Feature

The Burning Question: Can Gylfi Sigurdsson Replicate his Form at Spurs?

Our next Burning Question article focuses on one of last season’s surprise packages, the Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. The former Reading man was snapped up on loan from Hoffenheim by Swansea during the January transfer window and promptly made a mockery of his 5.0 price tag in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, scoring seven goals and assisting three more while playing in “the hole” behind Danny Graham. His formidable displays took Fantasy managers and Swansea’s opponents by surprise and by the end of the season the Icelandic international was hot property.

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who had also managed Sigurdsson during his stint at Reading, was chief amongst the midfielder’s suitors and keen to re-unite with the playmaker once again this summer but it was Tottenham who ultimately secured him on a permanent deal in the region of £6.5m. With such attacking talents, even a FPL price hike to 9.0 and a 7.3 tag in the Sky Sports game may still represent a bargain. Already during pre-season friendlies he has scored two goals, but questions remain as to how manager Andre Villas-Boas will fit Sigurdsson and fellow attacking midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart into the same side. During Spurs 1-1 draw with LA Galaxy and in last night’s 2-0 loss to Valencia, Sigurdsson played worryingly deep while Van Der Vaart was on the pitch, but has been utilised in an attacking role whenever the Dutch midfielder isn’t on the pitch.

Mark says…
The early signs are good. So far in pre-season it appears that Andre Villas-Boas has looked to harness Sigurdsson’s talents – I can’t help but notice that he’s immediately jumped the pecking order on set-plays. There is concern about the role that Sigurdsson will play once Luka Modric has flown the nest – something which looks inevitable. He could find himself as part of a midfield three with Rafael Van der Vaart and Gareth Bale flanking a lone striker, or worse still, deeper in a 4-2-3-1. It remains to be seen if that system will allow Sigurdsson to exert his considerable influence around the opposition’s penalty area. We’d like to think so but, with both Van der Vaart and Bale similarly priced, I wonder if Sigurdsson is the riskier option of the three right now. Certainly I’m leaning towards Bale – he seems more certain to kick-on from last season, whereas Sigurdsson set high standards at Swansea and was a key figure in a side that seemed to be bereft of direct goal threats.

Paul says…
It all depends on his game time. If Sigurdsson becomes an integral member of the Spurs first-team under Andre-Villas Boas, I see no reason as to why he can’t replicate last season’s form. When the summer transfer window closes, we’re likely to get a better idea of Villas-Boas’ intentions – he has maintained a 4-2-3-1 in pre-season with Sigurdsson mainly utilised in “the hole” but the manager has admitted that is mainly down to current personnel. A preferred 4-3-3 formation, with Sigurdsson tucked in behind a lone frontman, would replicate the Icelandic international’s role under Brendan Rodgers at Swansea and Reading and surely boost his appeal. Quite how Villas-Boas will use Rafael Van der Vaart should be key; if the Dutchman is vying for the same role as Sigurdsson, both players’ minutes could be reduced and promote Gareth Bale as the main midfield option in the Tottenham midfield for Fantasy managers. Spurs scored 66 goals last season – 22 more than Swansea – and if Sigurdsson becomes nailed-on, his creativity will be key next term. With the likes of Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker ideal for Villas-Boas’ high defensive line, the potential is there for the Portuguese manager to quickly draw a line under his brief spell at Chelsea last time round.

Anorak says…
Whether through the change in manager at Spurs, or the enforced absence of Rafael van der Vaart due to injury, there is certainly a new verve to the attacking midfield slot of Andre Vilas-Boas’ Tottenham side during the pre-season friendlies. Sigurdsson appears to have slotted seamlessly into a Spurs pre-season midfield without the aforementioned Dutchman and Modric, and has made himself at home picking up both an assist and a goal in the final game of that US tour (a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls). That said, the future of both Modric and Van der Vaart is sure to have a key part to play in the potential success of Sigurdsson at Spurs – should they both start the season at White Hart Lane, then midfield spaces will be at a premium, even in the 4-2-3-1 formation likely to be adopted – one of Sigurdsson and Van der Vaart would need to be pushed wide right and, in order to maintain balance (and some semblance of width) could easily find themselves benched.

