FPL Spotlight: De Bruyne Dominates Gameweek 22 Preparations

 FPL Spotlight De Bruyne Dominates Gameweek 22 Preparations

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City takes a throw in during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 26, 2024 in London, England.(Image-Getty)

In the realm of Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the spotlight has firmly settled on Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) as Gameweek 22 approaches. His recent display of prowess, amassing 12 points in just 21 minutes against Newcastle United during Gameweek 21, has magnetized over 1.7 million FPL managers to draft him into their squads, setting a seasonal high and marking the third-highest transfer total in Gameweek history. 

The surge in De Bruyne's acquisition surpasses the influx seen with other star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Son Heung-min (£9.7m), both of whom also delivered impressive 13-point returns upon their mass inclusion in previous Gameweeks. What sets De Bruyne apart is the staggering 16.9 percent of the 10.1 million transfers made before the Gameweek 22 deadline that were directed towards him, a percentage far eclipsing that of Ronaldo and Son in their respective Gameweeks. This surge in transfers marks a record high since tracking began.

Following closely behind De Bruyne in the transfer frenzy is Diogo Jota (£7.9m), whose stellar 19-point performance in Gameweek 21 has elevated him to the second most sought-after player. Jota's pivotal role in Liverpool's offensive maneuvers, contributing to over half of his team's goals when on the pitch, has solidified his appeal among FPL managers as Liverpool braces for a clash against Chelsea.

Erling Haaland (£14.0m) rounds out the top three transfers, with more than 435,000 managers banking on his potential impact in the upcoming match against Burnley. Pep Guardiola's announcement of Haaland's return to the Manchester City squad further stirs anticipation, especially considering Haaland's past success against Burnley earlier in the season.

Among the captains chosen by the top FPL managers, a trio of Manchester City players dominates the selection, with Julian Alvarez (£7.0m) joining Haaland and De Bruyne. Alvarez, set to celebrate his 24th birthday, aims to make his mark on the pitch amid the return of Haaland and De Bruyne.

In other FPL developments, Bukayo Saka (£9.1m) and Ollie Watkins (£8.8m) have redeemed themselves after periods of inconsistency, rewarding the faith of 1.3 million FPL managers who entrusted them with the captain's armband. Saka's resurgence with a crucial goal and maximum bonus points for Arsenal, coupled with Watkins' goal for Aston Villa despite their loss to Newcastle United, underscores their potential in Gameweek 22.

As the competition intensifies, differential picks emerge as key determinants in the pursuit of FPL glory. With the top 100 managers dispersing their captaincy choices among 17 different players, the likes of De Bruyne, Phil Foden (£8.0m), and Richarlison (£7.0m) remain popular picks, each carrying their own weight of expectations as Gameweek 22 unfolds.

Furthermore, the deployment of Triple Captain chips adds another layer of intrigue, with Fabian Schar (£5.2m) emerging as a surprise beneficiary, reaping a bountiful 51-point harvest for the fortunate few who placed their trust in the Newcastle defender's abilities against Villa.

As Gameweek 22 beckons, the stage is set for unforeseen twists and turns, where FPL managers navigate the complexities of player selection and tactical maneuvers in their quest for supremacy.