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 chaps and chapettes. Hope everyone’s teams are coming along nicely. I’m getting a new version of the final XV everyday. Yikes! Wish the season would start already so we could get on with it.
I’m wondering what are people’s thoughts on Silva vs Sterling for this season? I was thinking of plugging in Silva for the long term but the more I thinktabout it about the more tempting Sterling becomes. I’m purely keen on people’s thoughts on who’ll score more points season long (if there are no injuries etc), the extra £1m ain’t enough to sway me if it’s a bad bet.
Cheers!
Silva will be the safer option he performs season in and season out but sterling plays as well as those around him and man city have a strong squad i have silva in my team playing it safe but sterling could pay off.
mchammer, I’m likely to start the season with Sterling. Silva had his best FPL season do date last season with 12 goals & 12 assists, but I think the arrival of Sterling will lead to a decrease in the amount of goals he scores. Although the number of assists will probably rise. Tbh there probably wont be much between them come next May.
Kop
Agree with Kop here. I’m trying to have both, at least to start with.
I can see Silva lining up the bullets for Sterling many times this season.
Quick one…..a policies and sterling or ivanovic and mane????
Here’s what I currently have.
Thanks again guys
Azpilicueta and sterling or ivanovic and mane…damn auto correct!
Azpi & Sterling for me.
Thanks Kop, that’s the way I’m leaning too. Rest look ok? Bench not included as it still needs work!!
Yeah, looks quite strong mate. I’m not sure about Wilson but they’ve got decent fixtures.
+1
He’s a risk. Hope he fires in first game and if not that the 6 others are strong enough to make up for him.
Ivan and mane. Ivan always starts the season well and mane had very good stats seeing as he didn’t play the full season.
Morning All,
I want to have ars/chels defence cover & also some Ars mid cover so which of these do you think is best:-
Courtois, Merts & Wally
Or
Cech, Azpi & Rambo
I kind of like the 2nd one as i feel Azpi will do better than Merts, but then not having Wally could be a mistake
Any thoughts?
Hammers
Cech Azpilicueta and Cazorla 😉
I think Azpilicueta will be better than Mertesacker too.
Cazorla over rambo then GP?
hammers
It ill be for me mate. Really impressed with Caz in the Singapore tournament.
I’d have to take Courtois, Merts and Wally, Merts will likely get more goals and assists than Azpi this season, I’m banking on Wally playing a lot more this season although he will sting us at times with a game of where’s Wally in the line ups.
Would Cech azi & wally be the most favourable of all though if i could nick another 0.5 somewhere ( probably by downing cedric to a 4.5)
I’d still take Courtois + Merts as a combo ahead of Cech + Azpi, CS values shouldn’t change a lot so you’re really only looking at goal threat + bonus point potential to separate them and with that in mind you’d have to take Merts over Azpi, I don’t see Azpi being involved much with the CFC attacking game much anymore with only 4 assists in the last 2 seasons and Merts will always be a threat at corners with his size.
I’ve seen a lot of people going with Rooney but with Van Gaal saying they will sign another striker i expect Rooney to play a No 10 role and i don’t think i`m that confident with him doing his business from there people thoughts?
He has already said Rooney will be his main striker. Barring a massive name coming to Untied I dont see that changing.
I wouldn’t have any issues with Rooney playing at #10, he’s more than good enough to get goals & assists from 10.
Been word of Ibrahimovic coming. Which would be a nightmare for Rooney, lmao. WTF wil happen with that team? At the moment they have way too much class on midfield, something they were lacking last season when Carrick wasn’t fit.
Can someone tidy this up will Darmain be in the starting 11 ?????
Ask LvG, he said he was bought as backup, which is f-ing crazy.
Mata is the one that interests me with United. Serious potential to score well if given game time. I think it could be 4-3-3 with mata, depay and Rooney as the top 3 if they don’t buy a striker and di Maria gets sold.
Walcott vs Sterling vs Mata? I agree. I think Mata will be great. If I replace Wally with him, I can upgrade Mignolet to Cech
http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/2529589/matteo-darmian-back-up-for-antonio-valencia-at-united
Here you go…
Silvers
I haven’t seen this quote from LVG.
I’m sure Darmian, an Italian international, won’t be bench fodder. I’d be extremely surprised if he doesn’t play.
He’ll play but the rotation risk from the Man Utd back four could be a bit of a nightmare with LVG wanting (apparently) two players for every position, probably one to avoid going into GW 1 this season as having a 5.5 defender being rotated is no good at all. Smalling would be the pick of the bunch as of now but I’m unwilling to pay 6 for a Utd defender.
Hey Andy I just feel MU will be tight this season with Sch & Schwein in the middle of the park
As do I but 5.5 on a rotation risk is to much of a gamble to me, we all should remember Luis from the start of last season, being an international is no guarantee of starting in this league.
Mignolet (Hamer)
Azpilicueta, O’Shea, Cedric (Mings, Hoban – no idea if he will start)
Wanyama, Hendo, Walcott, Sterling, Hazard
Aguero (Rooney in until Kun is back), Benteke (4.5 mil in the bank)
I feel this is quite midfield heavy. But, if they fire, which I think is likely, should bring me enough points to make up for my back line I’m hoping. Mignolet and Azpi should be strong enough anyway I hope
Patrick, do you have extra funds in the bank to do Rooney to Aguero?
I like it, but think Rooney will do very well this season if he is the main striker.
Aguero is in at the moment
Patrick
I don’t think Mignolet will be worth the money considering who Liverpool face across the opening weeks. They have a very challenging start. I’d advise two rotating goalkeepers at 4.5 of which there are loads to choose from.
Hoban is a risky selection, he may not play.
Rest looks good. Have you missed out listing a striker?
I have. I’ll go with your advice of two 4.5mil keepers, which leaves me 5 mil in the bank for a striker. Suggestions?
If I downgrade Walcott or Sterling to one or both of Mata and Caz, I can have up to another mil to play around with. Don’t think it’s worth it though when I’ll be playing a 3-5-2