CJ: Fantasy Friday. So in this transfer deadline day special, we bring you all of the new signings from the end of the transfer window. We'll be discussing how clubs in the Premier League are shaping up and how all these signings will affect FPL. So we'll be revealing all of the new player prices as well as giving you some insight into some of the unknowns joining the Premier League this season. So FPL Rivals, Fantasy Friday with Alex Butler, Ben Watts, and me, CJ Hooker. The band is back together. Butler, briefly Ben: Ha ha. CJ: talk about how you shat yourself at Celtic Manor, did it peeks? Ben: Very briefly. Alex: I didn't I didn't quite do a peak, so I only had a three point lead. Let's remember peaks had a nine point lead. Let's just put that out there. CJ: Yeah, yeah. Alex: I I did lead through the first two days, but I did have a real high handicap for the first two days. So the fact that I got thirty-seven points on the first day with a handicap of twenty eight probably means that my handicap probably wasn't right. But Ben's like, what are you talking about? What's these numbers mean? But yeah, it was a great day. Great, great few days. Well done to Charlie, part of this, obviously this league for organising it and Balf as well for sorting out the prizes, etc. Really good group of people. Great first two days. Yesterday was the shittest round of golf because it was just pissing it with rain. Windy, cold. I d I think every single thing I had on me, including what was in my bag, was soaking wet. but glad to know. CJ: That's not enjoyable. That is not enjoyable golf at all, mate. But good to have you back. Alex: But I enjoyed Ben: I see I Alex: enjoyed listening to the pod this morning. It was a it sounded like a good episode with Mike, so but yeah, I'm back. CJ: It's excellent. Excellent. Just just Ben: Yeah. CJ: just before we go to you, Benny, yeah, just shout out to Mike briefly there. I put a few I actually put a couple of videos up on TikTok today of like his head to head strategies and they were sort of blowing up a little bit. There was likes coming in left, right, and centre for that. Trust your gut one sort of thing, which I liked. But Ben: Mm. CJ: how are you, Benny? How are you f how are you finding the end of the transfer window, actually? Just briefly, then we'll jump into it. As a Newcastle fan, Ben: Mm I CJ: actually, are you happy? Ben: Yeah, I think it's been a great window for us, but if you'd have asked me that a month ago, I would have said the exact opposite. Like, you know, losing Bruno G, Tanali and Gordon, I'm like, God, we're in for a hell of a season. It's gonna be a struggle. But the way they've turned it around and the and the sort of like the squad building they've done, I'm actually I'm actually really excited for this season now. just one Alex: What you lose this weekend. Ben: One sour note. Yeah, yeah, I'll probably change my tune when we get pumped CJ: Yeah. Ben: by Bournemouth this weekend at home. But yeah, just one one sour note on deadline day for me, which is we say goodbye to our silky, stringy, tall Nick Voltamardi's gone to Juventus, hasn't he? I was kind of wanted him to work out, but it just wasn't working for him. So CJ: No. Ben: yeah, feeling feeling pretty optimistic. yeah, feeling pretty good. Feeling very good. CJ: Good. And Butler, just you've got one minute to talk about AFC Wind Wimbledon's transfer window. Just do it do it briefly Alex: I don't I don't want to. CJ: 'cause you've been going on about it. Apparently you've signed some Wonder Kids, have you? Alex: Well, we we let one of our wonder kids go to Charlton for just under CJ: Yeah. Alex: a million pounds. and then we've signed a kid from Brighton, a center half from Brighton called Freddie Simmons. and we've also signed a ple ki apparently he's very good, a kid from Chelsea called Dijon Richards, who's meant to be CJ: I saw that, I saw that, I saw do you Jamaican or something? He looks like I saw some Jamaican lad speaking about him. Alex: Yeah, he's j he is Jamaican, yeah. So it brings back the Jamaican routes back to Wimbledon after Robbie Allah Marcus CJ: Excellent. Alex: Gale. We also signed Joe Bursic from Pompey on loan, a goalie, which is pretty important for us. but yeah, obviously none of those new signings were involved last night and we got battered for one away at Burton, so it it's not looking pretty right now. I mean I I I've been CJ: It's not looking pretty. Alex: I've I went on Sunday and we beat Wigan one nil and again it wasn't very pretty. We should have been four nil down after about half an hour, but we weren't and thank God Wigan a shit. So Ben: Yeah. CJ: You s you snatched a late winner I saw as well, didn't you? Against Wigan. Alex: Yeah. It went we went mental in the stands. All sorts were being thrown. But yeah. CJ: Sweet. Right. What we're gonna do here, we're just gonna go through we're not gonna go through every club in the prem. We're gonna go through a few prioritizing the sort of deadline day signings. We're gonna briefly go through some teams and then stop on a few teams because there was quite some quite big talking points from that, particularly the transfer deadline day involving a few clubs. But we'll start with Villa. So sort of signings towards the end of that transfer window. We had Ibrahim and Bai. Alex: No shots on target, Villa. CJ: What's that? Alex: No shots on target, Villa. CJ: No shots on target, Villa. Honestly. It's gonna Ben: Mm-hmm. CJ: be that's what I mean. Well, let's look at these signings to be fair. Hopefully after these, they will have a few shots on target. They had so they've got bought in Ibrahim and Bai, who was forty seven million pound from PSG. So he's a midfielder coming in at six mil on fantasy. We've got Taylor Harbour Bellis, thirty million pound from Southampton. That is a crazy price. Four point five million in fantasy. We've got Nicholas Jackson returning. sixty five million from Chelsea, six point five million on fantasy. That's not a bad that's not a bad Ben: Mm. CJ: price. And then we had Leon Goretzka on a free from Bay Munich. coming in at six mil there. Starting with you, Ben. Any of those take your fantasy at all? Ben: I'm gonna wait and see 'cause obviously Villa have been through a massive upheaval. Alex: Such a cop