New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. Sterling
Manchester City have been relatively busy over the last couple of weeks bringing in Fabian Delph & Patrick Roberts, although it remains to be seen if they join the likes of Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell on the list of players who have ruined their careers by moving to the Etihad. One player who is highly unlikely to join that list is Raheem Sterling. Having had their first two bids rebuffed by Liverpool they finally got their man, breaking the transfer record for an English player in the process. In all likelihood there will be another couple of arrivals at The Ethiad but even if there’s not, the arrival of Sterling and his hippy crack has significantly improved the City squad.
Raheem Sterling
Manchester City
Age: 20
Signed From: Liverpool
Fee: £49m
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It has been suggested that young Raheem would have been better served staying at Liverpool for at least one more season because this would have helped his development as he was assured of playing every week, unless he was feeling tired! However City have not spent £49m on him for him to sit on the bench and therefore I expect him to play a significant role over the coming months as City endeavour to reclaim the title. Despite what some might say, they haven’t signed him just because he’s English, the lad can play.
Having signed for Liverpool back in 2010 at just 16 years of age, he came to the attention of the masses in the 2012/13 season making 24 league appearances, scoring twice and picking up six assists. The following season saw him link up to devastating effect with Messrs Suarez and Sturridge, finishing the season with nine goals and seven assists. Much was expected of him last season, but like his teammates he struggled without Suarez and endured a rather disappointing season. However he still finished the season seven goals and 10 assists and was probably Liverpool’s best player over the course of the season.
There’s no denying that at £49m Sterling is overpriced but he has improved season on season, the problem he faces now is that he’ll be expected to do it every week. So where will he fit in at The Etihad? At Liverpool he played everywhere from right wing-back to centre forward so he’s certainly versatile and while he’s unlikely to be played as a wing-back at City his arrival undoubtedly provides Pellegrini with options. With more arrivals likely at the Etihad I expect City to play a 4-2-3-1 system this season with Sterling on the right of the 3, cutting in to support Aguero. Although he could also play in a more central role closer to Aguero.
As I’ve stated above I expect Sterling to be a regular in the City side with his dribbling and pace complimenting the vision and technique of David Silva and the firepower of Sergio Aguero. This should see him improve on the seven goals and 10 assists in registered last season, and with a starting price of just £9.0m he could very well offer some early season value.
Finally, it’s worth noting that young Raheem’s City career got off to a great start this morning scoring inside three minutes of his debut. It was a typical Sterling goal as he ran onto a pass behind the defence before slotting past the keeper, I suspect we’ll see plenty more over the coming weeks and months!
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Evening all. How’s things?
Regarding fantasy, well now I think I’ve finally been swayed to start without Aguero, for the first time since the game launched… and I’m feeling surprisingly good about it. With 2.5m tucked safely away for when the time comes.
Lack of gametime didn’t stop him at the start of last season though!
It’s actually somewhat of a blessing that Sanchez has been ruled out initially…
Evening James.
I’m the same as you I’ve finally decided to start without Ageuro but I’ve only kept 1.5 mil to bring him in.
Nice. Who’s holding his place for you Matt? I’m guessing you’ll be doing it in 2 transfers…
Rooney. That I haven’t really decided I think I’ll upgrade Rooney to Ageuro and then Benteke to J.Rod as I’d need another mil. How about your team??
Hi james – hows the draft looking?
Hey Dreamers! It’s been a while. Here’s what I’ve got so far.
Teams looking good mate. One question though do you think Simpson will play? I currently have Hoban but I think I’ll use .5 of my 1.5 to upgrade him to Prodl, unless Simpson plays as then I would have a 4.0 mil playing defender.
been a while james.
There are some interesting choices there. Whats your view on Walcott game time? A bit light up front maybe?
Your plan above sounds good Matt. Nah I picked Simpson at random really… ideally I’d have Ward or another 4.5m backup but funds just won’t allow if I go for Walcott. Personally, at the start of the season I don’t have a problem with having one 4.0m non entity defender, but if you can still attain Aguero after getting Prodl then go for it.
…do you think Prodl is preferable to Angella by the way then?
Dreamers – yeah the Walcott and J-Rod picks are risky – would rather have Wilson that Deeney too really but I already have Ritchie. What are you thoughts in general on the squad?
With Sanchez missing for the first week or two (or three?) the chances of decent gametime for Walcott seem fairly good. Once he returns however Depay or someone more nailed on may be a better call. I started with Ramsey initially but he just doesn’t excite me as an FPL prospect as much.
Ah right I get you. I’d suggest Ivan to Mert or Kos that way you have Arsenal cover and you have extra money because you already have Courtios in goal.
Ye if I do Rooney to Ageuro,Benteke to J.Rod ill have .5 left over so I could do Hoban to Prodl but then I have to hope no prices change by even .1.
I honestly don’t know but Angella is a CB from my knowledge and Prodl is a LB but I’m honestly not sure.
hi james – I like it. Cedric is looking pretty popular and Ivanovic is more prolific than most midfielders. I’d probably go Ki if he does well pre season over Ritchie. That extra 0.5 in defence would make a big difference.
Thanks for your thoughts guys. I appreciate it :thumbup:
Benteke is officially a Red!!
nice one Matt
Hopefully it’ll pay off. Need to make more crosses into the box now.
How about this latest draft? Like most managers on here never seem to be quite happy with my team. Any suggestions?
