Why Pre-Season Friendlies Are Secretly a Goldmine for FPL Managers
Let me let you in on a little secret: if you’re not paying attention to pre-season friendlies as an FPL manager, you’re basically showing up to a sword fight with a butter knife. Sure, the results don’t count, and yes, some players treat these games like a holiday, but the clues hidden in these matches are often the difference between finishing mid-table and sniffing at the top 10,000. Take Bournemouth and Brentford’s recent performances, for example. What seems like routine summer friendlies are actually loaded with narrative twists that could shape your entire season.
Bournemouth: A Midfield Enigma Wrapped in a Defensive Headache
Let’s start with Bournemouth because, frankly, they’re the team everyone underestimates until they’re mid-table in October. Their 2-2 draw with Real Betis wasn’t just a workout—it was a masterclass in mixed signals. Justin Kluivert (£6.0m) continuing to play as the number 10? That’s not just a tactical choice; it’s a red flag waving at FPL managers. Why? Because Bournemouth’s attacking structure is clearly built around him, yet his price tag feels like a gamble. Last season’s profligacy isn’t erased by a few pre-season goals. Personally, I’d wait until his form becomes undeniable before buying in—patience is underrated in FPL.
And what about Evanilson (£6.0m)? A goal and an assist against Betis? Impressive, sure. But here’s the kicker: the Brazilian’s inconsistency is practically a personality trait. He’s the kind of player who’ll score in three friendlies and then vanish for six league games. From my perspective, he’s a high-risk, high-reward pick for gameweeks with favorable fixtures, but don’t expect him to anchor your team.
Oh, and the injuries? Brooks, Christie, and Adams all missing? That’s not just bad luck—it’s a systemic red flag. If Bournemouth’s midfield depth is a house of cards, FPL managers leaning on Scott (£6.0m) or Tavernier (£6.0m) might find themselves scrambling when the inevitable happens. But here’s the twist: their attacking chaos could mean more goals for fringe players like Rayan (£6.5m) if the rotation becomes forced. Risky? Absolutely. Tempting? Undeniably.
Brentford: Set-Piece Specialists or Tactical Copycats?
Now, let’s dissect Brentford’s two wins over Rennes. The first match was a snoozefest until substitutes Meghoma and Nunes turned it around. But the second game? That was where things got interesting. Thiago (£8.0m) scoring on his return? Sure. But what made my eyes pop was Vitaly Janelt (£5.0m) operating as the number 10. A midfielder with set-piece duties in a system that already loves corners? This is the kind of tactical breadcrumb that wins FPL seasons.
Brentford scoring two headers from corners in one half? Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but their aerial threat isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a system. Pinnock (£4.5m) and Jensen (£5.5m) both getting on the scoresheet? That’s not luck. That’s a blueprint. If you’re ignoring Bees defenders this season, you’re ignoring a proven goal-scoring engine. And let’s not forget Mamadou Sangaré (£5.5m)—the man who racked up 12 defensive contributions in 64 minutes on debut. Is this guy just a DefCon machine in disguise? I’d bet my FPL wildcard on it.
But here’s the angle no one’s talking about: Thiago’s reintroduction as a starter. His World Cup absence created a void, but does his pre-season goal mean he’s reclaiming his starting spot? Or is this just Keith Andrews giving the £8m striker a confidence boost before loaning him out mid-season? My gut says the latter. Brentford’s attacking midfielders (Damsgaard, Jensen) are too entrenched in the system for Thiago to be a guaranteed starter.
The Hidden Story: Why Friendlies Matter More Than You Think
Let’s zoom out for a second. Why do pre-season performances matter so much? Because they reveal hierarchies. Kluivert’s continued central role at Bournemouth isn’t just about tactics—it’s about power dynamics. That kid’s got the manager’s trust, and in FPL, manager favoritism is currency. Meanwhile, Brentford’s set-piece obsession isn’t just a statistical anomaly; it’s a cultural identity. This is a club that’s weaponized analytics to the point where they treat corners like penalty kicks.
And what about the psychology of it all? Evanilson coming off with cramp instead of an injury? That’s the football gods trolling FPL managers. Brooks and Christie’s imminent returns? A reminder that injury timelines are fiction until they’re reality. If you’re drafting your team based on pre-season data, you’re not just predicting performances—you’re gambling on narratives.
Final Takeaway: The Real Game Is in the Details
Here’s my closing argument: the difference between a decent FPL manager and a great one is how they interpret pre-season noise. Bournemouth’s attacking chaos might be a minefield, but it’s also a land of opportunity for those willing to gamble on Tavernier’s price or Evanilson’s flashes. Brentford’s methodical approach? That’s the kind of system-driven success story that rewards managers who spot trends early.
But here’s the question no one’s asking: Are we overestimating the impact of these friendlies in an era where clubs rotate squads so heavily? Personally, I think we are. But when you combine Brentford’s tactical continuity with Bournemouth’s injury-induced unpredictability, you get a perfect storm of FPL opportunities—if you know where to look. And if you’re smart enough to mine these friendlies for their true value, you’re already one step ahead of the 5 million other managers playing this game.