out. That's a such a cop out answer. Just yes or no, Ben. Wait and see. Ben: Well, hang on, hang on. Let me explain. I'm gonna explain CJ: Go on. Ben: the logic. I they've been through such an upheaval, haven't they? I think they will come good. They always start a bit slowly and then Emory work his magic. I think and by as a wing is he a winger or is he an attack? I know he's an attacking player. I don't know where he plays exactly, ten or ten or on the wing. But six mil ain't ain't bad. Harwood Bellis, CJ: He's smaller he's more he's quite he's quite yes, he's a winger. He is Ben: I think, for four point five million, he's gonna get CJ: I'd he's straight in, you're spot on. Ben: Mm. CJ: I'd Harwood Bellis is straight in, mate, to be honest. Ben: Four point five mil is very cheeky. And then Nicholas Jackson, I know he's a bit of a meme striker but I think he'll do well under Emery, I think he'll get some good goals so again, want to keep an eye on Garetsky, I'm just not interested in, for whatever reason I just... Six mils a lot for a midfielder like that. and, and yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Alex: think he's gonna play me. I Honestly don't think you'll play a lot if I'm honest Guretsky. CJ: Do you not think? Alex: He No, mate. He he barely played last year for by and he can't stay fit the buying fans CJ: Yeah. Alex: were delighted to lose his 180k a week wage because CJ: I think at six mil. Like if he was five mil, you could maybe if Ben: Yeah. CJ: he star if he had a few weeks where he actually maybe got bit a bit of DEF CON he could go in. But so many decent six mil midfielders out there. But yeah, no, it's funny when these Alex: Yeah, it's just not worth it. CJ: prices come in, isn't it? 'Cause Jackson is one of those, like if you get him in at the right time you're gonna be rewarded. But Jesus Christ, he does Ben: Mm. CJ: go on some droughts like he did for Chelsea, he'd pop up for with two or three and then have some Alex: He didn't do anything Ben: Hmm. Alex: at Bayern either though, did he? Really. CJ: Didn't absolutely nothing, to be fair. Absolutely nothing. But that moves us nicely on to Chelsea, gents. Just briefly. Emmy Martinez, seven point five million, absolute steal from Villa. Like five comes Ben: Mmm. CJ: in at five mil. Like surely this was the final piece of the puzzle for them. What do you think? Alex: final piece of puzzle but they still conceded three goals. CJ: True. Very, very true. Ben: That's what we talked about last week, didn't we CJ? We said go with Arsenal defence and then Chelsea attacking. So as tempted as I am having Kinkski and de Bravco at the moment as my two goalkeepers. Yeah, CJ: Yeah, it's rough. Ben: I'm going to hold off on him, I think. CJ: Yeah, I'd like to see I was just 'cause they they obviously shipped they've shipped five goals already. Obviously they've scored scored seven. But no it Yeah, agreed. Alex: just see what they do against Arsenal. Let's see what they do. Because I don't think Arsenal were great against Villa if I'm honest. They weren't brilliant. They didn't really get out of second gear. I actually think he'll shuffle the deck against Chelsea. I don't think Zolaist will feature again. I think he'll CJ: No, it's it's it's I'm I'm I'm absolutely gutted. he I didn't actually see, but apparently it was a horror performance as well. Yeah. Alex: May we watch the game and he was dreadful. mean, the yellow was probably harsh. Ben: Was he that bad? Why? CJ: I think Matty Cash Matty Cash had him in his pocket, didn't he? Really. Alex: The yellow was harsh. His first touch was dreadful. Yeah, his first touch was dreadful. I don't think he beat Matty Cash once. Couldn't string a couple passes together and then everyone knew he was going to be pulled off at half time. It was Ben: Hmm Alex: like he's going to be pulled. He's on a yellow and he's being dreadful. Get him off. CJ: Yeah. It's funny because obviously now Martinelli's gone, it looks like it's gonna be, well, him or Eze in that left wing spot because obviously they've sold Trossar as well. So Yeah, but Madouweka doesn't Alex: They've got Madaweke as well though, haven't they? You can go both sides. CJ: play on that left hand side realistically, does he? A lot. Well, Alex: Good for England now, didn't he? CJ: he did for England when Tuchel was d be on an absolute madness, yeah. But it will be interesting to see Ben: Ha ha ha. CJ: 'cause he's currently in my fantasy. I'm I'm looking at wildcarding next week, but it's between him and Pascal Gross. It's one of those 'Cause obviously gross has got leads. It's do you do you just leave Zolis in but after that performance? But I think he Yeah. Alex: Well, let's see. Let's see what happens on the way. think we've got to see. I just don't think he'll play him against Chelsea. I think he'll go over because he's got so many central midfielders. I think he CJ: Yeah, maybe. Alex: could go four across the middle and just completely CJ: Yeah. Alex: hug out the pitch. Anyway, we're going off topic. But yeah, Emi CJ: Mm. Alex: Martinez, don't think. Wait and see. Yeah, definitely. CJ: Wait and see. That is a wait and see, I think. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. just briefly gonna gloss over Palace. We won't talk too much. Ben Chilwell has come back to the Prem from Strasbourg. He's coming in at four point five mil. So it'd be nice to see how he gets on. And then Durian Timber's brother, Quinton Timber, has come in. don't know where he's come in from, but he's five million as well. Again. A wait and see. I think Palace are in absolutely dire straits. I honestly don't see many of their Ben: Yeah. CJ: assets at the moment being any good at all. that is definitely a wait and see Alex: and then I go down. CJ: for Chielwell. But we're just gonna go on to Everton. I'm just gonna briefly talk about Jack Grealish. So he's gone come is on back on loan? Is he or has he been bought? Ben: Yeah, I think Lone again. Alex: Now he's online. CJ: Back on loan, coming at six point five. He will obviously was started absolutely fresh out the blocks when he went there last year and everyone jumped on him, but again, not a lot of football. Six point five mil, not a bad like if you like you could literally go from him s from Zolis straight to