New Fantasy Premier League Transfers 2018/19 – Andriy Yarmolenko, Bernd Leno and Florin Andone
Welcome to New Fantasy Premier League Transfers 2018/19 – Andriy Yarmolenko, Bernd Leno and Florin Andone.
Omne trium perfectum. Perfection comes in threes. ‘The rule of three’ being of course a widely adapted writing principle, whether in comedy, advertising, or some other third thing. So why should Fantasy Football be any different? After trawling the breadths and depths of the Premier League transfer pond I handpicked the very best trio of recent FPL inductees.
Unfortunately they were already taken by other writers, so here are three blokes you’ve never heard of.
Andriy Yarmolenko | Midfielder | West Ham United | £7.0m
I remember what it was like getting my first Star Wars figurines. It felt like an addictive new world had opened up and I wanted to stockpile as many as possible. This urge to indulge in reckless profligacy eventually gave way to guilt and a hollow feeling of dissatisfaction. The initial hedonism of snapping up Han Solo and Luke Skywalker nosedived into a materialistic horde mentality via IG-88, the Rancor Keeper, and ultimately Snaggletooth.
Yarmolenko proudly holding aloft one of his many household appliance themed scarves.
So, it was with concerned empathy that I saw new West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini bring in his 18th signing in 2 weeks. Andriy Yarmolenko, a £17.5m signing from Borussia Dortmund, has featured extensively in The Irons’ pre-season, but it’s Arnautovic grabbing the headlines so far, making the Ukrainian a hard sell.
However, if he can ride on Arnie’s coattails, he could quickly become an attractive mid-priced midfield proposition. Realistically, a cautious wait-and-see policy may be the sensible option as West Ham have some tricky opening fixtures to navigate.
Ostensibly a winger, though sometimes deployed as a forward, Yarmolenko had an impressive stint at Dynamo Kiev scoring on 99 occasions in 228 appearances, before crossing over to the Bundesliga. Spurs fans may remember his first start in a Dortmund shirt, scoring a sumptuous curler in their Champions League tie.
Antonio’s recent scoring return from injury will add further congestion to an impressive but bloated squad. A great problem for the new boss and a headache for us. Watching West Ham’s cast of characters gel will make for an intriguing soap opera over the coming season with Hammers fans hoping history doesn’t look back at Yarmolenko as Pellegrini’s Snaggletooth moment.
Bernd Leno | Goalkeeper | Arsenal | £5.0m
Ben Foster, Alisson Becker, Angus Gunn, Alex Smithies, Danny Ward, Robert Green… Is it just me or has this summer’s transfer merry-go-round been hijacked by a jealous union of hitherto disenfranchised goalkeepers? Brighton alone have signed 3. All aboard the glove train.
First David Letterman, now Petr Cech. Leno is unlikely to shirk this latest battle for no.1.
Not to be outdone, Unai Emery’s been shopping on E-Bayer. Arriving for a shade over £19m, Bernd Leno poses an interesting conundrum for FPL folk should Petr Cech refuse to take the hint and vacate the premises.
(Rumour has it that Cech came back to his London mansion and found all his stuff packed in boxes with a signed farewell card resting on top. Shrugging his shoulders Petr mumbled something about the chances of that happening accidentally by itself being astronomical, yet possible. He chuckled and adjusted his headguard. He then slowly unpacked everything, returning all his belongings back to their rightful places before settling down to watch a Quincy box-set. I must reassert that this is just a rumour. Started by me. Just now.)
Leno was part of the Bayer Leverkusen side which finished fifth in the Bundesliga last season. Just don’t mention that Augsburg game. He began his career at Stuttgart so fans of bilingual spoonerisms will be hoping he gets off to a ‘gut start’ at Arsenal.
The German stopper helped Leverkusen keep 9 clean sheets in his 30 Bundesliga appearances last season. He also holds a record 9 penalty saves in the Bundesliga. Leno’s 45 clean sheets since the start of the 2014/15 season is bettered only by Die Mannschaft’s keeper/left-winger Manuel Neuer (56).
Florin Andone | Forward | Brighton and Hove Albion | £5.0m
“I don’t like to talk about targets in terms of goals, to put that pressure on myself. My main aim is to play as many games as possible and to help the team. My main strengths are my speed and running in behind. I’m a hard worker.”
