It feels like a lifetime since the last round of FPL. Thankfully, gameweek 22 is just around the corner, which gives us a chance to consider some differentials.
This week, we have two lowly owned ‘defenders’ and a midfielder who is approaching talisman territory.
Ferdi Kadioglu
Ownership in FPL: 0.3% Price: £4.4m Position: Defender
It has been quite a season for out-of-position defenders. Ferdi Kadioglu has quietly been participating in this trend, starting on the wing at times, and rotating with De Cuyper mid-game in others. Despite this, he is owned by just 0.3% of FPL managers.
Whether he plays on the wing or as a fullback, Kadioglu has kicked on from an injury-hampered first season. He was signed with a lot of promise and is proving his worth this season for Brighton.
Ferdi has started 17 games in a row for the Seagulls, playing 90 minutes on all but four occasions. This, in part, could be down to his positional versatility. He has made appearances on both flanks in defence and attack.
The minutes are good, but his real appeal comes from his underlying attacking data. Since the start of the season, he ranks ninth amongst defenders for expected goal involvement (xGI). Surprisingly, he only has one fantasy assist to his name, which could mean that returns are due.
To bolster his assist potential and goal threat, Kadioglu benefits from a share of Brighton’s set pieces. In fact, only four defenders have taken more corners than he has since coming into the team. Brighton are eighth in the league for goals from corners, which shows they are adept in these situations.
If there was a time for him to deliver on his underlying data, this would be it. Brighton rank seventh on our FDR table between now and gameweek 28.
With these fixtures, under-the-radar Kadioglu is someone you could rely on week after week. Whether attacking returns are in his horizon remains to be seen, but should he deliver, you can be sure that you would be one of the sole beneficiaries.
Jeremie Frimpong
Ownership in FPL: 5.9% Price: £5.7m Position: Defender
Another ‘defender’ making a mockery of his listed position in FPL is Jeremie Frimpong. Alexander-Arnold’s replacement is finally getting a run in the team, having overcome his early-season injuries. His ownership numbers have dwindled dramatically, but there could be no better time to invest.
There was a lot of hope placed in Frimpong at the start of the season, with over 3,000,000 teams starting with him for gameweek one. This was for good reason, given his attacking numbers for Leverkusen over the last three seasons. In the Bundesliga alone, he had delivered double-digit attacking returns three years running, with over 50% being goals.
Having played as a wing-back in Germany, he has found himself starting on the wing for Liverpool. If we take the Arsenal game as an example, he was the most advanced player on the pitch.
While this may not last indefinitely with Salah’s return, it is encouraging to see that Slot has shown faith in Frimpong in this position. Even when he is positioned as a fullback, he is given strong license to get forward.
With Bradley now out for the season, the expected minutes for Frimpong will only see an increase. This certainty comes at a good time, given Liverpool’s upcoming run.
From an attacking standpoint, their next two fixtures are excellent. You can then rely on the fixtures up until gameweek 32, which is handy considering the chaos that is on its way with the blank and double gameweeks.
Given his limited minutes, it is hard to draw too much from his data. What we can see, however, is a high volume of touches in attacking positions. Among defenders with a minimum of nine appearances and 400 minutes, Frimpong leads the way with touches in both the final third and penalty area per 90.
If he can build on his fitness and stay healthy for this period, Frimpong could see a huge uptick in ownership. The benefit of jumping on early is the Burnley fixture at Anfield. There is a haul there for the taking; let’s see if Frimpong can grab it.
Marcus Tavernier
Ownership in FPL: 2.4% Price: £5.5m Position: Midfielder
As highlighted in our ‘Fixture Focus’ article this week, Semenyo’s departure leaves a big void in the Bournemouth side. The 2.4% owned Marcus Tavernier could be one of the big beneficiaries of this move, making him an intriguing differential.
There is a case to be made for Tavernier becoming Bournemouth’s talisman for the second half of the season. At just £5.5m, it could be hard to turn this opportunity down.
Tavernier has been an ever-present for the Cherries, starting on 19 occasions and playing the full 90 in most of those. Due to injuries elsewhere, he has occasionally played slightly deeper. With Christie nearing a return and Semenyo gone, we should start to see Tavernier move back to a more attacking role.
A parting gift that Semenyo may have left is his share of penalties. With Kluivert out long-term, there was some doubt as to who would take the next penalty. Having scored Bournemouth’s most recent spot-kick and taking and scoring the first penalty in the shoot-out at the weekend, Tavernier looks to have these duties secured.
To complete his talisman profile, Tavernier also has a good share of Bournemouth’s set pieces. He has already scored from a direct free kick and takes corners as well. Bournemouth are a side that are strong from set plays, scoring 10 goals from such situations.
Up to the blank gameweek in 31, Bournemouth rank 6th on our FDR table.
Given Tavernier’s potential to step up as the main man, he could be someone that you ‘set and forget’ in your line-up. With so many routes to points and so few owners, Tavernier could be well worth his £5.5m price tag, and more.
FPL Gameweek 22 Differentials: Round Up
Ferdi Kadioglu £4.4m has great underlying attacking data, and the flexibility to play in many positions for a Brighton side with a promising fixture run 0.3% Ownership.
Jeremie Frimpong £5.7m has the pedigree of double-digit goal contributions, starting on the wing for the reigning champions 5.9% Ownership.
Marcus Tavernier £5.5m looks set to become Bournemouth’s talisman, just in time to benefit from a long run of kind fixtures 2.4% Ownership.
