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
Need some advice, would you consider the following as starters?
Musa
Terry
Byram (with Cresswell out for a while)
Gabriel (with Per out for a while)
Wimmer (with Vertonghen out for a while)
Who do you think will be the starting CB’s for City? What is the latest news on Stones?
Crazy to think City has splashed out over 30 mil on Sane and Jesus and they wont even be starters!!
Musa = wait for community shield
Terry = Should be
Byram = I think he will but have a look at the match tonight
Gab = Yeah I think so
Wimmer = No I believe Vertonghen is back soon
Kompany and Stones is he moves if Stones doesn’t then Otamendi.
Am pretty sure Vertonghen has returned to training but is not included in Spurs squad this weekend.
Thanks Matt,
Considering Terry (cheap in to Chelsea def) and Musa.
Byram could be a decent 4,5m option
Gab as well (after there tough start)
Think I will go with Walker as my Spurs cover
Aina could be Chelsea cover as he’s only 5.0 Mil and seems to have played most of there preseason games.
Rest sound good
Iva has been injured, so not sure if Aina will keep the job once Iva is ready to go.
Oh I didn’t realise that as Ivan has been playing some minutes.
Musa we will see where he plays Sunday and he might be on the wing
Terry will play
West Ham will sign a LB. I’m not sure if Antonio will play RB
Arsenal will sign a CB who will likely play ahead of Gabriel
Wimmer similar to Gabriel may play first week
If they spend 50 million Stones will start. Not sure it will go through.
Yes to all except Wimmer, although I do think he might get a game before Vert is back.
Otamendi and Kompany when he is fit.
Gabriel Jesus is probably not staying with City this season anyway.
Any Thoughts on initial draft………. like who’ll get game time and who won’t
I’d sell Ivan, Naughton and Tarkowski to Taylor, Smith and a 4.5 defender then use the money to upgrade Ibe.
Thank you for the consideration.
But Dont you think Ibe will be a nailed on in a promoted team……..and i personally regard him pretty highly as a player
He is a good player you’re not wrong there but I’d prefer Terry to Ivan as Aina seems to be competing with Ivan so he could have competition there. Plus Bournemouth haven’t got the best fixtures to start.
hi Kaumil. The FPL sizing is annoying isnt it. Its like they dont know their users at all.
I think Rangel shared the right back spot with Naughton plus if they sell Williams which looks likely, I dont like Swansea.
Also I wouldnt touch anyone from Hull. Seem a shambles at the moment.
Its different – doesnt make it wrong
yea indeed they screw it up this time how the website looks.
Now about naughton, I’ll play shaw, baines and ivan most of the gameweeks so you can say naughton is just a place holder. Any 4.5 defender other than him that might be a nailed on?
Moreover about the Hull guy he is priced at 4.5 mil and i see him as a nailed on Plus he scored 6 goals and 9 assists when he last played in the premier league in a pathetic wigan team.
Kaumil – McAuley or Soure as a 4.5m
Ivan was carrying an injury too. Maloney at 4.5, cant really argue against
Gotcha mate
Hey guys . Here’s another spanner in the works for you to comment on now that the Vardy factor has been settled .
SANTI CAZORLA 7.5 MILL ? Not 1 mention , havent seen him in anyones side yet , surely he can be factored in somewhere ?
first two games against liverpool and the champs speaks for it…….people might ship him in after second GW.
Kaumil , me being a Gooner look at that 2nd game as a banker 😉
A glass half full Gooner, knew we’d find one eventually 😉 Caz was straight on my own watchlist when I saw the price. I assume he’ll be straight back on pens? Defo one to consider but those first few games put me off, especially as it looked like you’d be missing a few key players but it’s looking like that may not necessarily be the case now.
Hey Yogis I had a look at him a while ago but had a feeling that he may not be nailed on with Xhaka, Ramsey, Sanchez, Ozil, Giroud etc all in the front five ahead of him. Plus when you have Barkley and Ayew at 7.5 with better fixtures people are leaving that way I feel.
Thx Matt , I think if he’s fit enough he’s a definite starter . In comparison with Barkley and Ayew is a tough call , but being on most free kicks and corners there’s scope for goals and assists , technically he’s way better than the other 2 , Maybe Ayew with a false 9 role may get better goal scoring opportunities , Barkley has been in and outa my side the past few seasons and doesn’t warrant a place in any side IMO
I think Cazorla is a great player but with the midfield talent Arsenal have we will need to wait and see what Wenger decides to do.
Hi all quick question.
1: best goalkeeper for 5 million.
2:mosa or gray I was impressed by mosa last night and was thinking of putting him in .
3: do you think west ham will start with the same back 4 as tonight.
Hey No1. How’s things?
1. I’d prefer a 4.5 mil one I think there is better value there.
2. I had a look at Musa as well and he’s on my watch list but thanks to budget I’ve gone with Gray right now.
3. I haven’t seen the lineup yet so can’t really tell you.
West Ham tonight
Cheers Cook just seen GP stuck up the match report as well didn’t expect to see Oxford start.
1. Butland or Hennessey
2. Musa
3. Not sure. I thought Ogbonna would have started tonight.
Hennesey won’t be number one new French guy will I expect
Im not sure Smash. He is frances no 2 right?
Cheers guys sorry for the late reply I think butland and mosa are in . I watch mosa last night was very impressed lots of pace and with two good goals as well.
Kouyate anybody ?
elle
Couldn’t rule him out. Didn’t do to badly last year either. Got an eye for a goal but maybe Noble (penalties) for the same price might appeal too.
West Ham have goals about them, eh?
Nope.
he did a bit last year at times but just seems so many options this year – doubt it
Noble a better choice, was on pens too.
Until they sign Ayew anyway, then its all board.