£7.5m Forward Frenzy: Who's Your Best FPL Pick for 2024/25?

As Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers gear up for the 2024/25 season, a tantalising quintet of forwards has caught our attention. Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez, Dominic Solanke, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Ivan Toney have all been priced at a tempting £7.5m. But which of these goal-getters could be the best addition to your FPL squad? Let's dive into their 2023/24 performances using the Fix Comparison Matrix to uncover the stats that matter.

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You can use the Fix Comparison Matrix feature to compare players for 270 Opta and FPL stats.

Dominic Solanke: Bournemouth's Consistent Threat

Dominic Solanke emerged as the most consistent starter among our contenders, featuring in an impressive 38 matches (3331 minutes) throughout the 2023/24 season. He started a remarkable 98% of games, underlining his importance to Bournemouth.

Solanke was the standout performer in terms of FPL points, amassing a hefty 175 points. This translates to 4.7 points per game, a stellar return for his price point.

Leading the goal charts with 19 strikes, Solanke slightly overperformed his xG of 18.8. This consistency in front of goal is a positive sign for FPL managers looking for reliable returns.

While primarily a goal-scorer, Solanke contributed 3 assists against an xA of 3.8. There's potential for improvement in this area, which could further boost his FPL appeal.

Darwin Núñez: Liverpool's Explosive Option

Darwin Núñez participated in 36 games (2045 minutes), starting 58% of matches. This rotation could be a concern for FPL managers seeking guaranteed starters.

Despite the rotation, Núñez collected 132 points, averaging 4 points per game. This suggests he can deliver returns even with limited minutes.

Núñez scored 11 goals against an expected 17.66. This underperformance suggests there's room for improvement, which could lead to explosive returns if he finds his finishing touch.

Darwin led our comparison group in assists with 11, significantly outperforming his xA of 6.04. This dual threat of goals and assists makes him an intriguing prospect for FPL managers.

Jean-Philippe Mateta: Crystal Palace's Rising Star

Mateta appeared in 35 games (2283 minutes), starting 67% of matches. His increased involvement as the season progressed is noteworthy for FPL managers.

Impressively, Mateta accumulated 165 points at an average of 4.9 points per game - the highest in our comparison group.

Mateta significantly outperformed expectations, netting 16 goals against an xG of 10.57. While impressive, this overperformance might be challenging to sustain.

With 7 assists from an xA of 3.37, Mateta showcased his ability to contribute beyond goals, making him a well-rounded FPL asset.

Ivan Toney: Brentford's Returning Hero

Toney's season was significantly shortened, featuring in just 18 games (1449 minutes) due to suspension. However, he started 89% of the games he was available for.

Despite limited appearances, Toney managed 57 points, averaging 3.2 points per game. This suggests he could be a strong contender with a full season ahead.

Toney scored 4 goals from an xG of 6.89, hinting at his potential if he had played a full season. His previous FPL heroics make him an intriguing prospect for 2024/25.

With 3 assists from an xA of 1.98 in limited appearances, Toney showed he could be a creative force over a full season.

Cody Gakpo: Liverpool's Wild Card

Gakpo featured in 35 games (1646 minutes), starting 49% of the time. This rotation could be a concern for FPL managers, but also presents potential if his playing time increases.

Gakpo managed 106 points, averaging 3.7 points per game. While not the highest in our group, there's potential for improvement with more consistent playing time.

With 8 goals from an xG of 8.32, Gakpo showed alignment with expectations. This consistency could be valuable if he secures more playing time.

Gakpo provided 5 assists, slightly overperforming his xA of 3.45. This suggests he could be a useful all-round contributor in FPL terms.

Conclusion: Who's Your £7.5m Hero?

As we look ahead to the 2024/25 season, each of these £7.5m forwards presents a compelling case:

• Dominic Solanke offers consistency and proven goal-scoring ability.
• Darwin Núñez shows potential for explosive returns if he can convert more of his chances.
• Jean-Philippe Mateta provides excellent points per game, but an overperformance in both goals and assists.
• Ivan Toney, with a full season ahead, could replicate his previous FPL heroics.
• Cody Gakpo could be a dark horse if he secures more consistent playing time.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your FPL strategy. Are you looking for consistency with Solanke, potential explosiveness with Darwin, or the promise of Toney's return to form? Consider these stats, watch pre-season performances, and make your choice wisely. Remember, in FPL, today's differential could be tomorrow's essential!

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