Fabregas, 6 mil def, 5.5 mil def > Hazard, 4.5 mil def, 4.5 mil def
Discuss…
Have you lost your mind Mr Bean or is this code 😉
Well last season, of course assuming all players played 3420 minutes to make it fair, the first option outscores the second by 40(ish) points if you picked the best performing players for the respective price ranges.
Considering you can tell which ‘premium defenders’ will score 140 plus, where as most 4.5 defenders score 80-90 points, the first option is definitely more appealing on paper…
Just food for thought, i’m a little bored 😉
hey Mr Bean – you might have overlooked the captain potential of Hazard though there
If you have Costa, he kind of covers that area pretty well though?
Possibly. Hazard just seemed unplayable at times last year. Its certainly worth the debate. Seems to get harder every year. Need a Kane or Ramsey for some funds.
Silver, I think those are your lost log ins.
Depends on what the rest of your defence looks like Mr Bean. I think a defence should have a couple of players above the 4.5 range for sure, so if you already have them and this would give you 4 pricier defenders then the Hazard option for sure. If this is your only way of getting them in though then I’d consider Fab for a couple of GWs at least and see how things look. So many people have Hazard that he’s unlikely to go up too much so it shouldn’t be a problem bringing him in soon if you need to.
Hazard has 2×5, 3×4.5
Fabregas has 6, 5.5, 5, 2×4.5
Based on that alone without seeing the rest of your team I’d say take the Fab route.
Any thoughts on this team?
I’m considering playing Wilson instead of Cedric and all out attack chip in week one.
Happy with the side anyway though and like the choice of Rooney OR Costa as makeweight for Aguero.
As much as I like the Aarons pick GP, here I think I’d bench him for Wilson and save your chip, although it’s an away match I fancy Southampton to start well more than I do Newcastle to. Just my gut feeling.
Thanks James.
That’s the one spot I’m unsure of just now.
Hi GP, Aarons hitched his skirt last pre-season too in much the same way and enticed a few. He’s mint potential as a budget rotation if he rips ’em off this time but I’d sit tight on that one until the last minute.
That was my plan. Davis at Southampton seems a reasonable and maybe safer alternative, he’s having a good preseason as well.
Just looking for that 5.0 midfielder.
GP,
Had Davis last year after he had a decent preseason…dropped 0.3 in the first 10 weeks for only 1 assist I think…think he plays quite deep and is not guaranteed to start from what i can remember.
Not to say he won’t shine this year though!
Thanks for that Mr Bean
I’m just looking at what he has done this preseason and his price. He’s a very good player but doesn’t always transfer to fantasy I agree.
I’ll have a think.
Hey GP I have decided I cant go without Ivan @ 7m that’s less than most MF players he will out score so I have gone Surman & Aarons others to look @ Howson & Jedinak much more choice @ 5.5m
Thanks Silvers.
Ivanovic is worth his fee based upon his previous seasons no doubt.
Silver, regarding Ivanovic. I don’t think it’s as simple as saying ‘he’s as good as a 7m mid’. You have to take into account the compound value/pts return of the players you’d have to bring in/leave out.
Example. You have 12m. So lets say you buy the best* 7m and 5m DEF and MID combo. (Based on last season’s points)
Ex.1
Iva (7m) – 179
Morrison (5m) – 95
Total = 274 pts.
Ex.2
Lescott (5m) – 127
Henderson (7m) – 162
Total = 289 pts.
It’s admittedly a very, very crude comparison. But I think it bears thinking about.
Why use the chip so early GP? There will definitely be better times to use it throughout the season. Baker, Muniesa, Hennessey & Redmond worry me too. Aarons could be a good shout but we’ll have to see how his preseason goes i suppose.
NiN
Not set in stone mate bit out follows on from an idea I had a few weeks ago.
Looking at the fixtures and trying to work out which players I’ll have on ‘good’ fixtures by then is proving very difficult.
I thought that at least I could set up for 2-5-3 better now than I likely every could.
Also this side isn’t in my opinion adversely affected for week 2 onwards. Besides Baker but needs must and I’ll see if a 4M defender comes to the fore.
GP, you’ll kick yourself when a DGW comes along mate. That’s when I plan to use my chips.
Bry
I’m certainly using the other two for DGWS.
Can you see there being three big DGWs?
I’m banking on a TGW – 9 effective matches for the triple cap 😛
Love it CC.
That would be good.
Montreal Impact actually have a triple GW coming up in MLS.
Holy crap. You’re right!
Knowing MLS though, it’ll be 3 different line ups.
Can I have a bit of input on Darmiah talk he wont be in there line up just brought in as cover don’t wont to waste 5.5m on a def just to sit on bench I can see MU keeping lots of clean shts this season , with who they have brought in
Silver if Darmian doesn’t soon take over as the main RB I think I’ll cry. Haven’t had anyone decent there for many years now and we finally get an out and out full back only for him to be cover for Valencia?? Not buying it…
Hi Silverback,
LvG hintedin one of his last pressers that he needs to compete with Valencia for the spot. I can see him being the no.1 choice after he settles in, but there is a risk for the first GWs. Valencia has a minor injury and is expected to be fit for GW1, so personally I decided not to risk it and maybe bring him in later on.
And yes, MU have made some nice additions to the midfield, but there is still no established back 4 and a high possibility that they will get another CB until end of Aug, which means that we can expect some dodgy performances. Their opening fixtures look quite good though…
Cheers CC & xaoc who would you put in place