New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. Cabaye, Alderweireld, Behrami, Ogbonna
No time for waffling intro’s this week chaps and chapesses. My pleading at the management’s door has finally paid off and I’ve actually got some decent / interesting players to review! So, I’ve focused all of my efforts on bringing you some high quality (moderately decent, sort of League One standard) info, and I’ve actually left my intro writing until last. Which is weird for you reading this, as clearly this is the first bit you’re reading. But trust me, as I’m typing this, I can glance down the page and see all of my player reviews already written up, spell checked(ish), and validated for obvious plagiarism. No time for big build ups to disappointing intro punchlines this week. And no fluffy rabbits (sorry Cookie). Anyway, we have lots to cover, and I’m worried that my strictly imposed word/ character count is so close to its limit I could be cut off at any mom
Let’s talk football.
Yohan Cabaye – Crystal Palace
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Another familiar face is making his return to the Premier League. Yep. Cabaye and Lord Pards are back together again. The ex-Newcastle and PSG midfielder has joined Palace on a three-year deal.
Cabaye reunites with his smarmy tosspot manager in search of regular game time after things didn’t work out as planned at PSG. At 29 years old, and with the 2016 Euros taking place in his homeland (France), Cabaye needs to play. At least until after the Euros, at which point I imagine he’ll go back to pimping himself out for Champions League football.
It remains to be seen how he’ll be utilised at Palace. Whether it is further forward behind the strikers, or if he’ll get to play in his preferred role, sitting just in front of the defence. Either way, if he can replicate the type of impact he had at Newcastle, then maybe Palace could repeat last season’s top half finish. (Newcastle won 47% of their Premier League games when Cabaye featured on Pardew’s team-sheet but, without him, triumphed in only 19%.)
In terms of predicting his fantasy relevance for the upcoming season, it probably doesn’t make sense to dwell on his 24 appearances at PSG. He only played 90 minutes once, and banked just 1 goal and 1 assist.
What is more encouraging though, is his record playing under smug head-butting arseface. – 18 goals in 93 appearances is pretty good. His last half season in the Premier League consisted of only 1,500 mins. But in that time – playing mainly in a more forward role – Cabaye racked up 7 goals, 4 assists and 13 bonus points. He also gets his fair share of the set pieces.
Fantasy outlook: Palaces’ first 6 games include tough match ups against Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Spurs, so stick Cabaye on your watch list, see how he looks, and how far up the pitch he plays. If he’s pushed further forward, he could be a good addition to your team, especially if Palace can recreate the form from the end of last season. FYI – Of the attacking midfield options at Palace, fantasy managers appear to be currently putting their faith in Bolasie (16% ownership vs 12% for Cabaye). Both are the same price.
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Toby Alderweireld – Tottenham
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Sometimes, when a team loses their best ever defensive partnership, it can take years to recover. For Liverpool, it was the loss of Hanson and Lawrenson. For Man Utd, Bruce and Pallister. For Arsenal, Adams and Bould. And for Tottenham, Dean Austin and Justin Edinburgh.
But, behold! Tottenham fans, your wait could finally be at an end! Not since the days of Austin, Edinburgh (and Gary Doherty aka ‘The Ginger Pele’), have the Spuds enjoyed a strong defensive partnership and/or a ball playing defender. Could it be, that after years of searching, the good times are finally returning?! Toby, or not Toby? That is the question.
After spending last season on loan at Southampton (2,261 mins, 1 goal, 4 bps) Toby Alderweireld becomes the fourth Belgian to join the first team ranks at the Lane, signing on a five-year contract from Atlético Madrid for a fee of £11.4m. He’s favourite to come straight into the centre of defence to play alongside fellow chocolate lover and international team mate, Jan Vertonghen.
Although they play in full back roles on opposite flanks for the national side (Vert left, Toby right), these two have played together at centre back earlier in their careers at Ajax, along with fellow Spud, Christian Eriksen. Toby actually played for Europe’s favourite feeder club for 5 years, making 128 appearances, and if reports are to be believed, struck up a pretty good partnership with his pal Vertonghen.
