New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17. Best of the rest!
Having already taken a look at the summer signings of United, Liverpool, West Ham, Southampton, City, Leicester, Chelsea & Crystal Palace we have now decided to take a look at the best of the rest! Some clubs have clearly been more active than others but that’s not to say that quantity is more important than quality. Certain clubs have not been covered in previous articles and have again not been mentioned below simply because their acquisitions are unlikely to hold any fantasy merit. Unfortunately we cannot see into the future and because of this we may have missed one or two signings who could have an impact on FPL. Should you spot someone please feel free to let us know.
Georginio Wijnaldum
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[/three_fourth]We’ve already published an article relating to a number of Liverpool’s signings. However since that article hit the site Jurgen Klopp has signed yet another attacking midfielder. We’ve lost count as to how many of them they have at this stage! Wijnaldum joined Newcastle last summer on the back of four seasons at PSV. His stats at PSV make for quite impressive reading as he scored 40 goals in 109 appearances for the Dutch side. He was the standout player in a Newcastle side which was relegated last term and he finished the season with 11 goals from 38 appearances. So where does he fit in at Anfield? In a 4-2-3-1 system he could feature on the left side of the 3, in the number 10 position or there is even a chance that Klopp may consider in the double pivot. In a 4-3-3 system he could feature on the left of a front 3 or as the most attack minded player of the midfield 3. Clearly the Dutchman is versatile but the problem for fantasy managers is that Klopp has a host of options available at his disposable for any of the positions in which he might consider Wijnaldum. At £8.0m he’s cheaper than both Firmino & Mane but is more expensive than the likes of Milner & Lallana. For now I don’t believe he warrants any consideration but this could change dramatically as the season develops.
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Jordan Ibe
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[/three_fourth]Jordan Ibe has long been regarded as a prospect at Anfield. Unfortunately for both him and the club he never quite managed to make the step up and after 5 ½ years at the club he has departed as a prospect. Many will argue that he wasn’t given enough opportunities at the club making just 58 appearances during those 5 ½ years. When Raheem Sterling left for City many expected Ibe to fill the void and while he did play 1,177mins last season the majority of this playing time was from the bench and he finished the season with just a goal and three assists to his name. He was never a fantasy option during his time on Merseyside, is this likely to change now he’s on the south coast? Having shelled out a club record £15m on Ibe it’s highly likely that he will go straight into the starting xi with Eddie Howe likely to see him as a direct replacement for the departed Matt Ritchie. Ibe probably played his best football under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers and with Eddie Howe adopting a similar philosophy to that of Rodgers the youngster should fit in well. The Cherries have quite a tough set of opening fixtures so for now it might be best so sit back and see how Ibe adapts to life as a regular starter in the PL. However at £5.5m he could yet become an ideal 4th or 5th midfielder depending on your system.
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Matt Phillips
We don’t want to alarm you but Tony Pulis has only made one signing during the current transfer window. What’s alarming about this you say? Well the fact that it’s an attacking signing with some fantasy relevance is somewhat disconcerting. But at £5.5m Phillips is certainly an option particularly when you consider West Brom’s opening fixtures. Phillips has two PL seasons under his belt and with QPR back in the 2014/15 season he managed three goals and eight assists. Now I realise it’s Pulis who picks the team and not technical director Nick Hammond but Hammond has suggested that Phillips could be played centrally behind Salomon Rondon. Historically Pulis teams have struggled for goals and this has meant his offensive players are ignored in fantasy circles but Phillips could turn out to be the man that changes that.
