Scout Report – Jose Manuel Flores
Filed under: Scout Reports - Posted by: Paul
Michael Laudrup’s first move as manager of Swansea saw Spanish central defender Jose Manuel Flores sign from Serie A outfit Genoa in a deal thought to be in the region of £2m. The 25-year-old arrives on a three-year deal and re-unites with the new Swans boss, having previously worked under the Dane at Mallorca…
The transfer goes some way to addressing the gap left in Swansea’s central defence after Steven Caulker returned to parent club Tottenham following a successful loan spell at the Liberty Stadium last season, with Flores, or “Chico” as he is known, set to partner Ashley Williams in the heart of the back-four. Similar to fellow new boy Jonathan De Guzman, the 6 foot 2 inch stopper revealed the chance to work with Laudrup again was a key factor in his move to the Welsh club, going on to say:
“He knows me as a person and a player, so I was honoured when the call came. I believe the manager will be good for Swansea and they have done extremely well to get him. Swansea’s way of playing is the same style as he wants to play the game. He is the right person to take this club forward. Being brought up in Spain, I have the same culture of possession and passing football. I like to play from the back, come forward with the ball, and add to the possession game.”
The Statistics
The centre-half began his career as an 18-year old with hometown club Cadiz. After a couple of seasons in the reserves, Flores was promoted to the first-team but made just three appearances before being sent out on loan to the Spanish lower leagues during the 2007-08 campaign. Spells at Racing Club Portuense and Barcelona B harvested five goals in 32 games for the clubs before La Liga side Almeria came calling.
Over the course of a couple of campaigns, Flores played 47 times and scored a single goal – his displays in helping the club to a solid 13th place finish in 2009-10 caught the eye of Genoa and the centre-half moved to Italy in the summer of 2010 on a five-year deal. He failed to impress during his one season in Serie A, however, and, with just 15 appearances under his belt in his debut campaign, was loaned to Mallorca last term with the Spanish side given an option to make the deal permanent. Back in his native country, Flores came to the fore and was an integral part of the first-team, making 33 appearances, with his reading of the game and ability to intercept his opponents’ play one of the most impressive across Europe’s top five leagues last season.
The Prospects
While many fear a drop in Swansea’s potential following the departure of Brendan Rodgers, Laudrup is keen for his new charges to maintain their slick passing game as the Welsh club look to avoid “second season syndrome” after last term’s 11th place finish. His ability on the ball should see Flores fit seamlessly into the club’s system and with 14 clean sheets accrued in 2011/12, Fantasy managers may be eyeing up the Swans backline once again.
The major issue this time round is pricing, however. Michel Vorm came in at 4.0 in the previous campaign but his heroics between the posts have already seen his starting price soar this time round, with Fantasy Premier League (FPL) valuing him at 5.5. “Chico” has been handed a 5.0 starting price by the FPL in today’s published price list, putting him on a par with established starters Angel Rangel, Neil Taylor and Ashley Williams. Unless he can display some attacking threat or start soaking up some EA PPI points from king of the blocks, Williams, Flores will surely take a back seat, then.
Intriguingly, Flores has been slapped with a relatively low price in the Sky Sports game in comparison to his defensive team-mates. His 5.0 valuation is considerably less than Williams’ 6.9, with Rangel the next cheapest option at 5.7. In this game, then, the new boy looks an enticing prospect for those Fantasy managers looking for a route into Laudrup’s defence.
A kind opening schedule only furthers his appeal. Home clashes with (WHM, SUN, EVE) in the first five Gameweeks are allied with trips to QPR and Villa and offer Laudrup a strong platform to kick off his career at the Liberty Stadium in style. Whether Fantasy managers will be celebrating every Swansea clean sheet in a similar manner to last season is more than a little unlikely, though.
Further Reference
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July 18 at 9:33 am
ChristIna says:
Jussi
Fabio/Cole/Lescott/Gorkks
Pienaar/Noble/Demps
Torres(c)/Kun/Piggy
Bench: Begovic/Fonte/Mclean/Britton = 100m
Not sure about Pienaar…
Gw 2: El Torro–>Ade
July 18 at 9:40 am
Adz - The Verminator says:
Not sure about the goal keepers, defence looks fine, midfield looks pretty solid (Dempseys’s close to signing for liverpool by the way) and love the strike force. Overall, a well balanced team.
