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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Thoughts on this current draft? Planning on going Depay to Milner, Vardy to Ighalo and Rooney to Aguero when fit. That could well change though.
Howdy Tom. That seems like quite a bit of work to get young Sergio in there, any way of getting that down to 2 FT’s that you’d be happy with? I’d be concerned about picking up an injury/suspension and then being in a bit of a muddle as to what to do.
Strike-force is a bit light for my liking but it’s a strong auld team mate :thumbup:
Do we think Costa will be fit for gw1?
…and which combo is better?
1) deeney, depay, azpiliqueta
Or
2) Rooney, Aarons, huth
Also, which is better?
1) Benteke and depay
Or
2) Rooney and hendo
So basically, I can have…
1) Rooney + benteke + 5.0mid + 4.5def
Or
2) Rooney/benteke + 5.5atk + 7.0/8.5mid + azpiliqueta
Hehe, my heads hurting trying to compute all that, sounds like one of my Friday night questions when I know what I mean myself but conveying it is a different matter! I think I like the 2nd option on the 3rd comment – 2) Rooney/benteke + 5.5atk + 7.0/8.5mid + azpiliqueta.
Hi All,
Would love your guys input on a few things. Team currently is:
Courtois/Hennessey
Mings/Wisdom/Cedric/Baker/Toby
Hazard/Milner/Walcott/Cabaye/Anya
Aguero/Wilson/Rooney
A – Baker and Toby or Huth and O’shea (latter gives me a full starting defensive line, but feel Toby will do well at Spurs) or any other 2 x 4.5m def that would work in well?
With Aguero a doubt for GW1 should was thinking of just swapping him out, but would have a chunk of cash sitting in the bank, so thinking, if needed, Aguero and Cabaye out for ? Would have 19.5m for 2 players (JEEZ!!) so…
B – Best striker and Mid to add in for a GW1 punt? (I took 2 4PH’s only last season so dont mind doing a 4PH in GW1) since my gut says Pelly has to start his best player against Chelsea
Sorry C – Wilson or Defoe? Undecided on this…
Peter Pan..
Defence needs sorting.
Baker, wisdom not nailed
Mings, Anya, Wilson untested in prem…may flop?
You’ve got a good spine
But your supporting cast let you down.
Try spreading the money a little more evenly while keeping must haves.
Bigpopz
Plan originally was to play Cedric and Toby and rotate Mings and Wisdom but think having Cedric supported by 2 of 4 4.5m def that rotate might give my an edge since they would all be starters.
Anya is a 4.5m filler that doubt will start for me, but then again what other option is there if I want to keep those big guns?
Same with Wilson, he has decent fixtures, but might go with Defoe since his experienced and also has nice fixtures…
Hey chaps..
Anyone around to take a look at this lot..?
Got two to Grill’.!
I’m around, but I’m not a chap or just anyone. So can’t rate your time big.
Team looks good. Not sure about Speroni, Clyne, Fabs. Also, not sure about Giroud. F… knows what Wenger will do. Giroud is pretty much the only big presence they have in their team so I think they should start him.
Aaah yes, what the baby said under me. Three Liverpool players? I’m fine with just one.
Team 2 but id change Fabregas and Speroni then your sorted I think.
No love for Fab Matt?
For who? Fab or Matt? We got all the love for Matt. Who gives a shit about Fab?
Haha cheers Raz feeling the love
No Dreamers I just think there isn’t much point in having both Fab and Haz and I think Haz is the better to have.
Three Liverpool players could be a problem considering their tough away fixtures. Also due to them being Liverpool players. 😉
I prefer team one because of that strong front seven.
I like the look of A personally
Strong top 7 and decent defenders (and can rotate from 3 for the 3rd spot)
Hey guys! New to FF247.. Have played FPL before, but out of touch for a couple of years. Would really appreciate any and all comments on the team I have scrounged together as of yet.. With 2.5 mil in the bank.
I have a few doubts:
1. Whether I should keep with 3 Liverpool players, or do a clyne -> darmian or benteke -> Rooney transfer. Personally I’m inclined to stick with benteke
2. Is Kane worth it (seeing the fixtures spurs have early on) or would it be wiser to transfer him out for rooney
3. Should I stick with anzi or get in Ivan?
And here’s option B with a little moving around of players.
Anyone?? Please?
Sorry this was missed mate.
I think overall B probably looks better. Assuming you plan on bringing in Aguero in a few GWs then it’ll be easier to do by upgrading Rooney than someone else cheaper. Also now he’s up front again he’s looking good value for my money. Not that the others are bad options at all, B is just better balanced.
I currently have 3 ‘Pool as well to cover their four nice home games, though I wouldn’t recommend it and am thinking about losing one of them. Undecided as to whether that’ll be Clyne or Henderson though, however as I said I like how you switched Clyne in B.
Kane could be great again, but now that he costs so much more I don’t feel so bad for not having him initially. Benteke offers better value I think so Rooney and Benteke is the way to go.
Finally I would stick with Azpil over Ivanovich. For the odd time he’ll score I don’t think it’s worth an extra 1m this early in the game. Get him in later once you’ve built up a bit of value if he looks good then.
Thanks a mill!
I’m more inclined towards B as well.. Thinking whether to keep Berahino, or switch him for Wilson. Would help having an extra 1 mill in the bank for Aguero.
Any thoughts?
So, anyone see the Soton game tonight? JRod didn’t play, did he? And they were pretty awesome.