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Vincent Janssen
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[/three_fourth]Spurs have treated Harry Kane like a cart horse since he broke into the first team. Over the past two seasons he has made just over 100 competitive appearances for the club. Throw into the mix the Euro U21s last summer and the Euro’s this summer as well as the odd trip to Oz it’s no wonder the bloke looked knackered when playing for England this summer. It has therefore come as no surprise to see Spurs sign another striker. Janssen has enjoyed something of a meteoric rise as it was only back in in early 2015 when he was still plying his trade in the Dutch 2nd division. After securing a move to AZ he got off to a slow start in the Eredivisie but finished the season in sensational form, ending with 32 goals from 49 appearances in all competitions. Now I realise you’re going to say, ‘but it’s only the Dutch league’, however let’s not forget the impact that both Ruud van Nistelrooy and Luis Suarez had after joining from the Dutch league! The Dutchman is said to have a decent turn of pace and is comfortable with the ball on either foot, while he is also said strong on the ball. All these traits which should see him adapt to life in the PL. Pochettino clearly favours a 4-2-3-1 formation so for now Janssen is likely to act as back-up to the aforementioned Kane. However with CL football on the horizon for Spurs, Janssen is unlikely to have to wait very long to show us what he can do. With a price tag of £8.0m he’s unlikely to feature in many teams at the beginning of the season but is potentially one for the watch list.
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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Vote on our Captain Poll Now
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Anyone disappointed by Mahrez today. Played very wide and did not look like scoring
smash
Yeah definitely, think these transfer rumors have gotten his head and he’s thinking elsewhere , not going to be in my team for that reason + price, things may change guess we wait and see.
Yeah I think I might look elsewhere. He does have Hull first and is an easy switch to Ozil. Though with the pace of Musa and Vardy they might be better bets
Hey Smash and Duthers, do you think it’s a must to have Leicester cover for the Hull game? I’m thinking of dropping Mahrez as he’s not impressing too much and is expensive but I could being in Musa.
Musa looks good but I can’t see him playing 90 mins very often. Will be off the bench and probably being taken off. More likely being taken off
Cheers Smash so do you think Leicester cover is a must?
It’s really tough. I’d like to have coverage but not sure on the value
Cheers Smash I’m not sure either think I’ll be switching up my team again.
matt- Don’t think it’s a must but close to it, not paid much attention to Hulls pre season but a manager leaving and a new one who looks to be quite poor means they could win by 3/4 on that first game
Yeah that’s really the only thing that’s making me consider keeping Mahrez.
Anyone think it’s necessary for Leicester coverage? I have Townsend and lamela, could do Erikson and drink water instead. Thoughts?
Probably not essential to have them, be nice to have someone for the Hull and Swansea game though.
Evening all
Thinking Gray to Carroll Gw2
Siggy to Barkley Gw3
Bring Liverpool cover in from GW6 and shoehorn KDB in there somehow along the way if he gets going!
That’s the plan anyway! 😉
Plans sound good mate. Decent logic behind all of them.
Cheers Matt. Don’t know if its worth doing Eriksen Drinkwater instead of Bolasie Lamela?
I’m not sure I’d probably keep Bolasie.
Was thinking a similar move for GW2. Would you still do that if Ayew moves across to the Hammers?
Ayew will probably go into midfield so wouldn’t change plans really
Sounds good MadHatter, I am sure none of it will work out the way you expect it, because nothing ever does in this stupid game. But I like the plan on paper…
Yup, Wild Card at the ready!
Hi all, couple of things for you all to mull over:
Thoughts on Valencia as Untied defensive cover? Does he have a nailed on spot? If so he certainly has the ‘cross to Zlatan’ appeal.
Aina lost his chance for a starting spot with Ivan coming back earlier than expected? Terry an apt replacement or is he not secure either?
Martial/Mkhi debate – reason for Mkhi being benched today?
Anyone watch the game? Thoughts on Zlatan?
And finally, is Musa a starter? His absence from the starting line-up concerned me. Surely he should start over Okazaki and Albrighton, wherever he ends up playing.
Thanks in advance (don’t feel obliged to answer all the questions! haha)
Hey AT.
I’ll answer the questions in a slightly different order:
I didn’t get to watch the game but I’ve been told Valencia is the better option to Shaw because as you say he had the cross to Zlatan appeal.
As for Musa I don’t know what to do with him yet. I have Mahrez right now but I’m thinking of dropping him as I wasn’t impressed today and then maybe Musa can come in for the Hull game.
I’d go with either Mihkirtyan or Martial as I’d say they are both nailed and Mou was just giving Lingard a chance.
I think best Chelsea defence cover is Courtois. I was looking at Aina but now I’m not sure because of Ivan.
