New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. Cedric, Stekelenberg, Fuchs
Before we get into previewing the latest batch of international superstars joining our beloved Premiership, I want to say first how great it is that the new fantasy season is nearly upon us. The excitement is really building.
It’s been brilliant reading the boards over the last couple of weeks as the regular names/faces return to the site after their long break. And some new faces too! It’s like spring time. The snow has gone and the little green shoots are starting to appear. The little baby rabbits are emerging from their holes. What’s this? A wonderful new world? A time to start a fresh? Such a wonderfully positive time. Do I dare to dream that this could be the year? The year I’ve been laying in my hole thinking about all winter (summer).
So full of optimism. What will the season hold? Will this be the year I make it across the road to that wonderful field of lush green grass? Will this be the season I win my mini league? What to do first? Eat some grass? Pick my team? Eat some more grass? Study the fixtures? The possibilities seem endless and the optimism sky high. The planning. The hope. It’s beautiful.
Statistically, however, that rabbit will be dead within a month and most of us will never see the top 1,000. But we can dream dammit. We can dream.
Let’s talk football. .
The Southampton Two.
Cedric Soares
Southampton
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Signed from: Sporting
Fee: £4.7mln
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With Nathaniel Clyne following the well-trodden path up the road to Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers has already taken the unusual step to announce that the player he sees as Clynes long term replacement at Anfield is Cedric Soares, a promising young German born Portugal international from Sporting Lisbon.
Whilst the £4.7m fee Southampton have paid for Soares won’t turn heads, the right back looks to be the starting option in one of last season’s best defences.
Priced at 5.0m, he’s 0.5m cheaper than the two remaining defenders from last season, Bertrand and Fonte. If we assume that 4.5m Yoshida isn’t going to claim the starting spot alongside Fonte, and that Alderwiereld’s replacement will be priced as at least 5.0m, then Soares will most likely start the season as the most attractive route into the Southampton backline.
The alternatives at this 5.0m price range include the likes of Janmaat, Lescott, Shawcross and Alderweireld himself. It may be a close call choosing between Tottenhma and Southampton, but I definitely fancy a Southampton clean sheet over Newcastle, West Brom or Stoke.
There are a couple of concerns with Soares however. His stats last year (1 assist and 0 goals in 34 games) aren’t in line with the attacking full backs we’ve grown accustomed to over the last few years at St Marys. He also appears to be somewhat of a yellow card magnet. Cedric picked up a booking in every 3 games he played last season, including 3 bookings in 5 Champions Leagues games and a red card in the domestic Cup Final. You have been warned.
Fantasy view: Potentially a cheap route into a historically good defence. Disciplinary concerns. Possible anger issues linked to the fact he’s called Cedric. (Apologies to any Cedrics reading this).
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Maarten Stekelenberg
Southampton
Age: 32
Position: Goalkeeper
Signed from: Fulham
Fee: Season-long loan
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Former Dutch international (and World Cup finalist) Stekelenberg has signed on a season long loan from Fulham, to provide cover for Fraser Forster who is currently expected to be out until March 2016.
Although on paper he faces competition for the number 1 shirt from Kelvin Davis, you’d have to expect that given his pedigree and his history with manager Koeman (he gave Steky his debut at Ajax), he’s a strong favourite to start at least until Forster returns. As mentioned above, if last season is any sort of guide, this could prove to be a decent defence to invest in, with a CS in every 3 games played.
The “But”….. It’s early days in pre-season, but his ownership currently stands at just 1.4%. A sign that fantasy managers are perhaps nervous that with three out of five from the Southampton backline either leaving or injured, the defence might not be as solid as last year.
Add to that, the fact that keepers are priced lower this year. For an extra 0.5m you can have Courtois or Hart.
Fantasy view: Doesn’t offer the value of previous years. Better keepers for the money elsewhere.
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The Leicester One.
Christian Fuchs
Leicester
Age: 29
Position: Defender
Signed from: Schalke
Fee: Free transfer
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F*** off!!! I beg your pardon?! I said Fuchs’ off. Off to Leicester. Oh. Well that’s alright then.
