New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. Richards, Johnson, Okazaki, Wijnaldum
Newton’s 3rd law of Fantasy Football. For every expensive player you have there is an equal and opposite cheap player. Like it or not, FPL managers are going to have to fill out their squad with some pretty unfashionable players. For every Eden Hazard there must be a Graham Dorrans. Spent £7m on Ivanovic? Here, have this bench warming Reece Oxford. You’re welcome. It’s buy one get one cheap. Balancing the budget is one of the most frustrating, yet ultimately fascinating aspects of the game. So roll up, and take a gander at today’s car boot sale featuring Micah Richards, Glen Johnson, Shinji Okazaki and Georginio Wijnaldum. Offer ends August 8th.
Micah Richards (Aston Villa 4.5m)
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[/three_fourth]In 2006 an 18 year-old Micah became England’s youngest ever defender. The following year, he became Manchester City’s youngest ever captain against his future employees Aston Villa. Manager Stuart Pearce declared Richards the future of the club and no-one had any reason to dispute it. So it is one of football’s great mysteries that Gary Neville’s heir apparent made only 13 international appearances. In fact his record of 189 club games in the last decade, latterly in the shadow of Pablo Zabaleta, gives him a hugely undeserving CV. One can only imagine how his career may have progressed away from the Etihad, given a fair run in the Premier League. Lest we need to be reminded, the powerful right-back not only has the physique of a welterweight, but also the nous to provide from advanced areas. His 5 assists in 2011-12 were the most of any Premier League defender. This is a good thing, of course, as few will be relying on Tim Sherwood’s Villa for clean sheets.[divider_1px]
Glen Johnson (Stoke City – 5.0m)
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Unlike Richards, Glen Johnson has had little trouble holding down his right-back position at club and international level. However, last year saw many of Liverpool’s players have their least inspired in a red shirt to date and Johnson was no exception. Quickly becoming a scapegoat for frustrated Kopites, he’s found himself usurped both domestically and internationally by Nathaniel Clyne. And so on to Stoke, a club evolving quickly under Mark Hughes. The aerial bombardments have been replaced by calculated possession, and Stoke fans no longer arrive at the Britannia in World War 2-era helmets, but adorning top hats to doff in confused admiration. That being said, they still have an 8 foot beanpole up front, so if Glen can launch a few towards Crouchy, all the better for FPL managers.
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Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City – 6.0m)
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His 27 goals in 65 Bundesliga appearances made him the most prolific Japanese player in the history of Germany’s top flight. He also arrives at Leicester with an impressive international pedigree, netting 43 times in 93 games for the Samurai Blue. Okazaki’s 12 goals last season with Mainz were all inside the area, so if Claudio Ranieri’s men can supply the 5ft 8 poacher with decent service, he could prove to be a bona fide ‘Fox’ in the box for Leicester. With Vardy, Ulloa and Kramaric for company, competition for the frontline will be fierce, but Okazaki can also play wide and in the ‘False 9’ slot. Aged 29 and costing the club £7m, the former Shimizu S-Pulse star has clearly been brought in to make an immediate impact, and one would expect him to get a fair crack at the Premier League this season.
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Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United – 7.0m)
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After winning a transfer tug-of-war with their Mackem rivals, it’s the Newcastle fans who welcome PSV’s Eredivisie winning captain to the North-East. The 24 year-old followed an injury ravaged 2013-14 with an impressive 14 goals and 2 assists in last season’s 32 appearances. These figures naturally pale in comparison with those of compatriot Memphis Depay, another leaving Eindhoven for Premier League shores, but then most players’ stats do. In Wijnaldum, Mclaren has brought in a young yet experienced Dutch international who has all the credentials needed to slot into England’s top tier. How this translates to FPL may well depend on those around him, but having already impressed in his first training session, the Geordies have a class act on their hands.
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So many teams for RMT have Deeney – he may have done well in the championship last season but why this confidence in the Premier because the front 3 IMO are very important and there seem to be so many other possibilities?
Colonial, a big factor is he is the captain so should start every week and he is on penalties.
