As Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers gear up for the 2024/25 season, they're faced with an unprecedented dilemma. Erling Haaland, Manchester City's prolific striker, has been slapped with a jaw-dropping £15 million price tag - the highest in FPL history. This astronomical figure has sent shockwaves through the FPL community, forcing managers to reconsider their strategies.
With Erling Haaland's record-breaking £15.0m #FPL price, what's your current plan for Gameweek 1? 🤔
— Fantasy Football Fix (@FantasyFootyFix) July 16, 2024
In a surprising turn of events, a poll conducted on X (formerly known as Twitter) reveals that over 70% of FPL managers are planning to start the season without Haaland in their teams. This stark statistic suggests that the Norwegian goal machine could become an unexpected differential at the season's outset.
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In the 2023/24 season, Haaland clocked an impressive 2,560 minutes on the pitch, as shown above in the Opta Player Heatmaps tool. This highlights his importance to Pep Guardiola's side despite missing some game through injury. He amassed a staggering 217 FPL points during the 2023/24 campaign. This remarkable tally underscores his value as a premium asset, consistently delivering returns for those who kept faith in him. However, this was topped by Palmer (244), Foden (230), Watkins (228) and Saka (226).
The Norwegian hitman found the back of the net 27 times last season. Interestingly, his expected goals (xG) stood at 29.44, suggesting a slight underperformance. This statistic indicates that Haaland's clinical finishing took a minor dip, but also hints at the potential for even more goals in the coming season.
Haaland's playmaking abilities shouldn't be overlooked. He provided 8 assists, significantly outperforming his expected assists (xA) of 4.34. This overperformance demonstrates his ability to create chances for teammates, adding another dimension to his FPL appeal.
The 2024/25 season kicks off with a series of stern tests for Manchester City and Haaland:
This run of fixtures, barring the home game against Ipswich, could be seen as challenging. As shown above in the Fixture Planner tool, Man City are 12th for attacking fixtures. Matches against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle, in particular, may give some FPL managers pause when considering Haaland's inclusion.
Despite the record-breaking price tag, Haaland's consistent performance and ability to rack up big hauls make him a tempting proposition. His slight underperformance in goals last season could indicate room for improvement, potentially leading to even higher returns.
The £15 million price tag is a significant investment, limiting managers' ability to spread funds across their squad. With 70% of managers reportedly planning to start without him, there's an argument for following the crowd and seeking value elsewhere. Managers might also consider choosing Salah as their main premium asset, priced at £12.5 million.
Ultimately, starting the season with Haaland could be a high-risk, high-reward strategy. His proven track record and the potential to outscore the majority of FPL teams in the early gameweeks make him an intriguing differential. However, the difficult opening fixtures and the opportunity cost of his hefty price tag cannot be ignored.
As with all FPL decisions, managers must weigh the pros and cons carefully. Whether you choose to invest in Haaland or spread your funds elsewhere, one thing is certain: the Norwegian's performance will be under intense scrutiny from the very first whistle of the 2024/25 season.
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