Hey! Wait, what? Bayindir? You mean, Altay Bayindir? Yes. Has he scored a point yet in the Fantasy Premier League 2024-25? No. You must be joking Mr. Paul! No, I am not.
It’s not everyday that you write a feature on someone who hasn’t played a single game in the Premier League this season, forget scoring points in the fantasy football game.
Success in life and FPL, often lies with one’s ability to remain ahead of others. You need to read the game, predict how it’s going to take shape and roll your dice accordingly.
Bayindir costs £4.3m in fantasy and is currently owned by only 0.1% of the managers, globally. You would be surprised to know that Tom Heaton, who is yet to feature for Manchester United this season, finds himself in more FPL teams.
The Fantasy Premier League 2024-25 has recently dropped something called ‘Second Chance’ which will be active from GW24. In life, you don’t always get a second chance. But Bayindir got one and gave no room for complaints.
People were surprised when the former United boss decided to sign him and Bayindir arrived at the red side of Manchester, one and a half years back. But then he was the first-choice keeper with the Turkey national team.
During the last Euro championship, Bayindir lost his no.1 spot and was relegated to the bench. Only last month, Tottenham ousted United from the English League Cup, which they won back in 2023.
The 3-4 loss was due to a lot of factors with Bayindir being one of the foremost. His schoolboy errors that night cost United and Amorim big time.
Immediately afterwards, there began a hue and cry. Rumours started to gain footing that Amorim himself wants a new no.2 goalkeeper in the summer, someone who can give some serious competition to Onana.
However, as it was written on the stars, Bayindir got his ‘second chance’ last night. In an all-important FA Cup third-round clash against Arsenal.
As it happened, despite leading with a solitary goal, United saw Dalot being sent off and Gabriel equalising within minutes. Arsenal got a penalty and another cup exit came on the brink. There were so many things at stake.
But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Bayindir not only stopped Odegaard’s fine shot from the spot but continued to deny Rice, Havertz and many others, what could have been a winner for the Gunners.
The Turkish last man of defence, sang his redemption song in full volume as he saved another penalty in the tiebreakers to guide Manchester United to the cusp of victory with Zirkjee sealing it off with the winning shot.
Quite rightfully, Bayindir has bagged the man of the match award. Now comes a new air of confusion — who is going to stand under the crossbar when United kicks off against Southampton at Old Trafford in GW21?
Going by Ruben Amorim’s footballing philosophy, don’t get surprised if Bayindir is preferred over Onana in the next gameweek. Therefore, it can be a real poker move if you can manage to transfer him in before GW21.
With momentum on their side and fixtures turning a bit smooth, Manchester United will have a great chance to keep a clean sheet against the Saints. Hence, Altay Bayindir won’t be just another budget option in the goalkeeping segment but also a huge, huge differential in FPL GW21 altogether.
Just to give you a gentle reminder, this is not at all a safe bet. But that’s how you make it big in FPL and life, right?
Bayindir can give you the edge that stood between the 10-men Manchester United for sixty minutes and an inspired Arsenal at the Emirates.
