New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17. Chelsea
Oh how we chuckled last season when Chelsea stumbled from one embarrassing defeat to another. It really was hard to believe that this was the same team who had won the league in the previous season by 8pts losing just three games. It turned out that Jose wasn’t so special after all and he departed in mid-December having lost nine out of 16 league games. Guus Hiddink was appointed manager until the end of the season and he somewhat steadied the ship with the club finishing the season in 10th position. Roman Abramovich didn’t hang about in appointing yet another manager and appointed the then Italian international boss Antonio Conte back in April, with the Italian taking over after the Euro’s. Given his chequered past Conte should fit in well at the Bridge and he’s bound to get on like a house on fire with Roman. Whatever you think about Conte he’s undoubtedly a manager of the highest quality although all of his successes have come with Juventus. He is known to be obsessed with tactics and is not afraid to change his formation until he understands which system best suits his players. Roman has once again been quick to open the cheque book with the signings of Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante for a combined fee in excess of £60m!
For Chelsea’s pre-season games, line-ups and general musings here is their link on the Pre-season hub we have created Chelsea Pre-season info
Michy Batshuayi (£9.0m)
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[/three_fourth]Having scored just 59 goals last season it came as little surprise that Conte’s first signing was a striker. Not only did Chelsea struggle for goals last season they had no backup to Diego Costa with neither Loic Remy nor Radamel Falcao impressing during their limited opportunities. Having scored 26 goals for Marseille over the last two seasons the Belgian had become one of Europe’s hottest properties and had offers from West Ham & Crystal Palace but in the end opted for Chelsea which was hardly a surprise. Standing 6ft tall and weighing in at 78kg he’s no shrinking violet and comparisons have already been drawn with Didier Drogba who also moved to the Bridge from the Stade Velodrome. So is the youngster likely to be a fantasy option? That all depends on Conte and how he sets up his team. Should he decide to play with one up top you would have to assume that Costa will be given first crack. There are however growing rumours that Costa will be on his way back to Atletico and if this happens Batman will become a far more intriguing prospect. Should Costa remain and Conte choose to play two up top it will be hard to pick Batshuayi over Costa as the Spaniard is only £0.5m more expensive and is a proven Premier League striker. For now I’d suggest you take note of how Chelsea line-up in pre-season as well as keeping an eye on the Costa situation.
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N’Golo Kante
Leicester paid just over £5.5m for the French international last summer and he turned out to be one of the signings of the season. Chelsea have in turn paid Leicester a fee reported to be in the region of £32m and once again he could prove to be one of the signings of the season. Last season he scored just the one goal and picked up four assists, and he is highly unlikely to significantly improve upon these returns this coming season. Therefore I wouldn’t see him as a fantasy asset. However he is likely to have a significant bearing on the Chelsea defence. Last season he made more tackles and interceptions than any other midfielder and this saw Leicester keep 15 clean sheets. Chelsea fans and FPL managers alike will be hoping he has a similar impact on the Chelsea defence. Should this prove to be the case Terry & co are likely to become quite appealing. So to speak!!
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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Vote on our Captain Poll Now
Morning all I might start without Ibra if I do I will put Roo in risk I know but to many teams starting to look the same , anyone else going without him ???
I’m playing it safe mate and selling Ibra if he doesn’t hit the ground running.
I’m going with Rooney, as you know Silvers. Don’t go blaming me though if/when it goes tits up!
Cheers Guys I will watch the Community Shield & make my mind up then. 😉
What happened? I thought you were set on Ibra?
Yeah I thought you were playing it safe.
Cookie / Matt Safe has gone out of the window two many teams on here starting to look the same , so thinking of changing things around risk its a big one but Audentes fortuna iuvat
Yeah just seen your comment below and I may be using it to tinker with my team in some areas. Not really happy with my team either but I think Ibra and Kun stay to make sure I don’t have to get them in after.
Morning all, thoughts on the current draft?
Mandanda, Foster
Shaw, Morgan, Stones, Friend, Parades
Hazard, Ozil, Countinho, Shaqhiri, Fletcher
Aguero, Rooney, Carroll
Morning lionel,
Looks good mate – issues are I would prefer Firmino and Bojan to Coutinho and Shaqiri and keep an eye on the Palace keeper situation as has already been discussed on here this morning.
+1 also keep an eye on any Ozil news I believe Wenger plans on resting him for GW1 possibly 2.
Cheers guys, good intel. Have been trying to keep up with the boards but as always at this time of years there’s so much info flying around.
hi all, sticking with this team after much tinkering… Negredo and Grey are bothering me on which one to choose but think Grey for now… no Ibra worrying to start as hell to get him in if he kicks off well but the relief of settling on a team is great! ( for now anyway )
damn didnt attach
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Geoffreys,
I like it mate, a nice rounded squad with some different names in there – refreshing to see.
cheers Cookie
Hey Geoffreys nice looking team mate , particularly like your MF but I would change Bell to a 5.5m def & use the other min to upgrd the rest of your def , even if you stick this is a good team 😉
thank you Silvers good advise cheers
Been having a good look at the pre season games couple of points I’ve made Smith could start at LB not sure why Daniels hasn’t featured much any one any ides also Ake looks as if he will play MF. Gray has convinced me to start with him see how he goes. Aina for Che looks set to start @ 5m could be a cheap way into Che Haz has also done ok.
