New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17. West Ham
What a difference a year makes! Roughly 12 months ago, some bozo on here was ribbing this lot to the max, predicting a rough season and possible relegation due to the appointment of “woeful” Slaven Bilic as head honcho in replacement of the ever sturdy Sam Allardyce. An unknown French dude was supposedly the key to Hammers success but this bozo just didn’t believe it. Who was this character, you ask? None of your goddamn business, that’s who. Now, moving swiftly on; West Ham have been quite busy in the current window, snapping up some very interesting players, 4 of which we’ll cover in this here article. Two youth prospects (Domingos Quina & Toni Martinez) aren’t really expected to break into what is fast becoming a stacked Hammers team but they are worth a mention nonetheless. Quina, a 16 year old Portuguese attacking midfielder, has been highly touted as one for the future and West Ham have done well to nip in and take him on board. Martinez, slightly older at 19, was snapped up from the Valencia youth and is again seen as one for the future. Like Quina, he’s not expected to get much if any game time this season but as fantasy managers we’d be doing ourselves a service to keep an eye on the progression of Martinez and Quina as we may well be punting on them in a season or two. With those two now out of the way, lets have a peek at the Hammers signings that are more relevant to the upcoming fantasy season, shall we?…
For West Ham’s pre-season games, line-ups and general musings here is their link on the Pre-season hub we have created West Ham Pre-season info
Håvard Nordtveit – Defensive Midfielder / Center Back (£5.0m) Classed as a mid in FPL
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Signed from German outfit Gladbach, this defensive minded Norweigan has seemingly been drafted in to help plug the holes in a Hammers defence that was pretty porous at times last season. Despite playing an attractive, attacking style of football and finishing a more than respectable 7th, West Ham ranked 8th from the top 10 in terms of goals conceded – shipping a hefty 51 times over the course of the season. A reduction of 10 or so goals may have resulted in a top 4 finish, what with there being just a four point gap between themselves and Manchester City. Considering this, it’s not surprising that Bilic went after a solid member of a rather impressive Gladbach team and we’d expect Nordveit to do a job for the Hammers. Looking at his attacking stats there’s not a whole lot to whet the appetite, fantasy wise. Nordveit spent a full six seasons at Gladbach but only managed to find the net on 13 occasions and contributed few assists, making him an unattractive pick for us fantasy folk. It’s worth noting that he has been classed as a midfielder in FPL. We all know the value of an out-of-position gem in the game we love / hate so much so had he been classed as a defender then those goal scoring stats wouldn’t look all that bad really; 4 last season and 3 the season before. Decent, but only if there were clean sheet points to go along with the odd goal, which there isn’t!
Fantasy Prospect; 4/10
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Gökhan Töre – Winger / Attacking Midfielder (£5.5m)
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Now, onto the attacking side of things and first up we’ve got a loanee drafted in from Turkish side, Besiktas, a club most of you will know from their appearances in the Champions League down the years. The Hammers have dished out £2.5mln to bring Töre in for the season with a view to making the deal permanent next summer for a further £7.5mln should he do the business. The Turkish international (26 caps, 0 goals) started out as a professional in Germany with Hamburg, making 24 appearances before moving on to the Russian league of all places to ply his trade for Rubin Kazan. That venture didn’t go all that well for Gökhan and he was soon out of there, signing for Be?ikta? in 2013. During his three seasons in Turkey, Töre saw plenty of game time, making 111 appearances in total and finding the net 19 times; far from a spectacular return we think you’ll agree. Add 28 assists to that tally and we’re starting to look decent but we’d have to think that Töre will need to up his game considerably if he is to be effective in the Premier League. At just 24 years of age there is certainly time for improvement and it will be interesting to see if he gets into the starting 11 from the off but one thing is for sure; West Ham have a few players that could easily force Töre to sit out most games unless he hits the ground running. One to keep an eye on for sure.
