Look for players who contribute beyond goals through creation, tackles and interceptions. Substantial minutes give those actions more opportunity to accumulate. Prioritise your squad’s vacancy over the biggest recent total.
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
Franco Mastantuono
Thirteen chances created and nine shots on target give the Fiorentina midfielder a Balanced case around his three goals. Six tackles won and six interceptions broaden his contribution. His 76.7-minute average supports expecting a meaningful role, with substitution risk. The 11.3-point projection tempers enthusiasm for repeating his season average.
- Fixtures: Inter (A), Atalanta (H), Sassuolo (A).
- League size: 8–12; consider an upgrade in 4–6.
- Tier: Top priority.
- Drop: A low-involvement midfield rotation option.
- Risk: Shorter appearances or fewer attacking opportunities could reduce his contribution.
Medium-priority claims
Nuno Tavares
A goal, three assists and three clean sheets supply several starting points for Balanced value. Ten chances created and two big chances created add evidence beyond the returns themselves. His 72-minute average supports regular involvement but limits full-match confidence. A 14.8-point projection tempers enthusiasm for repeating his recent 12.2 average.
- Fixtures: Parma (H), Sassuolo (A), Cagliari (H).
- League size: 8–12; selective interest in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: A rotation defender offering little attacking involvement.
- Risk: Substitutions could reduce both playing time and opportunities to contribute.
Daniel Maldini
Four goals make the Cagliari midfielder interesting, but nine chances created and eight interceptions strengthen the Balanced argument beyond finishing. His 72.1-minute average suggests substantial use with substitution risk, rather than dependable full matches. A recent 8.2 average closely matches his season output, making this a measured upgrade rather than a sudden form chase.
- Fixtures: Bologna (H), Roma (A), Lazio (A).
- League size: 8–12; usually pass in 4–6.
- Tier: Medium priority.
- Drop: An unused midfield rotation option.
- Risk: Goals could slow, with no assists yet supplementing the attacking returns.
Elia Caprile
Thirty saves and three clean sheets provide the Cagliari goalkeeper’s clearest Balanced attractions. His 90-minute average supports continued full-match expectations if usage holds. The recent 10.2 average is encouraging, but the 12.8-point projection across three Gameweeks is more restrained. Consider him for a genuine goalkeeper weakness.
- 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: Save opportunities and clean sheets may not maintain recent scoring.
Wait for free agency
Antoine Hainaut
Creation and defensive involvement offer a Balanced case around his two goals and assist: ten chances created accompany five tackles won and five interceptions. His 89.3-minute average gives the playing-time forecast a firmer foundation than several alternatives. However, a recent 6.7 average trails his season output, while the 6.8-point projection argues for patience.
- Fixtures: Genoa (A), Inter (H), Como (A).
- League size: 10–12; midfield cover in eight.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: A rarely used midfield reserve.
- Risk: Substantial minutes may continue without enough productive involvement.
Christos Mandas
Four clean sheets and 28 saves explain the Lazio goalkeeper’s Balanced appeal, supported by seven full appearances. That usage favours another full-match expectation. His recent 11.7 average is attractive, but a 1.5-point projection across three Gameweeks contrasts sharply with recent output. Keep him conditional rather than treating the recent record as a promise.
- Fixtures: Parma (H), Sassuolo (A), Cagliari (H).
- League size: 10–12; goalkeeper cover in eight.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: A backup keeper you aren’t using.
- Risk: The low projection leaves little forecast support for chasing recent returns.
Giorgio Cittadini
Twenty interceptions and 11 tackles won give the Frosinone defender a Balanced case without goals or assists. The minutes are less reassuring: a 63.9-minute average leaves starting status and full-match involvement uncertain. A recent eight-point average shows useful output, but the 7.5-point projection doesn’t justify ignoring playing-time risk.
- Fixtures: Atalanta (A), Lecce (H), Torino (H).
- League size: 10–12 only.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: An equally uncertain, unused defensive reserve.
- Risk: Reduced minutes could prevent his defensive activity translating into enough points.
Gustavo Varela
Six goals and an assist give the Monza forward a clear attacking case, with eight chances created and seven shots on target adding Balanced interest. His 84.8-minute average supports expecting substantial involvement if usage continues. However, the zero projection prevents a confident upcoming forecast. Clarify that outlook before relying on another productive outing.
- Fixtures: Torino (A), Napoli (H), Bologna (A).
- League size: 8–12 as a conditional attacking option.
- Tier: Wait for free agency.
- Drop: A fringe forward once the outlook is clarified.
- Risk: The zero forecast doesn’t support relying on continued production.
Mastantuono is the strongest overall claim for a midfield vacancy. Hainaut is the best free-agency option for deeper-league cover, combining varied involvement with substantial minutes. Waiting risks another manager acting first; sample ownership cannot establish who will remain available.
