Fantasy Premier League Crisis: Nkunku Sparks Budget Midfield Hunt

The Nkunku Dilemma

Christopher Nkunku's early substitution in Gameweek 1 and his absence from the starting lineup against Wolves in Gameweek 2 have raised concerns among Fantasy Premier League managers.

As predicted by the Price Change Predictor tool, Nkunku's value dropped by £0.1m, leaving owners scrambling for replacements at £6.4m or less. Let's explore three potential budget-friendly options to fill the void left by the Chelsea midfielder.

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Smith Rowe: The Fulham Dynamo

Emile Smith Rowe, priced at £5.6m, has caught the eye of many FPL managers, boasting a significant 20.6% ownership.

Smith Rowe has made a blistering start to the season, accumulating an impressive 13 points in just 133 minutes of play. He's already found the back of the net once and boasts an encouraging expected goals (xG) of 0.45, suggesting there could be more goals to come.

As shown above in the Opta Stats Sandbox, Smith-Rowe has the highest expected FPL points (xFPL) of any Fulham player, with a total of 10.19, even though he has played fewer minutes than many of his teammates.

Fulham's next five fixtures appear relatively favorable, with standout matches including an away game against Ipswich, followed by a home game against West Ham.

Rogers: Villa's Creative Spark

Morgan Rogers, priced at an attractive £5.0m, is currently owned by 10.2% of FPL managers.

While Rogers has yet to register an attacking return, his underlying stats are promising. He's taken 5 shots in the box, with an expected goals (xG) of 0.29, indicating he's getting into good positions. More impressively, his expected assists (xA) of 0.68 and 4 attempted assists suggest he could be on the verge of providing for his teammates.

As shown in the Opta Player Heatmaps tool above, Rogers is getting plenty of touches inside the opposition's box and just outside it, demonstrating how he is positioning himself advantageously.

Aston Villa's next five fixtures present a mixed bag, but with home games against Everton and Wolves, Rogers could find opportunities to showcase his creative potential.

Minteh: Brighton's Hidden Gem

Yankuba Minteh, priced at £5.5m, is currently flying under the radar with just 1.4% ownership, making him an intriguing differential pick.

Minteh has made a solid start to his Premier League career, amassing 6 points in 134 minutes of play. His standout stat is his impressive expected assists (xA) of 1.06, coupled with 5 attempted assists and 1 big chance created. These numbers suggest he's been heavily involved in Brighton's attacking play.

Brighton's upcoming fixtures, as shown in the Fixture Analyser, offer a mix of challenges and opportunities. While the Arsenal away game looks tough, Minteh could thrive in subsequent home matches against Ipswich and Nottingham Forest, where he's projected to score 3.7 and 3.4 points respectively.

Making the Right Choice

When deciding on your Nkunku replacement, consider these factors:

1. Form vs Fixtures: Smith Rowe's goal and high xG make him attractive, while Rogers' creative stats and Minteh's assist potential offer different routes to points.
2. Team Structure: Ensure your choice aligns with your overall squad composition.
3. Budget Implications: All three options offer significant savings compared to Nkunku, allowing you to potentially upgrade elsewhere in your squad.