Greedish, but obviously people will do that Ben: Mm. CJ: 'cause there's some absolute madmen out there on fantasy. But he's definitely a wait and see. Alex: He'll go in as a... he'll go in the number 10 now though, now that Ndai's gone. So I don't think he'll be out on the wing. I think he'll go in behind Barry. CJ: I don't know, Dewsbury Hall's in the turn, isn't he? Alex: I think he sits a bit deeper, doesn't he? CJ: No, I Jewsbury Hall's in the tent Ben: Whoa. CJ: and you and die on the w on and die on the left hand side or right hand side with Barry and but Ben, as Alex: Okay, well and die is not there anymore CJ: we as we're talking about Everton, Ben, just take over, Alex: You Ben: Yeah. CJ: mate, 'cause you've done a little bit of well, as as people probably know, Everton had a bit of a let's just say an absolute horror show. Absolutely. Take us away. Go on. Ben: They had a bit of a mare on transfer deadline day, didn't they? Like, Moyes was, yeah, Moyes was talking a lot about how he needed to strengthen. I actually, think, I think they finished the... the transfer window with a weaker squad actually. So earlier on deadline day, they'd agreed a fee around 40 million for Florian Baligan, who had a really good World Cup and is a decent striker. He traveled for his medical. By the afternoon, there was reports coming out that he'd failed his medical or that they had some concerns over his knee, like a long-term problem in his knee. So the move was kind of in doubt. And then around 7 PM with that kind of like knee issue stalling the whole medical, Monaco pivoted because Monaco are in a lot of trouble financially, right? So they needed to make a sale and they would get, they agreed to sell the midfielder Lameen Kamara to Chelsea to raise the funds that they needed to get to pass FFP or whatever. So Kamara at this point to Chelsea is on, Baligan is off. and then by late evening Everton are like, we're going to risk it. I know it's an issue, but he'll be fine. So they returned to the negotiating table. They reached revised terms with Monaco. So Monaco decided to pull out the camera deal with Chelsea. And apparently during all this, Liverpool called up Monaco and said, Hey, you're going to get better offers for camera next season, which is just hilarious. It's like, don't sell them now. We'll buy them for more next year. It's like, what? That's, that's. CJ: As class. Ridiculous. Ben: pretty ridiculous. So they pulled Chelsea, they pulled a fast one on Chelsea and Chelsea are proper pissed at this point, so it's really unprofessional. And then, gone midnight, Everton have submitted this deal sheet for Baligan and they've decided to go through with it, but Baligan changed his mind. just felt uncomfortable with the way the whole day had unfolded and he walked away from the transfer entirely. So Monaco now they didn't make the sale that they needed to so you'd have to think come January Baligan and in camera might be you know up for some bids again but while Alex: Well, I think Chelsea were pissed off as well though, no, because they were like, well, we're only going to let Enzo go if we get camera in as a replacement. So it Ben: Yeah. Yeah. Alex: was kind of like a goodwill thing to say, actually, OK, we'll let Enzo go because we now know we're getting Kamara. And then obviously it didn't all Ben: Mm-hmm. Alex: happen. And I saw that Chelsea, because they were left in hot water, they contacted Gigi Wijnaldum this morning who's on a free transfer to see if he wanted to come down Ben: really? CJ: Jesus Christ. Alex: and train because they're short in midfield. Ben: That's hilarious. And then while all this is going on, Everton are also making moves because they think they're getting Baligan. So they sold Beto to Fiorentina, meaning that because the Baligan deal fell through and because they were trying to get Richarlison back as well, and I think Richarlison decided to stay, they actually only have one recognized striker at the club now in the form of Barry. And I don't know if you boys saw, but he posted some really weird stuff on Insta, some anime clip where it's basically like celebrating the fact that he's got no competition. and he's very much relishing the fact that he's going to get 90 minutes a week. So, I, don't Alex: So he's not getting any girls. Ben: know. Well, I was going to say he might be a good option. I don't know how much he costs in them. Is it 5.5? CJ: He's only he's only five point five. He's only f I'm definitely looking at him next week Alex: Yeah, but is he gonna is he's gonna score? CJ: for the wild card, yeah. Alex: Is he gonna score you 15 goals a season? I would probably say no. CJ: He might do. He's got a hatty. Ben: Well you don't need that from a five. Yeah. CJ: He's got he's got a hatty against Preston in the League Cup. Yeah. Alex: Preston mate, who are bottom of the championship. Ben: Well, just overall, you guys can see the squad depth sheet that I've put in the script, but CJ: my god, it's horrendous. Ben: yeah, can see Barry is the only option up front. On the left hand side, they got Grealish, as you were sort of saying there Siege, and then Tyrick George, who they got from Chelsea last year. So he's still really young, quite raw. For the attacking mid, they've got Dewsbury Hall, Alcares, and some guy called Roll. So they're pretty well stacked there. The right hand side, got Brennan Johnson, Tyler Dibbling. I think either of those guys can play Alex: Jesus. Ben: upfront as an emergency if Barry gets injured. again, those might be, know, Johnson and Dibbling might be an option if Barry gets an injury and you want a cheap mid that's going to be amongst the goals. And then in center mid they're okay. They've got Hayden Hackney, Armstrong, Garnet, Norgard, but it's defense that they look really, really thin. they're only... I was going to say, I really want to hear what Dave Alex: Now let's CJ: Yeah, we need that. We need that. Ben: thinks of the summer window because left back, they've only got Mikhulenko. Center back, they've only got three center backs, Tarkovsky, Keen and Braithwaite, Brownthwaite. And then right back, they've got O'Brien. and Maitland Niles, do remember Maitland Niles? CJ: Yeah. And to be fair, O'Brien's a centre half Alex: Yeah. CJ: as well, isn't