Bryan Mbeumo, Nicolas Jackson and 5 players to buy ahead of FPL Gameweek 3

From goalkeeper through to your forwards, here are the best options to consider for your transfers this time around

Sports Staff
Monday 21 August 2023 12:28 EDT
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Fantasy Premier League managers get one free transfer a week to make - but by now some may have saved up for two switches to their teams. Here’s who we think are worthwhile considering as the Premier League heads into the new week, judging by upcoming fixtures and individual player form.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal - Defender (5.0)

If you haven’t already stacked your team with the most number of allowed Arsenal players, now might be the time: games against Fulham, an out-of-sorts Man United and Everton do not look the most troublesome over the coming weeks and their Ukrainian left-back is back to fitness now having played a key role last term. Add in potential clean sheet bonuses to his build-up play involvement and there could be plenty of points on offer - especially given his early season stand-in Jurrien Timber is now out injured. William Saliba’s price has already risen; Zinchenko’s might follow suit soon.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Everton - Midfielder (5.5)

Ok, this one’s obviously an outside-the-box option in terms of early season form from his club, but Everton have a couple of fixtures now before the international break which can kick-start their campaign - and Doucoure is the best-placed individual to help them do that. He’s playing just off the forward, who doesn’t score. His runs from deep are tough to track and he showed last term he can find the back of the net; 1.5 shots per game and 2.0 key passes across his first two matches detail how he’s trying to do the same again here.

Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford – Midfield (6.6)

Not many people would have predicted Bryan Mbeumo would be top of the charts for expected goal involvements after two Premier League games, but here we are. Playing up front but categorised as a midfielder in FPL, Mbeumo’s tally of 2.9 XGi far outstrips the rest, albeit boosted by a couple of penalties. With a friendly fixture list ahead (three of the next four are home games against Palace, Bournemouth and Everton), he is almost a must-have if you don’t already own him.

Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea – Forward (7.0)

With two points from two games, Jackson is probably about to be sold by a whole load of FPL managers. But the underlying numbers suggest it is worth keeping the faith with, or even buying, the 22-year-old. He is fifth for non-penalty expected goals (1.14) among forwards, fourth for shots in the box (six) and joint-top for big chances (three). He played 90 minutes in both games underlining the lack of competition for a starting spot, and what’s more, the fixture list is juicy – home matches against Luton and Nottingham Forest are next when, surely, Jackson will break his duck.

Robert Sanchez, Chelsea - Goalkeeper (4.5)

It’s not often we’ll pick two players from the same team in the same week but those fixtures do look tempting and Mauricio Pochettino’s new first-choice stopper will be looking for real consistency now he’s settling in...and now the team will be expected to make rapid improvements. He saved three shots against West Ham and one against Liverpool, and while he didn’t pick up a clean sheet in either one he surely will hope to do so against the upcoming lesser lights including Luton. Expect Pochettino to focus heavily on organisation after the shambles against the Hammers - Sanchez could be a quick beneficiary.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in