The Elite XI: Team Reveal feature allows Fix Premium Plus members exclusive access to the greatest Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. The combined Elite XI boasts an extraordinary 18 x Top 1k, 61 x Top 5k, and 80 x Top 10k finishes. Offering real-time tracking data, push notifications and detailed insight into manager’s strategies, the Elite XI is unlike any other team reveal.
You can follow James Cooper's Wildcard draft changes by signing up to push notifications here.
This weekly article will take you deep into the mindset of the world’s best FPL managers, allowing you to match your playing style to individual members of the Elite XI and use their incredible insight to help inform your own FPL decisions.
It has been a brutal start to the campaign for last season’s Elite XI winner, James Cooper. Hovering around the 5m rank mark after seven Gameweeks is not something that James is accustomed to, and this has prompted him to hit the Wildcard button a little earlier than planned.
Top 5 under-performers this season ⬇️
— Fantasy Football Fix (@FantasyFootyFix) October 2, 2023
(Actual FPL Points - xFPL points)
1⃣ N. Jackson (-20.32)
2⃣ Pinnock (-17.36)
3⃣ Chilwell (-15.0)
4⃣ B. Fernandes (-12.04)
5⃣ Rashford (-10.0)
Top 5 over-performers this season ⬆️
(Actual FPL Points - xFPL points)
1⃣ Watkins (+13.37)…
It must be said, fortune has not been on the side of our Elite XI manager, who had tripled-up on Chelsea assets from the very beginning of the campaign. Having reached the record-breaking figure of £1 billion in transfer fees, Chelsea rolled into the 2023/24 season with arguably the best medium-term fixtures and a much-coveted manager at the helm. No one could have predicted the underperformance which ensued.
According to the Opta Stats Sandbox, Chelsea have accumulated 13.54 xG this season, but only scored 7 goals. Compare that to Aston Villa, who have accumulated a very similar xG figure (13.80) but have scored 18 goals. This level of underperformance is painful to behold.
Bringing in Kieran Trippier (£6.8m) and Carlton Morris (£5.6m) for the injured Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) and suspended Nicolas Jackson (£6.9m) proved to be excellent management in Gameweek 7. However, not content to allow James to enjoy a green arrow, the FPL gods decided to strike again, with an illness to Raheem Sterling (£7.1m) and an own goal for Pervis Estupiñán (£5.3m).
I felt like I had no choice but to go a week earlier than planned with the Wildcard - waiting for the international break is always preferable, but my team has been struggling and the price changes were flying in.
With the button pressed a week earlier than anticipated, James has made a raft of changes. Ten players have already been switched, as the Elite XI manager overhauls his under-performing squad.
Goalkeepers has proved to be one of the trickiest positions to fill, with James walking the tightrope of budget and fixtures. According to the Rotation Planner, James' choices rotate quite nicely over the next eight Gameweeks.
I have found [goalkeepers] surprisingly tricky. Sticking with Flekken was an option - as I think Brentford’s defensive output will improve - but their fixtures are quite poor. As such I’ve gone with the cheapest playing combination for now. If there was a £4.5m [option] for a good defensive team with great fixtures, I’d be hopping on that.
In defence Matty Cash (£4.9m) and Destiny Udogie (£4.8m) require little explanation. James will need to decide if Dan Burn (£4.5m) gets a place over Kieran Trippier (£6.8m) in order to reduce budget expenditure, with the latter currently favoured in James’ Wildcard draft.
Despite his cost, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) seems sure to start with Liverpool’s tantalising fixtures. While not currently in the draft, James is also considering a shock move for Richarlison (£6.7m) to help represent Spurs, while saving on cash.
You can sign up to push notifications to see if James does put Richarlison (£6.7m) in HERE.
Salah still may not be worth the money, but the fixture swing means it’s worth slotting him in. Son is a no-brainer given his form. Same with Diaby for his fixtures. I appreciate Richarlison will raise some eyebrows - but I’m keen to squeeze value out of Spurs’ next few games. He’s not a lock in the team but I think he’s an interesting differential.
Up front, it’s Erling Haaland (£14.1m) and Ollie Watkins (£8.0m), with budget enabler Cameron Archer (£4.5m) on the bench. Another avenue James is exploring is the possibility of a 3-4-3 with Darwin Núñez (£7.4m), but a lot of this will depend on any injury updates relating to Cody Gakpo (£7.2m).
Asked his thoughts about the possibility of a no-Haaland draft, James’ response was unequivocal.
I’ve seen some discussion about going without Haaland - I just don’t see that as being worth the risk. He is an utter alien and will continue to tick over at least even in tougher games. He’s also not easy to fit back in if you spread the value around elsewhere.
James was very confident in this not being his final draft and would likely make changes to the team. So, if you would like to keep up-to-date with James’ moves, then head over to the Elite XI: Team Reveal area and sign up to his push notifications – this will allow you to track his moves in real-time and stay one step ahead of your mini-league rivals.
You can check out the Elite XI: Team Reveal tool by clicking HERE.
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