Norwegian FPL champion Jonas Sand Labakk has revealed his team lineup for the start of the 2024 fantasy football season, causing mixed reactions among fans. Labakk, who clinched the title last season, has made some surprising choices in his Gameweek 1 squad, including leaving out last year’s top-scoring midfielder and defender.
Labakk has stuck with some popular picks such as Erling Haaland, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Bukayo Saka, but has raised eyebrows by omitting players like Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah from his squad. Fans have expressed skepticism over Labakk’s selections, especially his decision to exclude top-performing Arsenal defenders and high-scoring players like Salah and Palmer.
In goal, Labakk has opted for David Raya as his first choice, backed up by Lukas Fabianski. His defensive lineup includes Alexander-Arnold, Pedro Porro, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, and Valentin Barco, with no Arsenal defenders in sight. Labakk’s midfield features Saka, Bruno Fernandes, Eberechi Eze, Andreas Pereira, and Morgan Rogers, with no room for Salah or Palmer. His forward line consists of Haaland, Alexander Isak, and Joao Pedro.
Fans have voiced their doubts about Labakk’s team selection, with some questioning his judgment and others expressing uncertainty about his chances of repeating his success from last season. Despite the criticism, Labakk has defended his choices, citing his use of analytics and optimization in his decision-making process. He emphasizes the importance of research and strategy in fantasy football, acknowledging the role of luck but also highlighting the need for hard work and analysis in achieving success.
Labakk’s approach to team selection may not align with popular opinion, but his commitment to data-driven decision-making and risk aversion sets him apart as a champion with a unique perspective on fantasy football. As the new season kicks off, fans will be watching closely to see if Labakk’s unconventional choices pay off once again.