Andy says…
As the unofficial president of the Gylfi Sigurdsson fan club, this is perhaps the one question that has caused me sleepless nights in pre-season. My short answer is an unequivocal, yes. The Icelander has all the talent to succeed at this level but now that he is surrounded by the likes of Gareth Bale and Rafael Van Der Vaart – and with Emmanuel Adebayor still in the shopping list – I am a little worried he could end up sharing the spoils a little too much. I think he has more than enough ability but I’m definitely fearful of how his new team-mates will impact upon his scoring. There’s just as much a part of me that thinks having a stronger squad around him will only better his cause.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

3,792 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    If I have 3 Chelsea and want to get them all out before they have no game should I just go with 2?

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    1. Arselona
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Yeh, I'd say 3 is overkill

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    2. IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveA…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      3 is fine really need to utilise the double - Transfer 1 before GW2 and another before gw3 and theres no problem. Or use your bench

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I have switched to 2 after yesterday. Torres and Cole is plenty

      allows me to bring in VDV/Bale

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      1. IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveA…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I don't really get why you wouldn't want to squeeze another top player in there who has an extra game - Terry or even Cech

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        1. aflickering
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          he doesn't have an extra game unless you take a points hit.

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  2. Arselona
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Aguero + Tevez + Dyer

    or

    Rooney + Graham + Nani/Kagawa

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    1. Arselona
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Hmm... Nobody's willing to take a stab at this....

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      1. Arselona
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Oops... wrong players.... let me try again

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  3. edmundg
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    never asked for remarks on my team - but any thoughts on this please?

    HOWARD FEDERICI
    COLOCCINI, WILLIAMS, LESCOTT, CASHLEY, ANT FERDINAND,
    HAZARD, CABAYE, NOBLE, MCANUFF, LARSSON
    TORRES GRAHAM, AGUERO

    +1.5m in the bank

    thinking of going 3,4,3 most weeks....leaving mcanuff and noble out. Looking at upgrades to midfield once the first few weeks have passed and new recruits settled in (ie kawagawa, cazorla etc)...

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    1. Arselona
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good..

      Your should keep track of whether Cabaye and McNuff will start tho.. Both trying to overcome minor injuries I think.

      Oh, and I don't agree with Torres 😉

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      1. edmundg
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        torres is a bit of a punt - based on world cup and the double bgameweek.. I can always switch out to rooney or podolski if its another false dawn..

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    2. edmundg
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      **sorry, should have said dropping noble OR mcanuff msot weeks...

      thanks in advance.

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  4. Heisenberg:Crystal Meth Pal…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Fun fact:

    Zabaleta has started every preseason game but one (against Limerick which was City's B team).
    He is priced at 0.5 less than Lescott and 1.0 less than Hart/Kompany

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  5. LiamG
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I decided to go for Tevez over torres but still have 3 Chelsea players in my team!!

    Looking like this at the moment

    De Gea

    Lescott, Terry, Colocchini, A.Cole

    Mata (c), Silva, Pienaar

    Tevez, D.Ciss, Suarez

    SUBS : Cerny, Tierney,Britton,Allen

    Decided to go for a cheap bench

    What ya reckon? (FPL)

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    1. Dial Square
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Cole and Terry is a bit much

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      1. LiamG
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        DGW though, Terry will probably be the casualty in the future!

        Unless you can reccomend someone else?

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  6. give me silvaware
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Is Rafael worth it?

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    1. Dial Square
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      no

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      1. give me silvaware
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        due to man u injuries he will surely get a game

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  7. Arselona
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Sorry guys, wrong players listed above... so it's either

    Rooney + Tevez + Dyer

    or

    Aguero + Graham + Nani/Kagawa

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    1. Derailed Bandwagon
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Ag + Gra + Kag

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  8. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Every season I always end up using a wildcard after the 1st gameweek. So I’ve been thinking why not go with this team and make the most out of the 1st gameweek and then use my wildcard right after!

    What do you guys think about this:

    Federici 4.0m

    Zabaleta Vermaelen Hangeland Cole Demel

    Cazorla Mata Nolan McAnuff Noble

    Tevez Aguero Torres

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    1. Woeisme
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      If no one answers keep asking?

      A wildcard is a valuable asset. Don't be flippant with it.

      How many of those guys would you transfer out?

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    2. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      you seem to have picked a weirdly long-term-thinking team for someone wildcarding after GW1 😛 aside from the arsenal players anyway!

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  9. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    New Post

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  10. Putherover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Bertrand for chelsea right back?

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      No because, as we suspected, Ivanovic is not banned. Article edited above and tweeted. FA have confirmed to us this morning that, our thoughts in last night's Knee Jerk, were correct.

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  11. Derailed Bandwagon
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Which team is better guys? Answers will be muchly appreciated.