he? Realistically. He's not a right back, is he? Ben: Yeah, so they've listed it listed in there is right back, but I think he can fill across the back four. I think he can CJ: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ben: do left back in a pinch as well. But still that that's not looking that amazing. Yeah, so so really, Alex: No, their under 18s must be well excited. We're all in training with the first team. Ben: really do want to hear from Dave about that how he feels about chances CJ: Yeah. Ben: now and in dais a massive loss for them isn't he because he's he's so integral to the way he played. Gotta hope greenish. Yeah. CJ: huge loss. Huge loss. They were everything, but yeah, thanks for that. Thanks for that, Ben. That insight. Absolutely Alex: It's it. CJ: absolute madness at Goodison Park. Alex: Well, Ben: Hmm. Alex: do you want to add some additional madness to that? Because obviously Preston is up there not far away from Liverpool, So, and obviously we talked about how Everton battered Preston, who are bottom of the championship. Halfway through their game when they get embattled 3-0, they decided to announce that they'd signed two new players halfway through the second half on the big screen. So they announced during the game that they'd signed two CJ: Jesus. Ben: Just to get morale up. Alex: new players and then they interviewed the manager and he was like, I don't know what's going on. I was like, I don't know CJ: Yeah. Alex: if we've signed them or not. He's like, that was the first I'd heard of it. CJ: Crazy. Absolute, absolute, Alex: Deadline day classic. CJ: absolute madness going on, but Ben: Yes, Everton might struggle a little bit with a couple of injuries. might, you might see Moy's walk as well. CJ: Yeah. I do it'll be interesting to see. Be interesting to see what he how he lines up this weekend actually against United at home. Like really, really Ben: Mm. Mm. CJ: interesting. But let's be honest, like I know people are selling United assets. It's a time probably to have United assets at the moment, particularly Fernandez. I've seen loads of people doing a wild card without Fernandez. Like I I just don't see how that is viable. I just don't see Alex: What are doing? You just scored a hat trick. Ben: Yeah. CJ: how that is viable to leave him out of your team. But we're not going to talk about that just yet. Or just now on this episode, but we will do in future ones. But just to go through a few more teams, I'm going to gloss over a few. So Fulham have signed Hugo Larson, twenty-one million from Eintreck Frankfurt. So he's a hard working central mid who likes to operate as a six or an eight. So also known for being an excellent reader of the game, like a decent centre mid apparently. Comes in at five mil. Again, have to have a look at. Alex: They also sign, I know you haven't got it on here, but they also sign some Spanish guy, because obviously you have a Raffaro when you're here about full and signing. They sign some Spanish guy Ben: No. Alex: called Alena or something like that. I think it... Yeah, it is, yeah. CJ: Again, yeah. Ben: That's the third one they've signed from Real Madrid, think, isn't it? Because the Arbeloa connection. CJ: Yeah, Real Madrid. There was a lad who started from Real Madrid B, I think. They've signed a couple from Real Madrid B Ben: Mm. CJ: as well as that Garcia. But yeah, Fulham again, I think I just don't think they're gonna do Ben: He's a yes for me by the way, Hugo Larson. CJ: Yeah. Ben: We were linked with him, Newcastle were linked with him, really good stats. Like you say, six or an eight. He's good, he's good. Yeah, yeah, yeah. For five mil, five mil is cheap. Alex: So it means he's good then, because new cars are rolling with him. CJ: Yeah, no, I did I did I did look at his stats. He looks pretty decent, to be fair. Like we'll we'll see how he gets on, see if he goes straight in. and then on to Hull. So Hull were very, very busy this Chancel window. I think they bought in over ten new players, but they bought in a three on deadline D. So Brooke Norton Cuffey. He's an Englishman, so Alex: that guy. CJ: he's on loan from Genoa. So he's an Arsenal Academy product, Spent two seasons at Genoa, made 43 appearances last year, three goals. He's like a right wing back, right back. He comes in at four mil. Then they've got Tim Irobinum, undisclosed fee from Everton. So again, he was actually, he started off the season decent for them last year, but he's only five mil. Obviously, surplus to requirements in a team where they've got a 15 man squad. Not very, not ideal for Everton. And then they've got Hull have signed Ilias Ansaho from £21 million from Everton. Union Berlin. So he's a 21 year old, highly rated young German forward. He got five goals, three assists in the Bundesliga last season. Interestingly, he comes in at five mil. So it will be interesting to see if he's holding sorry, if he gets a start. not sure he will at the moment over McBurney, but interesting to see how many minutes he gets. Then on to Ipswich, ZM Fleming is back to the Prem, 20 million pounds from Burnley. Which is crazy. But again, if you're looking for a five point five million forward, then Xean Fleming's not bad 'cause I think that Emerson has was yellow flagged on the game after his nine point haul in the first game and didn't play, I don't think, did he, against United? I don't think. So Z Alex: No, you didn't play. CJ: and Fleming might be a good shout. And then before we stop at Liverpool, just gonna briefly touch on leads. They've signed Jean Matteo Bohoya. On loan from Eintreck Frankfurt. So he's a highly rated 21-year-old French left wing or attacking mid. So seventy 78 apps across two seasons at Eintreck Frankfurt with seven goals and eight assists. He comes in at five mil again. There's quite some nice like five, six mil wingers. So if they do, like Leeds, not sure he's going to get a game to start with, but if he does come into the team like Ockafor did a bit last year, he might be worth having a look at. And then We're gonna stop briefly and have a chat on Bradley Barcala. One hundred and twenty three million pound from PSG, coming in at eight million to fantasy. Butler, thoughts on Bradley Barcala? Alex: One overrated. CJ: Yeah. Alex: Two can get in the PSG team. Three