Gameweek 24 - 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.

Ryan Christie (BOU - MID)

Analysis: A Genie favourite is featuring here for the first time this season. I have been a Christie fan for quite some time, and he has been an integral piece in Bournemouth's success this season. He has started 20 of 22 games that he has been available for and is rocking a steady PPS of 7.9 from 7.8 ghosts. While these aren't exciting numbers they are very steady MID4 numbers from a set and forget asset, and in his last 3 games he has scored 10+. There really isn't much else you can ask from a MID4. His ceiling may be limited with only 2 performances above 20 points in back to back games, but when he has those games they could help you seriously win you a gameweek.

Streaming midfielders hasn't been easy this year with lots of inconsistency, and even among those in the MID3-5 range that aren't streamers. If you are lacking in midfielders instead of going for the shiny names like Martinelli and Szobo who have both been very inconsistent, look to bring in Christie for significantly cheaper.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out some of the bigger underperforming names such as: Rogers, Joelinton and Dalot to get back Christie. You may be able to squeeze out some FAB from the other manager if they are keen based on name value.

Cole Palmer (CHE - MID)

Analysis: Talk about mission impossible, but as always it is worth a try. Palmer has had single digit outings in his last two games, and could managers be open to selling him. Especially if they have lost the last two realizing they can't rely on a Palmer 40 spot each week. While this will be a very tough ask it is always worth trying to get a player of this quality. I am not worried about Palmer, even if Chelsea seem to be very inconsistent after that short lived title challenge. The Chelsea wingers seem to be struggling more than they were earlier in the season, as well as Jackson starting to slowly revert to some poor finishing. I think that the attacking talent at Chelsea will shine through, especially with another creative force like Reece James back in the picture (for now).

Everything goes through Palmer, he will be just fine, he can ghost and Chelsea are still a great attack. Palmer is also their PK taker and takes his fair share of set pieces. Palmer is currently the 2nd best player in Fantrax right now, so you can imagine the kind of offer it will take to have a chance at him.

Trade Offer Value: The only player I am not involving in a Palmer trade is Salah, especially before a DGW. You would need to package one of: Bruno, De Bruyne, Gordon, Mbeumo, Haaland, or Isak in a deal for Palmer. Try to package one of these players with solid starters such as: Mac Allister, Rice, AWB, or Rogers. You could also try two 2nd tier assets if you have that luxury. This would include sending two of: Kulusevski, Mitoma, Amad, Son, Munoz, Trent, and Antonee.

Mateus Fernandes (SOU - MID)

Analysis: A third trade in target, just because this man is cooking on such a poor team. Mateus Fernandes is the guy at Southampton right now. I have rostered him ever since his first start based on his potential role, and the attacking spark he could bring to this lacklustre team. This season he has averaged 7.3 ghosts per start but that number has improved recently with an average of 10.8 ghosts across his last 6 games. I am a huge fan of the way new manager Juric is using him as well. He has a near set-piece monopoly and is heavily involved in the attack. He is also involved on the defensive side of the game. He has scored 9 or more points in four of his last five starts and has shown no signs of slowing down. It is also worth noting that these 9+ scores have been vs. teams such as Newcastle, Forest, and Manchester United. Being on set pieces and having the likes of Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, and Onuachu attacking the ball comes with a solid ceiling. While Saints won't bring in plenty of goals there is a better chance than not Fernandes will be involved somehow if they do score. For the rest of the season Fernandes is a set and forget MID3 in my opinion.

Trade Offer Value: You can probably bring Fernandes in for cheap, or since he is only 38% rostered you might be able to pick him up, he is a MUST add in any league size over 6 managers. I would offer out assets such as: Dalot, Garnacho, Neto, Grealish, Paqueta, Kovacic, and Joelinton to bring back Mateus.

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.

