Three games in and a clear pattern is forming around who stands over the ball for corners and free kicks. Small sample, big signal for now. Here is how the early set-piece involvement is shaping up.
Top of the list
Gakpo (MID, LIV, £7.2m) leads the pack with 28 points from 250 minutes, a 9.3 form rating and a return of 1 goal, 3 assists and a clean sheet. Five bonus points in three games says the underlying involvement is real, not lucky. Ownership sits at just 12.7%, which is low for a player producing at this rate.
Scott (MID, BOU, £6.0m) is the shock name at number two. 24 points, an 8.0 form score and 1G/2A/1CS from 266 minutes, all at a rock-bottom 3.6% ownership. Five bonus points matches Gakpo’s tally. If Bournemouth keep giving him set-piece duties, this is a template-breaker at budget-mid price.
João Pedro (FWD, CHE, £7.7m) is already owned by 72.0% of managers, so this one is less a secret and more a confirmation. 21 points, 2 goals and 2 assists in 270 minutes with a 7.0 form rating and 4 bonus points show the early Chelsea set-piece hierarchy running through him.
Strong contenders
Cherki (MID, MCI, £7.8m) has been electric in limited minutes, 25 points and an 8.3 form rating from just 173 minutes, with 2 goals, 2 assists and 4 bonus points. M.Sangaré (MID, BRE, £5.7m) offers cheaper exposure at 14.6% ownership, 18 points and 2 assists plus a clean sheet. Calafiori (DEF, ARS, £5.7m) brings the defensive angle, 22 points and 2 clean sheets from 236 minutes, while De Cuyper (DEF, BHA, £4.7m) has a goal and 2 assists of his own for 21 points at a modest 18.8% ownership.
Watch list
- Foden (MID, MCI): 11 points, 2 assists, but a quiet 3.7 form so far.
- Cunha (MID, MUN): 2 assists and a clean sheet, 14 points, still finding rhythm.
- Tzolis (MID, ARS): 11 points, 2 assists, low returns despite set-piece involvement.
- Xhaka (MID, SUN): 5 bonus points from 18 points shows a knack for squeezing value.
- White (DEF, ARS): 20 points and 2 clean sheets, steady defensive returns.
Verdict
The overall standout is Gakpo. A 9.3 form rating, 28 points and 5 bonus points from three games, all at 12.7% ownership, is the strongest combination of output and value on this list right now.
The best-value pick is Scott. At £6.0m and 3.6% ownership, 24 points with 5 bonus points matches the top name in this piece for a fraction of the price and the popularity.
The sleeper is De Cuyper. A £4.7m defender producing a goal, 2 assists and 21 points from set-piece involvement, still sitting under 19% ownership, is worth a speculative look before the price and the crowd catch up.
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