Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has priced several attractive options in the 8.0 price bracket in midfield and in this blog their numbers from last season are compared using our Fix Comparison Matrix. Averages are used since Kulusevski and Diaz joined only in the January Transfer Window.

Bukayo Saka

Saka enjoyed his best season in the Premier League to date and was Arsenal's top scorer with 11 goals. He is joint-top of the comparison for goals per game (0.3) and also for attempted assists (1.8) which illustrates his various routes to points. As the below image from our Fixture Planner shows, the Gunners have the best opening four fixtures so investment in the youngster could be a great move.

Mason Mount

Like Saka, Mount was the top scorer for his side with 11 goals and also chipped in with as many assists. He posted consistently strong underlying numbers over the season and is joint-top for goals (0.3) and attempted assists (1.8). He is also second for 'big chances' (0.3) and third for shots on target (SoT) (0.9).

James Maddison

Maddison had a strong finish to the campaign playing in a more advanced role and with the Foxes bereft of any European commitments this season, he should improve further on last year's numbers. Along with a 0.3 goals per game average, he is top of the comparison for shots (2.1). As the Opta Stats Sandbox image below shows, no midfielder priced at 10.0 or under last season landed more SoT (34) than Maddison but it is worth mentioning that most of these shots were from outside the box with the midfielder averaging just 0.9 shots in the box (SiB) per match.

Luis Díaz

Díaz's numbers are extremely impressive considering his limited adaptation period to the English top flight. The Colombia international is top for shots (2.9), 'big chances' (0.5) and joint-top for SoT (1.0) and goals (0.3). The departure of Mané should mean more playing time for the youngster and with two promoted sides in the first four games, he appears to be the standout option.

Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski hit the ground running after joining in January and the Sweden international tops the comparison for points-per-game (5.5) and assists (0.5). However, he is bottom of the comparison for shots (1.4), SoT (0.6) and 'big chances' (0.2). He also might have to share minutes with Richarlison which makes him perhaps the least attractive option of the lot.