Look for players who win possession, clear danger, create chances or make saves. Goals matter, but prioritise the involvement your squad needs before deciding how aggressively to claim.
These GW8 picks use TFF’s simulated season through GW7. Ownership is a sample; check your league. Minutes forecasts follow supplied usage, and three-Gameweek projections are estimates. For transaction details, read how waivers and free agents work.
Top-priority claim
Eddy Kouadio
Twenty interceptions and 10 tackles won give the Monza defender an Analytics case beyond his single goal. Twenty-seven recoveries and six blocked shots broaden that defensive involvement. His 87.4-minute average supports expecting a substantial starting role if usage continues. A 13.5-point projection adds a useful forward-looking argument without requiring another attacking return.
- Fixtures: Torino (A), Napoli (H), Bologna (A).
- League size: 8–12; consider an upgrade in 4–6.
- Tier: Top priority.
- Drop: A rotation defender offering limited involvement.
- Risk: Defensive opportunities may fluctuate even if his minutes remain substantial.
Medium-priority claims
Franco Mastantuono
Creation and carrying make the Fiorentina midfielder interesting: 13 chances created accompany 15 successful dribbles and three through balls. Nine shots on target add attacking evidence around his three goals. That breadth suits Analytics, while a 76.7-minute average supports meaningful involvement with substitution risk. An 8.3-point projection tempers enthusiasm.
- Fixtures: Inter (A), Atalanta (H), Sassuolo (A).
- League size: 8–12; selective interest in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: A low-involvement midfield rotation option.
- Risk: Shorter appearances could limit how much activity accumulates.
Nuno Tavares
Seven accurate crosses and 10 chances created support an attacking contribution beyond his three assists. Thirty-one recoveries add defensive involvement, giving the Lazio defender a varied Analytics case. His 72-minute average supports regular use but leaves full matches uncertain. A recent 8.6 average is encouraging; the 10.8-point three-Gameweek projection is restrained.
- Fixtures: Parma (H), Sassuolo (A), Cagliari (H).
- League size: 8–12; selective interest in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: An expendable defender with less involvement.
- Risk: Substitutions may reduce opportunities for both creative and defensive contributions.
Mariano Troilo
Recovering possession and clearing danger underpin the Parma defender’s appeal: 33 recoveries, 35 clearances and 14 interceptions offer an Analytics route without goals or assists. His 89.1-minute average supports expecting near-full involvement. Recent scoring sits close to his season output, making this a measured defensive upgrade rather than a bet on a sudden attacking change.
- Fixtures: Lazio (A), Udinese (H), Atalanta (A).
- League size: 10–12; defensive cover in eight.
- Tier: Medium priority in deeper leagues.
- Drop: An unused rotation defender.
- Risk: Similar minutes may produce less defensive activity in the coming fixtures.
Elia Caprile
Thirty saves, including 19 inside the box, provide the clearest goalkeeper workload to assess. Four high claims and three clean sheets add context to his Analytics case. Seven full appearances support continued full-match expectations. The 9.5-point projection tempers enthusiasm for carrying his recent 6.4 average straight into the next three.
- Fixtures: Bologna (H), Roma (A), Lazio (A).
- League size: 8–12; smaller leagues only for an upgrade.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: An expendable backup goalkeeper.
- Risk: Saves and claims depend on opportunities that aren’t guaranteed.
Wait for free agency
Daniel Maldini
Nine chances created, six successful dribbles and eight interceptions give the Cagliari midfielder an Analytics argument around his four goals. His 72.1-minute average supports substantial involvement with substitution risk. Recent scoring broadly matches his season average, but an 8.8-point projection across three Gameweeks favours a patient depth move over chasing the goals alone.
- Fixtures: Bologna (H), Roma (A), Lazio (A).
- League size: 10–12; midfield cover in eight.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: A rarely used midfield reserve.
- Risk: Reduced minutes or fewer attacking returns could weaken the overall contribution.
Jacobo Ramón
The Como defender combines 23 aerial duels won with 30 clearances and 10 tackles won, offering varied Analytics involvement. His 88-minute average supports regular starts and substantial playing time. The 8.3-point projection makes him cover to consider patiently rather than an aggressive claim on recent scoring.
- Fixtures: Sassuolo (H), Torino (A), Venezia (H).
- League size: 10–12; defensive cover in eight.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: An unused defensive reserve.
- Risk: Substantial minutes don’t guarantee enough defensive opportunities to improve your XI.
Filip Stanković
Thirty-three saves, with 24 inside the box, and four high claims give the Venezia goalkeeper a substantial Analytics workload to evaluate. His seven full appearances support continued full-match expectations. However, a 5.3-point projection across three Gameweeks is modest beside his recent 8.7 average. Keep that contrast in mind before acting on the stronger historical return.
- Fixtures: Genoa (A), Inter (H), Como (A).
- League size: 10–12; goalkeeper cover in eight.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: A backup keeper you aren’t using.
- Risk: The save workload and recent scoring may not recur.
Kouadio is the strongest overall claim for a defensive vacancy. Ramón is the best free-agency option for deeper-league cover, combining varied defensive involvement with substantial minutes. Waiting risks another manager acting first; sample ownership cannot establish who will remain available.
