Fantasy Premier League

ICT Analysis: Sterling threat beats all rivals

By The Scout 4 Sep 2019

The Scout says the Man City winger's statistics show his FPL potential despite recent blank

The Scout continues a series focusing on the ICT Index, which helps Fantasy Premier League managers look beyond points to determine players’ potential.

Raheem Sterling (MCI) £12.3m

Manchester City’s winger has opened the season in prolific form. Sterling has five goals, returning 37 points over the first four Gameweeks.

As a result, he is the top-scoring midfielder in FPL and the most-owned attacker, sitting in 46.5 per cent of squads.

The underlying statistics highlight why.

Top midfielders for ICT Threat, GW 1-4

Player	ICT Threat	Shots in box	Big chances	Goals
Sterling	217	12	7	5
Salah	193	10	5	3
James	171	9	1	3
B Silva	162	8	2	1
Mount	159	5	1	2

*Rotate mobile device to view full table

Sterling has recorded 12 shots inside the penalty area, more than any FPL midfielder, and his seven shots on target are tied with Mason Mount (£6.4m) at the top for midfielders.

Big moments

Crucial to his FPL potential is Sterling's number of big chances, or situations where the player receiving the pass is expected to score.

His seven big chances are more than any other player in FPL and almost double the four of his team-mate, Sergio Aguero (£12.1m).

It also compares very favourably with Sterling’s displays in the opening matches of 2018/19.

He had failed to record a single big chance at the same point last season. Indeed, it took him until Gameweek 14 before he managed seven big chances.

Points incoming?

Over 1.8million managers captained Sterling against Brighton & Hove Albion in Gameweek 4, only for him to produce his first blank of the season.

But Sterling's upcoming schedule suggests he can quickly get back among the goals.

City face three of the bottom four sides in the next four Gameweeks. That raises Sterling's potential for more goals and big FPL returns as a key captaincy contender.