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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Any thoughts on this squad? I think Sterling is going to be my “4th forward”
oh i wouldnt go with Bellerin and Jones not sure about playtime and points from those two…. Mertescker and a 4.5 def and upgrade Blind to a mid that actually will play as a mid not a defender
And im not sure about Pelle, maybe Jrod for 7 mill will be a better choice ….
Good team, but the one in post 40 sort of outshines this one.
Okay, sorry. I’ll be more serious. This is a terrible team mate. Way too many what ifs. Rotation risk players are: Bellerin, Jones, JwP, Blind, Pelle. Bench also not set for 100 percent.
Blind is rated a mid but with Schweini and Schneiderlin I really don’t see any use for him. Leftback maybe, but I think Shaw is a better more attacking option. So Blind might not even play. United are ready to sign a new CB and Smalling will probably be favored over Jones, so Jones might not play.. JwP was rotated a lot last season, when all players were fit he usually didn’t even start, so JwP might not start. With JRod fit and Pelle sucking last season JRod is the cheaper/better option if he starts, and he is a better player than Pelle, I see him starting instead of Pelle (though, Pelle is a good vocal point).
Way too much wrong with this team.
I don’t think it’s too bad. Let’s see what you’re packing…
It’s not as bad as Blue Moons team, I’ll give you that. 😉
I have a huge package. This isn’t an adult site though. >.<
Points taken on board. How about this then?
It’s not all that bad and it’s different from most teams. Which could actually be a good thing. Blind FPL wise will give you no points so I wouldn’t waste money on that. If i pick a defender from a top 4 team I want him to start, no matter what. You can’t say that will happen with Jones or Bellerin. So dangerous. You need to be able to field 11 starters. That’s all I’m saying.
Yes, I think you may have just creamed your pants…
Much better sniperviper. I’ve been hearing Morgan from Leicester might not be a starter so maybe another defender for him? Rest of your first team looks good. Don’t know if Baker is a starter though (so keep that in mind) and I don’t know about Surman either.
I know, I asked for it. But that’s sounds bloody disgusting Viper.
I believe they are first starter bargain basement cheapie a but I suppose we’ll find out more as the 8th of August draws closer. Here’s to more tinkering ????????
True that Sniper. I do 2-minute drafts but they are all just temp. In my first drafts Depay was present, in my latest also but I don’t see him making it in the end. I really don’t know what will happen to be honest. A lot will change. I hope there will be at least one starting 4m defender. So it’s a waiting game. 😉
GK: Speroni/Myhill
DF: Mings/Alderweireld/Bellerin/Clyne/Pudil
MF:Silva/Walcott/Hazard/Anya/Guedioura
FWD: Costa/Rooney/Deeney
Guys, please what changes do you suggest. This is my first time on this platform so much appreciate in advance. Cheers
Hey sunshine,
Sorry for the delay. Not convinced Bellerin will get enough gametime with Debouchy fit, while Clyne may be an expensive asset right now, with their tough away games. If you could possible downgrade both, would that allow you to get Milner as a 4th midfielder?
Evening All, and greetings from Oz
Back from my (long) off-season. Great to see all the regular “faces” and some new contributors. FF247 just gets better and better!
Interesting comments re. use of chips and wildcards. I think there is real value in WC’ing early, and not waiting till late in the season. Why? Because we lose the 1st WC from January. Unlike previous seasons, we no longer have a season-long WC, and we all get a second WC from January. Combined with the new chips, it means that unless your team is firing on all cylinders on a consistent basis, high rankings will be difficult to come by this season. Part-time players and “ghost” teams will be seen less and less (I recall with some irritation how GWs 31-34 last season were dominated by “ghost” teams).
Anyhow, enough from me for my first 2015/16 post. Draft squad to be posted shortly.
Welcome back Blue Moon – hope you’re well mate.
Evening Cookie – pleasure to be back mate. Looking forward to a great season. I trust all is well with your good self.
All good thanks Blue Moon – had a nice FPL break and raring to go!!
OK gents (and Raz)
Here is the blueprint for a Kun- and Haz-less squad to open 2015/16:
Boruc (Guzan)
Cedric Debuchy Azpilicueta (StevenTaylor RyanBennett)
Walcott Sterling Ramsey Mane Arnautovic
Rooney Costa (Grabban)
Looking forward to comments.
I see.
Direct problem could be Debuchy rotation (Bellerin), Steven Taylor not playing, Ryan Bennett not playing and 8 out of hte 38 games Azpi won’t start (even when not injured). Terrible team and it doesn’t have Haz or Kun. Move on. :p
:finger:
I’m rather helpful so stop complaining. You might have 3 or 4 non-starters in your defense.
Valid points Raz. And no-one loves you more than me. Debuchy could easily be replaced by another Arsenal defender. I feel more relaxed about Azpi now that Luis is gone. Cedric is an unknown. I’m a bit nervous about having two 4.0m defenders (and potentially non-starters) in the squad from week 1 to be honest.
I wouldn’t get more than one 4m defender. If any of your first 3 don’t play you’re f-ed.
Cedric should be a fine, he had a really good preseason, already 2 assists. Debuchy only real worry. Azpi doesn’t get rotated all that often but he did get rotated (unlike Terry/Iva). Shit man, last season even Cahill got rotated at a certain point, and I had him at that point. LMAO!
Evening Raz – long time no see mate
Morning/afternoon here. 😉
Well – which one is it?
England it’s 11:58 right now, the Netherlands where I live 12:58. 😉
Chips and Wildcard discussion . .
How about this for playing all out attack chip in GW1?
Any two defenders I fancy nearer the time.
I think I might be able to get by the following weeks with the cheapo defenders and strengthen as I go. Failing that, Wildcard time!
GP, if this is just for GW1, Lukaku instead of Giroud? Caz’s stats vs West Ham are excellent.
It’s good – but potentially the fixtures for GW2 are better for this chip – though, in fairness, that would not include City or Chelsea…..
Nice idea Cookie.
I’ll go back and take a look.
Cookie
Due to those transfers suggested, this draft has two of my favoured defenders already in it so two less transfers potentially.
:thumbup:
Thoughts anyone?
Here it is . . .
Looks good to me, at this stage, GP. Difficult to properly RMT with so much of preseason still to happen.
Cookie
Thanks old pal.
I’m only seeing if 2-5-3 COULD be played straight away and I think it could.
Now to see if I fancy it. And by fancy it I mean log back in tomorrow shake my head and burst out laughing
Think Scotland has a better shot at winning the WC to be honest. :p
:ban:
Raz
Let us concentrate on winning the Euros first . . .
WORLD DOMINATION MATE. WORLD DOMINATION.
Hey GP why Wilson over Deeney team looking good
Silvers
Purely on an easier first game fixture.
Cookster, think you may be on to something here, it could work very well. The only thing is if you want to play your wc in the international break its between gws 4/5. So would you plan for the first 4 weeks or wc after gw 3 ?
ELLE, did you spam Hammer and Blue yet?
Hammers is in i think. Other people will see the post if they look through the articles.
Afternoon Elle, in all fairness I hadn’t actually thought that far ahead. What I do know is that assuming he is fit, Kun would need to come in by GW4 at the latest for Watford at home.
Suppose if you kept 2 fts in hand that would be ok for gw4 then bang the wc in. Now we have to look at 4 gws, there are some tasty fixtures in 4 by the way, for our squad. May well be to much and still wc after 3.