5.5 Midfielders

[From4corners]

Jon Walters is still one I'm tempted by at 5.5 who seems to not be getting much a mention.

Well, he's not getting a mention in this thread due to the price focus. Same reason I am not mentioning Ryan Fraser here.

As per that post in the thread for a slightly more expensive midfielder, I have found myself looking into this option for my fourth midfielder spot due to my preferred team right now. I could even be swayed by selecting two of these for my fourth and fifth midfielder spot (by upgrading Carroll) and play 3-5-2 rather than 3-4-3.

Bournemouth: Ryan Fraser
Burnley: Brady, Walters
Huddersfield: Palmer and Van la Parra (5.0)
Manchester United: Herrera

Others that might be of interest (for others):
Leicester: Albrighton, Gray (if Mahrez leaves)
Newcastle: Shelvey
Southampton: Ward-Prowse
Stoke: Allen (again?) and Bojan
Swansea: Fer
Question marks over Brunt who can drop back anytime..

Apart from being somewhat of a fan of Ryan Fraser when having seen him play last season, I've been looking at match reports and fan forums and I quite like the Huddersfield guys to be honest. Looks like Van la Parra has the least chance of rotation playing on the left of a three man midfield (4-2-3-1), with Palmer central and either Ince or Kachunga (6.0) on the right, who I am tempted by as well.

While Herrera could also have more license to get into the box and improve his stats (quite good in his first season at Utd), due to Matic arriving, Brady is the other one that tempts me due to his assist potential and set pieces. Burnley's first ten games are quite interesting with five favourable home games (WBA, CRY, HUD, WHA, NEW) flanked by away games to the bigger teams (CHE, SPU, LIV, EVE, MCY).

Anyone else looking at 5.5 midfield players and, if so, what are your thoughts if any?

[Arsenal4EvERr]

I like Ryan Fraser but his fixtures get tricky after GW2. Could start with him before the evident bargain bandwagon appears. Also strongly considering Ince at 6.0m and he has great fixtures to start with, I might even have both allowing a triple premium attack.

[Notned]

Just started to look at Miivojevic of Palace at 5m, as a potential way of funding three big strikers.

Downside is he could feature in a back 3 depending on formation, but upside he is nailed on and on pens and direct free kicks..

[blahblah]

Palmer is on loan from Chelsea

[Owsler]

I think Ince is the only one I'm interested in.

[Terry Henry]

Just started to look at Miivojevic of Palace at 5m, as a potential way of funding three big strikers.

Downside is he could feature in a back 3 depending on formation, but upside he is nailed on and on pens and direct free kicks..

He looks okay. Has been on some set pieces pre season too.

[Terrier Ramone]

Jon Walters is still one I'm tempted by at 5.5 who seems to not be getting much a mention.

Well, he's not getting a mention in this thread due to the price focus. Same reason I am not mentioning Ryan Fraser here.

As per that post in the thread for a slightly more expensive midfielder, I have found myself looking into this option for my fourth midfielder spot due to my preferred team right now. I could even be swayed by selecting two of these for my fourth and fifth midfielder spot (by upgrading Carroll) and play 3-5-2 rather than 3-4-3.

Bournemouth: Ryan Fraser
Burnley: Brady
Huddersfield: Palmer and Van la Parra (5.0)
Manchester United: Herrera

Others that might be of interest (for others):
Leicester: Albrighton, Gray (if Mahrez leaves)
Newcastle: Shelvey
Southampton: Ward-Prowse
Stoke: Walters for Bigcliff, Allen (again?) and Bojan
Swansea: Fer
Question marks over Brunt who can drop back anytime..

Apart from being somewhat of a fan of Ryan Fraser when having seen him play last season, I've been looking at match reports and fan forums and I quite like the Huddersfield guys to be honest. Looks like Van la Parra has the least chance of rotation playing on the left of a three man midfield (4-2-3-1), with Palmer central and either Ince or Kachunga (6.0) on the right, who I am tempted by as well.

