04 Aug 2026 16:25:56
Hi Ed 001 a bit of a random question but as I know you watch so many games and somebody I see as an expert on footy I wanted to ask you. I am in a Fantasy PL Draft and trying to rank strikers ( They score points for goals and assist). So far I've got the following order 1. Haaland 2. Pedro 3.Thiago 4.Isak 5.Watkins 6.Gyokores 7. Sesko 8. Evanilson 9. Calvert Lewin 10. Strand Larsen.
What do you think ranking wise? Anyone else I should be considering?
{Ed001's Note - first off, thank you so much for the compliment. Straight away my first thought was Kroupi but then I remembered he is going to miss half the season, like Ekitike, so those two can probably be ruled out. Havertz should be fit this season, Arteta likes him and so he will likely get regular games. He might not be a clinical striker, but he does get regular chances and can assist as well. I would certainly have him ahead of Strand Larsen, who I don't rate at all.
Brighton have a couple of young Greek forwards who could easily have a breakout season, might be worth considering as I would expect them to be cheap as well. But it would be a risk as you can never tell when a kid will click into gear. Surely Mateta has to be ahead of Strand Larsen as well?
Also could be worth considering Osula, as he made giant strides forward last season and just needs to maintain the level he finished at to be among the top scorers. Forest have two good forwards in Taiwo and Wood but they are unable to be relied upon to stay fit sadly or they would both be in the discussion for top 10. Sunderland's Brobbey is a similar type to Evanilson and Calvert-Lewin, big strong and holds the ball up, none of them score enough though really, but he is probably the best of the three. However I would not expect the Mackems to be as good this season, so he might not get enough chances.
1. Haaland
2. Isak (but fitness is a major issue)
3. Gyokeres though he can be a bit of a flat track bully it gets points
4. Pedro he might get used deeper as well which can lower his goals
The rest are all a bit of a muchness, miss far too many chances but I would go:
5. Watkins gets so many chances and has the odd purple patch
6. Sesko is young and improving so could well step up this season
7. Osula
8. Thiago if he ever becomes decisive in front of goal he will be in the top group
9. Brobbey
10. Calvert-Lewin
It is very difficult to choose between them other than Haaland, who is head and shoulders ahead. Isak would be clear second but for fitness issues. A lot depends on the team they play for as well, Watkins tends to miss more chances than anyone else but scores a lot because Villa make him a lot of chances.}
05 Aug 2026 07:19:40
Thanks Ed you absolute legend! Any midfielders other than the usual suspect I should be keeping an eye on as well while I have your expertise?!
{Ed001's Note - I assume you need goals and assists from them too? In which case that Manzambi looks a good bet to rack up a few. I am not a big fan of Tavernier, but he can score and provide, I would be wary of a Bournemouth player though under their new manager. Never know how it will go with them. Gross has to be worth a look, he takes set pieces and is an excellent provider. I would say Rohl at Everton, but there is a good chance he is going to play right-back a fair bit for them, so that might reduce his effectiveness.
Stach from Leeds I like a lot, he has a habit of scoring crucial goals as well. Miley is a good young player but again he could end up a lot of the time at full back. Gibbs-White might be a usual suspect, not sure, but he ended the season on fire and should have been first choice on the flight to the World Cup imo. Le Fee from Sunderland is a very good player and a real grafter.}
05 Aug 2026 08:32:23
Thanks again Ed, should have been a bit more clear, the regulars are the Palmer, Fernandes, Saka. It actually is a bit up in the air this year. I personally am liking the look of Wirtz, Rogers and Doku to be players who could outperform their draft pick.
Some points also scored for defensive contributions but they have to get 12 which usually means if they’re getting that usually not scoring highly apart from Rice and Anderson (who I expect a drop off from in City’s system rather than Nottingham Forest)
{Ed001's Note - ah ok, sorry I don't play it so not sure how it works.}
05 Aug 2026 09:10:12
No I appreciate the help. Definitely given me some players in the midfield I don’t think others will be looking at in the later rounds after the bigger fish are off the board!
{Ed001's Note - good luck mate I hope it helps!}
19 Aug 2026 12:20:34
Hi Ed, I hate to bother you but am drafting players tomorrow night annd in a panic and wanted to ask if you still have a similar list. A few recent pieces of news have me all over the shop reading the various sites. E. g. Watkins off, Mateta and Osula looking 2nd fiddle, Jackson to Villa potentially make him worth it?!
{Ed001's Note - I have to say Promise David looks .... promising. Might not get enough game time though. I would have to say that Sesko might be worth moving up the list, due to the midfield they are building which should supply him plenty of opportunities. The one standout for an outside chance would be that young lad Madjo at Villa. He looks like he is going to absolutely destroy some teams this season.}
