Next Season’s Prime Targets – Part One

I’ve been spending some time going through a review of each team’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) statistics for the 2013/14, hunting for potential targets with a view to unearthing some hidden gems for next season.

As always, the underachievers could end up being the most productive source of FPL gold for the season to come. If you can find a valid reason for their struggles, be it managerial issues, an over-stretched squad due to European commitments or an unusual injury crisis, then you can reasonably expect an upturn in fortunes for the following campaign.

With this in mind, my hot-list of targets is not necessarily made up of all the top points scorers from this season but more the players with potential for an upturn in the season to come; something which the FPL will hopefully not have factored in when pricing them.

I have collated my review below into three parts, with parts two and three being published over the next few days. I’ll start with the top six clubs from the season past.

Man City

I think City will go very close again next season but it is hard to know if they will strengthen with the UEFA Financial Fair Play restrictions a factor. I think my main stance with City will be to try, at all costs, to avoid Sergio Aguero – he has proved so unreliable due to his injuries that it makes it tough to captain him and at his price he has to be a captain option. He is fast becoming a Fernando Torres figure for me but, that said, if he could possibly mirror Robin van Persie’s injury-free first season at United, Aguero would have to be in my team given his strike rate.

In defence, I might be interested in Aleks Kolarov or Gael Clichy if a clear front runner at left-back emerges. Pablo Zabaleta might be interesting, depending on price, but I would back other premium defences over City’s.

In midfield I won’t be going anywhere near Yaya Toure as I fully expect his points per game (ppg) to revert to his mean next season. I think David Silva might be reasonably priced, but coming off a World Cup I doubt I would invest in him and I don’t like any of the other City midfielders, with price hikes likely across the board.

Up front, as mentioned, I will try my best to stay away from Aguero and I don’t like the competition for game time amongst the other forwards.

Transfer considerations: If City sell a left-back then either Clichy or Kolarov could be of interest. Richards could be a factor if he moves elsewhere. Joleon Lescott is one to watch if he turns up at a decent team – although his price would have to accommodate this.

Hot list: Lescott

Liverpool

I can see Liverpool’s form suffering hugely due to Champions League commitments. Their assets may be worth investing in for the first 6-10 Gameweeks but once the fixture congestion really starts to bite (no pun intended), I’ve got concerns.

In defence I’ll be monitoring Jose Enrique and will be watching to see if Brendan Rodgers looks to swoop for Cardiff’s Steven Caulker to bolster his centre-back options. Martin Skrtel’s role at Anfield could come into question – I don’t think Rodgers rates the Slovakian and, seeing as the Liverpool defence conceded the second most goals (50) in the top eight (only Spurs conceded more with 51) we can anticipate changes back there. I think we could have a reasonably priced defensive asset in Caulker if his destination is to be Merseyside.

In midfield I will be interested in Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling if priced around the 7.0 mark; more than that and I’ll look elsewhere.

Up front, I expect Sturridge to be over 10.0 and Suarez to come in on or around that 14.0 mark. Given the schedule they’ll face, I don’t think I will be investing in either long-term. I might go for Suarez, depending on fixtures and budget constraints for the first 10 Gameweeks or so but, as with last season, trying to fit a 14.0 forward into your squad is a tough task from the off.

Transfer considerations: Caulker would be of huge interest to me if he is captured, while Jose Enrique could be intriguing if he returns strongly and ousts Jon Flanagan. That may well be a big “if”.

Hot list: Caulker and Enrique

Chelsea

I think Chelsea will strengthen and should go even closer to winning the title next season. With this in mind, I think a lot of their players will get a price-hike, so we might have to forego other big name players if we are to consider Jose Mourinho’s men.

In defence, Chelsea’s centre-backs will be hard to ignore. You just know Chelsea will be better defensively next season as they only really kicked into proper defensive form post-Christmas this season. If the defenders are overpriced then Petr Cech may come into the reckoning if priced around the 6.0 bracket.

