The Scout compares the best sub-£6.0m midfielders to help Fantasy Premier League managers make the right choice ahead of Gameweek 10.
See: FPL experts: Who is the best budget midfielder?
Douglas Luiz (£5.5m) has been the standout budget midfielder at the start of 2023/24 Fantasy thanks to his new role as Aston Villa’s first-choice penalty-taker. The Brazilian has scored three of his five goals from the spot to sit seventh in the midfield standings on 49 points.
Brentford’s Mathias Jensen (£5.5m) is just one point behind Douglas Luiz after contributing three goals and two assists to return 48 points.
However, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ winger Pedro Neto (£5.8m) and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon (£5.6m) have both produced more attacking returns than the pair.
Neto has been involved in eight goals, scoring one and assisting a further seven. He has scored three goals and also supplied four assists over his eight appearances.
That total is bettered only by the 11 goal involvements of Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) among midfielders, placing Neto level with premium-priced players such as James Maddison (£8.1m), Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Bukayo Saka (£8.5m).
Gordon is the only one of the cut-price quartet yet to blank in back-to-back Gameweeks. His average of 88.4 minutes per goal or assist is markedly quicker than the 151.2 minutes of Douglas Luiz.
Top-scoring budget midfielders
| Statistic | Douglas Luiz | Jensen | Neto | Gordon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 49 | 48 | 47 | 45 |
| Attacking returns | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Goals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Assists | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Mins G/A | 151.2 | 137.6 | 101.3 | 88.4 |
The underlying statistics highlight Douglas Luiz’s reliance on penalty duties, with all three of his big chances coming from the spot. Although the Brazilian leads the way for shots, 12 of his 19 efforts have come from outside the box.
Both Gordon and Neto better Douglas Luiz for shots inside the box, with the former’s four big chances and eight shots on target each ranking top in the assessment.
While Jensen’s three goals from six shots shows he’s been more than a little fortunate, Brentford's Dane fares far better when it comes to creativity. His 17 key passes are only one fewer than the combined 18 of Douglas Luiz and Gordon.
Neto’s 24 chances created, meanwhile, place fifth among all players in Fantasy in the opening nine Gameweeks.
It is worth noting, though, that Gordon has matched Neto for big chances created, with five apiece.
Top-scoring budget midfielders' attacking threat
| Statistic | Douglas Luiz | Jensen | Neto | Gordon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shots | 19 | 6 | 16 | 17 |
| Shots in box | 7 | 4 | 13 | 10 |
| Big chances | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Shots on target | 7 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Key passes | 10 | 17 | 24 | 8 |
| Big chances created | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Soucek's stock on the rise
By assessing the most recent data, managers can get a better idea of the current form picks.
While Douglas Luiz’s 13 shots leads the way, West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek (£4.9m) and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (£5.0m) have both emerged as new cut-price options.
Soucek has scored twice in the last four Gameweeks, with his 11 shots in the box and four big chances both placing top among budget midfielders.
Goal threat stats, GW6-9
| Player | Shots | Shots in box | Big chances | Shots on target | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Luiz | 13 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Soucek | 12 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Palmer | 11 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Crucially, the Hammers have an outstanding run of opponents to lift Soucek’s output further.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), six of their next eight matches score just two.
West Ham's next eight fixtures
| GW | Opp. | FDR | GW | Opp. | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | EVE (H) | 2 | 14 | CRY (H) | 2 |
| 11 | BRE (A) | 3 | 15 | TOT (A) | 3 |
| 12 | NFO (H) | 2 | 16 | FUL (A) | 2 |
| 13 | BUR (A) | 2 | 17 | WOL (H) | 2 |
Although Palmer’s schedule is far less enticing, he appears to be on penalty duties and was fielded as a “false nine” against Arsenal last time out.
He has two goals, two assists and 23 points in the last three Gameweeks since securing a place in the Chelsea side.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Simon Adingra (£5.0m) is another player whose pitch time has recently improved.
The winger has started four of the last five Gameweeks and could retain that place for their favourable schedule now that Solly March (£6.3m) is sidelined once again.
See: De Zerbi: March will be out for a long period
Adingra has two goals and an assist in just 442 minutes, meaning his 147.3 minutes per goal involvement is marginally quicker than Douglas Luiz over the campaign.
So, who is the best pick?
Ultimately, Gordon’s big chance involvement means he’s the likeliest of the bunch to continue at the same pace.
He has created or been supplied with nine big chances – almost double the five of Douglas Luiz – despite playing almost 140 minutes fewer.
However, Palmer’s statistics – and penalty duties – mean he could potentially be the best of the lot if he retains his new role for the rest of the campaign.
Neto's creativity is a big factor in his favour but just a single big chance in the first nine Gameweeks suggests he may well continue to rely on assists.
Also in this series
Part 1: Is Salah now a better pick than Haaland in Fantasy?
Part 2: The Scout’s FPL Gameweek 10 Ones to watch
Part 3: FPL expert Gianni Buttice's Gameweek 10 Wildcard squad
Part 4: FPL experts' must-haves for a Gameweek 10 Wildcard
Part 5: Keep or sell Son and Maddison in Fantasy?
Part 6: The Scout’s FPL Gameweek 10 Differentials
Part 8: FPL experts: Who is the best budget midfielder?