Fantasy Premier League: Top 5 Midfielders for FPL Gameweek 21

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) enthusiasts face a mixed bag of news this week, as the game resumes following a short hiatus for the FA Cup third-round matches. The positive aspect is the return of FPL action, but the downside is the challenging nature of preparing for Gameweek 21, which spans over 10 days due to the winter break.

With key players like Mo Salah and Son Heung-min away on international duty, FPL managers find themselves with ample funds to bolster their midfield. This opens up opportunities for strategic transfers and squad adjustments, as the absence of these star players creates room for impactful reinforcements.

Navigating through the Top 5 Midfielder options for maximum FPL points in the upcoming Gameweek becomes crucial for managers looking to capitalize on the altered landscape. The extended duration of Gameweek 21 adds an element of complexity, requiring astute planning and quick decision-making to optimize team performance during this extended period of play. As FPL managers gear up for the challenges ahead, strategic acquisitions in the midfield position are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping successful fantasy outcomes.

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Priced at £6.5 million in the Fantasy Premier League, Bernardo Silva from Manchester City emerges as a valuable asset for FPL managers, particularly for the upcoming clash against Newcastle United. Silva’s impressive form on away grounds in the 2023/24 season positions him as a key figure for Manchester City.

In away matches, Silva has amassed an impressive 57 points in Fantasy, trailing only behind Erling Haaland (£13.9m) within his team. His notable ability to create significant goal-scoring opportunities is a standout feature, contributing eight big chances—double the count of any other Manchester City player. Notably, all four of Silva’s assists this season have come from away matches.

Recent performances underscore Silva’s enhanced potential for attacking returns, with the midfielder finding the back of the net in each of Manchester City’s last two away fixtures, accumulating a total of 22 points. As FPL managers strategize for the upcoming gameweeks, Bernardo Silva emerges as a compelling midfield option, offering both consistent point-scoring ability and a knack for creating goal-scoring opportunities on the road.

Also Read: What is Second Chance League in FPL and Why It Demands Your Attention

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Fantasy Premier League managers, now flush with funds due to the departures of Salah and Son for Afcon and the Asian Cup respectively, find themselves in a strategic position to strengthen their midfield. While many have set their sights on Erling Haaland, whose fitness remains uncertain, an intriguing alternative arises in the form of Kevin De Bruyne, Haaland’s fit-again teammate.

De Bruyne, making a comeback from an injury that sidelined him since the season’s opening game, showcased his immediate impact during Manchester City’s FA Cup clash against Huddersfield Town. The Belgian maestro wasted no time, setting up a goal for Jeremy Doku just 17 minutes after stepping onto the pitch.

With over 30 minutes of play in his return, De Bruyne now enjoys almost a full week to further boost his fitness before the upcoming Saturday fixture against Newcastle. Notably, De Bruyne boasts an impressive track record against Newcastle, having scored twice and provided seven assists in 12 league matches against them.

However, FPL managers should approach with caution, as De Bruyne hinted at a potential limited role in the upcoming matches, stating, 

“I don’t expect to be playing too many games, and Newcastle next week is a big game, so I’ll expect to be back on the bench.” 

Despite this cautionary note, his price tag of £10.2m and the potential for impactful contributions make Kevin De Bruyne a tempting midfield option for Gameweek 21.

Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham’s attacking dynamics face an intriguing twist with the arrival of Timo Werner, as manager Ange Postecoglou contemplates integrating the RB Leipzig loanee into the Spurs attack. In this potential reconfiguration, Brennan Johnson could be more susceptible to losing his starting position than Richarlison, who seems to be hitting his stride just in time to fill the void left by the absent Son Heung-min.

Richarlison’s recent goal-scoring prowess in north London adds a layer of optimism for FPL managers, especially in light of Son’s absence. The Brazilian has notably found his shooting boots, registering five goals in his last five Premier League outings. This impressive run stands in stark contrast to his initial struggles, having netted only twice in his first 38 appearances for Spurs in the competition.

While officially listed as a midfielder in FPL, Richarlison is taking on a central forward role, offering ample goal-scoring opportunities, particularly since Spurs rank as the second-most creative side in the league, just behind Liverpool. With Son and James Maddison currently unavailable, the 26-year-old is likely to assume penalty-taking duties as well.

Priced at £6.9m and accumulating 73 points, Richarlison faces a challenging Gameweek 21 fixture against Manchester United away, but his recent form and potential role make him an intriguing option for FPL managers seeking attacking prowess and value.

Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

With the absence of Salah, Diogo Jota emerges as Liverpool’s most natural finisher, poised to play a pivotal role and secure significant game time. The versatile Portuguese international has made a substantial impact since his return to the squad on Boxing Day, following a month-long hiatus due to a hamstring strain.

Jota wasted no time in showcasing his goal-scoring prowess, finding the net just six minutes into his first game back against Burnley. Subsequent performances included two FPL assists, notably the controversial penalty incident, in the 4-2 victory over Newcastle, and another assist for Luis Diaz during Liverpool’s recent FA Cup triumph over Arsenal.

With Darwin Nunez appearing more threatening from the left flank than through the middle, and Cody Gakpo not hitting top form, there is a compelling possibility that Jota will be deployed as a central striker in the upcoming clash against Bournemouth. Notably, Jota had a notable impact in the reverse fixture at Anfield in Gameweek 2, scoring a goal and providing an assist, earning him 12 points – his highest FPL score of the campaign.

Priced at £7.8m and accumulating 57 points, Diogo Jota presents an enticing option for FPL managers seeking a potent attacking force, particularly in the upcoming Gameweek 21 fixture against Bournemouth.

Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, priced at an affordable £5.8m, emerges as a standout choice for Fantasy Premier League managers. The in-form winger has notched four returns in his last four games, a streak that includes a memorable brace against Brentford, rewarding his limited ownership (only 1.5% of total FPL players) with a hefty 15 points.

Despite an upcoming challenging fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates, Olise’s impressive recent performances make him an attractive prospect for FPL managers eyeing a potential sell of Salah to free up funds for acquiring Erling Haaland. Furthermore, Palace’s fixture schedule after the Arsenal match presents a promising run against vulnerable defenses, with Sheffield United and Burnley set to visit Selhurst Park.

Olise’s ability to deliver returns, coupled with his reasonable price tag, positions him as a smart investment for FPL managers seeking to optimize their squads in the upcoming gameweeks. As an under-the-radar option with the potential for strong point returns, Michael Olise presents an opportunity for strategic maneuvering in the ever-dynamic landscape of the Fantasy Premier League.