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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Here is my draft team:
Ruddy/Gomes
Terry/Mings/Cedric (baker/turner)
carzola/sterling/depay/milner/cabaye
rooney/costa (defoe)
what do you guys think? I think my defence is weak but not sure on what sacrifices to make
I would prefer Ivan over Terry, his getting on a bit and Zouma will push him and Gary.
Very strong attacking force so would expect a weak defense… unless you downgrade Terry and upgrade elsewhere just try make sure they all starters
Im just not sure if Depay will make an immediate impact and will need time to settle. Although ppl said this of Sanchez last season. Hmmmmm
I’ve noticed that West Ham have some good home fixtures at home during the first 7 GW’s, any fans or people ITK that can suggest the best attacking option/s and players that are will defintely start?
Hi Villan, Payet (midfield) and Sakho (striker) seems to be the best attacking coverage from the Hammers at this stage.
Thanks Cookie. I think Sakho seems the safer option so will most likely go with him!
Or starting West Ham defenders?
Was looking at their defece but they don’t seem to offer good value.
Looked again, only 5m else maaaaybe Collins for 4.5m. But doubt he will start
Noble is intriguing as a fifth mid at 5.5, I’d really like to see if he keeps set play duty now in the pre season games before pulling the trigger on him, if he loses them he could well be a red herring as he’ll be more defensive minded in what I think will be a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Payet looks to be the main option from the mids but he is valued at 2 m more than anyone else with Sakho probably being the forward with Carroll still being injured.
Good points Andy, I think for now Sakho is most probably the safest option but i am tempted by Payet but the extra money makes me think twice. Who will you be going with?
At the moment I seem to be 1m short no matter what team i draft!
Honestly not sure yet mate, I’m going to have to wait till all the friendly info is gathered before I take my final guess 😉
I don’t think I’ll be able to fit Payet in as a luxury 4th or 5th mid though.
Hey Villan, I’ve got Sakho in my current draft. Payet looks an interesting prospect with the stats he brings with him, he’s off to a decent start with 2 goals and a hand in the 3rd goal in their last friendly. One to watch i think
Yeah he defintely looks promising and I have now found a way to fit him in, tempting…
Draught…. stopped counting haha
Courtois/Hennessey
Cedric/Ward/Huth/Turner/Alderweireld
Hazard/Milner/Walcott/Cabaye/Anya
Aguero/Rooney/Deeney
Might take Alder and Turner out for Richards and Mings. That way my def all starts and can pick which I use on each GW.
Can anyone tell me more about Deeney? All I know really is his scored 20 goals last 3 seasons
Anyone?
Hey Peter GK solid take Turner might not start but who knows like your MF if Kun doesn’t start put someone else in start with Wilson over Deeney slightly better games
Thanks Silver
I know nothing about Wilson and Deeney… kind of following the masses
I like your keepers, i’ve currently got the same 2 myself. Similar defense although i’ve got Richards and Mings as i think they have more chance of starting. Solid mids and i like your attack with kun and rooney (don’t know much about Deeney)
Photek Im thinking of having all 4.5m def (except Cedric) and just shuffle. Thoughts?
It frees up money for the attackers but whether it will hurt your points in the long run only time will tell. I think you should have 2 solid defenders at the least and maybe rotate the 3rd spot
Something of interest 1st 6 wks scores predictions from FFF top scorer’s
Agüero Forward 32.4
Sterling Midfielder 31.0
Silva Midfielder 29.1
Depay Midfielder 26.9
Hazard Midfielder 26.1
Firmino Midfielder 26.0
Sánchez Midfielder 25.8
Rooney Forward 24.9
Costa Forward 24.4
Sigurdsson Midfielder 24.3
Mané Midfielder 24.2
Payet Midfielder 23.4
Kane Forward 23.3
Özil Midfielder 23.1
Henderson Midfielder 23.0
Young Midfielder 22.2
Terry Defender 22.1
Fonte Defender 22.1
Fabianski Goalkeeper 22.0
Ivanovic Defender 21.7
Whats the site again?
Peter Did I say what site no really Fantasy Football Fix
I swear Im useless when looking for it now haha, What is the link?
http://www.fantasyfootballfix.com/guide/overview/?rc=b3puemRm;discount=FF247
Thanks
If these score are to be believed it means we can go without Kun and put Sterling & Silva in Depay , Costa , Mane , Payet , Kane Hendo , Fonte & Ivan in
I tried FFF as paid for it this year and it says the algorithm projections aren’t ready yet.
Think it might be working now.
ohyesali they are starting to filter though
Interesting to see Sterling and Firmino predicted to be so high. I’m not sure where they’re getting those figures for Young and Ozil, can’t see it myself.
@Photek, they are good for certain things. Points projections have always been shady on any site.
true, it’s a best guess yard stick to judge the players with
Hi guys. Only 2nd fantasy league i’ve done (1st last year and came 4th in my mini league of 20 #wellproud
) Just signed up too 247 and wanted to get some friendly advice on a pre-team ive put together as we’ve got money on it this year.
Any comments / tips?
+ Cech (Guzman)
+ Clyne – Bellerin (Francis ‘Bourn’ – Morgan ‘Lei’- O’Shea ‘Sun’ = Idea is to rotate one 4.5 defender depending on fixtures
+ Sterling – Hazard – Carzola – Henderson (Wanyama ‘Sou’) = Not sure Hendo or Milner as Milner is having a great pre-season
+ Benteke – Costa – Deeney = Don’t know much bout Deeney, but I think 20 goals for 3 seasons in a row means he could be a cut price 3rd option and could score 10 / 12 the season.
I think fairly strong and may do a double transfer in GW3 to bring in Kun.
I don’t like having 3 from Ars, despite not bad fixtures.
Thanks for any comments
Looks like a fairly solid team. Have doubts about oshea and mor get an and dont know much bout francis. Start deeney unstead of wsnyma as he never gets any points. All I can really say is a big question mark over defence. 😉
Yea, defence not tough but thinking that Francis and Morgan may go up a bit through GW5. Francis seems like a Gd 4.5 that links well with Wilson. 6 Ass / 1 goal last season I believe. Thinking O’Shea for fixtures as other than Spurs a fairly good run of games up to GW6 and could get a couple of CS. Any Ideas for other 4.5 defenders?
Bellerin starts for Ars nowadays right?
Milner or Hendo? – Carzola or Ozil / Depay?
Morgan is unlikely to start the season as he hasn’t had any holidays yet!
I’d say Bellerin is a good bet
Hendo over Milner is my opinion. Easy swap if I turn out to be wrong though (I have Hendo)
I’d go Cazorla
Hi guys thoughts on my latest draft?
Courtois
Koscielny-Cedric-Richards
Hazard-Cazorla-Yaya-Milner-Ritchie
Costa-Rodriguez
Hennessey-O’Shea-Muniesa-Sakho
Nothing in the bank