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Fantasy Premier League tips: 10 FPL position changes to exploit – Zinchenko, Perez, Zaha
FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE managers are always on the lookout for an advantage over their rivals, and these reclassified players could provide an edge due to their position changes.
Every year there are a number of hidden Fantasy Premier League gems to exploit, whether they be bargain prices or questionable positional allocations.
A total of 10 players have been reclassified ahead of the 219/20 campaign, throwing up the potential for under-the-radar points that wouldn’t have been possible in previous seasons.
Diogo Jota has been pushed further forward after his seven goals and five assists for Wolves last year, meaning his attacking returns will provide less points than last year.
However, his cheap starting price compared to Raul Jimenez offsets this loss while FPL gaffers will be delighted to see Wilfried Zaha drop back into midfield – but who else has been reclassified following their 2018/19 efforts?
Ainsley Maitland Niles (Arsenal) – £5.0m
Midfielder > Defender
The Arsenal youngster began his career as a midfielder but filled in for the injured Hector Bellerin as a make-shift right-back last year.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City) – £5.5m
Midfielder > Defender
Could be a vital change as managers look for a secure way into the City rearguard, although Benjamin Mendy could be back in favour after injury.
Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United) – £5.5m
Midfielder > Defender
Expensive as far as defenders go, but Ritchie’s role of penalty-taker could make the investment worth it with his goals now worth more.
Arthur Masuaku (West Ham United) – £4.5m
Midfielder > Defender
Unlikely to be of much use to FPL managers unless Masuaku is able to displace Aaron Cresswell at left-back, but any extra clean sheet points will be welcome.
Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) – £5.5m
Defender > Midfielder
A one-season wonder in terms of out-of-position players, with Schlupp’s deployment on the left wing not going unnoticed by FPL, but pre-season deployment as a No 10 means the Ghanaian is worth monitoring.
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) – £7m
Forward > Midfielder
While Schlupp is no longer an attractive proposition, bosses will be scrambling to sign up Zaha after the forward has been reclassified despite his involvement in 21 goals last season.
Ayoze Perez (Leicester City) – £6.5m
Forward > Midfielder
A switch of club and position for Perez, although heavy investment is still expected with the Spaniard likely to offer support to Jamie Vardy in attack.
Declan Rice (West Ham United) – £5.0m
Defender > Midfielder
An uninspiring change for Rice, with the Hammers’ clean sheets now worth much less while the England international’s attacking returns are limited.
Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) – £6.5m
Midfielder > Forward
FPL gaffers will be disappointed to see Deulofeu shifted up front this season, with the Watford ace having been a consistent source of big points from midfield last year.
Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) – £6.5m
Midfielder > Forward
On the surface Jota’s positional change is not good new for managers, but the Portuguese ace still offers an intriguing, cheaper alternative to Raul Jimenez.