My FPL Team

 The Premier League is Back! and so is the FPL

Yes! That is a screenshot taken from my phone. 

The 22/23 FPL season is here, and boy was that a long wait. The new signings coupled with players from newly promoted teams add to the almost tangible excitement and paradoxical conundrum brought forth by picking our teams. 

Fortunately, there are some familiar faces we can still put our faith and scarce (€100) resources in. As we all know the FPL is as much a mind game as the Premier League itself. It forces us to respect and strategize players according to their output irrespective of the team they play for. This ruthless mentality of obeying the numbers is key to success in FPL. Being on the bottom end of various FPL leagues over the last 3 seasons, I'm done being the "butt' of FPL jokes and I look forward to redeeming myself this season.

" Go with the herd separate later" are the word of HAZE F.C, one of the top FPL players in the world. Game week 1 is not the time to seek differentials, Don't be afraid to go 'basic' and as from game week 3 you can add your 'swagger' to your respective teams. 

The Basics

For me at least...

Kane

Harry Kane in the Premier League since Antonio Conte's first game in charge:

◎ 28 games

◎ 16 goals

◎ 8 assists

◉ Most non-penalty xG (14.4)

◉ Most Big Chances created (17)

◉ Most through balls (19)

◉ Most shots on target (45)

Alexander-Arnold

Highest Expected Assists per 90 during the 2021/22 Premier League season (900+ mins):

◎ 0.41 - Trent Alexander-Arnold

◎ 0.31 - Kevin De Bruyne

◎ 0.28 - Michael Olise

◎ 0.27 - Christian Eriksen

◎ 0.26 - Mason Mount

No defender has ever finished a Premier League season with the most assists in the division...

Is this the season Trent Alexander-Arnold makes history? 🎯

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus has now scored seven goals in five pre-season games for Arsenal: 

⚽️⚽️ vs. Nürnberg 

⚽️ vs. Everton 

❌ vs. Orlando 

⚽️ vs. Chelsea 

⚽️⚽️⚽️ vs. Sevilla 

Will he replicate this form in the Premier League? I'm counting on it

Son

Heung-Min Son scored more non-penalty goals than any other player in the Premier League in 2021/22.

◉ Heung-Min Son (23)

◎ Mohamed Salah (18)

Not to mention the assists, Son is an attacking magician.

We Can't Forget

Mo Salah

At this point, while writing, 60.3% of FPL players had selected Mo Salah. I assume the majority if not all, will appoint him the captain. For 13 million Euros, I always feel Mo is overpriced. I can almost immediately feel the counter-argument that Salah is the most decorated FPL player being thrown at my face. Anyway, my decision to exclude him is one of the reasons we all love FPL, Variety.

Will, I heavily regret my rather obnoxious decision when he puts 4 goals in the Fulham F.C net? Hell Yeah

Remember it is not how you start the season. Most important is how you finish the season. I'll update you on my Squads quarterly, meaning Game week 10, 19,29 & 38. All the best to all the players.

Which team will be Banter F.C in the 22\23 Premier League season?

 3. Liverpool F.C

After Liverpool completed the signing of Darwin Núñez from Benfica for a club-record fee of £85m, a fee which could rise up to £100m. It's easy to see why opposing Fans see an easy target in Liverpool. The team has created a reputation for spending 'smart' in the transfer window, and since all 'rules' were broken for the 23-year-old Uruguayan forward. Opposition fans will be eagerly waiting for even the slightest slip-up.

  Especially Manchester United fans who are always at the forefront of Liverpool banter, a decades-long rivalry will do that. As much as the Red Devils will be praying for a downfall, it will need immense misfortune as Klopp is quite the manager.

2. Manchester United

Erick Ten Hag is the new Manchester United manager, and to say The Red Devil fans are elated would be a gross understatement. The bald man from The Netherlands has United fans completely immersed in his identity.

  

Is it just me or doesn't this seem a lot familiar?  Have we been here before? A new manager, A new system, an Exciting signing.... everything looking rosy in the beginning. Hmmm... I  could've sworn I've experienced this situation before.. not sure where though

It's true however that Erik is the only 'real' experienced manager that Manchester United has appointed since the great Sir Alex. This means the Banter will be spicier if  the situation in Old Trafford was to go south

1. Chelsea F.C

Is it me or is there just something about Chelsea F.C that just smells banter F.C ? I'm also sure it has absolutely nothing to do with signing a striker for a club-record £97.5m from Inter Milan only for him to score eight league goals and leave for a season-long loan for a loan fee of £6.9m plus £3.5m in bonuses. 

