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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What’s our thoughts on this team, might just role with it for the first few weeks. The defence rotate pretty well btw.
I’d downgrade Benteke to Wilson or Sakho and then upgrade Aarons to Milner and upgrade DF.
Im just feeling Caz / Ozil over Wally + save .5
please rate my team…..Thanks
Please rate my team..Thanks
Decent team. I wouldn’t have Henderson, Clyne, Fonte, Schneiderlin though. Fonte to Cerdic (cheaper and lot of assist potential, great pre-season he has had). Costa pulled his hammy again? Shit, with some good news he’s out for a month or two and we can get Falcao for 7,5m.
As Pool supporters, they don’t trust the Pool defense and they have a mixed set of fixtures (level wise), so better spend money better there. Schneiderlin doesn’t play advanced enough, if he even starts. After last night it’s become clear they can’t play with Schweini/Car/Schneiderlin, Herrerra needs to be in there. Henderson will have competition from Milner, also unsure if he’s still on penalty duty with Bentekers and Milner (he took a few really poor ones last year, Henderson that is). Baker as first sub also isn’t a 100 percent starter, don’t know Roberge.
Costa might miss the first game….not sure abt Falcao though…. any suggestion to replace Schneiderlin or Henderson???
Why have a 11m striker in your team if he might miss the first game? I mean. Kun>Costa and he doesn’t have match fitness. He’s def. a must when fit but he’s not in my team just because of that reason. If you downgrade Costa you will have more money to spend on proper Schneiderlin Hendo replacements. Bentekers frees up 2,5m and Kane frees up 1,5m. A lot of people are going with Milner over Henderson, mainly because of pre-season. I don’t know about that move, Benteke is already a risk and Pool have weird fixture as the topic states above. Hmmmm.
At that pricerange it’s quite hard to find a good mid though. The ones on my radar are: Chadli, Lens, Mane and Milner.
Any thoughts on 1st draft of team please.
Thanks 0.0m in the bank
Lose darmien and sterling ( only because i am liverpool fan haha ) i rate silva much much higher than sterling but that could be coz im still bitter on how he left. I like your front but consider investing more in defence
Any thoughts on replacements as I’m looking for a solid defender to start each week and rotate the others when needed
Ok so i would downgarde pelle to deeny that gives u 2.5 mil i would upgrade sterling to silva leaving u with 1.5 thn upgrade darmian to kos/azpi leaving you with 1mil to invest in 5.0 cedric from southampton and another 5.0 defender or 1 5.5 mil defender. Just my opinion mate
Hi Guys, from Mauritius. What do you think about that team? Should I go for an Arsenal midfielder instead of doubling up on City? Thanks a lot for your help! Big D.
Sterling to walcot in my opinion as you have no arsenal cover. Id start cedric. Rest looks good maybe consider a keeper upgrade
Silva – Caz , defoe – deny and we pretty much have the same team
GL
Theres a few more people posting as the season draws nearer , you may not have seen my previous posts. I am starting a new classic league this season for regular posters on the site, there will also be a cup competition aswell. So, can you e-mail me please giving your regular site name, your real name and the name of your fantasy football team, so when people ask me who someone is i can tell them, cheers.
E-mail address is :- Elleffcee@fantasyfootball247.co.uk
For those who have already e-mailed me, the code has been sent back to you. Cheers.
Elle I’m in not seen this post for a while 😉