Deeney offers good value for 5.5m. He’s nailed-on, takes penalties and is their main striker. When trying to balance our squad’s, players like him become popular.
Nice article Bry, thanks for putting it together for us mate. I like the look of Wijnaldum and will be keeping an eye on his form.
Damn you all.
Seeing all these RMT’s has made me break the habit of a life time, and have a cheeky tinker with my team in July.
I’m anticipating going fairly early with my WC. Probably to bring in a rested Aguero and/or Sanchez.
Be gentle now.
Ta,
Like it a lot Chinny. First I was like say whaaaat when I saw Wilson AND Deeney, but that hefty midfield makes up for it.
Sorry but can’t be bothered checking your cheap defs rotating potential just now!
And I assume he’ll be the main starter, but Trippier is a solid player with strong potential, so keep an eye on Walker.
Cheers CC. Yeah, Totscum and fullbacks are a funny mess. I’ll keep an eye on it through pre season.
We’ll also need a plan for the doubles at some point. We’ve at least got to recover some pride this year.
Aye, we’ll tear it up. Keep an eye on Whatsapp.
hi chins. I think its a good side. if I were to suggest something I would downgrade eriksen to chadli and upgrade milner to mane or deenay to j rod. sonton seem to have good fixtures for GW 1-6 (just a thought)
That’s some good advice there Cole. Thanks mate.
I think I’ll give it a chance to see if the old JRod returns before I bring him in. Definitely one for my watch list though.
How’s your team coming along?
chins
I’d have stayed logged out if I were you 😉
Joking of course. Lovely different side to what I’m seeing mostly. The two new strikers I toyed with having as well alongside Aguero – I haven’t completely ruled that one out
I fear like most that Morgan will burn out or not even be played due to his Gold Cup and Copa involvement. Walker as well but that’s been discussed.
First one I’ve seen with Eriksen I think. The forgotten man.
Overall good.
I agree with GP, Chins. It’s overall ‘good’.
Let’s not beat about the bush. It’s certainly not great, or even very good. But it’s definitely good.
+1
What time does Chins wake up? I might have to be away shopping, or something.
Bry, i appreciate the honest feedback.
I’m not gonna lie, my feelings have been hurt and my confidence has taken one hell of a knock.
I might be able to come back from this, but i guess only time will tell.
It’s probably best you and i don’t see each other for a while. Give the wounds time to heal.
Right, I’m off to sit in the corner, knees in my chest, rocking slowly back and forth, humming nursery rhymes.
Bye…..
Hi GP,
Thanks mate. Great shout on Morgan. I’d missed that completely.
More tweaking required.
:whatever:
What are thoughts on Rodriguez? Is he nailed on? Out for so long with injury but he was class there for a while. And Southampton should still be thereabouts.
Hi Rick,
I personally really rate him. I just have no idea if he’ll come back the same player. Or if he’ll do what a load of players do after a long lay off, and pick of lots of niggley injuries in his first season back. I seem to be saying this an awful lot lately, but i’d just see how he does in pre season.
Re Southampton being right up there, i’m not so sure. I wrote them off last season and the came back strongly after losing a few key players. Top 8 would be a great result for them in my opinion.
Rick
He is scoring in pre-season but so is Pelle. I’d love to see Koeman play both and have Pelle shoulder the physical stuff to let J-Rod play off of him.
I’d keep a close ye on who lines up in Southampton’s Europa League qualifier before the PL starts for any clues. No J-Rod = feft for the league games (hopefully).
Guys a new draft ……..
1 mid left to be selected………… 8 mil in bank
Hi Kaumil, Payet would be my bet.
Have you considered Fabregas?
Kaumil
I don’t see many clean sheets coming from those goalkeepers. I think there are better in the 4.5M bracket.
Rest look solid to me.
Palace have some horrid fixtures i’d personally avoid for the time being.
Good morning all , good to see you back on the boards Bryan nice article , Richard would be good in any other team but clean shts no , Wijnaldum one to keep an eye on , good stuff