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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How are you guys planning to fit in Sanchez, when je’s back? Dont want to losr Haz/ payet for him..
Constantine, you might have that problem sooner than you think as there’s every chance he’ll feature in GW1.
Oh..i thought he was injured. Read somewhere that he might be out for first two weeks. I’m geting him in anyhow now.thanks KOP.
Oh FFS! Added him to my watchlist :smirk:
This watch list is growing by the hour, how many teams are you entering?
I still would not be surprised if he makes it week one. He’s so expensive that’s the problem and not overly consistent but is explosive
Thoughts guys?.
Looks decent to me.
Looks good AnttL.
Will Paredes start? I’m not sold on Musa but I wouldn’t talk anyone out of having him.
Are any 4 million defenders likely to start that’s the question
At this stage I wouldn’t be confident enough to pick any of them for my team.
Ha ha but there is such quality to choose from….
Trying my first teams with Ibra… It’s not fun and I’m not convinced his selection merits the decimation of your squad at least on paper. I do however appreciate that it’s easier to love and lose than to never love in the first place … Ahem… So here’s my first two shots! Opinions very much appreciated!
Rosco
I don’t dislike either of them. First one if you’re pushing me.
I don’t think either squad looks particularly weak anywhere because you have ibrahimovic.
Cheers GP, the more I look at them the more they appeal, as I’m kind of running a risk a in my non ibra team with Miki and to be honest I’m not keen on Lukaku who I have pre ibra, even if he goes to Chelsea.., it will be easier to have him and lose him then to not and then either take a hit or have to wait to get him! Any adjustments to team 1 if that’s looking a winner?
Rosco
Not a lot in truth. You could bring in Deulofeu for Ayew based on how he is looking in pre-season. Just an option that’s all.
Second draft, any thoughts?
Melon
Can’t argue with much there. Keep an eye on Ake – he should play being on loan but there’s no guarantee. Bear bones defensively if he is in and out.
Defence looks very weak mate. You can improve that massively by simply downgrading either Firmino or Alli to a 6.5 and there’s plenty out there to choose from. Downgrade one player to improve 3 or 4.
Dear All, Hope you are all having a good weekend tinkering away. Another draft here, the circle never ends. I would be grateful for any comments or suggestion.
Gunner
Would I be right in saying that if you downgraded Gabriel to a 4.5 player you could afford Hazard for Mkhitaryan? Just a suggestion meaning you have Chelsea cover?
Hi Gallant Pioneer,
I think i like that idea. i will try that thanks
RMT please, not seen a team with Sanchez yet so thought I would try one as normally a must to have him and think will out score ibra
Gooner
Interesting. You see obviously the effect it has – two 4.5 midfielders – and both Scottish – you’re doomed pal
I also have concerns on Campbell being there if you are relying on him each week – and that’s before we consider any new strikers hitching up at Palace.
Campbell to Gray/Wilson/Long/Austin and maybe lose one of the United lads at the back to begin with?
I’d replace Campbell with Ibra and work back from there :oogle: Let me know how you get on as I want all of the others too