Fantasy Premier League

FPL pre-season watch: Versatile Young a value target?

By The Scout 23 Jul 2023

Ashley Young Everton pre-season friendly v Wigan

Listed as defender in Fantasy, Everton's summer signing plays as winger in first friendly and scores

The debut outing for Ashley Young (£4.5m) in an Everton shirt suggests he could be a big source of value in 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League.

Listed as a defender in Fantasy after playing in the Aston Villa defence in 2022/23, the 38-year-old started on the left of a front three in the Toffees’ 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

Young profited from that advanced role by scoring the only goal before being replaced midway through the second half.

Goal! Ashley Young marks his first #EFC outing with the opener. ⚽️https://t.co/7PnfmRVb3B pic.twitter.com/HzYKDHsBbD
— Everton (@Everton) July 22, 2023

While it’s too early to make assumptions, the versatile Young could prove a popular pick for managers if he secures a regular role as a winger for Everton while also collecting points for clean sheets in Fantasy.

Add Young to your FPL squad

Set-piece specialist?

Young’s delivery from corners and free-kicks may also be a major weapon for Sean Dyche’s side this season.

Everton produced 80 shots at set-pieces after Dyche’s arrival as manager in Gameweek 22 last season, the third-most in the league.

Currently found in only 0.3 per cent of squads, Young was among a host of low-owned budget assets to impress in Saturday’s matches.

Yates rates consideration

Midfielder Ryan Yates (£5.0m) was involved in both Nottingham Forest’s goals in their 2-1 win over Spanish side Levante, scoring one and assisting Danilo’s (£5.5m) strike.

Odsonne Edouard (£5.5m) scored both Crystal Palace’s goals in a 2-1 victory over Watford, while West Ham United’s Divin Mubama (£4.5m) extended his scoring streak to three successive fixtures with a goal against Dagenham & Redbridge.

That's Eddy 🥶 pic.twitter.com/TG1YhX4v2r
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 22, 2023

Another pre-season goal for Divin ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/L4qUvUy7M8
— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 22, 2023

Meanwhile, Alphonse Areola (£4.0m), the most-popular goalkeeper in Fantasy, made his first appearance of pre-season in the Hammers’ 2-2 draw. He was handed an extended rest following international duties over the summer.

Thirty per cent of managers currently own Areola, who would be the cheapest starting 'keeper in Fantasy if he claims the No 1 jersey ahead of Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m).