Aryaman S

The FPL Case for Semenyo, Ndiaye & Reijnders

Fantasy Premier League

The midfield landscape in Fantasy Premier League has been a source of both frustration and opportunity this season.

The premium midfielders such as Salah, Palmer and Saka have not delivered with the Chelsea star subjected to an injury now.

You would be surprised that the top scoring midfielders are all budget options so far. Players we would have picked as enablers have become the must haves.

Mo Salah is the only premium midfielder in the top 10 point scores for midfielders. All the others are players below £6.5m except Semenyo.

The £5.5m to £7.5m midfield bracket has become a goldmine with so many great options to add to your team. It’s the sweet spot where value meets explosive potential, where you can find a genuine game changer without breaking the bank.

Three players, in particular, are the ones to look at due to various factors and are being heavily considered by players for their squads. Antoine Semenyo (£7.7m), Iliman Ndiaye (£6.5m), and Tijjani Reijnders (£5.6m) have all delivered impressive performances, but who is the right fit for your team?

Building your FPL team isn’t just about picking the highest scoring players. The best selections balance a player’s price, their potential for future returns, and the role they’ll play in your squad’s overall strategy.

Let’s break down the case for each of these midfielders, looking beyond the headlines to the underlying numbers and strategic value they offer to your FPL squad.

Antoine Semenyo: The Explosive Option

Semenyo’s value is based on his consistently high attacking output, not just a few lucky performances. He’s not playing as a traditional wide midfielder, his heatmaps show him consistently operating high up the pitch, almost as a second striker alongside Evanilson. These are his heatmaps for Bournemouth’s recent fixtures.

This is crucial for FPL, as it means he’s getting into goal scoring positions with regularity.

Semenyo’s fantastic start to the season has been no fluke. His statistics show a player who is consistently getting into dangerous positions and taking on the responsibility of being Bournemouth’s primary attacking threat. With three goals and two assists in his first five games, Semenyo is proving that his output is matching his underlying numbers.

A key indicator of his attacking intent is his shot volume. He has taken 18 shots so far, with 26 touches in the opposition’s penalty box. These numbers are outstanding for a midfielder and show that he is playing in a very advanced role, often closer to a second striker than a traditional midfielder. This is further supported by his xG (expected goals) of 2.73, one of the highest among all midfielders, which suggests that his goal tally is sustainable and he’s not just getting lucky.

It’s not just about the volume, it’s about the quality of his opportunities. His xA (expected assists) of 0.27 may not be as high as some other creative midfielders, but his high xG and constant presence in the box make him a more direct goal threat.

The Ghanaian’s FPL appeal is significantly enhanced by his other routes to points. A major factor is his role as a penalty taker. With Justin Kluivert, the previous regular penalty taker, absent, Semenyo has stepped up and confidently dispatched a penalty, which he did against Brighton.

This is a huge bonus, as penalties offer a direct and often high value source of points that many FPL midfielders do not possess. Knowing that Semenyo is the man who will take his shot from the spot in Kluivert’s absence gives managers a reliable way to get points that aren’t dependent on the flow of open play.

Furthermore, his style of play means he performs well in the BPS and the newly introduced Defcon metrics. Semenyo’s relentless running, constant duels, and defensive work rate often earn him additional points that go unnoticed in basic goal and assist tallies. For example, he has a high number of tackles and duels won, contributing to his Defcon points and boosting his BPS score, which in turn can lead to valuable bonus points.

One of the most compelling arguments for targeting Antoine Semenyo is Bournemouth’s upcoming fixture list. A quick glance at the FDR charts reveals a sea of green for the Cherries in the coming gameweeks with Leeds and Fulham in his next two matches. They are set to face a run of teams that are not only less defensively sound, but also known for playing an open, attacking style of football. This plays directly into Semenyo’s strengths as a direct and high volume attacker.

The favorable schedule means that Semenyo will likely be presented with more opportunities to get into the opposition’s box and take shots. This could see a further boost to his already impressive underlying stats, leading to a significant haul of FPL points.

The primary concern for any FPL manager looking at Antoine Semenyo is the overall performance and consistency of his team, Bournemouth.

While he has been a standout performer, the Cherries’ ability to maintain their current level of play is not guaranteed. If the team’s form dips, particularly in their attacking output, it could directly impact Semenyo’s returns. A team that struggles to get the ball into the final third, or that faces more organized and disciplined defenses, will naturally offer fewer opportunities for its key attackers.

Owning Semenyo is basically protecting your rank, he is currently owned by 47.6% of the players and is the second most owned midfielder behind Salah. In the higher ranks, his goals won’t boost your rank but rather ensure you don’t lose rank.

Iliman Ndiaye: Everton’s New Talisman

Iliman Ndiaye’s move to Everton has been a massive win for FPL managers, as it has given us a low cost midfielder who is a guaranteed starter and delivers consistent attacking returns.