While Herrera could also have more license to get into the box and improve his stats (quite good in his first season at Utd), due to Matic arriving, Brady is the other one that tempts me due to his assist potential and set pieces. Burnley's first ten games are quite interesting with five favourable home games (WBA, CRY, HUD, WHA, NEW) flanked by away games to the bigger teams (CHE, SPU, LIV, EVE, MCY).

Anyone else looking at 5.5 midfield players and, if so, what are your thoughts if any?

I think out of Ince, VLP and Kachunga, Ince has the least chance of rotation. Both Ince and Kachunga have good goalscoring records, VLP is terrible. VLP is a terrific dribbler but finishing and assisting is woeful. I think he has 2 assists pre-season, which is pretty much all he managed last season, though to be fair, we now have a centre forward who can head a ball and turn a reasonable crossinto a good chance.

The least rotated of all will be Mooy, as all our play goes through him, but for such a gifted player, his free kicks and corners were awful last yearso he probably won't be on many of them.

[LamebrainEddy]

whats the deal with atsu? Not nailed? Had a decent preseason - I know next to nothing about him

[bigcliff2]

Just a wee correction: Walters plays for Burnley.

[Mav3rick]

I like Walters at the price. Perhaps TP or BB can advise further, but I assume he's taking Barnes' role in the team? And Barnes got 6 goals in just over half a season so if Walters plays 3000+ mins and has pens, I could see him on for a good score (for 5.5).

JWP is the other one I like, it's just game time risk that concerns me with him.

[Pirlo's Beard]

whats the deal with atsu? Not nailed? Had a decent preseason - I know next to nothing about him

My understanding is that Jacob Murphy has been signed to play in his position and Atsu will only be used as a back-up player this season. Stem or Toon Man are the ones to ask really but I'm sure I saw Stem saying something similar.

@Mav, I've had my eye on Walters too, briefly considered starting with him but I think I'll go without for the first 3 GWs and assess how he and Burnley are looking at that point. Indeed, as an Irishman I'll be following Burnley with great interest this season, as they will be fielding basically half the Irish team. Ward-Prowse also a good shout with those fixtures, but as you say he's not assured of starts. Always some element of risk with attacking players priced around £5.0m to £6.0m, that's why they're priced around £5.0m to £6.0m.

Herrera I quite like too, I even picked him in my Draft team! The aforementioned Jacob Murphy is also £5.5m, could be worth a gamble? Decent fixtures after GW1. And would I have any takers for Xhaka at Arsenal? Takes up an Arsenal spot that might be put to better use, but good for the odd assist and long-range screamer and hopefully has learned how to correctly time a sliding tackle.

[asm_fanz]

I like Walters at the price. Perhaps TP or BB can advise further, but I assume he's taking Barnes' role in the team?

Yes but Burnley's fixtures are pretty bad (especially the away games: Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Everton in their first seven games). In my latest drafts it's either a 5.5m mid (343) or an extra 5.5m defender (433), I currently have JWP in the 5.5 mid spot

[Mav3rick]

Well, it depends how you look at them as the half you haven't listed are pretty awesome (WBA, PAL, HUD in the first 6 too). 5.5 is probably rotatable with a 4.5 defender for a couple of those games, that's what I'd be aiming for anyway as I'd not want to play him away at Chelsea or Spurs.

The home games up to GW17 are all very playable.

[asm_fanz]

Ah if you want to rotate him with a defender it's different then, I guess it could work if you can find a 4.5m defender that rotates with Burnley (the best would be CP I guess, but hard to find a nailed on defender there, maybe WBA or HUD if you want to go there)

[From4corners]

Palmer is on loan from Chelsea

I was aware, but then again who isn't?

Well, it depends how you look at them as the half you haven't listed are pretty awesome (WBA, PAL, HUD in the first 6 too). 5.5 is probably rotatable with a 4.5 defender for a couple of those games, that's what I'd be aiming for anyway as I'd not want to play him away at Chelsea or Spurs.

The home games up to GW17 are all very playable.

Yes, also one reason as to why I noted that as well. All their home games are quite favourable looking in that run, their away games on the other hand the complete opposite. This makes Burnley players an interesting and appealing idea for rotating that, also for midfielders (apart from having a Burnley defender for those games).

Thanks, bigcliff (corrected now). Didn't even know he moved.

