Brede Hangeland has built a reputation as an extremely accomplished centre-back in his four years in the Premier League. Ardent Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Managers will have been more than aware of his ability to fetch decent tallies prior to their inaugural 2010/11 selections. In past seasons he has attracted Bonus Point totals of 19 and 14 and helped establish Fulham as a defensively astute side with team-mate Aaron Hughes a dependable partner at the back.
The Cottagers did well to fend off interest from Premier League rivals and keep Hangeland on their books last summer. This paid off spectacularly as the defender achieved he highest FPL points total, became the club’s second top scorer and was ultimately hugely influential in helping Mark Hughes’ side achieve the very respectable eighth place finish.
The Statistics
Hangeland finished the campaign with 154 FPL points, the second highest for a defender in the game after Everton’s Leighton Baines – a strong return for a player priced at just 5.5 at the start of the season; by the end – Hangeland’s valuation peaked at 5.9. That’s a marked increase from Hangeland’s starting price for the 09/10 season when he was valued at just 4.5.
The 6ft4in defender once again collected a notable number of Bonus Points (12). This total would have perhaps been higher, were it not for the contributions of team-mate Clint Dempsey whose goalscoring feats saw him consistently play with the hearts of the Press Assocation’s Bonus judges.
Despite disappointing in this area, Hangeland more than compensated by developing a handy habit of converting Fulham’s set-piece deliveries. Having scored just a single goal in the two previous campaigns, Hangeland struck six times throughout the season – more than any Fulham striker.
Defensively his output was also tidy. Although under a new Manager, Fulham continued to display their fine defensive capabilities during 2010/11, particularly in front of their own fans and kept 14 clean-sheets – Hangeland was present for 13 of these.
The Prospects
Given this season’s goal tally, you would expect the FPL suits to ponder another price hike for Hangeland – a rise as high as 6.5 wouldn‘t be out of the question but it seems more likely that we will see him settle at 6.0.
That kind of valuation will likely provide a barrier for heavy investment, although the established partnership with Aaron Hughes should promise further defensive returns. A similar goal haul would be a big ask however, so much will depend on Hangeland’s ability to attract Bonus Points. Fulham will likely need a kind opening run if the Norwegian is to follow up his inclusion in our “Team of the Season” with early selection in our squads for 2011/12.
