We ain’t afraid of no ghosts. In fact, we seek them – ghost points, that is. Ghost points are fantasy points that do not come from attacking returns or clean sheets. These can come in the form of key passes, successful dribbles, interceptions, accurate crosses, and aerials, among others. Identifying these points is essential for your Fantasy EPL prospects, and our Gameweek 21 Ghost Point Hunters article is here to help!
This Ghost Point Hunters article is based on the Fantrax Scoring System. Check out our Ghost Point Tracker page for the full list of Fantasy EPL players and their respective Ghost Point capabilities!
Gameweek 21 Ghost Point Hunters
We're still in GW21 - the GW that never ends. But it has been an illuminating one, with ghosts revealing themselves throughout. Here they are: Daniel Podence, Emerson Royal, & Nelson Semedo. Meanwhile, honorable mentions go to: Emi Buendia, Marcos Alonso, Trincao, & Francisco Sierralta. Unfortunately, the Dr. Peter Venkman award remains in North London this week (the good/red side), with starboy Bukayo Saka taking the honor. You can't ever say GPH isn't brutally fair.
Daniel Podence
Position: Midfielder
Team: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rostered: 40%
Ghost Points Per 90: N/A (not enough starts)
Ghost Points Last GW (GW21): 17
Prospects: Is fully fit and firing. He should be the starting left winger for the foreseeable future.
Verdict: Pick him up or try trading a mediocre MID with a tempting DGW (e.g., Sissoko) or a DEF3 (Coufal).
The Wolves attack has been gun shy and heavily rotated. New manager Bruno Lage has sorted the defense but can't seem to conjure many goals out of this talented squad (only 13 prior to this past GW). The wings (Adama & Trincao) haven't really produced any goals. Up front, only Hwang Hee Chan, currently injured, and Raul Jimenez have found the back of the net, and it's been sparingly. Daniel Podence hasn't scored either, of course, but he just put in an impressive performance and is healthy. With his fitness and performances (and Adama's contract issues), Podence should be nailed on. A goal is coming.
More importantly, Wolves looked more threatening with Podence in the side. He was everywhere this past GW, albeit it was against a hapless Manchester United side. His tasty 17 ghost point haul came from a variety of sources: 4 Key Passes, 3 Shots on Target, 1 Tackle Won, 1 Accurate Cross Not a Corner, & 2 Successful Dribbles. He should get even better as this Wolves side finds its attacking edge. Get him in.
Emerson Royal
Position: Defender
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Rostered: 69%
Ghost Points Per 90: 8.3
Ghost Points This Past GW (GW 21): 22
Prospects: He is the starting RWB but his days look numbered as Conte looks for better options.
Verdict: Trade him out on this high (the forthcoming DGW also makes him look even more attractive this week) or take the DGW points & get him out after.
Rarely can a chap go from Dr. Peter Venkman to the big board in the span of a GW, even one as long as this one. But Emerson Royal has done just that. Venkman status was warranted with his 0.75 ghosts last GW; this week, he somehow produced 22 scary scores. Does this mean the GPH analysis was wrong? No, even a blind squirrel...
Royal can come up with big scores (this GW and GW v Palace) - and you have to be happy with these two GWs - but it is fleeting. This is when the eye test comes into play. You see, he just isn't that great at football in real life. GPH watched that monstrosity of a football match - Tottenham v Watford - and saw firsthand that Royal was given all the time and space in the world on the right side and still couldn't put in a decent ball. In a striking gesture of festive generosity (or his cousin is pulling the strings at Opta), some of these were chalked up as Key Passes (6) and Accurate Crosses Not Corners (5).
Yes, it's a new league and early days. But he came from Barcelona and should know a thing or two about being an attacking fullback. Meanwhile, Tomiyasu has hit the ground running. Different role and circumstances but still. The fact that Royal was subbed off for Doherty last time out when Spuds needed a goal and Conte is rumored to be looking to acquire another RWB just months after they spunked 25+ million quid on Royal says it all. Trade on a high.
Nelson Semedo
Position: Defender
Team: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rostered: 71%
Ghost Points Per 90: 5.8
Ghost Points This Past GW (GW20): 14.75
Prospects: Not buying the rumors of his departure, will be the starting RB for Wolves.
Verdict: Test the waters - if the value is too high after this performance, monitor and wait.
A favorite of yours truly coming into the season (and last season), Semedo is maddening fantasy-wise. He has flashes of brilliance mixed in with mediocrity. His defensive skills have actually improved this season, he ranks highly in defensive stats. But he, like the rest of his colleagues, just lack that final ball in the attacking third. However, this past GW (again, against Man Utd, the new Norwich), Semedo balled out.
A sworn nemesis of @JenningsWillian - he scores highly against him every time, including this GW - he delivered nearly 15 ghosties. These stemmed from all over the place: 2 Key Passes, 1 Shot on Target, 2 Tackles Won, 1 ACNC, 1 Interception, 1 Clearance, 4 Successful Dribbles, & 1 Blocked Shot. He hasn't ghosted like this all season, so this is likely another false dawn for Semedo. But what does make him attractive is the Wolves defense, which has let in only 2 goals in their last 7 games. Try to get a piece of the action.
Honorable Mention:
Emi Buendia (Aston Villa MID; 13 ghosts): Emi back to his best this past GW, ghosts and a lovely weighted ball to Ings for an assist. Let's see if it lasts.
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea DEF; 17.5 ghosts): Had a nice fantasy assist but the ghosts put him over the top this past GW in a touch matchup v Liverpool. No competition for his spot yet, bring on the DGW.
Trincao (Wolves FWD; 9 ghosts): Was on set pieces and looked a threat at times. Podence the better asset between the two. But with Adama and Neto out, he's a decent streamer in the short term.
Francisco Sierralta (Watford DEF; 10 ghosts): Mentioned in last week's GPH, we wanted to see if he could keep it up against Spurs. A respectable 10 ghosts indicates he can, and he has a tasty DGW coming up.
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal MID; 0 Ghosts): For those of you who accuse GPH of favoritism, this is yet another testament that we follow the points, not the team behind them. Enter a lovely young man, Bukayo Saka, who is somehow only 20 years old but has tallied 6 goals and 4 assists this season, which is, checks notes, 938344x more than Jadon Sancho. An incredible talent and integral part of the Arsenal resurgence, Saka had a Maupay week - the phenomenon in which one scores less than 10 with a goal. How is that even possible, you may ask. Well, just need to score a goal, do nothing else positive stat-wise, and proceed to obtain a yellow card and multiple dispossessions. Granted, this was against Man City and no one bar Martinelli ghosted all that well, which is to be expected. So it's nothing to really be that concerned about. However, Saka is still not an elite ghoster and will remain a bit more attacking return dependent than others like Martinelli going forward. Luckily for Arsenal and Saka rosterers, the returns should keep coming.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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