In midfield, I like Andre Shurrle but would need to be convinced of his game time. Hazard will probably be my main big midfield option: he will be on penalties (subject to a new striker arriving) and that’s crucial, for me – Hazard without spot-kicks does not interest me in the slightest.

The options up front are all up in the air but, even now, I can say I won’t be investing in a Chelsea striker.

Transfer considerations: If Chelsea sign a left back I think this will have obvious repercussions on Branislav Ivanovic and César Azpilicueta. If the latter can hold his start, he will likely be the cheaper option, with Ivanovic set to topple John Terry as the most popular target.

I think Mourinho will look to strengthen at centre-back which will impact on Terry, probably more so than Gary Cahill. I expect David Luiz to move on with at least two new additions for Jose to toy with.

In midfield I would expect one or two of Chelsea’s current crop to move on and they could prove decent value at the right club (Victor Moses, anyone?). Up front, Romelu Lukaku will be a very interesting option depending on his destination. If, as mooted, Lukaku goes to Spurs with Paulinho moving in the opposite direction, I would personally say that both Paulinho’s and Lukaku’s stock would be on the rise.

Hot list: Hazard, Cahill, Cech

Arsenal

I am expecting big things from Arsenal next season if they can get their injury record addressed (which they seem to be assessing).

In defence, I will be monitoring Laurent Koscielny, subject to price, but I think the real gem could be Carl Jenkinson, depending on whether Bacary Sagna remains at the Emirates.

In midfield, I would love Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott (probably my second big midfield option if I go with two big hitters) if affordable. I’m expecting big things from Mesut Ozil next season, but we surely can’t have three Arsenal midfielders can we? If Ozil was given spot-kicks then he would be boosted enormously as an option.

Up front I will be monitoring the Olivier Giroud/Loic Remy situation, depending on price.

Transfer considerations: Sagna and his possible replacement. Remy/another new signing up front.

Hot list: Jenkinson, Koscielny, Walcott, Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud

Everton

I think Everton will struggle with Europa League commitments, so I’ll probably steer clear across the board, unless Roberto Martinez hands Leighton Baines that defensive midfield role he’s previously mentioned. Similarly, if Everton switch strategy to a 3-5-2 with Baines and Seamus Coleman as wing-backs, then, again, Baines would come onto the radar.

In midfield, with the 3-5-2, Kevin Mirralas could be a very good option if he gets one of the attacking positions. Gerard Deulofeu would be worth a glance if he came back and was reclassified as a midfielder but that would be the limit of my interest.

Up front I don’t really like any Everton options at the moment, but Arouna Kone could be a sleeper if he gets starts as a direct replacement for Lukaku – he should be very reasonably priced after his lack of game time this season.

Transfer considerations: Deulofeu. A new striker. Baines and Coleman if new signings see a switch in system.

Hot list: Baines, Mirallas, Deulofeu, Kone

Tottenham

I believe they have the squad to not allow the Europa League congestion to impact their season, so I will be interested in their assets, subject to seeing who takes the reins.

In defence, I like the look of Danny Rose if he is reclassified (he surely will be) and Jan Vertonghen should be priced much more reasonably after disappointing returns – he could be a steal with the new bonus point system.

In midfield, I’m already looking at Christian Eriksen, hoping that he’ll be priced no higher than 8.0. If the new manager plays with a “number 10” and he gets the role, I can see him providing excellent value. I also like the potential Erik Lamela might bring but I’ll be holding off to see if he nails a starting role and where the new boss plays him.

Up front, Emmanuel Adebayor will again be interesting subject to price and fixtures – although a new arrival looks likely. I don’t see Harry Kane getting as much of a look in under the next manager.

Transfer considerations: I will be watching Gylfi Sigurdsson in the hope that he moves on and gets a “number 10” role elsewhere – we know how effective he can be when given pitch time behind the striker.

Hot list: Rose, Vertonghen, Eriksen, Adebayor, Sigurdsson.