Updated 19 September 2026 after Brentford 3-0 Chelsea.
The Brentford midfield comparison has changed again.
Jaidon Anthony scored.
Kevin Schade started but blanked.
That does not automatically move Anthony above Schade, but it turns this into a real decision.
Current ranking
| Player | Main case | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Schade | Best established league goals | Competition |
| Anthony | Fresh Chelsea goal | Smaller sample |
| Ouattara | Upside | Minutes hierarchy |
Schade
Before Chelsea, Schade had:
- three league goals;
- a Bournemouth brace;
- regular starts.
That body of evidence remains stronger than one blank.
His edge
- established current-season output;
- secure recent league minutes;
- proven goal threat.
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Anthony
Anthony's Chelsea goal is meaningful.
It shows he can convert his involvement into Premier League points.
The next question is whether:
- he keeps starting;
- he remains advanced;
- his shot volume matches Schade's.
His edge
Potentially similar upside with lower attention and fresh confidence.
Ouattara
Ouattara remains the hardest one to buy.
The talent is obvious.
The league-minute hierarchy is not.
Until starts become secure, he stays third.
Do not compare only points
Compare:
- expected minutes;
- shots;
- xG;
- box involvement;
- chances created;
- substitution patterns.
Use Player Lab.
GW6
Brentford travel to Aston Villa.
That is not a fixture that forces an immediate purchase.
Wildcard managers can wait through the international break.
Long-term ranking
Schade currently has the best established evidence.
Anthony has closed the gap.
Ouattara remains the upside wait-and-see.
Can you own two?
Usually unnecessary.
Brentford have multiple attackers sharing returns.
Two similar-price Brentford midfielders can over-concentrate your squad without improving captaincy.
What about Thiago?
Thiago gives central-forward exposure but costs more.
Compare:
Schade/Anthony + extra budget
versus
Thiago + cheaper midfielder.
The first structure may be stronger.
OneFPL verdict
1. Schade
2. Anthony — now close
3. Ouattara
Anthony's Chelsea goal narrows the gap, but Schade still has the stronger multi-match league evidence.
Price and squad structure matter
Even if Schade has the best individual projection, Anthony can still be the better transfer if his price lets you improve another position.
FPL decisions should be made at squad level.
For example:
- Anthony + premium defender;
- Schade + cheaper defender;
may produce different total expected points even if Schade is slightly better alone.
Use the Transfer Planner to compare complete squad versions rather than one player in isolation.
What should owners do?
Schade owners
Hold unless his starts become less secure.
Anthony owners
Hold after the Chelsea goal and monitor whether the role is repeatable.
Ouattara owners
You need more patience. If starts remain inconsistent through the break, moving to a more secure Brentford midfielder can make sense.
What should buyers do?
Wait through the international break unless a price move would block your preferred structure.
There is no need to chase Friday's goal before the rest of GW5 is even complete.
What would flip the ranking?
Anthony moves first if he combines the Chelsea goal with another start and strong shot data.
Ouattara moves up only if minutes become clearly secure.
Schade keeps first place if his starting role and goal involvement remain stable.
