New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17. Southampton
It has been another summer of turmoil down on the South coast as once more Southampton have lost a number of their key assets. Liverpool clearly felt that they did not have enough ex-Southampton players in their ranks so decided to shell out a reported £34m on Sadio Mane. Spurs splashed out £11m on midfield enforcer Victor Wanyama, while Graziano Pelle has buggered off to China where he will earn a reported £260k per week. The world has officially gone mad! However perhaps the biggest loss will be manager Ronald Koeman who has taken over the reins at Goodison Park. Koeman has been replaced by Frenchman Claude Puel who has spent the past 4 seasons in charge of Ligue 1 side Nice, and prior to that he had spells in charge of Lyon, Lille and Monaco. Over the years he has developed a reputation for developing youngsters and playing an attractive brand of football. This should see him fit in well at Southampton. Although he has big shoes to fill as Koeman had built on the work of Mauricio Pochettino. What he have seen in recent years is that Southampton typically spend their money wisely and judging from their latest two signings they have once more spent wisely.
For Southampton’s pre-season games, line-ups and general musings here is their link on the Pre-season hub we have created Southampton Pre-season info
Nathan Redmond (£6.0m)
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After three years at Carrow Road Redmond decided to leave Norwich after they were relegated for the second time in three seasons. Redmond clearly wasn’t bought by Puel as his appointment was confirmed after the purchase of Redmond, although he has apparently been a long-term target for the Southampton hierarchy and we’ve seen how successful they have been over the years. The 22 year old will undoubtedly be seen as a direct replacement for Sadio Mane, but is he good enough to do so? Last season Mane scored 11 and assisted six while Redmond managed just six goals and three assists. Such basis stats are not always the best means to compare two players and some of the underlying stats suggest that Redmond can replace Mane. He created more chances per 90 minutes than Mane did. Surrounded by better quality players we must assume that more of these chances will now be scored! He’s certainly not the goalscorer that Mane is, he’s only managed to find the back of the net on 18 occasions in 174 league appearances. Although he did get his Saints career off to a flyer yesterday with two goals. Against… Zwolle. I would certainly expect him to pick up more fantasy points than in previous season but whether or not he’s worth considering will be determined by his price.
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.5m)
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Just as many will view Redmond as a replacement for Mane they are likely to see Hojbjerg as a replacement for Wanyama. He is a defensive midfielder by trade but can just as easily play as a box-to-box midfielder. The 20 year-old has long been seen as one of Europe’s hottest properties and when he moved to Bayern back in 2013 many expected him to kick onto the next level under Pep Guardiola. Unfortunately it didn’t work out at the German club as he was kept out of the team by Kroos, Thiago and Schweinsteiger. Frustrated by a lack of game time he joined Augsburg on loan in January 2015 helping them to qualify for the Europa League where his tireless running and positivity going forward played an important role. He spent last season on loan at Schalke but struggled to cement his place in the side. What can we expect from him at Southampton? Assuming Puel adopts a 4-2-3-1 formation I would expect Hojbjerg to play as part of a two man holding midfield. He should have the physical strength to adapt to life in the Premier League and I expect Puel will work with him on the training ground to encourage him to get forward on a regular basis. Is he likely to be a fantasy asset? For now I would take a wait and see approach.
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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Some news on Sakho this morning. He has been sent home from the US tour with Liverpool saying it’s for treatment but sources say it’s because Klopp doesn’t like his attitude. Other talk saying he could be on his way out of Liverpool now that Klopp and him aren’t on the best of terms.
Just starting another thread because this is about United now. The other day I was asking about Martial leaving and just read that Martial is looking for a move away from the club but he wants to stay in PL. Anyone have more solid sources on this?
Is this the ridiculous media story about Zlatan taking the no.9 shirt ?!!!!
Yeah supposedly Martial is really pissed off about it because he’s also just brought out a clothing line called AM9 but he’s not that number anymore or some stupid reason like that.
