Continuing my look back at the fantasy season, it’s time to focus on the middle of the park where we find one player showboating his way to a goal-a-game record and threatening to break fantasy football in the process. Ronaldo could well be heading out of the Premiership – we’ll know more in the next few days apparently. If he does depart Old Trafford it will be a devastating blow to United and the Premiership but I’m pretty sure the designers of next season’s fantasy football games would be pretty relieved.
Read on for a closer look at CRon’s season, who he lines up alongside in the team of the season, who spent more time snoozing than scoring points and just who I’ve got my eye on for next season…
Ronaldo’s incredible season may have created a Premiership benchmark that no other non-striker will ever match but in fantasy terms. The man tore up the rulebook and almost broke the season for us all. In short, any fantasy manager who refused to jump on his enormous, high-speed bandwagon quickly got left behind, particularly in the FPL where the strategy of picking a captain was made a farce. In the end the achievements of Fabregas and Gerrard, who both improved significantly on last season’s haul, went almost unnoticed.
What lies ahead for Ronaldo and Fantasy Football then? As I’ve mentioned, maybe he’ll be taken out of the equation by a move to Madrid. If not, designers have got to make a decision on whether to take the plunge and classify him as a forward, or risk unbalancing their games and growing the already huge gap between the United man and the rest of the available midfielders. Alternatively, they could overprice Fabregas, Gerrard, Lampard and the rest to allow for a Ronaldo price rise – an option that would only increase the value of mid-price contenders such as Barry, Bentley and Downing. Things are clearly going to get interesting should Ronaldo stay in Manchester. For now though, lets start my midfield round-up with the wizard himself.
The Scout’s Selection
Ronaldo
While we’ve seen scoring legends like Shearer and Henry unbalance our fantasy games in the past, never has a midfield player provided such consistent return of points over a season. Ronaldo returned a staggering 31 goals in 31 starts along with 7 assists and a haul of 35 bonus points in the Fantasy Premier League game. In the Fantasy League game that saw him almost double the return of Fabregas who ranked second for midfielders, while in the FPL the Arsenal man trailed by a massive 78 points. There’s plenty of speculation that Ronaldo could be on his way out of Old Trafford but if he stays he’ll undoubtedly be cornerstone around which thousands of fantasy teams will be built next season. Financial headaches and half a dozen budget buys beckon.
Cesc Fabregas
The Arsenal maestro enjoyed an incredible start to the season which saw him fire 6 goals in the opening 11 games along with a run of 6 assists and the usual bundle of FPL bonus. At that point it looked as though Fabregas was going to dominate the fantasy scoring charts but the run was to fizzle out following a mid-season injury which saw him miss 4 games. Fabregas returned in mid-December but scored just a single goal over the rest of the season. Assists kept things ticking over though, with Fabregas racking up 20 in total, the highest in the Premiership rivalled only by Ashley Young with 17. After declaring his loyalty to the Gunners, surely another season of fantasy success lies in wait. Expect a fairly sizable price hike across the fantasy games.
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool’s talismanic leader recovered from a slow start to the season to rank in the top three fantasy midfielders following a disappointing return of just 7 goals and 6 assists in 2006-07. Things looked bleak for Gerrard owners early on. He began the season with just a single goal and 2 assists in the first 9 gameweeks but turned this around between October and November with 5 goals in 6 games. By the end of the season Gerrard had notched 11 goals and 11 assists, earning 35 FPL bonus points in the process. His partnership with Torres, playing in an advanced role just off the Spaniard, was key to his flurry of points and if that tactic and relationship continues next season, Gerrard could well surpass this season’s tally.
Gareth Barry
The Villa captain enjoyed a superb season as O’Neil’s side peaked in form towards the final six games which handed Barry 4 goals and 5 assists. That final spurt saw Barry end the season on a total of 9 goals and 10 assists (11 in the Fantasy League) – easily surpassing last season’s haul of 8 goals and 4 assists. Not surprisingly then, Barry represented excellent value for those who jumped on the bandwagon during Villa’s periods of form. Next season’s potential relies of course on his future at Villa. With Liverpool circling, waiting to pounce, fantasy managers will have to assess whether such a move would boost Barry’s return or lead to a price hike that would reduce his value. That debate will be left until we know more.
