The Young Guns Part 1
This guy needs no introduction, especially after a 49 million pound transfer to the Citizens, now he didn't have the best of seasons last year (but lets not get into that), but he still managed 158 points in a Liverpool team that struggled after losing there best players to injury and Barcelona. This season Raheem has a lot to prove, he is still a very good player but he needs to start upping his game if he wants to be compared to the best players in the league, (which he inevitably will be due to his inflated price tag). But where does this leave us in fantasy football terms? Sterling will start because he offers something city what they don't have and that is quality out wide. He can take on a man, score, gets assists and has pace to burn and in a superior team (sorry pool fans) where he will not have the pressure of being the main man I fully expect him to flourish. However at 9m he is in the upper echelon price wise of midfielders and with City not having the easiest of starts may be one for the watch list, especially given the next guy I am going to profile.
I expect this guy to be one of the most popular picks in the full game, whether playing out left, right or through the middle this guy is a goal scoring threat. 22 league goals in 30 appearances last season for PSV shows the kind of attacking threat he is but will he be a Van Wolfswinkel or Van Nistelrooy when it comes to succeeding i the Premier League only time will tell. Fantasy Football wise the reason I think this guy will be a popular pick is down to the simple fact by the game he is classified as a midfielder and generally it looks like he will play more advanced so he will get those extra points for scoring goals as a midfielder, he is also a threat from free kicks and if given the chance to take them at United I am sure he will slot a few home. Bottom line Depay is an all round goal scoring threat and goals mean points and at 8.5m is significantly cheaper then a fair few of the marquee midfielders in the game.
Now people may sneer when I put Jordan Ibe in this section but please hear me out! I do not expect him to be a world beater this season or anything like that but there is a void at Liverpool now that Sterling has left and this kid looks to have some serious potential. The midfield signings Liverpool have made for me are all players who should be playing centrally but can play out wide, whereas Ibe looks like he should be a wide man, also you have to take into consideration Rodgers likes to throw the youth in and develop them. So given the void left by sterling, Liverpools need for some width and Rodgers tendencies as a coach providing he doesn't use him as a wingback or something like that, I expect Ibe to register a decent point return relative to his 5m price tag. That is also the main sell here the price tag, 5m for someone you could rotate in midfield that will score you steady points is a strategy that all managers should be considering.
Another from the bargain basement pricewise but he scored goals for fun in the championship last year and with palace expected to be looking up rather than down this year Bamford may well have a exciting platform to work from. The acquisition of Cabaye such a coup for Palace that I expect Bamford to flourish he should be aiming for over 10 goals this season after his recent bout in the championship and this is good news for fantasy football managers, at 6m he could be a good differential to have in the attack when he gets some game time. It also will save you cash to spend elsewhere.
Final thoughts
I have tried to highlight to expensive choices and 2 bargain choices to get people thinking about transfer strategy, there is two things that are integral to success in fantasy football in my experience and that is captaining people at the right time which is self explanatory but also the differentials in your team. Having players that cost 5m-7m that not many people have who score points can be enough to catapult you up the mini league standings. So it is worth trying to think outside the box for 2-3 signings I would not recommend it for a full team though. Next post tomorrow will be about Fixtures, formations and transfer strategies!
( sorry if I have rambled mega hangover)
