Fantasy Premier League – Player List Analysis – Premium Forwards

The tenth and final in our series of articles focusing on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Player Price List is rolled out this afternoon. Having looked over the Goalkeepers, Budget Defenders, Mid-Price Defenders, Premium Defenders and Budget Midfielders,Mid-Price Midfielders, Premium Midfielders and Budget Forwards and Mid-Price Forwards, we take a look at the costliest frontmen available to Fantasy managers for the season ahead:

Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud comes in at just 8.5 this term despite finishing fourth amongst forwards in 2013/14. The much-maligned Frenchman still managed 16 goals and nine assists for the Gunners and with 29 bonus points also accrued, finished at least 30 points ahead of any team-mate. A consistency of game time earn Giroud 36 starts under Arsene Wenger but the summer arrival of Alexis Sanchez could have significant repercussions if the Chilean is moved to the lone forward role. Sanchez’ 19 goals and 10 assists for Barcelona last year demonstrate his capabilities and a possible move up front would bring the 10.5-priced midfielder to the forefront of our thoughts. With Aaron Ramsey and (the currently injured) Theo Walcott at 9.0 apiece, there are strong alternatives amongst Wenger’s squad for Giroud owners to consider, should he be forced onto the bench.

Diego Costa’s arrival at the Bridge finally hands Jose Mourinho a world class frontman to lead the line. Chelsea’s title tilt was derailed as a result of their forwards’ inability to find the net and Costa – whose 27 goals and five assists fired Atletico Madrid to their first La Liga title in 18 years – should remedy the form that saw them score just 71 times last term, at least 30 goals less than Liverpool and City.

While there’s no doubt that the Spain international will be Mourinho’s first-choice forward, he has real competition from Eden Hazard for our attentions. Coming in at 10.5, Costa is pricier than the Belgian (10.0), who many believe will be handed spot-kick duties as a result of Frank Lampard departure – Hazard’s proven Premier League record (190 and 202 points in the last two FPL campaigns) may persuade many to invest in the Blues’ midfield instead and free up a crucial striker spot in our 15-man squads.

Elsewhere at the Bridge, Romelu Lukaku once again looks a peripheral figure under Mourinho. With rumours of a possible return for Didier Drogba rife, Lukaku’s potential hinges on another loan move – with 32 goals and 16 assists in his last two seasons, a 9.0 price tag could still offer good value if he can find a regular role elsewhere.

The departure of Luis Suarez ensures Daniel Sturridge is the standout contender for Liverpool at present. Available for 11.5 this season, the former Chelsea man is elevated into the premium price bracket on the back of 22 goals and eight assists from 29 appearances in 2013/14 – his total of 197 points was second only to Suarez amongst frontmen. Whilst there’s a worry that Sturridge will struggle to replicate such form, it’s worth noting that he scored in four of the Reds’ first five fixtures last season at a time when his strike partner was suspended, underlining how vital he is to the Merseysiders.

The worry, though, is that with Champions League duties also to contend with, Rodgers may rotate more than previous years and his summer spending spree certainly strengthens that notion. Sturridge will surely still be Liverpool’s main goal threat but there may be better value amongst the raft of new signings, particularly if Rodgers can acquire Loic Remy (7.5) from QPR, after the Frenchman notched 14 times in 26 appearances for Newcastle last time around.

With Alvaro Negredo (9.0) sidelined for the first couple of months of the season due to a broken metatarsal, the 8.5-priced Edin Dzeko looks a real option for our initial squads. The Bosnian’s displays in the second half of 2013/14 were crucial to Manuel Pellegrini’s title win – 12 goals from Gameweek 20 onwards was four more than the other three City forwards combined and indicative of his growing influence under the new man in charge.

Bearing in mind that Sergio Aguero was on World Cup duties all the way until the final (and again suffered injury problems during Brazil 2014), Dzeko’s security of starts looks assured if the Argentine is eased back into the fray. Available for 12.0, Aguero managed 17 goals and 11 assists in just 23 appearances last season and clearly, when injury-free, is the best bet amongst Pellegrini’s strikers but his inability to steer clear of the treatment room continues to blight our Fantasy plans. Aguero appeared in just eight of City’s final 22 league matches and with his game time curtailed by injury on four separate occasions, his acquisition doesn’t come without the risk of injury attached. If you’re willing to spend big on City, Yaya Toure (11.0) seems almost immune to injury or rotation and looks first in line to benefit from penalties and free-kicks when Ageuro is inevitably sidelined again.

Luis Van Gaal’s decision to roll out a 3-4-1-2 formation bodes well for both Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. Many had feared the former Holland boss would shift to a 4-3-3, thus limiting Rooney’s potential with a role out wide, but the new United boss has revealed he is keen to play with two centre forwards for his first season in charge.

Whilst it’s likely that Van Persie will remain on spot-kicks under his compatriot, Rooney’s kinder price (10.5 to 12.5) could bring many Fantasy managers onside from the offset and with no European duties to contend this term, rest and rotation won’t be on the agenda as the Red Devils pair look to prosper from an excellent run which pits them against Swansea, Sunderland, Burnley, QPR, Leicester, West Ham and West Brom in the opening eight Gameweeks. For 9.0, Juan Mata also comes into consideration after Van Gaal handed him the role in “the hole” for his first match in charge in midweek.

The subject of growing transfer speculation, it’s uncertain whether Wilfried Bony will still be a Swansea player by the time the summer transfer window comes to a close. Handed a price of just 8.5, the Ivorian remains excellent value after serving up 26 goals and eight assists over 48 appearances for the Welsh outfit last season – 12 goals in the final 19 Gameweeks was bettered only by Sturridge’s 13 and highlighted Bony’s excellent end to a very impressive debut campaign. Four excellent home matches (BUR, WBA, SOT, NEW) are supplemented with a trip to Sunderland in the first seven Gameweeks and whilst visits to United and Chelsea could pose problems, it’s worth bearing in mind that eight of Bony’s 17 league goals came against top six opposition, highlighting his ability to deliver regardless of fixture difficulty. With Gylfi Sigurdsson coming in at 6.0 in midfield, though, the returning Icelandic international could be the safer bet until Bony’s future is decided.

Eleven goals, six assists and 19 bonus points in just 21 appearances under Tim Sherwood last term affords Emmanuel Adebayor an 8.5 price tag. The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino perhaps raises question marks over the laid-back frontman, though; hardly renowned for his work-rate, Adebayor could face a real battle to convince a tough task-master such as Pochettino of his ability to lead the line, as the new manager looks to bring his high pressing game to White Hart Lane. With Christian Eriksen at 8.0 and the similarly-priced Erik Lamela showing signs of progress, Adebayor – who missed the club’s tour of the US after contracting malaria – has a lot of convincing to do in order to stay in the Fantasy frame.