Fantasy Premier League

GW8 Forwards #5: Gabriel Jesus

By The Scout 6 Oct 2017

Brazilian is a clear choice for the next three Gameweeks, but should managers have an exit plan?

As we face a forward crisis in Fantasy Premier League, The Scout is looking at six candidates to help managers pick their attack.

Gabriel Jesus (MCI) £10.5m

The form

When on the pitch, Jesus has been a proven supplier of FPL points.

The Manchester City striker has produced returns in each of his last four Gameweek appearances, tallying four goals and an assist.

But he has suffered from Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy.

Withdrawn in the second half in each of the first five Gameweeks, Jesus was rested for the Gameweek 6 visit of Crystal Palace.

With Sergio Aguero (£11.5m) sidelined, he returned to the teamsheet at Chelsea and supplied the assist for Kevin De Bruyne’s (£10.0m) winner.

The statistics

Jesus is ranked eighth for shots on goal (17) and ninth for shots on target (seven) among FPL forwards.

Assessed against his debut season in 2016/17, though, he is shooting at a faster rate (24.3 minutes to 27.1 minutes) and his total of seven big chances matches that of Harry Kane (£12.7m).

And this is despite the Brazilian playing 215 fewer minutes.

His average of 59 minutes per big chance is again better than 72.3 minutes from last season, when he supplied seven goals and four assists from eight starts.

Jesus in 2017/18

Attacking stats	Total	FPL forward rank
Goals	4	4=
Shots	17	8=
Shots in box	14	6=
Shots on target	7	6=
Big chances	7	4=
ICT Threat	282	6=

The prospects

Jesus’s pitch time looks more secure with Aguero out injured.

It is no coincidence that, with Aguero ruled out, Gameweek 7 was his first 90-minute appearance.

Jesus is second only to Kane for transfers in (184,000+) among forwards ahead of a favourable short-term schedule.

City’s next three matches score two in the Fixture Difficulty Rankings (FDR).

They host Stoke City and Burnley before travelling to West Bromwich Albion.

Midfielders De Bruyne and David Silva (£8.5m) perhaps offer more secure long-term picks, but when on the pitch, Jesus has scored or assisted 45.5% of his side’s goals, more than any team-mate.

The absence of Aguero should guarantee him the opportunity to exploit a kind schedule and deliver for his recent FPL investors.

The Scout's verdict: Jesus is a clear solution over Man City's next three fixtures. But an exit plan could be required; once Aguero returns, Jesus’ minutes will be in question once again.

Tomorrow The Scout on Roberto Firmino