Fantasy Premier League – Player List Analysis – Premium Midfielders

The seventh in our series of articles focusing on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Player Price List arrives this afternoon. After casting an eye over the Goalkeepers, Budget Defenders, Mid-Price Defenders, Premium Defenders and Budget Midfielders,Mid-Price Midfielders, we cast an eye over what’s on option in the premium midfield bracket:

Alexis Sanchez’ arrival at the Emirates has filled Fantasy managers with optimism for the season ahead. Nineteen goals and 10 assists for Barcelona last time around has ensured the Chilean is the costliest option amongst Arsenal’s midfield at 10.5 but it remains to be seen whether the new recruit will be fielded on the flank or utilised as the lone striker – a move up front would strengthen his appeal considerably.

Certainly, there are alternatives to Sanchez that are worthy of our consideration.At just 9.0 apiece, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott still look excellent value – whilst the latter seems set to miss the start of the new season due to injury, the Welshman averaged 6.4 points per game last season after serving up 10 goals and nine assists in just 23 appearances. To begin with, then, Ramsey looks the alternative for those unwilling to meet Sanchez’ asking price, though Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla (9.0 and 8.5) will be hoping to step up after disappointing seasons last time around. The German chipped in with 10 assists in his first year at the Emirates and his creativity should benefit from having a more clinical finisher such as Sanchez added to the mix.

Chelsea have a couple of strong options in the premium bracket, with Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas looking the standout contenders in terms of both points potential and security of game time. Hazard’s 10.0 price still looks relatively kind, bearing in mind he has racked up 190 and 202 points over his two campaigns with the London club, though his end of season form was a little concerning last time around– despite notching 14 times under Mourinho, he scored in only three of the Blues’ final 16 league matches. Nonetheless, Frank Lampard’s departure could allow him to take over as the club’s first-choice spot-kick taker, though new striker Diego Costa may rival Hazard in the penalty pecking order.

At 9.0, Fabregas’ consistent creativity is an excellent alternative. The Spaniard has delivered at least 10 assists in each of his last eight seasons with Arsenal and Barcelona and there’s a chance that, with Costa on board, Mourinho could return to the 4-3-3 formation that served the club so well during his first stint at the helm – potentially handing Fabregas the “Lampard role” as the most advanced central midfielder. Pre-season should hopefully clarify the matter and allow us to plan with a little more confidence, though the likes of Oscar and Willian (8.5 and 8.0) face a tough task to justify the outlay; with only Hazard seemingly nailed-on out wide, both look risky picks right now.

Liverpool have a handful of options in the premium bracket after serving up 101 goals in 2013/14. The departure of Luis Suarez is a huge blow for Brendan Rodgers’ side and whilst the Reds boss has been quick to add to his squad, question marks hang over their ability to deliver without the Uruguayan on board. Steven Gerrard scored 10 of his 13 strikes from the penalty spot last season but with Suarez no longer around to wreak havoc in the opposition box, the 9.0-priced skipper could well struggle to net with any regularity, with his deep-lying role perhaps deterring would-be suitors.

After scoring nine times apiece in the season gone by, Raheem Sterling and former Southampton skipper Adam Lallana are handed a significant price rise. Both come in at 8.5 respectively but, as Rodgers adds to his first-team squad ahead of a season in the Champions League once again, Fantasy managers will be wary of the rotation aspect this time around. With Philippe Coutinho (8.0) offering an option out wide, in addition to the arrival of Lazar Markovic (7.5), there’s a worry that Rodgers may alternate his options as he looks to strike a balance and find a suitable Suarez-less formation. Trips to City, Spurs and Everton in the opening five may deter some from initially investing in the Merseysiders’ midfield until the picture becomes a little clearer.

Yaya Toure sets you back a hefty 11.0 after a sensational season for champions Man City in 2013/14. The Ivorian’s dead-ball ability helped deliver 20 goals and nine assists in his first campaign under Manuel Pellegrini, with a total of 241 points second only to Luis Suarez in the overall standings. Handed license to bomb forward and link up with the attack, the Ivorian is clearly flourishing under his new manager – previously, he’d scored just 18 times in three seasons for Roberto Mancini.

There are two schools of thought on Toure for the upcoming campaign, though – although some feel he’s a points scoring machine that simply cannot be overlooked, others reckon that he will struggle to replicate last year’s heroics. Certainly, an injury-free Sergio Aguero would take penalties and a share of free-kicks off the African, whilst his 31.3% conversion rate will take some replicating, given that he netted only 10.1% and 9.2% of his efforts in the previous two seasons for the Etihad club.

Coming in at 9.0 and 8.5 respectively, David Silva and Samir Nasri offer us viable alternatives. The Spaniard averaged 5.6 points per game to Nasri’s 4.6 ppg, though the issue with Silva is, of course, his propensity for picking up injuries – he missed 11 games last season and subsequently earned 151 points, less than his fellow midfielder’s 155. Nasri, on the other hand, missed just four matches as a result of a knee injury and started all but one of the matches he was available for from Gameweek 8 onwards. A security of starts under Pellegrini also improved his consistency and with the former Arsenal man producing a goal or assist in eight of his last 11 league matches last time around, there’s a feeling he could be even more instrumental in the season ahead.

With six goals, five assists and 15 bonus points in 15 appearances for United, Juan Mata’s impact in the final few months of 2013/14 bodes well for the campaign ahead. Granted, it’s yet to be seen exactly what system new manager Louis Van Gaal will opt for, though a possible role in “the hole” could bring the Spaniard quickly into consideration ahead of an excellent run of opening eight fixtures. At 9.0, the former Chelsea man is the priciest route into the Red Devils’ midfield but has the potential, and Premier League experience, to benefit early adopters.

Christian Eriksen and forgotten man Erik Lamela both come in at 8.0 for Tottenham. Clearly, those behind FPL reckon the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino will spark a turnaround in fortunes for the latter but with one assist 331 minutes over nine appearanes so far, he has plenty of convincing to do. The Dane, on the other hand, looks fundamental to Spurs’ hopes for the season ahead – having flourished upon the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, he delivered seven goals, eight assists and 20 bonus points under Tim Sherwood – an average of 6.4 points per game in the final five months of 2013/14 suggests that 8.0 price tag could potentially be a bit of a bargain.