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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Evening all.
Watching Southampton and Mane has done very well. Southampton’s first goal was a lovely move and I’m encouraged by how attacking Cedric looks.
Following West Ham on twitter and Payet has one assist and seems to be crossing everything and playing every final pass.
Down to ten men again though! Collins sent off for two bookings.
gday GP. How you doing?
Hi Tom
Very good thank you. Glad to be back watching some proper football. Do you have Southampton coverage in your latest draft?
Yeh I’ve got Cedric (looks very impressive) and J-Rod at the moment GP
GP, thanks for the updates! Mane has been in and out of my draft (currently out) but he looked bloody good when I saw him last season. I really like him. I actually don’t think I’m talking to you anymore, just convincing myself I should have him! How’s your team looking, did you go for Teke?
Alex
I need about 9 midfield spots :noshakes:
Took in Benteke last night. Going to have another look again later to see if it feels right. No Southampton offence in my team currently but do have Cedric who looks good.
With all this talk of Mane I’m really regretting taking him out of my team. This is my current team and I’m thinking of giving Wally a few weeks and then taking him out for Mane is that a good plan or should I just do it now? This would however leave me with two Southampton midfielders which I don’t like. What should I do?
Butland Rudy
Mings Azpi Cedric O’Shea Prodl/Wisdom(not decided yet)
Haz Wally Sterling Milner Wanyama
Rooney Benteke Defoe
1 mil left over
MattX
I’d say Wisdom.
Southampton do have some tidy fixtures and Mane and Tadic both can look very dangerous. Can you go Milner – Mane straight with your funds?
Assume Wanyama will be left on your bench most of the time anyway so the double coverage won’t affect to much?
Cheers GP.
I was thinking that but I want the mil to help in making Rooney and Benteke into Ageuro and J.Rod in GW4 so don’t know about that one.
True but I just don’t fancy it you never know when you’ll need a 5th mid plus it kind of eliminates any rotation choices I want to make.
Matt
Wanyama isn’t the most productive of players in terms of fantasy returns though so hardly worth rotating in. Should have scored in the first half tonight mind you. Weak shot.
Week four is a while away and Rooney could be storming it by then
True. I didn’t want him in the team in the first place but he’s probably the best 4.5 mid so just had to put him in.
True but it’s also Kun!! So if Rooney is flying I’d probably sell Tekkers and Walcott and see what I’d be left with for a new mid.
jeez West Ham struggling now
What do u guys think
If i remove depay and rooney
For mane and kane?
I’d leave Rooney in there and just change Depay to Mane
Good team. Leave it as it is. Not sure about double Norwich at the back though
Thx mattx and smash10
Evening all, undecided between two teams and in need of advice. Need to stop tinkering!!!!
Any takers..
Hi sledge, I’ll be honest I looked at those 2 for a long time and honestly couldn’t decide! Probably slightly favouring the Kane one I think but then the midfield is weaker as a result. Probably just a case of biting the bullet and picking one and seeing how your luck is!
Hey Sledge I’d go for the 2nd one mainly because you have both Ramsey and Ozil in team 1.
Thanks inittowinit and mattx. Any ideas on how to improve the first one then?
Yeah, make it look exactly like the 2nd :hippo:
Shane Long goal. Assisted by Juanmi