Brighton FPL Gameweek 10: Rutter racking up points at good price
Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves brought mixed fortunes for the two Albion Fantasy Premier League assets we focussed on. Danny Welbeck (£5.9 million) opened the scoring with his sixth goal in nine matches with another assist from an increasing in-form and popular Brighton FPL pick, Georginio Rutter.
But at the other end, skipper Lewis Dunk (£4.5 million) was denied a 250th Premier League appearance because he felt a problem with his calf whilst warming up.
The Albion are now likely to be without their captain until after the international break. They play two tricky fixtures before then, one away at Liverpool and the other home to Manchester City.
However, positive results so far against Spurs, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Manchester United show anything is possible for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
With all this in mind, here are a couple of interesting Gameweek 10 players for FPL managers to consider from Brighton.
Georginio Rutter (£5.5 million)
A wayward kick from Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa allowed the Albion to take the lead just before half time. Ferdi Kadioglu intercepted and found Rutter, whose perfectly weighted through ball put Welbeck in to fire home.
The assist meant Rutter has registered at least one attacking return in four consecutive matches now. Two goals and three assists have come against Wolves, Newcastle, Spurs and Chelsea.
Rutter is listed as a midfielder in FPL but has mainly been used by Brighton as a number 10 just behind Welbeck. Since Gameweek 3, he ranks joint-ninth for shots inside the penalty area (17) across the whole game. Tellingly, the eight ahead of him have all played more minutes and the majority are forwards.
Furthermore, Rutter is part of a very exciting FPL price point alongside the good seasons of Dwight McNeil (£5.8 million), Emile Smith Rowe (£5.7 million) and Antoine Semenyo (£5.6 million).
Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.5m)
As a team, Brighton have racked up the fourth-most attempts so far. For those seeking a differential in defence, perhaps the recovery of Jan Paul van Hecke from injury brings potential.
The Dutchman started the first five league encounters until a groin tear disrupted his season. He was expected to be out for six weeks but returned after only four.
His importance to the Albion was shown in him being pitched into the starting XI against Wolves despite replacement Igor not doing anything in wrong Van Hecke’s absence.
Van Hecke completed the 90 minutes versus Gary O’Neil’s side, doing so with Igor alongside him thanks to Dunk’s problem in the warm up.
Yet to bag a Premier League goal, last season’s underlying stats show some underachievement in that area from Van Hecke.
He accumulated 13 headed chances but was the only defender with 10 or more not to score. If Van Hecke can start making the most of the opportunities which come his way from set pieces, he looks an intriguing investment for FPL managers.
Captaincy
Although Erling Haaland (£15.4 million) ended his league goal drought by scoring past last-placed Southampton last weekend, his six-point total will have disappointed owners. Especially those who used their Triple Captain chip on the Norwegian.
Haaland visits Bournemouth on Saturday, not an easy place to go. There is also unpredictability to the prospects of Cole Palmer (£10.9 million) now that Chelsea’s opponents Manchester United have dismissed their Erik ten Hag.
Chris Wood (£6.4 million) looks an interesting out-of-the-box armband option. A brace at Leicester continued his outstanding form, making it seven goals from nine outings. He faces a West Ham United defence that will usually allow chances.
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