Telegraph Fantasy Football tips for the 2021/22 season from experienced TFF manager Paul McAnulty. In this article he shares his thoughts on the best TFF players for all 20 Premier League teams!

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The Best Telegraph Fantasy Football Players for 2021/22

Arsenal

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 15^th

Most points in 20/21 (using new scoring, for all teams): Lacazette (£6.1m) 129

Best P/£m/G 20/21 (using new scoring, for all teams, 10 games minimum,): Holding (£3.0m) 1.12

There are few Arsenal players which tempt me from the off, however there is the benefit of knowing their assets play the first game.

White (£2.9m) could be a season-long enabler pick at that price, it’s hard to think he won’t be first choice after his £50m move from Brighton. Holding (£3.0m) was Arsenal’s best value player last season, but with White coming in cheaper and in my opinion more nailed on I’ll be steering clear. Tierney (£3.8m) would be the only other defensive Gunner I’d consider, but his price hike, and recent injury worries puts me off.

Smith-Rowe (£3.3m) has the potential to make a mockery of his price, and with recently being offered a bumper new contract looks assured of more consistent starts this season. As it stands Saka (£3.7m) is owned by 19% of TFF managers, I think this is from a recent bias of the Euros and not someone I’ve considered.

I’d love to take a punt on Pepe (£5.2m) who picked up form towards the tail end of the season, but I think has been overpriced.

Lacazette (£6.1m) was Arsenal’s top points scorer last season, but with no requirement for captaincy, mixed fixtures, and strikers’ low value in the game, both the Frenchman and captain Aubameyang (£6.5m) haven’t come into my thinking.

Aston Villa

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 9^th

Most points in 20/21: Martinez (£3.8m) 194

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Martinez (£3.8m) 1.34

Even though Martinez (£3.8m) has had a £0.5m raise from last season, Argentina’s no.1 still offers great value factoring in the new points added for saves. In fact the Villains’ full back-line all offer great value with each of the four averaging over 1 point per million per game, with Targett (£3.1m) narrowly coming out on top.

Hibs legend McGinn (£3.5m) should be a benefactor of the new bonus tackle points in TFF, with new buys Buendia (£3.8m) and Bailey (£3.8m) both looking reasonably priced. Up-front I was surprised to see Watkins (£5.3m) down in 12^th as the best value striker for last season, I think if I was looking in the Villa attack, I’d be more inclined to take a gamble (I use that term based on his recent injury record only) on new recruit Ings (£5.9m).

Brentford

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 11^th

Most points in 20/21: N/A

Best P/£m/G 20/21: N/A

Some of the cheapest starting defenders in the game are in Brentford’s ranks, offering plenty of options for budget enablers. Captain Jansson (£2.4m) carries a goal-threat, as does new signing from Celtic Ajer (£2.3m).

In midfield Da Silva (£3.6m) had a much quieter year last campaign than in previous years, perhaps putting managers off. The most talked about Bees asset is of course Toney (£4.2m). An impressive 31 goals and 10 assists in the Championship last season has seen his ownership sit at over 20%, and with guaranteed starts he could be a season-long pick.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 1^st

Most points in 20/21: Dunk (£3.8m) 120

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Sanchez (£2.9m) 1.58

I think it will be between Sanchez (£2.9m) and the aforementioned Martinez that will be my starting keeper this season. They both offer incredible value, especially now with the additional point per two saves.

The Seagulls’ excellent fixture run also brings their defenders into my thinking, with last season’s top points scorer Dunk (£3.8m), along with value players Veltman (£3.0m) and Webster (£2.9m) who both averaged over one point per million per game last season, all viable options.

Two of their midfield options entice me, with Bissouma (£2.8m) now enticing me based on his tackling stats. Gross (£3.3m) could be a nice differential choice, but I believe Trossard (£4.0m) is slightly overpriced. If Welbeck (£3.8m) can stay injury free he could also be a decent alternative to big hitting attackers.

Burnley

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 17^th

Most points in 20/21: Pope (£4.1m) 152

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Pope (£4.1m) 1.16

A difficult fixture run, coupled with transfer speculation around both centre backs, has ensured ‘happy place, happy place’ Turf Moor is not somewhere I’m looking at for fantasy assets currently. Pope (£4.1m) probably doesn’t need the fixtures based on the volume of saves he makes, and Lowton (£2.7m) and Mee (£3.3m) are the players I may consider further down the line.

Wood (£5.2m) is their own attacking option I’d be thinking about, but at present there are a lot better options in that price bracket.

