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 Koeman has been replaced by Frenchman Claude Puel who has spent the past 4 seasons in charge of Ligue 1 side Nice, and prior to that he had spells in charge of Lyon, Lille and Monaco.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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Hi Init
Is this the by-product of a couple of new emojis? 😉
Sure everyone will understand this needs to be done. I’ll find something to occupy my time!
I’m hoping it’ll be seamless but Rich was struggling to change an e-mail password last night so we may see you in October….. :hippo:
Morning all! First draft any comments gents would be appreciated!
Hi jol, that’s a pretty impressive first effort. Couple of gambles in midfield which could pay off. The only one I’d maybe look at is Cameron just because Stoke’s fixtures from 2-4 don’t look great for CS’s.
Thanks mate, will have a look at that didnt really look ahead to much with the fixtures!
Hi jol
I fancy Townsend will outscore Zaha. You could maybe look at that one of possible.
jol this is one of the best teams I have seen , have you managed to get some more cash , as Init has said change Cameron to WBA or CRY player both good fixture and rotate well with Bur really like this good effort 😉
Thanks mate, think i will change cameron as have looked at the fixtures, and agree WBA CRY palace do look alot better! Am trying to get townsend over zaha but haven go the money!
Lyon have rejected Arsenal’s £29.4mln bid for striker Lacazette
That’s an odd figure to bid. I’m guessing his release clause is £29,399,999?
or Arsene is penny pinching?
Nah surely not …..
Don’t go upsetting the Gooners now 😉
Stepping on your toes was I, Cookie? :winktongue:
lol exactly!!
Must be a euro figure converted to pounds you would hope lol
Hi Guys,
Any feedback on this first stab would be greatly appreciated! I’m thinking if Arnie leaves Stoke Shaqiri may shine.
Not 100% happy with the defense, or with two baggies subs.
Thought please?!
banjo,
I really like this team – at last someone with a Liverpool midfielder!! I think they are being dangerously ignnored, and while my preference would be Firmino, Coutinho could also go well. Good to see Carroll in there too, Shaqiri could work and the defence looks great on paper – though I’d be wary of Arsenal until GW3 – maybe stick Williams in there for GWs 1& 2?
Thanks Cookie.
Gabriel only just made the cut due to Mertesacker’s injury. I don’t massively rate him, but 5.0 for a nailed on Arsenal defender surely can’t be overlooked? I hear ya regarding their opening fixtures though. Williams is on the watchlist.
JT is also tantalizingly close to my team. Rewind 12 months and we’d all be snapping him up for 5.5. Not sure if he warrants a place over Sagna or Walker though.
Carroll may get swapped out for Berahino, if he signs for a team who are capable of keeping his toys in the pram.
Bolasie or Cabaye was also the toss of a coin for me.
Banjo,
the advantage Terry has over Sagna, Walker and Gabriel is no European footy – that obviously applies to anyone from Chelsea and also Liverpool – and a stat that I think will be hugely advantageous for them.
I’d take Bolasie over Cabaye in all honesty.
Yes this is another good team I personally wont take any Pool players yet as there fixture aren’t great but they could do ok You also need to keep an eye on Sagna, his he nailed on I’m not sure the two Brom boys will do a job for you that’s all they are ,good team this 😉
Cookie – very good point re European football. I hadn’t considered that.
Silvers – thanks for the feedback. Might go Coutinho for Ayew, just for the opening fixtures?
I wont stick with double baggies on the bench. Just not putting much thought in to that at the moment!
Aaarrrggghhhh I can’t get my squad to fit into a screen shot!! Can anyone help?
I’m on an iPad.
hans try putting it in transfers and see if that works
Thanks for your reply. Yes I can get the full squad in transfers, but I need to be able to get the team formatted into a screen shot too FFS!
hans I’m not at home so haven’t got my Ipad with me but there must be a way of doing it , not a bad team by the way 😉
I found it. You have to flip it to portrait view, a bit of a pain but at least it will fit. All I have to do now is find out how to choose my captains ?
Nice looking team. My only concern would be Cazorla. Too many other higher scoring midfielders at Arsenal for me.
hans just click on the player that gives you the option
Apologies if anyone has already said this but it looks like Arnie is staying put at Stoke (sorry to disappoint).