Leicester City have made their first signing of the summer with the free-transfer capture of defender Christian Fuchs on a three-year deal.
The 29-year-old Austria international left-back, has 66 international caps and made 99 career league appearances for Schalke With 2 goals and 4 assists in 20 starts last season, he appears to offer some pretty good attacking potential. The problem is that last season he was part of a 6th place team pushing for a place in the Champions League, whereas this season he’ll be part of a team near the bottom, pushing Paul Konchesky for picking-the-ball-out-of-the-net duties.
The downside (as well as the fact he plays for Leicester) is that he’s priced at a ball busting 5.0m! How did they come up with that?! Rumours are that the early ownership of 0.7% consist entirely of managers who either live in Leicester, and /or want a player with a rude sounding word in their team.
Fantasy view: Monitor pre-season. If he gets the nod to start every game, to play as a striker, take freekicks, and penalties, I might be tempted.
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I love this time of the year. A new day, a new team.
I started with a Hazard-less team but woke up a number of times during the night.
I can’t decide between Rooney or Kane, originally I had both, but that was without Hazard. If I bring Deeney into the team, even though I have no idea how good he is, that will allow me to have Hazard plus strengthen my defence.
This is how it looks now.
Courtois (Hamer)
Clyne, Jagielka, Ward, (O’Shea, Turner)
Sterling, Milner, Hazard, Cazorla, (Wanyama)
Costa, Kane, Deeney.
I guess that only one that stands out is Jags. Everton has such tough fixtures. Was thinking maybe an AFC defender to start off with in his place. But many seem to be including an Everton defender, so maybe I am missing something.
Couple of questions guys.
1) When does babturbury league application start?
2) How lobg does one have to be on here to get into the regulars league?
3) Schniederlin or Cabye
Thanks all.
I gtg so will not se responses till tmw im not just being rude :/
Hey Hazardo, unsure about Banterbury but when you next see Elle on just say hi and he’ll throw an invite for the new regulars league your way – he’s giving them out like nobody’s business! Be good to get your foot in the door in the league’s first season, just make sure you stay a regular on site
And Cabaye all day long unless you need that 1m badly elsewhere or we get more news on Schneiderlin’s role during pre-season.
My first crack at it gents. There a many…many many more to come, i know. I think my defense works well with rotations, and i have 2.5 left in the bank to bring in Aguero GW3 (if Rooney doesnt tear it up). Thoughts?
thanks..
Without having looked at the rotation of defenders or player pricing properly yet, that looks like a solid enough team, esp as you’re holding 2.5 back. I’d be more tempted to spend it on upgrading Shneiderlin and then downgrading someone who hasn’t hit the ground running if you need to get Aguero later but that’s just me, hate having spare cash lying around!
Another fine article Chins, guy keeps pumping them out! All the while giving us a more disturbing insight into the depths of his mind…
Ha! I don’t know whether to be flattered or offended.
Cheers partner! We all set for an assault on the doubles league this year? We are right?? RIGHT??
Oh god, you’re dumping me aren’t you?! You’re dumping me live on site?!? In front of all these people?!
Take me back Calvin. I can change!!!
But how do I know things will be different this time? :'(
Haha I take you back with open arms ya daft sod. On the condition that Desperate Dan goes bye-bye and is replaced with Hobbes 😉
who is the best 4.0 defender , 4.5 mid and 3rd striker???
yellowkanoha
No 4.0M guaranteed to play as yet. Best bet could be Steven Taylor (Newcastle) or Lewis Hoban (Watford) but be prepared for them not to play and there being no 4.0M out there.
Guaranteed but not explosive, Wanyama of Southampton I think in midfield but I’m taking a risk on Surman of Bournemouth currently. Not much about.
I think Deeney, Ighalo (both Watford) or Wilson (Bournemouth) for third striker but depends on how much you want to spend.
Hey yellow I agree with everything GP says the one thing I will say is Lewis Hoban isn’t really his name is actually Tommy Hoban just on case you were looking for a Lewis.
haha
Yellow, everything GP said (except getting the name wrong!) Are you thinking of 2 big hitters up top?