PSG are laughing because they got 120 odd million for him. And I'm CJ: Great. Alex: like, what's that? Four Liverpool have signed another right winger when they don't have any left wingers. I saw a photo. No, but Ben: He's he's a left winger, Barkler, isn't he? Isn't he? CJ: Yeah, he's left winger. Alex: whatever. But I did see a funny photo of Iriola and he's got one really pumped arm for one side of the pitch and one really weak arm for the other side of the pitch. CJ: That's class. Alex: Because he's only got Chiesa on one side So if I'm totally honest, I have no idea he could be good CJ: No. Alex: He might not be if I'm telling us he didn't look that great in the World Cup If I'm honest, Desiree Douay is way better than him. So I'm not surprised PSG let him go Given how what Liverpool are like right right now. I think Vertus is really bang average I don't think that half their players don't look great CJ: No. Alex: that moon oz looks okay he needs to hit the bark when you spend in 123 million he needs to the ground running and i don't think he'll do that but i think they have to start him yeah i think i think CJ: Do you think he starts? Do you think he starts against Wi Ipswich? Do you think? I suppose they've got it, went there if he's fit hundred and twenty three mil. Like he's got to start, hasn't he? Ben: Well Alex: If he's fit, surely he's had a pre-season, hasn't he? Yeah. Ben: you mean you had that whole saga with Gakpo, didn't you? You had that whole CJ: Yeah. Ben: saga with Gakpo where Gakpo looked like he was gonna go to City and then they they kind of dropped that out. So Barkala would have would have had the left wing to himself if Gakpo didn't go. I think they'll start with Gakpo and they'll introduce Barkala slowly. Or he might start on the right. But it's funny, it's funny, Liverpool's transfer strategy this summer has been quite odd 'cause it seems like they've they've ignored the their sort of like deficiencies in midfield. They sort of need like a defensive holding player and they just never seem Alex: and defence. Ben: to be Yeah, and defenders and they just always they just seem to spunk loads of money on their attack and it's just not clicked yet. So maybe CJ: Yeah. Ben: Barkle is trying to Barkler is trying to get Verts and Isak to, you know, start putting up bet better numbers, but I'm staying away from Barkler. Eight nil's a lot of money and it's just no CJ: Yeah. Eight mil, way too much. Way, way Ben: For an unknown. CJ: too much. Yeah, absolutely. I think is he is he a midfielder or a striker on the game? I he's midfielder, is he? Midfield, eight mil, like so much more Alex: Midfield, yeah, you get bad midfielders. Yeah, I'm not sp- Ben: Yeah, midfielder, yeah. CJ: so much more value you can get elsewhere. But yeah, he's he's definitely a wait and see. I'd really interested if he starts tomorrow night, actually. well Friday night, tonight if you're listening to this on Friday. Right. I don't want to spend too long on it, but City. So City did some serious business. They pretty much signed Alex: I don't know how they keep spending loads of money with their one million million bloody things. CJ: The world they've spent over 400 mil, I think, or something ridiculous. But so they've signed Enzo Fernandez, 125 mil from Chelsea. He comes in at 6.9 million. Again, I think that's way too much in fantasy considering what he used Ben: Mm. CJ: to be. They've signed Ayyub Buadi, 86 million from Lil, like 5.5 mil. I quite like him. He looked absolutely unbelievable when he came on the other day against Palace. I know it was only against Palace, but He looked good. And then obviously Iluminum die, sixty-five mil from Everton. Stays at six mil. Ben, just to start with and die, if you have Ben: Mm. CJ: him, are you getting rid now? He's gone to City. Obviously, penalties are completely out of the question now. Like, what do you think? Ben: Yeah, I dunno. CJ: Do you think he starts for City? Ben: I think few lads will be in a bit of bother because some lads will have started with Enzo at Chelsea and Ndae from Everton and now they might have like like similar situation to Gazzi last last year with Gehi CJ: Yeah. Ben: and Semenyo, might have a few issues there of having too many city players. But Right, well, we did think the band was fully back together, but CJ's experiencing some technical difficulties, so me and Alex are going to finish the episode. We just finished talking about Ilman Ndaye and whether we're going to use him as a city player now. Alex, I know you've got him, but you're not sure what to do with him really going forward. Alex: no, I don't think he's gonna I don't think I'm gonna transfer him out this week, which means he'll probably just end up on my bench. I've got bigger priorities, I think, in Ben: Hmm. Alex: my team with my transfers, so I'm not gonna give too much away because I don't want an egg 'cause I'm playing the egg this week. I don't wanna give him I don't wanna give him Ben: you Alex: too much info, but I know Indai will be on my bench. that's probably that's probably enough said about it. I don't I d I can't imagine Ben: Yeah, that's Alex: he's gonna start, do you? Ben: No, I don't think it'll start. think again, like sort of like Everton played through him a lot and I think he'll have an adjustment period. where he'll get used to city system and he won't be the focal point the way he was at Everton. yeah, honestly think his minutes will be limited at the beginning. I'm sure he'll be eased in over time, but for now he's an avoid for me. And if you have him, I guess hold him and see how he does over the next couple of weeks with minutes off the bench. So yeah, a Alex: Agreed. Ben: bit of a keep. Moving on, Manchester United had a pretty... pretty quiet summer all things considered. They strengthened most of their midfield but elsewhere they're lacking. The biggest one is probably Balaber from Brighton. 