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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Supposedly Arsenal have bid £41.8m for Mahrez see what happens in the next couple of days with it, and Toure having a medical at Celtic.
Still tinkering with my team I think i need to make some changes to improve attack I have 1m itb atm and squad is.
De Gea, Jakupovic
Bellerin, Morgan, Williams, McAuley, Souare
Mkhitaryan, De Bruyne, Payet, Siggy, Hojbjerg
Grey, Long, Costa
the tinkering has just started I can tell you are going to make many drafts.
for me are waiting on the pre-seasons
Great midfield but the strikers would worry me, could blow up in your face pretty badly. If no Kun or Ibra then i’d definitely have Kane and a 9mln ish forward.
That it may. I’m not jumping on the Ibra wagon as I have my doubts but may downgrade Bellerin and make a change somewhere else to try and improve the front line.
+1 I’d look into downgrading Morgan as well but he could be a good pick.
I brought in a 4m defender for Mcauley then Bellerin to Shaw sacrificed De Bruyne for Hazard and brought in Kane and Lukaku but i think i`m far from done yet as i`m still not happy.
Those moves sound good mate.
Wait just noticed bringing in Shaw makes up double up on United defence but with their fixtures that shouldnt be too bad. Just if you want to spread team cover a little bit I’d change Shaw to Terry.
Payet may not start, even then his first game would be Chelski.
I know they turned over Arsenal 3-0 last season but.
The 3 three premiums in mid are leaving the fwds a bit thin
I only like to have max 1 out of the mid+fwd as a cheap benchie
I’d say Costa is more of a ? than Ibra or even Trollkaku
The way I’ve gone is KdB+Costa -> ~7+Kun & Eriksen+1itb for Payet
Why wouldn’t Payet start?
He was involved in the Euros final so aren’t all them players being given extra time off??
So much so that he misses the start of the season, away to Chelsea? I seriously doubt that.
@NiN, Wenger is advising The Hammers on how to start the season.
They’d best get selling Carroll then. No room for decent strikers in Wenger land.
Well isn’t that why Giroud and Ozil and that are missing the season or is it just Wenger?
Ozil has stamina issues, we all know that. Giroud is just a bellend so who cares about him. Anyway, is it official that Ozil will miss the start? First i heard of it.
I thought I read on here one of the days that Ozil will definitely miss the start of the season? Maybe I read it wrong
Unless Wenger said it, then it’s mere speculation.
Then ignore me my brain is fried after doing those match reports
haha
hello everyone one
Hello there Sagga, how you doing ?
Hello Team Sagga sagga.
Hope you’re well well.
How’s your team coming along?
Hi Sagga, welcome to the site. Lots of new faces this week, good to see.
Something wrong with the old ones? :see-no:
#Awkward.
This is my latest team. No arsenal players until Alexis and Özil return
Only changes I would personally make straight away is to take out Coutinho it could pay off but Liverpool has a rather tough start to the season and maybe Fab to someone else also but limited options.
Looks like Mahrez is going to Arsenal so you them covered there
Its a big choice Ibra / Kun / Ibra+Kun
For me I prefer not to be tossing a coin each week which to Captain and knowing I will get it wrong too often.
I prefer just one and spreading some more cash in Mid for hopefully higher average return.
I’m really not sure on Zlats. Yeah a quality player but 11.5 for a 34yr old who has never played in the premier league seems high to me. Also he has been playing in a very dominant PSG team in a a weak league. Aguero is pretty proven.
Smash
I actually couldn’t agree more with you on Zlatan but I own him
I have Aguero as well so I’m not choosing between them.
Zlatan is class and I’m banking on him adapting straight away but I wouldn’t be surprised if he struggles at first. I think I’d rather have him and sell him than chase him if I need him if you get my drift.
Its only for the short term. I agree both is too much long term
I agree with you Gunners. That’s why I’m thinking Ibra for 3 weeks then boot him out and keep Kun.
Just had an idea and wanted to bounce it of ye. What do you guys think about having Ibra and KDB for the first 3 games and then over the next 2 weeks switch to Kun and one of either Martial or Mkhitaryan for City’s easy fixtures?
For me Kun is fixture proof, he’s the 1st player in my team every season. Yes he’s expensive but much easier to get rid of him when injured for a 2nd best rather than trying to get him later on
Hey Milburn. I prefer Kun and he’s in my team without a doubt it’s just having both of them is hard on the rest of the team and not having Ibra for the opening fixtures could spell trouble so it’s a tough one.
Totally agree mate. I think I’m hugely biased because over the last couple of years in my private leagues others have tried to do without and it’s come bk to bite them in the arse, he’s won me a lot of money. So as long as he’s fit he’s in for me.
Almost every week gives you a definite captain and I’d be terrified every match without him in my team
Oh I agree with you there he’s always my captain unless I need to take a risk and cap someone my opponent doesn’t have. I think having them both might have to happen for the first 3 games and then sell Ibra for the Manchester derby.
Matt
Don’t City have Sunderland at home on the first day? That’s a decent fixture for Kun is it not??
