Mark Mansfield, a distinguished manager in Fantasy Premier League with seven Top 10k finishes, candidly reflects on his challenging 2024/25 season in an exclusive interview. Known for his insightful strategies, Mark does not shy away from discussing his biggest regrets and the key moments that derailed his season.
One of his most disappointing experiences was with budget midfielder Antoine Semenyo, who proved to be a source of ongoing frustration. Despite showing promise with his stats — second only to Mohamed Salah for shots among midfielders — Semenyo’s performance frequently disappointed, underlining the painful reality many FPL managers faced: when he was in the starting XI, he would blank, yet he often delivered when left on the bench.
Mark also highlighted Son Heung-min as the season’s most overpriced player. Though initially a popular choice among managers, Mark felt Son was steeply priced for his value, suggesting a more appropriate classification would have been around £8.0m. Despite accumulating 129 points, Son’s productivity paled in comparison to his previous seasons, indicating a possible decline as he ages.
Amidst the struggles, Mark found a ray of hope in Jurrien Timber, whom he considered a cult hero of the season. Though Timber battled injuries, he represented a symbol of what could have been in a challenging campaign.
Reflecting on the season’s ups and downs, Mark recounted Gameweek 36 as a painful low point, where despite prior successes, his team faltered spectacularly, scoring only 36 points. In contrast, a high moment for him was during the chip season, where he had great success with a well-timed Triple Captaincy on Salah.
As he looks ahead to the next season, Mark expressed an interest in Morgan Gibbs-White should he transfer to Manchester City, hinting at a promising future for the player.
Finally, Mark offered his thoughts on the controversial Assistant Manager Chip, describing it as overly complicated and straying from the essence of the game. His seasoned perspective highlights the importance of strategy and adaptability, particularly for managers looking to improve in the evolving landscape of FPL.
Mark’s resilience and insights can serve as valuable lessons for managers navigating the complexities of Fantasy Football, underscoring that even in a disappointing season, there is always room for growth and improvement. With the Elite XI’s combined experience of over 80 Top 10k finishes, fans and participants alike have much to look forward to in the upcoming 2025/26 season.