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FPL Analysis: Leicester losing their appeal

FPL Analysis: Leicester losing their appeal
© Reuters
With one exception, Brendan Rodgers' Foxes aren't the FPL favourites they used to be.

Despite their early-season heroics, it appears FPL managers are starting to turn their backs on Leicester City.

The Foxes exodus is one of the more surprising findings from PA analysis of the most transferred-out players for gameweek 23.

So why are they being shown the door, and who else is following them?

Foxes in the outbox

The top transfers out in midfield in gameweek 23
(PA Graphics)

Brendan Rodgers' side has had an exemplary season but recent form has seen the club dip to third in the table and their big players duck out of fantasy form.

Noone exemplifies this better than midfielder James Maddison (£7.7 million) whose popularity this season saw his price rise from £7 million to as high as £7.8 million.

After one goal and no assists in his last six, though, the Englishman has more net transfers out this week than any other midfielder in his mid-range price bracket (£6.6 million to £7.9 million) – and the same story can be seen in the Foxes' defence too.

The top transfers out in defence in gameweek 23
(PA Graphics)

Ricardo Pereira was the king of consistency a month or so ago, bagging four clean sheets in a row between gameweeks 10 and 13, but this week he is the most dropped premium defender (£5.5 million or more).

At £6.4 million Pereira has just one clean sheet and no goals or assists in his last seven gameweeks, so it's understandable managers are instead opting for more solid options.

Leicester City v Southampton – Premier League – King Power Stadium
(Mike Egerton/PA)

With six clean sheets on the bounce, Liverpool defenders – such as Andy Robertson (£7.0m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) – are some of the most popular replacements.

The Leicester player not taking the poor form hit is league top scorer Jamie Vardy (£10.0m), who is the fifth most transferred-in player of the round – but with 149 fantasy points so far this season it's little wonder why.

Former favourites show fantasy is fickle

The top transfers out up front in gameweek 23
(PA Graphics)

Top of the pile for transfers out this week is, unsurprisingly, Arsenal goal-getter Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) following his red card and resulting three-week suspension last time out.

There are some other old FPL favourites being shown the door that may surprise you however, not least Wolves man Raul Jimenez (£7.5m).

Despite a mid-range price tag and eight goals and six assists this season, the Mexican's run of three games without a direct attacking contribution has been enough for him to have the second-highest net transfers out this round.

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – Emirates Stadium
(Paul Harding/PA)

Usually a safe bet, perhaps managers have looked ahead to a tough run of Liverpool, Manchester United and Leicester in Wolves' next four fixtures – or perhaps cheaper and more prolific options such as Southampton's Danny Ings (£6.8m) have tempted them away.

Another former star, Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli (£8.6m) sits third in the booting-out tables this gameweek. After eight returns in eight games (five goals and three assists) between gameweeks nine and 16, Alli now has one in his past six.

At that price, you can see why managers think there's more they can do with their money. But with Watford, Norwich and Aston Villa coming up in Spurs' next four fixtures, there could be some regret on the horizon.

Cherries not on top

The top transfers out in net in gameweek 23
(PA Graphics)

Bournemouth's recent woes, with just two goals and one win in their last eight games, has seen them drop to 19th in the Premier League.

And as if things weren't tough enough for Cherries fans, their players are being shipped out in their droves by FPL managers.

After a hamstring injury stopped him playing last time out, Aaron Ramsdale (£4.7 million) is the most transferred-out goalkeeper of the round – while Sergio Rico (£4.4m) holds the same unwanted accolade amongst cut-price defenders.

Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
(John Walton/PA)

The next four fixtures will be defining for Eddie Howe's side, with ties against fellow relegation-battlers Norwich, Brighton and Aston Villa.

If these go well for the Cherries it could mean FPL points for their players, but form suggests backing them is very much a punt.

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Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring for Leicester City at Aston Villa on December 8, 2019
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool26251061154676
2Manchester CityMan City26173667293854
3Leicester CityLeicester26155654262850
4Chelsea2612594336741
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs2611784334940
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2610972824439
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd2610883829938
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2681263532336
9Everton26106103438-436
10Arsenal2671363634234
11Burnley26104123039-934
12Southampton2694133248-1631
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2687112440-1631
14Crystal Palace2679102332-930
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2669113138-727
16Bournemouth2675142640-1426
17Aston Villa2674153450-1625
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham2666143045-1524
19Watford2659122440-1624
20Norwich CityNorwich2646162448-2418

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