FPL Gameweek 11 – head-to-head comparisons: Edinson Cavani vs Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Gameweek 10 marked the bullish arrival of El Matador onto the FPL scene with three goal contributions which proved pivotal in overturning the two-goal deficit inflicted by the Saints. Two brilliant headers and an assist for Bruno Fernandes ensured Edinson Cavani (£8.0m) left St. Mary's Stadium averaging one goal involvement for every 32 minutes played this campaign. Communally regarded as a contingency option for Manchester United in the summer transfer window, you would have been a bold and a potentially overly adventurous FPL manager to back the Uruguayan to hit the ground running in the Premier League after a six-month hiatus from football. However, with his magnetic forehead, sharp movement and his signature luscious locks, Cavani is beginning to look like the player that can be spotted in the thousands of 'Welcome to Manchester United Edison Cavani' videos on YouTube consisting of his most notable achievements. An ageless poacher or a lucky day at the office; we're leaning towards the former.
Having delivered a 12-point haul at Craven Cottage in Gameweek 9, Dominic Calvert Lewin (£7.9m) looked a nailed on points scorer last weekend squaring up against a Leeds defence that has shipped just two fewer goals than Fulham in as many matches. Despite a second blank of the season for DCL, his ranking of third amongst the most transferred out forwards this week is rash for a player that has provided such good value since the beginning of the campaign. The minimum two-month absence of , who has already registered five assists this campaign, is admittedly damaging for DCL's prospects. Given his reliability on his aerial threat from crosses and the lack of creativeness amongst Everton's deputy full-backs, it may well be a frustrating festive period for owners of DCL.
While Cavani may look an intriguing swap option from DCL, his minutes are likely to be shared with Martial and Mason Greenwood throughout the demanding Christmas schedule. Whether these minutes are managed by Ole or the FA disciplinary board after his blooper on social media, the South American may be lucky to come off the bench in some of the next few fixtures. Facing a relatively stable West Ham defence who have conceded just one goal in their last three fixtures followed by a much-improved Manchester City side, DCL is undeniably the better short term option. Facing a calamitous Burnley defence this weekend, the Englishman will be hoping to start where he left off prior to the Leeds game and we expect him to do so in emphatic fashion.
Verdict: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
