UCL Fantasy Football: Midfielders

With two English teams set to fight it out for European supremacy, the choices are narrowing down in terms of #UCLfantasy options but UEFA.com are on hand to examine the remaining midfielders.

One midfielder set themselves apart from the rest of the competition in both legs of the semi-final. That man was Riyad Mahrez (€9.1m), who got both of Manchester City’s goals in their 2-0 victory at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 12 to go alongside his free-kick in the first leg. The Algerian picked up 14 #UCLfantasy points on Matchday 12, four more than any other player, to take his tally to 23 Fantasy points over both legs and a mammoth 41 points in his last five appearances. With four goals in Manchester City’s last three UEFA Champions League fixtures, Mahrez clearly stands out as the most in-form #UCLfantasy asset heading into the final against Chelsea.

Mahrez doesn't represent the only viable option in his position heading into the final. Owners of Kevin De Bruyne (€11.4m) may have suffered rare frustration on Matchday 12 as the Belgian failed to register an attacking return, but three goals, four assists and 50 Fantasy points over the course of the competition represents a very good total, especially considering he has featured in just seven of Manchester City 12 matches. Occasionally deployed as a false nine, De Bruyne is central to most of his team's attacking plans and will no doubt be set to play a crucial role against Chelsea in whatever role he is given.

Another player expected to start the final is Phil Foden (€7.5m). Currently the highest scoring Manchester City midfielder from a #UCLfantasy perspective with 63 points, the England international registered an assist against Paris on Matchday 12 and has now racked up four attacking returns along with 32 Fantasy points over the past five matchdays.

Chelsea’s highest scoring #UCLfantasy midfielder, by some way, is a less attacking player. Jorginho (€6.3m) primarily plays the role of dictating the tempo of the match from central midfield by breaking up play and smartly distributing the ball to his team-mates. This has led to him picking up a significant points return largely through the ball recovery points system. The Italian’s incredible total of 14 ball recoveries in their 2-0 second-leg victory over Real Madrid was by far the most of any other player competing on Matchday 12, leading him securing a score of six #UCLfantasy points despite not registering an attacking return and being shown a yellow card.

Jorginho's overall total of 76 completed ball recoveries over the course of the competition so far is an incredible 31 more than the second highest total from the midfielders remaining in the competition. Unsurprisingly, he will represent a hugely popular midfield selection among #UCLfantasy managers for the final, especially when taking into account that he will likely step up should Chelsea be awarded a penalty.

Mason Mount (€6.9m) also hugely impressed for Thomas Tuchel’s side in their semi-final second leg win against Real Madrid. Mount is normally afforded more room to venture forward than the more defensive Jorginho and made it count on Matchday 12 with his second goal of this season’s UEFA Champions League. Both those goals have come in the knockout stage, with Mount having now accounted for 21 points since Matchday 9. Tuchel has plenty to choose from in the attacking midfield department but the England international has played from the start in Chelsea’s last four UEFA Champions League games and it would be a surprise if he doesn't start in Porto, although as usual it would be wise to wait for team news.

One player who represents a high-risk, high-reward option among Chelsea's midfield assets is Kai Havertz (€8.9m). Whilst the German took some time to find his feet at Stamford Bridge, he has thrived since Tuchel took charge and reminded everyone of his quality on Matchday 12 when he gained an assist after his deft chip came back off the crossbar to be headed in by Timo Werner. Once again, much will depend upon whether Havertz is picked to start against Manchester City in the final. If he is, then with an ownership of just 3% the attacking midfielder could prove a key differential given his obvious goal threat.