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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thanks Kop for this summary! some interesting thoughts..
guys, what do you think who is the best striker option for 6.5?
Hi dawids, my initial selection in that spot was Long. I’m waiting to see how Musa fits in tomorrow for Leicester. If he’s not up top alongside Vardy in a pair then I’ll probably revert back to Long. Seen loads with this Gray chap in and his pre-season looks promising and I saw Hatters say he was very good having seen him previously at his own club so I guess that’d be the alternative but I’m not sold on Burnley as a promoted side yet and their fixtures aren’t great either so probably Long for me.
thanks init, for me it’s Long too, but i’m not sure if he won’t be rotated for Austin..
Hi Guys
Not sure about my team at the moment, any feedback would be appreciated
Hi Dazza, your two Arsenal boys jump out at me here. I think there’s better value than Gabriel, for the first few games anyway. The cats out of the bag on the Baines train I know and it feels like everyone has him but that’s probably justified with set-pieces and fixtures. I’d almost certainly do that switch if you can.
As for Rambo I’m a big fan of his and mentioniting him in pre-season always makes me chuckle but that’s another story and one for those who remember an infamous incident on FFC 4 seasons ago or so! Anyway I digress, he’s not even made my watchlist this time. Not saying my watchlist is right or anywhere near it but that’s probably why he jumps out at me as he’s someone I hadn’t even considered. Mainly because of their initial fixtures but also because he may play in the pivot. Also I don’t think he’s even featured in pre-season yet so I’ve no idea on his actual status.
I like the Alli pick, he’s been somewhat overlooked so far. Keep an eye on Schlupp’s selection tomorrow too as he may be an OOP pick ahead of Morgan for you.
cheers, I think Rambo had a great Euro and he is being rested, but hoping for a great season from him, and you think I should change Baines for Gabriel
Shaun Maloney looks appealing to me as a fifth midfielder considering his price of 4.5 mil.
Dude played last premier league season for shitty wigan team and still came up with six goals and nine assists.
Moreover he should be a nailed on in a Hull side.
What you guys reckon?
He’s 33, only downside regarding playing time.
They’re pretty good stats at that price. My only concern would be Hull themselves! Unless they have a magic week they’re going in with no manager and about 9 fit players! They could easily become the whipping boys if they’re not careful. And after what they did to Keith Bertschin this week I thoroughly hope they do!
Many thanks for this Kop. Don’t think I’ll be having any of these just yet but at least it’s nice to read why
And a sincerest of thanks to everyone who has contributed with these transfer articles over the summer to help fill the void and hopefully give a bit of info and help along the way. And also thanks to those who have pitched in with questions and answers on the chat on each and every one.
Fixtures kicks us off tomorrow night with the usual regular articles. That’s when you know it’s getting close…. #panictime
Hey guys can you please give me some advice on my team. Looking forward to watching the game tonight to see how some of these guys look.
That’s a good team right there. Personally, i’d swap Walker out for one of Baines / Dann, and also Payet for Mahrez :thumbup:
That would of course mean switching Souare too, maybe set up a rotation with Pieters insted, or a new pair altogether that work well fixtures wise.
Nice work Kop, cheers for this. Wijjy may be one for later but it would be hard to pick him ahead of Firmino for ‘pool cover.
Phillips could be a great shout. Hmm..