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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Which of these two teams lads??
Or B?
Matt, how about a combo of both! Love the forward line of A, i’d like it myself but it means the rest of your team suffers. I also think all teams need a Chelsea defender so i’d get him in someone where. I’d decide if you are planning to play 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 and downgrade to a budget mid/forward depending on which formation you are going for.
Ye I wasn’t sure on that as Ivan and Terry are so dear but now that Luis has left I think Azpi will be guaranteed left back although I did hear Chelsea were looking at buying a new one. That’s what I don’t like about team A either as the front 3 are brilliant but like you said the rest is a bit weak. I usually go 3-4-3 but this year I think 3-5-2 might be the way to go what do you think?
Anyone think 3-5-2 is the best way to go?.
Ant, I am basing this on nothing more than how I like to play but I’m sticking with 3-4-3.
Ant,
Splits opinion but what I would say is that there are more brilliant midfielders than ever this season. The choice there is huge so it could well pay off brilliantly.
I’m still unsure how I’ll go.
Yeah there is do much to pick from with some at great value.
Good morning everyone. I’d like to share with you a thought that has been playing around in my small brain for a week or so…..see what you think.
I am considering setting up a team for 3-4 GWs, playing my “All out attack” chip within that time and then wildcarding.
My reasoning…
We are all stressing about the Kun issue – but in reality, or at least in my opinion, he is not a must have until GW4.
Re – Hazard being a “must have” – Chelsea play City in GW2 (always tight) and the go to West Brom in GW3 (a ground where they always tend to struggle).
The “All out attack” chip, used without Hazard and Kun would allow 8 value attackers to be utilised and take advantage of say, in GW2 fixtures such as:
MAN UTD at Villa
SAINTS home to Everton
SPURS home to Stoke
WATFORD home to West Brom
WEST HAM home to Leicester
LIVERPOOL home to Bournemouth…..
Only a thought and I may be barking up the wrong tree completely.
Cookie, how are you pal? To add to your thinking; there is a international break in GW3 or 4 being the perfect time to use it. I really do like your thinking and am very tempted by that suggestion as I haven’t seen any other real reason to use that chip. How is your team looking?
Evening Kiwi – its just a thought and it may not be worth a wildcard over, but it’s an idea that has been going round my head for a while.
My team is looking like nothing until I’ve worked out a plan. A team starting off without Kun and Hazard will be totally different to a team with one or both.
That international break could work well though……
Big Blue, I really do like your thinking. We have to use one of our WC’s before xmas and, whilst leaving the WC to the last minute is my preferred option, this seems a very good alternative. Are you seriously tempted?
Cooks, this is a very quick example team.
Kiwi, possibly dont even need Cesc. Defo want some Spurs in there
Cooks, and if you did downgrade Fab to Chadli thats another 2mil!
Don’t forget the chips might come in useful for a double GW
Silver, that is a good point. I actually realised I was thinking of the ‘all out attack’ chip. Cookie, do you think your thinking would work with ‘all out attack?’
That’s the only one I would consider for this.
Presumably one would wildcard to load up their squad for a DGW – Bench chip – so 15 DGWERS….
And Treble Capo for a DGW also.
Re the DGW’s and the use of the chips, let me throw this into the mix;
We know that you can’t use a WC and a chip at the same time, so the idea would be to WC the week before a double and then use the chip on the DGW. What do we do if there’s a blank GW before a DGW?
My initial thought to that Kop is that you can only plan so much – if it ends up with say, 11 or 13 DGWers it’s still not the worst is it? Plus you’ll still get a transfer and may also want to hit to bring the full quota up.
Difficult to have every answer at this stage, especially with these new features.
In that situation I very much doubt you could get that many DGW’ers without wildcarding on the week of the double or at the very least the week before!
Cooks, so assuming there is 2DGW’s this season, you could use the triple capo for one and bench boost for the other. I was having a play and think you could use the all out attack chip before GW 3/4 and then WC after to bring in Augero and Haz. Your theory of spreading the money is still relevant for all out attack. Certainly more risk and think it is only worth doing this if you are planning to WC early anyway.
Still like your thinking pal, its just deciding if its going to more profitable than using during a DGW. Food for thought
Kop, you’d have to wildcard the week before as you can’t use a wildcard and chip on the same week. Impossible to predict without looking back at last season I guess and seeing which of the DGW teams played or blanked the week before.
Interesting thought though.
Re the “All Out Attack” chip – going on the basis that one uses it for 5 proper mids and not like Wanyama or the like, it’s a very difficult chip to firstly plan for and then react to after, as it will no doubt include some disruption to your team and thus probable hits. Hence my thought to use it early and then use the wildcard to react to it, which just happens to coincide with Kun being 100% fit (is he ever 100% fir for long?!!!) and Chelsea’s better fixtures.
Not saying it’s right or indeed I will do it, but I think it may be worth a thought.
Cookie/Kop
Crossed my mind to set up for 2-5-3 for week one.
Least this way you COULD get a flier which you could hope to build on but more importantly, it takes away the pressure of that one ‘awkward’ chip.
We’re all stepping in to the unknown.
