van Ewijk (COV, Defender, £4.0m)

Verdict: HOLD

van Ewijk is a budget enabler who played 90 minutes in Gameweek 1, making him a decent bench option despite Coventry's defensive struggles and low FPL ceiling.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: van Ewijk is fully fit and available, having played the full 90 minutes in Gameweek 1. There are no injury concerns or news to report.
Recent Performance: He managed just 1 point in Gameweek 1 as Coventry conceded three goals away from home. While he started and completed the match, the clean sheet eluded him, which is a concern for a defender, even at his price point.
Upcoming Fixtures: Coventry face Hull (H) next, a favourable fixture with a difficulty rating of 2, offering a potential clean sheet opportunity. However, a daunting trip to Manchester City (A) in Gameweek 3 is likely to result in a blank, before another home game against Brighton (H) in Gameweek 4.
Underlying Stats: His ICT Index of 1.5 in Gameweek 1 is low, reflecting minimal attacking or defensive contributions beyond minutes played. His influence (10.6), creativity (2.0), and threat (2.0) are all modest, suggesting he's not a player expected to haul regularly.

Risks

The primary risk for van Ewijk is Coventry's defensive solidity, as evidenced by conceding three goals in Gameweek 1. While he appears nailed for now, the team's ability to keep clean sheets will dictate his FPL returns. The Gameweek 3 fixture against Manchester City is also a major concern, almost guaranteeing a blank.

Alternative Options

For managers looking for a playing £4.0m defender, it's worth scouting other options who might have better immediate fixtures or a stronger defensive unit. Alternatively, stretching the budget to £4.5m often unlocks more reliable starting defenders with greater clean sheet potential and a higher FPL ceiling.

The Strategic Play

van Ewijk remains a viable bench fodder option for managers who already own him, especially given his £4.0m price tag and starting role. However, new buyers should probably AVOID for now, as his FPL ceiling is low and Coventry's defensive form is questionable. Hold him if you have him as a playing enabler, but don't expect big hauls.

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