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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For anyone wanting to get ManU defence here’s something Van Gaal has confirmed, hope this helps someone 😉 :
Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind will all start in defence for Manchester United against Tottenham on the Premier League’s opening day, Louis van Gaal has confirmed.
“I think I shall play [Luke] Shaw with [Matteo] Darmian, and with Daley Blind. The right central position I have to consider. I am very pleased with the performance of Matteo Darmian, and you can see he can play on the right and left.
Thoughts on the United game last night?
PP, Blind isn’t a centre back and from what I understand, LVG will not be buying a new CB. So let’s hope Rojo gets fit asap and he and Smalling or Jones…oh I can’t even go on…….the thought of it…..
Any thoughts on Matic? Not seeing him in a lot of teams yet we were all excited about the new BPS system…best tackler last year what’ll stop him this year?
He’s highly unlikely to get many goals or assists and I’m unsure what, if any effect the new BPS system will have on him.
He costs 5.0 isn’t he just the ideal 5th mid, not the best Chelsea cover but a guaranteed starter. 2 BPS points awarded for every Successful Tackle (net) (instead of 1 BPS point)…and no one out there tackles like him
If I’m buying a mid who’s not going to score or assist I’d rather spend 4.5m. I honestly don’t see him picking up many bonus points.
Bravo Kop, well read…you have brought me right to the reason why I started flirting with the idea of Matic as my 5th. I want to spend 4.5 on my 5th md but my only viable option is wanyama, and he’s a fouling machine (plenty yellows) and not really nailed on to start, so who’s there for 4.5 thats worth it…
If you are thinking in terms of tackles/ BPS and spending no more than £4.5 then have you considered Coquelin? If he plays like last season then a another bonus is that his price will rise rapidly. Just a thought.
Anyone else on Luke Shaw?
pardon?
Anyone considering Luke Shaw is what I meant haha!
Ah gotcha Racko, not sure where we were going for a minute there!!!
Well yes, he is a big consideration – LVG has been talking him up, saying he believes this is “his season”. However, unless United buy a central defender, and word is, LVG is happy to play Blind or Rojo alongside Jones or Smalling, I would be very wary about the United defence. Even more so if DDG leaves and the Argie is in goal.
Yeah very true, I’m definitely thinking about him, just not sure on who to get as my 5.5 defender haha! Cheers Cookie
Anyone considering Harry Kane? Typical me saw his goal last night and I am now trying to squeeze him into my team haha
Is he worth his price tag? Poor stats towards end of season..
Yeah i am starting with him
Think he will perform well, Trifke? Certainly has some decent fixtures..
Yeah i like kane….he is young and hungry i think he will!
Hey, any comments suggestions to the team? Great site by the way helped me to a 365th finish last season!
I like the team, for me I prefer Ozil/Cazorla to Walcott purely on game time.
The bench is too weak for me. If Targett starts it won’t be for long until Bertrand is fit and Turner won’t play either (I don’t think).
Schwarzer won’t but meh you have Cech.
Thats AT appreciate the comments. Yeah bench is very weak got no more money haha
Make money! haha
Silva to Sterling and Walcott to Ozil/Caz would save £1.5m..
Trifke – I wouldn’t pick two 4.0 defenders, both are risky picks (yes, even Targett as Bertrand seems to be back from his injury faster then the expected) and you’re just one injury or ban away from a blank place in your team. Maybe you could downgrade Kosc or Ivan to Azpi and upgrade both 4.0 defenders.
What’s your plan to get Aguero?
Yeah i am trying this year not to worry about subs, used to annoy me to death having my subs score better than my first 11.with augero im going to give him 3 or 4 games until he starts a 90 min game than bring him in maybe if he starts performing or if my team starts under performing. You can really balance the squad well without augero
I agree you can balance the team with those 13M but it’s Aguero and every man and his dog will be with him as captain in gw4 (WAT). I’m sure he’ll be starting against Chelsea if not earlier, MCI really need him to try to win that game.