that led to Fikayo Tomori’s red card in Milan.
Add in a thoroughly deserved Star Man gong and it was a potentially momentum-shifting few days for Mount, who banked 18 points for his efforts.
Saka is now Dream Team’s third-best midfielder
Jamie was among the 1.2% of Dream Team gaffers who benefited from Diogo Jota’s (£4.7m) 14 points this past week.
The Portuguese forward has been limited to just 287 minutes of playing time this season because of injury and stiff competition for places in the Reds’ forward line but he reminded everyone of his merits with four assists across two fixtures against Arsenal and Rangers.
Mohamed Salah (£8m) looked at risk of a nightmarish Game Week when he was named on the bench in midweek having blanked in north London but the prolific Egyptian tapped into his 2021/22 form to bag a rapid-fire hat-trick ta Ibrox.
Liverpool’s No11 pouched 23 points in the space of six minutes and 12 seconds – will that flurry kickstart his season?
And of course no Team of the Week would be complete without Erling Haaland (£9.3m).
Although it was lean week by the freakishly-good Norwegian’s standard as he had to settle for just the one goal at home to Southampton before taking the night off in midweek.
Eight points would be a good return for most players but when you average 14.5 per game it seems somehow underwhelming – how spoiled Haaland’s made us already.
Great stuff, Jamie! And good luck to everyone ahead of Game Week 10.

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2021/22 was a notable season in Dream Team history because of how influential the top-tier defenders were on mini-leagues up and down the country.With attack-minded full-backs very much in vogue, the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.9m), Joao Cancelo (£7.5m) and Reece James (£5.6m) hoarded points by the shed-load and became must-have assets.
However that trend has largely been bucked so far this season as we’ve seen a return to the Dream Team’s retro years – it’s all about the strikers!
No prizes for guessing who leads the way…Credit: getty
Spearheaded by the relentless Erling Haaland (£9m), who has raced to 174 points in no time at all, Dream Team gaffers are spoiled for choice up front with no fewer than 11 forwards having achieved 50+ points after nine and a half Game Weeks.
For comparison, just two midfielders have brought up their half-century at this stage and defenders are only marginally better represented with three assets having reached the milestone.
We’ll still waiting for our first half-centurion from the goalkeepers – Ederson (£5m) needs just three more points.
DEFENDERS WITH 50+ POINTS

Joao Cancelo (£7.5m) – 80 pts
Thiago Silva (£6m) – 60 pts
Ruben Dias (£6m) – 56 pts

MIDFIELDERS WITH 50+ POINTS

Phil Foden (£6m) – 72 pts
Kevin De Bruyne – 64 pts

Dream Team’s two best midfielders this seasonCredit: getty
FORWARDS WITH 50+ POINTS

Erling Haaland (9m) – 174 pts
Roberto Firmino (£3.4m) – 70 pts
Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) – 69 pts
Gabriel Jesus (£5.9m) – 68 pts
Harry Kane (£7.2m) – 65 pts
Son Heung-min (£5.6m) – 63 pts
Ivan Toney (£4.7m) – 55 pts
Marcus Rashford (£4.3m) – 55 pts
Aleksandar Mitrovic (£4.5m) – 52 pts
Gabriel Martinelli (£3.4m) – 52 pts
Gianluca Scamacca (£3.1m) – 51 pts

Not only does that list convey just how many viable options there are up front right now, but how competitive it is in the bracket below Manchester City’s freakishly prolific No9.
Scamacca would probably jump from 11th in the forward rankings to joint-third if he were to score a brace against Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League this evening.
What’s clear is that Dream Team gaffers can’t afford a dud in the forward line with so many options in form.
And those currently adopting the 4-4-2 formation need to switch to 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 as soon as possible.