    A) Mignolet, Green
    A.Cole, Lescott, S.Taylor, Hoovield, Gunter
    Mata, Sessegnon, Michu, Kightly, Noble
    Torres, Tevez, Bent

    B) Szczesny, Ruddy
    Lescott, S.Taylor, Cuellar, Hoovield, Gunter
    Mata, Sessegnon, Michu, Kightly, Noble
    Aguero, Torres, Tevez

    Thanks

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    1. GA Phenomena
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I don't like Mignolet , Lescott and Sessy

      but if have 2 choice , I like A
      look good for all position

      cheer!!!

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    2. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      B. i think bent will do great but aguero is gonna slaughter him nonetheless 🙁 cuellar could be one of the bargains of the season.

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  12. cuterandy
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    A.Graham + Walcott
    B.Podolski + Dyer

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    1. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      i'd go A. walcott more proven, graham better than dyer. cazorla might keep walcott on the bench every so often though.

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  13. billnats
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Friedel - Fed
    Ivanovic - Zab - Hangeland - Clyne - Demel
    Bale - Kagawa - Piennar - Dyer - Noble
    Aguero - Torres+2 - Petric

    RMT please... any comments appreciated!

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    1. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      a bit generic but really strong all over i think. i worry about ivanovic getting replaced, but if you plan on getting him out before GW3 that's not a big deal anyway.

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      1. aflickering
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        have you considered lampard---> bale before gw3, instead of starting out with bale? that's what i'm considering - taking a points hit 'n all that. hell, it's a differential! 😀

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  14. Heisenberg:Crystal Meth Pal…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    1. Yaya has 3 goals this pre-season which is a lot for someone who apparently plays very deep

    2. Aguero has also scored 3 goals but all is forgotten when Tevez scores his first....

    3. Kolarov or Zabaleta? Both have played all preseason (except when B team was played v Limerick)

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    1. HelloSidney
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      1. Yeah, Yaya's a bargain, I can't get my head round all the negativity.

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      1. aflickering
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        nasri played 400 less minutes last season and only got 5 points less. 😉

        zabaleta is more nailed on than kolarov methinks.

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  15. Mainevent
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    why is no-one saying Harte in defense? Double gameweek and takes pens/free kicks.
    Also what about Guthrie?

    RMT

    Vorm - Ruddy
    Lescott - Hangeland - Fabio - Cuellar - Harte
    Kagawa - Mata - Toure - Noble - Guthrie
    Aguero - Torres - Graham

    2 in bank for Roondog

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    1. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      'cause they bought shorey and he's now probably backup 😛

      tons of people have guthrie, best 4.5 mid choice seemingly.

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  16. cuterandy
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    now tevez owned by 8.4%

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    1. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      says 11.4%?

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  17. Latch86
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Trying to decide between A & B…. thoughts?

    A:

    DE GEA & Ruddy
    Ivanovic, CLICHY, Williams, Clyne, Gunter
    Mata, BALE, Y Toure, Allen, Frei
    Tevez, Rooney, GRAHAM

    (£0 left)

    B

    FRIEDEL & Ruddy
    Ivanovic, RAFAEL, Williams, Clyne, Gunter
    Mata, LARSSON, Y Toure, Allen, Frei
    Tevez, Rooney, TORRES

    (£0 left)

    I’m also toying with the idea of starting with D Bent – Villa’s opening fixture list looks ok and Lambert plays expansive football…

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    1. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      i don't like either clichy or rafael due to serious rotation worries, otherwise i prefer A though, easily.

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  18. This!
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Gravatar test

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  19. DVassell
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    any thoughts on my attempt at a team?

    DDG (Cerny)

    Fabio Cashley Hangeland (Tierney Demel)

    Lamps(C) Valencia Silva Guthrie (Pienaar)

    Rooney Tevez Petric

    Cheers!

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    1. aflickering
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      cerny is the worst keeper choice out of every single keeper on the site, due to zero gametime + inevitable price falls. i'm still dubious about valencia (despite being a utd fan and thinking he's a great player), and i wouldn't touch silva at the moment due to fitness worries, otherwise fine!

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      1. eagles4ever
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I hav Hart/Cerny. Hart will play every game regardless of fixtures so u just need the cheapest option bench fodder for back up. Barely be any price drop if any for Cerny as who will be getting shift of a 4mil keeper?? Not too many

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        1. IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveA…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Is hart not a risk for GW1?

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    2. FORCA INTER
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      dont get Cerny as 2nd keeper

      if you wanna get 4.0m gk get one with low ownership cause you will be loosing money at Cerny

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