Hope that answers the questions. Haha
Cheers Matt, just to piss you off for not answering them in order I have another one: 😉
Oscar? Started in the hole today and at £7.5m he could be a cracking player to have in your squad over Hazard. Thoughts on this?
Only thing putting me off Courtois is that I like to have a keeper to play the fixtures. As such I usually have rotating keepers but have punted on Lloris given the strength of his fixtures for the first ten.
Ooo, Iwobi just scored.
Haha fair enough
again I have Hazard and I don’t think Oscar has played much over preseason but he could be a great option I would just prefer to wait and make sure he’s nailed on.
Yeah right now I’ve gone with Heaton and Jakupovic but that’s mainly because of funds I’d prefer to upgrade Jakupovic. Lloris could be a good option as well.
Don’t get him. Haha
Hahaha, I won’t be getting Iwobi; merely an observation 😉
Oscar is tempting me but don’t really know where I would spend my additional £2.5m to be honest – maybe I could try and squeeze a better play out of Gray/Musa. For now I think it has to be Hazard – cannot pass on Hazard when he’s on form (or at least appears to be).
Yeah Haz has to be picked I think
@AT,
I told Matt that Valencia was the best cover. 😉
Terry should be fine until Zouma gets back and then Conte will have to decide who to bench if he wants to play Zouma, I prefer to save the extra .5 with Terry.
Not sure on the whole Miki thing. Fine to think that someone was just getting a chance, but Jose showed with his tactics at the end that the game was not just another game. Still think Miki starts, but that was odd, as it was the only position that looked really off. If you are going to give anyone a chance, I thought it be Rashford not Lingard.
Zlatan scored a goal….yeah, that was it.
If Musa doesn’t start, I be surprised, but I guess the doubt is now in place if he will.
Mito, I had Valencia in from the start but switched him when I was concerned about game time. He looks certain to start the season as first choice at least and it is hard to overlook his 3 assists at Gala and the 1 today.
I think I’ll punt on Terry then, cheers.
My thoughts on Mkhi are exactly the same as yours. I saw the team sheet and assumed he must have picked up an injury and therefore not made the bench either!
I also thought Musa would have started today too. I also can’t see why he is being played in a fairly wide ‘midfielder’ type role. He is tempting at his price and for Leicester cover though, especially given the vacuum surrounding the good mid-priced strikers.
Gents,
I’ve decided to go with zlatan, man utd fixtures are just too appealing.
What do you think to this? (Mahrez is a spot holder for either Ozil or payet unless he tears it up again)
Your comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
So you are going to go with 4 guys on the bench that might not start?
+1 also maybe swap Feghouli to Ibe or a Boro mid.
Do you know any 4.0 players that are guaranteed to start?
I’ve gone with Smith right now.
Nope. Smith might play, but that is certainly no guarantee
Matt, given that your defence is without all bar one of the ‘obvious’ teams, I would probably switch out De Gea for Lloris/Courtois etc. I don’t think the Untied defence is appealing enough to double up on from the off.
Amat and Smith unlikely to start? I would probably want at least four starting defenders. Rest is good.
Seen a lot with Pickford. Are we expecting him to take Mannone’s spot? Jakupovic still got starting jersey at Hull?
Apologies, Mitro**
Your icons are too damn similar when I’m trying to watch the football at the same time 😉
Wouldn’t you double up on utds fixtures for at least the first 3 GWs? I will be WCing for GW 4
Mitro, it could definitely be worth a punt (I’ve never really been a gambler in defence though). Have always prefered to spread the cover and don’t think I’ll be changing.
This is one of your weaker efforts I think
Smash – I need the season to start ASAP! I keep on tinkering away, somehow in the past 5 minutes I have ended up with this team!
Too many options. Sanchez started up top today as well
If i knew Walcott was gonna start up front then he’d be in my team immediately! At 7.5 it’d be stupid not to have him at least for a few weeks! Unfortunately can’t guarantee he will
Considering this is Sanchez’s first game back he’s looking decent!
I was thinking that Mitro. Don’t think I will be bringing him in though. Just yet anyway!
Scrap that, he got an assist – he’s going straight in my team 😉