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IT’S a good job Gareth Southgate adores Kieran Trippier (£3.8m) because at this rate the Newcastle man will be the only English right-back available for selection at the World Cup.There’s been so much talk about the depth of talent available to the Three Lions on the right side of defence in recent years but that boasting is set to be thoroughly put to the test with Kyle Walker (£3.8m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.9m) and Reece James (£5.6m) having all picked up injuries within the space of a few days.
Naturally this will have caused the England manager much stress but spare a thought too for the sizeable chunk of Dream Team gaffers whose plans have been booted high into the air.
Let’s run through the three crocked defenders one by one and analyse the full extent of the situation.
A favourite of Southgate but now a doubt for QatarCredit: getty
Firstly, Walker has undergone surgery on his groin and is said to be a doubt for Qatar, meaning a return in mid-November at the absolute earliest.
We hate to say it but it’s possible the rapid 32-year-old’s injury may actually be a blessing in disguise for his Dream Team backers.
Manchester City’s No2 mustered just ten points in seven outings before he was sidelined and that’s significant considering four of his team-mates are among the top 15 defenders right now.
There’s plenty of points to be had with Etihad residents but Walker wasn’t the man to to provide them.
Manuel Akanji (£3.9m) and Sergio Gomez (£4m) are in a similar price bracket and they’re ticking over nicely, despite the latter’s red card in Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
Alternatively, the aforementioned Trippier costs exactly the same as Walker (£3.8m) and he’s amassed four and half times as many points (45) at this stage.
Anfield’s homegrown hero took a nasty blow to the ankle against ArsenalCredit: getty
Thankfully, Alexander-Arnold’s ankle injury isn’t as bad as first feared with Jurgen Klopp commenting on the defender’s recovery time: “Shorter than a month. Two weeks I heard but we have to see if that’s right. Because I thought it is longer when I saw him after the game.”
Again, there may be some Dream Team gaffers who will be relieved to transfer Liverpool’s No66 out of their XI.
Alexander-Arnold (26.5% ownership) has produced two special performances this season, against Bournemouth and Rangers, and the 32 points his earned in those fixtures are propping up his overall total.
But it has to be acknowledged that in his other nine fixtures he’s evened out at zero, with some 7+ ratings countered by minus points for goals conceded.
For just another £0.1m investment you could recruit Thiago Silva (£6m) or Ruben Dias (£6m), the second and third best defenders Dream Team has to offer presently.
On the bright side, Alexander-Arnold should regain fitness well before the World Cup gets underway – not that Southgate will select him of course.
James limped off against Milan on Tuesday nightCredit: getty
Most recently, James limped off during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Milan at San Siro on Tuesday night, favouring his knee.
The 22-year-old initially tried to play on after an awkward collision with Theo Hernandez but he was substituted minutes later and left the pitch shaking his head.
Frustratingly, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to find out the full extent of the problem with Graham Potter saying he would know more in “24, 48 hours” while James himself posted on social media: “Fingers crossed it’s not a bad one.”
After four consecutive blanks in fixtures from Game Weeks 5 to 8, the Blues’ rampaging wing-back has sprung to life in recent outings, banking 30 points in his last three appearances.
This fruitful spell has catapulted him up to fourth in the Dream Team defensive rankings – he’s also the eighth-most popular asset in his position.
Chelsea have won four games in a row and they suddenly feel like a team that should be heartily backed in Dream Team so James having to endure a stint on the sidelines would be immensely frustrating as he’s a top-tier option when fit and firing.
And truth be told, he’s probably most likely to start England’s opening World Cup game against Iran come November 21st.
In short, don’t delay in replacing Walker and Alexander-Arnold (if you haven’t already) but keep your eyes peeled for further updates on James – he’s one to retain if his injury proves to be nothing serious.

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HOW nice of you to turn up, Mason, what kept you?Mason Mount (£4.3m) didn’t look quite right in the opening weeks of the season and his Dream Team points reflected his ineffective form.
After seven games he had mustered just five points, a bitterly disappointing return for a midfielder who started at £5m.
However, something has changed in the last week or so and suddenly the 23-year-old looks reinvigorated.
In fact, at the time of writing, no asset in his position has scored more points (18) this Game Week.
Back in the groove
Mount was thoroughly deserving of the Star Man award at the end of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.
He provided two assists and was central to pretty much everything the Blues did well in attack.
And it was a similar story on Tuesday night in Milan where the England international sparkled for 45 minutes before Graham Potter decided to save his legs for upcoming fixtures.
It was Mount who got the wrong side of his Three Lions team-mate, Fikayo Tomori, for the incident that led to the latter’s dismissal and Jorginho’s (£2.6m) converted penalty to open the scoring at San Siro.
And the Cobham graduate provided the assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s (£4.6m) opportunistic strike to double the visitors’ lead.
A yellow card meant he incurred a minus point but in one half he added six points to the 12 he earned at the weekend to well and truly kick-start his campaign.
Mount was named Player of the Match in Milan despite only playing 45 minutes
Mount’s overall total of 28 still puts him nine points outside the top ten midfielders but the signs suggest he could be among the top points scorers in the coming weeks.
Certainly history is on his side, his tally of 194 points in 2021/22 was only bettered by five other players in his position.
In fact, he was one of only three players alongside Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) and Jarrod Bowen (£4.4m) to reach double figures for goals and assists in the Premier League last term.
It’s often the case that Mount’s form mirrors that of Chelsea as a whole, such is his importance to the team.
It’s no coincidence that the underwhelming final weeks of Thomas Tuchel’s reign aligned with a period of frustration for Mount individually.
18 points in four days shouldn’t be ignoredCredit: getty
Conversely, his surge in form has contributed to his side’s uplift in recent weeks – it’s now four consecutive wins in all competitions.
Plus, Potter’s had some time to imprint his tactical approach on the squad and results have improved as a consequence.
The Blues face Aston Villa and Brentford in Game Week 10, a double header that represents a decent chance of extending their winning streak.
Mount’s ownership has dropped to 3.9% but Dream Team gaffers should expect that to rise now that he has seemingly rediscovered his better form.

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