Fantasy Prospect; 6/10
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Manuel Lanzini – Attacking Midfielder (£6.5m)
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Here’s a name we should all know from last season as he was on loan at the Hammers, and has now been added to the permanent squad for the upcoming season. Lanzini started the season off rather quietly, appearing here and there and not really showing much of anything. That was, until playmaker Dimitri Payet was ruled out for a couple of months through injury. Young Manuel burst into life in the absence of Payet and proceeded to become a heavily fancied fantasy option, scoring and assisting regularly before he himself picked up an injury that kept him out for a while. It seemed that by the time Lanzini was available again, West Ham had switched up their formation and he took time to settle back in but an okay tally of 6 league goals from 25 appearances may be a sign of what is to come from the young Argentine. How this talent ended up playing in the UAE Arabian Gulf League is anyone’s guess but now that he is on board at West Ham we’d be foolish to overlook what will likely be a much cheaper alternative to Payet, although maybe not quite as productive, but we shall see. At just 23 Manuel Lanzini has a bright future ahead of him and once he can nail a starting spot we’d expect him to continue to do well. The main drawback is the fact he is off to the Olympics with Argentina so he may not be available for the season start. Keep an eye on that one.
Fantasy Prospect; 7/10
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Sofiane Feghouli – Winger / Attacking Midfielder (£5.5m)
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Last, but most certainly not least, a player who has been making waves for a number of seasons in La Liga for Valencia; Sofiane Feghouli has been and still is an excellent player and is currently West Ham’s most exciting summer signing by far. Four seasons at Grenoble was enough time for Los Murciélagos to realise his talents and snap him up, and there he has stayed, bar a brief loan spell at Almeria, steadily improving as the seasons go by. Deployed mainly as a wide player, although at times shifted to a central attacking role or even the odd time as a central midfielder, Feghouli has almost always done what was asked of him to a high level and we’re expecting him to continue improving in a more free flowing attacking West Ham team. Work rate is the first noticeable trait in Feghouli. The Algerian has no issues with helping out on the defensive side as well as providing a skillful outlet at the other end of the field. 31 goals in five seasons at Valencia, a club who are almost always chopping and changing due to financial issues, is a decent return, considering. Feghouli is a good creator also, ticking another box for us fantasy managers. At international level, Feghouli is second only to the mercurial Riyad Mahrez in terms of importance to the team and even that is debatable. 11 goals in 40 appearances for Algeria is an excellent return, we think you’ll agree. All in all there’s no real downside to this signing and once priced reasonably he could well be one of the gems of the upcoming FPL season. Of that there is no doubt, even less so if the Hammers manage to snag one of the top strikers they are currently trying to sign. Watch this space people, Sofiane is an excellent player and should suit the fast pace of EPL.
Fantasy Prospect; 8/10
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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David Moyes has been confirmed as the new Sunderland manager.
Morning Kop, you well? Kone back in all our teams then?
Morning Alex. I’m just getting ready to go to a 4 year olds birthday party so life is great
How’re things with you?
I reckon Moyes is a solid appointment. It will be interesting to see who he brings in.
Kop, rather you than me pal! Life is all good here thanks, busy busy but can’t complain. Enjoyed a bit of time away from fantasy but ready to get back into it now. Up to draft 38 already! Hows your team going?
Just like last season draft 1 is yet to be made. However last season was a disaster so I’m not sure if this is the best tactic!!
Probably the safest bet for them. Shouldn’t rock the boat too much and might be able to bring a bit of stability to them; if he’s given any money to spend.
I’ll be shocked if they stay up.
So Sunderland are set to be this seasons West Ham?
Kinda, only much much worse
Reports Mahrez will sign for Arsenal.
Just heard the news! Going to need a few boxes of tissues if that happens! Don’t think I have enough socks!!
:oogle:
Mitro, lol
Do you think he will fit in ok? TBF you need another midfielder, your a bit short of them! 
He would be a great addition to the team, him and alexis on either side of Ozil and hopefully a world class striker up top!!
Just seen this now. Is he going to be in anyone’s team now? Giroud has just become a little more appealing now I think. Also what does this mean for Cazorla?
Surprised so few had him in the first place, I might get rid now. Should mean nothing Cazorla, there’s a decent chance he’s out of the team anyway.
