Gameweek 23 - Genie's Corner and Trade Advice

This article will focus on trade advice that highlights players that are either worth trading in on a low, or trading out on a high. This could involve players who could see their minutes reduced, have a purple patch come to an end, or on the flip side involve players who might be starting to heat up. This article will also feature advice and strategy tips from our very own Draft Genie, and his interesting style of playing the game.

Players To Trade-In

This section will focus on players to target in your trade offers. Usually there are two types of players to trade-in. The ones you "buy low" on, who may be in a poor patch of form, injured, or not seeing consistent minutes with all that about to change. The second is where you "buy high". While that will sound contradictory, these players could be showing no signs of slowing down and are en-route to a breakout season. You want to try and trade-in these players before they become unattainable, even if it involves offering more than what their draft-day or early-season value was.

Harry Maguire (MUN - DEF)

Analysis: Maguire, and United as a whole, had themselves a stinker this weekend vs. Brighton. Error after error costing them a 3-1 loss. Maguire managed to get himself in the negatives with 3 GAO and a yellow card bringing his score down. Maguire is usually United's most reliable scoring defender, and has averaged a very respectable 7.9 ghost points per start this season. The issue is how bad United defence is. I do expect in some leagues that Maguire was rage-dropped. If so, he should be the top or near the top of your waiver claims this week. If not you can probably get him dirt cheap this week.

United have a decent upcoming schedule that could allow them to start to build some defensive momentum. Amorim has also stated how important Maguire is to his setup, so the chances of him seeing benched, with the exception of managing minutes, will be slim to none. United are coming up against: Fulham, Palace, Spurs, Everton and Ipswich, which takes us through to the end of February. These teams are all really inconsistent offensively and Maguire could see some big scores in these games. Especially contesting aerials vs. forwards like DCL, Delap, and Mateta. As we know Maguire is also a massive set-piece threat and one of the main targets for Bruno from free-kicks and corners. While Maguire's ceiling will be dependent on United's defence improving slightly, he is still worth bringing in especially as a set and forget DEF-3 for the next 6 to 7 weeks.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out other defenders that may have had a solid last 2 weeks, but look more like flash in the pans. You could also offer out defenders that don't ghost very well. Another idea is simply offering 5-15 FAB  for Maguire, especially during this transfer window. If you don't go the FAB route, offer out assets such as: Guehi, Richards, Mitchell, Lacroix (all of Palace's DEFs minus Munoz), Andersen, Burn, or Botman.

Jarrod Bowen (WHU - MID)

Analysis: Bowen is closing in on a return ahead of schedule and West Ham desperately need him to return. Bowen will be a key player in Potter's system, including regaining his set-piece duty, and should therefore continue to be the top asset he has been all season. Your only real chance of getting Bowen is if his manager is struggling for wins and desperately needs to win now - not in 3 to 4 weeks.

Bowen should continue to be a MID-1 despite the other West Ham attackers, like Kudus, struggling for form right now. That being said, this could also be a great argument for acquiring Bowen at a slight discount. The manager who rosters him could be scared that with Lopetegui gone, Bowen might not be the MID he was during the Spaniard's tenure. Nevertheless, I don't have any concerns about Bowen. He is an immense talent, and has proven every season regardless of manager or the form of West Ham, that he will cook. Look to offer out either over-performing attackers or 2 attacking assets that could help a manager get wins now.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out players such as: Kluivert, Tielemans, Enzo, and Mac Allister. You may need to package two of these assets together to have a chance, which I would still do. If you need to add a 2nd asset players such as: Jimenez, Mateta, Wissa, and Gvardiol are good adds. Of course, throw in FAB if needed.

Players To Trade-OUT

This section will focus on players that you should be actively trying to trade out over the next week or so. These players could be on course to see a minute reduction or be having a bad season that it seems they can't recover from. A lot of times name value players will feature here, as you will still find managers who believe they can return to their glory days. Each season brings new challenges and as we have seen even the very best assets can fall off a cliff in just a single season (Rashford of 2024). Look to trade out these players before their value becomes so low that you may need to consider dropping them.

Justin Kluivert (BOU - MID)

Analysis: Kluivert had himself a week vs. Newcastle with 44 points from 3 goals and 1 assist. This is his 2nd 40 point game of the season, showing just how high of a fantasy ceiling he has. Bournemouth are having a great season, despite losing Solanke. At the start of the season there were major concerns about their attack, but others have stepped up to fill the void. While I do not think Kluivert is a must trade-out, I do think he is worth offering out as a sell-high. If you cannot get a solid upgrade, then having him as a set and forget MID-3 is very good.

