USER JOURNEY SERIES: N°1
ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS DRAFT ONBOARDING
This past week has been all about the open alpha launch. As more and more people join the Ultimate Champions managerial journey, we thought it was time to give some recommendations about the gameweek draft process — directly from our players!
Introducing Ultimate Champions User Journey Series, first edition!
Meet Joel
Hi! I’m Joel, a passionate football fan working for Ultimate Champions, creating football-related content on the Instagram account!
The seed that has grown my love for the sport was planted at a young age when I attended my first Northampton Town fixture at the age of 3. Despite spending a good two-thirds of the game asleep and having absolutely no idea what was going on, I consider this as the start of my football journey which has led me to where I am now.
From playing football myself to posting about EFL on Instagram, I have grown my knowledge on not only English football but also more recently top European leagues such as La Liga and the Serie A.
My fantasy football adventure, like many others, started by playing the popular fantasy premier league (FPL) game, competing against friends for bragging rights and proof of my football understanding.
Having been on the Ultimate Champions Alpha for just over 2 months, I can say without a doubt (but maybe some bias) that the game provides a new dimension to fantasy football through its revolutionary play to earn (P2E) mechanics.
With the new the open alpha update, players are given the opportunity to cherry pick their ‘starter squad’ of 11 player.
The draft consists of multiple factors, the first being the prices. Players are priced based on how in-form they have been in their previous five games. This runs parallel with the 100-champ coin budget offered. As outlined below, you get 1 goalkeeper pick, 4 defender picks, 4 midfielder picks and 2 forwards.
Joel’s Draft
Goalkeeper:
Craig MacGillivray (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders:
George Baldock (Sheffield United)
Naby Sarr (Huddersfield Town)
Jake Cooper (Millwall)
Pipa Avilla (Huddersfield Town)
Midfielders:
Elliot Embleton (Sunderland)
Branco van den Boomen (Toulouse)
Kieran Lee (Bolton Wanderers)
Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United)
Forwards:
Saido Berahino (Sheffield Wednesday)
Daniel Jebbison (Sheffield United)
Player by player, here were my thoughts when selecting my draft:
1. Craig MacGillivray
My first thoughts when selecting a goalkeeper were: ‘Is he going to play in every game possible?’ That in itself narrowed my list down to a couple of shot stoppers who play the majority of games for their clubs.
My first choice would have undoubtedly been my cobblers shot stopper Liam Roberts, but to my misfortune a deal with Northampton is still on the ‘to do list’. MacGillivray however has been a mainstay in Charlton’s side this season, he’s an experienced and notably talented goalkeeper for League One level.
The only risk for this pick was Charlton’s very inconsistent form as of late and the hefty price tag placed on him.
2. George Baldock
For me this pick was close to a no-brainer. With prices at the time, Baldock was relatively cheap compared to other defenders of his quality. Baldock thrives in the right-wing-back role of which he is deployed in the Blades’ 3–4–2–1 system. He has an eye for goal, backed up by a sensational volley scored against Swansea back in February. United also possess a solid defensive record in the championship, another contributing factor.
3. Naby Sarr
Coming in at a budget price!
Naby Sarr was a risk I was willing to take, in order to free up funds further up the pitch.
Sarr is a gifted defender but struggles at times to break into the Huddersfield starting XI, which made this pick slightly risky.
Huddersfield boasts a strong defensive record, a factor behind the decision to pick Sarr alongside his cheap price tag.
4. Jake Cooper
This next pick was a BIG one. Cooper, arguably one of the most supreme defenders in the EFL, came in at a whopping price causing compromises to be made elsewhere that I was willing to make.
Millwall have had a great defensive record as of late, just like Sheffield United and Huddersfield. Cooper has contributed an impressive 4 goals to Millwall’s campaign from the back.
5. Pipa Avilla
Another Huddersfield pick — completed my back 4, making a whole championship affair at the back!
With my budget making my final defender pick limited, I went for a player from a team consistent at the back yet again in order to rack up those team points that contribute to an individual’s score in Ultimate Champions.
6. Elliot Embleton
You may not have heard of Elliot Embleton, but he sure is a League One gem. Coming in from the wing, Embleton has scored 5 goals and provided 6 assists for Sunderland this season. A contributing factor to this pick was in fact one of his teammates Ross Stewart being in fine form. I picked Embleton with the hope that the in-form Stewart could possibly bolt onto the end of chances that Embleton provides him gifting assist points to my midfielder.
7. Branco van den Boomen
My biggest pick of my draft! Van den Boomen was the most expensive player in the draft — which cames with its justification. He has a ridiculous *12 goals and 18 assists* in 30 games for Ligue 2 leaders Toulouse FC this season. Needn’t I do much research on van den Boomen, those stats speak for themselves, ridiculous. Not only that, but Toulouse are flying, increasing the chance of team points coming my way!
8. Kieran Lee
This next pick was yet another budget pick to compensate for my big spending on van den Boomen and Cooper. Lee is an experienced EFL midfielder who showcases quality almost second to none at League One level. He is consistent but plays for the inconsistent Bolton as of late so this pick could be decent or not so good.
9. Iliman Ndiaye
Another pick from Sheffield United. Having watched Ndiaye score a fantastic solo goal against championship league leaders Fulham in December, he was a must- have in my squad for the price he was available and is certainly destined for big things in the future.
Partner that with the ability in the Blades squad around him, contributions and points are certainly a possibility.
10. Saido Berahino
This pick was personal to me as an individual, due to his brilliant time at the cobblers which kickstarted a rise almost to the very top. Berahino is now with Sheffield Wednesday after a tough couple of seasons, but he is hitting his heights again recently scoring a hattrick in a 6–0 demolition of Cambridge as well as adding 4 assists this season too.
11. Daniel Jebbison
Another United player makes it a full Sheffield attack. Jebbison burst onto the scene after the Blades’ relegation from the premier league had been confirmed last season, scoring on his professional debut for the club against Everton.
Since then, Jebbison has flourished in the yellow and black of Burton Albion under former Chelsea star striker Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink’s guidance, scoring 9 goals in 23 games in league one.
Since returning to United, Jebbison has struggled for game time but one breakthrough could be massive for the youngster.
My drafting recommendations (with hindsight):
While writing this piece I realized I made a massive error in my drafting. Bronco van den Boomen after racking in the points on Saturday didn’t have a fixture in the midweek game, undermining my whole draft…
So a big tip from me would be to plan for the future, not just the immediate gameweek when drafting! Of course after bigging up my star defender Jake Cooper he went and scored an own goal, something which wasn’t at all ideal.
My risks mainly paid off bar Naby Sarr and Kieran Lee who didn’t play, however when the substitutes bench is introduced these risks could well be worth it.
That’s about it guys! See you in the Alpha, and soon, in the Beta.
Link to the game here: https://ultimate-champions.com/ln/play
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