Thread by @FPL_Architect

Top 5 Goalkeepers (Thread) 📝

In this thread, I list the Top 5 goalkeepers for the start of the season 🧤

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First of all, I’d just like to make it clear that this is not a list of who I think will score the most points (that would just mean picking all the premiums), it’s a list of my favourite FPL picks. Value for money is therefore a big consideration, as well as other factors.

5️⃣ Mendy (5.0) 🔵

When the prices were released Mendy seemed like a bargain, with a price tag a whole million lower than last year. However, I don’t believe that Chelsea’s fixtures are great from a defensive point of view and with The Blues’ defence having looked shaky...

... in pre-season, I wouldn’t feel too confident about early clean sheets. With James and Chilwell offering Chelsea CS cover as well as a huge attacking threat, I think they’re much better options than Mendy, who just barely makes the Top 5 goalkeepers list for me.

4️⃣ Raya (4.5) 🐝

Going for a 4.5m GK used to be a no-brainer. While that isn’t the case this year, value is still to be found at that price point. With decent fixtures from GW 3 and on, as well as a record of 4 points per game in 2021/22, Raya is an excellent option.

🥉 Sanchez (4.5) 🔵

Picking the best budget GK will be difficult this season, but right now I’m favouring Brighton’s Sanchez. He plays for a better defence than Raya/Meslier (even after the loss of Bissouma) and the first 8 fixtures are good enough to warrant an expectation....

... of about 3 clean sheets. Brighton’s underlying defensive stats are decent and even though Sanchez is not the most explosive keeper (due to lack of saves/BPs), I expect him to tick along nicely and provide good value for money at 4.5m.

🥈 Ramsdale (5.0) 🔴

Arsenal start the season with great fixtures, the first 8 GWs, and during this period I personally see potential for about 4 clean sheets. If you combine that with Ramsdale’s saves potential and ability to collect BPs, you’ve got a great pick for only 5.0.

🥇 Ederson (5.5) 💎

With a lower price than previous years, and very good fixtures, Ederson is a real option this year. We know what we’ll get from him (about 5 CS in the first 8 GWs) and since it’s very difficult to predict who the highest scoring budget GK will be...

... going for Ederson up until the first WC and then switching to the best cheap GK is a viable strategy. In my opinion, Ederson could be worth the extra 1.0m.

What about Alisson? He was the highest scoring GK last season and has great fixtures, but for me he’s not an option considering the outfield players in Liverpool. Having to sacrifice 1 of Salah, TAA, Robbo and Diaz is hard enough, sacrificing 2 is not on the table for me

Honorable mention to Nick Pope (5.0), who I believe will have a great season as part of a solid defence (should also collect a lot of low xG shots to rack up the save points). Unfortunately, Newcastle’s first 5 fixtures aren’t great and Pope will have to wait till the first WC.

This was the first part of a 4 threads long mini-series that I’ll be posting this week.

I’m back with the Top 10 Defenders tomorrow, then Mids/Forwards on Thursday/Friday. Drop me a follow to make sure you’re not missing out on those threads 💙

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