Chelsea

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 20^th

Most points in 20/21: Mount (£4.9m) 160

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Zouma (£3.2m) 1.37

Speaking of difficult fixture runs, Chelsea travel to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, and host Man City, all in the opening six games. Tuchel’s men have proved they can keep clean sheets against anyone, emphasised by the shut out in the Champions League final last season.

Mendy (£4.3m) could be a season long pick having just finished behind Mount (£4.9m) after points re-adjustments were applied to last season’s totals. Rudiger (£3.8m) looks the pick of the bunch to me though, it’s not often you get a players priced that reasonably with the thoughts he’ll start most games for one of, if not the, best defence in the league.

I like Chilwell (£5.0m) but feel his price-tag is slightly too high to get value, however I like James (£3.9m) in the TFF format based on his tendency to come on even when subbed and potentially picking up partial clean sheet points.

In midfield Kante (£3.7m) will benefit from the tackle bonus, but is still priced too high for a defensive player in my view. I had considered Havertz (£5.0m) based on his form and ‘false 9’ talks, but with Lukaku’s (rumoured to be £6.8m) return to Stamford Bridge imminent it’s put me off somewhat. If Mount (£4.9m) keeps up his form from last season he could come into my thinking, but at the moment I believe there are better options at his price point.

Crystal Palace

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 18^th

Most points in 20/21: Zaha (£5.0m) 128

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Guaita (£3.6m) 0.94

The third consecutive team to have evil opening fixtures, and one I’ve not considered any options for. Guaita’s (£3.6m) 0.94 points per million per game is well below a reasonable return from your keeper (he was ranked 19^th for value against his peers), and with Palace’s managerial change and mass exodus in defence over the summer it’s hard to pin-point who actually plays.

Further up the field both Zaha (£5.0m) and Benteke (£3.8m) offered fair returns for their value last season, and new-comers Olise (£3.1m) and Gallagher (£2.7m) offer some attacking (both) and tackle bonus (the latter) potential with relatively budget-friendly pricing.

Everton

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 2^nd

Most points in 20/21: Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) 182

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Mina (£2.9m) 1.16

The Toffees have strong opening fixtures, but the optimism of a stronger defensive unit have been questioned due to their performance against Man Utd in a friendly last week. England no.1 Pickford (£3.9m) is a viable option in goals, and Godfrey (£3.0m) looks the cheapest starter for Benitez’s men at the back if pre-season is anything to go by.

Many will be considering Digne (£3.9m) based on his set pieces, but I think there are better value players at that price point (see Rudiger).

In midfield I would’ve liked to have seen James (£5.1m) come in cheaper to tempt me, Townsend (£3.4m) always come out high on tackling stats, and last season’s top scorer Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) may come into my consideration when he returns from injury.

Leeds Utd

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 12^th

Most points in 20/21: Bamford (£5.6m) 190

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Meslier (£3.4m) 1.36

Meslier (£3.4m) is going to be another who benefits massively from the new save bonus rules – the 21-year-old Frenchman would’ve gained 63 points more last season if t had been in place. New signing from Barcelona Firpo (£2.8m) interests me at that price point, more so than paying the additional £0.5m) for Ayling (£3.3m).

The Elland Road outfit have a few great options in midfield this season, I know a lot are put off by Dallas’s (£3.8m) positional change, but the addition of tackling bonus could help offset this. Wide-men Raphina (£3.9m) and Harrison (£4.0m) have both come into my thinking, and I’m surprised Bamford (£5.6m) is cheaper than Calvert-Lewin considering he scored more than his fellow Englishman.

Leicester City

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 10^th

Most points in 20/21: Vardy (£6.8m) 187

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Justin (£3.2m) 1.39

New captain Schmeichel (£4.4m) has seen a price hike on the back of his 160-point haul last season, if you factor in the Foxes’s run to FA Cup glory his 0.87 points per million per game does not rank well against other shot-stoppers. I know Leicester just kept a clean sheet against City in the Charity Shield, but I’m still dubious about investing in their backline given injuries to Evans (£3.5m) and Fofana (£3.3m), should I look to there I’d be tempted with a punt on Bertrand (£3.3m) who looks to be taking a lot of set pieces.

In midfield there are more attractive options, Barnes (£4.3m) ranked 28^th overall for value last season and looks to be showing glimpses of his form before last season’s untimely injury. Maddison (£5.2m) seems overpriced to me, but there may be value in both Tielemans (£4.7m) and Ndidi (£3.5m) with their ability to rack up tackles and improve dramatically on last season totals.