July 18 at 9:43 am
ChristIna says:
Just read Optimus link to Clint leaving. I think Fulham will struggle without him. There has to be someone coming thru a tFulham then. Who will be on peno’s with Klaxon/Clint gone? Forca?
July 18 at 9:59 am
Adz - The Verminator says:
Petric?
July 18 at 9:43 am
ManofKent says:
Tottenham?
July 18 at 9:45 am
Willis_Hide says:
Adebayor in GW 2.
July 18 at 9:46 am
ChristIna says:
Gw 2, El Torro–>Adebayor. With Clint leaving Fulham I might rework the squad a bit and get some more Spurs cover.
July 18 at 9:49 am
Billy Gilmore says:
If Dempsey —> Pool then Dempsey —> Bale
July 18 at 9:51 am
Pasqualinho says:
I’d keep an eye on that one. Liverpool killed Downing and Adam as fantasy prospects, so there’s a risk that Dempsey will go the same way.
July 18 at 9:34 am
Jonty says:
A few early thoughts
Fixtures
1. The best teams to invest in for the first few weeks are ARS, AVL, CHE, FUL, MCI, MANU, SWA, WHM, SPURS
2. QPR are good for punts as their first two fixtures are good, then go bad…which makes Taarabt and Cisse good bets at the very start.
2. Sunderland has a poor first fixture then get better, which means swapping whichever of Taarabt and Cisse fail for a Sunderland punt may just work out well.
Team value
looking at the values I’m sticking with my original plan of spending around:
gk – 10.5m
def – 27m
mid – 34.5m
striker 28.5m
This gives flexibility in early transfers. If you go for three heavyweight strikers at first but the 9.5m mids end up being essential then you may have to take hits. Spread the love.
Lessons from the past
The most planning of any gameweek goes into Gwk1, but it is probably the most unpredictable fixture. I remember one year when Jason Koumas was one of the top gwk1 scorers, his price rocketed, but he barely played again.
If you look at the previous year’s top performers they tend to be reliable players from the top teams. But already I’m seeing RMTs full of players from promoted teams and new players to the premiership. Yes, Hazard is worth a go for the double, but do we really know how well he will perform in the premiership. For every Aguero there’s a Boselli.
The best teams will be ones with a good sprinkling of Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal players and with proven points scorers such as Bale. No one can afford them all, but a good fantasy team needs to be a dominated by blue, red and light blue, with a sprinkling of hoops and stripes, not the other way round.
July 18 at 9:40 am
It's Dischord and Rhyme says:
Villa are perptually disappointing.
July 18 at 9:44 am
Jonty says:
the last two season’s yes, but before they were full of great fantasy players. At least one villa player is worth a punt imo from the off.
July 18 at 9:40 am
Scroobius Mac says:
QPR have 2 great fixtures, 3 dodgy ones and then a run of some really nice ones (can’t remember how long it goes on for) Noble can play all 3 of those dodgy ones (FUL nor SUN) and then put Taarabt back in.
Unless he does naff all in the first 2 weeks in which case yeah go for a Sunderland mid.
July 18 at 9:43 am
Jonty says:
Gameweek 6 is when QPR’s improve. Noble and taarabt is definitely the way I’m thinking of going first off.
July 18 at 9:56 am
Qubit says:
Agreed, although im seriously tempted by Cisse, i think he could be seriously good value at 6.5. Other budget fwd im interested in is Pog
July 18 at 9:43 am
djaphex says:
+1 !
July 18 at 9:43 am
GreenWindmill says:
I’d completely forgotten about him! I had him from the start that season and clung on to him for most of the season, convinced I was right and everyone (including his manager) was wrong!
On another note – great post, agree with pretty much all of it and it’s nice to see some good advice rather than just RMTs (already
)
On Taarabt – it might be worth steering clear for GW1 due to Ramadan finishing just before the start of the season – might affect his preparations. Someone should compile a list of Muslim players in the Premier League for reference purposes…
July 18 at 9:46 am
Jonty says:
good point. Ba was certainly affected by that last season.
July 18 at 9:49 am
GreenWindmill says:
Ramadan ran into the start of the season last year though so shouldn’t be as important this year, worth bearing in mind though.
July 18 at 9:58 am
In Like Flynn says: Keep FFS and FPL H2H Leagues says:
Treading on dodgy ground there GreenWindmill. Compiling lists of Muslim players could have you in front of the magistrates in no time, ask JT.
