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
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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!
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Ahmed Musa (£7.5m)
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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
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Thoughts on Lamela anyone? I think he could have a great season, and if you look at his stats from previous seasons he has been steadily improving. If his previous gains in form are anything to go by he could be netting ten or more goals this season
Luke, I think he’s more than a decent choice given his pre-season form. He may fall below the radar with others focusing on the Bolasie or Townsend dilemna etc.
Consistency with him has always been the key so it’ll be interesting to see if he can take his summer form into the start of the season, especially at the start with Dembele suspended.
Hazard brace
My bank manager just had a heart attack 😉 #zlageuromikiKdBhazard
I think he will be decent this year
Init/smash 😉
GP, that’s brilliant work with all the teams and reports from the friendlies – thank you my friend.
Don’t sweat it Cookie.
Not much earth-shattering in the teams jumping out at me today really (save Antonio Valencia but he’s been discussed elsewhere).
Anyone know anything about this Ola Aina, the Chelsea kid? Can’t seem to find him in FPL, but he’s getting some game time at the moment.
Hey banjo
Not much other than he is listed as a defender on the club’s website. Loads of players like him play pre-season and then disappear come the season start. If he begins to see time, FPL will add him. I wouldn’t bank on him if I were you. Yet !
Cheers GP. I think there’s a fullback spot up for grabs at Chelsea. Certainly not banking on anything here, but keeping an eye on it.
I haven’t seen anyone talking about Liverpool yet, they aren’t going to win it but I can see them pushing for a top 4 spot.
I wouldn’t mind some Liverpool in my team not that I really have room, but seriously who would I pick? Klopp seems to intent on building two squads from the anyone he can get his hands on, we have this mess to choose from;
Wijnaldum, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge, Origi
And a few others who could be mentioned but probably aren’t worth it, you just know anyway that no matter who you choose its going to come back to haunt you. Sturridge seems the only safe bet IMO..
Hi luke
I have Firmino and I know Cookie is going with him as well. I believe with no Europe and the league to focus on, they should be in the Top 4, a close fifth at worst.
Firmino’s ability to play in a number of positions including main attacker appeals to me and I think that will help him be favoured by Klopp.
He can play a number of positions but at the expense of Sturridge, its one or the other really. Personally I prefer Sturridge
Of course Sturridge could be in for a brilliant season, I hope he is!
I think most of the time you will find Firmino will play with Sturridge, not as a direct partner but in behind him. He had played as main attacker when Sturridge was out last season so he can go up there.
I can’t squeeze a Liverpool striker in as my front three spots are taken so Firmino as a midfielder appeals even greater for me personally because of that.
Surely when everyone’s fit it’s firmino coutinho and mane behind sturridge? I fancy firmino and mane to get the most game time (through fitness), and firmino to outscore mane, hence why ive gone for firmino. Plus he goes up top when sturridge gets injured.
Hi Guys, great to see everyone back. Can’t wait to get going. This one feels like a very rough draft not sure about not having Aguero, any opinions greatly appreciated. Good luck this season
Hi joanne,
Great to see you back.
I’m sure you’ll want me to be honest with you so here it goes. I’m looking at about 8 changes to your squad.
I would go with a cheaper keeper combo – a premium and a 4.0 filler maybe or two good rotating pairs at 4.5 (see FIXTURES tab above).
Swansea have signed a new CB so Fernandez may be threatened by him – I’d go (Williams if he stays) but then Swansea have tough fixtures early.
Cathcart – I would swap to West Brom who have a good opening 6 or 7. Take a look at Mito’s rotating pairs article for one or two combos (see HOT COMMENT above right).
I wouldn’t have Moreno at all as I don’t rate him to be fair and I think money is better spent on Chelsea or United cover.
I don’t see Kante getting any more than three points each week – the fantasy game just isn’t suited to his playing strengths. – Maybe look at Bolasie or Townsend of Palace or Deulofeu of Everton.
I’m intrigued on Yaya to see what Pep does with him – too risky to start with for me and I’d aim for KDB or Silva at least (with no Aguero).
Ighalo is being overlooked widespread probably due to a new manager and how they tailed off towards the end of last season. Gray of Burnley is on top pre-season form, on penalties and is proving popular – you’d save a few quid as well.
I’m cold on Kane – I think he’s off the boil a bit but I can understand people going with him as Tottenham cover and wouldn’t talk you out of having him but for me, I’d like to see how he starts the season first.
Hey Joanne I agree with everything GP says here. He’s said it all.
@Matt, GP is not sharing that peck on the cheek just because you agreed with him. Get your own kiss, think Silvers is looking for help. :kissheart:
Hahaha I better go find him so
You are a star!! Thank you for that X
…and if you’ve got Fletcher starting a game on any given gameweek then that’s a problem!