A palpable buzz around Fantasy Premier League continues to grow with the game having officially released its updated version for the 2022/23 season last Tuesday. With fans looking forward to their respective teams’ pre-season fixtures whilst anticipating the arrivals of several talents alongside catching a glimpse of newer additions before the start of the campaign, FPL managers have already begun creating their first drafts as they look forward to locking a formidable team on road to the first game-week of the new season.
Having narrowly avoided relegation last season, Everton emerge among the club’s unlikely to garner the attention of FPL managers ahead of the new season. However, despite having sold a coveted asset in Richarlison (£8.5m) to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, the Toffees possess a handful of players likely to play a key role if the team are to significantly improve on their performances in the upcoming campaign.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) emerges as the most expensive of Everton’s assets with a raft of mid-priced midfielders following suit. Lacking a reliable defence, the team’s potential lies in their midfield, with the likes of Demarai Gray (£5.5m) and Anthony Gordon (£5.5m) emerging as tempting prospects ahead of the new season.
With prices of every registered player having been revealed following the official release, the upcoming campaign is expected to continue delivering intriguing competitions for places across the board. However, while most managers are likely to contemplate drafting in the most noticeable names, the focus for seasoned managers, as ever, remains on drafting in understated assets capable of delivering sustainable points over the course of the upcoming season.
JORDAN PICKFORD (GK, £4.5)
Everton’s highest scoring (116 pts.) FPL asset last season, Pickford emerges as a viable option between the sticks provided the Toffees improve their defensive performances next season. Moreover, having consistently registered over 100 FPL points in each of the last six league campaigns, the England international establishes himself amongst the tempting prospects within his price range.
Accounting for seven clean sheets last season, Pickford remains pivotal to Everton’s prospects of improving their results next season. Having registered a healthy number of saves (65.9%) in the league, the 28-year-old is likely to improve his numbers provided Everton address their defensive frailties moving into the new season.
DEMARAI GRAY (MID, £5.5)
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Amongst the club’s better-performing players, Gray established himself as a promising asset during the initial games following his arrival at Merseyside last season. With Richarlison having left the club, the youngster is likely to retain his place on the left-wing; expected to primarily support the central striker with goal-scoring opportunities next season.
Having registered the joint-highest number of starts (28) at Everton last season, Gray cements himself as a reliable option within his price range. Accounting for five goals and the same number of assists at the end of the 21/22 campaign, the winger emerged as the club’s second-highest goal contributor.
Moreover, having topped the chart for shot-creating actions (83) alongside carries into the final third (58) and 18-yard-box (29) amongst teammates last season, the winger is likely to improve his tally provided the team shows a notable improvement on the pitch.
ANTHONY GORDON (MID, £5.5)
Having been amongst Everton’s liveliest players last season, Gordon is likely to garner the attention of FPL managers provided the youngster delivers favourable returns in the upcoming campaign. Amongst the notable assets within his price range, the midfielder is likely to retain a first-team spot moving into the season.
Although having made only 25 league starts last season, the youngster accounted for four goals and three assists; finishing as Everton’s fourth-highest scoring (100 pts.) FPL asset at the end of the campaign. Moreover, accounting for the second-highest number of shot-creating actions (73) and carries into the final third (45), Gordon is likely to improve on his number provided he remains a regular in the starting line-up next season.
With Everton awaiting a handful of favourable fixtures following their challenging fixture against Chelsea in the opening game week of the campaign, Gordon is likely to deliver attacking returns provided the team gains valuable points in the initial stages. Having shown promising potential, the youngster could emerge as a key figure if the club are to improve on their league standing in the upcoming season.
