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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Hey guys, it’s am4r77, just changed my name. I have came up with a team, but wanted to know any changes I could make to this. I’m not sure about ayoze Perez, just shoved him in their cause he was cheap.
Not sure you need Milner & Coutinho!!!
Didn’t even realise I had them both, cheers kop. I’ll try change that around.
Hi Amar. I’d make quite a few changes here to be honest.
1. I don’t think a playing 2nd GK is needed if you have a premium.
2. Smalling wont be first team for United unless there are injuries. Taylor and Rangel aren’t likely to play either.
3. Midfield is very weak and overloaded with L’pool.
4. Ayoze, nah. Deeney/Wilson/Defoe are all better options there i think.
Hi NIN, should I just use a cheap 2nd goalie, who doesn’t play. I need to change either coutinho or Milner, probably Milner. Cheers for the advice NIN.
How does this look NIN?
My suggestions would be: Azpilicueta in for Terry, Cedric in for Fonte, Giroud/Benteke in for Kane and upgrade Schneiderlin to someone you can afford. I also prefer Özil to Ramsey.
I’d say Speroni to a 4m GK if your going to stick with Courtois. Drop Smalling and Coutinho and spread the cash around both def and mid a bit better. Ayoze to maybe Deeney/Wilson or Defoe?
Any thoughts on my team below?
Any chance of a RMT on my current draft?
1st GW would be (as it stands):
Ruddy
Azpi / Huth / Francis
Ritchie / Hazard (C) / Sterling / Ozil / Chadli
Rooney / Benteke
Butland / Defoe / O’Shea / Toby
Cheers!
Looks a good squad to me. I’d probably play Defoe ahead of Chadli for GW1 but that’s neither here nor there.
I would drop ozil and spread the cash a bit in defence. Strikers look good.
well balanced! i am just not too convinced with ritchie!
more proven players available at the same price!
Have Ritchie as I dont fancy anyone else under 6mill. If I was to get Wanyama in instead it would free up 1.5m… Would the improvements be worth it?
Cheers Jasprit!
Cheers NIN, yeah that final starting spot will change up until the deadline!
Thanks Amar but have a feeling Ozil might start well (hopefully) and plan on downgrading him as part of getting Kun in.
Anyone know why Sakho hasn’t started
He must be injured or unfit, he’s not even on the bench.
Still suspended
Hi Smash are you sure cheers
Yep
Straight red in away leg of first qualifying round so this is the last game of his suspension
Rickie Lambert in talks with West Brom, no deal agreed yet…..
…will this mean Berahino to Spurs?
Cookie, Lamberts agreed terms, its the fee to decide between the 2 clubs.
good to know….would of thought the fee would be the easy part!!!!
+1.
peoples views on bamford for crystal palace. Just scored a hat trick away
Against Bromley… Promising and at a nice price, will be keeping an eye on him when Palace’s fixtures ease up but he wont be in my starting 15.
And then they sign Wickham
They don’t get much easier than Bromley 😉
Pelle goal. 1-0 saints!
Mane assist I think
Goal Tadic (Penalty). Penalty won by Mane. 2-0 saints
Mane the main man. Say that after a night on the VB!
Mane has looked really good
Mane looks very lively as always. Cedric making some decent runs too, looks more than comfortable on the ball.