Who do Isak and who do I keep: GDS Football Player Pool Update

The transfer window has come to a close and with it a new player pool update is approaching for GameDay Squad’s Football Platform. There’ll be a lot of people interested in who they’ll be losing from their clubs (to inactive status) and who they’ll want to target. We’re here to discuss who the new players into the player pool are that you’ll want to target and the big names that left the league.

Most of the big name transfers happened early on in the transfer window and thus have already been added into the player pool, such as Wirtz and Gyokeres. The end of the transfer window did provide some highlights with Piero Hincapie, Yeremy Pino, Tyler Dibling, Kevin, Samuel Chukwueze, James Justin, Noah Okafor, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nick Woltemade, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbery, Xavi Simmons, Randal Kolo Muani, Senne Lammens and Mateus Fernandes all capable of being GDS relevant.

There were a number of player movements involving switching teams within the league, so you may notice changes to some of your players. The notable players to do so, which could have a largely positive or negative impact on their scoring, include; Dango Ouattara, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Erebechi Eze, Jacob Ramsey, Yoane Wissa, Harvey Elliott, James McAtee, Jadon Sancho and Alexander Isak. While there are also several players who should move from inactive status after their performances early on in the season. These players could be Jaidon Anthony, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Loum Tchaouna, Lesley Ugochukwu and Rio Ngumoha.

The major players to leave the league, and thus become inactive, are Julio Enciso, Matt O’Riley, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Andreas Pereira, Ilkay Gundogan, Manuel Akanji and Ederson. While some of these players did leave on loan and may eventually be back active on the platform, there are also some who have permanently transferred and may never be back in the Premier League.

After all of this, who are the top three players to keep an eye out for?

The number one player to acquire in the latest player pool update is hands down (no pun intended) Gianluigi Donnarumma, the latest Manchester City goalkeeper recruit. While James Trafford recently returned to the club and has been the number one option, it appears his mistakes across the opening rounds have led to a short lived time in the role. Donnarumma, one of the world's leading goalkeepers, is very unlikely to have opted for a move to City without assurances to be taking over as the number one. This is even more so, given he left PSG because the hierarchy there had decided to replace him, causing a rift between the player and the club. While he may not immediately start (in round four), he should be the main man from, at latest, round five. Manchester City are already one of the leading teams in the league and were already one of the better teams at keeping clean sheets last season, this recruitment is likely to result in even more of these. Not only will this transfer make Donnarumma himself a necessity, but Rayan Ait-Nouri and Josko Gvardiol become even more of a priority to pick up (if you already haven’t). Individually, Donnarumma did his best work in last season’s Champions League as he kept six clean sheets in 15 games, making 35 saves at a save % of 70.8. While his numbers weren’t as impressive in the league (23 games, four clean sheets, 49 saves at a 66.7% save rate) you can be assured he’s someone you want in your club.

Matheus Fernandes is the second player I'm very bullish on for GDS. Fernandes has Premier League experience, having played with Southampton last season as they were relegated down to the Championship. Having moved back up to West Ham, we’ve already been able to see his qualities in the one game he’s played, which he immediately started for West Ham in round three. There are a number of statistical reasons why Fernandes should be a success, which includes key passes, dribbling, defensive actions, crosses and fouls drawn. Fernandes averaged per 90 mins 1.05 key passes (2 - total from one West Ham game), 1.52 successful dribbles (0), 1.33 blocks (1), 0.87 interceptions (1), 1.02 successful tackles (2), 3.5 crosses [not completed, attempted] (2) and 1.7 fouls drawn (3). These statistical lines show a great all round player who is likely to impact on the scoring system regardless of fixture or who they are playing, given he did this in the worst performing team in last season’s Premier League. I used the term “safe” points in my round three review earlier in the week and I believe Fernandes offers a lot of safe points round to round. His versatility to be able to play central defensive midfield, central midfield and central attacking midfield adds to his job security in a struggling West Ham team. Fernandes’ debut West Ham game resulted in 11.25 points, which included no goals or assists, proving his scoring capabilities.

Senne Lammens is someone who should be highly considered. Manchester United have appeared to be a goalkeeper away from making their defensive assets playable as continuous goalkeeping mistakes seemed to have led to their lack of clean sheets. While not entirely to blame, it does make selecting United defenders in favourable fixtures more appealing. Lammens played in a Belgium League team (Antwerp) who finished 5th last season. In that season Lammens played 30 games, conceded 1.07 goals per 90, made 4.23 saves per 90 and had a save % of 81.4. While in a lower quality league, this does resemble a statistical line of someone who is a pretty good goalkeeper. The Lammens signing should make De Ligt, who is a known quantity for racking up “safe” points a very viable option to play in a United double up for favourable fixtures.

Happy hunting season for the latest player pool! I hope you’ve got those starter pack bundles stacked up.