Post Corona Shopping

Long term
-Foden
-Trincao

BPL, Serie A & La Liga return + (1) (next tweet in thread)
-Rodri
-Oyarzabal
-Maddison
-KDB
-Dybala

Why did I buy these players?

Overarching strategy: (1)
-20/21 breakthrough year
-Euros
-Transfer potential
-Capable of big peak PB scores
-Nice fixtures to end 19/20 season

Note, (1) details my general thought process when buying these players.

Phil Foden

-Breakthrough year in 20/21, especially with Dilva retiring.
-Main beneficiary of the Euros being postponed to 2021 - after a strong 20/21 campaign, I'm confident he'll be in the squad & potentially starting XI.
-Guardiola's comments on Foden speak volumes..

Francisco Trincao

-Yet another player to make their name in 20/21
-Can't see Barcelona being able to get Neymar this summer, hence Trincao will get game time & I'm confident he'll shine.
-He has great completeness to his game which fit perfectly with the FI matrix.

-Thread by @MartonBalla1 highlights how incredible Trincao is - excelling in all areas you'd want from a forward player (chance creation, shot volume, dribbles, crossing/passing and most importantly output) https://twitter.com/MartonBalla1/status/1250130438078763014?s=20

Of course the future for Trincao remains unknown, but I'm confident he's going to be a special player in a few years and will go from strength to strength at Barcelona..

It's nice to know the President of Braga Antonio Salvador also agrees with me!

Both Foden & Trincao performed really well in the 'golden boy' spreadsheet I made a while ago - which looked at the p90 stats of the top up and coming CAM's/wingers..

Although these stats can't be looked at in isolation, I'm confident in both holds over the long term

Moving on..

My strategy (1) has been at the core of these buys, however after seeing the in play rises on Bundesliga players, I think there's a lot of value in finding players who could post strong PB scores AND have great remaining fixtures in 19/20..

Work from the beautiful @MozzFI opened my eyes up to a handful of teams who have really nice opening fixtures and one team in particular who has an incredibly easy end to the season..

Note: this order is conditional on other leagues following the same process as the Bundesliga

Starting with Man City's incredible end to the season

Whose the best hold from a PB alone perspective for those fixtures? Kevin De Bruyne

Whose a player I feel is undervalued and is capable of huge peak scores and fits in with (1)? Rodri

Kevin De Bruyne (this season alone)
11 200+ CA PB scores
4 250+ CA PB scores
9 19

Being on all set pieces at City (potentially including pen duty too ) and how well he fits the FI matrix, he is the best City hold from a short-mid term perspective in my eyes..

Rodri £2.27
5 200+ CA PB scores
1 250+ CA PB score

Looking at U24 mids peak scores vs price, Rodri is quite the standout.

Given he averages 87 touches per game and averages 91.29 passes per 90, his base score is very strong. Should he chip in with a goal..

..he'll almost definitely post a 200+ PB score.

If he stays fit I think he'll regularly complete 90 mins for City, which is an important consideration with the newly introduced 5 subs.

Easy fixtures + 90 mins played = lots of passes & hopefully the odd goal = strong PB scores

Rodri will be at the core of City & Spain's midfield for years to come.. hopefully after an impressive 20/21 season he can work his way into the DM role & overtake the ageing Busquets.

Nonetheless, a safe & promising hold over the long run hold which fits well with (1).

Serie A - Paulo Dybala

-IMO Dybala is sleeping giant.
-Capable of huge peak scores & could become an excellent hold with more game time.
-Worth noting, pre corona he only average 64 mins/game.. should this increase I'm confident he'll deliver over those tasty fixtures

Irrespective of the short term with Dybala, I believe in him as an FI hold over the mid-long term..

I'm confident something - either Ronaldo moving on, an injury or possibly Dybala himself moving clubs - will happen and we'll see his true potential come to fruition.

The last 3 players:
-James Maddison
-Diogo Jota
-Mikel Oyarzarbal

Fit in directly with the strategy (1) - young, capable of posting big peak scores, have a possible transfer to a bigger club & should all play for their national teams at the upcoming Euros/World Cup.

Diogo Jota
12 1
3 200+ CA PB scores
1 250+ CA PB score
-Transfer links: Arsenal & Man United

Mikel Oyarzarbal
10 6
1 200+ CA PB scores
1 250+ CA PB score
Pen duty at Sociedad
-Transfer links: Man City

James Maddison
7 200+ CA PB scores (with only 1 GWG) - the most of any mid aged 24 and under
12 1

With Leicester in the CL next year (more dividend earning opportunities) I think the potential returns Maddison offers are going under the radar.

Another point to note about Maddison is how often he plays 90 mins - which again, is an important consideration with 5 subs.

A set piece specialist with an amazing delivery who is at the hub of an excellent attacking side.

Very high hopes for Madds - just needs to find form!

Big thanks to the following for the data/content:
@MartonBalla1
@footballindexed
@MozzFI

Hopefully you liked my rationale for buying the players - any thoughts and comments are welcomed!

Glad the exams are over - lots of football to look forward to!