Now to create my 2-5-3 team for week one
Cookie, my bad. I got all confused about what chip you where talking about. I am fully with you as the all out attack chip is certainly the most difficult to use. The other two are far more suited to dgw’s. Of course it takes careful planning and balls because you have to commit to a WC early before the season starts. I’m back on board though. And loving it!
gp, and would you WC week 2?
GP, I’ve thought about that as well but I’m concerned it might unbalance my team. If I were to set up for an early WC as suggested by Cookie then I would certainly go 2-5-3 for GW1
Alex/Kop
I would hope to get by with certain transfers over the subsequent weeks to eventually redress the balance but if not, the WC is there as a safety net.
I’m unsure if my cautious nature will allow me to set up for an early WC!
I’m not setting up for sure Kop
Like I say, I’ll try to ride it out across those first few weeks. I’ll run through a couple of scenarios later and see if its a goer.
Kop/GP, it sounds like we all partake in the game with the same reserved approach. Maybe we should break our mould; go without haz/kun and force ourselves into an early WC. Hands up if your heart just flipped a few times! 😉
Alex, I’m going to need to lie down! 😉
I don’t really get what you mean Cook. Are you saying to set up a team without Kun and a few now playing defenders to have more attacking mids? Then in GW5 play your WC to bring in Kun?
Matt, ish. Bear in mind I am thinking/typing aloud in an attempt to maybe see if it’s a good idea or not.
So yeah, in effect – plan to wildcard after GW3 – so get Kun for GW4 and Hazard. And in the meantime really attack those first 3 GWs…West Ham for instance have 2 lovely home games, so Payet could outscore Hazard over the first 3GWs.
The other point is that this “All Out Attack” is the hardest to plan for as you’re not likely to wildcard for it and so why not plan for it now?
Oh okay so your planning on having no Haz or Kun until GW4. Okay ye that makes sense I was going to use it during a DGW but then I think a Triple Cap on a DGW would be good. What is the 3rd chip again I’ve forgotten?
The Bench one – where your bench points are included….this one I would assume you wildcard for in front of a DGW to load up on 15DGWers and score 379points!!!
Oh yes now I remember ye that would be the plan!!
Cookie,
I’ve had my fingers in my ears and going ‘blah blah bah’ to these chips. I’m hoping for some inspiration or a sign from the heavens as when best to use them.
You’ve actually thought about them? You legend.
GP check out the team i quickly put together. Depth across the board. That Cookie man is not just a pretty face………..
Kiwi/GP, i don’t think it’s for the conservative player – it’s a nutjob idea which could work out, but I accept many will want to hold their wildcard and certainly not “plan” to use it on a specific week.
The other 2 chips almost certainly are woth holding onto. The Bench one for a DGW and your captain one for probably another DGW….
Cooks, thats my thinking with the other two as well. I am generally a very conservative player but you really have tickled my fancy
For instance, in GW2 you could field…
Pants (home to Norwich)
Clyne (home to Bournemouth), Darmian (away to Villa)
Payet (home to Leicester), Wally & Cazorla/Ramsey (away Palace), Mane (home to Everton), Milner (home to B’mouth)
Rooney (away to Villa), Kane (home to Stoke), Deeney (home to West Brom)
Morning Cookie. Pretty high risk approach here. Well, in my opinion anyway. I was thinking of saving all the chips for as long as possible and use them later when we’ve built up enough team value to spread around. Starting with neither of Kun/Hazard scares the bejaysus out of me :shiftyeyes:
Morning NIN, not having one of them by GW4 would scare me, pretty relaxed before then to be honest.
Just wondering is there any more news on Cambiasso coming back to Leicester? I heard Raineiri wants him back and then I’d love to have him in my team he’s usually cheap and was great budget player last season.
this is my current team , thkz for ur adv , i think i will change mariappa to hoban and mulumbu to surman, but bit worry without arsenal coverage in this team .. good to go?
good attack but Clasie is a odd choice as he is a DM, so maybe go for someone who is more offensive. Defence is OK but Marriapa will likely not play, maybe down grade Adrian to a 4.5 and upgrade Mariappa to a 4.5. Looks good though.
Hi Yellow,
Not keen on no Gooners coverage. I also think double Villa coverage at the back is not a great idea. Personally I wouldn’t have Kane in yet, he may struggle with ‘2nd season-itis’; Rooney maybe? I’d also go with Ivan/Azpi ahead of Terry this year.
ok then i will go with terryazpi , richardsbellerin , mulumbusurman and classie with another 5.5 m mid with a good attacking threat mybe ki or shelvy..im going to change adrian (mybe butland) later bcoz west ham have a good fixture after arsnal game and upgrade 5.5m to 6.0m mid..also still belive in hurricane lol
Any thoughts on Bamford at Palace? They have a solid little team there now and Bamford done great for Boro last year, can see him doing well if he gets game time.
@Burnsy, think you kinda answered the question right at the end there. First he needs game time and then we can make a true assessment of him. He does look like a good young player, but we will need to see him get starts before possibly investing.
looking forward for this..he is in my waiting list..the next harry kane mybe