New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17. Man City
Just what the heck happened to this lot last season is anyone’s guess. The writing was supposedly on the wall after the first five fixtures; a rock solid defence and goal scoring madness up front lead many to believe the league title would be heading back to Manchester but it wasn’t to be. Untimely injuries certainly played a part. However, even with the City stars all fit the wheels proceeded to fall off in dramatic fashion, prompting the removal of Maunel Pelligrini. If ever there was a way to shift fortunes of a club, appointing Pep Guardiola is it. A proven manager at the highest level, Pep demands 110% from every player, 100% of the time and with the rich talent in the City squad plus the new arrivals, it seems as though City will be right up there challenging once again. Stalwarts Kompany, Aguero and Silva, with budding superstar Kevin De Bruyne thrown in there for good measure, make up a fantastic core for the noisy neighbours. Just how these players fit into Pep’s style remains to be seen but on the face of it, they fit just right. Perfectly, almost. Just the two summer signings so far then but both are of a high calibre and will only add to the beast that City promise to be. No obscure names here, no punts, just top drawer acquisitions. They are as follows…
For Man City’s’s pre-season games, line-ups and general musings here is their link on the Pre-season hub we have created Man City Pre-season info
Ilkay Gündogan – Midfield Playmaker (£5.5m)
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A name we all know from that sensational Borussia Dortmund team of a few years back. Ilkay was and is a highly skilled midfield player capable of producing defensively as well as chipping in with goals and assists, which is exactly what City need now that the towering figure of Yaya Toure has seemingly tailed off after an incredible burst of form. At a reported £21mln, the signing of Ilkay seems like an unbelievable bargain considering the monstrous fees being payed these days and once he can stay healthy, that bargain will become more and more apparent as his career progresses. An excellent engine in the middle, he chipped in with 15 goals during his injury laden spell at Dortmund, a figure we would expect to rise as he progresses and hopefully stays injury free. Whilst unlikely to “do a Mahrez” and set the fantasy world alight, the German schemers influence on possession alone should see City become an even bigger threat this year and his keen eye for a killer pass should see the wide men unleashed behind the opposing full backs regularly, and we all know what means…. gulp. All in all, a fantastic signing but we’ll need to see a sharp upturn in fitness and an increase in goal / assist output before we even consider him ahead of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and the new guy, who we’ll get onto now in just a sec. Any changes in the scoring system to suit defensive types could see Ilkay become more prominent in the fantasy world so keep an eye out for new additions to the scoring.
Fantasy Prospect; Injury worries and a wealth of star midfielders at City don’t do him any favors. 6/10
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Nolito – Winger / Striker (£9.0m)
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Now we’re talking, a genuine class act attacker that could well be a must have if priced well. Beginning his career at Ecija, whoever the hell they are, Nolito shone from the off scoring 18 goals in 76 appearances over the space of two seasons. Not bad, not bad at all. His exploits were noticed by all the top Spanish teams, who kept a close eye on the budding youngster and it was Barcelona who took the plunge, although it was the B-Team where he seen most of his game time for the Catalan giants. 106 appearances and 29 goals later, Barca promoted Nolito to the first team setup where he was predictably no match for the stars in that team at the time and featured a miserable 5 times before jumping ship in search of first team footie elsewhere. The right move. A short but successful spell at Benfica ignited interest once again and it was the mighty Granada who brought the skillful winger back to Spain. That didn’t last too long either! Just 17 appearances to be exact before Celta Vigo snapped him up and gave him the base, in Spain, he craved to develop his talents, and boy did he not waste any time in doing so. 39 goals, umpteen assists and a heap of top drawer performances in a total of 103 outings for the Celts lead to his rightful inclusion in the national squad, and team. Nolito has 13 caps thus far, scoring an impressive 5 times, all coming this year the last of which was at the recent European Championship’s vs Turkey. Nolito should fit right in with Pep’s style of play and form a formidable three behind Aguero with De Bruyne and Silva and he will likely be the cheapest option of the bunch. All boxes ticked.
Fantasy prospect; 9/10
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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I feel like going in for YYT this year. ;-|
Morning NiN,
Can’t believe you haven’t heard of that team wotsitsname that Nolito started at #amateurwriter
Of course I’m kidding, thank you for your coverage of City’s big two. I’d add that City also signed Oleksandr Zinchenko, a Ukrainian attacker who has started City’s first two friendlies. I’m not saying he’ll start every PL game, in fact I’m sure he won’t but be aware of him (£5.5M).
Think I’ll be going with Aguero as sole Citizen.
No Kdb TGP?
Nah, Hazard instead mate.
Not tempted by both?
Looking for all round cover to begin with Dreamers.
Ok so just signed in for the first time this season, what’s happened to the colour scheme? The purple and green is a bit much for my eyes, especially on my PC! Hoping it’s easier on the mobile site.
No idea where to start on a team..
Can’t help you with the new colours Shadow but autoselect your squad maybe? Might be as well
Hit auto complete and go from there haha
Hi Shadow.
That’s what everybody thought of the new FPL site’s colour scheme. But you kinda get used to it eventually, haha well at least I have. All the best with your first draft though. My advice, try and get some Man U and Chelsea coverage especially in attack and defence too. And course, the little guy Kun.
Cheers to an amazing season for all of us.
Yeh auto complete with Aguero sounds a plan!
Reports this morning that Danny Drinkwater is stalling on signing a new contract as Spurs are lining up a £20 million bid for the midfielder. Honestly don’t know why Spurs are considering this move they have just signed Wanyama. Really hope Drinkwater doesn’t leave as it will be terrible if Leicester go from title winners to getting beat by most teams after losing some big players.
They’ve got CL this season Matt and they’ll want to ensure they finish top 4 again.
True but so do Leicester so you would have thought they would want to finish in the top 6 atleast I just don’t see that if they sell their best players.
But if Drinkwater is refusing to sign a new contract Leicester are somewhat backed into a corner.
I’m not 100% sure if he’s refusing to sign it but you’re right in saying Leicester could be backed into a corner.
Same Matt, i’d like to see them do well again. I have mixed feelings about their FPL potential this season.
Same Alex. I currently have Mahrez but I’m thinking of selling him as well because 1, if he leaves then I’m definitely going to sell him and 2, if he stays I don’t see Leicester getting as many goals next year because people are more aware of them now so they don’t really have that surprise element anymore.
Morning Matt I’m seriously considering changing Maz I just don’t thk they will do as well 😉
Morning Silvers, I was thinking of selling him after the first 3 games anyway but now I’m starting to think of just selling him from the beginning. Depends on the replacement I suppose.
Cheers NIN, cracking wrote up. Had Nolto in an early draft, he may be back 😉
Morning all. Thanks NIN for the City write up, great stuff mate. Nolito one to keep an eye on for sure but can’t help thinking Gundogen is their more effective purchase in terms of them challenging for the league and in Europe.
Alright Big Blue, you well?
Good thanks Kiwi – all happy and healthy over there?
Yes Thanks mate, the big news (although I have already told you this) is number 3 is on the way! 3 under 5; we must be mad!
Weather is bloody awful BUT we have just been told the EPL will be on Sky Sports. There was a genuine risk, it may not be shown over here.
3 under 5? You’re either very brave or very stupid!
Either way it’s great news mate.
Cheers Kop. Easy answer that one pal; stupid!
In that case Kiwi, public congrats mate!!
Great news about Sky. Weather a bit ropey down here also 😉
Cheers Cooks, you beat me though; cough TWINS!
Not sure I’d call it winning!!