De Jong to City, Marlon King to Boro….things are picking up in the transfer window, to the point that it even warrants a little update…
The Done Deals…
Nigel De Jong to Man City
The latest Eastlands signing, snapped up from Jol’s Hamburg for a fee of around £17 million, despite rumours that City could have got their man in the Summer fro a fee of £1.8 million due to a contract clause. It’s clause-smause when money is no object though.
A versatile right-footed Dutch International, De Jong enjoyed a short but acclaimed midfield partnership with Vincent Kompany at Hamburg and Hughes will surely look to renew the pairing in the Premier League.
Ten goals in 164 first team appearances tells you that his fantasy prospects are low but he will surely have an impact on the players around him. It will be interesting to see how City’s lineup adapts to his arrival and that of Bellamy. Wright-Phillips and Ireland are surely certain starters, presumably with Robinho drifting in from the left to support Bellamy up front. The added security of De Jong could increase their attacking outputs which have slumped of late, whilst he will surely help to shore up the City defence, perhaps increasing the potential of fellow new signing, Wayne Bridge.
De Jong is yet to arrive in the Fantasy Premier League game.
Marlon King to Boro
At one point King looked the key striker in the budget bracket. He’s since dropped in form as Hull have slid down the table and the likes of Carlton Cole have superseded him in fantasy terms. Will this latest loan move to Boro rekindle his fantasy flame?
It’s very doubtful. Boro is a fantasy graveyard and is likely to continue to stay that way while Southgate’s side struggle to find a semblance of form. Boro have scored two goals in the last six league games. They’ll be looking to King to provide the answer and he looks a certain starter. Whether that means the elbow for Alves or a new role for Tuncay, remains to be seen. For now, I can’t imagine any fantasy manager being too bothered, except those who have kept the faith with King, hoping his Hull form would be revived. They’ll surely sell up now.
As for Hull, Phil Brown fell out with King in December and he’ll now look to United loanee Manucho to bring in the goals to preserve their Premier League status. He now looks relatively unhindered for starts and could be worth consideration should Hull start coming out of their shell once more.
The Possibles…
Jimmy Bullard to Hull
According to Sky a fee has been agreed. Will this up his fantasy ante? Doubtful to be honest. Hull have been on the slide and Bullard could find himself sharing set-pieces with Geovanni. That will surely hurt the fantasy output of both players – handy. Can’t see Hull agreeing terms myself. Let’s see what comes of this…
Mido to Wigan
Wigan are in talks apparently. An odd one with Marlon King moving on loan in the other direction earlier today. There’s not too much between those two to be honest, expect perhaps the fact that Marlon King can actually make it out onto the field regularly. The injury-prone Mido would of course linkup with compatriot Zaki and that could possibly create a profitable scenario for Bruce and Fantasy Managers. Presumably, if it comes off, Heskey could be nearer the JJB door with Villa leading the chase I would say.