New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. Benteke
Liverpool strikers managed a total of just eight goals between them last season, so the Merseysiders were always going to dip into the transfer market for a new striker this summer and it hardly came as a surprise that that striker turned out to be Christian Benteke. Liverpool’s transfer policy over the past 25 years has been questionable at best and one look at the signings made by Brendan Rodgers since his arrival at the helm would leave anyone scratching their head. It wouldn’t have come as a surprise had Liverpool’s owners dispatched with the services of Rodgers over the summer, and one thing is for sure, if Benteke isn’t a success over the coming season Rodgers will be sent packing next May!
Christian Benteke (Liverpool 8.5)
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The Belgian arrived in Birmingham as an unknown quantity back in August 2012 but soon made a name for himself finishing the 2012-13 season with 19 leagues goals from 34 appearances. He missed large chunks of the following two seasons through injury, but he arrives at Anfield having scored a total of 42 league goals from just 88 appearances over the three seasons. Clearly he knows where the net is but that’s not the issue, the issue is whether or not he fits into Liverpool’s style of play. Some will say that he doesn’t as he scores goals!
Villa undoubtedly played to Benteke’s strengths i.e. they got plenty of crosses into the box. As Tim Sherwood said prior to the FA Cup final, “We cross more balls into the box than any other club in the league and Christian has said he feeds of those crosses…there’s no point going to a club where they don’t cross the ball”. The stats certainly back up Sherwood, last season Benteke won more headers than any other forward in the league while the previous season he won the second most. To put this into context, Liverpool have ranked the lowest and second lowest for crosses over the last two seasons. After reading this most of you have probably decided that Benteke in no longer an FPL option, but before you make such a decision I should point out that of his 42 league goals only 13 of these have been scored with his head.
The arrival of Benteke at Anfield will undoubtedly bring comparisons with one Andy Carroll and while both are devastating in the air and have the ability to bully defences, there are differences between the two. Carroll failed because he lacked pace & movement, Benteke should have no such problems. Granted his recent injuries have probably robbed him of some pace, but compared to Carroll he is Usain Bolt. Despite this, however you look at it. something has to give, either Benteke’s style or that of the team and with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and new signing Firmino in the team I would suggest that Benteke will be asked to somewhat alter his style of play. If this is the case I would be very surprised if the Belgian can break the 20 goal barrier this season, rather he will be asked to bring others into play and thus the goals could be spread around the team. This of course will be good for Liverpool but perhaps not so good for those FPL managers with big hopes for the Belgian.
Liverpool have a mixed bag of fixtures throughout August, September & October. Home games against Bournemouth, West Ham, Norwich & Villa are counterbalanced by away games to the likes of Arsenal, United, Everton, Spurs & Chelsea. So if you’re waiting for Liverpool to have a decent run of fixtures before bringing Benteke in you’ll be waiting a while. My advice is that if you fancy Benteke jump on early to take advantage of those home games and hope that both he & Liverpool pick up a few results in those tough away games.
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I think I posted this in the wrong spot. In any case, a re-post.
Following Init’s deft analysis, and some of Matthew Martyniak’s advice, I’ve come up with:
Please RMT
Courtois/Hennessey
Caulker/Alderweireld/Huth/Francis/Clyne
Fabregas/Milner/Mahrez/Ritchie/Sterling
Kane/Rooney/Benteke
Rooney plus one other forward get me to Aguero, with Vardy and J-Rod being my current 6.0 and 7.0 prospects (on 2 FT-have to be more disciplined than in the past, as it’s gw4). Vardy leaves me with 3 Leicester players, but worse could happen).
And 3 Liverpool players. Well, it’s Darmian or Shaw I’m favouring, but LVG has to pull a trigger on another cd.
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Triple L’pool and no hazard is enough for me to have doubts here.
Hey gang – who’s the best bet from this lot of 5.0 defenders?
Toby, Lescott, VanAanholt, Shawcross, Chester, Lovren, Jenkinson (when back) (and anyone I missed?)
I would say Toby or Cedric( someone you missed). Shawcross could be an option too but he’d be 3rd on my list.
Cedric is one of the first players on every draft I make.
Howdy mate. I’d go van Aanholt from that lot.
Over Toby? Sunderland conceded yday. 😉
Cedric way ahead before any of those though.
Spurs lost to MLS allstars… so…..
Cedric won’t be in my squad, so yeah, i’d go van Aanholt from this selection.
Why not NiN? He had like 4 assists in preseason alone and well all know Soton knows how to setup a team to defend. Though, they might need another defender with Toby gone. Sighs. Bit like United, f-ing LvG is too stubborn though. >.<
Just don’t see the appeal. He’s a card magnet and hasn’t really put up significant enough attacking numbers to make up for that. I would rather squeeze another £0.5m for Caulker.
*Caulker/Fonte
Cheers guys. Should’ve mentioned I’ve already got Cedric & Azpi locked in, and leaning towards Toby in place of Mert.
Ah right well then I’d agree with NIN i actually didn’t notice PVA and I think with his attacking potential he’s a better bet.
WTF, last thing I hear Depay will be used as a 10? Sighs. He’s a f-ing winger. Geeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Ye that’s what LVG seems to be playing anyway with Mata ( a no.10) is being pushed out wide.
Which is crazy. Sighs. On that note, I think he can do more damage as a 10, but his speed, won’t the advantage be much greater on the flanks? Also, MATA IS SLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know it’s annoying but if it completely screws United I’ll think it is the best management style ever 😛 hahaha
Shrugs, can’t be much worse than Bren Rodgers. :p
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77H5nHdcyQM
Hahah I know but at least Rodgers was never considered a world class manager so he has an excuse
haha
Shrugs, if you appoint LvG you know you appoint a crazy person. Barcelona knew this, Bayern knew this and United knew this. He’ll probably get the job done though. As for top 5 coaches, Pellegrini is the only guy that’s a little normal. ;
As for his style, they’re gonna play 4-3-3, which isn’t bad. But Mata should be the number 10 and not Depay. Nobody is talking about Young but if this system is going to be played, he’ll be on the left flank, very interesting.