You can keep your Fancy Dan prolific goalscorers. This man just wants to play as many games as possible. And maybe meet Fatboy Slim.
That’s your guaranteed 2 points-a-game FPL benchwarmer sorted then. Any questions?
The Seagulls capitalized on Deportivo La Coruna’s relegation to La Liga 2, a fate which halved Florin Andone‘s buyout clause to just £5.25m. He favours the role of lone frontman which should be a good fit for Chris Hughton’s system, although last season’s top scorer Glenn Murray will provide obstinate competition.
Yet to play alongside his new teammates at the time of writing, the Romanian international is expected to make his Albion debut in a behind-closed-doors knockabout with Nice this week. Depending on how tightly closed the doors are, we may never know.
Though unremarkable, his goal scoring record is respectable. Across the top two tiers in Spain, Florin Andone netted 27 in 58 appearances for Cordoba and 19 in 69 for Deportivo. It’s hard to see that ratio seismically changing in England’s top flight, but will aspire to be better than his 1 in 21 quotient for the national team. Whether he’ll go on to be the next Michu, or the next Soldado, who knows. He should at least be a BPS magnet for his speed, running in behind and hard work.
Thanks for reading New Fantasy Premier League Transfers 2018/19 – Andriy Yarmolenko, Bernd Leno and Florin Andone. This article was written by Bry
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Hey lads, looking into fine-tuning the subs and differentials already.
First – my cheap goalie backup (I have Ederson as main). Do you think Stecklenburg might start at least GW1? With City playing Arsenal, he might be worth the punt. If he does not play – Ederson will still come in as a sub. Second choice will be Hamer. I rather pick the ones with low ownership and from teams that only have two goalies registered in order to avoid price drops down the line.
Any thoughts on Keita and Hughes as 3rd and 4th midfield options (Sane and Salah being starters)?
I have Hamer but the Steklenburg pick could be worth a punt!
Keita should be good but I don’t rate Hughes as much as AT does so I’ll let him answer that one for you haha
Thanks Mat! There are plenty of similar mid options at 5.0. I am even considering Herrera as a punt, since he will likely be occupying one of the 3 mid spots in Uniteds midfield until Pogba and Matic are back. Cairney and McArthur also being decent options. I somehow don’t get the Kante and Neves love.
I have been summoned.
Hi, mate. I’d probably only be comfortable with Hughes as a fifth mid whom I rotate with a defender/attacker or use only as a first sub. His stats were okay last season, and he probably should have grabbed a couple more goals/assists in his time, but ultimately, and its the same with all the £5.0m mids, I wouldn’t trust them to score points every other week. An exception might be Cairney if he has penalty responsibilities back.
I think Cairney would be the best bet out of all of them as he is attacking whereas the others are defensive.
I’d say the Kante and Neves love is because they are the big names and everyone has seen Neves’ worldies so they are obviously hoping for that every week.
Another 5.0 to keep an eye on is Helder Costa of Wolves. I think he may have lost his starting place but will definitely come on as a sub in most if not all games.
Thanks guys, you managed to talk me out of Hughes for now. Will give it a bit more thought and try to squeeze out and extra 0.5 from somewhere. It always comes down to that last bit in the last week, doesn’t it…
P.S. Forgot to mention that I plan to start with 4-3-3 for the first few GWs. I have resorted to this strategy in the last two seasons and worked well. As soon as a 5-6M mid gem reveals himself, I will jump ships and switch to the good old 3-4-3.
Hello all,
Got this now. Is the bench too weak?
Quite similar to mine, so hope not! It is likely that at least one of the two 4.0 defs will play too.
Plus looking at you midfield and strikers, I do not see a lot of room for cutting. Maybe De Bruyne (also risk for GW1) to Eriksen or Sane and upgrade WB to Tomkins.
Thanks. Was thinking De Bruyne to Eriksen and getting a 4.5 Def
David Silva is a bit of a worry. I don’t see him getting as many minutes as last season but could do very well regardless. Also don’t fancy the two 4.0 defs I think they are all risky options this season so we could all end up with 1 useless player every week so you won’t want to possibly have 2 useless players.