70 million pound for him, five million pound midfielder. So pretty cheap in fantasy. But honestly he had a very, very like quiet season last season for Brighton. He started off really well, didn't he, when he first came onto the scene. But I really hear too much about him. I just, I don't know about you, but I'm just not interested. Alex: Not a fantasy. He's he's that he's just breaker upper in midfield, isn't he? He may Ben: Yeah. Alex: get the odd DEF CON. I can't imagine him getting many goals and assists, so no. I think it's a bit mad that he's seventy million. Ben: Agreed. Yeah. Alex: Brighton again doing some great deals. Ben: Yeah, they do so well. I feel like this summer transfer window, theme is mediocre midfielders, like, loads of, you know, good players, but not world class. Like, even Enzo Fernandez, 130 million for... Alex: Yeah, how is he a hundred and thirty million? Ben: Good player, but not 130 million. That's crazy. Alex: But is he is he is he really that good? Like I don't Ben: Mmm. Alex: Is he a hundred and thirty million good? I did see Ben: No, he's not. Alex: something funny though. There was a funny video going on Instagram by Enzo Fernandez, and when Chelsea played United a couple years ago, he he was taunting Mount Mason Mount for being a Ben: Hmm. Alex: traitor and having no loyalty and he and he was kissing like the Chelsea badge in front of Mason Ben: Yeah. Alex: Mount and then couple of years later he's done the fucking same and gone off to city. Ben: So yeah, I'm a no on Belaber. don't know how to say it. Moving on to Newcastle. Alex: Beliebe. Ben: Moving on to Newcastle. Obviously we've got Nico Gonzales, 50 million pound from Manchester City, 5.5 in fantasy. We also had the fullback Amar Dedic, who's started really, really well. 30 million from Benfica, only 4.5 mil on the game. Alex: Isn't this deadline day? Why are we talking about Newcastle players that didn't sign on deadline day? Ben: Because I support them mate, I support them talking about badge kissing. I'm going to waffle on with CJ not here. You're going to just have to listen to me talk about Newcastle for the rest of the app. That's fine. I'll talk to no one. Alex: I'm leaving. You can finish this on your own. Ben: That sounds like dream. Anyway, Deaditch 30 million Benfica 4.5 mil and then Deadline Day siding Alex to make you happy. Matias Fernandez Pardo 50 million pounds from Leo. Don't know too much about him. Apparently he's rapid, absolutely rapid, as quick as a langer, so six million in the game. Any of those tempting you for you? Alex considering after Bournemouth at home this weekend, Newcastle have Leeds away, Hull at home, Coventry away, Villa at home, Palace away, Everton at home. So it's a pretty tasty run of fixtures. Are you looking at any Newcastle assets? Alex: N not yet. Let's just see what happens against Bournemouth. Ben: So you know how you took the piss out of me at the beginning? were like, that's such a cop-out answer. You've just done the same thing. I'm getting dead at chin as soon as possible. 4.5 mil, he's already got... Alex: I'm getting no Newcastle players in because I don't I don't think they're gonna they've had a good start against two very bang average teams who can't Ben: Hmm. Alex: even gel right now and I think some of those games will be tougher. I honestly think d Bournemouth and Leeds will be tougher games for Newcastle than Spurs and Liverpool, if I'm t if I'm if I'm saying because I don't think Spurs are all over the place. They look they were dro Ben: Hmm. Alex: dreadful. And I don't I think Liverpool don't know if they're coming or going. They don't know what formation Ben: Mm-hmm. Alex: they're playing. They don't know what the their players have been dreadful so far, so I don't I don't think they've been great. So the I think it let's see what you do against Bournemouth CJ's just messaging and put good luck with the editing. Such a dickhead. It just leaves the pod. Leaves the pod and goes, Good luck. Gave us all the technical difficulties. Ben: Yeah. Yeah, leaves the pod. Good luck. Cheers, mate. Yeah. Alex: It's my shit inherit it. Ben: Well, thanks for pissing on my chips for a new castle there, Alex. So I don't feel as enthusiastic now, but dead itch is a good 4.5 mil option. Alex: Do yeah, but I suppose my question is, Ben is do is a Langer gonna be c this consistently good for a long Ben: Hmm. Alex: period of time? I don't think he's ever done it ever for a consistently long and now he could prove us wrong and he's done well in the opening two weeks, but he has to for the money you've spent on him, he has to sustain that for a good l a much longer period than two or three games. Ben: Yeah, shocking, shocking first season with Newcastle. Obviously he paid a lot of money for him and he did pretty much dick all, but he looks much more confident, had a good World Cup with Sweden. And I think his system, Alex: Yeah. Ben: the, the Isla system is much better for him. And with Dedich. Alex: So is your backup striker now or Sula? Is that is that is that the thing? Is that is that? Ben: Yeah, it's going to be Vissa and Fernandez Pardo up top, sort of like dovetailing between the Alex: he's a striker, is he? Ben: 10 and a nine. Yeah, I think so. Alex: Yeah, okay. Ben: He can play left wing as well, but I think mainly he'll be used through the middle with us. So yeah, it'll be Vissa and Fernandez Pardo, I imagine, pivoting between the nine and the 10 and then a Sula off the bench or, you know, covering for injury. But Just going back to Alanga, he looks a lot better with Dedich behind him as well, so that's just something to consider. Moving on from Newcastle, we have Nottingham Forest's transfer dealings. So Liam de Lap, £50 million from Chelsea, £5.5m on the game. How has that happened? He's got one Premier League goal and they managed to make a profit on him. It's mad. Chelsea such good sellers. then Daniel Munoz, 22 million pounds from Crystal Palace, 5.4 million in the game. And FM legend, Wonder Kid, Usman Diomande, 34.3 million from sporting, 22 year old center back, 5.5 million. Any of those tempt you Alex? Alex: Munos met potentially, I think and back under Glasnar. Ben: Yeah, agreed. Alex: I think I think you know, he's pretty consistent performer, isn't he, Munoz? Ben: Mm-hmm. Alex: see how he gets on in the first few games, but he could come could come into your team. I don't can't see any dramatic change in his form or style of what he's used to. Liam Delap well I don't think so, no. Ben: I believe he's... I believe Moonoz has just had surgery on his nose or something, which wasn't related to an injury, it's just to help