Absolutely nothing.

 Losing their Russian Oligarch sugar daddy is the absolute ouch! Not to mention La Liga just took almost all their Centre-back options. Major restructuring within the club also doesn't exactly paint a Picasso, of the affairs within the club.

Simply put, it's looking like they might own the Banter F.C crown this year.  However, there is still a lot of hope within. Tomas Tuchel is a master and that's something.

Ranking the Top 10 Premier League Summer Transfers

 10. Djed Spence

Djed Spence managed to complete more take-ones in the league last season (76) than Matt Doherty, Emerson Royal, Sergio Reguilón and Ryan Sessegnon managed combined (48). 

He is a dynamic wing-back and will fit immaculately in Contes' system. For £12.5m initial fee, which could rise to around £20m with add-ons, Spurs have acquired a gem.

He is only 21 years, one for the future, and the present.

9. Cheick Doucouré

 Crystal palace have acquired the services of a 22-year-old Malian midfielder Cheik Doucouré. Last season Cheick ranked in the top seven percent of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes and progressive carries per 90. 

After departing from his previous Ligue 1 side Lens, his teammate Fofana had this to say about him  “Cheick knows how to do everything on the pitch,” “He works in the shadows and, for me, he is very important. He is incredibly complete. He’s one of the best players I’ve played with. He knows how to shoot from distance, how to pass, break the lines, dribble and defend.”

For only €21.30m,  Patrick Vieira has acquired one of the best Young Defensive Midfielders in Europe

8. Raheem Sterling

No introductions are needed here. Raheem has been rocking the Premier League for the last five seasons. Racking up a total of 78 goals.

2017/18: ⚽️18 

2018/19: ⚽️17

2019/20: ⚽️20

2020/21: ⚽️10

2021/22: ⚽️13 

The 27-year-old track record speaks for itself, Sterling has signed for Chelsea on a five-year contract from Man City at a £47.5m fee. The player will earn £ 310,000 a week. This will be the third Premier League team Sterling will play for, will Man City's success follow him to His new team? 

 7. Oleksandr Zinchenko

Arsenal announced the £32m signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City. The Ukrainian has put pen to paper on a four-year deal. The player is flexible and can play in the left-back or left midfield position. His dynamism combined with his passing and ball handling ability will bolster Arsenal's left flank. His Premier League experience is a plus. At 25 years of age, he will give his best years to Arsenal.

6. Kalidou Koulibaly

 In light of Antonio Rüdiger's and Andreas Christensen's departure to La Liga, Chelsea is in dire need of defenders. At 31 years of age, Koulibaly is headed towards the end of his career. However, his necessity for Chelsea in the forthcoming campaign influenced the decision to place him sixth.  He captained his nation to AFCON glory and has a tonne of Champions League experience.

5. João Palhinha

 Fulham reached an agreement for €18m with Sporting for João Palhinha. 

Since the start of 2020/21, João Palhinha is the only player in Europe's top five leagues, Primeira Liga and the Eredivisie with 100+ in the following metrics:

◉ 156 tackles made

◉ 124 aerial duels won

◉ 110 fouls won

◉ 105 fouls conceded

Palhinha is a player in his prime, playing his very best football. The 27-year-old defensive midfielder is an absolute gem and a joy to watch. Fulham now has within their ranks a complete and sturdy footballer. What a signing!

4. Yves Bissouma

Tottenham announced the signing of Yves Bissouma on a four-year contract from Brighton. €25m  fee + add-ons.

Best tackle completion rate of the Premier League season

Yves Bissouma - 76.9%

 N'Golo Kante - 65.2%

 Naby Keita - 64.3%

It's safe to say, Spurs have nabbed an absolute bargain. Bissouma is a midfield maestro with an immense work rate. What a signing for the Spurs.

3. Boubacar Kamara

Aston Villa announced the signing of Boubacar Kamara on a five-year contract. Free transfer. Yes, for firkin Free. A 22-year-old, 6 Ft. defensive midfielder for absolutely nothing!

Kamara is more than comfortable mopping things up in defensive midfield, while he possesses incredible close control. Also, he is an excellent presser, dueler and interceptor. Villa deserves a standing ovation for this transfer. 

2. Erling Haaland

Look at this dude, like really look at him! Is this the kind of signing that could help Man City finally break their Champions League misfortune?  I would argue it's their best chance.

Haaland made his senior debut in 2016 and already has 134 club goals. For only £51.3m from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, Haaland is a bargain. He is only 22 years old and with his immense... size, and talent Haaland will be an absolute hit in the Premier League.