Whilst it couldn’t get much worse than last year at the back for north London’s second team, (only four teams conceded more goals), I’m confident that alongside a familiar partner, and flanked by good quality full backs, the clean sheet count will increase significantly.
Fantasy outlook: A familiar defensive pairing combined with some favourable fixtures. Could make for a strong start to the 2015/16 season. Definitely one to consider.
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Valon Behrami – Watford
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“‘Ere, aven’t we seen this geezer somewhere before?” We have indeed my cockney friend. We have indeed. Mr Behrami is back in town.
Starting way back in 2008, despite some rude interruptions from injuries, the Swiss international spent 3 good years at West Ham, during which time he established himself as a fans favourite and a fine example of fantasy irrelevance. He’s a hardworking, versatile midfielder, but 2 seasons of 2000+ minutes, each with a solitary goal and assist to show for his efforts isn’t going to excite you. But wait, it might* get better… (*It doesn’t)
Behrami left London in 2011 and spent the next 4 years plying his trade in some of Europe’s most picturesque cities; Florence (Fiorentina), Naples (Napoli) and Hamburg (er, Hamburg). In the end though, the lure of the shopping at the Harlequin centre, the easy access to class A drugs, and the close proximity to TK Maxx’s European headquarters was just too strong to ignore. Yep. Mr Behrami has found his way to the leafy utopia of Watford.
B-Rami (sounds better I think) has moved to the newly-promoted Premier League club from Hamburg on a three-year contract and becomes new Hornets manager Quique Sanchez Flores’s sixth signing of the off season so far. How exactly he’ll fit in remains to be seen, but my guess is that he’ll form the defensive base of the midfield.
At 30 years of age, and expected to play in a deeper role in Watfords midfield, I doubt Behrami will trigger much fantasy interest. He will probably be a guaranteed 2 pointer to have on your bench, and priced at 4.5m, we probably shouldn’t expect much more than that.
He managed to create 1 good scoring chance in every 3 appearances for Hamburg last season, which isn’t actually that bad. Don’t get your hopes up for many goals though. In case his goal record at West Ham wasn’t enough to discourage you, his ‘shots on target’ stats from last season stand at a rather depressing 11%.
Fantasy outlook: Of all the 4.5m midfield bench fodder, he probably has a good a chance as any to rack up some decent minutes. Depending on your fantasy formation, might be worth that 5th mid spot.
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Angelo Ogbonna – West Ham
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When a team’s fans are “jubilant” to see a player leave, you have to worry.
When a player’s occasional lack of concentration skills in defence are described as “inexplicable to witness and utterly bizarre”, you have to worry.
When a player’s physical and mental attributes are “strong like an ox, smart like a tractor”, you have to worry.
When you realise that player is off to join West Ham, you have to laugh.
Meet, Ogbonna. Straight into my top 10 favourite Premier League players’ names, but also straight into my top 10 players most likely to cause you a head in the hands moment. (Along with Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, and Titus Bramble.)
The 27 year old, 6ft 3” centre back has signed with the Hammers from Juventus, for a reported £10m on a four-year contract.
Despite the reaction from some groups of Juve fans, and the widely acknowledged brain-fart moments, Ogbonna was once regarded as one of Italy’s brightest defensive prospects. He captained Torino at a very young age, and despite his shortcomings, still managed to rack up 31 appearances last season for the Champions League finalists (a club that prides itself on a history of world class centre backs). Unfortunately for Ogbonna, he was unable to hold down a regular place in the Juve side after his arrival from Torino on 2013, and so with plenty of other options in the centre back position, they were happy to let him go.
In terms of how he’ll fit in at West Ham, when it’s a 4-4-2, I expect him to push for Reid’s position on the left side of the two centre backs. When it’s 3-5-2, it’ll be any three from the four of Reid, Tomkins, Ogbonna and Collins. Worth keeping an eye on preseason on this one, although I expect it to be Collins that misses out.