Eve look more compact & Deul has be good apart from last game. Snoddgrass has looked lively , Schulpp seems to be playing in MF plus Musa looks good both need looking at in C/Sheild. Firmino has done well & will probably play just behind the fwd. Roo & Valencia done well for United.
Austin & Redmond look as if they can make an impact , plus Martina 4.5m looks as if he will start cheap way into Sou def. Borini has done really well @ 5.5m one to keep an eye on from GW 6. Kingsley looks set to start for Swa I might even start with two 4m players worth a punt ?. My 5th Mf player will probably be Capoue looked really lively & with only 1.8% ownership as opposed to Flet at 14.9% could convince me.
Anyone else looked at any others that they think have done ok
Silvers
Stephen Kinglsey is a player I know well from his days at Falkirk but I’m sure Neil Taylor will revert to LB once the business begins. Similar with Cecric Soares maybe coming in for Martina at Southampton.
Southampton have been playing a diamond in midfield with Tadic at the tip of it and Redmond played up front with Long last night according to the official club report.
Andre Gray is the one standing out at 6.5 absolutely no doubt about that.
I’ve taken Brad Smith as my 4.0 punt.
GP snap on Smith , Kinglsey one to watch I guess , yes you could be right about Martina & I have Red @ moment cheers mate 😉
Who’s this Aina fella? Is he a new signing for Chelsea? He seems to be starting every game so could be a decent shout instead of Courtois.
Matt
A guy in truth I wasn’t really aware of. A youth product I believe.
If you are looking to cover Chelsea without stress, stick with Courtois or Terry. Aina is up against Ivanovic and even Cuadrado on the right.
Cheers GP. I just found his player profile and it seems he’s been at Chelsea since under 11s.
Not really looking for Chelsea cover it’s just that I currently have a draft that looks like everyone else’s teams and another draft that I’m doing that has some different names and Aina came into my thinking.
I didn’t think Cuadrado would be put RB. I don’t see him as much of a defender but maybe Conte sees differently?
Matt
Only if he sets up Chelsea like he did Italy by using Cuadrado as an attacking full back or wide midfielder with defensive duties.
Though in fairness so far Chelsea appear to be playing 4-4-2 so it could be a fight for the RB spot between Aina and Ivanovic.
Ah I get what you mean now GP. Hopefully it’ll be Aina vs Ivan because going from recent performances Aina wins by a landslide.
HELP HELP HELP !!!
Ive made my umpteenth change to my side , taken Bolasie out and replaced with Eriksen and removed Bellerin in order to make this happen . My Dilemma is to try to find a bench replacement defender for 4 mill who will get game time in case Nsue doesnt feature , I have Paredes and just brought in Amat . Any solid advice ?
YOGIS – looks like Brad Smith at Bournemouth seems to be the most likely 4mln to play, but none are nailed it seems.
+1
Thanks , I looked and considered him , just wanted to know if there any certs . Aargh in the quest for the stongest MF and Strikers by defence barring 2 and GK are suffering lol
No certs as yet YOGIS.
Sorry mate.
Thanks GP , I know its a tough call and maybe ill just take the chance , although I dont want a 10 man only score card
Definitely not.
I think you can carry one outfield 4.0 but you are entering dangerous territory with two.
agree 100% with GP here
I think Nsue should feature, had a bit of a research seeing as everyone had Friend and Nsue had 1 more appearance than Friend last season all comps inc and scored 3 times vs. Friend’s 1. Nsue can also be deployed as a mid or Forward apparantly(!) so gonna go with him myself. Middlesbrough website actually describes him as a forward – confusing.. http://www.mfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/emilio-nsue/2
Good spot that Peetza
definitely one to monitor if not gamble on
@Peetza , Yes I saw the same thing and same stats , wich is why I cant understand why so many folk think hes a dubious starter . Glad I made you do some Boro research 😉
@Peetza and those interested in Nsue. Nsue should start the season and indeed could be a nailed on starter, but the arrival of Antonio Barragan from Valencia makes the right-back a less certain pick. It is true that Nsue had a great season and he has continued this form into preseason, but Friend can be picked up for the same price and is a guaranteed starter. Further, although Friend may not be as attacking as Nsue, he certainly isn’t a clean sheet defender alone. Besides, Nsue can’t score on the bench 😉
Cheers AT had literally just looked pick stats to try and decide between Nsue and Friend but if Friend doesn’t have comp but Nsue does then that kind of makes the decision for me.
Thanks for all your comments guys , ive decided to go with ……