Kluivert was never known for his ghost point prowess, but he sits at an average of 6.5 ghost points per start which isn't as bad as last season, when he was way below that. He is on penalties, and is a key part of the attack. The big issues with Kluivert are that he will rarely, if ever, play more than 80 minutes, and he can have weeks were the lows are extremely low. I do think he has MID-2 value over the rest of the season, but don't be surprised to see him fall into the MID-3 range if the returns start to dry up.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out Kluivert for assets such as: Bowen, Mitoma, Eze, Amad, and Kulusevski. If you want to aim higher, look to package Kluivert for midfielders like Bruno, Gordon, and De Bruyne.

Jeremy Doku (MCI - MID)

Analysis: Similar to Kluivert, Doku had himself a weekend with a 30 pointer with 1 goal and 1 assist in the 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich. Doku got his first start since December 26th vs. Everton, and unfortunately could continue in a rotational role. Doku was filling in for Savio/Bernardo, both of whom were given the night off. City are entering a very tough schedule in both the UCL and the Prem, and Pep needed to give some of his stars a breather. Despite Doku having a masterclass of a performance his starts will be spotty, especially when rotation is needed. Ipswich was probably the game Pep had marked to start him, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to get minutes in the upcoming EPL games.

While it is possible that Pep rotates his wingers slightly more with big games coming up, Doku could be used as an impact sub to give other starters an early rest. Doku is great when he starts, but he has only started 9 games in 22 gameweeks. For most managers who took him in rounds 2-3, this simply isn't enough. Doku is someone who could command decent value when offered out to the right manager, but who would that be? Managers with lots of attacking depth would be keen on Doku. When he plays he can win you a gameweek, but these managers will have the depth to be able to still win games when he doesn't start 5 games in a row. I would be looking to get consistent starters in the form of midfielders or forwards when trading out Doku. Also look to managers who roster Savio or Bernardo as they will be more keen and in a better position to lock up the City winger spot.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out Doku for two assets if you are lacking attacking depth. Try to get 2 of these players in a deal where you ship just Doku: Martinelli, Cook, Szoboszlai, Hudson-Odoi, Pedro Neto and Sarr. If you are looking to add a defender alongside one of those attackers, consider the likes of: Huijsen, Konate, or Wan-Bissaka.

Strategy Section

This section will highlight some of my unique strategies I use in Fantrax, and how you can apply them to your own style. I will look to discuss trends I am seeing in leagues, or tactics that I may shift to, that will better my chances of winning my league. A lot of these strategies could involve a high-risk high-reward approach, or be tactics I see my fellow managers using that I will be advocating against.

Double Gameweek 24

Analysis: We are approaching the first double gameweek of the season. I do plan to offer advice about 2 weeks before each Double/Blank gameweek, including ways to plan, players to scoop or try to trade in, and more. Double gameweek 24 will see both Everton (vs. LEI and LIV) and Liverpool (vs. BOU and EVE) get doubles. Liverpool are obviously the team to look at here. Two incredible fixtures, and as someone facing Salah in 4 leagues...this will not be fun. I will assume nearly all decent Liverpool assets are rostered, but if you can, you should waiver in any dropped starters such as Gravenberch, who may be sitting on the FA. Someone like Grav will probably go 180 minutes, and combine for 15+ FPts, which is great from a MID-5. If you can send some sneaky offers for assets like Konate or Gakpo, then that should be a focus this week as well. Everton assets on the other hand should be somewhat available. Lindstrom will be the one to target this week after his great performance vs. Spurs. However, the likes of Gueye, Myko, and Pickford would make great pickups for this double gameweek. O'Brien is one to monitor as well after his decent outing of 7 FPts vs. Spurs.

If you find yourself, as do I, against multiple Liverpool attackers and defenders, there is really no need to sacrifice bench spots for the likes of Gueye. You are better off planning for future gameweeks and chopping this one up as an L. Unfortunately with double gameweeks this will sometimes be the case. Not much you can do if your opponent has Diaz, Gakpo, and Salah.

Genie Verdict: Plan accordingly, but don't destroy your team for this week. See who your opponent has, and see if it is worth stashing mediocre assets for this gameweek.

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