In Everton, the Senegalese has found a team that has a clear need for a creative force, and he has stepped up to fill that void. His FPL points so far come from a good mix of goal scoring and chance creation, showing his all around attacking threat.

Ndiaye’s stats show he’s not just a goalscorer, he’s also a significant chance creator. A key part of his profile is his proficiency in carrying the ball forward. With a high number of progressive carries and a remarkable 17 successful take ons so far this season, Ndiaye is one of the most effective dribblers in the league. This ability to beat defenders one on one is invaluable in FPL. It not only leads to shots and assists, but also puts him in positions where he is a strong candidate to win fouls and, most importantly, penalties.

He has started all five of Everton’s Premier League matches and has played over 400 minutes this season. This high level of consistent game time ensures he is always in a position to earn points, whether through attacking returns or bonus points. FPL managers face the constant challenge of Pep Roulette or unexpected rotation. Ndiaye’s secure starting spot eliminates this uncertainty.

While Ndiaye’s secure starting spot means he is safe from unexpected rotation, it’s worth remembering what truly elevates any asset’s scoring potential is the ability to take penalties. Penalty taking midfielders as they are some of the most sought after assets in FPL due to the high value points they can provide. Even if he has an otherwise quiet game with no assists, shots, or key passes, a single penalty can completely change their point total, making them a more reliable asset than players who are entirely dependent on open play attacks. One single penalty can change a 2 pointer to a 10 pointer, having a penalty taker has massive potential for rank swings.

While this upside is game changing, the most immediate benefit often comes from pure value, Ndiaye’s price is his biggest advantage, as he offers a route into a solid, improving Everton attack at a price that won’t break the bank. He’s a perfect set and forget option for your midfield, allowing you to invest heavily in your forward line and premium defenders. He is also a great differential as he is only owned by 9.7% managers so far.

This low ownership is backed by strong form, as the Senegalese International has only blanked once this season, which was in the opening fixture against Leeds at Elland Road. He is averaging 5.6 points per match and has picked up DC contributions in his last two matches. This added layer of points provides a valuable floor to his FPL score, meaning even in a match where he doesn’t get a goal or assist, he is still capable of picking up a respectable return. This makes him a safer pick than a pure attacking midfielder who can often return a two point score.

This defensive reliability comes with a notable drawback, Ndiaye is unable to score well enough in the metrics for the Bonus Points System. The BPS rewards players who perform well across a range of statistical metrics, including successful passes, tackles, shots on target, and clearances. He has not managed to get a single bonus point this season so far.

Tijjani Reijnders: The Man City Enabler

This is where the FPL game gets truly strategic. Reijnders isn’t a differential in the traditional sense, but his value lies in the flexibility he provides to your squad. Picking him isn’t just about his own points, it’s about the points he unlocks elsewhere.

Playing for the league’s most dominant attacking side means Reijnders is almost guaranteed to be involved in goals. Even if his individual returns are not as explosive as Semenyo’s or Ndiaye’s, he can haul against lower placed sides which was evidenced by his performance against Wolves. His involvement in Pep Guardiola’s system, where he is constantly moving and creating space, ensures he is always a threat. He has so far had 9 touches in the opposition box and taken 9 shots. Playing alongside world class players like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden naturally increases his potential for assists and goals.

This upside is always tempered by one significant factor, Pep roulette. Reijnders is a new signing, and while he has been playing regularly so far, there’s always the chance that he could be benched for a game or two. However, at his price, he is still an excellent option to have on your bench even if he doesn’t start every game. Not to mention his versatility, he is capable of playing multiple roles, including as a Central Midfielder and Attacking Midfielder. This adaptability makes him a key player for Pep Guardiola’s squad and further cements his status as a regular starter. He is a fantastic fifth midfielder who you can rely on to come in and perform.

However, when seeking players whose primary appeal is not security but budget value, here is where the Dutchman shines as his most immediate and compelling FPL appeal is his price tag. Currently valued at around £5.6m, but has the massive upside of playing for one of the most potent attacking teams in world football, Manchester City. This makes him a great enabler in FPL. His affordable price allows managers to free up significant funds that can then be allocated to essential premium players, particularly in the forward and midfield slots. For instance, having Reijnders in your squad makes it far easier to accommodate a player like Erling Haaland or even a premium midfielder like Mohamed Salah, without having to sacrifice quality elsewhere in the team.

One negative he has is that, he takes up a valuable City spot. If you decided to go for Haaland and Donnarumma as well, this means you will not be able to switch a cheaper defender to Gvardiol or say Ndiaye to Foden as you would have to sacrifice one of your city assets. Given how cheap he is, if you wanted to bring Foden you might need 2-3 transfers and a major squad restructuring.

No matter which path you choose, all three players represent excellent value and have the potential to be a defining part of your FPL season. You could even decide to go for all 3 as they all present great picks at different price points.



































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