New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17. Leicester
Regardless of who else they sign this summer the current champions arguably made their most important signing already by convincing Jamie Vardy to pen a new deal with them, snub Arsenal and spearhead not only an unlikely title defence but also their great European adventure as they seek to rock the Champions League world, much as they did ours last season. And good on the lad too. In this age of instant gratification, easy money, fame and fortune there’s something almost wholesome and just plain fundamentally good about this decision. If Graziano Pelle and his Chinese money move tells you everything you need to know about the modern football mercenary then Vardy staying put tells you everything you need to know about a player who is almost an 80’s throwback. Don’t get us wrong, he didn’t re-sign for a pittance, of course, but more importantly it may well have a galvanising effect and an influence on any of their other players who were suddenly thinking about bigger and better things outside of Leicester. Apart from Kante, obviously. And maybe Mahrez, although he’s rumoured to be re-signing as we speak. Screw it, you’re getting relegated Jamie. On your own.
One thing is for sure though they need extra bodies this season as they will suddenly have to cope with two games a week at times, as is the rigour of being in the elite bracket, and Claudio has wasted no time bringing in the reinforcements. And money isn’t an issue it seems as they have managed to break their transfer record fee twice in the space of one week! No sooner was £13m midfielder Nampalys Mendy introduced as their record signing then £16m striker Ahmed Musa was likewise. Joining them so far are goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler and central defender Luis Hernandez. For the purposes of this article we are just going to look at the two more forward players simply because Ron-Robert is surely just back up unless Schmeichel junior suddenly ups and leaves, and as highly rated as Hernandez is, then he may have to wait his turn as Ranieri will surely keep faith with Huth and Morgan, at least to begin with. Pre-season may well reveal more.
For Leicesters pre-season games, line-ups and general musings here is their link on the Pre-season hub we have created Leicester Pre-season info
[divider_1px]
Nampalys Mendy (£4.5m)
A quick glance at his career stats would suggest that Mr Mendy won’t be making his way easily into anybody’s fantasy team! That’s unless they change the scoring drastically and award more points for defensive play, tackles, blocks etc. His attacking career stats so far looks like this – 213 games…. and 1 goal. He’s basically your archetypal defensive midfielder. So much so in fact that he’s been referred to as a ‘carbon copy’ of Claude Makelele. The best we can offer on him then really is that should he secure a DM spot alongside Kante, and that’s if Kante stays, then he may well simply allow Kante even more freedom to get up and down as a box to box midfielder. So in short we’ve basically written this bit just to warn you not to bother with him!
[divider_1px]
Ahmed Musa (£7.5m)
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/three_fourth]
If our first guy was a waste of fantasy money and time then our next guy could very well be the exact opposite. The Nigerian international has plied his trade in Russia with CSKA for the past 5 seasons making 164 appearances for them and scoring 54 goals in the process, last season being his best so far with a near 1 goal in every 2 games ratio with 44 appearances and 18 goals, along with 6 assists. He’s no stranger to title winning teams either having done so three times already with CSKA. He’s lightning quick and will fit in perfectly with Leicester’s counter attacking style. He usually plays on the wing for Nigeria for whom he’s scored 11 goals in 58 games which includes a famous double against Argentina at the World Cup in 2014. Just as a side note to those concerned about the ACON particpants – Nigeria haven’t qualified.
Much will depend on his FPL classification and price. If he’s a reasonably priced midfielder then add him to your watch list immediately. If he is, as is more likely, a mid priced forward then maybe wait and see where exactly Claudio intends to use him. The ideal combo is that he’s classed as a mid and Leicester pair him up top with Vardy in a devastatingly fast paced attack duo.
Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
[divider_1px]
Is Antonio valencia nailed on to start?
Looks favourite to start currently. But probably not nailed
Evening everyone, who do people think is the best 4.5 mil midfielder? Currently going with De Roon but not sure if yes defensive or not.
Matt, GP has studied this at length and would advise Maloney of Hull.
Cheer Cook, and GP, I was thinking Maloney but wasn’t sure with the fixtures they have. I had a look at Marney but don’t know too much about him.
Well Marney did put a ball though to Gray yesterday and looked OK. Whether he can do that in the PL I don’t know. I currently have Leko from WBA who I believe is against McClean for playing on the left and I don’t think McClean is a great shake.
Either he or Maloney probably for me. Likely Leko on the fixtures.
Cheers GP will keep an eye on Leko and Maloney to see who may be the more nailed on and most likely to do something.
Evening,
Thoughts on this squad?
DDG Jakupovic
Stones Friend Wimmer Gabriel Azpil
Mkhitaryan Townsend Hazard Firmino Maloney
Aguero Long Wilson
Hey PP, I like the majority of this team expect for the defenders. I would change Wimmer as I dont think he’ll play, as for Gab I don’t really like Arsenals fixtures so he could probably go. I assume Stones is on there for his City move but something that just came to me(and if am Everton fan wants to tell me I’m talking shit go ahead) but if Stones goes I think Evertons CS potential gets better to maybe Jags could come in for Stones?
Matt,
Wimmer is there since Vertonghen is out injured for a while (unless they make a new signing)
Gabriel is there to give some Arsenal coverage and with Per out he should start (unless they also make a signing) – but looking at fixtures I think I can start without him…
Maybe get McAuley in for Gabriel and can do Baines in for Stones or Wimmer to Walker
PP, I was reading on here the other day that Vertonghen is coming can soon so Wimmer to Walker is a good idea. McAuley in for Gab is a definite for me WBA have nice fixtures where they can get CS points and McAuley can get the odd goal or assist.
Matt,
Done and done already haha
Also brought in Alli for Firmino…
Think its looking good now
Haha Job done so!
***NEW ARTICLE***
https://fantasyfootball247.co.uk/new-signings-fantasy-premier-league-201617-man-city/
Innit,
think Stones will end up at City?
If so, be a starter?
Yes he will be a City player by the end of this week. No idea if he starts though. He will eventually.
Firmino or Alli?
As the only attacking cover from either team in the squad
Alli but only based on fixtures.