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Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 17

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

That’s the lesson that Gameweek 17 has taught many Fantasy Premier League managers, with the three most sold players each scoring strong points hauls.

The likes of Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne rewarded the loyalty shown to them handsomely, whilst a young goalkeeper produced another impressive display at Stamford Bridge to surprisingly emerge as the highest scoring shot-stopper in FPL so far.

It’s that time of the week again when we analyse the numbers of the weekend just gone, here is the Football Faithful’s Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week…

Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale – Bournemouth – 10 points

Who would have thought it?

The 21-year-old is now the equal highest scoring goalkeeper in FPL, having amassed 10 points following his latest stand-out performance for Eddie Howe’s side against Chelsea.

Bournemouth brought a five-game losing run to an end with a shock 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, Ramsdale at the forefront making five saves to preserve his side’s clean sheet.

It earned the youngster three bonus points and his second double-digit haul of the season, moving him level with Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel at the top of the goalkeeper standings.

Defender: John Lundstram – Sheffield United – 11 points

The Sheffield United ‘defender’ continues to delight his now cult FPL faithful, registering another double-digit points haul courtesy of an assist and clean sheet in his side’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Bramhall Lane.

It’s become somewhat of a running joke that the ‘apprentice’ managed to position midfielder Lundstram wrong at the start of the season, though those who have him in their squads continue to reap the rewards.

His price continues to rise and now stands at £5.2m, and it is unlikely this will be the last time he features in this XI.

Defender: Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham – 10 points

The Belgian international was given a tough time playing at full-back against the rampaging Adama Traore, though it was the defender’s late header that sealed a smash-and-grab win for Jose Mourinho’s Spurs at Wolves. Vertonghen’s goal saw him claim an additional two bonus points, finishing with 10 for Gameweek 17 and earning his inclusion in our FPL Team of the Week.

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Defender: Fabian Balbuena – West Ham – 8 points

West Ham’s fortunes were given a huge boost courtesy of victory at fellow strugglers Southampton, Sebastien Haller’s goal securing the Hammers a vital three points and easing the pressure on the under-fire Manuel Pellegrini.

Key to their success, however, was a solid defensive display, Fabian Balbuena showing some of the form which saw him impress during his debut season in the Premier League last season.

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The Paraguayan was rewarded with a clean sheet, in addition to two bonus points to take his FPL tally for Gameweek 17 to eight.

Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City – 19 points

What a performance from Manchester City’s midfield maestro, who single-handedly dismantled Arsenal in a first-half performance at the Emirates of the very highest quality.

The second most sold player of the Gameweek haunted those who gave up on him, scoring twice and providing an assist for Raheem Sterling to be the highest scoring player of the round.

His 19 points were his best haul of the season, and saw him move ahead of Liverpool’s Sadio Mane as the highest scoring midfielder in FPL.

Midfield: John Fleck – Sheffield United – 15 points

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Another two-goal hero, Sheffield United’s John Fleck scored a double-digit haul for the second time in five gameweeks after scoring a brace in his side’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Bramall Lane.

The Scotland international is a key cog in Chris Wilder’s impressive side, who sit comfortably in the top half of the Premier League following promotion last season.

It’s now four goals in his past four home games for Fleck, who at £4.9m could prove a useful budget option. Managers should approach with caution, however, the 28-year-old suspended for Gameweek 18 after picking up his fifth booking of the season last time out.

Midfield: Adama Traore – Wolves – 10 points

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The only player in our side to feature on a losing side this weekend, Traore was on the wrong side of the result against Tottenham but produced an impressive performance against Jose Mourinho’s side.

The winger’s attributes are there for all to see and his explosive pace and power saw Spurs resort to some ‘tactical’ fouling, though Traore came time and time again and netted a deserved goal with a thunderous strike to draw Wolves level.

Jan Vertonghen’s late goal ultimately saw Wolves’ unbeaten league run come to an end, though Traore earned himself three bonus points as the best player on the field and a total of 10 for Gameweek 17.

Midfield: Raheem Sterling – Manchester City – 10 points

After delivering one attacking return in his past six fixtures, Sterling was amongst the most sold players ahead of Gameweek 17 but returned to form in style during City’s comprehensive win at Arsenal.

Sterling would score his side’s second from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross, earning himself two bonus points and an additional point for a midfielder clean sheet.

The England international’s ownership is currently at the lowest it has been all season – could those who have shipped him out be starting to regret their decision?

Midfield: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool – 16 points

Whisper it quietly, but is Mohamed Salah back to his best?

The highest scoring FPL player in each of the past two seasons delivered his highest score of the season so far against Watford, scoring twice with two sublime finishes to seal a 2-0 victory for the league leaders at Anfield.

Only Kevin De Bruyne and teammate Sadio Mane are ahead of the Egyptian in terms of midfielders so far this season, though his recent performances suggest he could be the one to select in the coming weeks.

Forward: Teemu Pukki – Norwich – 9 points

The Finnish forward made a blistering start to the season before a dip in form, but has now quietly gone under the radar in recent weeks.

It’s now three goals in his past four appearances for Pukki, who at £6.6m continues to add value as a budget forward in FPL.

Norwich’s struggles seem to have not impacted his ability to put points on the board, the 29-year-old the fifth highest scoring forward so far this season despite his side languishing in the relegation places.

An injury picked up in the draw with Leicester has his participation next weekend in doubt, in what will be a major blow to his 17% ownership.

Forward: Sebastien Haller – West Ham – 9 points

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Haller’s ownership has plummeted following West Ham’s struggles, though he scored his first goal since Gameweek 8 this weekend to secure Manuel Pellegrini’s side victory at Southampton.

The French forward has proven an isolated figure in recent weeks but the introduction of Michail Antonio as a striker partner could see him thrive, having formed a strong partnership with Luka Jovic at Eintracht Frankfurt last season.

West Ham have a free weekend next week due to Liverpool’s involvement in the Club World Cup, though their progress may be worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks as they hope for an upturn in form.

Read: Best of the 2010’s – Premier League Team of the Decade

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