The conclusion of Fantasy week two means we now have 180 minutes in the bank for every BWSL and BWSL2 team. That’s an important sample size; we’ve seen each team play home and away, meaning the element of luck in getting a high score in the early weeks should now make way for careful planning.
And what a weekend it was! Chelsea’s 5-0 dismantling away at Manchester United, delivered by five different goalscorers, was perhaps more of a curse for Fantasy players who are trying to zone in on the best points scorers in Sonia Bompastor’s side.
The knee jerk reaction would be to load up on the Blues heading into next week’s match with winless Birmingham, but it’s important to consider the Arsenal clash at the end of the month.
Although Renée Slegers’ side have started the BWSL season in curious fashion, scraping beyond Brighton 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with Crystal Palace, the potential is clear. To go into that GW4 match stacked with players from Chelsea and Arsenal may be a self-defeating tactic, as something has got to give.
Luckily for Fantasy managers, a number of low cost, high-value picks are emerging that are more than worth your attention.
Daniëlle van de Donk is already becoming a must-pick midfielder
Don’t let the London City Lionesses’ 2-1 defeat to West Ham deter you.
Daniëlle van de Donk’s lethality in the opposition’s box is showing itself to be a key weapon for Eder Maestre’s side. Van de Donk’s two wonderful flicked finishes in two games define a player who continues to aggressively attack the area with late, hard-to-track runs.
She is getting close to the goalkeeper and making an impact on the scoreboard with instinctive finishes in a team that is still working hard to find its rhythm. Seventeen points from two matches is a premium level output - but Van de Donk only costs £4.5 million. Budget enablers simply shouldn’t have this much potential.
It’s Charlton and Brighton up next for London City. With Alexia Putellas underperforming in Fantasy terms at nearly double the cost, Van de Donk’s 20 percent ownership should rightfully skyrocket this week.
Budget defence options are also starting to emerge
There’s nothing quite like jumping on viable budget picks early. We’re starting to see under-the-radar value players come to the fore, particularly in defence, which is a position where lots of managers look to save vital cash.
Crystal Palace’s Molly Bartrip has started both matches so far, keeping two clean sheets, including against Arsenal. She has just 4 percent ownership at £4 million, with an enticing run against Tottenham, Birmingham and Aston Villa on the horizon.
Newcastle’s Kaitlyn Torpey and Sunderland’s Rhiannon Roberts should also factor into your thinking at the same price, with 3 percent and 2 percent ownership respectively. Both have put together strong starts to the season in sides that have six points on the board.
Although rotation is possible, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the aforementioned players and look to carry one or two of them to enable greater spending elsewhere.
Manchester United players need to be avoided for now
Those freed up funds should not go on Manchester United players right now. As previously mentioned, Eva Olid’s team were emphatically beaten at home by Chelsea. Fantasy players will look at the stats and see a team that needs to be avoided - particularly with Arsenal away coming up next.
United’s post-Marc Skinner transition has so far been defined by a lack of possession, goal threat and extremely leaky backline. Olid oversaw just one shot on target against Chelsea, with 37 percent possession amounting to a lack of control for last season’s UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists.
Despite the best efforts of a hard-working Andrea Medina, who fought well for her new side, United lacked confidence at the back and gave Chelsea lots of room to exploit. Keira Walsh’s fantastic finish from the edge of the box was a prime example of a team that allowed a top quality player too much time, with United looking unsure at when to press and when to sit back.
It makes United players very difficult to recommend right now. There’s real quality in the squad, but such sweeping changes across the summer look like they will take time to settle.
