New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. Milner, Ings, Firminho
Liverpool were poor last season, actually they were worse than that but for the sake of our younger readers let’s stick with poor! Their defenders made a catalogue of errors over the course of the season, while up front they struggled for goals. It therefore comes as no surprise that Brendan Rodgers has been busy in the transfer market, although as we’ve seen in the past this is not necessarily a good thing! They’ve replaced Brad Jones with Adam Bogdan whom unsurprisingly we won’t be covering in one of these articles, 18 year old centre back Joe Gomez has arrived from Charlton and as he’s likely to be one for the future we won’t include him either. We took a look at Nathaniel Clyne in an earlier article and today we’ll focus on James Milner, Danny Ings and Firmino.
James Milner
Liverpool
Age: 29
Signed From: Free agent (previously Manchester City)
Fee: Free[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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Why has James Milner left Manchester City? A club with whom he won two league title and will challenge again this season, and who offered him a four year contract worth up to £165k a week. It is likely that he has been assured of his game time at Anfield, but where Brendan Rodgers will play him is not immediately obvious, although reports have suggested that he will be handed his preferred role in central midfield. One possible scenario would see him played alongside Jordan Henderson with a more defensive minded player behind them or they could form the defensive base of a midfield three with a more attacking player ahead of them. Should he be offered a somewhat attacking role from central midfield position he could prove to be an interesting fantasy option, particularly as he’s priced at just £7.0m. During his time at City he spent most of his time operating in a wide role, a position from which his influence is limited and his lack of pace exposed. However in his final season at Villa, the last season in which he was a consistent starter he chalked up 184 points thanks to seven goals, 12 assists and 35 bonus points. One thing is for sure and that is that wherever Rodgers chooses to play him Milner will give everything for his new club and while he should not be viewed as a replacement for a certain Steven Gerrard his experience will help fill the leadership gap which Gerrard’s departure has created. Finally, while Milner has been handed Liverpool’s famous no.7 jersey, I wouldn’t expect him to hit the heights of those who have worn the jersey in bygone years!
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Danny Ings
Liverpool
Age: 22
Signed From: Burnley
Fee: To be decided by tribunal[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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Is Danny Ings the next Rickie Lambert? Liverpool fans will certainly be hoping that the answer is no! In the two seasons prior to joining Liverpool Lambert scored 28 goals in 75 Premier League appearances for Southampton, while in his only season in the Premier League Ings scored 11 in 35 games for Burnley. Both Liverpool fans and FPL managers will be hoping that Ings has more of an impact at Anfield than Lambert managed last season. I’m not going to compare the two but one big difference is that Ings is only 22 and will surely continue to develop as a player, whereas Lambert was 32 when he joined the club. So what can we expect from Ings? It will all depend on how he himself handles the move. While Liverpool can no longer be considered a top 4 club there will be still be an awful lot more pressure placed upon him at Anfield than there was at Turf Moor. Currently Liverpool have five forwards (I use the term loosely!) in Sturridge, Lambert, Borini, Balotelli & Ings himself, actually there’s six, how could I forget Divock Origi. With Lambert, Borini & Balotelli all likely to leave the club over the remainder of the transfer window and Sturridge unlikely to be fit for the start of the season, Ings could find himself as the clubs only recognised striker come August 8th. Obviously the club continue to be linked with Christian Benteke, and it seems highly unlikely that another will not be brought in before the window closes. One thing is for sure and when he is given his opportunity he will work endlessly for the good of the team. He can hold the ball up well, win aerial duels and can finish with both feet. He has the ability to link up with the midfield and wide men which would see him fit into either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system, both commonly used by Rodgers. Should Rodgers choose to play two up top Ings could also be effective. Just like Lambert last season Ings has been priced at £7.5m. Is this good value? I would advise you to wait & see how Ings settles into life at Anfield, this will also allow you to assess how Liverpool’s new signings gel together.
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Firmino
Liverpool
Age: 23
Signed From: Hoffenheim
Fee: £29m[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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Let’s be honest, Firmino is one of those players who the vast majority of us had never heard of back in May. It wasn’t until the papers linked him with a move to United that most of us took any notice of him. He began his career with Figueirense in the second tier of Brazilian football before moving to Hoffenheim in 2010. It’s said that he initially struggled to adapt to foreign climes, which is good news for Liverpool, and he took three seasons for his talents to emerge. Since the start of the 2013/14 season he has weighed in with 23 goals & 21 assists, and has been one of the stand out performers in the Bundesliga. It remains to be seen where Brendan Rodgers plans to play the Brazilian, at Hoffenheim he spent most of his time playing directly behind a striker in something of a free role, although he is also capable of leading the line. He is a great dribbler, has excellent technique and as his recent stats demonstrate, he can finish. In 2013/14 Liverpool adopted a high pressing approach but the loss of Luis Suarez meant they struggled to press teams last season. Firmino is not only a flair player, he is also known for his work rate and his arrival could see Liverpool get back to playing on the front foot. Liverpool will be hoping that he and his compatriot Philippe Coutinho form an immediate understanding on the pitch and if this is the case, Firmino could very well prove to be an interesting FPL prospect, particularly if Liverpool have a striker knocking in the goals on a regular basis.
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Thanks for the write up Kops. You think Pool will shine again this season?
Cheers Raz. I expect them to be better than last season, although that wouldn’t be difficult! I don’t see them making the top 4.
You need to get rid of a few players such as Balo, Lambert, Borini, Origi. When I look at that squad I see too much dead weight. Letting go of Sterling was a good move though.