That is true and Pellegrini is a bit boring to be honest. Guardiola is normal.
I read that Young is looking for a move away from United so I wouldn’t even bother with him
LMAO. DUDE? WTF are you talking about? Pep normal? He’s about the furthest from. Not even talking how he behaves when he’s standing across the pitch, they’re up 6-1 and he still acts like a mad man. I’d rather have someone that sits down. Don’t like LvG but unlike Wenger he doesn’t step up all the time, he just sits and let Giggs get up.
Also, a lot of players that don’t get along with Pep have really bad stories about him. As for Robben, he gets along with him but he says Pep calls him at 3-4am and talks about tactics. Dude is crazy, not normal. Far from. :p
Okay that I didn’t know about hahah atleast he’s committed to his job. 😛
Too committed if you ask me. HAHA! I guess all the great coaches have to be annoying twats though.
As for LvG. In all honesty, I think United are going to fail terribly with Blind at the back. He’s decided on Shaw, Blind and Darmian. Just needs to look at Smalling and Jones, which will get the fourth place. Pathetic. Reeks of favoritism. Dude is giving Dutchies a bad name. And hey, we all know that should be my job.
That one is terrible, this one is better. :dance:
Very true.
Nice pics.
really don’t think Blind will be any good for United at the back but all better for everyone else.
Yeah, would be very foolish to get United defense. In all honesty, in defense of Blind, he does have 1 tool. He sees the game, he understands it and from the back he’s better at passing the ball to midfield and open up play than the other guys are. He’s not fast enough, not big enough, not talented enough to be a good central defender though. Sighs. Aah well, everybody in the Netherlands already laughing their asses off when he plays, he’s so average.
Ye I think he would be better off sitting just in front of the defence so unless LVG plays 3 at the back with Blind just in front so he can see the play as you say then I don’t see him being any good.
@ present Depay is in my team but its a toss up between him Ozil & Caz not decided yet 😉
Same here Silvers! But having Rooney helps lean me away from Depay… my head says Caz but my gut says Ozil.
James I will probably swap Costa to Roo for the 1st 3 GW which in turn will make me swap Depay too I’m leaning towards Ozil he is playing in the No 10 roll but things can change.
Exactly mate, his position is much more favourable than the deep-lying Cazorla’s, but often that doesn’t stop him outscoring Ozil aha!
The tough decisions are all part of the fun…
Really hope Rodriguez shines tonight!
It’s pretty obvious why. We have no right winger who’s good enough. Once we get one, Mata will be the 10 and Depay goes out left. It’s why we’re going for Pedro. Van Gaal knows exactly what’s he’s doing :thumbup:
Who’s the best 4.5 mil defender? Currently have O’Shea, Mings and Prodl right now I’m thinking Prodl to Wisdom.
Whichever one fits best with the ones you’ve got. #research :hippo:
I know I’m trying to use FFF to do some research but they have Morgan as best and they haven’t added Wisdom yet. 😛
MattX there really isn’t a lot of choice Mings good Huth if he gets in goal threat , Ward CRY solid Cook might be worth a shout gets a few goals every season from set plays wouldn’t touch Nor def just yet
Ye I’m thinking of Huth but is he going to play every game? He is getting on in years.
Not going to touch Palace until at least GW6 unless it’s Cabaye and I’m still not sure abut that yet.
Cook is a Bournemouth player isn’t he? I think i’ll go for Mings first.
Why not Norwich??
Read Fixtures 1-8 above new club , if you are rotating he might be worth a gamble , I’m planning on just having 4 Def & let it roll hopefully try & get cash later for another.
Fixtures 1-8?? Are you talking about Huth as a good rotation? Ye right now I’m thinking of downgrading Prodl to a 4.0 mil defender and using the .5 to upgrade Cedric to Caulker but I’m not sure.
MattX keep Cedric tap on Tip @ top hit fixtures gw1-gw8 have a read
Ah right Cheers Silver.
Sorry, one more while we’re at it!
Deeney & Ritchie/Mahrez
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Ighalo & Cabaye ?
Tough one but I’d go Deeney and Ritchie
+1
Newest draft. Anyone have thoughts? Seeing any issues?
The plan is to assess situation and get rid of 2 of my Arsenal players in order to get City & United coverage over the first 3-4 weeks, just not sure who yet. I’m having a hard time fitting Aguero in, but I know that’s dangerous once he’s fit.
Anyone thinking about Dzeko until Aguero is ready?
Also, is double Chelsea defense a necessity or would I be better off with a cheaper defender instead of Azp to free up some cash?
If I’m being honest really don’t like this team. It’s the triple Chelsea and Triple Arsenal. I think maybe Courtios –> Cech and Giroud and Caz/Ozil out to Sterling or SIlva and whatever money you have left to bring in a different striker.
MattX, thanks for the feedback!
My thought was that Arsenal have good fixtures the first two weeks and I didn’t like City’s. So the plan is to do exactly what you said with Caz/Oz -> Sterling/Silva after GW3. I also thought of Giroud -> Rooney, but I don’t have the cash for it without downgrading.
Am I better off going Courtois-> Cech or Azp -> Mert?
I suppose that is true, I just feel it’s putting all your eggs in one basket as it’s not guaranteed Arsenal will win both those games, you know?
I’d prefer Cech as Azpi has attacking potential so it’ll be better than a GK that stays in goals.