Fantrax's unsung historical WAR heroes
Ranking a Top 5 all-time unexpected WAR contributor list, based on value, output and (most importantly) how much enjoyment they provided to their Fantrax managers.
The OverthinkingFootball WAR metric was introduced in August 2019, and we’ve been tracking it ever since. You’ll all be bored of us explaining the premise by this point, so I won’t. But for any newbies, it’s well documented in our back-catalogue (and the short version is that a higher number is more value). With three complete seasons of data in the books, I thought it was time to look back at the archive and to try to crown the unsung WAR heroes over that period.
Before we go any further, the disclaimer that needs to be applied to this whole article concept is that I’m just not interested in talking about high ADP guys like Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes or Mohammed Salah today. I’m not even particularly interested in talking about mid-rounders ala Kieran Trippier. Drafting well is a skill but, lets be honest, your Round 1 pick performing like a Round 1 player and not getting injured for 38 weeks isn’t interesting.
What I’m looking to do is build a list of Top 5 ‘Wins Added' names that come from total obscurity. Names that are unheralded or undrafted, only to perform solo acts of incredible heroism for their Fantrax teams across a full season.
And, in keeping with the idea that adult men can happily fill an entire evening sitting around with drinks just naming obscure athletes, I will be doling out extra ‘points’ for anyone who is likely to be the Fantrax equivalent of “oh yeah, I remember that guy” in a few years time. Yep Marcos, Michu, Roque Santa Cruz, we’re all looking at you.
Honourable Mentions:
There are always deserving names that get left out in exercises like this. I wanted to acknowledge a small group of players who, in early drafts did make the list but have since been cut:
Vladamir Coufal - 2020/21
Anwar El Ghazi / Bertrand Traore - 2020/21
Joel Matip - 2021/22
Morgan Gibbs-White - 2022/23
Kaoru Mitoma - 2022/23
Each put out strong Fantrax seasons but fell just short of making my Top 5.
But enough of the consolation prizes, lets get on to the main event:
5. Jarrod Bowen 2021/22
Key Moment: September 19, 2021, West Ham vs Manchester United. Even in a loss, Bowen showed he meant business in 2021/22 with an Assist, 2 Shots on Target, 3 Key Passes, 6 Successful Take-Ons and 21.5 Fantrax points.
Heroic credentials: After a down year in 2020, despite a fair amount of ADP hype, Jarrod was in the dog-house for many managers when 2021 drafts rolled around. Boy did he bounce back. A 6th placed overall WAR finish was a huge return for any manager who showed faith in him.
What happened next? He remained in the WAR top 30 into 2022/23, despite West Ham struggling in the league. He also picked up a Europa Conference League trophy with a great performance in the final.
4. Conor Gallagher 2021/22
Key Moment: October 30, 2021, Manchester City vs Crystal Palace. A goal, an assist and 31 total Fantrax points.
Heroic credentials: Conor was a totally forgotten man in 2021/22 drafts. His uninspired loan at West Brom (especially under Big Sam) had him well under the radar. But under Patrick Vieira’s youthful Palace, he was a do-it-all attacking midfielder: taking set pieces, scoring goals and winning the ball. Even though it dropped off slightly in the second half of the season, he finished 27th in WAR rankings.
What happened next? He went back to parent club Chelsea and set about reinventing his game to add more passing. It wasn’t great for Fantrax but he showed attitude and ability in a down year for the club. A loan would be great for Fantrax purposes, but he’s likely to continue to be a Swiss Army Knife of a player for Pochettino.
3. Raphina 2020/21
Key Moment: December 5, 2020, Chelsea vs Leeds United. Leeds lost this game quite heavily. But Raphinha, making just his fourth start for the club, had 2 Key Passes and 6 (!) Successful Take-Ons. Both categories he would go on to excel in throughout the season.
Heroic credentials: A model of consistency as an under-the-radar FAAB pick-up, he finished 15th in Overall WAR despite only starting single figure games before Christmas. Goals, assists, key passes, dribbles and everything in-between. A league-winner in many Fantrax leagues.
What happened next? One more season with Leeds United (and a top 10 WAR finish) before a big-money bidding battle between Chelsea and Barcelona sent him off to La Liga. Leeds, unsurprisingly, have found it hard to replace the production of Raphinha’s displays on the wing.
2. Matheus Pereira 2020/21
Key Moment: April 3, 2021, West Brom vs Chelsea. West Brom didn’t win many games, but their 5-2 besting of Chelsea stands out with Pereira managing 2 goals and 2 assists as West Brom saw off 10-man Chelsea.
Heroic credentials: Seen as West Brom’s most likely star player, he did carry a mid-round ADP into the season. He outperformed that and finished as the 11th Overall WAR player, despite West Brom’s appalling struggles all year. His 11 goals and 6 assists were a real bright spot for his Fantrax managers and he topped them up with an average of just over 2 KPs a game.
What happened next? As West Brom tumbled down to the Championship, Pereira showed himself to be ahead of the 2023 curve, moving to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
1. Solly March 2022/23
Key Moment: September 4, 2022, Brighton vs Leicester City. A 22 Fantrax point haul, an assist and a cemented spot in the team he never let go of.
Heroic credentials: Unlike most on this list, Solly had been in Fantrax for many years before his breakout without threatening the top of the WAR charts. Enter De Zerbi and Solly rocketed up to the Top 10 (finishing 8th). He was consistently performing like a top 10 player, despite having been still on waivers until after World Cup in most leagues.
What happened next? We are yet to see. There is reason for uncertainty with Julio Enciso knocking on the door as a starter and a huge amount of midfield turnover expected at Brighton. But, make no mistake, Solly was the real deal this year.
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