July 18 at 9:35 am
Chuck Norris says:
Looking at the backline:
A Cole or Ivanovic
Lescott or Clichy
Tomkins or Fabio
Fonte or Gorkss or Demel
July 18 at 9:39 am
Willis_Hide says:
Ivanovic, Lescott, Tomkins and Gorkss.
July 18 at 9:44 am
Billy Gilmore says:
+1
July 18 at 9:43 am
Adz - The Verminator says:
Cole
Lescott
Tompkins
Fonte
July 18 at 9:46 am
Jack(off) - Arsenal: The Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup winners of 2012. says:
Cole
Clichy
Fabio
Fonte (Don’t think Gorkss will be nailed on after Reading just signed 2 defenders, Demel if he is nailed on but it’s hard to tell after he was injured most of last season)
July 18 at 9:36 am
Optimus says:
pool reportedly have had 10m bid for dempsey accepted
http://www.sport360.com/articl.....-accepted?
anyone know any more
July 18 at 9:39 am
ChristIna says:
F…back to the drawing board.
July 18 at 9:38 am
Adithya Aithal says:
Anyone knows how the Sunderland back four will look like ?
Im guessing
Oshea – Brown – Cuellar – Richardson .
Right ?
July 18 at 9:40 am
ChristIna says:
No turner?
July 18 at 9:41 am
heco87 says:
Bardsley instead of Richardson
Cuellar vs Bramble vs Turner for the second spot in defence
July 18 at 9:44 am
Jack(off) - Arsenal: The Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup winners of 2012. says:
I’d say Cuellar gets the nod, MON fancies him ha.
July 18 at 9:45 am
ChristIna says:
Let’s hope Oshea/Brown’s injuries flare up again…
July 18 at 9:43 am
Optimus says:
i dont think richardson will be there at start of season..talk of him to everton..esp if baines goes
July 18 at 9:43 am
Jack(off) - Arsenal: The Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup winners of 2012. says:
Maybe Bardsley for Richardson, otherwise spot on IMO.
Although I don’t rate Brown at all.
July 18 at 9:39 am
Complete Lack of Pies says:
1st Draft – RMT Please
De Gea/ Ruddy
Cole/Williams/Hangeland/Koscielny/Kaboul
Yaya/Kagawa/Song/Hazard/Dyer
Pog/Adebayor/Torres
100m – overall rating of 1.30 on the Rotation Planner for next 6. Will plan my changes well.
July 18 at 9:41 am
Gigging Order says:
Has anyone looked at who is the optimal 4.5 GK to go with DDG?
In terms of an easy fixture when DDG is playing one of the top4 away for example.
If not, I will get on to it…
July 18 at 9:41 am
heco87 says:
Looks like Federici to me
July 18 at 9:42 am
Willis_Hide says:
What’s DDG?
July 18 at 9:44 am
Gigging Order says:
David De Gea
July 18 at 9:43 am
Demi says:
I haven’t looked at it but incase DDG missed the 1st game i’ve choses Federici for the DGW. Will play DDG in most games after that and Federeci just comes if he doesn’t start for some reason. Apparently Stoke(Begovic) don’t rotate well and i don’t fancy any of the others from West ham, Saints e.t.c..
July 18 at 9:43 am
Demi says:
*chosen
July 18 at 9:45 am
Gigging Order says:
This sounds sensible.
I was particularly interested in Green, think QPR will be tight at home.
Might check how that works.
July 18 at 9:45 am
lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
Check out Milanistas post on the page
Should be helpful
July 18 at 9:46 am
Gigging Order says:
Cheers
July 18 at 9:49 am
lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
http://www.fantasyfootballscou...../#comments
July 18 at 9:44 am
...al vorm<3 Suarez(c) says:
I’m enjoying seeing Tompkins in teams. I enjoy that mans attributes
July 18 at 9:44 am
Willis_Hide says:
New pose.
July 18 at 9:45 am
Complete Lack of Pies says:
Morning everyone. Lovely to see some prices this morning when I arrived at work
1st Draft – 100m – 1.30 Overall rating for next 6 (Rotation Planner)
De Gea/ Ruddy
Cole/ Williams/Hangeland/Koscielny/Kaboul
Yaya/Kagawa/Song/Hazard/Dyer
Pog/Adebayor/Torres
All assuming Ade goes back to Tottenham. Prob switch Torres out by GW3 unless he does spmething special.