him breathe better or something, so I don't think he'll start this weekend. Yeah, he'll be fitter. Alex: So he'll be fitter. No, I don't I don't think I don't think any of any of these three start, do they? I think they given of what they've got Ben: No. Alex: right now, I think Diamante will take some time to adjust, I think. De Lap they've got they like he likes that Igor Jesus up front, doesn't he? So I don't I can't imagine Ben: He does. Alex: maybe Liam DeLap will come in at at periods, but he's gonna again he's gonna have to earn his spot. He's gonna have to score goals coming off the bench, which is not an easy thing. Ben: Mm. Alex: to do. So I d I don't Ben: Hmm. Alex: know. I don't think it'll be that good. Ben: A fancy Barry over dilap for those sort prices there. Okay, Alex: Yeah, too right. Ben: and then finally, we've got Sunderland, who loaned Kevin Danzo from Spurs, five mil, probably not going to read too much into that one. This one's more interesting though, Malik Fafana, 30 million pounds from Leon, he's an exciting winger, 5.5 million in the game, so very cheap. And I was just reading about this one because that was a bit of a deadline day drama as well, as long as the Everton one, I believe. Palace tried to hijack the deal. And then Sunderland upped their offer in terms of the agent fees. So they were paying more to the agency and... sort of like his management team to get him over the line at Sunderland. Arsenal were also linked with him because Martinelli left. they've already, like CJ said at the beginning, they've already really got Zolis and Eze that play left on the left there. So they were sniffing around. In the end, I think they backed away and let Pallas and Sunderland battle it out. Sunderland won the, won the race there, but lots and lots of chat online about how Lyon fans are. understandably annoyed because they're bad at selling players. you think Cherokee last season went for peanuts to City, now for Farno for 30 mil this season, 30 mil for a Premier League team is absolutely nothing. And in fact, you could argue these days that it's pretty cheap. So yeah, you've got Fernandez Pardo from Lille who went to Newcastle for double the money and lot of Lille fans online are saying for Farners twice the player that Fernandez Pardo is currently and we sold him for half the price. So he's one to watch. think he could be very decent, decent, cheap option for a frustratingly solid Sunderland side. What do you think about that one? You tempted? Did I just sell him to you? Alex: No, you haven't sold it to me, but he's gonna play a lot of games, isn't he, for Sunderland? They need someone Ben: Yeah. Alex: like that. So he's if you're if you're thinking about having him in your team, I think he's a he's an it'd be an aggressive move to move him into your team. Ben: Mm. Alex: but he could turn out, given what you've just said, he could turn out to be a good differential and because he's gonna play. So I think you you you Ben: Mm-hmm. Alex: I don't think you need to worry about waiting for him to be Maybe not this weekend, but I can imagine he'd probably be bedded in pretty quickly. So Ben: Agreed. Alex: yeah. Ben: Right, that rounds up the Transfer Deadline Day drama. On to the next thing, which is the key battles for Game Week 3. Over to you, Alex. Alex: Yep. So let me just share my screen. So we have the key battles for Division One coming up first. So this week we've got Andy Jackson always right versus Harry Bicknell, Reese's set pieces, one of my favourite names so far in in both leagues. both coming into this in I think Harry Bicknell's in very good form. He's at a very good start in coming into Division One. I think he's CJ's cousin and Smithy's cousin. so he comes in looking good. Andy Jackson's had an up and down time, hasn't he? He was had a great first week, Ben: Hmm. Alex: very poor second week. Andy comes in averaging just under seventy. as Harry comes in averaging just over sixty seventy-six and a half. So in terms of their game week scores, Andy scored 76 in game week one, 63 game week two, whereas Harry got 64 game week one, 89 game week two. Neither have played any chips. They've got a stack load of differentials going into this one. Ben: Hmm. Alex: I'm not going to read them all out, but all I can tell you is that all the players that they share are Raya, Guardio, Haaland, Jal Pedro, Petrovic, and Zolis. That means there are a stack load of differentials. So this game will go one way. or another, I can't imagine Ben: Mmm. Alex: it will be close given how many differentials are on there. they've both captained Haaland in game week one. Harry stuck with him in game week two. Andy Jackson went rogue and tried to captain Jal Pedro game week two. So you would have been one of the only managers not to do that. Harry has left a fair amount of players on his bench. Left twenty seven points on his bench at a game week average of thirteen and a half. That's quite a lot. Whereas Andy Jackson, who used to love leaving points on the bench, has only left twelve over the opening two Ben: Ha ha. Alex: game weeks already. So it could be a close one. Yeah, Ben: Got an early contender for bench warmer there, Harry. Alex: early contender. But given the amount of differentials there, Ben, I can say it's probably gonna go one way or the other. Any any Ben: Yeah. Alex: thoughts on who may have the better differentials looking at that? Ben: Mmm. I think I'm backing Andy for this one. I don't know why it's not based on any data or insight, just gut feeling. I'm going to go Andy for this one. Alex: It's Rogue Rogue Andy, the the fact that Andy's got Casido in there as a as a differential. And Ben: Yes, that doesn't seem to be an amazing pick at the moment. Yeah, especially considering. Alex: Caddioglu, who a lot of people had in their teams, haven't even played yet, so that'd be an interesting Ben: Yep. Alex: one. But yeah, so that's that's the first one of these, and then we move on to s Harry's cousin Smithy. And he is up against Dassey, and we've heard a lot about Dassey. Obviously he sent us his great voice notes, so I appreciate that. But Dassey is averaging fifty-seven point five across get two gaming. Smithy's not much better at sixty six point five, neither have played chips. The reason why