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 Koeman has been replaced by Frenchman Claude Puel who has spent the past 4 seasons in charge of Ligue 1 side Nice, and prior to that he had spells in charge of Lyon, Lille and Monaco.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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I wasn’t planning on building a team, but I figured if I was going to hang out on here most days, I better get an understanding of how easy or hard it is to build a team, plus get more acquainted with prices, so here is the “My Balls in ur Mouth” xi as of now. No way am I done with it, but this what I put together so far, we will see what changes over the preseason. I suspect a lot will change in the team.
I disagree?
Like the front 3. I can see why you dont invest much In defense and If those guys rotate well all’ good.
Mid is strong, but I miss People like KDB and or Miki. Is Payet a must beginning of the season? I’m staying Out of french players; they haven’t recovered mentality yet from that final.
No Payet is not a must, but his price is a great place holder for most mids in the game. So if need be, he will move out for a Miki or someone of that ilk.
I would be surprise if you didn’t end up making a team with the knowledge what you have. I feel personally that you could go with that team if all players play well in pre season games. From a not so good fpl manger I like it a lot.
Someone needs to hot comment this!
?
Highlight it in yellow for everyone to see, is not often I get any sort of praise. Usually get the complete opposite, I won’t say it is usually not deserved though.
ah ok. No idea how to highlight it. Just the feedback and things you have put up the last week has been really good.
@Mitro>
I will disregard your keepers as both start and both are cheap, I find that the formula to go with.
Terry is only 5.5 in what should be a better defensive team with Conte on board. Shaw if completely ready to go, should bring in a steady stream of points. I will defer to you on Gabriel and how you feel about his security at Arsenal as a starting CB. Although you are ulikely to use them much, I would pair up McAuley with a Boro defender or simply go for a Boro/Palace combo so you are not stuck with a Baggies keeper and defender. But if you are high on West Brom, go on then.
Not much too question with your mids, (see my table above so you can see some mids compared) if Mahrez moves, you might have to revisit him. No problem at all with the other 3 starters. Hojberg don’t matter for now, very replaceable if he looks like he won’t start. I probably replace him with another 4.5 mid, because his age could lead him to be a sub or if he starts he could be benched quickly if he struggles. But that can be addressed later, as that is not a real problem.
Kun will not get any complaints from me. Gray and Long and those fixtures… Great first fixture for both, after that it really gets tricky. If they were rotating partners I probably say go with it, but since they are not, I am not a big fan of having both to start with. Seems like a big punt to go with them 2 from the onset.
Hope this helps a touch.
Probably helps to post to which this refers
Mitro posted his team on twitter with a RMT request as apparently he thought we’d be more honest on there
Good work from Mito has routed that back onto here in a full circle though 
Total shite!
Haha, good thinking
Now then chaps, seems like a good time to get back into the swing of things. Been catching up on a bunch of your posts, made some interesting (if not slightly disturbing at times…) reading.
What the hell is up with the awful new FPL colour scheme?!
Manky, isn’t it? I heave a little every time i log in
Glad to be back guys..i win my ML thnx to this article and all da member here..any advice on my team diz year..thnx in advance..peace
Hi casey,
I’m not sure Middlesbrough will score enough goals to pick one of there strikers and even then, they have Rhodes, Stuani and Negredo all vying for time. I like Aguero naturally and Gray for me will do well.
I don’t think Diame in midfield is worth it with the state Hull are in. I might consider Diame down to a cheaper player and upgrading Jordan Rhodes to Andy Carroll (west Ham Utd.)
Double Man Utd. coverage in defence could work a treat. Although for me, I’d invest in Chelsea rather than City and therefore go Otamendi to Ivanovic, Cahill or Terry.
Wow..thnx man..will work out on that..i was thinking of chelsea defends as well..great info…thnx GP
Hey,
With having a premium 5.5m GK you are more than likely going to use them every game so could take Boruc down to a 4m GK which gives you an extra .5 to upgrade Rhodes. You can continue to double up on man u def but I would change Bailey to a Tottenham Def preferably walker if you want the same cost or Rose and switch Otamendi to Terry. I would keep away from Hull players for the time being so a potential replacement for Diame.
Hey guys,
After a couple of days without Ibra, I have finally caved in to the temptation and gotten him in. Those fixtures are too hard to ignore and I can easily see him getting 20-30 points in the first 3 GW’s. I plan on transferring him to Kane/Lukaku ahead of the Manchester derby, as their fixtures look great from GW 4 onwards.
Anyway, I have 0mil itb. Could I have some thoughts on this team?
Hi,
I don’t see you going wrong with that front 3. However Tadic over Rodriguez would be better if you can squeeze in the extra 1M needed.
Thanks for the response kkjay.
I have no idea where I’d get that extra 1mil from, and even if I had the 1mil to spend I feel that Rodriquez will have a massive season like his 2013/14 season. I’m not sure if that upgrade would be worth it personally
I feel Rodriguez will have a good season too, barring any injury.
Nosa,
I do like that squad. What happens though if Ibra gets those 30 points? You surely couldn’t dream of transferring him out?
Hahaha, well yes, it might be a bit be a bit difficult to transfer him out then……… For my sake, lets hope he goes good but not great then 😉
If he goes great, those extra points will be deducted from your total. Just to be sure you don’t have a dilemma. 😉
Oh yeah well………… I don’t even know now what I want Mito. Is it worth the extra points or no dilemma…….. I don’t know lol. Maybe a couple of braces and a suspension would be best for me then 😉
Hey lads justo finished my team this will be the last time il be touching my team until a few days before lock out cheers guys
**** that’s a tough one
Hahahahahahahahaha
To be fair I quite like this team. No Aguero could be a problem, but if he struggles early on or gets injured, it could be a masterpiece. The rest of the team looks good IMO
That’s funny
soulas
If I wasn’t allowed to pick Aguero and someone handed me that squad to manage, I wouldn’t be too disappointed. Think you have lots of options in defence.
Gradel, Barkley and Feghouli could all be brilliant picks but for me a bit risky having three of that type.
Good luck!