Joao Pedro’s Fantasy Football Failure Frustrates Over 1.3 Million FPL Managers in Gameweek 4

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15 Sept 2024

In Fantasy Premier League (FPL), every decision made by managers can result in either glory or frustration. For Gameweek 4 of the 2024/25 season, the latter was the case for over 1.3 million managers who had transferred in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro, hoping to capitalize on his good form and favorable fixture.

The disappointment stemmed from Joao Pedro, priced at £5.7m, registering a dismal zero points—a rare and frustrating outcome for Fantasy Football enthusiasts.

After goals in back-to-back matches and with a home fixture against newly-promoted Ipswich Town, Pedro was tipped to continue his form, making him the most transferred-in player of Gameweek 4.

However, a knock sustained during international duty left the Brazilian unavailable, shocking the 1,345,068 managers who had placed their faith in him. As a result, this mass transfer became a key talking point in the FPL community, with managers left contemplating how to recover from this misfortune.

Joao Pedro's Fantasy Football Influence and the Curse of the Most-Bought Player

Joao Pedro's influence in Fantasy Football circles had been growing after an impressive start to the season. Managers were eager to bring him in after watching his performance in previous matches, and many believed that his points haul would only grow with each passing Gameweek. However, the shock of his exclusion due to injury has ignited a conversation about what some have dubbed "the curse of the most-bought player."

Pedro isn’t the first player to leave his new owners with zero points. Ollie Watkins (£7.9m), during Gameweek 18 of the 2021/22 season, also experienced similar frustration for FPL managers after being transferred in by 1,336,063 managers. Mount, Mitrovic, and Dennis are also part of this unlucky group.

Most-bought players to score zero points:

Joao Pedro - 1,345,068 managers - GW4 (2024/25) - 0 points
Ollie Watkins - 1,336,063 managers - GW18 (2021/22) - 0 points
Mason Mount - 832,800 managers - GW10 (2021/22) - 0 points
Aleksandar Mitrovic - 810,996 managers - GW18 (2022/23) - 0 points
Emmanuel Dennis - 772,063 managers - GW17 (2021/22) - 0 points

These instances serve as stark reminders that the most-bought player doesn’t always guarantee points. FPL is often as unpredictable as the Premier League itself, and managers are learning that even the best-laid plans can backfire.

A Tough Gameweek for FPL’s Top Transfers

Joao Pedro wasn’t the only player to disappoint managers in Gameweek 4. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) and Luis Diaz (£7.7m), both heavily backed by FPL managers, failed to deliver meaningful returns. Salah, in particular, had been expected to be a significant points earner, but he only registered two points as Liverpool suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.

Luis Diaz’s contribution was similarly underwhelming, with only three points to show for his efforts. Amadou Onana (£5.1m), who also attracted considerable attention leading up to Gameweek 4, was substituted at halftime during Aston Villa’s 3-2 victory over Everton, registering a solitary point.
As a result, four of the top five most-bought players in Gameweek 4 failed to deliver, leading many FPL managers to question their transfer strategies.

Gameweek 4 Most-Bought Players:

Joao Pedro - 1,345,068 managers - 0 points
Luis Diaz - 1,248,527 managers - 3 points
Mohamed Salah - 938,848 managers - 2 points
Erling Haaland - 830,130 managers - 13 points
Amadou Onana - 818,094 managers - 1 point

Among these, only Erling Haaland (£15.2m) justified his selection, scoring 13 points in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Brentford. The Norwegian striker netted twice, bringing his tally to nine goals in four matches and surpassing the 50-point mark for the season.

Haaland’s consistency has solidified his role as a must-have asset for any FPL manager. Remarkably, only Wayne Rooney, in the 2011/12 season, has posted higher returns over the opening four Gameweeks.

Wildcard Woes and Transfer Turmoil

Gameweek 4 also saw a significant number of FPL managers play their Wildcard, with over 940,000 activating the chip in hopes of shaking up their squads for the better. This marked the third-highest total on record for Wildcards played in a single Gameweek. Yet, for many, their changes failed to bring the expected returns.

Most Wildcards Played in a Gameweek (All Time):

Gameweek 4 (2021/22) - 1,117,718 Wildcards
Gameweek 21 (2023/24) - 947,506 Wildcards
Gameweek 4 (2024/25) - 940,783 Wildcards
Gameweek 5 (2021/22) - 708,431 Wildcards
Gameweek 3 (2020/21) - 681,997 Wildcards

In addition to Wildcards, Gameweek 4 saw over 25.9 million transfers made—another staggering figure. Yet, many managers who opted for top transfers or captains were left underwhelmed, as popular selections such as Salah, Luis Diaz, and Joao Pedro blanked.
Even captains were affected.

Salah, who was the second-most captained player, recorded just two points, while Cole Palmer, who was also favored as a captain pick by over 421,000 managers, recorded a blank in Chelsea’s narrow 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth.

Most-Captained Players in Gameweek 4:

Erling Haaland - 5,125,800 managers - 13 points
Mohamed Salah - 2,107,506 managers - 2 points
Cole Palmer - 421,525 managers - 2 points
Alexander Isak - 311,014 managers - 0 points
Ollie Watkins - 267,357 managers - 13 points

While Haaland continued his dominance, other captain picks, including Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, failed to produce any returns, frustrating the managers who trusted him. Isak, in particular, had been sold by nearly 900,000 managers ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his blank in Gameweek 4 justified those transfers.

Lessons for FPL Managers Moving Forward

Gameweek 4 of the Fantasy Premier League season has been a rollercoaster for many managers. From Joao Pedro’s injury frustration to the misfortune of high-profile transfers, this week has been a reminder of the unpredictable nature of FPL.
It is essential for managers to stay vigilant, adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and remain patient. Joao Pedro’s failure to score points despite his overwhelming popularity is just another chapter in the long-running saga of Fantasy Football. As managers move forward, many will look to recover from these frustrations by re-evaluating their transfer and captaincy decisions to maximize their chances of future success.

Conclusion

In Fantasy Premier League, resilience and adaptability are key. While Gameweek 4 may have brought disappointment for many, FPL managers will be eager to bounce back with smarter, more informed decisions for the rounds ahead.

Sources

Fantasy Premier League Official Website – Provides the latest player statistics and updates for FPL managers, including player transfers, points, and injury news.
Official FPL
BBC Sport – Premier League – Offers detailed reports on Premier League matches, player performances, and injury updates, which are crucial for FPL.
BBC Sport Premier League
The Athletic – Fantasy Football – Analyzes top transfers, captain picks, and other FPL strategies, including insights into specific players' performances.
The Athletic
Fantasy Football Scout – A dedicated resource for FPL managers that includes injury updates, fixture predictions, and detailed analysis of players like Joao Pedro.
Fantasy Football Scout
WhoScored – Provides in-depth match analysis and player ratings, which can be used to evaluate Joao Pedro’s potential in future Gameweeks.
WhoScored