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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Guys thoughts on this lot. …
….’ve been tinkering with the squad for the couple of days but cant decide whom to include and whom not to.
Adebayor is in only if he makes villa loan move.
Maybe Silva to Sterling and use the 1m to improve your keepers? or defense
Morning all Mane is worth another look but who do you drop for him maybe Depay was going to go Caz or Ozil but Mane might be worth a shout.
Mané was outstanding,” Koeman continued. “He is fast and he had good movements in attack. He’s very difficult to defend in a good way against. He played well.
Read more at http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20150730-ronald-koeman-post-southampton-vitesse-2582902.aspx#0rPuSq6D0Rws6HQk.99
Hi Silvers,
Yeah he played very well. Tadic did OK too and Cedric looks like a ready-made replacement for Clyne. Overall for this stage of the season they looked in good shape and way too good for Vitesse.
Still got some talent to come in to that team as well so bodes well.
Yes very impress GP there is just something about Koeman , I, have Cedric , Mane & Pelle in my side @ present although Koe did say on Sky sport this morning that J Rod will start in there nk Game which I thk is on Sun but he will be brought in slowly keep an eye on that.
fellas which match up makes more sense:
Ivanovic or Terry and Chadli
or
Cedric and Walcott
Cedric and Walcott
Cedric and Walcott to start I think farqs.
Lads tinkered around with my team last night to get Mane in and came up with this. Straight away I know my defence is crap but at least they start bare one.
Or my current team which I’d probably more balanced.
Current team. And I love a cheap defence
Ye I usually don’t like a weak area try and find balance and team a gives me this.
Hey MattX how are your currant team for me although I have been looking @ Mane looks good @ present Doubles team looks ok a couple of things to look @ I will e-mail later cheers mate
Oh Double LPool cover not sure ?
Hey Silver all good here how’s things woth you? Ye I prefer the current team just don’t want to miss out on Mane who I think will have a great season.
No problem ill have the phone on me anyway.
Ye I’ve heard that a good bit but I plan on getting rid of Tekkers when I bring in Ageuro but if he’s firing and Milner isn’t then it’ll be Milner down to a 5.5 mid and Tekkers stays
MattX
Think I prefer the current squad.
Ye same here just think I could miss out on Mane scoring a ton of points.
Like the team, VERY similar to mine haha
Take it your Kun plan is Sterling and Ronney out for Kun and ?
Ah see further up you said Benteke is the fall away…
Are you talking about the current team PP? Ye I’m thinking Rooney to Ageuro and Benteke to J.Rod will leave me with 0.0 but I could also do Rooney to Ageuro and Milner out if Benteke is firing and vice versa if Rooney is firing. I think Sterling will be a high scorer this year.
Yeah MattX meant current.
Scary how much better teams could be without Kun in it (imagine City sold him – life would be less stressful).
I think Sterling should do well (provided he doesnt get tired) but I cant fit him in my team, same with my thoughts on Depay… but I do have Kun and Rooney so they should do better
Ye exactly sure just wait till next summer when Real want to add their next Galatico and we might have a easy choice next season
haha
Ye I think with Depay and Rooney it’ll probably be just Depay assisting Roo but I think with Sterling he could get goals as well as assist so I’m trying to get them both.
If I want Sterling then I will have to lose Walcott… which I feel he will also do very well. So sticking with him as my Arsenal cover
That’s very true that’s why I’ve stuck them both in and worked around them, but I think if Wally doesn’t play or is only coming on as a sub then ill probably sacrifice him.
YEah if thats the case then Wally becomes Ozil/Caz and the 0.5m does elsewhere. Easy
Exactly although I may use him as a counterweight to bring in Ageuro instead if Benteke or Rooney but we’ll have to wait and see.
Hello guys,
any thoughts ?
thanks !
Hi airsand,
First impressions are very good squad. You may want to consider using Deeney on the first day though as opposed to Mings.
I like this team a lot only thing I would do is the same as GP says Deeney in for Mings
Thx Gallant and Matt !
i only wanted to show u my hole squad – i’ll have to change my starting squad and C/VC
like this
Ye that just looks a whole lot better
It looks like the Berahino move to Spurs could go ahead , any one consider him then.
I won’t be anyway