One of the busiest windows in memory saw 13 Premier League clubs break their transfer records. And so, with a hectic deadline day now behind us and several new players in tow, Fantasy Premier League managers need to get their thinking caps on.
Luckily for them, FFT is here to help...
(Please note: ‘Value rating’ is based on their initial impact.)
DEFENDERS
Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)
Arsene Wenger doesn't often spend north of £30m on a defender, and the manager can be expected to draft the Germany international straight into his first XI. A real threat in the opposition box, Mustafi has netted six league goals in the last two seasons and has some fine-looking fixtures up to the end of October. The former Valencia stopper looks a viable points-scorer in a defence with 18 shutouts to their name last year.
Price: £6.0m • Value rating: 8/10
When you wake up in the morning and realize you're playing for ! August 31, 2016
David Luiz (Chelsea)
The Brazilian’s return to Stamford Bridge from PSG places question marks over John Terry and Gary Cahill’s game time. Antonio Conte has started with a 4-1-4-1 so far, but could switch to a 3-5-2 to accommodate all three players. Luiz’s threat from range should keep him in the mix, though it’s best to wait until the Blues’ defence has a settled look about it.
Price: £6.0m • Value rating: 7/10
Luiz's fantasy points return has fluctuated over the last four seasons
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Alonso produced three goals and four assists in Serie A last season
Another player whose arrival will shake things up at Chelsea. An attacking defender who produced three goals and four assists in Serie A last season, Alonso offers strong competition to Cesar Azpilicueta down the Blues’ left flank. In turn, the versatile Spaniard could move to the right, bringing Branislav Ivanovic’s place into question.
Price: £6.0m • Value rating: 7/10
Bruno Martins Indi (Stoke)
The Dutch centre-half should be immediately installed alongside Ryan Shawcross in Mark Hughes’s back four, after signing on loan from Porto. Six goals in the last five seasons suggests Martins Indi doesn’t offer too much threat going forward, though; if you’re eyeing up the Stoke defence, £4.5m Erik Pieters is better value.
Price: £5.0m • Value rating: 6/10
MIDFIELDERS
Jack Wilshere (Bournemouth)
A loan move to Bournemouth offers the Arsenal midfielder a chance to resurrect his career. Wilshere could take up a more advanced role behind a lone striker and, at £5.9m, is easy on the budget. The Cherries have four home matches in six now, but you have to question his ability to steer clear of injury – and he’s scored only 43 points since the start of 2014/15.
Price: £5.9m • Value rating: 5/10
Thanks to all the fans for the amazing reception yesterday, looking forward to the season ahead September 4, 2016
Jeff Hendrick (Burnley)
Burnley’s record signing is expected to partner Steven Defour at the heart of midfield in Sean Dyche’s 4-4-2 formation. Hendrick managed seven goals and nine assists for Derby a couple of season ago but has yet to prove himself at a higher level. He’s reasonably priced, but there are better options in the same price bracket.
Price: £5.5m • Value rating: 4/10
Markus Henriksen (Hull)
Henriksen is an attack-minded player who is ideally suited to a central support role, but Hull’s current 4-1-4-1 setup means he will have to battle it out for a spot in the centre of midfield. Twelve goals and six assists for AZ Alkmaar show his potential, but it’s set-piece taker Robert Snodgrass (at £5.6m) who remains the pick of the Tigers’ midfield for now.
Price: £5.5m • Value rating: 5/10
Adama Traore (Middlesbrough)
Can Aitor Karanka get the best out of the former Barcelona starlet? Traore failed to convince at Aston Villa last season and made all 10 appearances off the bench (see stats below). Given that Boro boss Karanka is known for rotation on the flanks when it comes to congested fixture periods, frontman Alvaro Negredo looks a safer bet for your money.
Price: £5.0m • Value rating: 3/10
Sofiane Boufal (Southampton)
Boufal bagged 11 goals and four assists for Lille last season. The highly-rated winger is still recovering from a knee injury, however, and is therefore likely to be eased into action. His acquisition could persuade Claude Puel to switch from a midfield diamond to 4-2-3-1 to utilise Boufal out wide – and that could spell bad news for Nathan Redmond, who has been fielded as a forward in the first three matches.