1. Gabriel Jesus

 Gabriel Jesus was never the first-choice striker at the Etihad Stadium, but he’ll be given the chance to impress through the middle at Arsenal. With limited minutes in the Etihad, he still managed to show his presence within the team. He completed a £45million move to Arsenal from Manchester City.

Gabriel faces zero competition for the number 9 position, it's finally time to show what he is made of. This young Arsenal side finally has a world-class striker.

His link-up play with Martin Ødegaard is already sublime. The 25-year-old is already showing his class for the gunners.

Gabriel Jesus in pre-season for Arsenal: 

🏟 4 Games

⏱ 191 Minutes Played 

⚽️ 4 Goals 

 

How The Five Substitute Rule Will change The Premier League

From the 22/23 season onwards, premier league teams will be allowed to make five substitutions per game. The issue was voted on three times in the 21/22 season and was never passed. 14 votes from the 20 Premier League teams were required to amend the 3 substitute rule. 

Eventually, the quorum was achieved, and from the 22/23 season onwards, teams can make 5 substitutes in-game, and a total of nine substitutes can be named on the team sheet. These subs can be made on three occasions during a match, with an additional opportunity at half-time. 

The rule was temporarily introduced during the Corona Virus pandemic due to the unpredictability of infection and the added uncertainty it laid on teams starting line-ups. Other leagues across Europe integrate the rule after the pandemic. 

The Premier League hesitated, lower ranked teams stating that it handed an unfair advantage to the 'top 6', and the larger teams complaining over fixture congestion and the need for more substitutions per game to give overworked players a rest. Fans were divided too, some claiming that the premier league would lose its competitive edge. Team Managers such as Liverpool's Klopp and Burnley's Sean Dyche almost came to blows. Klopp stated, “When our players play three games, they [Burnley] have no game". Sean on the other hand rejected the changes claiming they gave richer teams an unfair advantage. Honestly, all opinions are correct and it further complicates the argument. Is Football a players' game, a managers' game, or a fans' game? And whose interests should supersede another? Anyway, that's a conversation for another day.

Here's how the Five substitute rule will change the premier League.

An opportunity for youth and Academy team players to showcase their talent

With the introduction of the five substitutes rule, there is a greater opportunity for youth team players within teams to showcase their ability. Breaking into the first team of any Premier League team is no easy feat. For the Youth, an opportunity is all they really need. We can use the transfer sanctions on Chelsea F.C. as a relatable example. The transfer sanctions placed upon Chelsea in the 2019/20 Premier League season saw youth players like Recce James, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham break into the first team. First-team football for the younger players will add to their experience and put in them in the footballing spotlight. This might be the traction they need to kick-start their careers.

A Decreased Risk of Injury for players in Multiple Competitions

Professional footballers in the Premier League play too many matches across overlapping competitions.  Drawing an example from Liverpool's Mo Salah and Ex player Sadio Mane, having played in the Africa Cup of Nations and for a Liverpool side that completed every possible fixture last season, Salah and Mane averaged 90,000 kilometres of travel between them. Including the Champions League final, Mo and mane played their 70th game of the season at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. They have each played 60% of their games back-to-back. According to FIFPRO, the worldwide representative organization for 65,000 professional footballers. The accumulated exposure puts players at risk, it can reduce performance and may also shorten many players' careers. Players need time to recover if fans regularly want to see them  at their highest quality. In light of the five substitution changes, players in international and league competitions will get a much-needed break.

The Competitive Edge of The Premier League in Danger, or is it?

 The major argument brought forth by 'lower' ranked teams in the League during the 21/22 season was that the five-substitute rule would ruin the competitive nature of the Premier League. In the last five seasons, Manchester City has won the Premier League four times. Will five substitutions create an imbalance within the Premier League? I would argue an imbalance already exists. On the contrary, lower-ranking teams could use this opportunity to weaponize their substitutions. 

Substitutions as a Tactic

Replacing close to half of a first team has a colossal impact on the game. Five substitutions can be used to overhaul the attacking and midfield set-up completely. If the managers and coaches get the tactics of a game wrong, there is a chance to switch up the entire game and in eventuality, the result. The ball is on managers and tacticians half to make an impact with this opportunity.

To say I can't wait for the 2022/23 Season to begin is an understatement. The drama begins yet again on the 5th of August, and the changes to the substitutes rules add to the theatre. Who will make the most of this opportunity? and which team will be caught flat-footed by the opposition's substitution tactics? Let the games begin!