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’m not seeing many teams with Sigurdsson. I know he is so 2014…. but surely he would be better value than hendo/Milner who are only 0.5mil cheaper?
That’s a good shout Bundeena. I’m guessing people are put off by Swansea’s first fixture, but perhaps many of us are in danger of making the same mistake as last year! Seem to recall he scored at Old Trafford on the first day of last season.
Guys, this is my initial draft.
Please suggest which transfer are suggested. Thank you
Morning Lampard,
The obvious name that sticks out is Mangala – not a fan of the City defence unless it involves Kolarov and if Clichy was injured! I think a cheaper defender (Williams of Swansea or even a Sunderland bod) would be better and allow you to upgrade Bolasie to a Chadli, Milner etc. Bolasie and Palace have a tough start. Though I will admit it’s refreshing to see some different names in there.
Thinking while I’m typing that maybe Milner is better as you already have Kane.
hi Cookie,
Thank you.
I will do bolasie -> milner.
and mangala -> williams- keeping 2 Swans will be good at this stage?
simpson is a good cheapy? or 2X4..5 def?? Please suggest. Thank you
Lamps,
Simpson is a great option if he plays but I am dubious of both him and his new manager showing any consistency in selection in these borderline names, thus in response to your question, it’s probably safer to grab 2 x 4.5mln defenders until our bargain 4mln defender has been identified.
Morning Chaps just got 2 quick questions.
1) Cedric, Mings, Wisdom and (Toby & Baker or Huth & O’Shea)? Have Courtois in Goal…
2) Wilson or Defoe?
Hi there PP,
I think I would plump with Huth and O’Shea – Sunderland have good open fixtures and i’m not 100% sure if Baker is a starter.
The striker one is tricky – I see many talking up Defoe, again on the back of their fixtures, though I am struggling to be convinbced that he/they will score enough. On the flip side, Wilson is unproven at this level which makes it a tough choice. Will your 5th midfield rotate well with either?
Thats where I am stumped Cookie.
As it stands Anya is my 5th mid (well open to any for 4.5m) but I think Wilson/Defoe should start most of the first 8 games with their fixtures and can assess Anya/4.5m mid later.
I originally went with Wilson based on fixtures, but reading here has got me thinking about Defoe for the same reasons. But Im not confident in Sunderlands attack at all. So Wilson would be my gamble.
Back to my defenders… Plan was to play Cedric and Toby and rotate Mings and Wisdom (except special situations) since I think Toby will do well so not too phased who my 4m def is…. BUT thinking I need them all to play so looking at Cedric and 4 4.5m def and picking 2 from the 4 each week based on fixtures.
PP, i’d defo go Huth and O’Shea in defence.
I think up front, you just need to toss a coin or go with your gut – each one is 5.5mln and neither is likely to be this season’s Kane, in my opinion. Bournemouth have the easier first match, on paper at least, so maybe try Wilson and if it looks the wrong move you can always switch.
Yeah Cookie, Wilson is in at the moment.
About to bring in Huth and O’Shea… but got this sick feeling Toby will kill. I would bench him GW1 and start him till GW 7 (City Home)
The doubt has started kicking in haha
Looking at first 8 games:
Cedric I wont play him GW 8 (CHE A) and maaaybe not GW 6 (UTD H)
Toby I wont play him GW1 (UTD A) and GW7 (City H)
Mings I wont play GW2 (Pool A)
Wisdom I wont play GW6 (Pool – cant play)
So having Baker is fine since he wont play really. GW 6 then Cedric will play (remember how same fixture Bertrand got me sitting on the bench)
Huth I wont play GW3 (Spurs H) and GW7 (ARSE H)
O’Shea I wont play GW5 (Spurs H) and GW7 UTD A)
Thinking maybe sticking with Toby and Baker then…
Also Wisdom GW 4 (Saints A)
PP, ok cool – stick with your Toby, thats your gut and you’ve thought it out well. How about chucking Targett in there for now? He’s 4mln and will play until Bertrand is back – you may just get 2 weeks out of him, but that may be long enough to identify another 4mln defender?
haha Cookie,
Great minds…. I did that transfer already before seeing your comment.
