As the international break gives Fantasy Premier League managers time to reflect on their seasons, The Scout reviews the best performers by position.
Midfielders
It is impossible to ignore Manchester City's midfield options, since they supply four of the six top-scoring FPL players in this position.
Kevin De Bruyne (£10.1m) is top for key passes (32) and ranks second for assists, with six, one behind David Silva (£8.5m).
These two also lead the way for ICT Creativity in the ICT Index, while Silva is also ranked first for big chances created (a situation where the player receiving the ball is expected to score) with eight.
Top midfielders
| Player | ICT Threat | Player | ICT Creativity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salah | 597.0 | De Bruyne | 561.5 |
| Richarlison | 513.0 | Silva | 490.3 |
| Choupo-Moting | 492.0 | Fabregas | 453.8 |
| Ramsey | 386.0 | Ozil | 424.2 |
| Sterling | 374.0 | Eriksen | 412.3 |
| Sane | 374.0 | Shaqiri | 389.8 |
| Alli | 344.0 | Gross | 366.1 |
Cut-price playmakers
Pascal Gross (£5.9m) and Xherdan Shaqiri (£5.9m) have caught the eye lower down the price scale.
With two goals and five assists Gross is also rated top for value: 9.8 points per million.
Shaqiri's influence on the Stoke City attack is growing. He has surpassed his totals of last season for assists (four to two) and big chances created (six to five).
Salah gives chase
Mohamed Salah (£9.4m) offers the biggest challenge to the Man City midfielders.
The Liverpool winger has had the most shots on target (24) and is second only to Harry Kane (£12.8m) for shots inside the penalty area (32 to 39).
But Leroy Sane (£8.9m) is a point ahead of Salah on 73 after six goals and double-digit scores in four of the last six Gameweeks.
The German is tied with Raheem Sterling (£8.2m) for big chances on seven apiece, after starting 10 of City's last 11 matches in all competitions.
2017/18 midfielder standings
| Player | Club | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Sane | MCI | 73 |
| Salah | LIV | 72 |
| De Bruyne | MCI | 64 |
| Eriksen | TOT | 63 |
| Sterling | MCI | 62 |
| David Silva | MCI | 61 |
| Gross | BHA | 58 |
| Richarlison | WAT | 58 |
Goals on a budget
There are two cut-price options who catch the eye.
Richarlison (£6.4m) has produced a steady stream of points at Watford, with four goals and four assists. The Brazilian has fired more shots on goal (39) than any other midfielder.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (£5.7m) has profited from being put up front on occasion at Stoke, to be among the top three midfielders for shots (33) and shots inside the penalty area (25).
The dangerous differentials
Big hitters such as Eden Hazard (£10.6m), Alexis Sanchez (£11.8m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m) and Sadio Mane (£9.3m) may not be in our tables but they have the potential to be major differentials.
None of the four is owned by more than 8% of FPL managers, and Hazard is perhaps the current pick of the crop.
Chelsea’s schedule could help him prosper.
Six of their next seven opponents score just two in the Fixture Difficulty Rankings (FDR).
Playing as a No 10 and on penalty kicks, Hazard could yet force FPL managers to look beyond Man City’s all-powerful midfield.
Also in this series
Part 1: The top FPL goalkeepers: De Gea better than ever