Vardy (£6.8m) and Iheanacho (£4.7m) both returned great results last season, but the former’s hefty price tag and the latter’s rotation risk put me off both.

Liverpool

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 6^th

Most points in 20/21: Salah (£7.0m) 222

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Phillips (£2.7m) 1.62

This time last season and with this set of opening fixtures for Liverpool I would’ve been overindulging in their defensive options, however with Van Dijk (£5.1m) slowly regaining fitness, and Robertson (£5.2m) now injured, they appeal less to me.

Allison (£4.3m) will always be a steady pair of hands, but TFF have heightened the value in surrounding keepers more. Alexander-Arnold did not represent value at all last season, although did finish the season strong, perhaps making me and fellow managers forgive him.

New boy Konate (£4.0m) and likely left-back replacement Tsimikas (£3.0m) seem to risky and short-term for an eleven-man fantasy squad for my liking.

Salah (£7.0m) and Mane (£6.6m) will likely pick up large scores again this season if they stay injury-free, but Jota (£4.7m) as a striker may the best value of Klopp’s attacking assets.

Manchester City

FFHub first 6 fixture rank: 14^th

Most points in 20/21: Edersen (£4.7m) 186

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Stones (£4.0m) 1.41

City went on that extra-ordinary run of clean sheets last season, and hence the price hikes across the defensive unit. Edersen (£4.7m) is the most expensive I think I’ve seen a keeper in the TFF game, and Dias (£5.3m) groups him in with the Liverpool defence’s price points.

Stones (£4.0m) was their best value player last season, I would’ve been tempted to go with him from the off had he not had the extra time off after the Euros, but Cancelo (£4.5m) is someone firm in my consideration.

I would’ve expected Rodri’s (£4.2m) value to have rocketed after the inclusion of tackle points, but it’s clear that the lack of attacking returns and matching price rise outweigh that extra benefit. I mentioned in my season preview article last year that I believe De Bruyne’s (£6.8m) value and returns would diminish with the loss of 3pts for key contributions and I was proved right – points per million per game factors in missed games through injury and the Belgian’s 0.72 ranking 166^th within the player pool.

Mahrez (£5.9m) could be the one attacking City asset I begin with, but I cannot see me holding the winger long into the season. Sterling (6.5m) and Jesus (£6.2m) both again feel overpriced, I still don’t feel Pep trusts Torres (£4.1m), Foden (£4.6m) could miss the start of the season, Gundogan’s (£5.3m) price rise puts me off, leaving only Grealish (£5.0m) left for consideration for me.

Manchester Utd

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 3^rd

Most points in 20/21: Fernandes (£6.7m) 225

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Lingard (£3.8m) 1.41

The Old Trafford goalkeeping headache isn’t something I’d like to have to deal with, but with the Red Devils having a favourable opening set of fixtures their defence is catching my eye for investment. The only three options for me are Maguire (£4.4m), Wan-Bissaka (£4.2m) and Shaw (£4.2m), the left-back being my favoured choice based merely on the £0.2m saving.

Greenwood (£4.1m) has again been classified as a midfielder, and does interest me with some of United attacking injuries, and Fernandes (£6.7m) will again come into my thinking. In my opinion there is better value around than Pogba (£5.0m), with Sancho (£5.7m) unlikely to be starting at the beginning of the season, and Cavani (£6.0m) and Martial (£5.8m) too pricey for a punt for me.

Newcastle Utd

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 5^th

Most points in 20/21: Wilson (£5.0m) 125

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Darlow (£2.8m) 1.24

I often consider the Toon when picking my keeper in fantasy games where keepers are rewarded for saves, however injuries concern over both Dubravka (£3.2m) and Darlow (£2.8m) have me steering clear.

I’ll keep this short, the only Newcastle asset I’ve remotely considered is Wilson (£5.0m). The ex-Bournemouth man faired well last season considering his injury woes with 125 points, making him the second-best value striker in the game behind Iheanacho.

Norwich City

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 19^th

Most points in 20/21: N/A

Best P/£m/G 20/21: N/A

The Canaries have got a dreadful set of fixtures to open up their return campaign in the Premiership. I’ll be steering clear to begin with, but when their fixtures turn if Omobamidele (£2.2m) is still in the starting 11 he could be the cheapest starting player in the game.

There is definitely better value around instead of their other defensive assets. If Norwich keep hold of Cantwell (£3.5m) he may come into my consideration later in the season, similar to Pukki (£3.9m) and new signing Sargent (£TBC).