I selected this one is because neither of them have scored that highly so far, so it's a big game for both. I Ben: Mmm. Alex: don't think Dassey's won a game yet. I think Smithy has one win. again a stackload of differentials. I mean, they only share three players, and that's Gabriel O'Reilly and Bruno Fernandez. So again, there's a lot of differentials Ben: Wow. Alex: between these two. both Captain Bruno Fernandez last week, which would have helped their cause massively. Ben: Yeah. Alex: Smithy's only left six points on his bench across the opening two games. That's pretty good going, which means his bench is clearly useless. and he's got no one half decent on his bench. Ben: A bit like mine. Alex: but yeah, so again Dassey's currently overall rank is six point six million, Smithy four point two. It's a big game for both. Looking at their differentials there, Ben, any any I know you've just played Dassey and you probably got away with one. but but Ben: Well, will say this, DASI has Harland at home to Coventry. Well, doesn't look like Alex: No, he doesn't Smithy doesn't have Harland. Ben: Smithy doesn't have Harland. So on that fact and that fact alone, I'm going to go for DASI to bag a win here because Harland's hopefully. Yeah, Alex: Well the fact that Smithy's gone with Sesco hasn't even started yet, so yeah. Ben: that's an interesting one there. Hasn't started yet this season, has he? Why not? Who are they playing up front? Alex: They're playing Cunha up front. Ben: Right, Hmm, yeah, Dasi's got my back in for this one. To bounce back from the disappointment. Alex: Right, let's Yeah, totally agree. Right, let's move on to Division Two and these key battles. So we've got Tito, the documentary, versus Ash, Don't Stir the Pot. Or s is that right? Stir Stir. now Ben: Yeah, Sean's there. Alex: Ash has had an absolutely awful start to head to head fantasy. he's O from two in his first two games and he's only averaged sixty eight points. cross those two game weeks. Yes, he got ninety five last week, but only got forty one in his first week. Tito comes in averaging eighty one and a half. Got a huge a hundred and nine but still lost last week to Greg. so and he got fifty four in yeah, Ben: That was by a couple of points, wasn't it? Yeah. Alex: and he also then lost to me in no he didn't. He won his game week one with fifty four points. I beat the other Belgian Greg. Ben: Wishful thinking there. Alex: But Tito's played his bench boost already. Ash hasn't played anything. Again, a reason why I select this is the the amount of differentials that both teams have. Ben: Yeah. Alex: They only share Bruno Fernandez, Zolis, Jal Pedro, Calvert Lewin, and Leif Davies. Both look like Tito's captain Bruno Fernandez for the two weeks. Ash can't decide between Haaland and Fernandez. He picked Fernandez and Haaland at the wrong times. Ben: yeah, see that. Fernandez game week one, Ireland game week two. Alex: In terms of their overall rank, Tito is just within a million at eight hundred and forty six thousand, whereas Ash is near enough four million. Both have left a fair amount of points on their bench. Looking at this, again, loads of differentials, Ben. Looking at their differentials. Ben: Again, Tito's global rank is amazing, under a million already, but he doesn't have Harland at home against Coventry as it stands, unless he transfers him in. again, I'm, you know, I'm being, Alex: Yeah. But he has he has got Isaac, hasn't he, against Ipswich away. Ben: yeah, but Ipswich away, I think is harder than Coventry at home. So, and Liverpool are Alex: Agreed. Ben: not exactly setting the world alight at the moment. So yeah, I mean, maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on Harland at home to Coventry, but whoever has Harland this weekend, I think is going to do well against their head to head if they don't. Alex: Totally agree. Right, and the last game then is we're looking at Jamie versus Pete. Neither of these guys have got a win. I think Jamie might have one win. I double thinking about it, but Pete has definitely hasn't got a win yet. Jamie does not look great coming into this one. Averaged averaging 63 across the first two game weeks. That's not looking great. Pete is only just above him. On seventy-three. Neither have played any chips yet. again, they only share four players, Calafiore, Jal Pedro, Haaland, and Calvert Lewin, which means one of them has Fernandez and the other one doesn't. And you can probably Ben: Mmm. Mmm. Alex: guess by looking at their overall rank with Jamie at five point two million and Pete at two and a half million. You could probably guess which one of those doesn't have Fernandez, and that would probably be Jamie. Given how low he is. So I think looking at their differentials at this one, Ben, Pete's probably got Ben: Hmm. Peace. Alex: the edge. Ben: Yeah, Pete's got Fernandez and Jamie went for a midfield with which has got sort of like Wilson, Palmer and Buemo, Virts and Zollis. There's not a bad, there's not a bad midfield on paper. Palmer's had a good start to the season, but he's just, this is just a question of whether they're, whether they're free flowing scoring to the season so far lasts against. You know, the best defense in the league really. Chelsea have a terrible record against Arsenal in recent years, don't they? So yeah, you gotta, Alex: They do, yeah. And they're away as well, aren't they? Ben: yeah, you gotta hope that Bruno Fernandez is going to go mad against Everton, but yeah, maybe Pete has the edge on this one. Alex: Yeah, totally agree. Right, there we go then. That's the that's those. How do I stop sharing? There it is, right. So those are the key battles for next week. We will be back on Tuesday next week. We'll be revealing the manager of the months for August from Division One and Division Two. Ben's gonna have loads of fun editing this episode because CJ's completely fucked us over by dropping in and out about eighty five million times. And also being so delayed that we'd say seven and he would then say seven ten seconds later. So he because of that we quit kicked him out and carried on without him. Ben: Yep. Alex: but Ben, I will hand over to you to do the honours and we I will see you next week. Ben: May the fancy gods be with you. Bye bye. Alex: So you lie