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)
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/three_fourth]
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.
[divider_1px]
Hi all!
I’m new to FF247 but have played FPL for a good few years, finishing in the top 15K last year. Looking for that extra edge as I’m now in a money league in my new job and bragging rights would be enjoyable, I reckon I’ve come to the right place…
My team (as it stands):
Ruddy / Butland
Azpililcueta / Huth / O’Shea / Ward / Targett
Ritchie / Hazard / Sterling / Ozil / Milner
Rooney / Kane / Defoe
Huth -> Targett are up for change as I’ve only glanced over the less than 5 million defenders so far, not keen on doubling up and I know Targett is a short term option but my plan is to use my Wildcard in the first few game weeks like every year once everything settles. Am I missing obvious choices in that price range?
Thoughts on my front 8? Is Defoe going to be a starter for Sunderland?
PS: Have read the article on the Community Team and it sounds like such a good project and I’ll happily add my two cents once the next vote it up!
Hi Rambo, welcome to the site.
I think Targett is a great short term option, particularly if you plan to WC early. You should get 3-4 games from him before Bertrand is back.
Front 8 is good. I’m not convinced Kane will do as well as last season, but Spurs do have some decent games early doors. Defoe should start but he played wide towards the end of last season rather than through the middle.
Welcome. I think Defoe will start but not convinced Sunderland will score many more goals than last season. Likewise with Spurs; they haven’t invested much, so wonder if Kane will come of the boil this year – maybe wait and see with him. Perhaps the likes of Benteke / Pelle instead?
Thanks for the feedback lads, will have another look at both Kane and Defoe to examine alternatives, any thoughts on the back 7?
Also well off topic but can someone point me in the right direction to change my password from the original that was sent to me?
Rambo, if you click on the help tab up top all will be revealed.
Thanks Kop! All was revealed and more…
Hi Rambo, you’ll be fine in that respect here I reckon – very knowledgeable community to say the least! And not short of an opinion, in the right way. And polite with it too. And Mito. What more could you want?!
As for Defoe – he was deployed wide right out of necessity and desperation at the end of last season. They were in a ‘win at all costs’ situation and when they came to Goodison he basically played as a secondary full-back. He still managed to score somehow. Point is – he won’t play there from the off. He’ll be the main srtiker and tasked with getting goals, which he’s quite good at, funnily enough. I think he’s a great pick. Leicester, Norwich, Swansea, Villa, Spurs and Bournemouth in the first 6…
Cheers Inittowinit, I think I have! Will keep an eye on the players this weekend with the game on Sunday and friendlies too and see where Defoe and others are likely to start. Thanks for the feedback!
No problem Sugar.
Ye Boruc and Speroni Rotate well for the first 6-8 weeks atleast. I figure with the keeper scoring Boruc will be busy. Do you think Boruc (the holly goally) is a nailed on starter? They bought that Frederci lad but I don’t think he’s a patch on Boruc!
I was thinking a similar thing as Rooney is the only decent stirker left at Man U. Maybe with the Man U fixtures I should put Rooney in.
I don’t have a contingency plan to bring Kun in just now. I do have Silva in my team tho. This is probably a silly question but do you think Kun is a must?
Yeah Boruc is first choice. Kun isn’t a must have from the beginning, but GW3/4 you’ll want him!
Thanks Kop.
I can’t seem to get my honey badger uploaded! dang!
It’s there now!
Honey badger don’t care. Honey badger don’t give a shit.
Brilliant!
If there is anyone that hasn’t seen it – Look up Honey badger don’t care on You Tube. David Attenborough eat your heart out.
hey guys, from Australia, trying to get my team together… Very keen.
Courtois (Schwarzer)
Clichy / Mertesacker / Alderweirald (O’Shea / Baker)
Hazard / Sterling / Depay / Ozil (Hoolahan)
Kane / Benteke / Wilson
Opinions? Wilson and Hoolahan to rotate each week. Feel I may need a Rooney/Costa. Let me know, thanks!
What’s up Racko, nice team there. Clichy is always going to miss the odd game with Kolarov there though.
Rooney/Costa is a good option if only to make the step up to Aguero in a few GWs a tad less painful, but your forward line is strong nevertheless.
Shame you can’t get Anderson or Broad in there, they’d do the business 😉
Ouch!
Init does the wife know you’re up still? 😉
Thanks Calv, don’t get me started…. Any ideas who to replace Clichy with, 5.5m?
I’d be tempted to get Pantilimon in for Courtois and then with your extra 0.5 bring in Azpil so you still have your Chelsea def.
Alternatively Cedric looks like a solid bet at So’ton.
I’ve gone for Clyne as he was great at getting forwards last season, and now has Benteke to aim for. You won’t see many others here recommending him though!
Thx mate, looking at possibly Clyne or a United fender
cheers again, go aussies
Lovely stuff.
Thanks Kop.
No room for Bentekers in my team. I’ll be straight on the band wagon if the goals start flying in.
He’s going to be really important to the Reds this year i think. His goals could keep you out of the drop zone….
😉
Cheers Kop, can’t not have him initially at that price. Hope he works out, but if not then he may well be the one to raise funds for Aguero.
Cheers, everyone! New here, but not new to the FPL world. Just wanted to register, chime in by saying I love your work and best of luck to everyone.
Ready to get this season started and as fun as the analyses is, it kills me every day trying new rotations. At this point, I think it’s whether or not to include Costa (have Haz). Eventually, like most, it will be time to bring in Sergio.
A
Ruddy (or another solid 4.5 that will get saves)
Ivan * Kos * Huth
Haz * Walcott * Sterling * Ritchie
Roo * Costa * Wilson (could go Deen – do realize i have Ritchie)
B
Ruddy
Azpi * Mert * Huth
Haz * Walcott * Sterling * Ritchie
Roo * Costa * Deeney
Whatcha think?
Pardon – A, above is not Costa, it’s Giroud. Well, facked up my first post now didn’t I? Ha. Cheers.
Welcome Uragano, yeah it’s hard to stop fiddling around with the transfers, just want the season to start already!
I like B there.