Budget Alternatives

With many looking to free up cash to afford premium options that are cropping up, I’ve decided to write an article on same-team budget alternatives. These alternatives are not necessarily better prospects than their premium counterparts, but they definitely provide excellent value for their difference in price

Raheem Sterling & Jordan Henderson

Team: Liverpool

Points Difference: 6 ( 40 - RS, and 34 - JH )

Price difference: 3.9m ( 8.9m - RS, and 6.0m - JH ) 

Ownership Difference: 40.5% (53% - RS, and 12.5% - JH )

Both Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have performed very well so far this season, presenting them as viable FPL options. Although, Sterling has attracted far more owners than Henderson with Sterling sitting on a colossal ownership of 53%, while his national and club teammate has a significantly lower ownership of 12.5%. With a vast difference in their popularity, Henderson remains very much a differential and a possible under-the-radar alternative to Sterling. 

Henderson has scored 1 goal and managed 3 assists this season, along with 5 bonus points. His younger counterpart has scored on 3 different occasions so far and has picked up 2 assists along the way with 6 bonus points. As pointed out above, as it stands, the difference in their points totals is a meagre 6 points, this is not very significant in my eyes. On the other hand, a vast difference between the two options is their price. Jordan Henderson is much more dearly priced with a price tag 3.9m cheaper than that of Sterling. With such a massive difference in price and a current points output that isn’t far behind Sterling, could Henderson provide a solution to those on a tight budget? I believe he could, 

I expect Sterling to outscore him but I think that Henderson provides excellent value and has been a lot more attacking this season. ( Rodgers has also said that he aims to develop Henderson into a Ramsey-esqe player this season, with him getting forward a lot more ) Henderson has only created 3 chances less than Sterling, and with him showing that he can produce FPL points at a level that almost matches his more expensive team mate, Henderson could very well be an excellent way for one to free up cash in order to afford other big names that are popular at the moment like Aguero and Baines. I think he is one of the top budget alternatives in the game and is definitely being overlooked by many. 

David Silva & James Milner

Team: Manchester City 

Points Difference: 8 ( 28 - DS, 20 - JM )

Price Difference: 3.8m ( 9.1m - DS, 5.3m - JM )

Ownership Difference: 10.8% ( 11.6% - DS, 0.8% - JM )

Nasri’s long-term injury gave James Milner a spot in City’s starting 11, and the englishman has returned Pellegrini’s faith with fantastic performances in each of the last 4 games he’s started. Milner has racked up 19 points in his last 4 games, whilst Silva has only managed 15 in the same amount of time, a fairer comparison considering Milner didn’t start the first 3 games. Even without Milner starting the first 3, and only playing a part in 1, the Englishman is only 8 points behind the silk passer that is David Silva, a fairly insignificant difference even before considering the difference in minutes played.

To reinforce the impressive FPL performances from Milner, his underlying stats are excellent. In City’s last game against Aston Villa, Milner created 8 chances, the highest of the game week and 5 more than the popular David Silva. Since the Englishman’s reinstatement to the starting 11, he has created 2 more chances than Silva. This shows just how much value Milner provides, being able to surpass the Spaniard for creativity & assist potential whilst maintaining a respectable goal threat. He would also be an excellent differential at 0.8% ownership. At a price that’s 3.8m cheaper than Silva, I think Milner presents himself as a fantastic budget alternative to the favoured Silva. 

Tadic & Mane

Team: Southampton

Points Difference: 19 ( 25 - DT, 6 - SM )

Price Difference: 0.6m ( 7.5m - DT, 6.9m - SM )

Ownership Difference: 2.8% ( 2.9% - DT, 0.1% - SM )

Both Dusan Tadic and Saido Mane are new Saints’ recruits this season. Mane arriving a lot later due to work permit issues, and has only been involved in the last 2 Gameweeks. Over the past 2 Gameweeks, the Senegalese international has matched Tadic’s points total for 0.6m less, an amount that could be very valuable to those on a tight budget that just need that 0.1 or 0.2m more for a certain Baines or Aguero. Showing that Mane is more than capable of keeping up pace with his premium priced counterpart.

Saido Mane was very unlucky not to get his name on the sheet against Spurs, coming very close to finishing a glaring opportunity created by Bertrand. He seems to be quite the goal threat and has so far looked a better option for goals than his Serbian teammate. His record is also quite astonishing albeit being in the A.Bundesliga with 23 goals and 18 assists in 50 games for Red Bull Salzburg last season. He’s also managed to perform quite impressively in the Premier league as well with his stats looking very good over the past 2 game weeks. Despite having less minutes than Tadic, Mane has managed to come across more big chances, and has had the same number of touches in the penalty area. Interestingly enough, Mane has also created two more chances than his more expensive teammate since his arrival. 

This could be great for those on a tight budget, with Mane seemingly more than capable of keeping pace with or even surpassing Tadic as an FPL prospect, and looks like a fantastic punt and budget alternative at 0.1% ownership and 0.6m less.