Still tinkering
July 18 at 9:46 am
heco87 says:
That defence has got “bench points” written all over it
July 18 at 9:48 am
cylus11 says:
Rate my team :
Vorm, Jask/ Fedrecci
Clichy, Ivanovic, Anton Fdnand, Hangeland, R martin
Noble, Pienar, Dempsey, Malloney, Larsson
Adebyor, Auguro, Torres (c)
July 18 at 9:52 am
Adz - The Verminator says:
Love the strike force, defence is pretty solid and midfield is well balanced. Only one im not too sure about is martin. Maybe have cuellar instead.
July 18 at 9:50 am
Adz - The Verminator says:
Hows my draft looking??
Foster, Ruddy
Vidic, A.Cole, Hangeland, Cuellar, Hoovield
Bale, Sessegnon, Pienaar, Ireland, Noble
Aguero, Torres, Cisse
July 18 at 9:57 am
Pasqualinho says:
I like it – but that’s not really important as you’ve probably already changed it.
July 18 at 9:59 am
Adz - The Verminator says:
Not yet
July 18 at 9:53 am
sam_crawley says:
Been playing FPL for 3 years now. Start ok sometimes but always FIZZLE out! This is my first year i am gonna give it a massive going!
1st draft RMT
De Gea/ Begovic- 10.5
Ivanovic/ Lescott/ Ferdinand/ Fabio/ Tomkins/ 28
Lampard/ N’ Zogbia/ Noble/ De Guzman/ Tarrabt 32.5
Torres/ Bent/ Suarez 28
Not sure about suarez due to Olympics/ Crappy run of first games
Be KIND!!!
July 18 at 9:58 am
Adz - The Verminator says:
wouldnt have suarez, ferdinand, or de guzman. Get another big hitter in midfield.
Suarez > D. Cisse
Ferdinand > Hangeland
De Guzman > Bale/Kangawa imo
Other than that it looks good.
July 18 at 9:59 am
sam_crawley says:
cheers mate!
July 18 at 10:03 am
heco87 says:
I like it, but won’t be taking a punt on De Guzman at 6.0 – wait until they sign Michu who notched 15 goals from midfield in La Liga last season and who will probably come in cheaper, under the radar – use that to update Zog or Taarabt.
I think Zog and Taarabt are decent prospects but would only take a chance on one of them at first. Probably Taarabt if you have Bent.
July 18 at 9:55 am
It's Dischord and Rhyme says:
Cool but can’t see those fwds doing anything much
July 18 at 9:55 am
It's Dischord and Rhyme says:
rf
July 18 at 10:00 am
Wild Rover says:
I keep seeing posts saying Dempsey will be less effective in FPL if he moves to Liverpool? He’s no Adam, dependent on set pieces and often on the bench. Dempsey will be nailed on at Liverpool and if he plays the same role but in a better team, what’s not to like? First name in my team either way…
July 18 at 10:20 am
Scraftius Maximus says:
Not good enough for Liverpool though at 30 regardless of FPL returns.
July 18 at 12:02 pm
Crouch Potato says:
Really don’t get this ” not good enough for Liverpool” garbage. In relation to the current Liverpool team which exists, Clint Dempsey regardless of age is a proven PL player of the highest quality, something which is in very short supply in the present Liverpool side!
July 18 at 10:49 am
Gaz Downright says:
Dirk Kuyt was the top scorer in Eresdivisie before coming to Liverpool.
July 18 at 10:57 am
Aditya says:
Clint Dempsey has signed for Liverpool. Confirmed by Fenway Sports Group.
July 18 at 10:27 am
Chuck Norris says:
Hey lads, this is my first season of FPL and my first RMT but criticism is welcomed:
Begovic, Jaask
Cole, Lescott, Cuellar, Tomkins, Gorkss
Dempsey, Bale, Kagawa, Holman, Noble
Adebayor, Aguero, Pog
(PS I’m a Jap living in Australia which is why I have opted for Kagawa and Holman)
July 18 at 10:55 am
Aditya says:
Another draft..i found this one interesting too!!
De Gea Fedrici
Kaboul Ivanovic Lescott Rangel Fonte
Pienaar Kagawa VDV Noble De Guzman
Pog Torres Aguero.
good?