THIS coming season promises more Dream Team points than ever before!
One element of the overhauled scoring system concerns the allocation of Bonus Points, designed to reward impressive efforts not recognised by Core Points (earned through goals, assists, clean sheets, etc).
DREAM TEAMReady to collect Bonus Points[/caption]
Bonus Points are determined by the following stats, which add up to give each individual a Player Performance Marks (PPM) score: completed crosses, successful dribbles, pass completion rate, interceptions, blocks, fouls won and goals scored from outside the area.
Offsides, fouls conceded and errors leading to goals will negatively impact a player’s PPM.
5-7 Player Performance Marks = 1 Bonus Point8-11 PPM = 3 Bonus Points12+ PPM = 5 Bonus Points
Core Points will make up the bulk of a player’s total but think of Bonus Points as welcome extras.
Dream Team gaffers can view how many Bonus Points each player would have got last season had the new scoring process been applied – although naturally there’s not sufficient data for the newly-promoted clubs.
GETTYGuess who tops the pile…[/caption]
To save you time, here’s the players who would have earned the most Bonus Points in 2022/23:
Jack Grealish (£4.5m) – 72 ptsMichael Olise (£3m) – 69 ptsBukayo Saka (£6m) – 60 ptsJames Maddison (£4m) – 58 ptsKieran Trippier (£6m) – 57 ptsPhil Foden (£4.5m) – 53 ptsBruno Guimaraes (£3m) – 50 ptsTrent Alexander-Arnold (£6m) – 49 ptsEberechi Eze (£3m) – 48 ptsSolly March (£3.5m) – 48 pts
Manchester City’s No10 leads the way thanks mainly to his dribbling ability and his unmatched knack of drawing fouls.
It’s no surprise to see Crystal Palace’s gifted right winger high up the rankings either – his ability to take players on and his wicked delivery from open play make him a prime candidate for Bonus Points.
Olise’s favourite conspirator, Eze, also features in the top ten, a indicator that Selhurst Park may be home to its fair share of Bonus Points in the coming months.
The Eagles’ midfielders look better and better value for money as Gameweek 1 draws near at £3m each.
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The likes of Saka, Maddison, Trippier, Foden and Alexander-Arnold amass lorry-loads of Core Points but this is an indication that the new scoring system will only serve to cement their spots at the top end of the overall rankings.
Guimaraes is an interesting inclusion and exactly the sort of player Bonus Points are aiming to acknowledge.
The Brazilian midfielder is evidently an influential figure who contributed greatly to Newcastle’s top-four finish, something his Core Points tally didn’t fully reflect.
If you’re not one for detailed stats, don’t panic, this theoretical top ten from last season shows that you can trust your observations – you don’t need a spreadsheet to tell you the likes of Grealish, Saka and Maddison have got a bit about them.