Price: £7.0m • Value rating: 6/10
Didier Ndong (Sunderland)
Sunderland’s record signing offers a ball-winning presence in front of the back four that could boost their clean sheet potential. However, he’s a yellow-card magnet and offers minimal threat in the final third; thus, with three home matches in four coming up, team-mate Adnan Januzaj looks a far more appealing option at just £0.5m more.
Price: £5.0m • Value rating: 4/10
Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)
Versatile enough to play wide right in a 4-2-3-1 or sit in the double pivot, Sissoko has never scored more than four times in a Premier League season, but served up a respectable eight assists in 2015/16 (see stats below). After last term’s late capitulation, Mauricio Pochettino may well rotate his regulars more often to avoid burnout – and Sissoko’s expensive arrival compounds that.
Price: £7.0m • Value rating: 6/10
George-Kevin Nkoudou (Tottenham)
The youngster bagged five goals and three assists for Marseille last season and is likely to be eased into Tottenham’s first team from the bench. Nkoudou’s twinkling toes and speed on the flank will provide an option against tiring defences and allow Pochettino to replace his regulars late on in matches.
Price: £7.0m • Value rating: 4/10
Nacer Chadli (West Brom)
Averaged 4.5 points per appearances for Spurs back in 2014/15 before falling out of favour. A move to The Hawthorns could reignite Chadli’s career, with the Belgian likely to be stationed wide left or behind a lone striker. If you’re looking to invest in a Tony Pulis team, though, it’s best to focus on a defence that’s already served up two clean sheets.
Price: £6.4m • Value rating: 5/10
FORWARDS
Lucas Perez (Arsenal)
Perez arrives in north London after recording 17 goals and eight assists for Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga last season. He’s likely to vie with Olivier Giroud for the lone role up top, though he’s versatile enough to play in any of the four attacking positions. It’s too early to say whether he’ll cement a regular role immediately – for now you should play it safe with either Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil.
Price: £8.5m • Value rating: 6/10
Dieumerci Mbokani (Hull)
Mbokani netted seven times for relegated Norwich last season (see stats below) and affords Hull an extra option in attack. If the Tigers continue with a lone-striker system, though, Mbokani will struggle to oust Abel Hernandez from the first XI. Bench-warming duties look the likeliest outcome for the DR Congo international.
Price: £5.5m • Value rating: 2/10
Islam Slimani (Leicester)
Slimani is a dangerous predator who scored 27 times in 33 matches for Sporting Lisbon last season. The hard-working Algerian doesn’t possess the pace of Jamie Vardy but could force a change in personnel up front at the expense of Shinji Okazaki. His arrival also gives Claudio Ranieri the chance to manage Vardy’s minutes, particularly around Champions League matches – but he probably won’t go straight into the team.
Price: £8.5m • Value rating: 6/10
Wilfried Bony (Stoke)
Having fallen by the wayside at Manchester City, the Ivorian looks the ideal targetman to lead the line at Stoke. Give him time to build up his match sharpness and, at £7.3m, Bony could be a bargain. He netted 17 times in his only full season at Swansea (see stats below) and has some enticing fixtures from Gameweek 5 onwards.
Price: £7.3m • Value rating: 7/10
Stefano Okaka (Watford)
Like Leicester’s Slimani, the Watford frontman produced the most prolific season of his career last time around, netting 15 times for Anderlecht. A £5.5m price tag is perhaps indicative of what to expect – with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo favourites to remain up front in a 3-5-2, Okaka seems set to be utilised as an impact sub, particularly when the Hornets are chasing matches.
Price: £5.5m • Value rating: 3/10
Simone Zaza (West Ham)
With Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew sidelined through injury, and Enner Valencia now on loan, Zaza has a good chance of leading the line for West Ham. He’s hardly a prolific striker, though: the Italian’s highest haul in top-tier football was 11 goals for Serie A Sassuolo in 2014/15. Still, a run of four favourable home matches in the next six could see him hit the ground running.
Price: £7.0m • Value rating: 6/10
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