GP – It is a great fixture for him and I currently have both Ibra and Kun I’m just trying to spread the wealth a little bit by only having one of them for a while. Based on fixtures Ibra gets the first few games but I’m only just realising Payet is missing the first 2 weeks because of the Euros final so that will free up money.
It’s all well and good until Kun bangs in 4 against Sunderland.
I know!! Maybe have both of them for the first 3 games and then sell Ibra it just means having a poor enough midfield or defence for the first 3 weeks.
Why on earth would you kill your midfield just to have Zlatan? It’s pretty simple to construct a dirt cheap defence of starters so i’d get that, but still a stretch to be weakening a whole group just for one player. Lets not forget he’s nearly 35 and has never played in a league this competitive. I’ve come to the conclusion that 11.5 is mad money for him, at least until wee see that he, and united as a whole for that matter, are up to speed from the off.
Yeah I’m usually thinking that but then someone says something that makes me think not having him will be disastrous. Right now I have Kun and Ibra but I’m thinking of selling Ibra and going with Martial or Mkhiratryan instead, I feel those two could do better because even if Ibra is the one scoring I think it’ll be one of those two that assist the goal.
Cant have em all mate. I’d take a 9mln ish striker and a couple 9,lm ish mids over Ibra and lesser players any day of the week. That’s just me though, it wouldn’t be the first time i was very wrong about fantasy picks
Haha no I agree with you I think having Ibra and Kun makes the two too unbalanced and that having a more balanced team is a better route to go.
Keep the Ibra hate inside NIN. Let it build up. Even when he bags a brace against Bournemouth, keep it inside. I’m feeling a proper release around about GW3 when he absolutely destroys Hull.
Nothing to do with dislike or hate mate, just saying i wouldn’t start with a weak mid or def for the sake of Ibra. Wouldn’t be at all surprising if he scored good points, i’m just not convinced on United at all.
NIN I thought you were a United Fan??
You hate him with every bone in your being
I don’t think hate is a strong enough word for what NiN feels for him.
I wouldn’t deny that for a second mate, he’s a complete berk!! Still, he’s a good player and could go well for United. Just wouldn’t make huge sacrifices for him that’s all.
Matt, i have no interest in supporting any one team anymore. Really couldn’t care less these days so each season i’ll give a cheer for a promoted team for the craic.
NiN just quit United.
Zlatan kicked him out…
Ah right that’s cool NIN. Who you going for this year? Right now it’s between Burnley and Boro. I’ve eliminated Hull because I think their owner is a prick.
Well, i joined the Hull league because i like Brucey… cant bitch out on them now :big-lol:
Zlatan is odds on as the new Hull manager. Interesting twist.
Haha Bruce was the only reason I was considering Hull but now that he’s gone I don’t see any reason to support them. I think I’ll go with Boro in the end.
Init in all seriousness have there been any names linked with the Hull job?
I saw that, apparently he said he can keep Hull up and be top scorer for United with no problem. Rashford to be loaned to Hull so he can see the pitch occasionally.
Latest odds Matt. Giggs wouldn’t surprise me.
Yeah I seen Paddy Power have Steve McClaren as favourite with Giggs as second favourite but I just don’t know why it would be Giggs he doesn’t really have any experience. It will end up being like Gary Neville at Valencia I think.
Morning all.
Clearly lots of Ibra love in the teams posted so far.
Am I the only one that wants to wait and see if he lives up the hype and if he can handle the pace of the league before bringing him in?
I’ve not seen a huge amount of him live, which maybe the reason I’m not as big on him. I think Utds new #10 might be the better route into their attacking points.
Anyway, this whole making serious FPL comments feels completely unnatural to me so, I’ll say Fanny hair and leave you all to get on with your days.
Peace out.
Morning Chins How are you mate?
I’m not entirely sure on Ibra either and am more keen on getting Martial or Mkhitaryan but with Uniteds first 3 fixtures I can’t shake the feeling that not having him could really screw you over.
Hi Matty & Smashy.
Yeah those fixtures make it harder. I suppose at least with the big price tag it’ll be easy enough to swap out if things don’t start well.
That’s why I was thinking of the plan above but I just don’t think Ibra will be as good as people think. Like look at the likes of Falcao who was tipped to do amazingly in England and we all know how that turned out, it’s just that not having him could be disastrous especially since I’m a Pool fan and he’ll screw me over just for that haha
That is true team just don’t look balanced with Kun and Zlats but will see how pre season goes
Yeah me Chins see above
With Jose’s personal relationship with him I see him being the star man. I think there’ll be a lot of 1-0, 2-0 wins and expect him to score in the majority. He’s done it at every other club and yes he’s older and coming to a different league but it’s easier to shift him to someone else if he does flop rather than take hits to try to get him in if he scores big
Hows this looking ?
Weak all over! Can’t you strengthen it a bit!
I can try Smash.
I didn’t think the FPL gave out loans on our budgets haha
Borrowed 26.5mill off the Halifax Matt.
Ah so that’s how the recession happened!! Hahaha
“Borrowed” Elle??! Not sure you’re allowed to call it that when the lender didn’t consent to the nighttime withdrawal. 😉
@Elle. Get some Chelsea defence you skintflint