The watchwords are caution and patience. Despite high hopes and aspirations, we’re best served by lowering our Fantasy expectations when it comes to new arrivals to the Premier League. For every immediate success, several hopefuls will flounder. For most, there is a period (sometimes an extended period) where they struggle to get their feet underneath them and adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League game and/or simply to living in a new country.

For others, it is just a matter of opportunity and getting chances, and they jump right in and shine from day one. Fortunately, Fantasy Football is forgiving and we can place them on our “watchlists” and wait to see who will hit the ground running. They are the exception not the rule, but who, if anyone, will be this year’s version of the 2009-10 Thomas Vermaelen or the 2008-09 Amir Zaki or Jose Bosingwa or Fernando Torres? We take a look at some of the contenders…

Defenders

Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny arrives from FC Lorient. With William Gallas departed, Koscielny looks to have first dibs on stepping straight into the starting lineup for a top four team to partner Vermaelen in the central defence. Calm and composed, Koscielny has also previously shown a nose for the goal, with reasonable returns for a defender in the neighbourhood of 1 strike every 10+ games. The current word on the street seems to be to avoid the Arsenal defence, but if he can meet or surpass that scoring rate (and get at least 3 goals in a debut season), he will be a bargain compared to Vermaelen and a viable option when a coin is tossed against the assist potential of the comparably-priced Clichy and Sagna. Unfortunately but realistically, expectations may be slightly inflated as a result of Vermaelen’s success last season. [Koscielny Scout Report]

Ahmed Al-Muhammadi
Al-Muhammadi arrives from ENPPI. The 22-year-old is quick, known for his crossing, and as comfortable on the right wing as the right back. It wasn’t the Premier League, but I’ve taken note of 9 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances over the last several years, with every indication from the pre-season being that Al-Muhammadi will get at least some of his playing time on the right-wing. Unfortunately, his national team success has led to a call up for Egypt’s midweek game against Togo days before the season kick-off when he ought to be with the team a solidifying his role.

Depending on whether you are glass half-full or half-empty, Sunderland’s signing of right back Marcos Angeleri from Estudiantes and the loan capture of Nedum Onuoha from City may raise concern about Al-Muhammadi’s playing time or promise that Steve Bruce’s intends to play Al-Muhammadi in an advanced role on the wing. In the end, the potential for an out-of-position defender for just 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League game (FPL) is always going to raise a curious eyebrow. [Al-Muhammadi Scout Report]

Alexsandar Kolarov
Kolarov arrives from Lazio. Any defender who switches his jersey number from “3” to “11” gets my Fantasy attention. Six goals and six assists during 82 games over the last three seasons is respectable and demonstrative of attacking capabilities that should be monitored. However, he does come in at a steep price and runs the risk of some rotation at the left back with Wayne Bridge (the worst scenario being that Bridge gets the easier games).

Questions also still remain about how City’s defence will gel with all of the new faces at Eastlands. Between City’s two most recent defensive acquisitions, I give the nod to Kolarov over Jerome Boateng (Boateng Scout Report), but either could excel if a regular position is locked down. [Kolarov Scout Report]

Others to consider: Antolin Alcaraz ; Jerome Boateng ; Jelle van Damme

Midfielders

Thomas Hitzlsperger
Hitzlsperger arrives after a short stint with Lazio. Although treated as a newcomer, Hitzlsperger previously played in the Premier League with Aston Villa during portions of the 2001-05 seasons. He scored 8 goals in 99 appearances and was known for a powerful left footed shot from distance. After leaving Villa, Hitzlsperger spent most of five seasons in Germany with Stuttgart, netting 20 goals in 125 appearances.

The German has been more than reasonably priced given his experience and could certainly become a natural replacement if Martin Petrov gets injured or does not pan out as many are presently anticipating. While Hitzlsperger offers promise, West Ham’s initial run of games is particularly difficult (avl BOL mun CHE stk), so there isn’t any need to rush to plug him in … just yet. [Hitzlsperger Scout Report]

David Silva
Silva arrives from Valencia, where he had 21 goals in 119 games. Silva was a regular for Spain during their impressive qualification run, but played a much more limited role in South Africa. Of course, there is no shame in sitting on the Champions’ bench with Cesc Fabregas and others. Given the high impact splashdown made by Fernando Torres a couple of years ago, it would be a mistake to write Silva off given the talent that will surround him at City, but many questions remain about both formation and rotation patterns. The recent omission from City’s Europa League squad does however indicate that Roberto Mancini is prepping Silva to be a key option in the Premier League; rotation around European games won’t be a concern.

However at the steep FPL price of 9.0, it will be the bold owner who plugs him in from the beginning, but 4% of the masses (not sure what % of the FFS readers) are doing just that. Silva can’t be ignored, but carries an overly inflated price tag. [Silva Scout Report]

Others to consider: Yaya Toure ; Pablo Barrera

Fowards

Mauro Boselli
The strong Argentine arrives from Estudiantes, where he scored 32 goals in 57 appearances during the past two seasons. Described by Roberto Martinez as a “clever player and a natural finisher,” Boselli is quick with his feet and strong in the air. Wigan leaked goals with great regularity last season, and will be looking (err needing) to score in bunches. Mindful of the opening comments about the risks associated with newcomers, I’m inclined to think that finding an extra 0.5 to get Rodallega makes the most sense if you’re buying into a Wigan forward.

I’m nonetheless excited about the prospect of Boselli, view him as someone who could easily score 10+ goals, which pays the freight for a 6.0 forward. Boselli is one of the very few newbies that has to be considered from the start given Wigan’s opening schedule with four of the first five games at home (BLP CHE tot SUN MCY). [Boselli Scout Report]

Marouanne Chamakh
Chamakh arrives from Bordeaux, where he bagged a respectable 79 goals in 293 games. Having shed the proverbial monkey off his back with an early preseason goal, he duly added a few days later against AC Milan. Many enjoyed a fantasy ride on the Bendtner-bus last season, but if Nikolas Bendtner can score 9 and 6 goals, respectively, during the past two seasons, there is no reason Chamakh cannot hit double digits.

With reports varying about the likelihood of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie getting additional rest during the early stages of the season, Chamakh may be given every chance from the opening bell to show what he’s got. [Chamakh Scout Report]

Others to consider: Nikola Zigic; Milan Jovanovic; Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez