FPL (Fantasy Premier League) is back for the 2021-22 season. After a long summer with the European Championships and the Olympics, the Premier League finally returns on the 13th of August.
With the launch of the FPL game for the new season, most players receive new prices which depend on their performances in the previous season and the player’s impact on their teams’ performances. While most players’ prices accurately represent their value in the game, some are underpriced and could offer some value for your FPL teams.
These hidden gems could be essential for you to climb up your mini-leagues, and here are the five most underpriced players in FPL 2021-22:
5. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
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With Raheem Sterling priced at £11 million and Kevin de Bruyne worth £12 million, Riyad Mahrez has come in as one of the underpriced Manchester City midfielders in FPL at only £9 million. The biggest problem with any Manchester City asset is the rotation, but Mahrez started 7 of the first nine games last season and is one of the only City players who had a full summer and pre-season.
Ferran Torres and Raheem Sterling went to the Euros while Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne are injured, making Mahrez one of the first names on City’s team sheet. Mahrez had 17 league goals and assists last season while also being incredibly influential in City’s run to the Champions League, making him the ideal Manchester City asset to own at the start of the season.
4. Reece James (Chelsea)
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Reece James is one of the most underpriced defenders in the game and could be considered an essential asset to own for all FPL managers at £5.5 million if he gets a consistent run in the Chelsea team. Chelsea were the best defensive team in Europe since Tomas Tuchel’s arrival, keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding only 13 goals in 19 league games under the German.
In addition to Chelsea’s defensive prowess, James also takes set pieces for Chelsea and offers significant attacking potential, averaging 1.5 key passes per 90 and nearly 1 completed cross per game.
3. Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
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It is rare in FPL that you get a £4.5 million option in one of the best defences in the league, but Calum Chambers is currently Arsenal’s first choice right back and offers great value at his price. While Arsenal only kept 12 clean sheets last season, the Gunners were the third-best defence in the league with only 39 goals conceded. Mikel Arteta’s side are also expected to be tighter at the back this season with the addition of Ben White, making Chambers an even better asset.
Chambers also offers some attacking promise after managing 3 assists at the back end of last season and finishing with an Expected Goal Involvement of 0.21 per 90.
2. Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
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Considering Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane have been priced at £12.5 and £12 million, Diogo Jota’s price of £7.5 million is an absolute bargain if he stays fit and gets a consistent run in the team. Jota only earned 86 points last season, but on a points per match basis, Jota (4.5 ppm) was much closer to Mane (5 ppm) and Salah (6.2 ppm) than his price suggests.
In terms of non-penalty xG per 90, Jota (0.53) had a better season than Mane (0.49) and Salah (0.48), indicating that the Portuguese could have a breakout year this season and make a mockery of his price tag.
1. Raphinha (Leeds United)
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The most underpriced player in FPL for the 21/22 season is Leeds United’s Raphinha. The Brazilian winger could easily come in at £7.5 or £8 million and still be under consideration for most FPL teams. Raphinha created 47 chances in 2021 for Leeds United which puts him amongst the top creators in the league with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Son only managing 48 in the calendar year.
The Brazilian bagged 16 goals and assists in only 26 starts last season, and with a full pre-season and some nice fixtures in his first five games, Raphinha could be one of the best low-priced midfielders to own at the start of the season.
[Image Credit: Raphinha]
Shivaan Shah