Cheers. Think I may upgrade one of those 4.0 defenders.
+1. Also, Pogba is being rumored to be available for GW1. If he does, he can slot in quite well.
Howdy Gang. Question for ya. KDB and Coleman or Sane and Vertonghen?
Eachy peachy imo.
Trying to get as many top six players in
Option B I’d say
Cheers Matt that’s the combo I opted with.
Salah and 4.5m mid and 4.0m gk or erikson, keita and fabianski?
Jamie
Who’s your other goalie? And will this suggested 4.5m mid sit on the bench or not?
Patricio and yes the 4.5 mid will be benched.
In that case I’d get Salah!
Hi Jamie option 2 spreads the wealth better, but the risk is no Salah and then falling behind.
Agreed neilos and I know re salah.
Thanks
It’s a hard one Jamie – can you post up your squad ?
Very tough to say given the amount of info provided, Jamie…
You probably saw it a dozen times in previous posts, but most of us consider Salah a must (high ownership, and cap potential). That being said, you should still be able to accommodate at least one mid in the 9-10 m bracket and one in the 6-7 one, plus a premium striker.
If that helps, I currently have Salah AND Keita as Pool coverage, then Sane and Kun for City (plus Robertson and Ederson). Sane is an early punt and can be turned into Eriksen following the return of Spurs’s WC players and the Utd game.
If you have a premium keeper, just go for a 4.0 backup. If you wanna rotate two 4.5 ones, Fabianski should be one to consider highly.
XAOC – your team sounds great – can you post it if you dont mind ?
My team is on comment 35.
Thanks
Mornin all. Bit more tinkering. Do we prefer :
A- Kun, Kamara, KDB, Fabregas (3-5-2)
B- Lacazette, Firmino, Sane, Hudson-Odoi (3-4-3)
Probably B, but both options have a lot of doubts.
A) Kamara won’t start, who knows with Fabregas, KdB could start, but safer to assume he comes off the bench GW1 and Kun looks like the right guy to own, but there is always a slight concern with Jesus out and about.
B) Lacazette has done well in pre-season and I would think he starts up top for now. Firmino could be ready for GW1 by the sounds of it, Sane look a great option, but with the exception of KdB not sure any minutes are guaranteed in the City midfield and Hudson-Odoi if he stays with CFC could be a decent punt, but I am not sure how much will be trusted by Sarri considering his age and if Willian and Hazard stay that’s just less possible playing time available.
That’s a long way to say neither 😉
We’re trying to train Mito to mask his negativity a bit. 😉
Seems like you’re heading somewhere with that 😀
Yeah it is.
If all starting then I’d choose neither, both the 4.5m options are very shaky in terms of starting games… However, if you bench the 4.5m option, then it’s a different story, and in that case I’d choose B because Fabregas has question marks all over him…
Having said that I do like Aguero/KDB a lot!
#Fencesitter
Cheers all. Maybe I’ll just delete my FPL account now :big-lol:
To answer, yes both 4.5 options would be benched. Back to the drawing board.
Go ed Col, i’ve just hit the mls delete button.
ha I jumped off mls after i missed the week 3 deadline
Afternoon all
I know there’s a few to keep an eye on here but the plan is Austin to Ings if he moves which gives me 0.5m to upgrade Erik to KDB in GW3 along with either Kun to PEA or Firm to Laca in the same GW.
Hudson is a huge punt for now but may end up being Stephens/Ward etc. Luiz starting the CS would help, if not Bailly would take that spot.
Thoughts?
I like it mate. Shaw would be my only worry
Should be in for the first couple at least I would imagine but yeah another to keep an eye on
Should be but don’t trust Mourinho at all!
I don’t think Mourinho trusts Mourinho
Awesome, cannot stop laughing, “Mourinho does not trust Mourinho”
Don’t like Austin don’t think he will play enough but I like the rest
Yeah he’s just a place holder until we hear about Ings
I like it a lot. I actually have very similar team currently. Fab and Lamela could easily be Jota and Richarlison before deadline. Also probably Mata if I decide to go with Eriksen istead of Sanchez.
if you can get moura instead of lamela, i think he could be gold early doors. maybe shave some money off fabregas