[Gambit]

Carroll got 3 assists today, a full 1m cheaper too

[Mav3rick]

Carroll got 3 assists today, a full 1m cheaper too

It's not a bad call, proper rotation is easy too. Is Siggy definitely on his way? I wonder who will be on pens? Abraham/Llorente... Any chance Carroll??

[Gambit]

Carroll got 3 assists today, a full 1m cheaper too

It's not a bad call, proper rotation is easy too. Is Siggy definitely on his way? I wonder who will be on pens? Abraham/Llorente... Any chance Carroll??

he's in my team, at the moment I can't see a 5.5 that I really like, I'm sure at least one will emerge - they nearly always do, but for the time being I know that Carroll will play every game, take corners and some set pieces, and GW's 3/4/6 are good, even GW1 is not that bad. + that extra 1m can turn a 4.5 defender into somebody like Bertrand or a 5m defender into Kompany etc, or could just bank it.

I do like Milo for 5m at Palace but he's been playing in defence, RLC played well today and is looking likely to start GW1 so he is another option.

JWP is probably my favourite 5.5m but if he's in and out of the team will he get more than Carroll or RLC if they are playing each game? so in the absence of a standout option I'm going for a nailed 4.5m and thinking the extra 1m will more than cover any shortfall (if indeed there is even a shortfall in the first place)

[Notned]

Talk to me about Ander Herrera.. is he a starter? Could be a great option in this range if so, I do rate him as a player.

[Juan Pablo]

Any love for Pascal Groß? Deadball specialist and ranked #1 for key passes in the Bundesliege last season. The definition of a CK I know but at €5.5m could be value

[thekitkatshuffler]

I'm not after a 5.5er but Iwobi seems a decent option.

[Gambit]

I'm not after a 5.5er but Iwobi seems a decent option.

but how much would he play?

Sanchez, Ozil, Ramsey to come back in, and then Walcott or Welbeck could also be pushed out wide, I agree he looks a good player but lots of competition for his place.

[Gambit]

watching the Newcastle game at the moment and Atsu has been ace, scored and looks very good down the left.

the last game he got 2 assists and a goal, and been their best player so far today, currently I'm on Ritchie but Atsu for 1m less could be the way to go.

[From4corners]

watching the Newcastle game at the moment and Atsu has been ace, scored and looks very good down the left.

the last game he got 2 assists and a goal, and been their best player so far today, currently I'm on Ritchie but Atsu for 1m less could be the way to go.

I always liked him at my hometown team, Vitesse Arnhem. For this season, I believe he has serious competition from Murphy, no?

[Rick Spangle]

Any love for Pascal Groß? Deadball specialist and ranked #1 for key passes in the Bundesliege last season. The definition of a CK I know but at €5.5m could be value

Lots! Just come back from the Brighton/Atletico game - Gross scored one, nearly got a second, and seemed to be the man on freekicks (although nb Knockaert wasn't starting). In addition, Izzy Brown at the same price looked great as well (in fact for the last 30 minutes these two were the two Brighton forward players). Add in Solly March and Anthony Knockaert (who's just outside this budget) and I'm quite a happy seagull

[blahblah]

Did Suttner move forward from LB?

[Rick Spangle]

Not really - it was a pretty rigid back four, even when Suttner went off and Bong came on.

[FPL Kangaroo]

I have Fraser atm in my latest draft but im a bit worried since he wasnt even in the BOU squad for their game against Napoli yesterday. Hopefully he was just rested for GW1.
JWP is the only other 5.5m player that tempts me but im not sure he is nailed either. He faces a lot of competition.
Really need fraser to start GW1.
Ive seen some people mention Atsu on twitter but I dont really fancy him.

[blahblah]

Ive seen some people mention Atsu on twitter but I dont really fancy him.

For obvious reasons: a kangaroo with a cold would be carnage in the fridge

[kung_yoda]

Talk to me about Ander Herrera.. is he a starter? Could be a great option in this range if so, I do rate him as a player.

I have him on my watch list. Great price 5,5, but is he a starter?
Any Unitedfans here? What will the midfield look like? Who will be starters besides Pogba?