Trading well is key to building that high upside, title winning squad but anyone who has played in a draft league will know exactly how difficult it can be to get a deal over the line!
The art to trading is knowing who to target and when to strike as well as which players to use in the trades. This weekly segments looks into the strategy of selling high on those overachievers and buying low on those studs that haven’t performed as expected…
Buy Low
Raul Jimenez – Wolves – Forward
Raul Jimenez isn’t so much a “buy low” option but more of a “buy before he scores lots of points” which is exactly what we’re after! The Wolves talisman went late in round three/early in round four in most leagues this summer with people understandably nervous about how he would get on after his horrific injury. Averaging eight points per match so far without any goals or assists suggests that Jimenez will be an elite asset once again this season!
I took my won advice last week and traded him in, selling Lucas Digne in a 1-1 trade. I feel like at the time of writing this is a fair price for Jimenez but you may be able to get him for slightly less than a premium defender. I have no doubt that the goals will begin to fly in as Wolves begin a very kind fixture list which covers the foreseeable future!
Nelson Semedo – Wolves – Defender
Staying with Wolves and their kind fixtures, Nelson Semedo is a great buy low candidate ahead of their upcoming run. Semedo is expected to be heavily involved in the Wolves attack from right wing back but didn’t score well in terms of Fantrax points in defeats to Tottenham and Manchester United over the last two weeks.
I expect a big up turn in fortunes for the Portuguese defender. Wolves look more solid defensively than many expected so shouldn’t ship too many goals. It’s the potential attacking returns that catch my eye though as his average position is very advanced already and he will no doubt be expected to get involved in the attack much more over this kind run of fixtures.
Jadon Sancho – Manchester United – Midfielder
Manchester United’s second most exciting signing of the summer had a quiet debut to say the least. A clean sheet point took his Fantrax score up to a grand total of… zero as the big-money Jadon Sancho struggled to get himself into a game where United were mostly very poor.
The only way is up for Sancho. Literally. He’s in that Harvey Barnes category where a manager will have spent a high draft pick to get Sancho in so will most likely want to hold. It’s worth asking the question though! Especially if they were drafted by a reluctant Liverpool/Manchester City fan.
Sell High
Demarai Gray – Everton – Forward
I’m continuing to put my money where my mouth is and practice what I preach! Two goals in three games for Demarai Gray has seen him make a mockery of his raft value. Now I think it’s time to cash in on his hot start.
Gray looks like a different player under Rafa Benitez but he has flattered to deceive many times over his Premier League career. If he keeps up his current form then he will be the steal of every draft. However, his ghost points floor isn’t anything to write home about and he isn’t going to score 20 goals this season. Having got Gray in Round 16 of when draft, I was delighted to get in James Tarkowski in a 1-1 trade who is a defender I’d be happy to start in 95% of fixtures. I’m not sure I can say the same about Gray.
Gabriel Jesus – Manchester City – Forward
Gabriel Jesus has been absolutely electric at this start of this season. My advice around him is very simple: found the Riyad Mahrez owner and construct a deal. Or do the same in reverse!
As with every Man City asset not named Ederson, rotation is going to be an issue as soon as Kevin De Bruyne is fit and the Champions League starts and that’s regardless of form. Jesus will have won many people matchups already this season and is another who has made his ADP look ridiculous. However, it’s time to cash him in before Mahrez gets his own inevitable run in the team.
Michail Antonio – West Ham United – Forward
Michail Antonio is in the form of his life. Again. West Ham’s record Premier League scorer can’t stop scoring (and assisting) so appears to be a genuine premium Fantrax forward at this stage. There are two reasons I’d be considering a trade however: his inevitable hamstring strain and the fact that you can use him to target basically any player in the league right now.
In keeping hold of Antonio at this stage you’d be doing absolutely nothing wrong. However, the most starts he’s ever managed in a Premier League season is 29 which was back in 2016/17. Sadly, the injury will come and if that’s something that worries you then now is the perfect time to cash him in. You can use him right now to go after anyone you like!
Fantasy Football 92 