The curtain may have dropped on the 2010 season but Fantasy Managers will already be looking to next term and assessing likely targets. Our Scout Notes switch their sights then, focusing on the players and trends that will stir interest as we contemplate our summer break. What summer break?
Anderson
The midfielder continued his impressive form when played behind a lone striker; Anderson excelled in the role in the recent Champions League Semi Final against Schalke and yesterday saw him grab a goal (his first in the league all season) an assist and the three Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Bonus Points for a 13 point haul, fully justifying his selection in the Scout Picks squad and Big Dunc’s “Spot the Differential†article. Can Anderson flourish and find a regular starting role in Alex Ferguson’s midfield? Paul Scholes is likely to be the key factor here – with Scholes facing retirement, Anderson looks the most likely to step into the breach, although a new midfield arrival in the summer is also a strong possibility. Anderson’s form and role in the United camp will need monitoring in the pre-season.
Joleon Lescott
The Man City centre-half has started to show the form that made him a Fantasy favourite a couple of seasons back at Everton, with his second goal in as many games in the 2-0 win at Bolton. In the absence of Kolo Toure, Lescott has been given the game time to establish an understanding with Vincent Kompany at the heart of City’s defence and his eye for goal combined with City’s clean sheet capability could make him a decent pick come next term – if he can retain his starting role of course.
Charlie Adam
Adam’s free-kick at Old Trafford saw him finish as second-top overall in FPL this season, an outstanding return for a player initially priced at just 5.0. With Blackpool now relegated, the race will be on for his signature in the close season. If Adam does pop up in the Premier League next term, whether he remains a crucial Fantasy buy will be much dependant on his set-piece and penalty-kick returns; will any new side allow him to take the same number of corners and free-kicks to the same extent he has at Blackpool?
Robin Van Persie
Another goal for Van Persie at Fulham yesterday means that since the turn of the year, he has scored 18 goals in 18 games for the Gunners, failing to find the net in just five of those matches. Add in four assists and 27 Bonus Points and that’s an average of 7.8 per game. The Dutchman has shown that, when injury-free, he’s a near-essential asset for Fantasy Managers and will surely be one of the pre-season favourites when the time comes to select those 2011-12 FPL squads.
Bolton’s Decline
The wheels have come off in spectacular fashion towards the end of the season for Owen Coyle’s side; yesterday’s home defeat by Man City makes it five consecutive losses and, combined with the 5-0 FA Cup Semi Final by Stoke, cast a shadow over their great start to the campaign. In the end, Bolton sit just seven points off the relegation places and Coyle will need to invest in the summer, with Johan Elmander off on a free transfer and Daniel Sturridge heading back to parent club Chelsea. Talking of Sturridge, he will start the season with a suspension following his red card for a high tackle against City.
David “Junior†Hoilett
The Canadian was a real handful for Wolves at Molineux and his goal was Hoilett’s fourth in his last seven games for Rovers. Never given a chance under Sam Allardyce, credit must go to Steve Kean for showing faith in the youngster. He looks a real prospect for next season and will surely be an integral part of Kean’s side in the 2011/12 campaign. If FPL keep his price low, Hoilett could be a real steal.
Bobby Zamora
Four goals and four assists in ten games (with many of them from the bench) since returning from a broken leg has illustrated Zamora’s worth to Fulham. Injured in gameweek 4 and not returning until gameweek 29, he nevertheless ended up as top-scoring forward for the Cottagers and an injury-free season next time round under Mark Hughes should see Zamora a more-than-decent relatively low-priced shout.
Jermaine Beckford
A stunning strike handed Everton the home win over a fading Chelsea force. Beckford’s season has been patchy at best but, despite being in and out of David Moyes’ lineup, he returned eight goals over the season with three assists to his name. With Everton short on Summer funds, Beckford could well claim a place in Everton’s attack next term, although a shift to a regular 4-4-2 from David Moyes may well be required for Beckford to offer Fantasy Managers any real security.
Stephane Sessegnon
Playing as a makeshift striker, Sessegnon delivered his third goal in five games in Sunderland’s 3-0 win at relegated West Ham. Classed as a midfielder, the lightening-heeled signing from Paris St-Germain is all set to be a key figure next term and his shifts up front won’t have gone unnoticed by shrewd Fantasy Managers. Steve Bruce will surely bolster his forward line in the summer but the Sessegnon option is something we will need to be aware of as Bruce predicts big things from his January acquisition…
“We have to be patient and give him time to settle and get used to things…He’ll be a big hit for us next year, I’m convinced of that.”
Somen Tchoyi
Three-nil down to their hosts and without talisman Peter Odemwngie, West Brom looked dead and buried at St James’ Park but a hat-trick from Tchoyi earned the Baggies a point as the winger picked up 20 FPL points for his performance. Roy Hodgson hinted there will be plenty more to come from the player next season:
“It has taken me a while to get to know him but he is obviously going to be a very important figure for us next year.The more I have seen of him in training, the more I have got to see him in games, I have started to realise that he has got a special talent”.
Steven Taylor
An arm injury to Mike Williamson has allowed Taylor a chance to establish himself in the heart of Alan Pardew’s defence and he’s grabbed it with both hands. The centre-half has scored in each of his three subsequent appearances for Newcastle and has put forward a strong claim for a starting place alongside Fabricio Colccini regardless of Williamson’s availability.