His price and the uncertainty over his future was putting me off so now it’s only his price that’s keeping me from bringing him in. I was thinking that but wasn’t too sure and at 7.5 was hoping he would play.
Surely if he goes to Arsenal you have to bring him in?
I’m not sure mate. There seems to be better options at 10 Mil and less.
Well, that screws up my plans big time.
If this is true then I see it as bad news for Giroud. My guess is it would mean a first choice three of Ozil Cazorla Mahrez playing behind Sanchez. It would be a fantastic signing though, which probably means it won’t happen.
So Chins, is this Wenger signing Mahrez because he has failed to find / tempt / convince another striker to join and will be forced to play Alexis up front?
That’s my thinking Cookster. I wasn’t keen on the Hig signing as some, so this wouldn’t be a bad outcome at all for me.
I think if we land Mahrez and a top quality CB to replace Mert then we’ll be in good position to challenge. That’s assuming that our new DCM can do a job for us. I would’ve preferred Kante but this guy is meant to be more of a ball player so should fit in well.
Best all start saving some pennies for Sanchez then if this happens.
+1
I have seen Barkley appear in quite a few teams now and i thought i’d just say that could be a great move. First of his price could be fantastic value at 7.5. Secondly as a Everton fan i am very excited at the season ahead. Everton have some great targets for this coming season and Koeman has already stated that Barkley will be the star man, and i fully expect a great season from him.
Morning everyone, how are we all? I’ve managed to narrow my possible 4 drafts down to 2. First is with both Ibra and Kun and a fairly weak midfield, just can’t shake the feeling not having Ibra could be a disaster in the first 3 weeks (thanks Init 😉 ). The second draft is more balanced I feel with just Kun but a much stronger midfield. I’ve also decided to not double up with KDB and Kun as I want to spread the team coverage a little more. Here are my two drafts what do ye think?
Draft 1-
Courtois (Valdes)
Walker McAuley Shaw (Friend, Lenihan)
Feghouli Townsend Ayew/Siggy Haz (Drinkwater)
Ibra Kun Long
Draft 2-
Lloris (Valdes)
Shaw McAuley Cresswell (Friend, Lenihan)
Payet Martial/Mhkritayan Haz Drinkwater (Hojberg)
Long Kun Musa
Not 100% on the players in my second draft but I do prefer that midfield.
Hi Matt
I don’t see the first midfield as especially weak. Which player worries you?
Having a 5.5 sub midfielder is a bit unnecessary. Making Drinkwater a 4.5 could allow an upgrade elsewhere.
Suggestion: Drinkwater to 4.5, Feghouli to JRod and Long to Carroll or Wilson.
Hey GP. Cheers mate
I was thinking Feghouli and Drinkwater might not be that good. Not having Payet is a bit of a problem for me and I feel that with Kante and now Mahrez gone Drinkwater won’t be able to get as many points as last season.
I like the moves you suggested it’ll probably be Carroll since I have very little Hammers cover.
I think the plan will be to give Ibra to first 3 games as they are so easy looking and then sell him if he isn’t firing to bring in one of the United mids.
And a good day to one and all. I have replied to all that e-mailed me about the Regulars League. For those that ain’t mailed me yet, get one sent over. The prizes are for the Classic league, the H2H league is only for fun. Don’t forget that the top 64 around Xmas get entered into a cup competition.
Cheers.
do i count as a regular ell? would love to join in.
Yes Jas, ping me a mail. Elleffcee@fantasyfootball247.com
Jas, that should be .co.uk
Oops.
Good start Elle
Link for the Regulars League details is in Hot Comments –
https://fantasyfootball247.co.uk/fpl-launch-201617-new-rules-player-pricelist/comment-page-5/#comment-337364
Cheers Boss. There were a couple of names i didn’t recognise, asked for their site names, wait and see.
definitely going to watch feghouli through pre-season but have a season tore could be the best pick out of the 5.5 for w ham
same here. him and j.rod of southampton are the ones i have a keen eye on.