Marcos Alonso (£7.0m) provided a stark reminder of his qualities on Sunday to Fantasy Premier League managers, who are now scrambling to fit him in their teams.
The Chelsea wing-back’s stunning two-goal contribution in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur produced 16 points, top for Gameweek 2.
He fired more shots (46) than any other defender last season and already tops the ranks again (seven) this campaign.
Alonso’s price had kept his ownership to just 11% prior to Sunday. But more than 46,000 have moved for him in the last 24 hours.
Managers are being forced to make more than one transfer to acquire Alonso, or are banking funds to move for him next.
Eight of the current top nine most popular transfer swaps are “downgrades” or transfers that free up £1.5m or more.
Pogba popular
Paul Pogba’s (£8.1m) goal and two assists in Manchester United’s 4-0 victory at Swansea City have fuelled big interest in the Frenchman.
More than 163,000 managers have made their move after his 15-point return.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£8.1m) – second to Pogba in the midfield standings (21 v 23 points) – has also gathered 78,000+ new owners.
The pair sit first and fourth in the ICT Index (with scores of 28.4 and 23.5 respectively) in midfield, having struggled to make an impression in their debut seasons.
Mkhitaryan has created four "big chances" this term – more than any other player. He created only six in 24 appearances in 2016/17.
Kane woes prompt more sales
Harry Kane (£12.5m) is still without a career goal in August and has lost over 194,000+ owners since the season kick-off.
But the Tottenham Hotspur forward is some 46.0 ahead of Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku (£11.6m) when it comes to ICT Threat - by 174.0 to 128.0.
Kane has fired 14 shots, with 11 arriving from inside the penalty area, and has struck the woodwork twice.
Salah the fall guy
Mohamed Salah (£9.1m) earned only 29 minutes from the bench in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
The Egyptian has left 76,000+ squads having been a top target ahead of Gameweek 2, gaining 175,000+ owners.
He was a victim of manager Jurgen Klopp’s rotation ahead of a UEFA Champions League second-leg play-off with Hoffenheim on Wednesday.
With Daniel Sturridge (£8.0m) fit for selection, Klopp has the option to rotate his front three.
Mooy adds to value options
Aaron Mooy (£5.5m) tops the points-per-million standings in midfield (2.9) after his goal and 10-point return on Sunday.
But the Huddersfield Town playmaker was not the only notable budget midfield option to shine in Gameweek 2.
Watford’s Richarlison (£6.0m and 11 points) and Stoke City’s Jese (£6.0m and 10 points) have been acquired by 110,000+ and 39,000+ new owners respectively.