FPL pre-season lessons: Nkunku scores in new role under Maresca

The Scout highlights the main takeaways for managers in Fantasy Premier League from the latest summer friendlies.

Nkunku scores from midfield role

A goal and a new role for Christopher Nkunku (£6.5m) were among a number of takeaways for Fantasy managers in Enzo Maresca’s first match in charge of Chelsea. 

The Blues’ new head coach immediately rolled out the 4-3-3 formation he used while at Leicester City in 2023/24, with Nkunku, currently owned by 13 per cent of managers, utilised as one of two No 8s positioned behind a lone striker. And the Frenchman wasted no time in making an impact by scoring in the 2-2 draw against Wrexham. 

Nkunku’s goal was, of course, in the absence of Cole Palmer (£10.5m), due to his summer exertions with England. While Palmer looks nailed-on for one of those two No 8 spots, his team-mate could be outstanding value at £4.0m less if he secures a place alongside him. The versatile Nkunku can also be used out wide, though, and it remains to be seen how that will impact his prospects over the campaign.  

At the back, Maresca’s decision to start with Robert Sanchez (£4.5m) looks significant for managers in Fantasy who are seeking a budget goalkeeper. 

If the Spaniard establishes himself as the Blues’ No 1 over the rest of the summer, he has the early schedule to offer great value. According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), each of Chelsea’s six matches across Gameweeks 2-7 score just two.

Elsewhere in defence, Maresca mirrored his Leicester tactics by using Reece James (£5.0m) as an inverted full-back.

Although he started on the right of a back four, James moved into central midfield when his side were in possession. James is, of course, suspended for the first three Gameweeks of 2024/25, but there’s no doubt his distribution from deep could be a major weapon for Maresca’s side as the season unfolds.

Wilson among latest budget midfielders to star

Fulham’s Harry Wilson and AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (both £5.5m) added their names to the growing list of in-form budget midfielders over the summer.

Wilson scored twice in the Cottagers’ 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers and could offer good value thanks to a kind early schedule. From Gameweek 2, four of Fulham’s subsequent five matches score just two in the FDR. 

While Semenyo’s strike in the Cherries’ 1-1 draw with Arsenal suggests he can build on his eight goals and four assists from last season, Bournemouth’s tough early schedule means it may not be until Gameweek 11 before their attackers warrant attention.

Finally, a pair of Brighton & Hove Albion‘s new budget midfielders were also on the scoresheet as they defeated Japanese side Kashima Antlers 5-1 in their first match under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

Yankuba Minteh (£5.5m) - a summer signing from Newcastle United - scored on his debut, while his fellow wide man Amario Cozier-Duberry (£4.5m) produced two goals after arriving from Arsenal. 

Watch Minteh's goal

To temper any enthusiasm over the latter, though, the match was also notable for the return to action of Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m), who made his first appearance since sustaining a back injury in February.