In Reserve
Ashley Young
Like his team-mate Barry, Young had a superb season as Villa pushed for a European place. The former Watford man only misses out on a selection in my team of the season because his classification across the various fantasy games was ambiguous. In both the Fantasy League games and in the Telegraph, Young was classed as a midfielder and with 17 assists and 8 goals he easily ranked in the top four in that bracket. Even in the FPL, where Young was classed as a forward, his returns saw him sit fifth in that position ahead of the likes of Keane, Tevez and Rooney who were all priced considerably higher than him. Next season should see Young push for more England honours although in many ways, Young’s potential next term could well be influenced by the fate of Gareth Barry. If Villa hold on to their skipper then Young should flourish once more. His classification across the fantasy games could once again be a grey area but in simple terms, if he’s classed a midfielder again, he should be very close to topping your shortlist.
Sleepers
Morten Gamst Pedersen
A deeply disappointing return from the Blackburn man who has now gone into steep decline following a tepid 2006-07 season. Six goals and 11 assists in that season was followed by just 4 goals and 4 assists this term (3 in the Fantasy League). The Norwegian’s slump cannot be put down to a lack of opportunity having made 32 starts – presumably then, Blackburn’s tactics are not allowing for Pedersen to provide the attacking returns he once delivered on a regular basis. The emphasis of Blackburn’s play has seemingly switched to Bentley on the right and his role in set-pieces has also had an impact on Pedersen’s potential. We’ll need to see overwhelming evidence of that changing before Pedersen edges his way back into fantasy favour.
Mikel Arteta
The Spanish playmaker collected an impressive 9 goals and 15 assists in 2006-07 making him a prime target for fantasy managers this term. Sadly however, blighted by a troublesome abdominal injury, Arteta’s season was a miserable one bringing him just a single goal and 5 assists in 27 starts. That kind of return should see his price fall considerably next term although his value will be influenced by his powers of recovery following surgery in the summer and also by a possible transfer. Keegan has reportedly made Arteta his number one target having let Emre leave the club. It’s doubtful whether Moyes would let his most creative player leave Goodison but it’s certainly a situation we need to monitor. Regardless of where Arteta’s future lies, if he shows glimpses of the form we know he is capable of in pre-season, then he should be a notable member of many shortlists going into the season.
Ryan Babel
Four goals and 3 assists were certainly modest returns for a £11.5 million signing. Classified as a Forward in the Telegraph but in midfield in both the FPL and Fantasy League games, Babel should certainly progress next season and offer more significant returns. His potential is clearly going to be influenced by his price, classification and also his recovery from tearing his ankle ligaments in training last week, an injury that has ruled him out of Euro 2008. That’s likely to have a major impact on his pre-season which could harm both his fitness and his chances of pinning down a certain starting role come the start of the season.
Kevin Nolan
The Bolton skipper is becoming a perennial sleeper. He clearly has the potential to push to the kind of levels reached by the likes of Barry, Downing and Bentley this season having hit 9 Premiership goals for Bolton in both the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons. Last season saw him find the net just 3 times in 31 Premiership starts while this season he returned an improved 5 goals in 33 starts. Three assists was a meagre supplementary return while infeasibly, the Bolton man failed to score a single FPL bonus point despite being heralded as perhaps their most influential player by Megson. Can Nolan push on next term? It’s possible that Megson may allow Nolan a more attacking role and much will depend on Bolton’s summer purchases.
Florent Malouda
The Chelsea man, like Liverpool’s Babel, slotted into that “wait and see” bracket in fantasy terms although, of all the new midfield arrivals to the Premiership, he was the one I saw offering the best returns. I couldn’t have been more wrong – Malouda had a miserable season, particularly in terms of fantasy output which saw him notch just 2 goals and 2 assists from 16 Premiership starts. Malouda’s future at Chelsea is certainly in doubt and he seems likely to be on his way once a new boss is installed. He could yet remain in the Premiership however – bizarrely, Rafa is allegedly sniffing round.
James Milner
Milner’s season was restricted by a number of injuries and a shift in tactics from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 after Keegan discovered the new, deeper role for Owen. The former Leeds and Villa man brought in just 2 goals and 2 assists then in a disappointing campaign but clearly has the talent to bring greater returns for fantasy managers, should the opportunities come his way. Next season is a pivotal one for Milner who must surely be looking to push on his career and ambition for full England honours. That seems a world away right now and if Keegan doesn’t shift to a 4-4-2 then it would appear that Milner could be sacrificed as Newcastle look to shuffle their squad.
