The Premier League 2021-22 is almost here. Seriously.
I’m getting too old for this $h!€
What the actual F is wrong with the Premier League (don’t say money, don’t say money, don’t s-) is it the money?! Yeah it’s the f*cking money (look I only swear after the first page break; keep it clean up top, for the children.)
The new season is going to start on time, consistent with historic starting dates despite the fact that the 2020-21 season is not ending until May 23 this season. So already the players are looking at less than two months between competitive fixtures for their home clubs. Thank god it’s an odd year so there’s no major international tournament like the Euros to, wait I’m being told now EURO 2020 is being this summer. The nations participating at the tournament are required to submit their rosters not later than 10 days prior to the June 11 kick-off match so we don’t know exactly which players are being ground into a fine powder across Europe this summer.
The Euros aren’t the only international tournament occurring this summer with the summer Olympics, CONCACAFs Gold Cup and others also taking place and claiming Premier League players for additional competitive matches. However, the Euros will be the most impactful on Fantasy Premier League with all of the following nations in play this summer.
The narrow blessing, if it can even be called that, is that AFCON is retaining it’s traditional winter tournament so a handful of stars will get a modest break this summer, and will replace club obligations with national team duty - theoretically not increasing their overall workload.
I really hate everything about this, but from a fantasy planning perspective it’s going to add another layer of madness to an already hectic part of the year. With that in mind…below is the summer schedule for this substack.
Summer 2021 - FPL Draft Guide
May 24, 2021: Take deep breath and enjoy the peace which can only be attained following the completion of a full season. Rest in the sun knowing the job is done, the (remaining) people happy, the future bright (you know, for everyone who’s left standing).
May 25, 2021: Bang head repeatedly against various hard surfaces. Contemplate slamming hand in car door to avoid having to type anything for a while.
May 26-June 10: Coverage of the Euro rosters as announced, including call-ups following the inevitable injury withdrawals.
June 11-July 11: Coverage of Euros, some pre-season coverage.
July 12: Beginning of FPL Draft Guide 2021-22!
July 19-July 23: Position primers, Top 200, position ranks
August 6: Final update to Top 200
July 23 - August 8: Coverage of the Olympic tournament and potential FPL impact.
August 14: Season starts and regular weekly coverage and Open Threads resume!
Anything you’d like to see covered in this summer’s Guide? Let me know now so I can schedule it in the summer publishing calendar.
Thank you as always for your support!
If only some wise person warned others about increased rotation because players will play 70+ competitive matches when combining international, intercontinental, & domestic league/cup competitions. This will not change until 2022-23 season at the EARLIEST considering that there will be the World Cup after the 2021-22 season. Welcome to the New Norm.