Very stupid reason to leave, he’s acting immature in my opinion
Morning all, thoughts on Brad Smith at Bournemouth – a likely starter at £4m?
Struggling with making an all-round team at the moment.
What are opinions on Hazard?
Morning AT, Hazard was one of the first names I selected – looked excellent at the Euros and first few fixtures are good.
Re Smith at Bournemouth – I can’t see him starting above Daniels to be honest, but you never know I guess. Preseason friendlies will hopefully reveal all.
Got a lot of full-backs in the team now – would seem a confused transfer strategy to be benching Mings and Smith given the money they’ve spent on them but I also can’t see Daniels being dropped..
Isn’t Mings still injured? Maybe Smith is being brought in to cover Daniels? ?
Yeah he is Matt, but I mean a few months down the line.
Bournemouth could be thinking in a few months time Daniels or Mings could still be injured either that or they have some other plan for Smith.
I believe Bou have the left side of MF in mind for Smith he’s already in my team
Interesting Silvers. Will monitor that.
Silvers, surely Ibe will play on the left with Gradel on the right?
Yes Cookie that is strange just read it in a report somewhere I will keep an eye on friendlies 😉
Morning Cookie, in my team too. Currently having Aguero – Lukaku – Mkhi/Martial – Ozil – Hazard is making it difficult to get a decent third striker though so will have to cut somewhere (Arnautovic to Everton as you mentioned below could potentially help).
AT, maybe Ozil isn’t imperative from GW1, but can possibly wait until GW4?
Yes I was thinking about that but wasn’t too happy with going without any Arsenal players. Maybe I could get cover in the defence.
I’ll probably keep three of the 15 anyway 😉
Hazard is a must have. He had a good finish to the season and had a decent EUROS. Smith will be on the bench IMO.
What is going on with Hazard. There are reports he might go somewhere for 78mil
Sounds fabricated, heard nothing reliable about that. He has a point to prove after the debacle that was last season, can’t see him leaving.
Morning all hope we have all calmed down now , I’m thinking if Maz leaves Lei its going to be a very tough season for them his goals & assists last season where incredible I have Maz at present but unsure I would stick with him if he goes to Ars so many potential good MF players who all what the ball. 😉
Hey Silver.
Calm down from what?
I wouldn’t keep him if He goes to Ars due to how many good players they have.
Stewy two of my Favs on here where having a bit of banter & got a bit heated I hope they sorted it out , they are two first class regulars 😉
Yeah, I come on here often enough to so that kind of Banter so all good
I know who are the regulars are and I soon want to be one even if I live in Australia
you are one stewy its good to see many members on here
I have ask to join the regulars league but no response. Is something up or what?
I will have a word with Elle he has probably been to busy to get back in touch with everyone.
Don’t worry Stewy you’ll be in. We were messing around with the e-nails last night so not even sure if Elle has access to his right now.
Replies tonight all being well. Stewy, don’t panic, don’t panic.
I consider myself a regular, I want in
Chris, of course you are – click on the “Regulars £300 league” Hot Comment top right of the page and you’ll see Elle’s email address – whack him an email with your FF247 username and Team Name and he’ll send you the code for the league.
Have I logged in to Media House instead of FF247?
Some amount of speculation flying around here this morning.
hahaha – well, while we’re at it, Arnie is allegedly close to joining Everton………now that would be interesting!
Cookie
Until the player is standing on the pitch holding the shirt by his side or the scarf above his head I treat it all with complete contempt.
You wise sage, GP
As we like to Speculate it would also interest me if Januzaj goes to Sun
Very true mate. Just brings a bit of buzz to the site haha
Matt
The presence of myself, Cookie and Silvers isn’t excitement enough for you? :say-what:
Well Silvers thinks I’m Kop so no!! Haha :hippo:
Matt just called me in.
You shouldn’t have changed your Grav Matt it was late & I was into my 2nd bottle of wine :smiling:
Haha I kind of guessed that mate
you’re grand anyway just messing
The shots are large