Richarlison (TOT - FWD)

Analysis: Richarlison has scored 2 goals in his last 2 games, but is just not someone you can rely on. Spurs as a whole are in shambles right now, and I really don't want any part of their attack. Against Leicester 11 points with a goal is horrendous. Richarlison will also be the first sub off the field as he has just returned from injury, and his time in the XI will for sure come to an end when Solanke is back fit. The goal here is to sell Richarlison to someone who either rosters Solanke or somehow believes Spurs will turn it around.

Richarlison was somewhat fantasy relevant last year with 11 goals in 18 starts, but his injury record is still heavily against him. You just don't want to keep believing he will continue to return a goal a game. Games he doesn't return in don't expect more than 4ish points as he has never been one to ghost in a central striker role.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out Richarlison for anyone that you can plug into your XI. Christie and Mateus would be great targets if you offered out Richarlison + some FAB.

Gabriel Martinelli (ARS - MID)

Analysis: Martinelli featured here not that long ago as a trade out due to poor form. Well nothing has changed and it is getting to the point where he is more frustrating than ever. I roster Martinelli in a league, and I have recently found myself contemplating benching him due to his poor form. He isn't ghosting, he needs returns to have any chance of 10+, and can still rotate/be subbed off early.

Arsenal as a whole are still doing fine without Saka, but it is clear their attack is not as scary without him. Arsenal seem to be struggling to score as freely as they did before, and obviously Martinelli will suffer because of this. Somehow, somewhere a manager will give you decent value for him because of the team he is on, and the name value he is barely holding onto. This is a must-sell asset, as I will be looking to do myself this week. It is getting to the point I would take 80 cents on the dollar and except two lesser assets just to not have to see him on my roster.

Trade Offer Value: I would start by offering out Martinelli 1:1 for these assets: Tavernier, Mac Allister, Huijsen, and Wan-Bissaka. Try getting back two of the following: Mateus F., Christie, Enzo, Maguire, Hudson-Odoi, and Estupian. Best of luck here.

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.

Droppables (60%+ Rostered)

Analysis: This segment has been revisited one or two times this season, but ahead of the start of the DGW season, and just under 40% of the season left to go it is time to discuss players that are way too highly rostered. I will look at players that are only 60% rostered or higher. These players need to be dropped to allow for flexibility, or just save you from starting them with massive disappointment:

• Jack Grealish (MCI, M) - Grealish couldn't even get a start over new signing Marmoush. Unless you have City assets like Bernardo/Savio, he is a drop. Try to trade out first though.

• Noussair Mazraoui (MUN, D) - United defence is poor, outside of Maguire and maybe Dalot all are droppable. Stream this spot instead. Pickups like Richards/Van Hecke will provide more weekly value.

• Rayan Ait-Nouri (WOL, D) - As wildcard as they come. More off than on lately, not worth holding on such a poor team.

• Pedro Neto (CHE, F) - Last double digit score was November 10. Rotational asset struggling for form. Try to trade out to a Chelsea believer first.

• Rasmus Hojlund (MUN, F) - Why? Drop him and Zirkzee ASAP.

• Andreas Pereira (FUL, M) - He has been horrible as of late, and rotating a lot more. You may be able to get 5-10 FAB back for him, attempt that before dropping.

• Jurrien Timber (ARS, D) - He scores poorly, CS reliant, isn't worth the minimal upside. Drop and stream

• Emile Smith-Rowe (FUL, M) - 92% rostered is baffling, scores very poorly, and always an early sub/non-starter. Drop and stream.

• Moises Caicedo (CHE, M) - Stream if desperate for a starting mid, but should not be held. Better off pivoting to a DGW midfielder or starting an extra defender each week.

Last Chance Saloon:

• Alejandro Garnacho (MUN, M) - Starting and scoring poorly, try to trade out to a believer, but a few more poor scores and drop.

• Darwin Nunez (LIV, F) - See what he does in the DGW, if he continues his poor ways he's an easy drop.

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