Start with involvement that can survive a quiet goalscoring week: creating chances, winning tackles or making interceptions. The strongest pickups combine those contributions with substantial minutes. Don’t let recent points outweigh role or fixtures.
These GW8 recommendations use TFF’s simulated season through GW7. Ownership is a sample, not your league’s availability list. Minutes forecasts follow supplied usage; projections are estimates. For transaction details, read how waivers and free agents work.
Top-priority claim
Evanilson
Four assists and eight chances created make the Bournemouth forward interesting beyond his two goals. Four big chances created strengthen that Balanced case. His 84.9 minutes per appearance suggest a substantial starting role if usage continues, with some substitution risk. A 24-point projection supports looking ahead rather than simply chasing his recent returns.
- Fixtures: Manchester United (A), Leeds (H), Ipswich (A).
- League size: 8–12 managers; consider an upgrade in 4–6.
- Tier: Top priority.
- Drop: A fringe forward offering less involvement.
- Risk: Creation doesn’t guarantee assists, and full matches aren’t assured.
Medium-priority claims
Enzo Le Fée
Eleven chances created and four big chances created offer a useful foundation for Balanced midfield scoring. Seven tackles won add another contribution around his goal and assist. An 87.3-minute average supports expecting regular, substantial involvement. The 24.5-point projection and two home fixtures make him a credible midfield upgrade without requiring a goalscoring surge.
- Fixtures: Leeds (H), Coventry (A), Chelsea (H).
- League size: 8–12; selective interest in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: A low-involvement midfield rotation option.
- Risk: The projection may overstate how much creation converts into points.
Nordi Mukiele
Twelve tackles won and 11 interceptions give the Sunderland defender a Balanced case without goals or assists. His six appearances have averaged 90 minutes, supporting full-match expectations when selected. Recent scoring is strong, but the 21.5-point projection is the more restrained guide to the coming round.
- Fixtures: Leeds (H), Coventry (A), Chelsea (H).
- League size: 8–12 managers.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: A defender dependent on occasional attacking returns.
- Risk: Past full matches don’t establish selection for every upcoming fixture.
Tarik Muharemović
Two assists give the defender an attacking contribution; 12 interceptions and five blocked shots support the Balanced case. That suits a Balanced defensive vacancy without requiring a first goal. His 630 minutes across seven appearances support expecting continued full matches. A 22.8-point projection keeps the forward-looking case useful despite two initial away fixtures.
- Fixtures: Sunderland (A), Bournemouth (A), Tottenham (H).
- League size: 8–12; usually pass in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: An expendable rotation defender.
- Risk: Defensive activity and assists can fluctuate despite secure-looking minutes.
Lewis Hall
Twelve tackles won, 11 interceptions and eight blocked shots provide reasons to look beyond the solitary clean sheet. Eight chances created add to his goal and assist in Balanced. Seven full appearances support a continued 90-minute expectation, while his recent average sits close to his season output.
- Fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Fulham (A).
- League size: 8–12; consider only a clear upgrade in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: An unused defender with limited involvement.
- Risk: Consistent minutes don’t guarantee consistent defensive opportunities.
Luka Vuskovic
Five clean sheets and 31 aerial duels won underpin the defender’s appeal, with a goal and an assist adding attacking value. Six tackles won and six interceptions supply further Balanced involvement. His 88.3-minute average favours regular starts. However, the 14.3-point projection suggests restraint after a much stronger recent scoring average.
- Fixtures: Liverpool (A), Manchester City (A), Brentford (H).
- League size: 8–12; selective interest in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: A low-return rotation defender.
- Risk: Recent points may not carry into a run beginning with two away matches.
Wait for free agency
Olivier Boscagli
Creation gives this defender another route beyond clean sheets: 11 chances created and three big chances created. Nine interceptions complement those contributions, making him useful in Balanced despite no goals. His 83.9-minute average supports substantial involvement, with early substitutions possible. The modest 13.8-point projection makes waiting preferable to spending an aggressive claim.
- Fixtures: Liverpool (A), Manchester City (A), Brentford (H).
- League size: 10–12; defensive cover in eight.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: A rarely used rotation defender.
- Risk: His five existing clean sheets don’t guarantee further returns.
Thierno Barry
Three goals and 11 shots on target give the Everton forward an attacking case, while five chances created add some involvement beyond finishing. His 85-minute average supports expecting a substantial role, with substitutions possible. Balanced managers can consider the broader activity, but a 19-point projection tempers enthusiasm for chasing his recent 12.8 average.
- Fixtures: Arsenal (A), Newcastle (A), Coventry (H).
- League size: 10–12; attacking cover in eight.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: An unused fringe forward.
- Risk: Goals may not match his recent scoring pace.
Evanilson is the strongest overall claim for a forward vacancy. Boscagli is the best free-agency target for deeper-league defensive cover. Waiting risks another manager acting first, so match the tier to your actual roster need rather than assuming either player will remain available.