How is Origi ‘dead-weight’? Also, there’s a big difference between ‘letting go’ a player, and holding out for massive money. They tried to keep him, after all.
Ye I’ve got to disagree with you Raz. Can’t really say Origi is dead weight he hasn’t even kicked a ball for us yet. Maybe this time next year you could say it but we need to give him time.
I agree with Nin and Matt here. Origi seems a good player and actually played ahead of Lukaku in WC2014 and scored one! He is very young though so maybe wont slot in right away. Raz is just ranting about he’s belgiumness!
Nice article Kop, though I am not sure I will be rushing to pick any of them. Fixtures aren’t great and I think there’s still a fair bit of adjustment to do before they’re firing. Would want Benteke in therefore really getting stuck into them, and even then after waiting a few weeks.
Is *everyone* picking Kun from the start? Makes teams pretty unbalanced. I was also wondering if he might return late post-Copa?
I’m starting with Kun a risk I know as he might not start the first couple of games but can you start without him
Aguero is a must have, surely.
I currently have Aguero, Hazard, and Costa in my team. How’s that for unbalanced? :smiling:
You can fit Aguero, Hazard, Costa AND Sanchez along with Schmeichel, Speroni, Huth, Cook, Holebas, Ward and Coloccini + Mahrez, Redmond and Ki Sung-yueng + Deeney!
Unbalance this!
That’s not a bad line-up DMC but there’s a lot of reliance on pretty weak players to accommodate the big names. I dunno, I think it’s a tough call whether to get them in and roll with it, or try to be a bit crafty in picking a few mid-price or second tier high scorers. Glad there’s lots of time still to go….
Yeah Pippin it’s just useless tinkering at this point i guess.
Try again Do we think Steven Taylor will get his place back & will Yoshida be a nailed on starter ????
Don’t know about Taylor. But I don’t think Yoshida will with Fonte and then this Cedric guy that’s come in.
Cedric is a right back, no way he’ll be pairing with Fonte. Yoshida may well play but they were (and still are, after the Alder incident) looking for a CB, so if that happens I see Yoshida on the bench.
I can’t see Steven Taylor ahead of Colo or Williamson.
Oh I thought Cedric was a CB, but I still don’t see Yoshida playing to be honest. Ye I dont see Taylor displacing Col or Williamson.
Ok i’ve had a re-think, particularly with the defence, and come up with this. Thoughts?
Cech (Ruddy)
Azpilicueta – Clyne – Cedric (Vlaar,Hoban)
Hazard – Cazorla – Depay – Mahrez (Ki Sung-Yeung)
Aguero – Rodriguez – Denney
I’ve gone with Ki and Mahrez as they rotate perfectly. I think Aguero is a certainty but jeez it frees up cash and makes your team look more-balanced if you go for Kane or Costa instead. Also, anyone know when Schweinsteiger will be added?
Cheers
whoops wrong thread
What do you think of this?
Ruddy – Rudd
Cedric – Mert – Morgan ( Mings and Hoban )
Silva – Haz – Milner – Mahrez ( Ki )
Ageuro – Benteke – J.Rod
With the option of downgrading Silva to Sterling and the using the 1.0mil for Cedric to Fonte and Mert to Kos?
Or how does this team look?
Nice squad, that. No Arsenal attackers is a slight worry but we cant fit everyone in, eh?
Which one mate? Haha
Ye that was a bit disappointing but it’s a tight budget and like you said can’t get everybody.
Hahaha! Yeah, it’d help if i said which one, eh? Twonk
I like both but i’d lean toward the 2nd one.
Haha well you got there in the end.
I’m just not sure about the 2 Southampton attackers and Azpi. And I really like the idea of Ageuro, Benteke and J.Rod in an attacking 3.
Good team MattX still not sure two Sou fwds , Hoban we still don’t know you could sell Kos put Bel in up grd Hoban or sell Mane put Ars MF in good stuff I,ll be in touch soon to start the doubles rolling
Ye I wasn’t too sure about the 2 Southampton forwards either that’s why I did the team just above that haven’t got a screenshot just wrote it out.
No problem mate.
Ok i’ve had a re-think, particularly with the defence, and come up with this. Thoughts?
Cech (Ruddy)
Azpilicueta – Clyne – Cedric (Vlaar,Hoban)
Hazard – Cazorla – Depay – Mahrez (Ki Sung-Yeung)
Aguero – Rodriguez – Denney
I’ve gone with Ki and Mahrez as they rotate perfectly. I think Aguero is a certainty but jeez it frees up cash and makes your team look more-balanced if you go for Kane or Costa instead. Also, anyone know when Schweinsteiger will be added?
Cheers
Much better, Tom. Maybe lose Ruddy and upgrade Hoban to Prodl?
+1 Ruddy isnt needed if you have Cech.
thanks for your help NIN. Perhaps Ruddy-Rudd and Hoban-Prodi?
4m GK’s are all the same so it doesn’t really matter which one you pick.
Good balanced team Tom not sure on Vlaar Villa are so poor , Hoban might not start & we need to keep eye on J Rod over the pre season.
Thanks Silver and MattX. Keep an eye on J-Rod we shall. I reckon he’s a steal if he’s set for week 1
Thanks Silver and MattX. Keep an eye on J-Rod we shall! I reckon he’s a steal if set for week 1
Definitely could be a great buy at a low enough price.
Hi all, had a good re-think about my team
Hey Stewy Bacuna is a waste of cash change him for 4.5m player and upgrd Diouf to J Rod if he is a starter rest of team ok