Southampton

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 13^th

Most points in 20/21: Ward-Prowse (£4.3m) 173

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Forster (£2.8m) 1.76

Forster (£2.8m) seems to have the nod over McCarthy (£3.0m) now and performed well at the tail end of last season. The ex-England International could be a nice differential in goals. The Saints back-line could look completely different this term, with Walker-Peters (£3.2m) perhaps looking the most nailed on.

There are a few midfielders from Hasenhuttl’s men that interest me, Ward-Prowse (£4.3m) has come off the back of a great season and will benefit from the additional tackle bonus, Walcott (£3.3m) and S.Armstrong (£3.5m) could be great value, and Romeu (£2.8m) gets one of the biggest increases in potential with his impressive successful tackling. (Note Ward-Prowse is unlikely to start the season).

Up front Adams (£4.0m) is priced fairly again, and I’ll be interested to see what new signing A.Armstrong (£TBC) comes in at.

Tottenham Hotspur

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 16^th

Most points in 20/21: Kane (£7.0m) 232

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Aurier (£3.7m) 1.11

It looks like it’ll be a new look Spurs backline in 21/22 with Espirito Santo rebuilding after Alderweireld and Vertonghen moving on. Lloris (£4.2m) is one of the premiums I think will be enhanced with the save point additions, with all other defensive positions still looking up for grabs (new signing Romero is £TBC).

20/21 stand-out Hojberg (£3.5m) will see a boost in potential with the tackling bonus, the Danish international would’ve obtained 38 more points last season if in play.

Son (£6.6m) is someone I’ll consider when the fixtures soften, new signing Gil (£3.6m) could be great value when embedded, and Alli (£3.9m) is someone who could flourish under a new manager. If I dare not start with Kane (£7.0m) I’ll be sure to have a route planned to get him if, or when, needed.

Watford

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 4^th

Most points in 20/21: N/A

Best P/£m/G 20/21: N/A

Austrian internationalist Bachmann (£2.6m) is someone I’ve contemplated starting with in goals, Watford looked resolute in the Championship last season, have nice opening fixtures, and the keeper is someone who could benefit greatly from save points.

The Hornets’ backline is filled with potential gems, the signing of Rose (£2.7m) casts doubts over Masina (£2.9m), but I think the value was in Femenia (£2.8m) and Sierralta (£2.8m) anyway. In the 19 games the Chilean centre-half was partnered with Troos-Ekong (£2.6m) last season they only conceded 12 goals.

King (£3.4m) has been added to the ranks in pre-season, but my only real interest in Watford’s attacking line in midfielder Sarr (3.8m), last season’s top goal scorer for the Hertfordshire side.

West Ham United

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 8^th

Most points in 20/21: Fabianski (£3.6m) 154

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Dawson (£2.8m) 1.28

Long serving Premiership shot-stopper Fabianski (£3.6m) may face competition from new signing Areola (£3.3m) this season.

The Hammers have also been linked with a new centre half, thus putting me off Dawson (£2.8m) who offered incredible value last term. However, Coufal (£3.2m) and Cresswell (£3.8m) both look to have been priced nicely this time round, I certainly expected a bigger rise for the Croatian.

Soucek (£3.5m) is a great option again too, especially as his price increase comes with the addition of the tackling bonus, and Bowen (£3.9m) and Benrahma (£3.9m) could both benefit from Lingard’s decision to stay at Man Utd. West Ham’s only registered striker in the game is Antonio (£4.8m), who if he can stay fit, can easily better his tally from last season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Hub first 6 fixture rank: 7^th

Most points in 20/21: Neves (£3.7m) 130

Best P/£m/G 20/21: Kilman (£2.7m) 1.29

Quite how Wolves will be set up tactically under new management is yet to be determined, but if resolute in defence, then new signing Sa (£3.1m) could be a nice alternative to more well-known options. It’s yet to be seen as who, other than Coady (£3.7m) and Boly (£3.5m) are likely to play across the backline, but if Marcel (£2.5m), Ait-Nouri (£2.4m) or Hoever (£2.2m) can nail down a place then all offer fantastic value.

Last season’s top points scorer Neves (£3.7m) is yet another fantasy asset whose points scoring potential gets a hike with the tackling bonus, but I think there are other cheaper options that play a similar position to him that will offer similar returns.

Trincao (£3.2m) has played a lot of minutes in pre-season and could be flying under the radar, and the return of Jimenez (£5.3m) should give us managers another striking option to consider. I want to see more of his fitness levels and playing time before I consider him again though.

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