To try and ensure this is a balanced review, I should offer some more positives… As with everyone’s favourite liability Kolo Toure, whilst Ogbonna can sometimes be caught out positionally, his pace often rescues him from troublesome situations. He also rarely fouls his opponents, and only committed 0.92 fouls per 90 minutes last season! His passing stats are also worthy of mention – completing an average of 89.4% of his attempts last season. That is pretty impressive.
Fantasy outlook: It’s unclear how defensive the Hammers will be under new management. A slight rotation risk in a team with 4 established centre backs. Probably better value out there for the same money.
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3rd draft… any advice will be welcome! cheers boys!
Hi jol, looking good so far. I’d stay away from Villa in defence personally and I’m not sure on Clyne as they still feel leaky and the fixtures are up and down to begin with. The rest looks great and I like the option with Redmond to rotate with Deeney.
Thanks mate, mayb looking at another draft befor ethe season starts! lol Will prob chnage rooney afetr the first couple of games
I don’t see a lot of Ramsey In people’s teams. He ended last season so well and looks to have continued that form pre season, I can really see him having a strong season if he stays fit. I know there is a lot of competition in the midfield but do people really think he won’t start?
Hi Hacko, I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t and I agree he finished last season very strongly. If he had pens or something he’d be in every team. I think he’s primed for a great season.
Thanks for another great (and hilarious) article Chins! Much appreciated my friend. Definitely interested in Cabaye with his set-piece threat and budget price. If only his schedule didn’t look so daunting to start!
So I have a couple general strategy questions if anyone is around. The first is about rotating budget defenders. Do you think it’s more important to have 2 budget defenders who rotate well (say Coloccini/O’Shea for example), or should you just go for the best 4.5 defenders who have decent fixtures and offer potential offensive point returns (say Huth and Francis/Mings for example) but don’t have a good home rotation?
And secondly, is it smart to hold back funds to bring Aguero in for Rooney or whomever I start with and essentially play a weaker team for the first few weeks (only spending 97.5 mil), or would you spend everything to build the best team possible and either WC for gw4 or plan to do a double transfer to raise the funds? I’m torn on this last one as I can make a much stronger team without holding back funds, but I want to have a good plan to get Aguero in. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Hey Red if you have 2 Def you are going to play wk in wk out then I would go with @ least two of your def that rotate well , I don’t thk their is a great deal of choice time will tell. Spend Spend Spend my thoughts are I have Roo in @ present & 3 MF players @ 8.5m or more which ever one is not performing will get down graded for a 6m or 6.5m MF this is where I’m hoping Cabaye hasn’t gone up but someone else might show promise. You could say keep 1m if you like to play save , I’m a born gambler.
Thanks Silver. Right now my draft team defense is:
Pants Hennessey
Azpi Cedric Huth Francis Muniesa
Huth and Cedric rotate, but the others not so much. And I’d probably play Cedric more often then not. Don’t really love what’s on offer for 4.5 rotating defenders, so I’m wondering if it’s smart to just pick the 4.5 defenders I like best and set-up for the fixture/team as opposed to just going with the home defender each week.
Yes Res most people get stuck on rotation which isn’t always best , you will always find someone has an easier fixture even if they are away from home My back line at present who ever starts for CRY hope Hennessey or McCarthy Cedric/Schlupp/Darmian/Oshea & any 4m def that starts.
Morning Red & thanks for the feedback.