Tomas Rosicky
Just 15 starts for the Arsenal man in a season blighted by injury. Rosicky was troubled by a hamstring and then picked up a tendon injury in January that saw him miss the rest of the season and the forthcoming Euro finals. Six goals and 2 assists in just 15 Premiership starts however, clearly indicate his potential to be a key figure in Wenger’s attacking plans and with Hleb’s future in doubt, surely the role of Rosicky will only increase next term. Much will depend on how he recovers in pre-season but if he’s back in the lineup and firing in friendlies, he certainly looks a strong shortlist contender, particularly if this season’s injuries have an impact on his price.
Jimmy Bullard
Regular visitors will have noticed I developed a soft spot for Fulham’s permed midfield general on his return from injury. His influence on the Fulham side is without question and he played a major role in their escape from relegation. In terms of fantasy returns Bullard was a world away from threatening the big boys with just 2 goals and 3 assists. A very decent total of 20 FPL bonus in just 16 starts however indicates where his potential lies. Ravaged by injuries over the past two seasons, Bullard will surely increase his returns should he stay injury free this term and along with team-mate Simon Davies, he should represent an excellent low-to-mid price option.
The Scout is Watching…
Stewart Downing
The Boro winger quietly racked up a significant haul this season despite Boro failing to catch fire for sustained periods. Downing still found the net on 9 occasions but surprisingly ended the season with just 6 assists. That figure should change next term if Alves continues to show the promised he displayed towards the end. Downing should find double figures with his assists next term and if he can match that in his goals tally he should push for a place in the top four fantasy midfielders.
Andy Reid
The diminutive midfielder was brought into a central role after occupying a wide role for most of his career at Forest, Spurs and Charlton. Keane knew how to get the best from his former Republic of Ireland team-mate and it showed as Reid sparkled in the tail-end of the Sunderland season. One goal and 2 assists may have been humble returns but 15 FPL bonus points over the last 9 games tells you just how much of an FPL favourite Reid became. If he prolong his form and fitness over the season next term then he should be an excellent low-to-mid price option.
Luka Modric
Spurs will be looking to their £16.5 million signing to provide the creative spark that will perhaps have to compensate for the loss of Berbatov. Modric’s real-life price tag is likely to have an impact on his fantasy value which could place him firmly in the “expensive gamble” category as a new arrival to the Premiership. There’s no doubting his quality as a playmaker, which should guarantee assists and FPL bonus points. Twenty-nine goals in 98 games for Dinamo Zagreb is a stat that also appears to promise the potential for decent goal returns. Much will depend on how Modric adjusts to the physical demands of the Premiership but he’s certainly one I’ll be monitoring in pre-season.
Antonia Valencia
Three goals and 4 assists in 30 starts aren’t the kind of stats that will have many fantasy managers on alert but Valencia clearly has the potential to build on that return next season. Much will depend of course on whether Wigan can hold onto the Ecuadorian winger with United apparently eyeing up a swoop for the 22-year-old. Bruce should be canny enough to keep him installed at the JJB and if that’s the case he should be available for a low-to-mid price and could well present decent value if Wigan can boost their goalscoring threat with summer signings.
Seb Larsson
The Swede enjoyed an excellent season with 6 goals and 5 assists, despite Birmingham’s relegation. He seems almost certain to remain in the Premiership as a result. Where he’ll end up is still in doubt and his destination will obviously influence his potential returns and his initial value across the fantasy games. Another potential transfer we’ll need to keep an eye on.
Lassana Diarra
There are several question marks surrounding the Portsmouth man going into next season. Firstly there are doubts as to whether he’ll remain at Fratton Park with the likes of Spurs already showing an interest. Secondly, there are also doubts over the kind of role that Diarra will play. The FA Cup final saw the Frenchman claim the man of the match award in a more attacking role pushed up in support of Kanu up front. If he remains under the wing of Harry Redknapp next season, it will be interesting to see if he is employed more often in this free, attacking role rather than sat deep in front of the back four as he did for most of last season. There’s no doubting his influence wherever he plays, but if he can edge forward he has shown his potential to earn assists and goals.
Liam Lawrence
Stoke City’s player of the year in their promotion season is undoubtedly their creative force from a wide position. Last season’s stats saw him haul in 15 goals and 15 assists and he will start as this year’s Gary McSheffrey – the budget promoted player with plenty of promise. Let’s hope he doesn’t end like Gary McSheffrey.
Zoltan Gera
The Hungarian skipper is West Brom’s most creative player, providing that touch of flair from out on the right of midfield. Seven assists and 8 goals in 33 appearances last term hint at his potential but there are big question marks over his future. Shortly out of contract at the Hawthorns, he has a variety of clubs sniffing around, including Everton and Benfica. If he stays in the Premiership, he is certainly worth consideration depending on his initial fantasy value.