Targett and Toby back in the team.
Now to figure out my Aguero situation….
oh bloody hell PP, i best go get a coffee hahaha!!!
hahaha Cookie I know….
Strikers at the moment are Aguero, Rooney and WIlson.
IF Aguero doesnt play GW1 I can basically bring anyone in for a GW1 punt. My thinking though is Aguero will get a run off the bench GW1 and start GW2 (why wouldnt you play your best player against Chelsea) and Pelly has said that Aguero wont get his full 30 day holiday after COPA
So IF Aguero is ruled out of GW1 Im thinking a cheeky Kane and Silva/Sterling in for Aguero and Cabaye for GW1 (fine taking a 4PH to swap it back since I only took 2 4PH’s the entire last season)
PP, can you not get Kun and a City mid?
No, Mids are Hazard, Walcott, Milner, Cabaye and Anya currently
Hmmmm, not liking the idea of you planning a hit so soon, especially given your outstanding discipline last season.
Yeah same, not a fan of it.
But I only do it if I have to… which is very rare. So taking it now is like others doing in in GW8 or whenever
Sounds reasaonable PP – always better to get the important coverage rather than playing someone you don’t think will do well. Especially at this time of the season!
Yeah Cookie,
So if you had 19.5m for a Mid and STR for GW 1 who would it be?
PP, Lukaku (if fit) and Sterling
Didnt think of Lukaku, nice call. Sterling was always going to come in though.
Wanted Costa but his a doubt and 0.5m short
Quick question … Ozil or Carzola, whose the better pick?
If Ozil plays CAM (though maybe LW untill Sanchez is back??) then a lot should go through him and Caz playing deeper will lean to that.
But we know what Caz can do… and just cause he plays deeper doesnt mean that each Arsenal player doesnt run everywhere on the pitch. Think Caz is still on pens as well….
If HARD (so I went Walcott myself) will say Ozil if you had a gun to my head.
Yes I confused myself…. (blame Raz)
Haha always blame Raz!!
Caz likely to be more consistent over the season, we know Ozil goes missing in the big games. As do Arsenal, generally. It’s not one with an easy answer to, hence why you are asking SP.
Thanks guys. I had gone with Santi but then realised that Ozil id the same price but then also Ozil aint exactly consistent, so Im guessing that I should just stick to him
who would everyone take as their 4.0 defender and reasons behind it?
Pete
Throw a dart in the board. It could be anyone at this stage and even then they may not be nailed on to play hence the price.
Senderos, Baker, Steven Taylor or Targett if you are after names.
Even then, Villa have just signed a Spanish defender so that jeopardises the Villa two further.
Targett for me if one is needed and that’s only on potential of him as a player, not that he’ll play every week.
I’ve got Steven Taylor in there at the moment. I do remember him playing ok a few years back and if he does get a start he could hold onto it.
Morning Cookie
Last Friday of your summer is it? 😉
Morning GP – last Friday of my year mate, sadly. Well not strictly true as I am not here for GW2 OR GW6 so am hoping the ‘Dawg has his notepad ready and the chopper fuelled to get round the pressers!!
I’ve been putting off setting up the article in preparation for as long as poss to make the holiday seem longer, but I guess that was the kick I needed (but didn’t want) to start getting ready. This time next week….sob, sob….
How you going mate?
Fine Cookie thanks.
Looking forward to a busy fantasy week.
I’m worrying for my own team, that I’m going to be missing out on some midfield talent. Hence my latest 3-5-2 incarnation.
And that’s without Cabaye!
GP, I’m leaning to 3-5-2 also, but trying to make it so that the 5th mid and 3rd striker rotate as best as poss. It may not work and I won’t look again until next week, but I agree the midfield is where the value appears to be. At this stage.
As we see every season, little cheap nuggets will soon appear and our worries will ease as the season gets under way.