Re. Strategy questions…
I love the idea of rotating cheap defenders. I’ve started the last few seasons with that strategy. What i’ve found though, is that it’s not until a few games into the season that you figure out who the best cheap teams / defenders are going to be. And given the choices at 4.5m, i don’t think there will be much difference whether you go into it looking for good rotations or just picking the best of the bunch regardless. – You probably want a bit of both. – No idea if that made any sense whatsoever!! – Given the choices, i’d go for rotations. Maybe pick two you’d start every week and then cover the last spot with 3 cheapies that rotate. Don’t plan too far out though, cos there will almost certainly be one team that suprises, and one that disappoints. Which for the purpose of this exercise, we’ll call Leicester and Newcastle…
Second question…. I think you’ll be compromising too much to hold back funds for anything longer than 1 week. – I’d suggest using your full (or close to full) budget, but have maybe a two transfer plan to get Aguero in. eg. Plan to downgrade a mid to free up funds and then upgrade a fwd to Aguero. But… Make sure you have an idea of who it is you’ll be downgrading to, and upgrading from, so your team isn’t thrown out of balance when you make the moves. Eg. (can i have an eg within another eg?), if you plan to downgrade a mid to Mane, make sure you don’t have JRod in your team to leave yourself with too much coverage in Soton.
Wow. What a waffle!!! Hope that helps.
Hey Chins, that’s a great response actually- thank you! I’ve heard a lot of talk about people planning on an early WC since we’re not allowed to pocket them all season this year anyway, but I don’t want to go out the gates already committed to using it early. That’s good advice about putting the money on the field to start, I kept trying to squirrel it away for later but it just didn’t feel right and it’s almost looking past the early weeks, which can’t be a good strategy!
Thanks again for the article and the response, hope all is well!
Red – Rotations don’t have to be 100% h/a perfection. Once the two teams in question bounce off each other nicely then it’s fine. I think it’s better to set up a rotation than to have what may be the better picks, but running into harsh fixtures more often than not. These cheap players don’t play for tight defences really, so fixtures are key.
Once holding back funds isn’t making a balls of your team, then i think it’s fine to do it. I’ll likely be holding back 2m myself. Pesky Kun :shake:
Thanks NIN, much appreciated man. I’ll have to take a much closer look at my defenders and their fixtures to start. Sometimes I get lazy and just plug in guys who have good home and away rotation. And that’s all well and good, but if your home matches are against really dangerous teams, that’s not a big advantage in my eyes. Sometimes an away fixture against a weaker side might be a better bet. But I definitely hear you on maximizing every advantage you can with a 4.5 defender. Anyway, there’s still time to go yet- but we’re getting closer. We’re all going to need to commit pretty soon! :say-what:
Meanwhile CIty leading by 4 goals at HT with Goals from Kolarov, Silva and 2 by Sterling ! Silva and Sterling looking too good !!
Hey Yash might just go with Silva , Sterling & Kun from GW3
Hi both, worth pointing out that they were playing a team well below the standard of the Premier League. Whilst they are excelling now I wouldn’t be too quick to throw them all in!
Hi all. Again. Remember WoofBet? Well they’re re-launching this week as Fan Team. All your accounts and money will be automatically transferred over but just wanted to pre-warn everyone and the new site is –
http://www.fanteam.com/woofbet
To celebrate the new site they are sponsoring the main FPL FF247 league. Prize breakdown TBC properly but it should look like this –
1st place €200
2nd place €125
3rd €75
4th €50
5th €30
6th €20
:thumbup:
Great stuff init.
What prize do you get for finishing in 237th?
(Asking for a friend.)
Bry – I’ll let you know what he says.
You win a pre-season guide for Newcastle
Thanks Init.
Bry – You win a pre-season guide for Newcastle
Lol
Wow :bouncy-balls: think my account still has a bit of money in it great stuff
You’ll never be able to log back into that!
walcott or cazorla?
rooney or costa?
potential captain choices?
Help needed.
Hi dlynton,
Cazorla for me there. Wally is tempting but I’d like to see him start and nail a place first.
Rooney I think. Good run of games to start against teams he’s got great scoring stats against plus he’s on pens and probably free-kicks.
No idea yet!
Cazorla
Costa
Kinda need a settled team before even thinking about a captain 😉