With the football season suspended, Fantasy Premier League managers have had plenty of time to reminisce about years gone by and the players who made the game so much fun.
Over the course of FPL history, there have been some special talents who showed the talent and consistency to deliver big throughout a season.
We decided to compile a team of the highest-scoring players since the official game kicked off in the 2002/03 season and being in such esteemed company is harder than it may seem.
Regular FPL favourites like Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and David Silva don’t make the cut. Neither do other big-hitters like Didier Drogba, Harry Kane, Petr Cech or Steven Gerrard.
So let’s take a look at who actually made it in…
GK: Brad Friedel – 187 pts – 02/03
Team – Blackburn
Yes, Brad Friedel. Not Petr Cech, Edwin van der Sar or Alisson Becker but the former USA international still holds the record for most FPL points from a goalkeeper.
Fresh from an outstanding performance at the 2002 World Cup, Friedel carried his form into the league campaign with Blackburn, picking up 15 clean sheets and was named their Player of the Year.
DF: John Terry – 196 pts – 04/05
Team – Chelsea
Jose Mourinho’s arrival transformed Chelsea into a points machine and in FPL terms, John Terry was just that. The centre-back churned out clean sheet points on a weekly basis with the Blues keeping a record 25.
He also racked up plenty of bonus points along the way and chipped in with three goals as well to become a mainstay in most teams.
DF: Virgil van Dijk – 208 pts – 18/19
Team – Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk was a colossus at both ends of the pitch during his first full season at Anfield, turning Liverpool into genuine title contenders.
The big Dutchman played a huge role in the Reds’ defence and racked up 20 clean sheets while he played his part in attack as well, registering four goals and four assists.
DF: Andy Robertson – 213 pts – 18/19
Team – Liverpool
Last season, Andy Robertson became the highest-scoring FPL defender of all-time during a single season. What’s ironic is that he never actually scored at all in that campaign.
But what he lacked in goals he made up for in assists. With his regular ventures forward, the speedy full-back played provider 12 times and took home the points for 21 clean sheets.
MF: Mohamed Salah – 303 pts – 17/18
Team – Liverpool
In his first season with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah became an instant Anfield legend, but also an FPL one. The attack-minded winger showed an insatiable thirst for goals and bagged 32 on his way to winning the Golden Boot.
The Egyptian also chipped in with a very healthy 12 assists and became the overwhelming favourite for the captaincy each week. A total of 303 points that season is the highest in FPL history.
MF: Frank Lampard – 284 pts – 09/10
Team – Chelsea
Frank Lampard was a regular source of goals from midfield but, in FPL terms at least, he peaked during the 2009/10 season.
The original goal-scoring midfielder struck 22 times in an outstanding campaign and even had his best-ever return in the creative department, setting up 14 goals.
MF: Alexis Sanchez – 264 pts – 16/17
Team – Arsenal
This was Alexis Sanchez at his explosive best and if you couldn’t fit him in your team, you were could hardly bare to watch every time Arsenal took the field.
The Chilean looked like he could score or assist at any moment and with 24 goals from midfield, he certainly made those non-owners pay. A tally of 10 assists was a nice touch as well.
MF: Cristiano Ronaldo – 283 pts – 07/08
Team – Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo was just establishing himself as the best player in the world that season and joined an elite club of FPL must-haves.
Manchester United were flying and the Portuguese was leading the charge. He scored a phenomenal 31 goals and chipped in with six assists on his way to his first Ballon d’Or.
FW: Robin van Persie – 269 pts – 11/12
Team – Arsenal
After years of a fragile existence with the next injury never too far away, Robin van Persie was suddenly unstoppable. A bill of good health allowed his incredible talent to flourish and he quickly became Arsenal’s main man.
Regardless of the results or the Gunners’ position during their chase for the top four, the Dutchman delivered consistently and raced to 30 goals for the season, providing nine assists as well.
FW: Luis Suarez – 295 pts – 13/14
Team – Liverpool
Salah may hold the record for highest points total this may be the best-ever individual FPL season. Luis Suarez was unplayable in the 2013/14 season and Liverpool were the league’s great entertainers.
The Uruguayan scored a whopping 31 goals and provided 12 assists while his overall game was also sublime. As a striker, he scored a point less than Salah for goals and didn’t receive points for clean sheets. Most importantly though, with Steven Gerrard in the team, he wasn’t even on penalties.
FW: Thierry Henry – 271 pts – 02/03
Team – Arsenal
This was a season in which Thierry Henry was simply, well, Invincible. He didn’t actually win the Golden Boot though with his 24 goals falling one shy of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 25.
However, the Frenchman was playing his best football and was streets ahead with 20 assists – still the only player to reach that figure in a single season.
