DREAM TEAM managers would do well to remember that Phil Foden is the reigning king of Dream Team.
Manchester City’s No47 racked up 392 points last season via 26 goals and 13 assists to top the rankings when all was said and done.
His efforts propelled Pep Guardiola’s side to their fourth consecutive Premier League title and he claimed the FWA Footballer of the Year award as well as the Premier League Player of the Season gong – two of the big three individual awards on these shores.
Consequently, Foden has been slapped with a hefty price tag of £6.5m ahead of the new Dream Team campaign to reflect his lofty status.
Only superstar forwards Erling Haaland (£8.5m) and Mohamed Salah (£7m) cost more than Foden (once again categorised as a midfielder) among all assets.
Despite his high starting value, the 24-year-old currently appears in 29.8% of teams created, making him the sixth-most selected player in the game.
However, it’s notable that he’s less than half as popular as Cole Palmer (£6m), who boasts a massive ownership of 60.5% at the time of writing.
This may be a knock-on effect from Euro 2024.
Foden didn’t register a single goal or assist in England colours this summer and his role in the team was the subject of much debate among fans and pundits alike.
Whereas Palmer impressed despite his limited minutes in Germany, notably providing the assist for Ollie Watkins’ (£6m) semi-final winner against Netherlands before scoring the Three Lions’ only goal in the final.
Plus, the Chelsea hero amassed 368 points in Dream Team last term, a gargantuan effort without European fixtures to bolster his schedule.
Still, it’s somewhat curious that he is twice as popular as Foden given the latter’s numbers in 2023/24 – both he and Palmer averaged eight points-per-game.
Some gaffers will have selected both players in their midfield but many will only have the budget for one and this head-to-head is amplified by the fact Chelsea are set to host Man City in Gameweek 1.
Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka (£6m) falls into the same category as his international team-mates.
Arsenal’s No7 is the same price as Palmer, a fraction cheaper than Foden, having banked 363 points last season.
Combining all three heavy-hitting midfielders would require an investment of £18.5m, 37% of the £50million starting budget – it’s possible but not certainly not comfortable.
As the new campaign approaches, almost every gaffer will have to make a big decision in regards to Foden, Palmer and Saka – which is the best option/combination?
No doubt the former will be relishing the prospect of club football having looked considerably less effective in Gareth Southgate’s set-up.
As well as his mountainous tally of goal involvements, Foden ranked in Dream Team’s top five for shots on target and bonus points in 2023/24.
Simpy put, he was a must-have asset for most of last season but, as it stands, 70% of Dream Team bosses are prepared to go without him in Gameweek 1.
It will be interesting to see Foden’s ownership come August 16th.
