FPL Gameweek 11 – head-to-head comparisons: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Sadio Mane
The reclassification of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (€11.6m) as a midfielder seemed a mouth-watering prospect for most managers upon this season's commencement. Having scored 54 times in two-and-a-half seasons in the English top flight, the Gabonese marksman looked a necessity despite his all-time high price. Given Arsenal's notable resurgence under Arteta at the end of a dismal campaign, Aubameyang's match-winning performance in the FA Cup final looked like a trailer promoting his poignant goal threat ahead of the 20-21 FPL campaign. Fast forward three months and Arteta's tactics seem to mirror those of Tony Pulis' Stoke side minus the throw-in threat imposed by Rory Delap and Aubameyang looks notably less impactful than the bashful Ricardo Fuller of the same side. While the first few weeks of Aubameyang's poor performances were excused by a lack of service from his inept teammates, he looks a subdued figure up top in recent times, missing the eagerness and match-long smile that make him a universally liked player.
In an injury-ravaged Liverpool side missing the creative prowess of TAA, Sadio Mane (£12.1) has struggled to match the exhilarating form that cemented his place as an FPL rival to Mo Salah. While being only slightly more expensive this campaign, the Egyptian talisman looks considerably more valuable this season. Having been outscored by 23 points by his teammate and looking even less explosive than newcomer Dioga Jota, Mane appears to be a differential not worth the financially strenuous risk at the moment.
Mane faces a Wolves side he scored three times against last season and while his form has not been scintillating, he is ticking away with returns and has the potential to haul at any time. Aubameyang faces a durable Spurs side who have registered clean sheets against both City and Chelsea who realistically possess far more of an offensive threat than Arsenal's increasingly stagnant attack. Aubameyang really doesn't belong in a debate regarding the category of high-priced midfielders currently and until Arteta ditches the ‘ten men behind the ball’ approach, he should not be near your team.
Verdict: Sadio Mane
