Should we invest in Gordon for Double Gameweek 31?
Everton are one of only two teams to play twice in Gameweek 31. Double Gameweek’s are normally key targets for FPL managers, however with Burnley and Everton’s recent form managers are wondering if they should invest. Options like Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Anthony Gordon are on the radar, but are they worth the transfer? We take a dive into the Toffee’s midfielder to see whether managers should invest in Gordon for Double Gameweek 31.
Priced at just £4.5m Gordon is a tempting option for FPL managers. For managers looking to move money from midfield in to a premium forward he could be the perfect solution. He also offers a good alternative to the popular Jacob Ramsey £4.8m as Aston Villa’s start to get more difficult ahead of the run in.
Everton’s win in Gameweek 29 was their first since Gameweek 25. Indeed they have only picked up seven Premier League points in 12 Premier League games since Gameweek 16. In that same period Everton have scored just ten goals and have conceded 22.
However, Gordon has returned two double digit hauls since Gameweek 21 and his 67 points this season makes him Everton’s fifth highest points scorer. Gordon has made just 16 starts this season, this is far less than all those players from the Toffee’s who have returned more points.
- Demarai Gray (£5.5m) – 79 points in 21 starts
- Michael Keane (£4.7m) – 76 points in 25 starts
- Jordan Pickford (£4.9m) – 75 points in 25 starts
- Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.3m) – 72 points in 20 starts
Underlying stats
Gordon is one of four players who have scored for Everton in the last six Gameweeks, making him their joint top goalscorer in that period.
He is top for attacking returns for the Toffee’s in the same period with two. The midfielder has also returned three bonus points, only Coleman has more with five.
Gordon is top for crosses in the Everton side in the last six Gameweeks with 25, eight more than Gray.
He is also top for chances created with eight. Currently Gordon is creating a chance every 74 minutes. His 13 goal attempts is also a team leading total in the same period, one more than Richalison. Five of Gordon’s chances have come from inside the box and one of them was classed as a big chance. Only Richarlison has more penalty area touches at Everton than Gordon in the last six Gameweeks.
This suggested that of all the Everton options the best pick could be Gordon for Double Gameweek 31.
Budget Enabler
With the exception of managers who are planning to have five big hitters in midfield there needs to be a budget enabler in the five. Having an enabler will allow managers to have either the likes of Kane (or another premium forward) or go big at the back.
Until now Ramsey has been the perfect enabler, however with two fixtures could it be worth the switch to Gordon for Double Gameweek 31? Gordon is £0.3m cheaper than his Villa counterpart. This could be useful in budgeting for other areas of FPL managers squads, as well as increasing the potential upside for returns in Gameweek 31 with the potential for an extra 90 minutes of football.
By downgrading a midfielder to Gordon managers can play the minutes. As well as securing additional budget to prioritise bringing in players from the likes of Man City and Chelsea whose fixtures are very appealing.
Long term fixtures
Gordon has two fixtures scheduled in Gameweek 31. Everton will also have further fixtures against Watford and Palace still to be rearranged. This potential for additional minutes in the final part of the season is attractive.
Everton’s fixtures from Gameweek 31 until the end of the season however do look difficult.
Everton currently sit 17th in the Premier League. They are just three points above the relegation zone. This means that Everton need to get results if they are to secure their Premier League status for the 2022/23 season. Investing in teams who have something to fight for in the way that Everton do, can give FPL managers an advantage as the players are motivated.
Overall
At £4.5m Gordon is an easy route to a Double Gameweek player. He is also easy to bench in the more difficult fixtures of Everton’s run in such as against Liverpool and Chelsea. His price tag also free’s up additional budget to make improvements across the rest of FPL managers squads.
When you invest in a £4.5m midfielder managers are not expecting huge points returns. Therefore Gordon’s set piece threat and Everton’s survival bid could mean that he surprises FPL managers with some good points returns.
Investing a chunk of FPL budget in Everton seems counterintuitive, however finding £4.5m is a very easy task.
If you are thinking of investing in Gordon as a budget enabler, we take a look at whether now is the right time to invest in a premium forward.
