Next Season’s Prime Targets – Part Two

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 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, you can view part one, which focused on the top six teams from last season, right here. Read on for my take on the next five “mid-table” teams.

Manchester United

I expect United to bounce back next season without European football to distract them. I think we might be surprised by who becomes the targets in the team as it will depend on the style and formation that Louis van Gaal wants to play.

In defence I think Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Rafael and the incoming Luke Shaw will all be reasonable priced due to United’s poor campaign. David De Gea might also be an option if he comes in around 5.5m.

Juan Mata is the obvious choice in midfield if priced reasonably after a poor(ish) season but I think we might see some more surprising options come to the fore. Shinji Kagawa and Nani could gain a new lease of life under the new manager.

I’m hoping that one of Robin van Persie or Wayne Rooney is sold so Mata gets the number 10 role, although both strikers look likely to remain and are obviously viable options in their own right. Van Persie’s certainly has to be considered given that he’s likely to be given the armband and spot-kick duties by Van Gaal.

Transfer considerations: Shaw is the big one here. He should be reasonably enough priced with the United defence struggling for consistency last season. Shaw could be potential star at both ends of the pitch, depending on the style of play adopted.

Hot List: DeGea, Shaw, Evans, Rafael, Mata, RVP/Rooney

Southampton

If Mauricio Pochettino stays and they can keep their squad intact I don’t see why the Saints cannot enjoy a similar campaign to last season. That’s a big “if” with the vultures circling – Pochettino, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana all look set to leave St Mary’s if you believe the current crop of paper talk.

In defence, Southampton are all likely to be overpriced but we may get a bargain in the shape of Shaw’s replacement at left back if the transfer is yet to complete before the new prices are released.

Artur Boruc might be an option again if he comes in at 5.0m

In midfield I think Gaston Ramirez could be a well priced option if Lallana is sold but, elsewhere, I don’t see any options that will pique my interest.

Up front, I doubt I’ll be looking at any of their players as Rickie Lambert will be 32 with a long summer behind him, while Jay Rodriquez will need to time to recover once he returns form his cruciate injury.

Transfer considerations: It is all about Lallana and Shaw and any possible signing they make should they manage to sell Osvaldo.

Hot List: Boruc, Shaw’s Replacement left-back, Ramirez

Stoke

Mark Hughes has quietly turned Stoke into a top ten team. I expect things to progress further next season but we might pay for their decent campaign, with price hikes for their squad on the cards.

In defence I think Roberth Huth could be an undervalued gem once fit. Stoke could also be in the market for a centre-back so, whoever they bring in, could be very well priced also.

Asmir Begovic may come to the fore again: his second half of the season defensive stats were impressive and, while Stoke kept nine clean sheets over the season, I can see this getting bumpted to around 14 in the next campaign if they strengthen at the back. The recent signing of Phil Bardsley indicates that Hughes is clearly earmarking investment in the back four.

In midfield, Marko Arnautovic is going to be one of the first names on my team subject to price and fixtures. Other than that, Stoke have Stephen Ireland and Charlie Adam, who could both offer value at certain points in the season.

Up front I like Peter Odemwingie and, if Hughes fails to add to his options in this area, he could be a viable target. A new arrival looks likely, however.

Transfer considerations: Huth’s return to fitness or a new centre-back will be worth monitoring. I have a sneaky suspicion that Hughes might move for Joleon Lescott: he’s a Hughes type player and he already signed him once whilst at Man City. Odemwingie might possibly be reclassified as a midfielder after playing almost all season as a right winger but it is a long shot. Up front, I’ll be watching for the new signing.

Hot list: Begovic, Huth, Arnautovic, Odemwingie.

Newcastle

It’s really difficult to know how Newcastle will fare after the last campaign. It’s clear that their transfer policy was flawed in that they failed to sign anyone other than Loic Remy on loan in the summer, whilst they failed to replace the influence of Yohan Cabaye in midfield.

I felt sorry for Alan Pardew as the lack of signings left his hands tied. If they can sort themselves out in the market this summer and strengthen adequately, they could push for a top six again. However, similarly, failure to strengthen will likely see them flirting with relegation.

In defence there’s nobody who particularly interests me. Pardew may get some solid performances from his back four but with Fabricio Collicini’s future in doubt and Tim Krul possibly departing, caution is required.

Newcastle need to acquire a creative attacking midfielder and if they can unearth another Cabaye type signing, I might be tempted at the right price and with the right fixtures

The Magpies are surely set to strengthen up front but, as it stands, there’s nothing to tempt me. I do think that Papiss Cisse was very unfortunate not to have scored a lot more goals this season: he was prolific with his attempts and, historically, has great accuracy. If the Toon do strengthen in the summer and the team get their mojo back, Cisse could be one to watch.

Transfer considerations: I expect a good bit of movement in and out of the North East this summer so it will be a case of “watch this space”.

Hot List: None

Crystal Palace

I expect Palace to be just as resolute next season. There may be even more of a home bias to their clean sheets once Tony Pulis is able to acquire more players and evolve them to mirror Stoke’s Britannia form under his reign.

I think almost all of their defenders will be priced 5.0+ and, therefore, may be overlooked.

In midfield I think Yannick Bolasie might be reasonably priced, while Jason Puncheon will likely be around 6.5 and, again, priced out of the equation. Pulis may even add to his options out wide – Tom Ince returned to Blackpool after the end of his loan period and is now out of contract.

Up front I fully expect Pulis to get busy in the market, so we might have a reasonably interesting option here. The quest for clean sheets and a lack of attacking ambition is always off-putting, though.

Transfer considerations: I expect Pulis to sign at least one centre-back and a left-back. Central midfield is also likely to be strengthened, with perhaps a wide man and a centre forward also on the shopping list.

Hot list: Bolasie