Reviewing the best FPL picks as gameweek 5 commences
FPL returns this weekend after two weeks of international duty. Since then, plenty has happened. The international transfer deadline came about on the 5th of October, one day after the last round of Premier League fixtures were played. Numerous players were signed in which was a busy deadline day, many of whom will be looking to make an impression on the weekend and record valuable FPL points in the process.
Furthermore, several players impressed during the international break and will be going back to their clubs hoping they can replicate that form in the Premier League. Similarly, players not picked for international duty will be looking to prove their national team managers wrong by performing at club level.
Some FPL users will be forced to make changes given injuries during and before the break rendering players unlikely to compete. There is certainly no lack of options to choose from as several players will be itching to impress from Saturday.
Here are our picks for GW5:
Alex Telles – Manchester United – £5.5m
At a price of just £5.5m, Alex Telles is a potential bargain for FPL users. The new Manchester United signing is an attack minded left back who has managed to register a number of goals and assists throughout his career.
He managed 19 goal contributions in 31 league games in the Primeira Liga last season in what was an impressive campaign for the Brazilian. Before his move to Manchester, he also completed 4 goal contributions in 3 games this season.
His attacking output is outstanding for a left back, particularly in comparison to Manchester United’s current left backs, who managed a measly 2 goal contributions in the league last season between them. United face Newcastle at the weekend in a match Telles will be hoping to start.
Just 0.6% of users have picked him so far but we would expect that number to rise over the coming weeks.
✍️ 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: Alex Telles is a Red! #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 5, 2020
Tariq Lamptey – Brighton & Hove Albion – £4.7m
Another full back FPL users should consider is young Brighton full back Tariq Lamptey. Acquired from Chelsea last season, Lamptey has made quite an impression at the Amex despite making just a handful of appearances.
His attacking output isn’t yet as proficient as Alex Telles and some of the other attack minded left backs in the league, but he has shown signs of promise going forward and his numbers will certainly improve over time.
Lamptey is a diminutive, pacey full back capable of evading defenders like they’re not there. He has 1 assist in 4 games so far this season and is now a regular starter at the club, so his contributions will likely increase.
Adama Traoré – Wolverhampton Wanderers – £6.4m
Adama Traoré is on of the most exciting players in the Premier League. Improving season by season, he’s recently added numbers to his game after struggling with his end product for numerous seasons. His recent call up for Spain will also have done his confidence no harm.
He’s failed to get going so far this season with his contribution but much of that was due to factors out of his hand. He’s been forced to play much of the season so far at right wing back given the lack of options in that position after the departure of Matt Doherty. The arrival of Nélson Semedo, however, should mean that Traoré can now revert to his previous position of right winger where he can get down the byline and create chances for his teammates.
Wolves have an easy – on paper – run of fixtures in the next few weeks so Traoré should get back to his electrifying best.
Gareth Bale – Tottenham Hotspur – £9.5m
Bale isn’t full match fit so there are questions as to whether he will start on the weekend, but he’s returned to full training in recent weeks and should at least make a cameo. If Bale does start, he’ll likely be part of a front 3 including Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane, a prospect which should frighten opposition defenders.
Despite criticisms of Mourinho’s negative philosophy in the past, Tottenham have started the season in fine goalscoring form, netting 12 goals in just 4 games so far with Harry Kane seemingly back to his best.
Bale has struggled for Real Madrid in recent seasons due to a combination of off field issues and poor form, but he’s still a quality player.
Returning to the club which played a key role in his development should help Bale get back on track, Spurs fans and FPL owners will be hoping the Welshman can produce a career remontada.
✍️ We are delighted to announce the return of @GarethBale11 to the Club on a season-long loan from Real Madrid!#BaleIsBack ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/6w8P1CLx61
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 19, 2020
Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa – £5.9m
Watkins scored his first Premier League goals and first Premier League hat trick against Liverpool two weeks ago. Watkins has played at several levels in English football – which includes a spell in the National League South – and has managed to be prolific at each.
He scored 25 Championship goals last term which was impressive enough to garner the attention of Aston Villa who took their chance on the striker. Villa have been crying out for a goalscoring centre forward after failing with previous signings, but they may have finally found their man.
Watkins is perfect for users on the lookout for a cheap striker and his display against Liverpool will only have boosted his confidence in front of goal. We suggest picking him up now before his value increases any more.
Jack Grealish – Aston Villa – £7.1m
Another Aston Villa player, Grealish had his breakthrough Premier League campaign last season in which he helped his team to marginally avoid relegation. Villa look a much better outfit this term with some good additions made to the squad – namely Bertrand Traoré, Ross Barkley, Matty Cash and the previously mentioned Ollie Watkins.
They’ve made an incredible start to the season with an 100% winning record after 3 games. Grealish now has much better support than he had last season, in what was effectively a one-man team. He secured 24 FPL points in what was a career defining performance against Liverpool on the 4th of October. He has 6 goal contributions in 3 league games so far and we would expect him to continue his form further into the season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Everton – £8m
Calvert-Lewin is the most picked player in FPL currently with 48.9% of users opting for the Everton striker and it’s easy to see why. He’s consistently overcome odds during his career with many claiming he wasn’t Premier League standard. He’ll have silenced those doubters with his convincing displays this season.
He improved his proficiency in front of goal last season with a career high of 13 league goals and looks intent on breaking that record with 6 goals in just 4 appearances so far. Everton’s recruitment has been excellent this season, bringing in a number of top players including the formidable James Rodríguez, who has improved the team tenfold. The additions to the squad as well as the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti have helped Calvert-Lewin reach heights he wasn’t capable of previously.
He also managed to score his first England goal during the international break in a season which has all the makings of being a stellar campaign for Calvert-Lewin.
🙌 Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the 1️⃣st player to score in each of @Everton‘s first four #PL games of a season#EVEBHA pic.twitter.com/Ea7h7ODQic
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 4, 2020
